A Chance Meeting

Like any true Winnipegger, I love a deal. So, when Safeway advertised a 3 day special on their large bricks of cheese last weekend, I headed over to get one.

Now, these aren't just any bricks - they are all random weight but are all marked at the same price. A savvy shopper will rummage through the whole lot to find the heaviest one for an even better deal. "Supposedly" these are all approx 700-720 grams but many are under that weight. If you are lucky, you will sometimes find ones that are even more - hence the best deal!

I gathered most of the items on my grocery list then headed for the cheese. As I walked up, a blond woman in a red jacket was crouched down, sorting through the aged cheddar. I said: "I assume you are also looking for the largest piece?" She said she was and wished me luck as she walked away.

I set my basket down, laid my white cane across the top of it, pulled out my pocket magnifier and started looking through my preference of medium cheddar. The woman returned a minute or so later and said there was also a display case at the end of the aisle with more of the bricks and she had found a larger one there. I thanked her and continued looking.

As I'd find a heavy package, I'd tentatively set it in my basket then continue the search for a larger one. When I did find larger, I'd switch out the lighter one from my basket.

Now, given my limited vision, it can take me a few minutes to sort through even a couple dozen bricks or so. I'd just found a rather large one - 828g! (WOOT WOOT!) - when a male voice to my left said "excuse me..."

I looked up and realized he was holding a brick of cheese. He said a woman had suggested he could probably find a larger piece than he had. I moved my basket so he could also look and said that there were definitely heavier ones if you looked and what was the point of buying any package without getting the heaviest - especially on sale? He agreed.

Since I was about to return the second largest piece I'd found to the dairy case, I offered it to him. He asked if I was sure I didn't want it. I assured him that no, I'd found one slightly larger so he was welcome to it if he wanted it. He said thanks. I also told him about the additional display case if he wanted to check it out as well.

As I began to restack all the pieces I'd moved in my search, I assumed that he would just keep shopping - but he didn't.

He asked about my vision. I explained that with my monocular, I could see a route number a couple bus lengths away or enough to know when the light across the street was green and it was safe enough to cross. With my pocket magnifier, I could read prices on most shelf labels and I also had reading glasses for other things. I added that I had no depth perception or peripheral vision.

Being asked about my vision isn't that uncommon and I always try to reply in terms that people can relate to.

What surprised me ... no, make that shocked me, about this exchange was what he said next.

I don't recall the exact phrasing, but it was along the lines of: "So with your limited vision and a face like mine, you'd be the perfect woman for me."

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I am rarely at a loss for words, but I was momentarily speechless.

WHOA! Did he just say that? Was he trying to be funny or was he actually flirting with me?

I couldn't be sure.

Even though he was only standing a few feet from me, I couldn't see his face well enough to tell any real characteristics. To the best of my sight and recollection he was white, clean shaven, dark hair and wore no glasses. He wore a dark jacket - either charcoal or black - and dark pants. He was average height and build from what I could tell. I have no idea how old he was, but sensed that he may have been younger than me.

Let me be frank here. Guys do NOT flirt with me! Most barely give me the time of day let alone engage in conversation or make a flirtatious remark. I'm no beauty by any stretch, yet here was this guy... being polite and friendly...

Was he nuts or sincere?

Though it was only a few seconds, my brain - unfortunately - slipped into self protective mode before I could fully process all of this. With a polite chuckle, I said "Oh, I don't know about that!" I think he smiled, then said thanks for the cheese, wished me a good day and walked past me towards the end of the aisle.

Oh crap, why did I say that!?!? Why didn't I say something like, "Well, maybe we should at least get to know each other before you make a final decision?"

I wanted to call out after him, but I couldn't speak. I didn't want to make the guy uncomfortable if he was self conscious about his appearance or embarrass both of us if it had all been a joke...

So, I watched him walk away.

I'd like to believe he was flirting, but I don't know who he was, his name or anything more about him. I have no idea whether we'd have hit it off or not. 

I may never know if it was a joke or if he was sincere.

Where's the time machine when you really need it? I want a do over!

Taking a chance isn't always easy - especially if we don't consider our outer packaging to be that attractive. I've lived it and been hurt by rejection. It isn't fun but sometimes, there are people who are sincere - who really do want to get to know who is on the inside of the so called flawed packaging. They are the true souls worth having in our lives. We have to learn to give those souls room to find us and carefully let them into our world and allow ourselves to be a part of theirs.

I don't know if you will ever read this but, if you were the guy who spoke to me in the cheese section of the Osborne Village Safeway on Friday, April, 19 at about 9:30AM - I'm sorry I wasn't more open. Our conversation was brief - maybe a couple of minutes, but I was intrigued. I sincerely hope that our paths cross again. Since you have the advantage of sight, I hope you'll say hello.

dn 

It Should Be Spring By Now ... Shouldn't it?

Well, I don't know what the weather has been like in your area, but here in Winnipeg, it is still more like Winterpeg despite being April 14! 

The snow was starting to melt - slowly. Then, our beloved Mother Nature decided that things were looking rather drab so dropped fresh covers of white stuff (aka snow) on us. Not once mind you, but this unwelcome addition occurred at several times last weekend. Friday night, Saturday, and on Sunday!

This was my view last Sunday afternoon: 

Over the Easter weekend, I watched part of a Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes Marathon on Teletoon Retro. Among the cartoons shown, was the 1961 classic "The Abominable Snow Rabbit". In it, Bugs and Daffy are supposedly burrowing their way to warmer weather in Palm Springs and inadvertently make a wrong turn and end up in the chilly Himalaya's! The usual hilariously looney hijink's ensue as they meet up with the Abominable Snowman who has always wanted a pet rabbit....

Anyways, given our unending winter it could well have been chilly Manitoba that Bugs and Daffy landed in! All they wanted - like many of us - was escape to a warmer environment!

But no, it seems we have entered our own version of the winter that never ends!

Unlike the Abominable Snowman chasing after Bugs to a warmer climate, we can't lead Mother Nature's wintery wrath away from us so we can thaw out.

And, despite the date on the calendar, there is a possibility of some more of the unwanted white stuff over the next day or two!

I've tried to be nice about it, but winter has overstayed it's welcome.

Sorry snow lovers but it is time to pack up the winter toys and unite in an effort to thwart the continued efforts of winter to hang around!

This sentiment for our never ending winter was recently posted on the CBC Radio Noon Facebook page: 

A bit extreme, perhaps but the desire to be rid of our wintery trappings is very real!

Despite advances in meteorology, this techie solution doesn't seem to be working either:

So what are we to do?

Too bad we can't set up a giant magnifying glass to melt the stuff! How about a series of blow torches? No, that might cause more problems with unexpected fires. Although there certainly would be lots of snow to melt and put out the fires with.

Okay, so we stick with the normal melting patterns. GRRR!

Oh well, a slow melt is definitely what is best given the risk for flooding.

However, at this point farmers are also starting to get concerned about how much snow is still to melt on their fields. The snow has to melt and the ground be dry enough to actually work before they can begin seeding. Most crops need to be in by late May to ensure a reasonable growing season before temps drop in the fall. That may be over a month from now, but it takes time to melt all that snow and favourable weather conditions to be able to seed. If they don't get a decent growing season then there will be production shortages for both human and livestock consumption. That would result in higher prices overall - which won't make anybody happy!

I know we have to let nature take its course and melt at whatever speed it decides to but the vast majority of us are getting a bit impatient here.

Some are trying to be optimistic by pointing out that at least we don't have mosquito's and that the AC isn't running! True, but we are still running our furnaces thanks to the cool temps! Heck, this past Monday night, we had an overnight low of -20C! Throw in a windchill and it felt more like -27C outside! This is April NOT January!!!!

I heard a solitary Canada Goose honking as it flew over in the pre-dawn hours a little over a week ago. Though I don't pretend to understand the goose language, I strongly suspect that the incessant honking could be interpreted as "What the....? The flock sent me ahead to check out the landscape and all I see is ice and snow! Are you freaking kidding me? Mother Nature is off her meds again!"

More geese have reportedly been spotted in the area since that morning - as well as a few other migratory birds, but they sure aren't happy about what they have come home to!

The slow melt is also wreaking havoc with road conditions. The streets are mostly dry, but any moisture that flows onto streets from curbside snow piles creates mini lakes that thaws in the day and freezes at night. The drainage systems to catch that melting snow also tend to freeze and thaw with the current weather, resulting in ice jams and massive puddles. These are prime sources for creating pot holes. They are expensive to repair and even more expensive should your vehicle hit a pot hole!!

This slow melt thing is also making mobility harder for those of us who don't have the agility of a mountain goat! Whether you use a cane, a walker, a scooter or are visually impaired such as I am, winter mobility is a challenge. We dread having to go out in those first few days after a snowfall. The spring melt means rutted skating rinks on sidewalks and being sprayed by the mini lakes along the curbs that cars seem to love to speed through.

The city does a semi decent job clearing sidewalks - but it really does depend on where you live. Residential sidewalks aren't plowed nearly as often or as well as those on main thoroughfares or designated snow routes. There are many seniors and people with mobility issues who have felt like prisoners in their homes the past few months. The city's web site is still reporting "difficult" conditions for persons with mobility issues.

I reside along a designated snow route, however thanks to the snowbanks on either side of the fairly decently plowed sidewalks, the melting often creates rivers of slush, frozen ruts and/or skating rinks.

Though I own a decent pair of ice grips that can be slipped onto my boots, these are not suitable for indoor use. In other words, I either leave them at home or remove them before entering some businesses so as not to damage their flooring. The grips are a very snug fit to the footwear - so they do not slip off easily. Trying to put them on or remove them while wearing full winter garb can be even more of a challenge.

So you can risk life and limb on ice covered sidewalks or walk on the streets - close to the curb and facing traffic whenever possible. Neither option is much fun but that, unfortunately, is the choice when you live in Winterpeg.

Personally I miss being able to get out and truly enjoy the somewhat milder temperatures - even though they are still several degrees below the seasonal norm of +10C. We won't be seeing temps that high for at least another week!

I know that spring will eventually arrive and all too soon we will most likely be griping about the heat and the mosquito's but at this point, I think most of us would be quite happy with some seasonable temperatures and noticeable decreases in the white stuff on the ground.

SO, Mother Nature, we'd really appreciate some cooperation here. What do you say we call a truce for now and you move the wintery princess routine to the southern hemisphere until, hmm - say late November or early December?

Yeah, yeah, I know you'll handle it your way. I just had to ask though! 

dn

This Past Winter Was NOT My Fault!

We've had a bitterly cold and extremely snowy winter. Yes, we here in Winterpeg and on the Canadian prairies are pretty much used to cold snowy winters, but this year was just a bit colder and snowier than most.

This past winter was also a whole lot colder and snowier than LAST winter which for the most part barely reared its nasty side. Last year, the snow was gone by mid March. The golfers were out on several courses. The restaurant patios were doing a booming business. Daytime highs were hovering around +20C from March 16-18 and reached +23C on March 19! The first day of spring felt nippy at only +13.6C!

Local forecasters have been quick to remind us of last years' highs while broadcasting the frigid details this year, but they usually neglect to add that March 2012 was an anomaly in our weather.

The first day of spring this year, saw an overnight low of -24.3C and a high of -11C. There was also an oh so unwelcome windchill of around -30C or so in the morning and into the afternoon.

The normal for our first day of spring should be about -9C as the low and +2C as the high.

With the exception of skiers and snowboarders, pretty much everyone else has had more than enough of winter and the white stuff! Oh wait, there is that Grandma in Brandon,Manitoba who has been posting videos of her love of winter while wearing a black bathing suit - outdoors!

We, here on the Canadian prairies are not alone in out winter fatigue. Eastern Canada, the Maritimes and many areas of the US Midwest and North East have also had more than their share of winter woes.

Complaints abound. Rather than accept the weather as it comes, many choose to point fingers.

Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a big winter fan. It can be beautiful to look at, but getting around in it can be a royal pain! Spring can be just as challenging and unpredictable but at this point, I want winter gone!

ENOUGH SNOW AND COLD ALREADY!!

If I had my way, winter and it's remnants would be gone by now! But, anyone who has ever lived along a river or in a flood prone area knows that a slow spring melt is needed.

Who knows what Mother Nature will put out of her weather bag of tricks over the coming weeks!

And yes, I do recall and even admit that I have admonished snowbirds for inciting the wrath of Mother Nature by trying to escape her wintery grasp:

" It is very rare that we don't get one last great winter blast/snowfall from Mother Nature in late March or early April! It usually hits right around the time the last of the Snowbirds (travellers) are returning home from their winter getaways. I have always considered this as Mother Nature's revenge, because they tried to escape winter and that those of us who stay (by choice or circumstance) are just innocent victims."  Spring - March 20 2008

Over the last while there have been those who have suggested that "I" may be to blame for this winter weather this year!

Seriously? Has my own winter escape and haranguing of Mother Nature's weather management caused the proliferation of white stuff and wicked windchills?

Let's examine the facts here:

- Yes, I did leave Winterpeg for a week in January. That is well documented - assuming you have read any of my posts over the last couple months. The fam and I began discussing the trip last September before winter even started! Okay, that may have given Mother Nature extra time to plan a wicked winter.

- It was cold and snowy here long before I left! That is what happens in a normal winter!

- I flew out of Winterpeg on the edge of an incoming blizzard! Okay, maybe Mother Nature was trying to stop me from leaving but she DIDN'T STOP ME or countless others from leaving the winter climes for even a short reprieve!

- Numerous people in Mesa asked if I'd brought the cold weather with me. I reminded them that the temps they were experiencing were cooler than normal before I arrived. It stayed cool until the day I left! Granted, the timing of the warm up may be a bit suspicious!

- Winter temps here were about normal when I returned but they did turn to below normal a few days later! That can't possibly be suspicious - can it?

I'll admit that some points may look slightly incriminating but it is all circumstantial - right?! I don't believe - nor will I take the fall for this wicked winter! Heck, I'm far from the only one who gripes about the weather! That is practically a requirement for even living on the prairies!

So, yes I willingly made a brief escape from winter but the trip was a gift and WHO could or would refuse such a generous offer?  I am not responsible for putting the "winter" in our winter this year! In truth, I am a somewhat vocal, yet single being among the grand Snowbird exodus!

Am I splitting hairs here? Possibly, but if I had that much influence or effect on Mother Nature, we wouldn't have had much of a winter at all!

If I am offered another trip to Mesa in the future, I will make another escape - winter be damned!

I am far from the only one being blamed for this winter though. 

Canadian singer Meaghan Smith has a beautiful song called "It Snowed". Apparently, it may be being played a little too often though as she recently tweeted:

I could add a link to the song, but why take the risk? Google it if you must, but don't blame me or Meghan if It Snows in your area!

Punxsutawney Phil is reportedly being sued! The prosecution claims: "Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that Spring would come early." Though the lawsuit is apparently written in jest. the sentiment is real.

It appears he may have already confessed:

Personally, I've never trusted any of those rodent prognosticators!

So, here we are - the end of March. On March 28, we finally cracked 0C to reach (an almost seasonal) high of +2.3C!

The overabundance of snow is slowly starting to melt. The snowbirds are making their way home. The skiers, snowboarders and other winter enthusiasts are lamenting the end to a great season. The golfers. gardeners, farmers and warmer temperature enthusiasts are chomping at the bit to get out and get on with it.

We will never all agree on the ideal weather conditions and that is part of what makes us living beings so wonderful. Despite all the advances in weather science, we still can't always predict what Mother Nature may have up her sleeve. We just have to learn to accept it and deal with it as best we can with what we have been given.

Here's to you Mother Nature, as always, you are a mainstay of our conversations - for better or for worse! You drive us nuts sometimes but you also keep life interesting and keep us on our toes!

Am I sucking up to her just in case? Yup, can't be too careful these days!

Happy Spring! 

dn

dn's Lemon Rolls

Spring and Easter are fast approaching. For me, that always means a time to bake something special - and that usually means something with lemon! I wanted to make Lemon Rolls!!

When I was a kid, I recall my mom making Cinnamon Buns/Rolls. They were a lot of extra work but also very delicious! Though I've tried a few times, I still haven't perfected a decent Cinnamon Roll but that is okay as I'm not a huge cinnamon fan. An occasional Cinnamon Roll at a coffee shop or restaurant is fine for me.

There was however, a treat that we occasionally bought in the bakery departments of grocery stores that I have been wanting again for quite a while. Actually, I've looked for them in the stores but haven't seen them in years - so if I wanted to taste this treat again, it was time to experiment.

The frosted rolls we used to buy were sold by the half dozen in a tin foil pan. They were light, soft - sort of a cross between a bread and cake consistency - and the filling was a tangy lemon! They were SO good!

It was time to look for recipes! There were several recipes on line - some were more of a twist on the Swiss Roll with a lemon cake rolled up with a creamy filling. Not what I had in mind. Others, were a more traditional Cinnamon Roll style - but also made the lemon filling from scratch. That was more work than I wanted.

I finally decided to try a recipe from the gals at Mennonite Girls Can Cook! Their Cinnamon Bun Class 101 looked simple enough. I'd just cut the recipe in half, make a couple of slight alterations in the dough and use a lemon filling.

Over the years, I've found that most canned lemon pie filling isn't really that lemony. The filling from a mix makes more than I generally need at any one time. I wasn't up to doing a lemon filling from scratch - way to much work! Luckily, I've found a bulk style lemon pie filling at a local bulk food store that is full of tangy lemon flavour! I've been using it in other recipes over the last year or two and thought it would be perfect for these rolls!

The first time I made these, I took some samples to friends for taste testing. They thought they were some of the best treats they'd ever had! Admittedly, these aren't quite as light or flaky as what I recall from my childhood but I gotta say - these are a might tasty! These are a delicious treat any time of year but especially appropriate for a spring or Easter treat!

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

dn's Lemon Rolls

Ingredients:

1 lemon (zest for dough and juice for the icing)

1 Tablespoon instant/quick rise yeast              

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 large eggs (allow to adjust to room temperature before beginning)                             

2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons white sugar                           

1/2 cup milk, scalded        

3/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup margarine (brick style not soft style in tub)     

1/4 cup cold water  

1 1/4 - 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour        

1 cup lemon pie filling (see notes at end of recipe)

1 1/2 tablespoons margarine

1 cup confectioner's/icing sugar

Method:

Combine the yeast with the cup of whole wheat flour.

Wash and dry the lemon. Zest the lemon. A good sized lemon should give about 1 - 1 1/2 Tablespoon of zest if you take it almost to the white pith. Don't worry if it is a bit more or less just add what you get! Add the zest to the yeast/flour mixture and combine. Set aside.

Juice the lemon and set aside for making the icing.

Heat or scald milk and salt, adding butter and stirring to melt. Add cold water to cool slightly. The liquids should be hot but not so hot that you can't hold your pinky in there. Set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar well.

Slowly add very warm liquids to egg mixture, stirring all the time.

Add the flour/yeast/zest combo and mix well with liquids. Add the all purpose flour 1/2 cup at a time, beating with hook attachment or stirring each in while using a wooden spoon or a mixing fork.

Knead for several minutes, until smooth and elastic-like.

Cover lightly with clean tea towel and plastic. Let rise for 60 - 90 minutes. (until double in size)

Loosen along sides to deflate the dough and knead gently just to remove air.

On floured surface, shape dough into rectangular shape with hands. With a rolling pin, roll out to about 12 X 18 inches. Spread evenly with the lemon pie filling.

Roll up jelly roll style, cut into thick slices and place on parchment paper lined pan. You should get 12-15 rolls.

Cover loosely with the tea towel and plastic and rise for 60 minutes. Bake at 350F for 20 - 25 minutes. Place on cooling rack to cool for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the icing.

Icing / Frosting:
Melt 1 1/2 Tablespoons margarine and mix into 1 cup confectioner's/icing sugar. Combine to a crumb like consistency. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice - 1 teaspoon or so at a time - to desired spreading consistency. If you ice them when completely cooled off, the frosting can be quite thin, if you ice them while warm, the icing should be thicker. About 1 - 1 1/2 Tablespoon or so lemon juice for a thick spread - a bit more for a thinner one. I generally ice mine while still warm.

These are best served fresh and warm. However, I have reheated them - 1 or 2 at a time in the microwave for about 12 seconds. I haven't tried freezing these as they don't last long enough!

NOTES:

You could easily use all white flour or a combination of flours for this recipe. Just note that the more whole wheat or heavier flours you use, that this will slow down the rising process and the lighter consistency of the finished roll.

From start to serving can take about 3 1/2 hours including mixing, rising and baking. I haven't tried using traditional yeast that has to be proofed but I'd imagine you could adapt a traditional cinnamon bun recipe to this by adding the lemon zest to the dough and having more pie filling on hand. Just allow 1 lemon and 1 cup pie filling for every 12-15 buns that the original recipe makes.

The lemon pie filling from a can does not tend to be as lemony tasting as what I have found at a local bulk food store, The boxed mix takes more time/effort and makes more than you will need. Another advantage of the type I buy is that it is delicious spread on loaves, scones, as a cake filling or any number of other dishes. It keeps well in the fridge for several weeks.

Enjoy!

dn

My First Winter Escape! - Part 2

As I said in my last post, the first few days of my winter escape to Mesa were a tad nippy weather wise, so instead of sightseeing, we went shopping! We hit a few stores on Saturday afternoon, but Sunday was a mega shop day!

First up Mesa Market Place Swap Meet. This place is HUGE! There are four incredibly long aisles inside of what could best be described as open sided implement sheds with vendors filling close to 1600 stalls - selling a seemingly endless array of merchandise! Given that it was only about 40F, it was surprising to see just how many shoppers were there - bundled in heavy coats, scarves and toques! Then again, snowbirds want to escape the winter but we are still a hardy bunch of savvy shoppers!

Despite the cold, we were there for about 2 1/2 hours and made it through the first two aisles! I found several items for gifts, souvenirs and items on my personal shopping list!

There were several jewellery vendors, but the knowledge, quality of stones and workmanship varied greatly. It really is a buyer beware situation, but also a lot of fun if you know what to look for! I thoroughly enjoyed talking with one vendor who was quite knowledgeable in the stones - I think she was also a bit surprised at my gem knowledge! I bought two pieces of "Sleeping Beauty Turquoise" set in sterling silver - a pendant and a ring (it was sized while I waited).

And yes, despite the cool temps, I even managed to do a few VERY cold but quick changes in a fitting room of a clothing vendor and bought 3 tops I really liked!

After thawing out with a soup and sandwich lunch at Streets Of New York, we hit several more stores in the afternoon! A very successful outing!

Monday, we also hit the stores - a must for me was to replace my pocket magnifier which I had somehow lost on the trip down. It took a few calls but we found a low vision centre a few miles away and I bought a couple spares! We also hit a couple malls and some box stores. Before heading home, we went grocery shopping at Costco and taste tested our way through the place!

Thursday morning, several of us gals headed to a nearby Rec Park for their weekly swap meet - a fraction the size of the weekend one, but still a lot of fun and some interesting things to see and buy!

I didn't quite spend my duty free limit but I had shopped like I might not get back! My luggage was well within the weight limits going down but JUST under the max on the way home!

Not all of my time was taken up with shopping and sightseeing. I enjoyed home-cooked meals of grilled pork chops, chicken caesar salad, grilled lamb chops (hadn't had lamb since I was a kid and didn't like it then but these were very good!) One night we had a Shrimp in Citrus & Garlic Sauce over Fettuccine that was TO DIE FOR!

Organ Stop Pizza was our supper destination on the Sunday night.

You order your custom pizza (thin crust), load up your plate at the salad bar, then find a seat in the long rows of tables and benches. The show starts, with the lights dimming, the sound of the music beginning and the organ rising up from under the stage. For our show, the opening was "Phantom Of The Opera".  Now, to be honest here, I am not even remotely a fan of organ music so wasn't sure this would be a place I'd enjoy, but I LOVED it! The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ is HUGE and frankly, you have to see this place and hear the incredibly eclectic music that comes out! From classical to pop to musicals and more! The organist even played "Play That Funky Music"! My fave, was "Alley Cat" - a song I'll always remember my big sis playing on the piano when I was little! Everything seems to be animated and the atmosphere is abuzz with enthusiasm for everything! The pizza ain't bad either! I definitely want to go back! 

 

A side note here, the show we saw, ended with the playing of both the Canadian and US anthems. We found it interesting that Canadians stood for ours and remained standing for the US, whereas everyone stood for the US. A bit sad and disrespectful to not stand for all anthems.

Another night, nine of us went out for Chinese food. The fam and some friends had been to a relatively new restaurant a couple weeks earlier and raved that it was the best they'd ever had! Well, in the short time since they had been there, the place had changed ownership, was under new management and had a new - very limited menu with only about seventy items! Despite all the changes, we decided to stay. The food was good but was only average. I've had better here in Winnipeg! Oh well, it was still a fun evening with fam and friends!

There was nightly happy hour before dinner. I'm not much of a drinker, but when I do imbibe, I generally stick with Vodka and 7 or more recently Bacardi Limon and 7. Not so this time around! I was introduced to a flavoured Vodka from Pinnacle called "Orange Whipped". For my tastes, it was a bit strong to have on the rocks - BUT add some 7 to it and it's like drinking a grown-up Orange Float! YUM!

After dinner dishes were done, we'd have another drink, nibble on bitter-sweet chocolate and play cards. We talked, shared stories and without exception, every single night we got to laughing so hard that we couldn't speak! Tears were flowing! We spent time talking as we did dishes together and went for walks. We truly enjoyed each other's company!

During my visit with the fam, I got to meet a number of their snowbird pals in AZ.  Some are from Canada and some from the States. I've heard the names for years and it was a pleasure to finally meet and spend some time with them - over happy hour, dinner, shopping or just sitting around shooting the breeze!

Throughout my journey, I met several ex Winnipeggers, former Manitobans and numerous winter escapees. Regardless of the connections, it is always refreshing to make easy conversations with fellow travellers. The people who live and work in Arizona were friendly and welcoming!

The week went all to quickly and before I knew it, it was late Thursday aft and time to head to the airport. There were hugs and the tears flowed as we said goodbye. Saying Thank You seemed so inadequate for such a generous gift of the trip and the hospitality! There is no way I will ever be able to repay them for all they have done for me. It was a jam packed week of unforgettable experiences that I will always treasure.

I don't know if or when I'll be headed back to Mesa, but if I am lucky enough to be invited again, I've already started a list of things I'd like to see and do on that trip! 

dn

My First Winter Escape! - Part 1

For the first time ever, I had a brief escape from winter. The trip was an ever so generous Christmas present from fam to spend a week with them at their winter home in Mesa, Arizona. I flew out of Winnipeg on the edge of an incoming blizzard on Jan 11 and landed in Phoenix that evening to what turned out to be a week of record low temps! So cold, that there were deep frost warnings most nights and I was often asked if I had brought the cold weather with me!!

I'll admit, that I've said a lot of nasty things about how Mother Nature handles the weather in my part of the world but I really hoped this wasn't my karma for the comments!

Saturday dawned clear and cool. After breakfast, we took a walk around the Rec Park that their park model is located in. The lots aren't large but several residents have added a guest room - commonly referred to as an Arizona Room. The well groomed lots and common areas are landscaped with several types of native plants, cactus and fruit trees.

How lucky they are to have fresh lemons and oranges growing right outside their doors! If I could have, I'd have brought fresh lemons home with me but customs doesn't allow that!

If you get bored at this place, it isn't for a lack of things to do! From fitness, to crafts/hobbies, games, other amenities and a countless choice of activities, it is a very social place! 

Since the first few days were so cool, we opted to spend a fair amount of that time shopping! (I'll write more about that and some otherthings from the trip in a future post!)

By Tuesday, the weather was a bit warmer so we headed out for some sightseeing. We drove towards the Superstition Mountain Range then turned into an old mining town called Goldfield. It was still quite cool and a bit of a wind so we didn't take the train tour but we did drive around to take pics. I would love to go back for the train ride and to explore the buildings!

Then, it was further up the road, past Canyon Lake. A spectacular view of desert and mountain scenery at every turn!

Our destination was Tortilla Flat. Originally, a stage coach stop, this little town is full of character, great scenery and good food! Our lunch was delivered to our table within minutes and was delicious! We stopped at the Mercantile to pick up some souvenirs and then the Country Store for some chocolate and peanut butter cup gelato! OH SO GOOD!

I was so busy enjoying the scenery and atmosphere, that I neglected to take pictures of the unique wallpaper that lines the walls, posts and beams of the restaurant and store - it is made up of real $ bills that are signed by visitors from around the world! Guess I'll have to go back someday!

On Wed, we took a drive out to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It is home to a wide variety of desert plants including cactus, trees and bushes. There are numerous trails to explore - most of which are on fairly accessible levels. When we started walking, we inadvertently took one of the side trails. The side trails are far more challenging than my vision or legs could handle though so we only went a short distance before turning back and getting on to a main walkway. We only made it through about 1/3 of the main walking paths as there is just so much to see! If I make it back, I'd go for the day and pack a picnic lunch!

Thursday was the warmest day of my visit - and the only one I could have worn my carpri's and sandals had I not been boarding a plane back to Winterpeg in a few short hours! (Yup, Mother Nature may well have been sending me a message - you're leaving soon, so time to warm things up around here!)

Since I'd flown in at night, I wasn't able to observe the true landscape that surrounds Phoenix. When we headed out of the park for our various destinations, I was surprised to see just how close the mountains were. I could just make out the outline of the mountains along the horizon without using my monocular - and with my limited vision that is saying a lot! 

I was impressed with how much landscaping is done along the various roads and freeways in the Mesa and Phoenix area. Out on the highways, I was a bit surprised to see so much scrub brush and even small boulders in the open areas. I think I expected to see more actual sand. Naive to the area? Yup, but I also loved the beauty of it! A sight to behold at every turn!

There are countless places to enjoy walking and hiking regardless of your physical agility. The numerous Rec Parks for those of a certain age, provide many amenities and socializing opportunities. However, from what I saw, it would also be difficult for anyone without a vehicle to live independently there. Stores - grocery or otherwise - were not within walking distance of the parks.

Even so, I can certainly understand why so many snowbirds make the trek to Arizona every winter! It is a beautiful area with much to see and do. The winter temps there are generally warm enough for capri's or shorts during the day but it also cools down nicely for sleeping at night.

My time in Mesa was short, but I loved it! Hopefully, I will be invited back for another winter getaway so I can see and experience even more of this picturesque area!

dn

Flying - The Highs And The Low!

I haven't had a lot of opportunity to travel in my life, but as I told you in a recent post (A New Year, A New Adventure!), I was about to embark on an adventure.

Well, it was a wonderful trip! There is far too much to tell in one blog post though, so today I want to focus on the actual travel part rather than the destination.

I hadn't flown since 1999 and that was only to Calgary, so rules and procedures have changed greatly.

Luckily for me, I was flying with WestJet - an airline with an excellent reputation for customer service!

The only issue I had was in advance of the flight when I called customer service to add my name to the "meet and assist" option for those with a disability. I wasn't impressed that I had to wait on hold for almost 45 minutes before speaking with a very helpful rep who patiently answered all my novice flying and security questions.

As a friend drove me to the airport on the morning of Friday January 11, a blizzard was approaching Winnipeg. The only problem I had though, occurred while walking through the airport parkade. I didn't see the edge of a curb and fell. I scraped the base of the knuckle of my left hand (to the point of bleeding). I also managed to go through the left knee of my pants! Luckily, my injuries were not serious. I went to the washroom, cleaned up my knuckle and changed into a different pair of pants before checking in. (I had colourful bruises on both knees and a nasty looking knuckle for a couple weeks but at least I hadn't broken anything in my fall!)

A WestJet rep, met me and escorted me through all of security, showed me my gate, where the ladies room was and where to get some water. WS 493 de-iced before takeoff but the flight was smooth with a friendly crew. 

When we landed in Calgary, I was assisted by a very helpful WestJet fellow who filled out my customs form for me then showed me where to check in for my connecting flight later that afternoon and he pointed out washrooms and eating/shopping areas for me to check out during my layover.

I spent the next couple of hours walking and exploring some of the shops but also enjoyed the big comfy chairs for waiting passengers! The White Hat volunteers were also very friendly and helpful!

When I checked in with WestJet at 3:50, for my 5:50PM WS 1494, I was met by an incredibly helpful woman! We chatted about my trip as we collected my checked luggage and transferred it. At the security and customs, she helped me with everything! Once through, she showed me where to sit to put my shoes back on - then she got all of my belongings from the bins and put the zipped bags back in. She showed me where my gate would be (it was closed off at that time as other flights were landing). She guided me to a restaurant so I could eat before the flight, spoke with a server to make sure they would assist me with reading the menu and even made sure they refilled my water bottle! Before this angel left she gave me a big hug and told me to have a wonderful trip! WOW! Talk about making a person feel special!

The flight to Phoenix left about 25 minutes behind schedule but the crew were very friendly and extremely helpful! We landed only a few minutes late.

The ground service assistance in Phoenix is apparently contracted out, so I was not met by a WestJet rep. The Red Vested man who assisted me was helpful but merely doing his job. My family met me part way to the luggage carousel. Once arriving at the carousel, the luggage was very slow to come down and it took close to 45 minutes before my luggage came out the chute! This is apparently, not that uncommon at that airport.

~*~*~*~

On the return trip, Thursday January 17, I checked into WestJet at about 6PM for my 8PM WS 1343 flight home to Winnipeg. I was passed off onto a Red Vest fellow who was also assisting a woman unable to walk the distance to the gate so was using a wheelchair. Our departure gates were close to each other as were our flight times so he was attempting to help both of us. 

For a competent staff person, this would not have been a huge challenge but in my opinion, assisting one would be more than enough for him. He was also soft spoken - normally a good thing - but often hard to hear amongst other airport sounds.

It started well enough. He pushed the wheelchair and I walked behind carrying my winter coat, pulling my carry-on and using my white cane. At security, he placed both our carry-on bags on the conveyor, and placed a couple of bins on the table for our personal items. He then helped the other woman get up and to the screener. I was pretty much left on my own to place my items in the bin and remove my shoes. Our bags were already on the other side and out of sight. I neglected to remove my passport holder from around my neck so was delayed further. When I finally got through the screening, he was busy helping the other woman get resettled with her possessions and only gave me minimal assistance. Luckily, there wasn't a line-up behind us.

We asked him to stop at a washroom near our gates in terminal B. While there, I realized that I didn't have my coat and neither did our assistant! It was still back at security!

I, of course, started to panic!  He assured me it would be fine and that as soon as he took the other woman to her gate, he would come back and escort me to security to claim it. I stressed the necessity of my winter coat for our winter weather but he seemed unfazed by my concern. 

Since I wasn't sure of the way back, I had no choice but to wait - although I do feel that he could have had another staff person assist one of us. It was several minutes before he returned and a long walk back to security. We did use the moving sidewalks but regrettably. he had little training in assisting a visually impaired person as he grabbed my arm as we got on or off rather than having me take his!

Thankfully, the much needed coat was still there and I reclaimed it. On the walk back to the gate, I asked where I could refill my water bottle. He showed me a drinking fountain! It is impossible to fill a water bottle from the average drinking fountain!

Needless to say, his assistance was subpar at best! 

After I sat at the gate for awhile, I walked back to a Starbucks and got friendly assistance from the counter staff to get a snack and a new bottle of water.

At the gate and on my flight home, the WestJet staff were a refreshing welcome after the unnecessary stress of earlier! The flight attendants were very accommodating and friendly - engaging myself and others in conversation en route.

On landing in Winnipeg shortly after midnight, I was met by a WestJet rep who guided me through customs and collecting my luggage. A second rep (wearing a winter overcoat) helped me get a taxi and ensure my luggage was loaded. I was back in my apartment just before 1AM!

I could easily have been soured by my experience with the ground service assistance in Phoenix, but thankfully, the WestJet flight crews and those who assist on the ground in Calgary and here in Winnipeg, soared high above the expectations of many who travel!

Thank You WestJet! I hope I get to fly with you again!

dn