so here we are and here we go

Sitting here as I am in a coffee shop drinking a coffee and browsing the Web, I am struck by the undeniable fact that we are, in fact, whether I like it or not, at that time of year again.

"Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree."

rings out over the coffee shop speakers as I stare dejectedly at my dimly glowing screen. It is barely mid-November, and already the hounds of impending festivities are braying at us from the ceilings.

I enjoy "the holidays" but find that being bludgeoned by sincerely sung seasonal music insincerely played to be a bit much on a day this far in advance of the holiday it pretends to support. The decorations are just as bad. Plastic wreaths and garlands, twisted faux wood ornaments, and ribbons abound finishing the assault on the senses initiated by the music.

Now don't get me wrong, or at least don't get me totally wrong. I am not anti-Christmas. Or, at least, I am not anti-Christmas at Christmas time. What I am opposed to is the intense pressure, ramping up as it always does at this time of year, for things to be "perfect" when so clearly for so many they obviously aren't and cannot be by the standards of our society. And when perfect is so strongly linked to economic success and the ability to consume to excess, it is no wonder that for so many people this time of year is anything but a merry little time.

So what to do?

If you do buy for people this holiday season, at least buy local and support a small business. Or perhaps better, create something real and from the heart that actually speaks to the person for whom the gift is intended.

I plan a year of framed art. What about you?

beer store open

Funny, the other day I got a chance to try out my new snow tires in the white stuff. Bicycle snow tires, as my loyal follower knows.

A new job location for part of my job takes me outside the city limits to the next small town over. It is not far away from home - a measly eight or so km - but there is a one km stretch of the ride to work that is not very nice to ride on. Previously, I mentioned that some kind people, more local to where I work out of town, had mentioned that there was a nice trail (a piece of the Trans Canada Trail in fact) which connected the town to the city and would allow me to avoid this nasty stretch of roadway. They warned me that snow might be a factor for some of the winter since the trail is not winter maintained. They said that it is passable though because so many people use it.

er, drift anyone? and this from about 5cm of snow? three days after it fell and a lot melted?

It is very very possible that my rides to and from work might be a lot of fun. Or, at the very least, interesting...

Shortly after I took this picture, the snow all melted.

However, today, not so. Winter came back for what is promising to be a brief visit.

winter dropping by

winter dropping by

By Sunday, it is supposed to be not sunny, but rather cloudy, warm, and raining. Sigh.

That said it is early yet, and the mild flirtations we are having with winter are just enough to make getting around more fun and less humdrum.

What it is not early for though is some shopping for the upcoming holidays. I visited one of my favourite homes away from home today and took a look in the back store room while my vehicle was getting worked on and found something cool in amongst the stacks and stacks of boxes.

lookie what I found!

The above picture is a hint as to what SOMEONE at my house is getting this year.

Hint.
Hint.

That ought to make her happy, no?