I think this is our third visit to Quebec City. Seems like a lot but it is such a lovely place for a few days.

We stayed mostly on ile d’Orleans. Rented a cozy cottage by the river. First thing I noticed was the bird feeder and the steady stream of chickadees and a nuthatch working to move the sunflower seeds to the pine tree were they live.

From there we went bike riding and played board games.

We took a taxi from Quebec City and Nicola, the driver, ended up driving us back and forth and all around.

“The Earth is Fiat” is funny.

I am sure they meant Flat and tried to correct. Makes me laugh and I wonder if all conspiracy theories would be less sinister if we change “L”to “I”.

I love trains.

Planes are great too, but with planes it is more transactional. It is a process to get to somewhere else.

With trains, it is the somewhere.

Helen is turning 85 this week.

Lots of celebrations this week, starting with taking her out of the city for a spa day.

So much fun.

You have booked a meeting, you have prepared for weeks, the stakes are high.

Meeting attendees are engaged and up-to-date with the information.

Then a leader walks in that didn’t do the homework. Sits down and starts to listen but doesn’t comprehend. They interrupt focusing on an unrelated topic or a topic of triviality, ceasing the momentum of the group. There are eye rolls.

You couldn’t get a baby sitter and your five year old is coming with you to a fancy dinner with your friends. You stop at McDonalds and pick up a happy meal and a diet coke.

“Donald, now be a good boy and just sit here at the side of the table, and be a good boy and don’t interrupt the adults.”

” Donald, stop fidgeting. Let me get you another diet coke”

“Donald, I know you are bored, just give mommy another 10 min”

” Here Donald, play with my phone”

” Yes Donald, you can sleep sitting up”

https://sl.bing.net/jGslkv5545Q

It is very cold in Washington today. The inauguration ceremony was moved inside for the influential billionaires and guests, leaving the crowds of people who voted for the guy out in the cold. I think it is a sign of the four years to come.

No idea what will happen but it feels like what I have known my whole life is about to change.

https://www.thestar.com/politics/trump-inauguration-10-most-viral-moments-from-melanias-kiss-proof-hat-to-elon-musks-controversial/article_557ab530-d768-11ef-b091-9b93b6c8a6bf.html

It is dark now at 6:30am. Stumbling out the door and down my usual path, the coyote prances toward me, nervously looking side to side. My steps hurry forward. He stops parallel to me, looks down and side to side, my pace quickens without running. I love the chance encounter.

I smell a skunk a couple of blocks away, thrilling in a different way.

We packed up our garden today for another year. We got more than 160 pounds of vegetables this year, about 1pound per square foot. So nice to just walk out our front or back door to get our vegetables.

Next year, it will be even better.