Friday, January 25th - and the deep freeze continues

Holy, moly it's cold!  Yesterday morning when I went out to start the car, the temperature gauge in the car read -21' but the wind chill was -35' and other than warming up to -18', it was pretty much that all day long. This morning is an exact repeat. The only difference is we'll warm up to -15' today that will only feel like -26'.  The good news is this is just about the end of the cold snap. Looking ahead to next week we MAY reach a high of -2' on Wednesday and +1' on Thursday.  The only down side of those mild temperatures is the 15cm of snow that we might get with it. Not that it's a bad thing - we would like to get some skiing in this year, but I have enjoyed the clear dry roads for traveling on. Guess we can't have it all.

Last night, we went to North Rustico for supper with a couple we really don't know. Sounds weird but we had an absolutely lovely evening. How did this come about you ask?  Well,  a couple of weeks before Christmas, a customer was in the dealership getting some work done on his truck.  I don't remember exactly how the conversation got started but it turns out he and his wife moved here last spring from Guelph.  Needless to say, we had a bit to chat about. He was in a couple of times after Christmas and always made a point of coming over and saying hello, while he waited for his car. On Wednesday, he was in with his wife. They both came over and we had quite a lengthy chat, and when it was time for them to leave, as their vehicle was ready, we still had lots to talk about. So they suggested that Lloyd and I come to their house for supper on Thursday evening as they were making cabbage rolls.  Food ? I knew Lloyd would be all over that. So I agreed, got the address and phone number and the date was set for supper with Charles and Laura. 

Lloyd met me in town after work and we drove up to North Rustico. It turns out they have another couple that they've become friends with, who are also from Guelph. He was away so she also joined us for supper. We had a lovely evening getting to know each other a little better. I know Brenda will just shake her head at more Ontarions coming here to live the dream!  They had planned to move here in 5 years but after returning from a visit, they re-evaluated things and asked themselves "just what are we waiting for?"  So they packed up, rented a house until, like us,  they found their little piece of paradise! They're moving into a place they bought in Wheatley River at the end of March. There's a house and 50 acres. They plan to raise chickens, sell eggs, raise some sheep, grow a garden and pretty much a lot of the same ideas we have. He's also been researching bee keeping, something Lloyd is also planning so needless to say there was lots of shared hopes. Whether or not any or all of our collective ideas take shape or not it's fun to plan and imagine what if.  We learned a long time ago, you have to have a goal or life it pretty boring. 

Their friend, Geraldine, who is also from Guelph, has been here approximately the same amount of time as me. They have chickens and sell eggs as well and also have other plans as well. She is an artist and paints, as well as weaves so we also had lots to talk about. It turns out she and her husband used to own a small concert venue in Guelph that Lloyd and I had visited a number of years ago when they still owned it. She is also a member of the weavers  guild and enjoys her Tuesdays at the convent weaving. Once we got talking and I mentioned that I used to drop in from time to time when I was driving the shuttle she remembered me coming in. 

It's such a small world.