Beaver:
Working up to the prep for leaving to go to Montreal for 10 days. On the plus side is my grand d and the father of her daughter, due in Feb. I am SO looking forward to seeing her and meeting him. I HATE leaving my home to get cold and have been wrestling with how to maintain the plants with least expenditure of electric for little heaters. Will be using the "magic" outlet, Maggie, for the Bathroom but still need a place for blooming diplademia (too awkward to transport) and Af. violet - in full lovely bloom.

Today is final prep day: clean a cheap tea trolley that was in the studio, put all the geraniums on it and put in studio which I have been keeping above freezing - kept hoping for energy to pot if solar gain warmed it enough - neither happened but I shall keep it going as I do NOT want clay to freeze and do not feel like moving it into bathroom. Also put dahlia and canna roots in there. All to be re-thought when I return.

Eyes are not bothering any more! Ankle has been better - hot bath and comfrey poultice! The moving of firewood into house is making me stronger day by day and energy level is better. May have lost a couple pounds, too.

The carrots are frozen into the ground but I am hoping today will thaw enough to get them out. Carrot soup! I put a window over them in hopes solar gain might help but there is no solar yet today, just pale grey sky!

Leave for the mill in the morning at a time that will not have me driving east into the rising sun. Then to Montreal on Weds to have my head organized, at least, in that disastrous house. All meals will be eaten out. A series of musical events are planned. And I suspect some museums will be visited. Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, and leave on Monday am. Then I rest!

RE those darn engine lights! Double darn!!! My 12 year old car needs an emissions check to be licensed for next year. It will not pass if the lights are on. So, Tues I go back to that dealer, where I did not get the lights tended to a few weeks ago... (DID NOT know about this test back then!) Hope it is simple! Then wait two days before emissions test. Will stop at dealer in Belleville on way home on Thursday. arriving home poorer but hopefully with test passed. The actual test is free.

Life really is fraught with hazard.