We decided it  might be a good idea to break off housecleaning and go out with Jackie and Jillie for an early walk today. On our return the housecleaning could be resumed. Not normally the preferential order, but now with early dusk onset it is. Besides, there was some sun and the forecast was for afternoon snow flurries and we thought to take advantage of the sun's presence since it was fairly cold, with a blustery wind.

 

The sun played tricks on us today. By the time we organized ourselves and stepped out the door the sun had become a recluse. We could see some blue sky but it was on the way out and the clouds were busy occupying the sky. At least, we figured, we'd have full daylight for our hike through the woods, even if the forest interior modifies light to sometimes eerie early twilight conditions well before dusk settles in.

 

 

As we walked up the street and approached Mohindar's driveway, there was Rajiner setting out for a walk of her own.  She's been experiencing a bit of psychological dislocation since her retirement. Hard for her to become accustomed to her new routine. She misses the workplace environment although she had been working remotely for the past two years, since the pandemic onset. Logic would have it that working from home would have gently prepared her for her decision to retire and all that accompanies it.

 

But the structure in her life has gone amiss. The collegiality, the responsibility, the problem-solving of vexatious issues and the satisfaction-reward of things well done and acknowledged are now missing from her life. She supervised a government department and really enjoyed the challenges of her working life. And she always found time to do the other things that were of importance to her. 

 

Her daughter, a beautiful and talented woman like her mother, now has two children of her own, and she's following in her mother's footsteps with a high-pressure challenging, non-governmental position as a professional. The women in the family are high-powered, energetic and ambitious. Rajinder's son takes after his father, Mohindar. He's a sweet young man; after living on his own for a few years in Toronto he decided to return back home and conduct his business from there, living with his parents.

 

We used to come across Rajiner on her own in the ravine, but hadn't lately. We'd stop and talk for a bit and then each go their separate ways. She outpaced us by a wide margin; we in our turn take our time of necessity. She explained she'd had an encounter with an aggressively bad-tempered Husky and she had been frightened by its threatening manner, so  since then she has given the ravine wide berth.  She was setting out for a walk around the streets. And then she decided she'd go with us into the ravine since she wouldn't be alone. We cautioned her that it was extremely muddy and that our pace was no match for hers; several decades' age differential makes an impact. 

 

The upshot was that we hiked together for our usual circuit through the forest trails. In these circumstances there's a loss of contemplative intimacy, of total relaxation; at least for us. We felt compelled to walk at a pace that was uncomfortable for  us and as a result had to stop and rest on occasion more than we normally would.

When we returned home, out came the sun. And while the sun cast its brilliance over the landscape, snow pellets speckled the air. Beautiful to look at, an odd weather phenomenon, just like showers falling in full sun. 

I decided to prepare poached pears for tonight's dessert. While I was at it though it was very early for Jackie's and Jillie's salads, I decided to cut up small piece of pear as a substitute for a change for their vegetable salad. They're right at my feet whenever I'm at the kitchen sink, expecting to be noticed and to be treated. When I set their little bowls down for them, Jackie enthusiastically dug right in. Jillie sat there a moment, then looked quizzically up at me. Wot/s this?

 

Like the strange weather...Jackie is usually the fussy eater. Jillie on the other hand, will voraciously eat anything. After I laughed, she resigned herself and dipped her little snout back into her bowl.