The Cold Has Finally Moved In.

Much wished for and yet, once here we're not that thrilled either!

Bob left just after six this morning to drive to work. Harvesting a vineyard over an hour's drive away meant that he started out while it was still dark as blazes outside. It took him forever to drive off as today for the first time his windscreen was iced over and had to be scraped by hand. Note to self to organize a comfy windscreen scraper for tomorrow.

It doesn't make sense to think that a mere three weeks ago we were moaning about the excessive heat all day and every day and now, long-johns, scarves and heavy jackets are a must. Getting dressed suddenly takes that much longer. The joy of slipping on a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt are mere glimmers of history.

It being Tuesday I had the opportunity to while the time away outside our local doctor's. One of my nonagenarians had to have a check-up and it took a bit of time which afforded me the chance to do some social studies. Yes, who would have guessed it but once the weather is cold, the sick stay home. Whereas summer often sees a queue outside the door, wintry climes make people think twice about whatever they thought ailed them. Makes one wonder...

After the doctor's we did a stop at our local shop and I walked around with him while he pushed the trolley. Men are much more apt at shopping quickly and sufficiently. Like most men he was given a shopping list by his wife and had me look for those items. No pondering over groceries for him apart from the fruit section. There he wavered from his list and bought a few of his favourites. Mandarins among them which brought the nearness of St. Nicolas to mind.

Growing up, we always had a bowl of mandarins and nuts on the table in the weeks leading up to St. Nicolas on the 6th of December. Strange how pavlovian memories are. A mere mandarin can transport me back in time to the bitter sweet St. Nicolas and Krampus parade where the sum total of a year's behaviour would determine who one would encounter...the good St. Nic and his bag of presents or the horrible Krampus with his scary mask and whip...

Biggi