It Has Been a Wonderful Week!

The past week has been one of sunshine... and more snowfall!

Celebration (at the Miller's Oven, where a free dessert awaits anyone who admits that it's his or her birthday)...

A walk in snow-covered Manotick...

Food...

Flowers!


















More food and family fun...

Phone calls and emails from afar.

Several visits with my mom...

(So much to be thankful for!)

Ottawa - on a Cold Winter's Eve

Terry and I recently spent an evening downtown. It was a treat to walk outdoors again.

It had been too cold to get out much over the past few months.

A few hardy pedestrians were wandering around the Byward Market .

We walked over to the canal - and from a bridge, checked out both sides - the one used for skating...











... and the snow-covered locks that lead down to the frozen Ottawa River.

Terry suggested we warm up at the flame in front of the Parliament buildings. Others were there warming up, too.

We didn't stay long - it was too cold. But the evening was still magical: sunset and soft city lights - Ottawa at its best in winter.

Nature's Ice Sculptures

I didn't view Winterlude's Crystal Garden Ice and Snow Sculptures this year - it was simply too cold to walk around outdoors.

But now that warmer weather has come and I'm out walking again, nature's ice creations make me stand and stare. They are all around us...

Frozen "waterfalls" by hot air vents....

Masses of icicles hanging from poorly insulated roofs.

In some places, they pose a risk to people walking underneath them. Given the right temperature and wind, they could suddenly break off and fall!

How Long Does It Take To Get a Bell Canada Refund?

I don't usually use my blog for complaining... But today is an exception: The problem has gone on far too long.

Last summer I cancelled my mother's telephone service. In July she lost much of her vision, and she was no longer able to see the phone. The person I talked to said her line would be disconnected on August 22, 2014, and it was. I was given a cancellation number for reference...

A month later, in September, I received a bill indicating that there was a credit of just over thirty dollars in her account. I expected a refund to follow.

Another month passed. In October I received a bill indicating that the balance was zero - but there was no check included in the bill. I phoned to inquire. The service representative indicated that refunds took a while to process. The refund had been approved, but not sent. I would receive it by mid-December (in approximately 6 weeks).

Christmas came and went - still no check in the mail. On February 2, 2015, I called to inquire. I spoke with Angelo EY31075, who suggested I have the account changed to my address, not my mother's - though I have always received the mail sent to my mother's nursing home address. He told me that I should receive the refund within 3 weeks.

A month passed. Still no refund.

Yesterday, I called 310-BELL, asking to speak to a supervisor. I was told that that was impossible, but that I could be transferred to "accounts." At that point, I was transferred to Jay EY29146.

Are you in accounts? I asked.

No, but I can help you.

At this point I started to get angry. Not only had I been lied to, but I was having a hard time understanding this new person's accent... After years of teaching English to immigrants, there are very few accents I can't grasp, though mumbling in any accent is hard to understand.

Poor Jay bore the wrath of my accumulated frustration and responded by telling me I was constantly interrupting, making it hard to explain.

Excuses were given. I was again assured that the refund would be issued. This time I was told I would have it in two weeks...

Should I believe them? I'll keep you posted.

How long does it take to get a Bell Canada refund? I have no idea - after more than six months of waiting, I haven't received it yet.

Canal Skating Continues

Our record-breaking weeks of cold weather are paying off for avid Ottawa skaters.

Often Rideau Canal skating ends sometime in February...










 

This year's cold weather is keeping the canal open into March.

Located in the center of town, it's open 24/7. Best of all, skating is free!

A New Winter Sport?!

The day was sunny but cold. On my way home from the dentist, I was caught in traffic. Time to enjoy the scenery I usually whiz by...

Scenery like this field that is part of Ottawa's experimental farm, an open windy spot. The winter winds have blown the snow into snow dunes resembling desert sand.

As I waited for the light to change, I pulled out my camera and took a few photos through the car window...

Suddenly I noticed what looked like a kite bobbing in the field ahead... It was a windy day, suitable for kiting - but who would brave the cold to stand out in this open field?

As I approached (and stopped at yet another traffic light), I noticed that the person holding the kite was standing on a snow board. The kite in the wind was pulling him along! Just then the light changed and I had to leave, before getting a better picture of what might be Canada's newest winter sport.

When I got home, a quick Google search revealed it is a new winter sport aptly called Snowkiting!

Birthday Memory

To mark the birthday I share with my dad, I thought of a plaque he particularly liked.

In my mind I can still see him smiling and quoting its words...

(It seems less silly to me now!)