Autumnal Listy-List Things

Canadians are starting to check off their autumnal-listy-list-thingies, for once we get past Thanksgiving which is Monday the 14th this year, the weather commences its slow but inexorable descent into coldness. The weather can get pretty darn nippy as October marches on, so it is best to get things done sooner than later. 

I was saved one chore when our absentee neighbour fell out of bed and decided to seize the opportunity to mow the lawn. It was probably the final mowing required, so we can put our lawnmower away, or someone can – someone who can lift it to the shelves in the garage. Neighbour only got of of bed  because he is trying to sell the house and wants to make the property look good. Nevertheless, we'll take it as a win.

Another thing that we have checked off is meeting up with Sue's sister, Heather. As we have done a few times in the past, we all drove to Tweed which is about half way between her home in the Toronto area and ours here in Eastern Ontario. We both drove for about two hours, visited for four hours, and then drove the two hours back to our respective and distant homes.

There, we indulged in our final chip truck fries of the season. To be honest, it was only our second such chip stop all summer, but it still seemed appropriate to have a final visit before most food trucks close for the season. Of course, I had to goof around for the benefit of the camera.

We had been hoping for good colour, but it eluded both Heather and us on our separate journeys to Tweed. The park where we sat to visit was also, quite disappointingly dull. The light and direction for Sue and me was better on the way home, and we did see some fairly decent touches of colour as we travelled back east.

As soon as we got home, Sue was able to check off another item on our list, for she changes the decor seasonally. She hung the wreath that Heather sent home with us: one that the extraordinarily creative Heather crafted. Doesn't it look grand?

We checked off another item on the next day, when we drove into Ottawa to enjoy the Thanksgiving Feast at Swiss Chalet. This is something that we do in most autumns. The Feast consists of their usual rotisserie chicken but with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie added. Disregard the price (over there →) for it has escalated dramatically. I think it was closer to twice what is shown although we had a coupon that gave us a bit of a break.

Unfortunately, that excursion into the city led to a second trip, for I happened to leave my nice cap (the one in the photos up above) in the restaurant. When I discovered it missing on the next morning, my heart sank, for it is just about my most favourite cap ever. I called the restaurant with hope in my heart. Yes, they had found it. Shortly thereafter, we drove back for it.

Suddenly, we have been driving more in the past two weeks than we do in most months or even two months. There were three trips to Perth for Nick and his car. You already know about the first two, and I also drove him back to pick it up this week. There was that longish trip to Tweed, and then the two trips into Ottawa for the restaurant and hat. We also hope to add more mileage before we settle down, for we do hope to go on a colour drive or two next week.

We added another checkmark by placing our order for Thanksgiving pies from Ashton United Church – 3 apple and 1 blueberry. I will be picking them up on the 12th, the Saturday before Thanksgiving on the following Monday. (No, they are not all for Thanksgiving dinner for five people.) 

Next, probably today, will come the ordering of a very expensive turkey breast from the butcher. We have eschewed cooking a whole turkey for our tiny tribe, but I swear that the trimmed breast is almost as expensive as a whole bird.

There are more listy-list things to check off in near future, but we've made a good start before we prepare hibernate in our igloos for the duration (he said, exaggerating just a tad).