And it continues. . .

[velvetpage]

Winter, that is. The conditions outside are not pleasant, especially after yesterday's sun.

There's a French proverb I was taught by my host mom about this time eleven years ago:

Mois d'avril, ne quitte pas un fil.
Mois de mai, fais ce qui te plait!

Loosely translated, it means don't start shedding layers of clothing until May. I've just been unpleasantly reminded that it's not even April yet, let alone May, and Canadian weather is even more chancy than French weather at this time of year. I mean, the cherry blossoms will be out in Paris within two weeks.

Now why on earth would that thought make me homesick? I've never lived in Paris.

In any case, I walked over to the mall supermarket and bought my one kilogram of cheese, my garlic, and my bottle of chardonnay (they have a wine kiosk in the supermarket - very handy.) They didn't have any kirsch at the kiosk, though, so I'll have to find a way to pick that up tomorrow. I also didn't buy any bread yet.

Then I came home, on the bus. When I got here, I put on the kettle for tea, changed into fleece after-work lounging clothes, blow-dried my hair, and am now sitting bundled in an afghan in front of the computer, sipping properly-made tea with just a smidgin of milk in it, so as not to cool it down too much. Yesterday, my after-work wear included a ratty old t-shirt. Brr.

Comments

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Mois d'avril, ne quitte pas un fil.
Mois de mai, fais ce qui te plait!

Loosely translated, it means don't start shedding layers of clothing until May

In English it's quoted as "N'er cast a clout* till May be out"
(* clout = cloth = clothing)

And quite right too. I say that sweating like a pig having sweltered at the kinema this evening

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

I've never heard that translation. Waiting until the end of May to shed winter clothes is a bit much for around here, though. We've been known to have 30 degree celcius weather before that.

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

He he we don't... I've seen blizzard like snowfall over Waterloo Bridge some Mays in the past....

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Is that a British blizzard or a Canadian blizzard?

Why do I bother to ask?

I have a feeling my definition of blizzard is probably a bit different from yours. :) Just like your definition of "a lot of rain" might differ from mine.

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Well, you can go out and get back in a British blizzard....they don't find you perfectly preserved in the Spring thaw....

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Yes, that would be the big difference.

Of course, the rest of Canada would probably laugh at this Southern Ontario chick talking about real Canadian blizzards - but I've lived in Winnipeg and Nova Scotia. You don't forget winters like those.

[anidada.livejournal.com]

I'd say that's more Scottish origin than English. :)

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

I suppose there's a strong Scottish influence on the English since James VI went down a V to take over our country.......
And of course Blair & Gorrrdon Brooon are Scottish. (Yes! Blair is!)