MOURNING HAS BROKEN!

As the temperatures dropped, so I donned the suit to swim.  I am not always sure I need it, and the water did not appear to be too cold, but I decided to air on the side of caution. The better suit is rather bouyant, and allows me to float, without having to 'tread water' in any way. The lesser of the two does not have the same tolerance.  I chose to wear the better one in the morning, and opted for the lesser in the afternoon.  I swam my laps, got out and greeted one of my neighbours.  We did not expect to see anyone else, commented on how lovely was the day, and how the water temperature had dropped, considerably.  Suddenly, another neighbour, an octogenarian, came down, with a pair of swimming trunks and a towel over his shoulders.  He waved, folded the towel, placed it on a chair, walked to the steps and promptly marched into the water, dunking down out of sight, before swimming to the end.  As he emerged, he held on to the side, looked over at two women, whose mouths were wide open, chins virtually touching the floor, and simply said, "Water's a bit on the chilly side".  In unison, we said, "A bit".  I said it with an exclamation mark.  My neighbour said it with a questionmark!  He swam a couple of laps, exited the water, wiped himself down with his towel, threw it over his shoulders, and walked up the steps to the gate, giving us a friendly wave as he went.  Still open mouthed, we looked at each other, and then in unison, again, said, "He's brave!"  I felt quite the wimp!  "Oh yes, I am still swimming.  Wearing my wetsuit as it is so cold!"  The fact that he is from New England is really not an excuse!

Although it was not too cold on Monday, I felt shivery as we had to set up service in The North Pole.  Admittedly, it is a place in Alaska, and not on the top of the world, but at this time of year, I would rather not endure either, temperature wise.  Trying to find law enforcement to take care of the project was quite the task. Search the Internet for 'The North Pole' and the obvious comes on the screen.  Lapland, grottos, sleigh rides.  Everything but what we wanted.  Eventually, we found a number.  "Hello.  Is that The North Pole Police Department?" is something that is not heard every day.  (Apart from by The North Pole Police Department!)  It sounded like the beginning of a joke!  "Can I email it?" asked Dana.  Apparently, it was an acceptable method of delivery.  Obviously someone wont make the 'nice' list!  

The preparations for Thanksgiving started early.  I had bought a fresh 'Bertie' this year, as the price was the same, and it seemed like a good option.  It sat in the fridge, taking up an enormous amount of room.  A frozen one would have taken up the same amount of space, and probably been in there for almost as long. I had hoped that we would have a slight lull before the big day, but no one seemed to have the need to go home and prepare!  As usual, we had the inevitable, "We need this done now!" and "Is it possible to have this done on Thursday?"  Our Secretary of State closed their offices on Tuesday evening, so nothing could be delivered on Wednesday.  "Can't you say it is an emergency?"  To whom?  There is no one there!  "But....!"  Of course, everyone else's lack of preparation becomes out problem!  "If you call, I am sure someone will come down and collect it".  Not if no one is there!  People tend to lose a sense of reality around holidays, and whilst we do generally perform the impossible, miracles take a little longer!  "Well, I will find someone who can do it, then."  The threats of taking business elsewhere are usually followed by phone calls from someone who has said the same thing to their preferred servers, and say, "We have phoned around, but no one can do it.  Can you?"  Perhaps they should try The North Pole Police Department.  After all, I have heard that there is often a theme of 'extraordinary' in the air!

Swimming on Thursday was a treat.  Thanksgiving Day was late this year.  Being that the first of November was on a Friday, the fourth Thursday would be late in the month.  The weather had been quite mild up until then, and although the water was cooler, (even cooler than last weekend!) I went to the pool as usual.  After my swim, I floated for a while, despite having a lot to prepare!  Something told me that this may be my last swim of the season, and I wanted to savour every moment.  After a while, I could feel the cold penetrating, and reluctantly got out.  Then disaster struck.  I did not have enough green beans to make my casserole!  I could not believe it.  I always have green beans in the freezer!  I sent my willing husband over to the supermarket, and he arrived back with a small bag.  It appeared that everyone was out of green beans!  After coffee and croisants (he bought those with the beans) I continued cooking.  I had risen early to start getting things ready, but there is never enough time.  I messaged my neighbour to make sure they were not alone, and she said they were going to her brother's house.  She was taking the sausage rolls!  I told her I was making Yorkshire pudding!  Her parents are Scottish, and the British traditions remain!  Eventually, all was ready, Bertie was in the oven, and I had time to spare.  To say I panicked was probably an overstatement, but I thought I must have missed something.  I never have time to spare.  However, it appears that I did!

Dinner was excellent, so I am told!  Teddy was thrilled to come and play with Poppa, and pulled him several times to the piano.  He runs around as Poppa plays, hits the high notes, then the low.  He is fascinated by it!

Friday started with brunch, and then I spend the bulk of the day cleaning out my shed!  I threw a lot away, and managed to make some space, which will no doubt be filled with things I shall throw away in another ten years or so!  Dana and I went to the cinema, and then came back to leftovers.  A perfect day!

Moaning mother-in-law Saturday was a bit of a disappointment.  I am not really looking for 'deals' per se, but there was nothing to even tempt me!  We visited all the usual haunts, were fed on every aisle and received coffee and cakes in one store, where the Constable was promoting his precinct.  I must applaud Starbucks, as they provided the refreshments and were constantly refilling coffee pots and snack plates.  It was a nice treat!  I did not moan once!  I did comment that we seemed to spend a long time in each shop, but it was just a comment!

Finally, I was dropped home, just in time to get ready to go out again!  We met Samantha, Edward and the little one for dinner, and then came home to watch UT beat their arch rivals!  What a perfect end to the holiday!

Having had four days at home, or at least away from the office, I am not excited about returning.  There was so much I wanted to do, and although I did achieve a fair amount, once again, there is never enough time.  As predicted, Thursday was the last swim of the season, as Friday morning was very cold.  In fact, the 'feels like' temperature was freezing!  I checked the water temperature on Thursday and it was sixty four.  Today, it was fifty four.  As the sun sets earlier, and rises earlier, with temperatures barely above sixty, it is not going to recover until spring.  Mourning the end of the season is the norm, but I had a good run!

I hope everyone who partook had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My door was open to anyone who did not have a seat at any table, but as in most years, no one knocked.  My neighbours all appeared to have plans, which was good for them.  I did message our friends Joe and Gail, (the coffee roaster,) and said I was cooking for fifteen, but only four and a half were going to eat.  Gail said she was also cooking for fifteen, but there were only three and a half at her table!  Perhaps next year we should join forces.  Perhaps.....in another story!