Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Catching up
I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I got back from England. Time flies when you’re sorting out your new house, writing for two newspapers, rehearsing for ‘Guys and Dolls’, working for a shelter, and looking for jobs. Not to mention the fact that I left my immune system on the plane, so I’ve been ill twice in the last fortnight. But now all is well and I’m enjoying my first fall (aka autumn) in Canada.
Grimsby’s burning
The seasons here are spectacular and sudden. I’ll give you an example: one week in April I was walking down the street trying not to turn into a giant snowdrift. Exactly a week later, I was walking down the same street in a t-shirt. And getting sunburn.
When my plane touched down in Canada two weeks ago, the pilot said it was 28 degrees outside (God bless Canada!!). Then it rained for a week solid, and now the nights are distinctly crisp. Which has turned the trees into an inferno of red, yellow and orange, colours I didn’t think were possible in nature (unless you count tropical birds or something).
Grimsby’s burning
The seasons here are spectacular and sudden. I’ll give you an example: one week in April I was walking down the street trying not to turn into a giant snowdrift. Exactly a week later, I was walking down the same street in a t-shirt. And getting sunburn.When my plane touched down in Canada two weeks ago, the pilot said it was 28 degrees outside (God bless Canada!!). Then it rained for a week solid, and now the nights are distinctly crisp. Which has turned the trees into an inferno of red, yellow and orange, colours I didn’t think were possible in nature (unless you count tropical birds or something).
These are the kinds of colours people drive north to see. And in Grimsby, the trees have turned the escarpment tortoiseshell. It’s visible from the highway, and so astoundingly beautiful I’m surprised it hasn’t caused a car crash yet.
Walking on the escarpment is even better. The sunshine through the trees creates a kind of stained glass effect, bathing you in a thick golden light that fills you with peace. The trees sway and whisper and scatter confetti. Who needs a church?
Getting festive
And because the seasons are so distinctive, and things like fall colours are so temporary, everyone makes the most of it. Pumpkins are everywhere, so it’s pumpkin pie for six weeks solid (works for me). Wreathes of red and orange leaves decorate the front doors. People have Halloween parties and plan for trick or treaters
Walking on the escarpment is even better. The sunshine through the trees creates a kind of stained glass effect, bathing you in a thick golden light that fills you with peace. The trees sway and whisper and scatter confetti. Who needs a church?Getting festive
And because the seasons are so distinctive, and things like fall colours are so temporary, everyone makes the most of it. Pumpkins are everywhere, so it’s pumpkin pie for six weeks solid (works for me). Wreathes of red and orange leaves decorate the front doors. People have Halloween parties and plan for trick or treaters
(no-one plans in England – I remember getting lame things like biscuits and apples when I went trick or treating).
It’s the same whether it’s Christmas or Easter or Valentine’s or Mother’s Day. Everyone makes a big deal, and everyone celebrates. I love it!!
Warming up the house
It’s the same whether it’s Christmas or Easter or Valentine’s or Mother’s Day. Everyone makes a big deal, and everyone celebrates. I love it!!
Warming up the house
Talking of celebrating, we really have to have a house warming party. I suppose it would help if we had chairs first. Or any other furniture. But I’ve heard that people have house-warming showers here, where guests actually bring stuff for the new home! So maybe we should just throw the party and see if we get lucky (although I think a new sofa is pushing it a bit).
A lawnmower would be good, though. Until a few days ago, when Joe went into a hedge-trimming frenzy, I felt like the scruffy outcast in a neighbourhood of ruthlessly organized suburbanites. They all have beautiful lawns with seasonally appropriate ornaments, and nicely washed cars and flowers that aren’t brown. Well, I guess they would, being mostly retired. As long as they don’t object when us young ‘uns try and throw a few parties, I’m sure we’ll get along fine.So life here is going well, and the colder weather has only just started. Plenty of pumpkin-flavoured weeks to go! Then there’s Christmas, and if the other holidays are anything to go by it’ll be the best one I’ve had since I was ten. I can’t wait!!
