Passion

 Today is my kid brother's birthday.  All the best Roger!

--------------------------------------------------

Totally bored to tears, I headed to the greenhouse this morning to say hi to the folks.  Luckily, David had a couple of jobs that I could do.

First, I covered some 2 X 4's with indoor carpeting, to use as a draft deterrent on the greenhouse doors adjacent to the Lilies.

Then, I started trimming back the Passion Flower pots.  Normally, they are in demand for wedding arrangements, but this is not a normal time.  So, we go from this...

...to this.

Being a romantic sort, I saved a few blooms for my love.

They are a unique and beautiful flower!  And she is a unique and beautiful lady!  Love you babe!  Get well soon.

-----------------------------------------------

Keep your sense of humour.  Stay well.

Bored and Lonely

 I missed a birthday yesterday as Mardi's niece Rachelle celebrated her special day.  Today, Rachelle's sister Rebeccah celebrates her special day.  Best wishes to both.

-----------------------------------------------------

Mardi headed back to bed this morning - the nerve endings don't jump as much when she's lying down.  So, being bored and lonely, I headed to the greenhouse.  Not intending to do any work but just to see friendly faces.  As it turned out Kent and Sean let me help separate the Canna Lilys.

Did that job in jig time.  The tub below was full when I finished.

-----------------------------------------------

Yesterday I mentioned that John and I had solved some of the world's problems.  To correct that, we solved a couple of Canadian problems.

But there is something going on that we cannot solve.  It's a long story, but certainly worth reading:

https://www.newsweek.com/2021/12/31/millions-angry-armed-americans-stand-ready-seize-power-if-trump-loses-2024-1660953.html

I believe that the author of that story is right on.  Over the next three years we will likely witness the demise of the U.S. as we have known it.  The only question in my mind is why nobody is calling what Trump and his minions are doing what it is - treason.

------------------------------------------------

Starting to hear of folks we know who have caught the virus or have been exposed to it.  With the exponential growth of the Omicron variant this will become much more common.  

The people noted below are not helping the problem.

Thanks for sending this along David.

-------------------------------------------------

Be careful.  Stay well.

Nursing

 Sorry to report that our dear friend (and one of the four bees) Monica was hit by a car in a parking lot on the weekend.  I sent her a message asking how she was, and got the following reply:

Thanks for asking Bud,

I feel as if I was hit by a car! Today was a little rougher than yesterday but am hoping this is the worst and every day going forward will be better.  I am very lucky on two counts. (1) nothing was broken (2) everyone, from the LCBO employee that stayed calmly with me and ran the scene, to the firemen, the EMS guys, the nurses and Doctor at Joe Brant and even the police officer were all very very gentle and kind.  I was very very blessed that way.

 Nurse Jim has been his usual attentive self…pay back is going to be a bitch!!!! He won’t let me have a bell though!!!!
Look after the Queen Bee!

Hugs,

Monica

Not a nice thing to happen - especially at Christmas.  We're all joining Nurse Jim in wishing you a speedy recovery Monica.  

----------------------------------------------

But, unlike Jim, I was glad to give Mardi a bell - crystal no less!

Of course, when she rings it nothing happens😍.  But, every couple of minutes when she lets out a yelp from the nerve pain of shingles I do have to pay attention.

-----------------------------------------

We enjoyed a very nice breakfast with Rada and John this morning.

While Rada and Mardi got up to date, John and I solved some of the world's problems.  For which I received the following gift.

Under the ribbon it says another recipient name as well, but I'm ignoring that.  Thanks Rada!

------------------------------------------------------

Stay well.  

Nurse Bud.

Chicken Pox Redux

 Today we celebrate grandson Malcolm's birthday which moves him into the quarter century club (boy that sounds old!).  All the best Malcolm.

---------------------------------------------------

Possibly because of the vacation turmoil, Mardi has a case of shingles.  As she was walking around slowly, and holding her side, she said "I feel old."

I responded "And you're acting old.  I wonder if I could trade an 80 for two 40's?"

Her answer, "Go ahead and see how you make out.  Just remember, that dogs can chase cars but that doesn't mean that they can drive."

Now I'm hurting.

----------------------------------------------------

Look at the sunny side of everything.  I'm working on that.  Stay well.

More Vacation Unwinding

 Turns out that the "holiday" the folks at Holiday Inn Vacation Club had yesterday was a staff party, at The House of Blues (love that place - we enjoyed hanging out on their patio and listening to some great music).

Our first booking to deal with is January 1 - 8 in New Orleans in a one bedroom condo apartment unit a block from the French Quarter.  If we cancel, the points have to be used by June 20, which is probably going to be problematic.  So, it's going on Facebook Marketplace for $1,000 U.S.  A good deal if you know anyone who might be interested.  The retail rate is $1,200 U.S.  

Next up will be 7 weeks (January 8 through February 26) at a two bedroom condo at Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee.  We're asking $6,000 U.S. for the whole package (with a discount for friends).  We'll see what happens.

--------------------------------------------------

So far, we've heard from a couple of friends that are reconsidering, or concerned about, their U.S. vacation plans.  Unnerving times!

--------------------------------------------------

Do I need to tell you to stay well?

The Morning After

 Thanks to all of you who expressed sympathy for our decision to forego Florida (and thanks also for not saying "I told you so").  To be honest, Mardi and I were getting a bit antsy anyway about how fast the Omicron variant was spreading and what that could foretell about the time we planned to spend in the U.S.  The insurance information just helped us to avoid having to decide if we wanted to go anyway.

So far, I have cancelled our hotel reservations (maybe we can watch the New Year's Eve Pine Cone Drop in Laurel, Mississippi on the web).  And I have adjusted our Theatre Aquarius reservations for January and March.

I tried to get hold of Holiday Inn Club Vacations to see what our options are there, but they're apparently closed for the "holiday".  I checked the web, and today's holiday options are:

National Maple Syrup Day, National Ugly Sweater Day, National Device Appreciation Day, and Wright Brothers' Day.  When I manage to het hold of them I'll have to ask which one they were celebrating!

And, with some embarrassment, I have returned the rental money, that I got just a couple of days ago, for the underground parking space.

Also got the snow tire wheels out of storage and had them installed.

Next step is to buy some more Sudoku books and a new deck of Skip-Bo cards.

----------------------------------------------------

Stay well.

To Wear A Cheerful Countenance.........

 ..........at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

Not doing so well on that count today.  

Contacted the insurance guy.  The good news - they have a "COVID 19" policy that covers the virus.  The bad news - the price has gone up from $3,000 each for our planned 97 days to $8,400 each.  With tax that works out to almost $200 total per day for the two of us.  OUCH!

Sayonara Florida!  We've got some cancelling to do!

-----------------------------------------------

We took our minds off the bad news above by having dinner with Steve, Bonnie, Greg and Diane at the Argyle Street Grill in Caledonia. 

A really nice evening.  Apparently we'll have more chances to get together than we thought over the next three months.  That will help to ease the pain!

----------------------------------------------------

Stay well.