Happy Holidays! December 2022
The first eggnog latte of the holiday season has been
steamed by Joe and slurped by Lynda, so the mind turns to contemplating the
past year in that lazy time between Thanksgiving Day and the start of holiday
madness. The garden flag out front says, “There’s always something to be
thankful for” (Joe is mostly thankful that Lynda doesn’t need to spend any more
money on garden flags) and though these last couple of years have been less
than ideal, it’s very true. We have much to be thankful for, including our sweet
beasties being mostly healthy and our warm, dry home. Joe continues to be
thankful for Lynda’s banana bread (seriously, he won’t eat bananas anymore lest
they not get baked!) and Lynda for her weekend barista and his latte skills.
The year started with a root canal for Lynda, but things
picked up from there – we continued to participate in our Formula 1 race watch
meetup group and Lynda had a lovely birthday dinner with Joe for her 57th. A
long weekend in San Diego at the end of February was a great getaway to a
lovely city and we found a fantastic coffee place in Little Italy to go every
morning to people-watch over breakfast. Visits to the Maritime Museum and the
San Diego Zoo, great food and perfect weather highlighted the trip. It was a
good transition before Joe had to appear in the office in person again after
working two years from our downstairs room (where he also does online banking
and slays videogame monsters … or startles Lynda with swearing when they get
him first. He has been eaten by a lot of wolves.). Luckily, he only has to make
the 26-mile trek (each way) three days a week, although sometimes it rankles
that he has to drive all that distance and winds up in online meetings!
Soon spring appeared, drawing us to Buffalo Bayou Park again
as the appeal of the greening of the park at the foot of the city never fails
to captivate. We finally attended the Art Car Parade this April which happens
along the Bayou, walking distance from our home and what an event! Everything
from Star Wars to a giant metal chicken, a truck covered in Peeps, and shiny
“slabs with swangas” (look that up if you ain’t from Houston)! If you can
imagine it, it could be there. Later in the month Lynda darted up to Vancouver
for the first time in 2½ years to visit with Rose who was in town visiting her
mom. She was delighted be able to see friends and some family in person after
so many Zoom calls. What a treat even if it was only a short visit. She’d be
back in the summer.
May came and we celebrated our 26th anniversary, simultaneously wondering how it could already be 26 years and how it could be only 26 years by enjoying a lovely dinner at Riel here in Houston. Shortly after we anticipated our return visit to Newfoundland for Joe’s mom’s 80th birthday and our twice-postponed trip to Montreal for the Grand Prix (which we’d bought tickets for in 2020). “Post Pandemic” Summer Travel Chaos™, here we come!
Getting to Newfoundland wasn’t too bad, but we were reminded that there was still a pandemic on — Covid had plans that didn’t align with ours as it was hitting the city hard. We changed some things around and were still able to spend a good amount of time with Lyn and Gerry and see friends and family. Thankfully, the weather cooperated for meal visits in Nicole’s back garden. In contrast to the early and very hot summer arrival in Houston, it was so lovely and cool outside meaning it was sneaky sunburn time for Joe. Lyn’s birthday was scaled back a bit, but it was still a wonderful visit and great to see all who could come and indulge in the cake, with Nanaimo Bars also making an appearance. We even got a last splash of particularly good weather at the end for some time to be touristy in the city.Our true travel travails began in trying to get to Montreal. We were reminded of the axiom, “Air Canada: we’re not happy until you’re not happy!”. After an unexpected overnight and very early morning in Halifax we finally made it to the city in time toenjoy Formula 1 qualifying in the teeming rain. Race day dawned sunny and wonderful to brave the crowds. An extra day to explore the city again under bright blue, sunny skies made for a great capper. The final travel was the peak of chaos… suffice it to say that a trip that originally involved 6 flights saw us come home with 15 boarding passes each. At least when chaos reigns, there’s usually a good story to be spun from it: “Remember the time we…”. Next time we plan to fly Air Canada through Toronto, we might just go get root canals instead.
The kitties missed us but did well with the cat sitter. We’d
had to get 18-year-old Smoke started on medication for his thyroid a while
before and our little old guy has had more vet visits than he likes. We have a
found the “sweet spot” to keep him healthy for now, and Scrappy is reaping the
benefits of treat time after his pills and fluid injections. We’ve become very
indulgent with Smoke, so now he thinks all people-food needs his inspection and
approval and if it’s cheese or butter or chicken or salmon or … look out! We’ve
created a monster! A very cute, fluffy, 8 lb. monster who decided it was
acceptable to jump on the counter to lick the butter (spoiler: it’s not!).
Between this and the shedding we experienced this year (Smoke’s a little stiff
in the old bones and is having trouble grooming), it’s been kitty mayhem.
In August Lynda made her way to Vancouver to spend time with
Rosemary and her niblings at the Festival of the Written Arts in Sechelt. More
time with family and friends was on the menu this trip – and a chance to spend
time with her Sister-in-law Lisa, Simon on his birthday, and Sophie as she
packed to go off to university. A quick visit to Victoria was also part of the
fun. It’s always great to get back there and see Leah and Ross, Morgan, and her
friends from her U.Vic days – time to fit everyone in is the hardest part.
Well, and eating all the food we meet over during her visits. At home, Joe
mastered the art of solo Smoke care, including grabbing, stabbing, and pilling.
And treats. Always more treats.
When Lynda returned, it was time to buckle down on
volunteering as she resumed with her VDVR Voter Registration duties, (mostly
outside in 100°F heat -- thank goodness for short shifts and beer after!). She
also continued organizing her expat coffee and book groups. She’d retired from
the HOA board but helps when asked and organized the block party again this
year. Election Day came with Lynda again working as an election clerk at
Buddy’s bar just 10 minutes’ walk from home. It was dismaying that only 45% of
Texans voted, we had a busy day at the only gay bar voting location in the
country (vote first, drink after)! A Nutcracker Market volunteer stint signaled
the onslaught of the Christmas season, and it seemed impossible that already
the year was coming to a close. With Smoke’s health needs, travel is not an
option for us these days, much as we admire (with a tinge of envy) friends’
social media posts of their travel (inspiration for us). Our wee beastie needs
us here, if only to demand cheese from us at every opportunity.
As the year closes, we’re grateful for our home, friends, family (including the fluffy members) and neighbours. We especially enjoy being able to open our windows in November to enjoy the sunshine and fresh breezes (at least until the humidity creeps back in). We had Lynda’s stew for Thanksgiving this year -- it’s been a favourite since the 80s, but not often made in Texas. So, as we come to the end of another letter, we thank you all for being a part of our lives. We’ve been reminded lately that life is short and making the most of the love we have for and from our friends and family brings light and joy to our own lives.
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