It’s almost the end of January, a month that I usually hibernate and regenerate after a busy and enjoyable December. I rarely make plans because I don’t want to have to deal with snow storms, driving and winter boots. Other than walking when able, grocery runs when necessary, and my library book delivery schedule, which is once every three weeks, I tend to nurture the introvert in me. January is all about watching the weather, avoiding bad weather and recovering from any bad weather when it happens. It’s all about before, during and after.
Before the snow storm which started overnight on Sunday, I had two engagements on the weekend. I had actually made PLANS for Saturday and Sunday that required me to go out. So what do I do? I spend the entire week beforehand watching the weather with my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t snow on either day. And even before that I have been watching the dropping temperatures because one of my heat pumps is broken; has been broken since last August. Like everything else that happens in this house, getting it repaired has turned into an epic adventure. One that has resulted in a very cold kitchen, living room and dining room.
But I digress. Back to the engagements, which luckily took place without snow or ice and turned out to be very nice and very easy. The first was Mad Madge, a play at Halifax’s Neptune Theatre that I attended with my friend Cathy.
Here is the scoop from their website:
Margaret Cavendish was a woman ahead of her time. A philosopher, poet, scientist, author, and playwright – she represented everything a woman should not be in the 17th century. This bawdy comedy is loosely based on history, but more than anything it’s a celebration of a wild woman who never settled for anything less than achieving her dreams. Paying homage to Jane Austen and Tina Fey in the same breath, this laugh out loud contemporary-period mashup suggests that perhaps a woman’s hunger for unbridled attention is not so shallow, after all.
Photos: Neptune Theatre
What can I say, it was very funny and very well done. The only thing that was disappointing was that Madge still had to conform in the end. But then again, it was the 17th century.
The second event was Symphony Nova Scotia presenting the music of Journey, which I attended with my husband. It was nice, but I personally felt it was not as good as their presentation of the music of Chicago that we attended a couple of years ago. There is something about horns that make a big impression in any music for me. The music of Journey just doesn’t have any brass. I am not saying that it is bad music, I am just saying that the symphony is under utilized when playing it.
Photo: Symphony NS
Both events were followed by dinner out. No cooking required. Two nights in a row! Both meals were yummy. We were home and asleep before the snow storm started.
During the storm, which lasted from overnight Sunday until Tuesday morning, I slept late because attending two events in a row is exhausting for this and any other introvert. I worked on a jigsaw puzzle of lovely illustrated puppies, a gift from my son, that is turning out to be an enjoyable challenge.
I cooked a nice meal, and we sat by the fire in the warmest room of the house while we watched TV. We were very happy that we didn’t lose power. It really wasn’t that bad of a storm in our part of Nova Scotia. We tend to get off a little easier than other parts of the province when it comes to snow. Plus, there were no high winds on this occasion.
After the storm, my husband cleared the snow with our wonderful electric snow blower, which we purchased last year because we were tired of the gas one that required annual tune ups and was often temperamental. I felt I needed to have a reliable machine that I could use if necessary. All you have to do with the electric one is drop in the batteries and push the button. And it is so much quieter.
I had a second lazy day in a row where I slept late, worked on my puzzle and cooked dinner. I did, however, bundle up and go for a walk early this afternoon. Currently I am once again sitting by the fire, only this time I have my computer on my lap.
Thank you for reading.
Photos: Jenn Stone unless otherwise stated.
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I understand the introvert need to decompress after a social event. So much! I’m exactly the same.
Stay warm. 😊
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That decompression is so important, both physically and mentally. We introverts have to take care of ourselves.
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Our son and his wife recently bought their first house in South Dakota a few months ago. When I asked our son what they wanted for a housewarming gift, he said, “A snowblower.” He’s getting plenty of use out of it. They had -21 one night during the big storm.
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Best house warming gift ever. I am sure he is very happy to have it.
-21 F. Now that is cold. I don’t think anyone would be bundling up to walk in that temperature.
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I’m an introvert as well and completely understand. Parties in particular can really take it out of me. It sounds like you enjoyed your outings as well as cocooning at home through the storm. Cheers.
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Yes it all worked out nicely. Timing is everything.
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Northern winters are a wonderful time to unwind and relax. Sometimes it’s weather forced isolation, but I never really mind.
😊
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I don’t mind them either, now that I am retired and don’t have to go to work.
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You had a busy but fun weekend. Two dinners out is always a good thing. :-) Your library delivery system sounds very interesting. Do you mind sharing what type of battery powered snow blower you bought and are happy with? I tried one before getting a gas one, but it wasn’t powerful enough. Thanks.
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It was a good weekend, great to beat the storm and also eat out. Totally stress free.
I am one of many volunteers who deliver library books to people who can’t get out to go to the library in person. It’s a nice service and a pretty easy gig for me. The library prepares the books and all I do is pickup and drop off.
We bought an EGO snowblower and are very happy with it. It manages both heavy and light snow so well. Blows like a gas one but with a lot less hassles. Here is a link to their website:
https://egopowerplus.com/snow
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sounds like a great weekend and glad the weather cooperated
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It was great and I was very glad that the weather was on our side. A win win.
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Sounds like my kind of introverting. Which restaurants in Halifax did you go to? The winters here are a bit milder, but we did get the recent cold snap. It was almost fun.
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Almost fun, ha ha. We actually came back over to the Dartmouth side to eat as the parking is easier and it is closer to home. On Saturday we at at The Commons on Portland, where I had Cajun shrimp, which was served over garlic mashed potatoes. Very delicious. On Sunday we ate at Wok Your Way, a local Asian fusion restaurant that is also very yummy. Maybe not as adventurous as Toronto Asian restaurants, but it certainly tasty and the service is great.
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Okay, making mental notes for dining options when/if we go to Dartmouth :)
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That fire looks good. We had a phone call, from Number 2 son in Canada over the weekend – views of the new grandchild were OK but the amount of snow on his Toronto balcony made me shiver. We once thought of emigrating but the weather put me off. :-)
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The storm in Toronto was a lot worse than what we got here this time round. I can understand it putting you off. When you grow up with it, it is just part of the place we call home.
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This is true – if it wasn’t we would all be living in Florida and the French Riviera. :-)
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I’ve still been going out on the hills every day despite the fact that we’ve had terrible gales and bad windchill all month so far. But yesterday my body went completely on strike and made me really ill so I had to stay in all day. Looking out at the truly dire weather I wasn’t too sorry. Luckily we actually had a nice day today and I feel a bit better for it. I really don’t cope well with the cold!
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Along with the snow, it has been pretty cold lately. I have warm gear but my feet and hands never stay warm. I have bought so many different kinds of socks over the years and nothing works except 100% wool, which is impossible to find these days.
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I thought I had warm clothing and I always layer up well but, whatever I put on now, the wind is going straight through it.
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Oh and Mad Madge sounded great but I’d have been a bit sad about the end when she had to conform too! On the brass note, I have to say I hate any kind of brass except saxophones and I’m from Yorkshire where we’re supposed to be huge fans of brass bands!
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Mad Madge was enjoyable. I just had to put the ending in perspective.
My son is a musician. He plays the trumpet. I have acquired a love for great jazz, especially with horns. You can’t beat the sound of a jazz trumpet.
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NE Alberta has its share of cold without the snowfall of eastern Canada. On the coldest days, it’s enough to restock the woodbox & keep the fire going. Snow means slow. I identify with checking the forecast & road conditions. And what’s the accuracy of those forecasts? In the words of one radio host – if you want to know the weather, go outside. I was always a fan of the horn section in Toby Keith’s backup band.
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Canadian winters are always interesting because they are so unpredictable and are definitely time to slow down in more ways than one. I usually keep on top of things with the weather app on my phone, but even that is subject to change by the hour.
I feel that a good horn section can improve any type of music, but then again I am biased. My so is a trumpet player.
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