Tales from the Bush in Quebec

“There’s a gift on the table for you.” “Oh, really? From who?” I’m sure my face lit up when I heard my friend’s words. I love surprises, especially in the form of a gift! “The new neighbors came by earlier. The whole family. The wife left you a cake for Christmas.” He reached out to take the box of... Sign in to see full entry.

“The new neighbor came by. He left his number, wants you to phone him.” I nodded to my friend as I came in from work. It was late, and dark and cold. I was happy to see the fires were already burning nicely. The warmth one feels from a wood stove seems so much cosier than that of electric coils. The... Sign in to see full entry.

Bud has what can be called a ‘dead stare’. He looks at you and there is nothing in his eyes. It’s disconcerting, even if you know the dog. His gaze gives no hint of what he is planning. He had stopped growling, and wasn’t rushing, but his pace was a steady trot towards the boy, and there was no wag... Sign in to see full entry.

The dogs heard him before I saw him, of course. The barking started. Bud, the oldest pit-bull, and the most intimidating of the group, stopped at the edge of the yard, already a plus. The others ran onto the gravel road, staring in the direction from which he would arrive, their warnings sounding... Sign in to see full entry.

My new neighbors moved into the house down the road in September. Because of my long work hours, and the distance between homes out here in the bush, I had not yet met any of the family. My friend did though, and when he told me there was a young lad who would be catching the school bus on the... Sign in to see full entry.

I was behind schedule more than usual this year. The only thing ready for my family’s arrival on Christmas day was the ragout (the traditional Quebecois dish for the season), and the tortières (meat pies), both prepared and put in the freezer last Sunday. And the tree, which my friend had been... Sign in to see full entry.

My memory has become a fickle thing. It could be the result of overwork, daily doses of stress, this cold medication I’ve been taking, or just the natural age factor. Whatever, it played a nasty trick on me this month, and very nearly got away with it! My business associates were not able to attend... Sign in to see full entry.

My daughter’s tears sent my stomach spiralling down to my feet. Emotions raged inside – acute disappointment, a frenzied anger, a sense of hopeless defeat and, certainly not least, relief for having mentioned nothing to my son. It all showed on my face. Before I could start ranting and raving aloud,... Sign in to see full entry.

It was that time again. For other holidays I am very flexible – but NEVER December 25th. Christmas supper was held at my home and my children knew, from experience, that absence was not an option, except, maybe, if that option was death. Don’t even dare plan on doing anything else, anywhere else.... Sign in to see full entry.

Yep! I’ve got the bragging rights, but have had no darned time to flaunt them! Any regular Blogit member who reads Wiley John and Kabu already know that I had the privilege of not only meeting them both, but also to dine with them, chat with them, laugh with them, hug them, and it was terrific. As... Sign in to see full entry.