The rainy season has started in Vancouver - which means it's quite a bit colder. We don't turn on the heat in the office because both Rose and I come from the grumpy-dad traditions of "Dont EVER touch the thermostat - put on a sweater if you're cold." So layering is key.
However, my hands still get quite chilly, so my lovely wife recently knitted me these:
Now, they've taken a bit of getting used to (I'm still not 100% adept at the pinky stretch required to hit the left SHIFT key), but my hands are much warmer.
And when client work is getting a little overwhelming, I comfort myself with a little self-pitying Dickensian fantasy ...
``You'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?'' said Scrooge.
``If quite convenient, Sir.''
``It's not convenient,'' said Scrooge, ``and it's not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill-used, I 'll be bound?''
The clerk smiled faintly.
``And yet,'' said Scrooge, ``you don't think me ill-used, when I pay a day's wages for no work.''
The clerk observed that it was only once a year.
``A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!'' said Scrooge, buttoning his great-coat to the chin. ``But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning!''
Now all I need is a coal burning stove. And the appearance of a few ghosts.