Things
1. On Monday, the Ottawa flashbacks kicked in. -15C, brilliantly sunny, and there I was waiting for the bus, numb from the thighs down. But, at least in this scenario, the bus actually came on time and I got to where I was going on time.
2. Today, I waited for the bus in similar conditions, but because we got more snow last night and it’s been so frakking cold, the roads are complete ice, and the bus couldn’t stop at my stop; he nearly slid into the opposite snowbank. When I eventually got on, the driver proceeded to take us down a completely different route through town, avoiding a couple of tricky hills and intersections. I just hope no one was waiting there. Anyways, this brings me to my beef: would it kill the city to actually put some grit down on the roads in a timely manner? I mean, this is pretty basic, folks.
3. Speaking of grit, the fucking city of Trail must have the worst maintained sidewalks on the face of the planet. How about actually plowing the sidewalks, especially along the new bridge and some of the more pedestrian-heavy side streets? And how about salting the ice-rink like sidewalks along the blocks where there are seniors’ residences, old folks homes, etc. etc. If not for your able-bodied pedestrians, then for your fragile elderly folks who could sue your asses off if they were to fall and break their necks/hips/misc. bones trying to navigate your icy sidewalks. I nearly killed myself twice walking to work on Monday, and I have to take the same route to work tomorrow, and I’m betting it won’t be any better then.
4. Another day, another snowfall warning.
5. Can you tell I’m bitchy?
6. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you’ll have read about the confiscation of the catfood I bought in the States yesterday. WTF? I was told in June no beef. So, I pick out non-beef cat food and never have another problem until last night, when the border guard said that I was given erroneous information and that any pet food with “meat byproducts” in it is not allowed. This is because of BSE. My 12 cans of Friskies was taken away, I was given a receipt and told that I had 40 days to claim the Friskies on my way back into the States to return it. Oooookaaaaay.
7. Something most excellent: Jodikins of Jodi’s Blog very generously sent me a substantial Amazon gift certificate yesterday. I am once more humbled at the kindness and generosity of complete strangers. Well, not complete strangers. Now that Jodikins has provided me with her blog address, we no longer need to be strangers at all. Milles mercis (thousands of thanks), Jodikins! Please go over and say hello, OK?
Incidentally, some of you have been asking about my burn. I am happy to report that it is healing, but very, very itchy and very scabby and crusty. But, it’s on the mend and that’s all that matters.
Wandering Coyote 
Poor you WC, it sounds like an Ottawa day.That cat food stuff is frickin’ weird. THey only recently started regulating pet food. Like months ago? It was because of the pet deaths that happened with the original BSE–a lot of pet owners petitioned the government to start regulating it.
We (Chicago) are under a winter storm watch until Friday morning. I love snow… love it…. but we are expecting ICE, not really snow.On another note, glad to see the burn is getting better!V
I’m so happy that Canada is protected against American Friskies.
Glad to hear the burn is healing up – itchy means it’s getting better, but yeah, still itches, right.Friskies? Now I’ve heard it all.Been walking on icy sidewalks myself. I’d think your neck of the woods would have a better plan since snow and ice is not unusual for you.
Sounds like a rotten day. Fardles on the Friskies. Too bad you can’t even donate the them to a shelter or something — risking BSE would be better than starving immediately, I’d think. Maybe they’re scared you will eat the Friskies??? In a way I can understand the regs though. I had a friend who died of mad cow/BSE/C-J years ago and it was not a pretty sight. Never seen a cat eating Friskies have that problem so far, though. *knocks on wood*I hope the burn heals up quickly as possible and you don’t go sliding like that bus did.
AHHHHHH – this is why I LOVE the living in the south!!!!! I can’t handle the frustrations of getting somewhere in deep winter conditions. Life challenges me enough even in this softy (except for hurricanes and tornados) Florida place.