Home » Boucherville » Weekend Coffee Share – My First Attempt

Weekend Coffee Share – My First Attempt

Posted on by

weekendcoffeeshare

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I had planned to participate in this most lovely challenge (though I prefer to call it, collection of like-minded souls) two weeks ago.  It is totally nuts.  I don’t really know what I was thinking and Saturday comes and goes so quickly that here I am at 6:00 pm writing because I just do not feel like cooking (I am a caterer and cook every day, almost) and my boys have both abandoned me (to be sure, at 17 and 16, they’ve much more interesting things to do than hang around with Mumzy on a Saturday night) and the house is quiet.  Sounds like an opportune time.

If we were having coffee, I’d ask you how your week has been and what are your plans for the week-end.  Will you be relaxing by a fire (though we’ve unseasonably warm weather) and reading a book, glass of wine in hand or would you be doing all that end-of-season gardening stuff that should have been done weeks ago?  No, no, I’m not talking about me, I’m talking about YOU!  I read recently that they say we should NOT rake our leaves.  Who am I to argue with “they”?

I would say, that after making one of the meals for my clients (pardon my crappy picture, didn’t look that awful on my phone!), I did empty the pool of the extra six inches as I was counselled to do, had my eldest remove the extra leaves in said pool (my shoulder is out from doing it last week) and then called my lovely neighbour, Robert, who came and helped me close the bloody thing.  I am still in awe, pretty much every day, of all the things Mick took care of.  Sigh.  Would that I had been a better wife and helped him more when he was around.  I’d be feeling a lot less guilty and a lot less ignorant of all that needs to be done.

2015-11-07 13.06.45

If we were having coffee, I would mention that last Saturday (when I wanted to post), I was blessed many times over.  Mick’s buddy, Armen, came all the way from Laval, crossing two bridges, to come and help my boys put up the Tempo (sorry, this is an eponym for a structure that protects automobiles from the elements.  It’s not the most attractive thing that exists, but once you’ve had one, you so appreciate not having to scrape ice or brush snow off your car before leaving the homestead!

IMG_9552

I would also mention that I had three couples over for dinner : friends of Mick’s who have become mine as well – after almost 20 years, one would hope!  We reminisced and laughed about Mick and his shenanigans.  It was warm, fuzzy and special.  I never once felt it was an obligation on their part to be nice to “the widow”.  Sounds silly, I know, but when the main link is gone, one does not assume things will keep going along in the same fashion.  That said, Iain, my eldest, came home from work early and had to torment the guests with his hot peppers, sauces, powder.  He managed to get André and Bill to each try a little piece.  Bill’s reaction was worth it.  One must understand, Iain is a huge fan of all peppers with deadly names (à la Scorpion, Reaper, and the like) and, if he likes you, will cajole you into tasting one.  André was lucky, he accidently swallowed his whole so would only feel the effects the next day! 😉  Bill, on the other hand, did what he was supposed to and chewed it before swallowing.  I cannot help but show his reaction!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my (almost) daily walks with Zeke keep me sane in times of chaos.  I allow my mind to wander at will, many times seemingly totally blank, though I know I’m actually seeing how the foliage changes over the course of weeks, seasons; I notice the little things that normally I would probably step on callously, I smell the scents around me and hear the various birds.  It is amazing how calming it can be to just put one foot in front of the other, walking for kilometres, taking photos, throwing sticks for Zeke and on occasion, running into friendly folk who are willing to stop and chat.

Sometimes, I’ll just stop in my tracks because a colour combo grabs my attention

IMG_1328

Or, as in this case, the stark, leafless tree perfectly placed before another in full foliage, giving the former an almost creepy look.

IMG_1327

Often on my walks, I use both camera and phone so I can Instagram images along the way – I’ve a friend in South Africa who has asked me to keep taking her along on my walks, as she misses her hometown.  For you, Linsey!  This particular image was taken by phone and by camera but for some strange reason, the phone one came out soft and fuzzy, giving it a dreamlike quality.  I much preferred that look!

2015-11-02 09.58.13

I don’t know how I ended up arriving at Parc des Coutances by the other side but it gave me a new perspective!  Funny how I can cross that little bridge going in the opposite direction but never think of turning around just to take a picture.  Things that make you go hmmm.

IMG_1347

On my way back towards home, a squirrel was kind enough to give me the time to change lens and come a little bit closer – I kept Zeke in check, lest he scare him away before I got a good shot in.  So kind of him (her?) to turn towards me for his (her?) closeup!

IMG_1349

Later on this week, I decided to go out during the “Golden Hour” hoping to catch the good light but by the time I reached the destination, I almost missed it!  Let’s just say that, next time, I shall choose a different one with more opportunities.  This is walking along the Industrial area, towards the highway.  Who would think this was right next to noise and traffic?

IMG_1372

And, of course, I cannot very well keep talking about walking with Zeke without included at least one image of him! He is, after all, the reason I get up and take these wonderful walks!

IMG_1377

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that sitting in a quiet house, on a Saturday night, writing my Weekend Coffee Share is almost, but never as good, as having you right beside me on my couch, exchanging your stories of your week.  And then I would tell you that I truly have to get my butt into gear as I am a couple thousand words short on my NaNoWriMo so I must leave you now and get to it!

I wish for you a week filled with exactly the types of moments you wish to have!

***

I am such a doorknob!  In my excitement of doing my first ever coffee share, I totally forgot to mention that the weekend coffee share is hosted by Part Time Monster

And that if you want to check out other participants’ stories, just click right here!

 

 

83 thoughts on “Weekend Coffee Share – My First Attempt”

  4. I’ve seen structures like your Tempo but never knew how they got where they were or what they were called. Who cares what it looks like if it makes winter snow and ice easier to deal with. 🙂

    I’ve gotten away from long walks and I miss them. Your photos and thoughts gleaned while walking make me wonder why I let them slip away from me.

    Best of luck with your writing. I admire anyone who can make a go of NaNoWriMo. It’s too much for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Who cares indeed! I used to leave the house at 6:15…think I was interested in scaping at that time of the morning? Heck no!
      The walks keep me sane (ish)!
      As for Nano..I’ve actually done 100% more than last time. It’s also a kick in the pants to get our stories down. Something for my boys for later…

      Liked by 1 person

  8. It feels as if I was having coffee with you; a wonderful read indeed. Oh, I can imagine the feeling of not having said enough of how you appreciated Mick, but I am sure you took care of a lot of things too.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Glad you joined us this weekend!

    Sounds like you’ve had a good time of it this weekend–love the photos, especially of those pepper-tastings. lol

    And Zeke looks ADORABLE!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. all the best with the writing I can not consistently churn out 1667 words a day for thirty days hahaha I need a newer muse

    who are you to argue with THEY lol

    delightful read glad to meet you and thanks for the coffee

    ~B

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I’m glad you joined us for coffee this week! I love the photos. My problem is that I am usually in the car, driving when I see something I want to take a picture of so I don’t get the photos I want as there is usually no place to stop. Just this morning I notice some beautiful clumps of color but I couldn’t find a place to pull over until I was too far!

    Have a super week and come back next week!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks for making me feel welcome, Corina! It is most frustrating to see something snap-worthy and not be able to stop! Happens to me all the tim! Happy you enjoyed the pictures
      I will definitely return next week!

      Like

  14. Thank you for the coffee, I’ve restarted drinking coffee during Nanowrimo season, normally I’m strictly a tea girl. 😉

    I love the chilli eating, I tried that once at university, a late night competition where each chilli got progressively hotter. My mouth tasted burnt for about a week afterwards!

    Hope your Nanowrimo continues to go well and you’ve managed to catch up. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  15. As I’ve stated before, I’m impressed with your friends! Love the pic of the three trees (each a different color)! … but I’ve never heard of (let alone seen) a Tempo. Woo hoo … I’ve already learned something today.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I am truly blessed, Frank!
      Thank you. Seeing the three, I just had to capture them.
      I think it’s a Quebec thing…we do get oodles of snow so something had to be done! Most people thing them atrocities (I was one) but man, once you’ve had one? Can’t go back!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. This is such a lovely post–bittersweet, but generous and funny, too.
    I love the kind of softly blurred photo–well, actually all the photos are great.
    I could use a Tempo. Scraping off the ice and snow is not fun.
    The chili pepper eating slide show was funny. I love hot, spicy food, but . . . 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Well thank you, Merril! It’s kinda how I roll… always try to find the humour in most situations.
      I took the same picture with my camera and it was ‘meh’ so!
      Tempos are maybe ugly (according to many) but man… no scraping? Sold!
      Yeah, my son is a little bit nuts – chili-wise. He grows the hottest he can (he’s been doing it for a couple of years now, is only 17!)

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Hello Dale great to meet you I love the If we were having coffee shares! I am not really myself this last few weeks but I am getting there! I am sorry for your loss your boys sound great! Look forward to meeting again very soon. Welcome to our merry band!! xx ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hello Willow. We usually “meet” on Jean’s blog (Social Bridge) so it was a nice surprise to find you amongst this group.
      You are allowed to not be yourself and I thank you for your kindness.
      Looking forward to getting to know you a bit better. xo

      Liked by 1 person

  20. After your visit to my coffee share post, I thought it only right to stop by and have a cup with you. I had to laugh at your comment about the leaves. I don’t take them. First, I didn’t put them there! 😏 Second, I think they provide some insulation for the grass against the brutal winter. Then the mower will mulch whatever did not get blown away during the winter when spring finally arrives.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I’m only now (on Monday) getting around to read the other Weekend Coffee Shares. You did a marvelous job with your first one! I especially liked the slide show of your friends eating the hot peppers! So funny! And your pictures from your walks with Zeke were lovely — such beautiful colors! I’ll have to explore your blog a little more and see where you’re from. Our leaves have already mostly dropped off of the trees, but they were glorious while they lasted! See you next week I hope!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hello, Nooce! I’m still catching up on all the other blogs… I think I’ve 5-6 left to read…
      Thank you, I’m very happy you enjoyed. Yes, poor Bill – think I should tell him I splattered his pain all over the place?
      I’m from the south shore of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada. Our leaves lasted a lot longer this year (or it seems to me they did; I may be wrong).
      I’ll be here next week, for sure!

      Like

  22. Thanks for the coffee Dale. what a wonderful lot you would be telling us. I have never seen a structure quite like your tempo but I can see how wonderful it would be not to have to scrape the ice off in the morning. As we go into summer I’ll hear the tales from the Northern hemisphere winter and be grateful I’m where we are. Although seeing your fall colours makes me wish I was there right now. I’ve said it before but I like to repeat myself — Zeke is just lovely.
    Good luck with your writing goals for NaNo. I’m looking forward to joining in one year when I have a bit more time.
    See you for coffee next week.

    Like

    • Hello Irene!
      Thank you for your kind comments. I am beginning to see this Tempo thing is a totally Quebec tradition – not even the rest of Canada seems to use them!
      Zeke is the best, so repeat away…
      Thank you, I will keep trucking!
      See you next week!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hey there Bun! Just found your comment in my Spam! Glad I check now and again to make sure no desirables end up with the undesirables!
      Yes, Iain is a bit of a joker and at the same time, he is a true pepper head so he likes to share his love for hot and spicy with others. They finally cooled down before leaving for the evening.
      Thank you, I truly did!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. OMG! I love hot peppers! All kinds.
    However, if I was having a coffee with you, I would not put hot peppers in it.
    Someone suggested it as a thing that many do, so I did it! Took me 2 days to recover! LOL

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.