Giving Away Some Clutter

Being back in the classroom has definitely added to the dynamic of my interactions with students. Owing to physical distancing recommendations, I am not physically close to my students, but just being in their presence has made some differences.

One of these has been to hear their anxiety over the coming winter. We are experiencing some rather cool temperatures right now, and I can see that it is having an effect on their anxiety level. Currently all of my students come from countries that do not experience below zero temperatures even in the depth of winter. So when it is 4 degrees in September, they have all started to worry.

For one student at least, I was able to do something to cheer them up. You see, I have a pair of women’s heavy-duty winter boots in my closet. These were left by my ex-wife because she moved to a warmer place. I was doing some cleaning and spotted them. Rather than put them in a donation box, I was thinking of trying to give them to somebody. My options were Freecycle or start asking around. I asked my students and they seemed to be interested.

I took them to school and left them in the classroom before the students got there. I spent time preparing for class and really didn’t give it another thought. When I got back to the classroom, the students were in discussion and I could see that they were talking about the boots. I was rather worried that they didn’t fit, or weren’t acceptable and I was going to have to haul the things home again.

Instead, before I could even ask, one of the students said that they fit her and she asked if she could have them. I had already offered them, but I appreciated the polite request and didn’t act in my normal snarky manner. I said sure…or maybe I said absolutely. I try and vary my expressions when talking to students so they get exposed to more vocabulary.

At the end of class, as she was leaving, the student thanked me again. She was so happy to have a warm pair of boots. I was happy to get some space back in the back of my closet without having to throw something useable away. I really hate when something goes to waste. This is probably as a result of my upbringing.

Making someone else happy and not being wasteful is an easy Perfect Moment.

Hiking Boots: Check!

Armed with gift cards from my 50th birthday, I headed to Mountain Equipment Co-op to get some hiking boots. Part of my next adventure is a four day hike and I didn’t think it was wise to tackle it in sandals–regardless of how much I like them.

Going to the store is both wonderful and horrible at the same time. There is so much stuff that I want,  that I believe I need , that I believe I deserve…you see where this is going don’t you?  It wouldn’t take much of an effort to spend this month’s mortgage payment on equipment and stuff for my next two trips and cycling adventures.

I decided to get the boots today because I should break them in a bit before I leave. I have enough lead time that this is possible and shouldn’t present a problem.  These are not winter boots, but they are waterproof so I don’t suppose a few laps around the block will hurt them unless I come upon a big salt pile.

In addition to buying the boots and some expensive socks, I spent time talking to the sales associates. Though this is a retail store, the people who work there have all swallowed the kool-aid for the outdoor lifestyle.  They’ve got practical experience to help me and also have given me some questions I had better find answers to before I leave–mostly about the climate conditions of where I am going and how we will be transported.  Having the right clothing on the hike could make a difference in my comfort and enjoyment level.

I managed to leave the store without breaking the bank. I did spend a bit of time lusting over some bike parts, though.  I also lingered a bit too long at the Go Pro counter.  There is just too much to look at and dream about at that particular store.

Is there a store which makes you want to spend every dollar you have?  Is there something you really want, but can’t justify the price?

When Shopping Goes Poorly

Photo by Jean Balzan on Pexels.com

 

I would be the first to admit that I don’t really like clothes shopping. I like shopping for books, cycling stuff, computers, tools, toys, and any number of other things, but not clothes.  Maybe it’s the fitting room experience.  Maybe it’s the lights which make things seem so much different.

Sunday, I tried to buy some boots and shoes. I’ve been wearing running shoes for a long time and thought that maybe I should update my look a little.  I’ve already got winter boots, but maybe something in a fall boot or shoe would be a good idea.  I found both.  Sadly, there were problems.  They didn’t have my size in the shoe.  Then, the boots had a worn mark or scrape right where the leather at the toe meets the sole.  It wasn’t something that could be buffed out, and I figured that if I am going to spend a lot of money on these things, I had better be happy.

I was offered to the chance to buy them and have them sent to me by post. It sounded like a good idea, but I just didn’t like it.  I had visions of the shoes showing up with the exact same problems as those.  In the end, I gave them both a pass and came home empty handed.  I am sure there is a pun there about going home empty-foot, but it sound more awkward than it does to type.

What I know about the mall is that when shopping isn’t going well, you can always find a treat to perk yourself up. It could be a new computer game, or book, or food.  On this day, despite the rather cool temperatures outside, it was an ice cream cone.  I chose Espresso Flake.  I assumed that it would be coffee flavoured, but beyond that, the name completely flummoxed me.

Ever since I was a kid, going to the mall was centred around treats. I remember getting a balloon from the balloon machine outside Towers Department Store.  I remember donuts or bagels from the bakery.  Of course, there was always ice cream or a milkshake.

Oh, I should have explained about the ice cream cone. It was delicious and it was Today’s Perfect Moment.

Respect

I write a lot about my students because they give me a lot of material to work with. As we finally embrace winter, the questions begin.

Is February warmer than now?

                                                 How long does winter last?

Is Montreal warmer than Toronto?

                                               I heard it only rains in Vancouver.

What is wind chill

                                            Do you just stay inside in winter?

I suppose I shouldn’t mock the students too hard. My biggest wonder is why didn’t they Google these things before they got here?  I am pretty sure the information is available.

Yesterday, the weather was a warm 6 degrees and sunny. The snow from the previous day had already melted and the wet reflections on the street were beautiful.  Unfortunately, I had to work and even my break was full of other duties.  I had no time to go outside and enjoy it.  I did note, however, that some of my students were wearing boots more suited to snow-maggedon than yesterday’s balmy temperatures.

So what was Friday’s Perfect Moment?  Quite simply, my appreciation of their respect for winter.

Having to Wear Boots

I wanted to write that it seems pretty early in the season to be wearing boots, but in fact, it seems like the wrong season to be wearing boots. If I am not mistaken, it is still autumn.  Since autumn is my favourite season, I am a little sad that it is being usurped by winter this year.

Normally an early snowfall like this would disappear, but it has managed to linger, perhaps promising better skiing and hopefully the chance to put on ice skates this year. If you find it odd that I am choosing to look on the bright (though there is so precious little daylight these days) side of things, perhaps you have forgotten the title of the blog.

A Note for my friend Quinn.  The tree growing in the tight space beside the bus shelter continues to thrive.

Inappropriate Coincidence

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Currently, I have only one Brazilian student, which is rare at my school.  She lamented to me yesterday that she really wanted to wear her flip-flops, which are the typical footwear of Brazilians.  She seemed rather pained to have to wear boots.  The weather has been colder than usual, but even if things were “normal” it would still be too cold to wear flip-flops…..or so I thought.

This belief is at the heart of Today’s Perfect Moment.  As I approached the bus stop this morning, I spotted a figure crossing the street and seemingly headed for the same place I was.  As I got closer, I discerned that it was a woman.  I watched her clutching her parka around her body and felt a bit of sympathy as she trudged toward the gas station rather than the bus stop.  It snowed today, and the temperature was below zero.

Upon second look, I was shocked to discover that she was wearing those very flip-flops that my student wishes she could wear, but because of the weather has declined to do so.  As an adult, I can’t but help to think that this was the dumbest thing I have ever seen.  I mean, this isn’t a case of freezing for fashion.  These weren’t high-end, designer flip-flops.  I would hate for her to lose a digit to frostbite.

As a blogger, could probably look at this another way.  It has provided an interesting thing to write about.  And, thanks to an odd coincidence of topic, definitely deserves to be Today’s Perfect Moment.  However, the blogger in me thinks this is the stupidest thing I have ever seen–well maybe that guy marrying the hologram is the stupidest, but I didn’t actually see that.

White Christmas

It would seem we are going to have a white Christmas. From the depths of my closet, I have dug out my boots, my gloves, my scarf, and my toque.