(Have not used computer since 23 December.)
Montreal:
The following is a note I wrote to friends about our craze life:

"Since John gave me near half a day of COLD labour for which I am beyond grateful, I have spent a week in Montreal - to spend time with Robin, who was away for most of that time, and the house was beyond terrible. We managed to get back to Bancroft in time for the Christmas Dinner at the Legion and a quiet week of recuperation for him, which was not enough time. We came safely back to Montreal on First, to frozen pipes and a 34F house. Put on as many little electric heaters as the circuits would hold and went to supper. It was almost up to 40 when we returned.

I was going to leave on Tuesday - enough is too much! - but it was snowing when we went out for BF - after sleeping with ALL my clothes on, including my coat. I called Harvest Moon (in Bancroft) while we were at BF, to see what it was doing there: "If you are safe there, stay there!" said Arlene. Darn!

By late afternoon, the house was about 58. (It warmed up outside.) How could he have lived here since 1982... But he had only been camping out - work has been his life and I am in the way in a sense. He is glad to have me but this house has never been a priority ....... He is trying ---VERY!

Last night, he got enough heat in the upstairs BR for a comfortable night! There is actually some baseboard heat up there! The LR is still 59! I sit with a cube heater on my feet and read or watch TV or use computer, with a throw on my legs ... Resigned to being here until Saturday when we will be between snows, or so the forecasts say. Is it really only Wednesday? I feel like I have been here at least a week!

I intend to stay in Bancroft for an extended period. At least there I can be warm - throw another log on the fire! Here, I feel like setting the house on fire. Robin did that as he was thawing the pipes; he "found" the rat's nest under floor of the kitchen counter. Arghhh!

The saga of the battery continues: Car would not start after Christmas - at -30. R warmed up the old battery in the K sink full of HOT water and boosted the NEW one. He believes there is a bad connection somewhere but he is not looking for it in this cold. He bought a booster pack. (I used to have a really good one but he needed it somewhere else and...)

How can someone so brilliant be so dumb, so totally disorganized. I wonder how he has managed to live 70 years with so little attention to self care or comfort. He cheerfully agrees!

Gee, I was thinking I might go to the Atwater Market (about 6 blocks away) but R went out ... - Oh! He has not taken my car... but he will need it to get to his truck (elsewhere!), with the battery for it which someone caused to go dead after being told to be sure and close the door or the battery will run down... He brought the battery here yesterday for TLC ... It was a new battery...

Then he came down from upstairs where he had been texting, etc in the warm BR! Now he has gone off ----but he forgot the battery for the truck!

So, here I sit... I delight in Charmion's new kitchen!!! And in mrzzy's success! and whoever I have missed... May we each have a de-cluttering new year! And stay warm! or cool, as the case may be.