Yesterday I hiked in to see Dr. D. Was up at 0400 and immediately began final trip prep. Left the house early in an unsuccessful attempt to beat the forecast rain showers. About a foot of wet snow had fallen overnight and extra time would be required to compensate for the drudgery of getting through unploughed sidewalks and diverting around the pedestrian shortcuts which were likely to be impassable.

The rain was a slow drumbeat which soaked through every garment. I had dressed in anticipation of the need to stay warm when wet. The rain and wind were uncomfortable and I was as damp as a wet sponge, but was otherwise fine and still warm enough. It turned out the extra trip time was not all required and I arrived at Dr D’s office two hours early (see the next post for details of Dr. D visit).

When Colin visited Ottawa last December, we ate midnight tempura at a Japanese restaurant just down the street from Dr. D’s office. That was a great visit and a very happy time. It had been a long interval since our last get together (way too long – my fault) and it was wonderful to hang out and swap stories. I am very proud of Colin and everything he has accomplished.

That same Japanese resto now seemed like an excellent opportunity to get a pot of hot green tea, maybe a bowl of steaming miso soup, a chance to drain some of the water from my wet cocoon, and to warm up. On the last visit the two of us had been seated over the heating ducts (perfect for recovery from chill December temps) and I thought of sitting in the same spot, benefiting from the combined effects of the forced air system, hot miso, and warm memories.

The resto was shuttered. The windows were pasted shut with brown paper. The name signs had all been stripped from their mountings. I was a shocked. The place had been a ten year landmark. I felt compelled to stand in the slush and snap a photo, a memory of past happy times.