LONGMIRE LONGMIRE LONGMIRE

I don't know if anyone else watches Longmire but it is the most awesome cowboy sheriff native tv show.  At the end of each episode something mind blowing and crazy happens so you HAVE to watch the next episode.  And thats exactly what we did...for almost two whole days.

It was snowing outside, the three dogs and cat were all cozy and sleeping and we all snuggled down for a Longmire fest.  Although Aryn, bless her did her peking duck and amazing pork belly.  And she made little pancakes and steam buns and we had the most delicious dinner.  The peking duck is very very involved.  It involves hanging from the clothes drying thingy in the bathtub with a fan blowing on it...for six hours!!!!!!  Then it is roasted properly in the oven.  At the end you are supposed to have crispy delicious skin and shredded meat on wee pancakes with cucumber and green onion and hoisin.  So delicious!!!!  The first duck she made was crispy perfect, but this one for some unknown reason had flaccid skin.  Still delicious though!!!!!

Now I am back in North Van at the hotel.  The only room they had left was a smoking room.  It smells like Mabel's pool hall in here.  I called BCAA today and had them pop Monte's van open so I could get the keys.  His van is now safely parked in front of my room.  Later I went in to visit Monte.  He is doing well.  He seems content and happy, if a little bored.  I will try to get some music to him tomorrow.  That will help.

Tonight I had dinner with April at Denny's....my fave go to restaurant.  I didn't finish my cobb salad and now I am hungry again.  So annoying.  They do have breakfast at this hotel.  Its dry cereal, waffles (eggo) hard boiled eggs and toast.  Not bad.  Not good.  But just right.

  When I was at the hairdressers in Kamloops before coming down, the hairdresser sold me a bottle of purple shampoo.  Its not strong...its the kind old ladies use to get rid of the yellow in their hair.  She told me that if I leave it in for ten minutes it will leave a hint of purple in my hair.  A hint.  Should I trust that?  Why yes I think I shall!!!  TTYL

WE MET JAMES!!!

So, a lot has happened since the last post.  I spent the last few days before Vancouver trip getting things organized, getting my hair permed, last minute shopping items, packing etc...

The trip down was awesome...and awesomely scary.  I decided, on the advice of a gas station attendant I talked to, to take the canyon.  It was already snowing in Kamloops.

Well let me tell you the road between Kamloops and Savana was what nightmares are made of.  I have driven on shitty snowy winter roads a lot, but this was something else entirely.  The snow was coming down so hard that there were no tracks to follow on the highway.  You had to guess where you were on the road.  And to top that off every time a vehicle, especially a lot of semis went by, you were in a complete white out for a couple of minutes.  But, that being bad, what made it nigh impossible was the fact that my windshield completely froze up, and the windshield wipers iced up and became useless.  I COULD NOT SEE PROPERLY!!!!  If I could have seen I would have  been okay, if a little freaked, but I could not see and there was no way I could pull over.

The usual 45 minute trip took over two hours.  Finally in Cache Creek I stopped at a gas station.  I cleaned off my windshield and wipers.  The snow that was falling was like snowballs compared to snow flakes.  I decided to push on through though.  As long as I could see I could drive, albeit at about thirty clicks.  So off I went.  There was no one else on the road at this point.  So I slogged on and guess what.  About 8 Kilometres south of Cache Creek near Ashcroft the snow disappeared and it was like summer.  I goosed Tank up to 130 clicks, took her out of 4x4 and barrelled off.  Thank goodness.

I spent the last few days with April and Myles.  I love it there.  Their place is beautiful and Christmassy.  On the 23rd April made the most beautiful prime rib dinner and Myles's parents and Grandmother came to dinner.  Honestly, I don't remember the last time I was at a company dinner and enjoyed it that much.  The conversations were so interesting, the humour was flowing and we heard some interesting stories from Baka.  She escaped the Nazis during the war from Croatia.  The stories were amazing and I want to hear more.  There wasn't enough time to hear them all.  All in all it was a truly incredible evening.

Now I am at Aryn and Bradley's.  And there is no one on this planet more into Christmas than Bradley.  He has been so excited for the last month no less and now here we are.  This place of theirs is totally Xmas....tree, candles, fire on the tv, music coming from hidden speakers, presents everywhere, lights strung on high....its beautiful and fun!  He is like a kid.

Yesterday was Christmas eve.  So we all gathered and had appies and laughs and fun and drinks and dog walks and games.  Later in the evening Emily's James arrived.  We had not met him before.  And we were much impressed! He was a very tall good looking fellow and what impressed me the most was his whole self confident demeanour.  And I have a sneaking suspicion he is a very kind person.  All I know is we all want to get to know him better....if he is willing!

Today, Christmas day, was a lot of laying around and relaxing.  Arnie wasn't feeling well so she napped on the couch.  Bradley spent the morning hooking up his new speakers he got for Xmas.  I made stuffing, almost my sole contribution to dinner.  Bradley set the table, organized the serving dishes, cleaned and generally did a whack of a lot for dinner.  Everybody arrived and as Aryn and Bradley made the dinner the rest of us played charades.  Of course, a Christmas necessity!  Later we watched a movie and now we are trying to go to sleep!  Bradley is drunk and being very very funny! 

As most of you know by now Monte had to be admitted to Lions Gate psychiatric ward.  When April and I went down to visit him at a nearby hotel he was staying in, he was in total distress.  We had to call 911 and they admitted him to the ward.  He is much much better tonight, he phones occasionally.  At this time we have no idea how long he will be in there and what the next step is.  He hasn't seen a psychiatrist yet.  We will have a better handle on it once that happens.  He is quite content in there for the short haul.  In many ways we are really lucky he is as amiable and kind as he is.  And there isn't a drug problem or a drinking one.  That would sure complicate things.

Now its one in the morning.  Its finally quiet upstairs and I am sitting on the comfy couch in a pool of lappy light.  I am feeling bad because I didn't call anyone today.  So I must make some calls tomorrow, friends, grandchildren, rellies etc...

Sleepies are calling me.....TTYL   

Well I am home.  The trip home was absolutely beautiful.  What a spectacular province we live in.

Monte suddenly packed his van Thursday afternoon and got the seven ferry to Peter in Victoria.  I kept Wrangler, his dog, for a few days. I probably should have stopped him as he had a two hour appointment at the pschologists the next day and he had already missed his last two hour appointment.  And he was in a pretty bad head state.  But I didn't and he made it.  He seems to be at his best when he is driving.

I had a lovely evening and dinner at April and Myles place that night.  Its so homey and beautiful there.  They had a lovely wood fire going and their tree is beautiful.  And as usual supper was amazing.

I was in Hope by lunchtime the next day.  There is a restaurant in Hope called Home.  The food is diner good and better than fast food for sure.  I decided to eat there.  After lunch I drove the jeep around the back near the trees to let the dog out.  Wrangler is a really good dog.

There was a man back there having a smoke.  He looked at the dog and asked what his name was.  So, of course, I say Wrangler.  He stops, looks at the dog, looks at my Jeep (which of course has Wrangler written right across it) back at the dog.  Jeez!  I go "No no no!!  I DID NOT name either of those things!!!!  That dog isn't even mine!"  I don't think he believed me.  

Well kathy and I saw our duty and done it noble yesterday.  We went to Costco and rang the Christmas bells for Sally Ann for a couple of hours.  Its always fun out with her.  She knows every other person in this city!  She has told me lots of stories over the years and its kind of cool being able to put faces to the stories as all these people stop to talk to her!  And that girl never ever complains.  Actually she never complains about anything ever!  I find myself still attempting to be as good and diligent and kind and patient as her.  I shall never make it though!!!

It looks like Monte might be coming up.  His place isn't quite ready in Port and Peter and Zoe can only house him for so long, so he can come here.  It will be nice for Anton.  I am gone til the end of the first week in January and he doesn't like being alone.  Peter, our personal saint, has offered to help Monte get his new winter tires and drive up with him on Thursday.  I will miss seeing them but I am happy for Monte.  What a lovely offer.

Well I gotta jet.  Lots to do!!  TTYL

HASTY PACKING AND RANDOM CRAP

This post is going to be lame.  I have spent the last week sitting in a motel room with Monte.  Fortunately he and I always have a pretty good time together and I like motel rooms.

So since last Friday, Monte sleeps most of the day and is up all night.  But when he gets up in the late afternoon, after a rough patch for about half an hour, he cheers right up and we get talking and laughing and have seriously good conversations.  He is so smart.  I take his dog out for walks and periodically go to Denny's for food.  Food is food. Monte doesn't eat.  Since last Friday he has eaten one sandwich.  Thats it.  Fortunately for him he has a great store of food on his body (fat) to feed from.

About six weeks ago when I was down, April and Myles and I went to the local Vietnamese pho restaurant.  This place is busy busy busy!

I went there a couple of nights ago by myself for some pho.  The little waitress came over and gave me a big smile and hello and said, "You have been here before!  You had the beef stew!"  Egads!!!  How is it she remembered that with all the people that come through this place?  I have a horrible suspicion I have entered that group of people that are odd enough to be memorable.  I have a hair appointment Friday.  Thank God!

When I decided to come down here I left the house in about five minutes.  I grabbed my half packed suitcase, threw in pills and hair stuff, (no bath stuff, no deodorant, no tooth brush etc...).  I threw in four shirts, two tights and a housecoat.  No socks, no underwear  (yes people, commando isn't as bad as  you might think).  I did remember my instant coffee though.

In the light of no underwear or socks I decided to find the nearest fat lady store.  The one I used to go to either closed or moved.

And guess what?  THERE ISN'T ONE!!!!  I told everyone I was the fattest person living on the North Shore.  Well this proves it!  So commando it is.  I could try Walmart but there are pictures of pineapples on all there fat lady stuff.  So, no.

Tonight I am going to April's for supper.  Between here and there I shall stop and pick up some bread to go with the spaghetti she is making.  She is so busy.  I don't know how she manages.  I just don't want her to feel obliged to entertain me.  I am coming back down on the 21st and can visit then.

Before I got down here Monte went out to get a coffee and he hit a speed bump the wrong way and he felt he had totally wratched his front right wheel.  He said it wasn't driving right and it cracked his hub cap.

When I got down here I expected to see a ruined wheel with a flat tire.  But it looked okay, not flat.  Definitely a cracked hub cap and a bend on the rim but the tire wasn't flat.  So taking my life in my hands, the next morning I hopped into the van and took it for a spin.  It seems fine to me which totally simplified the visit down here.  No tire to fix.

Monte has a two hour appointment with his psychologist tomorrow and from there he is heading to Victoria til after Xmas.  His dear dear friend Peter has invited him to stay with him and his sister.  I am so so hoping Monte will go to mental health and look into assisted living while he is in Victoria.  At least for now.  And I hope that Monte will be able to mind his p's and q's while at Peter's.  It would be a terrible thing if he unwittingly caused even one moment of grief in that loving household.  And thanks to info Kathy gave me and a little more research Monte and I did yesterday, I think he has all the phone numbers and info he needs.  Now he just needs to follow up.  Fingers crossed.

Well Monte has finally fallen asleep.  Its already after twelve noon.  He will sleep til tonight now.  I sure hope he will be up and at it tomorrow morning.  We have to check out of here by 11.  Maybe he can plan to have lunch with his friend then go to his appointment.  I have enjoyed this visit with him even though its been tough at times.  He had two seizures but he recovered quickly.  I don't see Monte much anymore.  The last time was August.  We talk lots on the phone but it isn't the same as seeing him.  Gotta bounce!  TTYL

ODE TO AMAZON

Armchair christmas shopping...you simply cannot beat it.  This is the fourth year that my goal is to not step into even one store to buy a gift.

I don't shop in stores anymore.  At least almost never.  I am not talking groceries here...although thats coming. On a rare occasion I do go into Winners but only when I am out of outrageous smelling hand soap.  They have an awesome selection.

I am going to digress here for a minute.  I will get back to the armchair shopping in a moment.

I was in Costco the other day.  I still buy toilet paper, paper towels, coffee etc... there.  As I walked along that first entrance aisle where the irresistible 'deals' are I spied something lovely.  It was a box with three hand pump soaps in it.  They were quite large...which is good if you like the smell, bad if you have to use a crappy smelling one for the next five years. They were really beautifully decorated.  So I read the flavours on them. They sounded so exotic and wonderful.  Thyme and mint....orange and rosemary...a lavender and something or other.  All acceptable smells to me. I bought them.

So I put one each in each of my three bathrooms.  I used the one in the main powder room first.  That was the thyme and mint.  I don't know if you have ever been in a cow barn when they spread the lime all over the floor, but thats what it smells like.  Seriously!  No thyme.  No mint.  Actually it smells a little like hippies and medicine.  Crap!!!

So I put the orange one upstairs in my bathroom.  I ran upstairs (no I didn't, I huffed upstairs) and dashed into the bathroom and pumped the soap...expecting the orange minty goodness.  And guess what?  It smelled like a cowbarn right after you spread lime all over the floor.  It smelled like hippies and medicine!  What the hell?  No orange and no mint, not even a hint.  Bastards. I didn't bother with the third one.  I am pretty sure there aint no lavender oder in it.

Any way back to the shopping.  So I have spent the last week or so sitting in my red recliner going through pages and pages of amazon suggestions and I have pretty much got it all done.  And I am so happy with my purchases.  And now the fun starts!  Every single day parcel after parcel arrives on my doorstep.  And pretty soon there will be a giant whine post about all the xmas wrapping I have to do now that Spod is gone. TTYL

I'M GOING TO SMOKE POT

Just sayin'.  But I am going to wait until its legal.  I heard that that probably will be next July.  I don't drink....much.  I know that there are a few peeps out there that mistakenly think I do, but I don't...often. I feel smoking pot would be a lovely and smart alternative to drinking.

I smoked pot a few times in my distant past and what I remember is that it was a lot of fun.  I remember a ridiculous amount of laughing, unhealthy snacking and fantastical ideas that didn't make much sense the next day.  Oh, and Cat Stevens sounded magical.

So from what I have read, and I have done a fair amount of research, (so much so that I am getting a lot of marijuana offers of one sort or another in my email spam) I can look forward to some rather exciting things. 

 For example:  I shall never again suffer any type of nausea.  And for sure I will not have any significant pain...anywhere for any reason.  And I can look forward to being laid back and chill with no anxiety, depression, mental illness or need for speed.  I shant ever suffer from glaucoma or that baddy alzheimers.  I won't have epileptic seizures (not that I do but this will make sure I don't). My brain will be protected AFTER a stroke...not sure why not before one.  And of course the biggest one of all...it will cure any cancer my body might have the audacity to try starting.

So all in all it seems like a super idea to start smoking that stuff.  In fact it seems that July is almost too far off!  TTYL

PS:  I am looking for a pot buddy.  Any takers?