Another storm!

I phoned about my cataract surgery. They estimated it would be March or April. They are very backed up. I am really discouraged. That's 213 days.

JB called me to the kitchen window.



Look at him! We've had a buck visit without antlers, and this, our regular big guy still has them. I still might find one this year, although the snow is pretty deep.

Friday, Feb. 7th

I was checking data from last February. It was wet, with rain, and up and down temperatures.

I knew it was coming. I don't mind. It's not like I'm quarantined on a cruise ship! There are now 69 confirmed cases on the cruise ship docked in Japan (Diamond Princess). I've been watching the data. They flew about 200 Canadians home, and they are quarantined at the military base in Trenton, in a hotel. Families have been reunited.



We had some snow.



It was wild.  I was covered in snow. The wind blowing in my face in 40 km/hr gusts. No matter which way I went, it circled around me. I was grumpy and cold. I had to come in and put on my longer, warmer coat, and a fresh neck warmer Jean had kindly sent.



We've had a number of snowblowers over the years. We sold this one after moving to Muskoka, as the gravel driveway didn't make it worthwhile at all.

This driveway, here in Lanark County, is 100 m long. I can do four passes and get most of it. Beside the garage, and at the end of the driveway, it takes a bit more work. My problem is that I keep forgetting which way to turn the mechanical crank for the chute, and ending up with snow in my face! It's a hoot. Not at the time, of course!

I don't mind doing it. It's a good snowblower, with brakes to help it turning. I did have to come in and put on my longer, warmer coat. My neck warmer was soaked. The wind kept whipping the snow in my face.

snowblower from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

After a hot shower, and a rest, I felt better!!!

Saturday the kids came over. More on that later. This morning, it's a bit chilly.
I turned up the heat, and put more wood on the fire. Isabelle thanked me!

odds and ends

Out the front window

We have a snow base of about 22 cm. My poor yard stick fell over, as the snow is quite powdery. 

Inside the front window
My tulips and paperwhites are growing nicely. I must look for some fertilizer.

The Two Michaels
Canada is still fighting with China over the incarceration of our two Michaels. It's a long story, but when the US demanded we hold Meng Wanzhou for extradition in Vancouver, and we set up a court hearing for this, and said we had to follow the rule of law, China threw two Canadian men in jail in China. The two men are both named Michael, and protestors have been trying to secure their release. They are in awful conditions. This woman, Weng, is living in a Vancouver mansion, with an ankle bracelet, which she show off to the press. The two michaels are being denied their human rights, living in inhuman conditions.

There was a court hearing about this extradition this week, we have a treaty with the US, of course, and there were people with red signs there as the hearings began.

The strange tale of the paid protesters supporting Meng Wanzhou at her extradition hearing

It turns out that a casting agent put out a call for actors, to pay them $150 for a film shoot. They lied. They hired them to protest. The actors had no idea what it was all about until reporters began interviewing them. Then they realized their mistake. They were not up-to-date on the issues. Sadly. 

“After two or three questions, I obviously noticed that she was a professional journalist with professional equipment, asking real questions. That’s when I totally freaked out.”

Pro-Meng protester says she was duped:https://t.co/t2ixleXpJu

— Andrea Woo | 鄔瑞楓 (@AndreaWoo) January 22, 2020

Prince Harry and Meghan's arrival could mean 'new grounds' for Canada's privacy laws

Then, there are the poor Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They have landed in Victoria, B.C. The paparazzi have followed them to Canada. They hope that privacy laws will protect them. Many, on Facebook, have been vitriolic about Canada paying for security. They are still sorting out details. In the meantime, their neighbours realize that this will have an impact on their lives, but they are standing up for the couple. 

They are on Vancouver island, in an $11 million mansion, and paparazzi have tried to pay boat owners to take them for shoreline photographs. The Media interviewed one boatman who refused to do so. In the age of drones, I hope they can get rid of the paparazzi. There are professional photographers trying to earn a living off the backs of this couple
I saw a confrontation on the news. I hope Victoria residents continue to stick together, as they did in the clip. Canadians are nice people, for the most part.

privacy laws

There's also what's known as "intrusion upon seclusion" in which the defendant's conduct must be intentional or reckless and have invaded the plaintiff's private affairs "without lawful reason." Also, a "reasonable person would regard the invasion as highly offensive causing distress, humiliation or anguish," MacKinnon said.

Meanwhile, my foot is healing nicely, where the log fell on it.  JB is still coughing. That's been since Nov. 15th. IT comes and goes. I wish it would go. He's so frustrated. JB's worked hard on getting fit after his cancer surgery and during his treatments.

Finally, a WHO decision on nCoV emergency delayed as the cases spike: This is where you can see a map of nCoV cases thus far.