CITY: The impending snow got R out the door before breakfast! Muttering about doing this and that and I did hear a washing machine in there... I still have one in the middle of the K which I wiggled out of the way this morning so I could do dishes and wash two white buckets to go to the glaze-making area. I seem to always need buckets! I also moved stuff to clear a path for the newer washing machine. Hope springs eternal... and the laundry is becoming desperate.

I arrived home Monday night, after a couple good hours dancing, and the mail included my permanent resident card (PRC) in one envelope and my notice of appointment for citizenship in another! So Tuesday morning, I went to the office of the Quebec health dept. to obtain my health card. NOT so simple. The last time, they told me I needed a PRC but now I have "taken so long" they want proof that I really live in Quebec! R has to make a sworn statement that I live here and they want my income tax assessments for the last 3 years! I think of Linn! When I moved back to Quebec from Ontario in 1986, I changed my driver's license and got my health card in the mail without even thinking about it. How things have changed! Certainly not for the better.

The woman was very nice but the longer we talked, the worse it got. Where were my children? When did I visit them? People try to get health cards without living here. So I spent the morning there - almost two hours, then went to the market for bulk food and cheese, to the library for books and home to recover. And that is about all I did! Such a let down.

At least I can visit my friend in NYS without worrying over coming back across the border. But I do want to stop worrying about "what if I fall and break something?" The only reason I would go to the hospital. I have been wanting to ride a bike along the canal for exercise but concerned that I not fall. Happily, my weight has stayed at 155 so now that I am feeling better I can, again, work on moving it downwards.

Gave R a salad about 4 when he came home, also bent out of shape by bro who has the sensitivity of a (it would be an insult to name any animal, or even a stone!) R went off again and came back for a late supper. Had to leave in the middle for a alarm at a building. Returned and, as I reheated his supper, told me how he confronted the prospective thief - which turned out to be a very large raccoon! Then we watched the news.

I am stymied for a few days in my health card project. The house is a disaster area until I can put the laundry room back together when/if the better washer appears. The upstairs studio is warm, pots need trimming this afternoon - hopefully so they can dry before Friday. I did not throw more pots at the mill before leaving; ran out of steam. But I think between what is drying there and here and Vanessa's, we have a kiln load - will fire regardless! If the roads are clear, I will go down on Thursday to fire so I can do two glaze firings before the Market on Sunday.

It has been nice to have warmer weather! Even a sunny day.

My citizenship appointment is 3 April. Finally after 46 years! I could have had it in '78, but could not bring myself to affirm allegiance to an earthly being (the Queen). I have had cause to regret my adherence to truth and honesty. Even Quaker friends do a "You what!"

I wonder if I will be able to vote in the provincial election on 7 April!

Well, it is after noon. A pot of celery soup would be nice. Then trim pots. No sign of R.