A Very Canadian Christmas

[rusty_armour]

We had our first white Christmas in many years. Unfortunately, that white Christmas meant an ice storm that knocked out the power in several thousand homes in Eastern Canada and the U.S. Toronto was hit really hard. I was extremely lucky that my apartment building was spared, but my parents live in Scarborough, the area that was hit the hardest by the storm. My parents were without power from Sunday until the very early hours of Thursday morning. Saying that, they were very fortunate compared to a lot of people.

My dad was able to set up a generator that provided some heat and hot water. It also kept the fridge going. And my mom had a small radio that she was able to run on batteries. I think having this vital contact with the outside world was one thing that kept us all going. I was only there for three of the four blackout days, but I know I was grateful to have some news and music from 96.3. Another important tool was the barbecue. While Mom was able to cook the turkey in my uncle's oven (as he still had electricity), she relied on the barbecue for everything else. She did an AMAZING job under very trying circumstances and is talking about writing a Christmas 2013 ice storm barbecue cookbook. *g* In any case, it was certainly an interesting Christmas. My mom and I both agreed that there was a reason why people used to get up with the sun and go to bed when it set...




Barnaby didn't fare too badly. He was able to watch birds and squirrels
from the window, though that was during the day when there was still light.




If you look closely at Barnaby's coat, you can see what else
he was doing. Those white flakes are fake snow from the Christmas
tree. He mostly lies under it, but sometimes he climbs up it.




Sadly, the birds provided entertainment for everyone. We kept tossing
seeds and bread out the front door because the bird feeder was frozen
and the snow kept covering the seeds that were on the ground. The
sparrows live in a hedge next door, so they kept flying back and forth.




The squirrels had no trouble finding those seeds.




Redtail, Barnaby's favourite squirrel. Redtail came up to the window at one point
and was nose to nose with Barnaby. After seeing Barnaby's fascination with the
squirrels (not to mention the physical resemblance), I became convinced that
Barnaby is actually part squirrel, which explains quite a lot about him, I think.




Barnaby when the birds and squirrels weren't around. I think this might
have been before the invention of the string game. The string game came
about because the little creature on the end of his one toy came off,
so we were only left with a string on a stick. However, Barnaby thought
this was wonderful and instantly fell in love with this new game. Any
other cat would have been bored after about 30 seconds, but Barnaby
couldn't get enough of it. This is how desperate we all became during
the ice storm. The fact that Barnaby still wanted to play with the toy
after the power was restored just supports my theory that he's part squirrel.




My favourite game was seeing how many things I could put on my dad while he was
asleep. I only ever got as far as four. By the way, this was taken at night when
we only had flashlights and candles for light. I took this using a very powerful
flash, which woke Danna up and meant I couldn't place a fifth object on him.

If this seems pathetic then I should point out that it was much more
popular than my sleeve puppets from the first night of my stay, even
though I had a flashlight and two layers of sleeves to work with.




Even though I was naughty, Santa still appeared on Christmas.







This year, smartphones were the second most popular gift after books.
I was very happy to receive a copy of Doctor Who - The Vault:
Treasures From The First 50 Years. Even my sister flipped through
it and she doesn't even like Doctor Who. My dad become so
engrossed in it that I left the book with him. I don't have time to read
it right now - and not just because I've been working my way through
last year's Christmas coffee table book, Roger Moore's Bond on Bond.




An exaggerated look at how bad the ice storm was for the family. I think my mom
is planning to send this picture of my sister to my uncle and aunt in Victoria.




I was actually trying to get a good picture of a neighbour's
ridiculous wooden cross, but I think this photo also gives you
a good indication of what the weather was like. To be honest,
as much as we make fun of this cross, my parents said they missed
seeing it on at night as it would have helped light the street. I suggested
setting it on fire, but we all agreed that the light wouldn't last very long.




The big wooden cross in all of its glory after the power was
restored. The patriarch of the family became a Baptist minister,
okay? And I think he knows damn well that he lives across the
street from a bunch of heathens. I still wish my mom had followed
through with her idea to use a pentacle with red lights as a lawn decoration.





I thought I should take at least one photo of the Christmas
tree lit up (after the power was restored). Mom took great
delight in turning the Christmas tree lights on and off
(not to mention a couple of light switches) because she could.




I think poor Oakley may have also become unhinged because of the ice storm. He not only
allowed me to take this photo of him, but I was able to give him his supper, pet
him a few times and even pick him up. I found all of this sweet but very alarming.


One of the highlights of Christmas was when we saw Toronto Hydro trucks driving down our street around 9:30 pm. I felt bad for laughing when my brother suggested hydro truck earlier in the evening when we were playing "Which vehicle will drive past next?" We had to stop when we started coming up with too many types of vehicles (such as segways and snowmobiles). Anywaaaaaaaay, we weren't sure if they were just surveying the area, but it was definitely a ray of hope. I promised my dad that I would wake him if I noticed that the power had been restored. I'm happy to say that I woke around 2:20 am to see a lamp on.

Unfortunately, there are still many people without power, but I know that a lot of hydro workers sacrificed their Christmases to help us. Some came from as far as Manitoba and the States. I'll always be grateful for their hard work and extreme generosity. I think they've shown everyone what Christmas is truly about.

Comments

[crimsoncorundum.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry about the difficult Christmas you must have had - even though your mum was able to find a way to cook anyway.
I love the cats and the tree. :)

We've had two Christmases without a heater. Mum really suffered (and the first time around, my grandfather), but the rest of us weren't too bothered, not even an elderly cockatiel and a quite old dog (the second time). So it's really just (some of) us humans who can feel the cold, apparently.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry about the difficult Christmas you must have had - even though your mum was able to find a way to cook anyway.

I think it was hardest on my mom because she was determined to cook all the food she had bought for Christmas. She's also been recovering from a bad cold, so the lack of power didn't help. I also feel sorry for my dad and my brother, who had to go out in the morning and late at night to top up the generator. They also had to make two trips to get gas. I tried to help where I could, but doing dishes and helping with things like kitchen clean up doesn't seem like much. Anywaaaaaay, it wasn't the easiest Christmas, but we were definitely luckier than a lot of other people.

I love the cats and the tree. :)

Oh, good! I'm happy you liked those pictures! :-)

We've had two Christmases without a heater. Mum really suffered (and the first time around, my grandfather), but the rest of us weren't too bothered, not even an elderly cockatiel and a quite old dog (the second time). So it's really just (some of) us humans who can feel the cold, apparently.

I'm sorry you had to go two Christmases without a heater, even if most of you weren't bothered. I think some people feel the cold more than others. I was basically okay when I was moving around, but I started to feel it if I was sitting still for 20 minutes or more. It might not have been so bad if it wasn't so cold outside. I think there was at least one day when the temperature dropped to -20 C with the wind chill. Thankfully, we were able to keep the house at about 60 F most of the time.

[crimsoncorundum.livejournal.com]

I really hope your mum is feeling better now. I can totally understand her wish to cook all the food, it would have been a shame if it had all been spoiled, although of course that wouldn't have been your fault.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I really hope your mum is feeling better now.

I think she's on the mend. I'm hoping she'll take it easy now that Christmas is over.

I can totally understand her wish to cook all the food, it would have been a shame if it had all been spoiled, although of course that wouldn't have been your fault.

It probably didn't help that we had to throw out half the food that was in the freezer downstairs. The cold weather was a blessing in a way as we were able to store the surviving freezer items in the backyard. *g* In any case, she said we would have totally been eating out at restaurants if she hadn't bought all of that food for Christmas. I really do admire her for pulling off everything so beautifully -- and on a barbecue!

[crimsoncorundum.livejournal.com]

Last Christmas one of our freezers (an old one) broke down. We only noticed it after some of the food in it had been spoiled. That wasn't fun. Fortunately, some of it could still be eaten so we had to start Christmas early.

Sounds like your mum is really good at cooking (and at adapting to new situations). Good for her! (And lucky for you too.)

My mum tends to work too hard all the time, so we're constantly asking her to take it easy. It's hard to get a really energetic person to slow down... I hope you succeed with your mum.

[avictoriangirl]

Glad you survived your very Canadian Christmas! It's so true that when there is no electricity you really do appreciate why everyone used to get up and go to bed with the sun.

What is it about Christmas trees and cats lying under them? Mine do the same thing. Also, is that a black squirrel with a red tail? So pretty!

I LOL at your Mom's idea to use a pentacle with red lights as a lawn decoration. XD

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Glad you survived your very Canadian Christmas!

Thanks! I'm hoping next Christmas will be a little less Canadian. *g*

It's so true that when there is no electricity you really do appreciate why everyone used to get up and go to bed with the sun.

Yes, you really do. I know my poor sister felt it. I think she's really sensitive to light, so she had a hard time sitting in a dark living room and staying awake. I know we'd find ourselves asking what time it was, discover it was only 7:30 and say that we were sure it was at least 9:00. *g*

What is it about Christmas trees and cats lying under them? Mine do the same thing.

I think every cat I've ever known has done that! *g* I wonder if the heat from the lights is part of it. They also know that they're not supposed to be there, so that probably makes it very appealing. Even with their humans' permission, it does make a nice hiding spot and a fun toy to play with. At least Barnaby doesn't knock all the ornaments off the tree the way Minerva used to.

Also, is that a black squirrel with a red tail? So pretty!

Yes, it is. I'm not sure how it happened genetically, but that black squirrel has a red tail. Here are some more pics of Redtail that weren't posted:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee35/rusty_armour/Christmas%202013/redtailinsnow1_zps01856b31.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee35/rusty_armour/Christmas%202013/redtailinsnow3_zpscc66df38.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee35/rusty_armour/Christmas%202013/redtailinsnow4_zps4dbe200b.jpg

Oh, and here's a cute brownish grey squirrel:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee35/rusty_armour/Christmas%202013/littlebrownsquirrel1_zpsdaa7326b.jpg

I actually thought of you when I was taking these pictures as you're the best squirrel photographer I know. :-)

I LOL at your Mom's idea to use a pentacle with red lights as a lawn decoration. XD

I'm glad this gave you a laugh. I would have loved to see the reaction from the people across the street! *g*

[avictoriangirl]

Oooh, thank you for the extra pictures! I had a black squirrel with a red tail too, not sure how that happens, but I think it's really cool. Both your squirrels look nice and fat, just like mine! LOL

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you for the extra pictures!

No problem. I threw all of my Christmas photos on Photobucket in case anyone in my family wanted copies. I was only too happy to provide the links for the squirrel pics. :-)

I had a black squirrel with a red tail too, not sure how that happens, but I think it's really cool.

I thought I'd come across the phenomenon before! I probably saw my first black squirrel with a red tail in one of your photos! :-) Well, I'm glad you had your own genetic anomaly squirrel. *g*

Both your squirrels look nice and fat, just like mine! LOL

Gee, I can't think why these Scarborough squirrels are so well-nourished. I'm sure it can't have anything to do with the constant supply of food they receive from my mom...I'm guessing it's a similar story at your house. *g*

[crimsoncorundum.livejournal.com]

Oops. Of course I also meant to say that I love the pics of the squirrels and the birds. Actually, they were all nice pics. :) Snow does look 'Christmasy'. Also, your cats seem to be a lot more well-behaved than ours. We can never let them near the tree at all.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oops. Of course I also meant to say that I love the pics of the squirrels and the birds.

No worries. :-) I think the pictures of the cats and Christmas tree turned out better -- probably because they weren't taken out of a window. *g*

Actually, they were all nice pics. :)

That's very kind of you. I'm glad you liked them all. :-)

Snow does look 'Christmasy'.

Despite all the damage caused by the weather, it's hard not to find the snow pretty. As you say, it looks so "Christmasy". :-)

Also, your cats seem to be a lot more well-behaved than ours. We can never let them near the tree at all.

Don't let the pictures fool you. While Oakley is very well-behaved, Barnaby is a complete brat! There were times when we had to pull him out from under the tree, and he had to be locked away whenever the turkey was out. It's not his fault, but he still tries to get food off of people's plates, even though we've pointed out that he has plenty of food of his own and no longer has to fend for himself. In the past, he has ripped up toilet paper, broken into the cupboard to get to the catnip, and has hidden items (like pens) all over the house. *g*

[grondfic.livejournal.com]

Wow! That sound like an adventurous Christmas, and no mistake. I'm glad to hear that you all survived it - and even wrung some enjoyment out of it. Hope your Mum is feeling better now; and hats off to her for the barbecue epic.

Lovely pics as always - the cats appear to be adhering to the cat motto: Stay Calm and Supervise.

I hope New Year brings some better weather for you (and for us too - we've been alternating cold sunlight: fine, with torrential rain/gusting wind: not-so-fine. Fortunately we haven't been flooded or blown away - yet).

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Wow! That sound like an adventurous Christmas, and no mistake.

LOL! It must be a British thing. My extremely English aunt in Victoria was trying to cheer us up by describing this Christmas as being an "adventure" (as in "Oh, aren't you having a jolly good time?). For some reason, my mom had a hard time getting into the spirit of this "adventure". In my aunt's defence, she was a child in WWII Britain, so things like blackouts could very well be her idea of an adventure... *g*

I'm glad to hear that you all survived it - and even wrung some enjoyment out of it.

We definitely survived and certainly appreciate electricity more now. :-) And it wasn't all bad. There were some laughs. We were practically ecstatic on Boxing Day when we had power back again.

Hope your Mum is feeling better now; and hats off to her for the barbecue epic.

Yes, I hope she's feeling a lot better now too. I'll call her on Wednesday to wish her a Happy New Year, so I'll find out then if I don't hear from her before that. And thanks for your praise for the barbecue epic. She was definitely the heroine of the occasion. :-)

Lovely pics as always - the cats appear to be adhering to the cat motto: Stay Calm and Supervise.

LOL! That's so true! The cats did seem to adhere to that quintessentially feline motto! *g* In any case, I'm glad you liked the pics. Thanks very muchly. :-)

I hope New Year brings some better weather for you (and for us too - we've been alternating cold sunlight: fine, with torrential rain/gusting wind: not-so-fine. Fortunately we haven't been flooded or blown away - yet).

New Year's is supposed to be very cold (like today), but I haven't heard of any more storms brewing, thank Herne. I have heard about all of the flooding and power outages in the UK. Everyone who has been affected definitely has my sympathy. Here's hoping all of the rain and gusting wind dies down to nothing. Try to stay safe and dry, okay?

[karen9.livejournal.com]

Remind me not to complain when we have a minor power failure of a few hours. Several days with the temperature at -20 C is serious stuff!

I admire your mother's determination and skill with the barbecue.

Barnaby is sweet and fun. Oakley obviously decided Christmas was "be kind to stupid humans' time." I'm glad you fed the cute sparrows and the squirrels, especially Redtail. I liked the other photos of him.

That wooden cross is rather crass, isn't it? I like your mom's idea of the pentacle.

I hope power is restored everywhere soon and that the rest of the holiday is uneventful!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Remind me not to complain when we have a minor power failure of a few hours.

Oh, everyone complains about that. I'm sure that even people who suffered through this ice storm power outage will complain about minor power failures in the future. *g*

Several days with the temperature at -20 C is serious stuff!

I should point out that not every day was like that. There were actually some milder days that weren't nearly so cold. However, we did have a wind chill of about -20 C today (I know because I had to run a couple of errands), so I hope that anyone who is still without power has found somewhere warm. There are warming centres throughout the city where people can shelter and do things like charge cell phones, etc.

I admire your mother's determination and skill with the barbecue.

Thanks on her behalf. :-) I'm sure that a lot of people in her shoes would have thrown up their hands and despaired, but she was determined to cook that food and had the smarts to do it.

Barnaby is sweet and fun.

Yes, he certainly is...when he's not being the spawn of Satan. *g* Seriously, though, he did keep our spirits up and provided some welcome entertainment. I know the string game helped keep me occupied.

Oakley obviously decided Christmas was "be kind to stupid humans' time."

Hmm...that could be. I'd prefer it over my own theory, anyway. *g* To be honest, Oakley usually mellows a bit once I've been at the house for at least two or three days. It may have simply been that. Whatever it was, I was happy to be able to spend some rare quality time with him. :-)

I'm glad you fed the cute sparrows and the squirrels, especially Redtail. I liked the other photos of him.

I knew you'd appreciate the sparrow & squirrel eatery that is my parents' front lawn. *g* I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures of Redtail. He's a very photogenic squirrel.

That wooden cross is rather crass, isn't it? I like your mom's idea of the pentacle.

Yes, that's the word! I think "crass" is the best description for it! :-) Maybe my mom will cave if the cross appears again next year...or stays up all winter as my parents fear... *g*

I hope power is restored everywhere soon and that the rest of the holiday is uneventful!

Oh, thank you, karen9. I really feel for those poor people who are still without power. I really hope it's restored soon. I don't think everyone will have it back for New Year's, but I hope they'll be somewhere warm and festive when they ring in 2014. :-)

BTW, I hope you have a wonderful New Year's yourself! :-D

[lazy-8s.livejournal.com]

Christmas is not about gifts and tinsel anyway, but having those you love around you. Even thought it wasn't the most ideal conditions, you guys were together and that's all that matters. Loved the pics! :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right, lazy_8s. That's what Christmas should be all about. As you say, having the people you love around you is all that really matters. :-) I hope your own Christmas was good and that 2014 brings you all the happiness you deserve.

I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. Thank you very much. :-)

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

yikes-don't envy you at all but the pics and updates were amusing :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, boobamiaow. I'm glad you got a kick out of the pics and updates. :-)

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you had to endure some hard circumstances over Christmas, but I'm glad you were able to get some fun out of it. Did you just lose electricity or gas as well?
Things were lovely here despite working night shift over Christmas and being woken up by having my nephew dropped on me. ;)

I like your Christmas tree. The decorations and lights look really good on it.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you had to endure some hard circumstances over Christmas, but I'm glad you were able to get some fun out of it.

Thanks, tazzles. It wasn't the best circumstances, but we did okay. We were certainly a lot more fortunate than other people. :-)

Did you just lose electricity or gas as well?

This is embarrassing, but I'm not sure. I think it was just electricity because my dad was able to run the furnace. However, I'm not absolutely sure if he kept the furnace going using the generator. I, uh, have an English degree, so practical knowledge is totally beyond me. *g*

Things were lovely here despite working night shift over Christmas and being woken up by having my nephew dropped on me. ;)

I'm so glad you had a great Christmas, despite working the night shift and having your nephew dropped on you. *g* I hope your New Year is just as good. :-D

I like your Christmas tree. The decorations and lights look really good on it.

I wish I could take credit for the tree, but I wasn't even around to help decorate it. *g* I think my siblings helped decorate, but it's my mom's vision. She decided on everything: the lights, decorations -- everything.

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

Glad both you and your parents are doing okay, the news has been so scary weather-wise both here and with you guys across the pond. Loved all the photos too and yay for a family Christmas, no matter what *warm hugs and hot tea* xoxo

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Glad both you and your parents are doing okay, the news has been so scary weather-wise both here and with you guys across the pond.

Ah, thank you, funkyinfishnet! We're all doing okay. :-) I hope that my parents and siblings aren't going out unless they really have to. Getting into work this morning was a bit of an adventure. To be honest, I'm not looking forward to the trip home (despite knowing I'll be able to finally watch "The Sign of Three") as the streetcars are running slower than usual and it's going to be a bitterly cold wait. I might take a bus instead. If I can time it right then the wait might not be as bad. Anywaaaaaaay, I've been hearing about the scary weather in the UK and I definitely have sympathy for all my British friends. Fortunately, the ones I've spoken to haven't been having any trouble with flooding, so here's hoping everyone stays safe. I hope you and Anthony are doing okay. Try to stay dry!

Loved all the photos too and yay for a family Christmas, no matter what *warm hugs and hot tea* xoxo

Thanks again! I'm glad you liked the photos and, yes, a family Christmas is a family Christmas no matter what. :-) *Warm hugs and hot tea to you too*