Snow?

Apologies to any blog followers expecting updates: no wireless where we've stayed the past week, and not a whole lot to report anyway. Most of it was spent under the vast prairie sky, with old friends and family, eating, drinking, talking and laughing. The weather has finally turned 'Canadian', and while it's been generally comfortable, we've had a bit of everything, including snow today in Fort Macleod!

John and Dina hosted us for the weekend in Winnipeg, where we toured Fort Gary, saw pelicans on the Red River, ate the tenderest T-bones I've ever had, listened to some Jazz (including daughter Sarah (is there an 'h' in Sarah?) invoking Charlie Parker on her sax - very nice!) and talked til the wee smalls on every subject on earth. John gave me an impromptu 'writer's workshop', and allowed me a peek at his latest novel; that boy can sure spin a story!

Had a memorable Moose Jaw meal with the 'three sisters', last survivors of Robbi's dad's ten siblings, all born in a sod hut north of Yorkton, and tenaciously carrying that Ukrainian pioneer spirit into their late 80's & 90's. They go at each other something fierce! It's a riot. Thanks to Aunty Olga for putting us up, and putting up with us for 3 days.

Moose Jaw has a tiny, perfect library, with a classic marble foyer, set in a beautiful park in the middle of the city. It is, to my mind, a model of how all libraries should be. And it's not really tiny; I just like the way that sounded!

Helped 'rescue' a young mother, panicked and furiously trying to rip open the rear vent window of her van because her 5-year-old had locked the keys, and two babies, inside. I didn't bother asking her why her son had had the keys, but flagged down a passing RCMP for aid. I don't think she entirely appreciated the gesture. =)

Otherwise, it's just been driving, driving, driving. Thank God for cruise control!