C-C-C-COLD INSIDE AND OUT

The Canada-wide frigidly cold wave has Toronto in weeks of record low temperatures, -26C as this is written. Is it a coincidence that our condo's heat system died at the same time? For days the inside temp has been in the low teens while the repair guys couldn't fix it. Only thing to do was crank up the oven and pretend to sit by a roaring fire!

Otherwise we went out early and often. The PATH system is the world's most extensive underground maze of walkways, shops, and offices --- more than 30km or 19 miles! Different branches took us to at least 8 movies to escape the cold. The latest was "The Shape of Water", a fantasy/romance/throwback shot in Toronto. Impressive acting and the "amphibian" not as creepy as the story moved along.

Toronto's Leaf Nation was saddened by the passing of goalie legend Johnny Bower, the last Leaf goalie to win a Stanley Cup (1967!). Lots of TV trucks across the street from us, and a bower of blue-and-white tributes at his feet!

Condo management has supplied some space heaters for our unit and we're warming up. But it's still brutally cold outside. The car has to be started and run a while every day to charge up the battery. But maybe we should have expected this ---- the building is called "ICE"!

Outdoor New Year's Eve festivities have been cut back or cancelled in Toronto and most other Canadian cities. Too bad --- we were looking forward to frostbite and chills? NOT. So let the stars be your fireworks and the warmth of your home be your well-wisher. H-H-H-Happy New Year!

T'WAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The Good News: Very little shopping...The Not So Good News: Lots of driving...

The week's loop started with a long drive across the border for an early family Christmas get-together. Nice to share a festive meal, frenzy of gifts, and news from all 21 of us. Thankyou John & Shawn!

Then another couple of hundred miles up to Kemble to check on the house. Two or three feet of snow made for a white grind up the hill! The place is closed down til the spring, so Pat packed for our next trip fully hatted with the indoors as cold as the out. Even the littlest house had thick white frosting.

Finishing the drive back to Toronto, we took in the latest Star Wars --- better than I was expecting. Actually had some inspiration, and nostalgia with the appearance of Princess Leia. One block from our rental is the giant outdoor plaza where Leaf and Raptor fans can watch the game --- next to a hotdog stand! But across the street on  the one day of non-hockey weather, a happy couple was getting their wedding photos!

More to the season, the Toronto Christmas Market was in full swing at the Distillery District. More people than lights?? Free soup on a sub-zero night, plus all the snowmen you can hug. The pub called "Nice" had a few patrons, but the one called "Naughty" was crammed. Hmmm...

Always colourful to stroll the waterfront in any season. Skates and ducks, but the kayaks are hung by the chimney with care...

After being curious about it all our lives, we finally saw The Nutcracker. Expected clowns, whimsy, and a  celebrity cameo. Instead, got the classic ballet treatment with Principals from the Bolshoi. An amazing spectacle, and I finally got to shout Bravo and mean it! Now the snow is piling up in the city, with more expected tonight --- a white Christmas Eve!

So don't let The Grinch steal your special day. From our house to yours, we wish you a joyful and meaningful Christmas.

REDS

It was so cold this week all the cheeks you can think of were really red, and so were a lot of other sights in town...

TFC Parade

Brutal cold didn't stop the parade of TFC as 2017 MLS Champions. These fans (The Red Patch Boys) have been a special kind of loyal for years and a little frostbite couldn't keep them away. With drums, chants, dances and dogs, all in waves of red. Then the parade (appropriately, north!) to City Hall, cheering right through the traffic lights that were --- red!

At City Hall

Tens of thousands jammed the square with red flags, all their red gear (and maybe even some red wine?). The usual speeches by owner and mayor and broadcaster made the crowds see red --- or at least they wanted to. Finally the captain got the mike and gave heartfelt thanks to Toronto and especially the sea of cold red fans.

Red Hangers On the Tower

First snow/slush of the season reminds that maybe the bicycle season is over? Ducks have the harbour to themselves. Condo construction just booms along --- notice the red at the top? The 1800 ft. high CN Tower lets people hang out over the edge, even in the brutal windchill. But they have to wear red!

Beach Red Hard to Find

At our old Beach 'hood, the shops are in red-and-green but outside the Christmas tree has only blue lights, and the menorah is white. Would you settle for red bench armrests and the last red rose hips?

Red With Embarrassment?

A block away from our condo is the home of Toronto Maple Leafs and statues of all their past heroes (including that famous donut guy Tim what's-his-name..) Visitors can't resist posing with the bronzes. Shouldn't this guy be red with embarrassment mugging for the blog??

A TALE OF TWO CITIES (In red-and-white!)

Darting to Montreal

A 9-hour drive last Sunday to Montreal for ---what else in freezing December weather---a red-and-white convertible! Absolument magnifique sparkling 1967(note Expo '67 plate!) Dodge Dart in the suburb of Terrebonne, bien sur. I had licence plates and the cheque ready to drive home. Had to stop drooling for the test drive. But tant pis the steering and brakes were wonky, and no deal :(. Great disappointment as we drove another 10 hours home. Maybe next time??

Back Home

Arriving near midnight, we got to see  a lot of Christmas lights. Next morning the snow arrived and has been piling up since. Just enough of a window to bottle another batch, labelled "Sew What?" in tribute to the sewing sisters. Then off to a tale of the other city.

Toronto

Once again we're spending a month in a condo in downtown Toronto for some city buzz. Can you spot Pat on the third floor balcony? It's cozy, fully kitchened, and great wifi to send out this blog. Hey --- much better TV than at home!

Staying Active

Important to stay active in the winter, so the condo is ideal for walking everywhere. The pool will be available soon for laps. The gym is great for car-spotting while you're treading like a gerbil on the belt. Then it's a walk in the windy canyons to catch up on movies.

Coco

By far the best animated film I've ever seen in cultural appreciation, importance of family, and simply awe-inspiring visuals. Colours! Language! Guitars! And lots and lots of whimsy...A must, must see.

Toronto Cool

Real Canadiana and Torontonia (?) around city hall and the Eaton Centre. (There's those 2 colours again in the sign...) A magical mix for the holiday season inside and out.

Reds!

Did you know Toronto's big-league soccer team (TFC, aka The Reds)  has had the best record, the Coach-of-the-Year, etc.? It all came down to the championship game last night against Seattle Sounders (note Seattle fans, NOT in red-and-white...) in freezing temps. The Red Patch Boys fans are notorious as the most loyal and the loudest anywhere. So the Reds delivered and won 2-nil! A fantastic night for the team and Toronto. The CFL Argos also won their championship just 2 weeks ago ---- are you listening Leafs and Raptors??

So what's red-and-white  and just plain awesome all over? Canada!