Archive

Gameshow Sunday: We decided to set to a do a deep clean on the apartment today given we hadn’t touched it in over two weeks. So we dismantled the tree and stowed everything holiday related back down in our lockup, in the basement. Then we set too and vacuumed, dusted, washed, and stripped the bed. Strangely enough, …

Book Review: The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold: The Last Smile in Sunder City is a dark urban fantasy and the first book in a planned series, the Fetch Phillips Archives, which promises a great deal more in depth world building and character development. And, even for a debut, Arnold packs it in—for a world that once ran on magic nothing will …

This shot of the moon was taken earlier tonight by my nephew, Cedrik. It looks amazing.

TV Shows: Run Away : A desperate father searching for his runaway daughter gets caught up in a murder case and stumbles upon secrets that could destroy his family for good. We watched the last couple of episodes of Harlan Coben’s latest mini series, Run Away, on Netflix last night. And, well, what can I say? What …

Another bright sunny day, but boy is it cold out there. It was MINUS 22 again this morning. And, with the windchill, only supposed to get up to about minus 17 this afternoon. Welcome to winter in the Frozen North.

New Year's Resolutions: Okay, so everyone hates writing lists like this because, let’s face it, none of us stick to them. It’s like the minute we even think about them we fail, whether we’ve listed 1 thing to achieve or thirty. This time, however, after the year I’ve had and, let’s face it the fact I’m still here …

Introduction: Hi, I’m Alexandra, a tea drinking humanoid with an over active imagination. When not scribbling on random bits of paper, or doodling in my journal, I capture my thoughts with a butterfly net, stuff them into tiny glass jars with brass lids, and store them on dusty shelves in various corners of my …

Notes from the couch: From Boxing Day to New Years Day, I survived my two visits to various inlaws, and the onslaught of food followed by food, followed by yet more food. Yesterday my nephew and his girlfriend came by and picked us up, early, too early for my liking, to go to my mother in law’s for brunch. We drove …

Well, I don’t care what anyone else says, we watched Borderlands on DVD last night and, I have to say, it was pure unadulterated fun. I should also add noisy, colourful, crazy, madcap, seriously demented fun. Kudos to both Kate Blanchet and Jamie Lee Curtis for knocking it out of the ballpark. …

Boxing Day Epic: Yesterday was our busiest and noisiest day yet of the Christmas holidays in that we were at my sister in law, Valerie’s place, for the family dinner — which is normally on Christmas Eve but, because of work and other commitments by the young’uns, everything was moved. It also meant my …

Day twelve of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Home

Day eleven of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Feast

Day ten of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Travel

Day nine of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Baking

Well, the time draws near for Santa to be out on his sleigh so I’d just like to say to one and all (old and new) a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming New Year!

Day eight of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Grinch

Day seven of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Solstice

We watched the torturous last episode of season 4 of Stranger Things last night which left me asking a number of questions. Like, “Why the hell did I put myself through watching several overly long episodes bulked out with so. much. filler?” And … “Do I really want to watch season 5 based on my …

Day six of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Sparkle

Day five of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Beard

I’ve persisted with The Abandons despite being triggered in the first episode and then, taking a over a week before watching the next episode. Why did I come back to it? I’m not sure other than being intrigued to see where a show (and a western at that) starring not one but two female leads, goes. …

Day four of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Evergreen

It’s day three of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Firelight (as we don’t have a fire here, and open fires are banned, here’s some fireworks instead.)

It’s day two of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and, the topic is: Cozy

It’s the first day of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and, the topic is: Frost.

Movies: Knives Out - Wake Up Dead Man: At nearly two and a half hours long, this third instalment of the Knives Out franchise, Wake Up Dead Man, was 45 minutes too long. At least, in my humble opinion. I started to watch this Saturday night and, got as far as Msgr. Wick' confession to Father Jud outside the church, and gave up due to the …

Weeknote #50: 

This last week seems to have whizzed by and yet, it also felt like it was dragging for some reason. But here we are, starting a brand new week and, for the first time here, on this new blog (same name) I thought to do a #Weeknotes post and recap.

Goings On

We all know it’s winter, or at least …

I would just like to say a BIG thank you to @Manton for facilitating my move onto Micro.One. Did anyone notice the packing boxes, what, no? Maybe that’s because Manton did all the heavy lifting and, as any good puppet master does, pulled all the right strings behind the scene. So voila, no …

Arguing with an idiot is like playing chess with a pigeon. It’ll just knock over all the pieces, shit on the board, and strut about like it won anyway.

We’re up to our first couple of feet of snow what with yesterday’s snowfall, and then, today’s accumulation, so far.

So this Monday I had another blood test to check my magnesium levels and got a call yesterday afternoon, late, from the pharmacist (as I don’t currently have a family doctor) telling me my level was hovering on the very edge of normal. Which is to say the least, not good. So we both agreed, I …

Hey, @manton my m.b subscription is coming up soon, and I want to know how I change the subscription to Micro.One? Do I have to cancel my current subscription and then, subscribe to Micro.One? Because there’s no option for Micro.One in the Plans section.

Been a crazy ass morning running around like a headless chicken doing errands and, of course, I had to go see the nurse this morning for more blood tests. And I’m only now sitting down to my fav tea in my fav mug.

Alex Rocket Dog: So the wonderful and so very talented Andy Carolan has created a new avatar for my blogs, and social media. Unofficially names Alex Rocket Dog. An homage to the year I was born, and that amazing kick ass little dog that first went into space, aboard Sputnik; Laika, the original little rocket dog. …

Soup it is!: Today, Robert Birming writes about a Swedish tradition of eating pea soup and pancakes on a Thursday (prior to fasting on Friday) a tradition I can get behind wholeheartedly. Especially as, during the winter months with snow on the ground and bitterly cold temperatures outside, I love to make soup …

It’s a gloriously sunny day out there today. Problem is … it’s also minus 15 degrees.

It’s snowing … again … get use to it … I’m going to be saying this a lot … it’s winter!

I turned the heating down earlier, I may have made a grave error in judgement.

Found online and, of course, stolen to share here …

So. Damn. Funny!

We’re enjoying one of those weird wintery days were despite the fact the sun is shining and the clouds are high and light, it’s snowing. It happens when the temperature at a certain level turns any moisture in the air into snowflakes. Just enough to dust the grass but not heavy enough to …

It's That Time of Year!: Are you a big spender at Christmas or, like me, are you a frugal re-user of wrapping paper, bows and ribbon, and a repurposer of unwanted gifts? I take great delight in salvaging Christmas paper, gift bags, bow and ribbons, and why not? If they are still useable and in good nick, I will set them …

Sadly, all too true …

Well, we went from minus five on Monday and wintery weather to an almost balmy plus 4 and rain here, this morning. Rain now for the rest of the week right on through till Monday, they say. Bah humbug! 𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Time: If you want to understand time — which is how you come to befriend life — turn to stone. Climb a mountain and listen to the conversation between eons encoded in each stripe of rock. Walk a beach and comb your fingers through the golden dust that was once a mountain. Pick up a perfect oval pebble and …

I want to update and change the avatar on my m.b. account but, micro blog doesn’t seem to want to comply. I’ve tried three different logo/avatars but, m.b. just keeps showing the same 8 year old version of me, even after I deleted this particular image. Am I missing something? Do I need …

What is it with shopping regulations that says you cannot buy a perfectly useable stick of dynamite on a Sunday to blow up your ailing/aging washing machine that takes this moment in time to suddenly spew some gunk and turn your nearly brand new crisp white bedding set into a murder scene, as if a …

To quote a line from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest … “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”

People & Blogs Featured Interview: Today I am honoured to be featured in Manuel Morale’s online series: People & Blogs. If you would like to read my interview, pop on over to Manu’s blog, HERE, and find out what I have to say. I would like to say a big thank you to Manu at being asked to join such a prestiges alumni, …

Today’s most important questions is, “what’s the best way to cut a tomato?” Is it: North to south. West to east. Answers on a postcard… what, oh, okay, answers in the comments please. Thanks!

Movies: Fast Charlie: This run of the mill gangster flick on Netflix was made all the more enjoyable by performances from Pierce Brosnan, James Caan, and Morena Baccarin. However, stealing the show in the single scene she was in, Sharon Gless as the foulmouthed mother in law, got some of the best throw away lines going …

“Book collecting is an obsession, an occupation, a disease, an addiction, a fascination, an absurdity, a fate. It is not a hobby. Those who do it must do it.” — Jeanette Winterson, author of The Passion Yep, pretty much spot on!

Why, yes, this did make it to my Christmas list. I eat a lot of noddles.

My sister in law called last night talking Christmas and, of course, presents. Not ten minutes later, I got a text from my nephew’s girlfriend (the sensible organised one in that pairing) also talking presents, asking what did I want this year? So, of course, 8 year old Alex is now sat at the …

When my mother complained to me as a very young child not to eat the dirt, little did she know how I was arming myself for modern day living by ingesting pre-methylenomycin C lactone. Mother, oh mother of mine, I was being a good girl and eating my vaccine right out of the dirt!

A large delivery of 16 boxes and 300 teabags of Stash tea has arrived.

TV Shows: Obi-Wan Kenobi: Of all the Star Wars iterations I have seen so far, this one was the weakest. From the very first episode Obi-Wan known as Ben, because, you know, he’s in hiding, was a moaning old fisher woman from start to finish. He. Never. Stopped. Complaining. Obi-Wan’s failings aside, it was fun to …

I opened the curtains this morning to find it was not only snowing, and had been for a while, but that the birds (song sparrows) were up and playing in the snow. I’m not sure if they were looking for food or, from the odd movements they were making, actually taking a Snow Bath. So damn cute. …

Movies: Lou: Last night looking for something to watch on Netflix, I went surfing movie options and came across one simply titled LOU. The write up wasn’t much to go on, but when I saw that it starred Allison Janney (CJ from the West Wing) I knew I wanted to watch it no matter what it was about. Turns out …

I jokingly said to the OH last night that I fancied going to see the Nutcracker at the Grand Theatre this season, to kick Christmas off. We use to do it regularly before the dreaded plague came along. Well, they secretly booked us two tickets for a Sunday evening Dec 11th. I just discovered how …

TV Shows: Death By Lightning: Death by Lightning? More like death by boredom, slowly … excruciatingly slowly. I watched the first two episodes expecting it to start off somewhat slowly as they introduce the characters but, by the end of episode 2, I was beginning to wonder just how I would survive not throttling Charles …

A Day In The Life Of ...: Time I woke up: 5:05 a.m. First thing I did upon waking: Go for a pee … no, seriously. I have a bladder the size of a thimble. Today’s weather: Overcast with light snow. Something I spent money on today: Groceries. An out-of-the-ordinary thing that happened today: I had to drink old Earl Gray …

TV Shows: Pluribus: I’m not sure what I was expecting but what I got was definitely not what I was expecting. Some people have called this clever and quirky. Some have even raved about it. Me? I would say it’s a little far along the weird scale to struggle past the first two introductory episodes. There was …

Top & bottom 5: Smells: It’s funny how we find these kinds of topics sometimes the most fascinating. I mean, who doesn’t love the smell of a good soap? Well, I don’t. I find most soap overly perfumed. Some even make me gag, their scent so strong. So, just what are my 5 top and bottom smells? Well, I thought you would never …

Movies: Four Mini Reviews: In the spirit of the Mini Book Review, I thought to write my own (rather sarcastic, or it that, scathing?) mini movie reviews. Be warned, there are spoilers ahead Murder on the Orient Express — A movie in which twelve suspects of varying social status have three minutes of screen time to convince …

Rocking the 60s: Way back when, and I’m talking the mid-60s in Singapore, when my sister, who was ten years older than me, worked part time for an Army liaison officer. She was part of a team who organised rock bands tours, and, as a result, I got to meet with some of the biggest bands of the era. This included, at …

You have to be careful screaming into the void once too often … it has a tendency to scream back. And believe me when I say, no one wants that! 𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Went to see the vampire again, this morning. Had to give enough to fill 3 vials this time. I’m always fascinated by the different colour coding on the tubes they fill. This one has a yellow stripe tape, this one red, another is green. I know one is to be tested for my magnesium levels, the …

When I need a humour boost there’s nowhere on the planet that delivers better than over on McSweeny’s. Today I discovered the veritable laugh out loud list: Oxymorons for 2025. A list that will have you wetting your pants or, at the very least, shedding a tear or two, or even, a dull …

It's Prank Time ...: I casually mentioned online the other day to Scott that my alter ego, 8 year old Alex, loves to pull pranks on people. This particular, some would say, unsavoury trait started early on in my life. And for good reason. It was more about revenge on my older brothers who, themselves, love to prank me, …

I have adulted this morning … I just paid my credit card!

Yet Another Health Update: More good news from the doctor this morning. Well, good in that he reaffirmed that my surgery seems to have gotten all the nasty stuff, and that blood tests and scans show no signs of any lingering cells anywhere. That said. Every 4 months for the next 2 years I have to do a blood test to check my …

Health Update: Tomorrow I have to get up at the ungodly hour of 6 am because of a doctor’s appointment at 8:15. It’s my follow up with my cancer surgeon and, because he starts surgery at 8:45, he literally squeezes in patient follow-ups beforehand. Don’t feel sorry for me getting up at that silly …

Flood Update!: Just to let you know our flood of yesterday afternoon lasted about 15 minutes. However, it took maintenance over an hour to respond to our frantic call to the front desk. An hour! And then, when he knocked, he arrived with nothing. Not so much as a torch, helpful towel, or maintenance trolly. He …

We’re right in the middle of a flood happening right now in our guest bathroom. Water is literally cascading through the fan on the ceiling onto the toilet and floor below, pooling. Oh, the OH just shouted through that it’s now coming into the main bathroom through the adjoining wall …

That was the week that was #2: That’s another week done and dusted and, to be honest, I cannot for the life of me remembered anything exciting happening. The highlight of the week, Saturday, we were supposed to go to see Sarah McLachlan in concert and, barely 2 hours before we were supposed to leave the house, we got an …

Health Update: Just had the call I’ve been waiting for from the pharmacy about my blood test results for my magnesium and … good news, my levels are back in the top end of ‘Normal’ which means no more magnesium pills. For now at least. I am so happy. The pharmacist explain that my …

Oh, look, my butt’s buzzing … it seems I forgot my phone was in my back pocket and, well, I sat on it. No harm done, nothing seems to be broken or squished, including my butt.

TV Shows: Down Cemetery Road: Watched the first two episodes of Down Cemetery Road starring Emma Thompson and, well, (possibly unpopular opinion here) I felt decidedly underwhelmed, never mind irritated by the drab, neurotic characters. Do they all have to be the same? I mean, it’s all very blah, blah bland. Worse, Emma Thompson …

Down Cemetery Road to the Grave: The first two episodes of Down Cemetery Road featuring Emma Thompson are criticized for their dull characters and lack of excitement.

That was the week that was ...: It’s the start of Week 10 since my operations and I’m still (supposedly) not allowed to lift anything heavy than 10 pounds in weight. Not that I am about to weigh everything to know what it weighs before lifting it. I mean, who does that, right? So, in other words, I’m still not …

A House of Dynamite is a chilling film by Kathryn Bigelow that explores the terrifying scenario of a rogue nation launching a nuclear strike on the U.S. and the critical moments that follow.

Movies: A House of Dynamite: A House of Dynamite is a chilling film by Kathryn Bigelow that explores the terrifying scenario of a rogue nation launching a nuclear strike on the U.S. and the critical moments that follow. Scarily accurate, authentic, and chilling to the bone, this movie is Kathryn Bigelow’s peek inside how it …

A reminder was received for a combo flu and COVID shot appointment tomorrow.

The beef bourguignon is in the oven, you better believe it smells good! Now, I just have to wait 2 hours to eat it.

Excitement builds for an upcoming Sarah McLachlan concert in Quebec City after securing excellent seats.

The first episode of Chief of War featuring Jason Momoa was too violent and graphic for the viewer, leading to a decision not to continue watching.

TV Shows: The Diplomat S3: I had such high expectations for season 3 of The Diplomat given how season 2 ended (on a cliffhanger). But, have to say, all the usual snark and drama has been overshadowed by way too much sex. This season has turned into a very bad British sex-farce worthy of a Benny Hill episode. I mean, I …

Season 3 of The Diplomat disappoints with excessive sexual content overshadowing its intended drama and tension.

The endoscopy revealed that the ulcer is gone, allowing for one medication to be stopped, bringing hope for improved health.

After a slow start, binge-watching the rest of the season of “Murderbot” resulted in a newfound appreciation for the series.

You cannot become a Canadian Citizen unless you: love ice hockey drink a gallon of maple syrup a day know who scored the Stanley cup winning goal for the Montreal Canadiens know what the Grey Cup is wear a toque during winter drink Molson lite cheer for the Blue Jays no matter what province you …

Taken through a dirty bedroom window …

Ladybug, Ladybug: The ladybugs are swarming again today. Hundreds of them. I mean, the air is thick with them. This usually tells me summer is definitely at an end when you see them all looking for somewhere to spend the winter, safe and warm. They’ve been swarming for the last two weeks. They’ve also …

Fungi high rise …

Iconic Buildings: While in Montreal despite spending most of our holidays in the hospital, we did get to walk around some of the iconic 1976 Olympic Stadium. Two different views of the iconic stadium tower which, by the way, you can go up inside to the top. But it’s all stairs and, well, I’m not that crazy. Also, …

Montreal Trip Part II: Despite the amount of rain the poured out of the sky on the first Monday we were in Montreal, we had tickets booked to visit the Bio Dome in the afternoon and, like two crazies, decided to get a taxi and brave the weather. As you can see, it was raining so hard, there was a waterfall. Once inside …

Montreal Trip (highlights): It’s Sunday and I realise that I haven’t really shared any photos from our trip to Montreal, which as you know kind of got overshadowed by other events. So, here I am looking to rectify that with a few of my favourite photos from the Chinese Garden at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. One of the main …

Is this the way to the secret garden?

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do …

Mum, is it edible?

Barking up the wrong tree? Maybe …

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 30: Solitude

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 29: Winding

You do see some curious things in the neighbourhood … an elevated house having it’s foundations fixed.

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 28: Ephemeral

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 27: Collective

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 26: Bridge For context, the bridge in the far distance spans part of the St Lawrence river connecting the ile D’Orleans with Quebec and is the only road on and off the island.

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 25: Decay

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 24: Bloom

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 23: Fracture [this is the closest photo I have to fulfil “fracture”]

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 22: Hometown

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 21: Silhouette

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 20: Gather

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 19: Equal

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 18: Texture

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 17: Warmth

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 16: Blur

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 15: Tie

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 14: Twilight

The mighty St Lawrence river …

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 13: Pathway

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 12: Hidden Hidden atop this bluff sits the military Citadel for the 22nd Regiment.

At the bus stop …

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 11: Brick

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 10: Rail

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 9: Wood

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 8: Travel

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 7: Switch

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 6: Contrast

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 5: Reflection

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 4: Nostalgia

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 3: Shadow

📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 2: curve

📷 Dreaming of summers gone by … The Gardener.

Junited 2025: I’m delighted to see Robert back blogging on micro blog again. And not only that, he’s once again hosting Junited 2025 in which he’s encouraging us to share links to our favourite blogs and post. Check it out, and join in. Check out my Junited 2025 page for more.

The last of the daffy dillies … a beautiful glow of vibrant yellow and a tinge of orange.

Pretty, pretty. I love this time of year (once the pollen has stopped coating the world yellow). All these beautiful blossoms are out.

The cherry blossoms are out in full force today, must be the lovely weather we’ve had these last few days.

Finally … one that didn’t get away.

Spring might have arrived bringing us green and hay fever, but it also means construction time around the city. And here, too, at the back of our apartment block, and now, out front, across the street. Six months of noise, dirt, and traffic problems. Lovely!

The sun is out, it’s 24 degrees out there this afternoon, so I took a walk around the block to stretch my legs and see what’s going on in my local neighbourhood. And look what I found, right out in front of block six in our apartment complex … Cherry blossoms.

The wood peckers are on crazy time at the moment they are"drilling" down …

Dang, but it’s noisy out there today. What with the gardeners already out buzzing all over the grounds on 4-wheelers. Then throw in the noise from passing planes overhead as we’re right on today’s flightpath into the airport and, well, even the sparrows are having a hard time being …