A sunny, bright January day...

My father was born January 8, 1919. He would be 93 if he were still alive.

For many years, I got a bad case of flu when his birthday came up. I hated it! I assume it was just timed to be after he Christmas holiday exertions, the heart of the cold weather, and the dark days.

That hasn't happened in years, thank goodness, but I still think of it on his birthday, thankful that I feel healthy.

Walking along the canal..

Went for a walk today along the Rideau canal, with Lisa. It had been cold and snowing, but by the time we went out - about 2 p.m. - it was sunny and beautiful. We talked about her recent travels and books and various things, doing the loop across the Pretoria Bridge, up the east side of the canal and across the Bank Street Bridge, then back to my place, where we had a cup of tea.

I was extremely tired from walking on the lumpy snow, but it felt good.

At Pretoria Bridge, I took a picture of the canal in that rare stage after it's frozen and snowy, but before it has been plowed to become a skating rink: