Signs of the Season

1. The Qing family are always asking, "What can I eat?"
2. The laundry pile is like Mt Everest each day.
3. Mrs Q looks around wistfully at the house and imagines a roaring fire.
4. We all crowd into Anika's room to do schoolwork.

Yes, winter has hit. I know I was born in Britain but I really feel the cold here. Today it was 12 degrees celcius in our lounge room at 8:30 am. In England you'd never have your house that cold - you'd heat it somehow. When we lived in the country we had gas heating which was fabulous.

I can't complain too loud. The main bedroom and Anika's room have reverse cycle air-conditioning so we all cope by spending most of our time in there.

I was aghast yesterday morning when the parcel delivery man arrived. He was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. I opened the door dressed in 5 layers of clothing. I asked him how he could possibly not be cold without a jumper on. His response was, "Yeah, it was a bit nippy first thing this morning."

This reminded me of a time about 6 years ago. Our minister at the time was Canadian (born and raised in Quebec). I never saw him wear a jumper. One Wednesday night he turned up for Bible study and I pretty much asked the same question as I asked the parcel man. He said, "Yes, it is cold, that's why I'm wearing this." *points to acrylic knitted sleeveless vest over a t-shirt and shorts*

I remember one Sunday morning when we'd had frost and he told us that none of the congregation would survive in a blizzard in Quebec. He took his Australian wife back there to visit his mother and decided to teach her some French before he left. One night he told me in French what phrases he was teaching her to say. I knew enough French to translate "Close the eggs" and other such phrases. I quietly told her later not to say any of these sayings in Quebec or she'd be laughed at. Such a spoil sport I am.