I wasted an hour this morning looking for a picture of me taken when I was seven as I sat on a huge bank of drifted snow in front of our tiny 1950s country house. It's the time of the year when those of us who live in the northern hemisphere can bore each other for hours about just how deep the snow used to get and 'if you think this is cold' stories. Of course the snow was deeper when you were only three feet tall and it was colder too when you were sent outside to play for at least an hour most days. Yes, it's winter again as you can see from this picture of Crow who was barely visible enough to sketch as we braved one of our recent Maritime blizzards. We would have stayed home, like all sensible people, but for a sale on cases of his favorite brandy that I got to carry. That's what friends are for, right? He was good enough to share later on as we thawed out by the fireside in his library.
The only problem I have now is that it appears I waited too long to buy my favorite watercolor paper as the only real art supply store in town has temporarily sold out. Only two pieces left to last me for two weeks so I guess I'd better make good use of them.
Meanwhile, I'll leave you with another short story I found and a picture of one of our neighbors, a lady who knows how to keep herself and her friend comfortable in cold weather.
A new monk arrived at a monastery where the brothers spent their time making copies of ancient texts. Saying he wanted to make copies of the originals to avoid duplicating errors that might have been made, he went down the cellar stairs.
Several hours later the monks, wondering where their new friend was, finally found him weeping in the deepest vault. When they asked him what was the matter he answered, 'The word is celebrate, not celibate.'
♡
Be warm.
ReplyDeleteYou too, my friend ♡
DeleteOh that is rich! Has anyone told the pope?
ReplyDeleteHe's been so full of surprises up til now, this one might be next on his list.
DeleteOh yes, we all have weather stories - those Winnipeg winters, Vancouver's rain.... Stay warm over there in the chilly east, Susan and Crow.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh at the horse on the couch which reminded me of the pet reindeer. And more laughs over the celibate monk!
Whenever I hear weather stories (and I have a few of my own) I can't help but think of one of the very best Monty Python skits - the Four Yorkshiremen. We're fine; the only real objection I have to winter is when the paths in the park are too icy to allow easy walking.
DeleteGlad you liked the picture and the monk story.
Well that is pretty funny! :) Keep warm my friend.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you, Lib, and happy to see you smile :)
DeleteYou keep warm too.
Ha ha ha, reminds me of the song "Was macht das Pferd auf dem Sofa?" [What does the horse do on the sofa?]
ReplyDeleteIt's winter, eh? :)
and I suspect no evil.
DeleteBut there is this cattle
beside her like a Croesus .
Is that the one? Thank heavens for google translate to give me a clue.
Yes, winter :)
I remember the year we had so much snow, the only way out of the house was through the chimney.
ReplyDeleteCrow had you out in a winter vortex carrying home his brandy? That is waaaay beyond the call of duty. Unless he gave you half the case, and even then it would have been a bit much of him to ask.
I do like the horse on the sofa. I saw a picture today of a cow on the hood of a car, staying warm. There were even instructions about moving the cow. We do need to care for the animals in this horrid cold weather.
Blessings and (warm) Bear hugs! Best to Crow.
My mother grew up in the north of England where she told me once of a winter so snowy the kids used to slide down a snow bank from their rooms on the second floor.
DeleteWell, since Crow has no hands I offer to to help with tasks such as these. He's worth a little extra effort :)
Ha Ha –good one to warm up with a laugh, whereas down under we welcome a cool breeze facing 44 degrees Celsius (111Fahrenheit) and bushfires.
ReplyDeleteMostly in very early religious history, celibacy was considered optional.
Best wishes
Oh Lindsay, I've read about the horrendous heatwave that's been afflicting Australia. I'm very sorry things have turned so bad there so fast.
DeleteYes, one wonders about those misogynistic early church fathers.
This post is a real feast, Susan. Crow does indeed know how to work you by going out in that weather, but I'm glad you arrived safely back home with your two pieces of watercolor paper (!) and a mind full of wonderful tales to tell.
ReplyDeleteNow, seriously, is this woman with the couch-potato horse truly a neighbor of yours? I cannot get over that picture. I think I even hear Crow laughing about it.......
I'm delighted to know you enjoyed this, Lydia. Yes, getting anywhere these days is a bit of a challenge but it all makes the thought of spring so much more exciting.
DeleteNo, she's not a neighbor, at least so far as I know, but the picture was most amusing. Crow prefers his antique perches when he needs to relax by the fire.
A monk, a horse, and a snowstorm walk into a bar.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the punchline.
DeleteThat's a rather clean carpet if that's a real horse and a real photo of it in a lady's house.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe the horse would reply - "Oh she may be old but she doesn't make much mess..."
I'm pretty good at detecting photo-shopped pictures and this one looked to real to have been digitally manipulated. Thus, I'm of the opinion the old lady and the horse were in collusion.
Delete