R.I.P Benazir Bhutto

It's hard to say why I feel bad about Benazir Bhutto's assassination, aside from the obvious fellow-human-being thing. It's not as though I understand her politics, or those of any of the cast of characters running (or trying to run) Pakistan, though it did seem plain to me that she was probably going to get killed sooner rather than later. Terrorists had already taken out 140 of her followers on the day of her arrival in country, and had been hoping to get her, too. It wasn't wise of her to be popping out of the roof of her car, yesterday. How could she not realize she was an easy target?
Perhaps she believed in herself as a woman of destiny, at the last, and thought nothing could stop her. For years, she was the daughter carrying her dead father's mantle, and then it became her own. That's part of what I liked about her, that sense of destiny. There are so few truly powerful women in the world, and here was an intelligent and articulate Muslim woman who refused to hide her face or her opinions. Despite all the accusations of corruption and forced resignations and exile, she always went back to Pakistan, as though she believed she was born to rule.
I saw a picture in today's paper of her, holding her two children in her arms. The next generation, I see one or both of them entering politics in 15-20 years: the next Bhutto. The boy's face was sad, as though he could see his future, written on the bloody pages of Pakistan's history.

A Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! The last week I have been neglecting my blogging, due to the usual last-minute wrapping/baking/shopping binge, as well as party & visiting time. Saturday and Sunday we had early Xmas with Iain's family in Ottawa, returning on Christmas Eve so we could have a quiet evening at home after the candlight church service. Had a wonderful time in Ottawa, by the way - it's so great to see everyone, we do it too seldom.

Today we head off to Dodie & Myles' place for dinner and prezzies. We spent the morning opening our gifts to each other. Can't believe what Iain got for me - a turntable that hooks directly to the computer so I can upload all my vinyl (which we have to retrieve from the cottage, first, but that's a minor issue). I'm so excited to use it, as I have this vast collection of 70's progressive rock that no one else wants to listen to, so it is never on the radio, but that I still enjoy (I really am Living In The Past).

Have to post this pic of the lovely gift my friend Wanda (a.k.a. Martha) gave to us. When the gin is gone and all that is left is a beautiful blue bottle, it seems a shame to not use it somehow, doesn't it? Voila, a pretty dish soap dispenser!

Digging out

The view out the back windows of our place today. Iain spent about a half hour blowing out the driveway where the town plow deposited a bank of snow. We're glad we have the wee snowblower. Would have taken a picture of him working, but it was kind of dark outside still.

At the front of the house, it's getting hard to shovel off the porch, because the snow is as high as it is. We are glad we cleaned off the cottage last week - though we weren't able to get all the snow - because it will be pretty deep again, now.

As you can see, it was deep before we did it.

I hear the weather channel says it's going to rain on the 23rd. As much as I'd appreciate a respite from the snow, I don't think that's going to be very nice.

The weather outside is frightful

It's almost 8:00 p.m., and the weather outside looks as bad as it did all day. Iain has been out to shovel and snowblow 4 times already, and we've decided to leave it until tomorrow, now. The wind has picked up, so it's like a blizzard, and I'm very happy to not have to go anywhere. I feel sorry for anyone on the road tonight.
This pic doesn't really capture it, but it's the best I could do.
It isn't cold in the house, but just looking out at that makes me shiver. I'm going to head back down to the rec room, where the fire is keeping things cozy. Digging out tomorrow should be interesting.

OOOOHHHHH that is cold snow!!

Okay, well, you knew that, didn't you?

'Bout time I filed a report here, isn't it? Been a little busy, but not with anything too exciting, so I've been avoiding writing.

Spent Saturday shopping with the girls, which was great fun! Got a few gifts, and wore out my feet. Did get myself a nice pair of brown shoes, which I needed. No navy, though - no one seems to have navy shoes of the sort I want (low heel, casual but suitable for work, comfy).

Sunday we had a MARVELOUS pot-luck lunch at church. Christmas-themed, so we sort of knew what others were bringing, to make sure there was lots of everything. Turkey, potatoes, turnips, peas, carrots, stuffing, gravy, cranberry, yams baked with marshmallow, coleslaw, pickles, strawberry jello salad, buns! For desert: pie (apple and cherry), tarts, and timbits. I think that's just about everything, but it's hard to be sure. A good time.

Since we knew the storm was coming, we took the opportunity to decorate outside yesterday. It was cold work, but we were glad to get it done!

Today, I really hope the furnace guys come. It's cold in here! Good thing we have the fireplace in the basement.

We were out with the snowblower at 6:30 cleaning out the driveway. Iain went in to get ready for work, and I decided to figure out how to start the machine and run it myself. Took a while - I didn't see the push-button above the plug-in, and almost gave up trying, but then it got very loud all of a sudden, and I was off! Snowblowers aren't wonderful, really, especially not our little 7hp buddy (note to self: next model will be 12hp at least!), but with my back I want to avoid shovelling as much as possible!

Keep warm!