I went shopping today, a rare excursion for me, looking for a tablecloth, and came home with a pair of earrings. That was okay and I won't go into details. What I want to tell you is my discovery, no, not a discovery, - an affirmation - of my narrowing interest in things and my broadening appreciation of what I have. As I said it's a rare event for me to go into a store other than a supermarket, and even then the market is not very super, so it was a revelation to see what was available, goods set out to delight and to lure the credulous, credit-happy consumer. This is another of those times I am increasingly coming upon when I am so happy to be so old and beyond temptation (almost).

It's like the joy and satisfaction I experienced when I first realized that I don't like cheesecake and that I am not one bit tempted to eat it. I am so glad when I find something I don't want to eat! Walking through that beautiful store this morning and looking at all the lovely articles on display and not wanting anything was a delightful experience. I recommend it.

But this is ridiculous,the weather, I mean. Toronto hasn't had that much snow, compared to other regions, but it's cold, cold, cold, and continues to be so. Two years ago we had such a warm March, the plants got fooled and the fruit trees started showing off and when the temperature dropped later in the spring, the blossoms shrivelled and there was a poor apple crop. Cause and effect. Well, this weather is affecting me. I am producing very few apples. I still want to hibernate and hunker down by the fire. But I don't have a fireplace. Think warm thoughts.

Not that people aren't trying, to think warm thoughts, that is, and to pass them along. I don't frequent FaceBook or YouTube but people send me stuff from these sophisticated hot spots. I am up to my epiglottis with cutesy, heart-warming pictures of cats getting along with dogs. foxes snow-diving for mice, babies being very smart and people being smart-ass. None of this compensates for the lack of heat, not even maple syrup. Sap rises with bright days and cold nights. I don't.

Perhaps I'm having a cold snap.