Commute Does Not Compute

I do it every day, just as millions of others do. I commute. I drive 30 minutes to work, and 45 minutes home  - every day. Most days I enjoy it. I use the time in the morning to think about the day in front of me as I hum along to my favourite songs. The traffic is usually pretty light at 6:40 am with the exception of the steady stream of transport trucks heading for the U.S. border.

The drive home for some reason is not usually quite as delightful. The traffic is heavier and it seems that every night there has been a rush hour accident to jam the highway. When that happens I just take some deep breaths and tune to my favourite satellite radio station  -- the Coffeehouse or the Bridge (nice acoustic rock sounds) and settle in for the ride.

Tonight the drive home was especially harrowing. The roads were wet but it wasn't raining. The sun was setting low in the sky when I drove up the ramp into a stream of red taillights. The stream flowed along at geriatiric speed -- bumper to bumper  --- alternating with sporatic break aways and sudden stand stills. My nerves were frayed ... at least twice I avoided being rear ended by swerving onto the shoulder. It's not easy to drive safely when your eyes are locked on the rear view mirror trying not to be hit by tailgaters.

Commuting is a way of life for many, and most have it much worse than me -  some have no job at all. But sometimes I think that the hour and a half I spend trying not to die on the highway could be better spent. At times the commute simply does not compute.

I try to appreciate the blessings that  are bestowed upon me -- a great job working for a noble cause, just a city away. So tomorrow when I get in my car, I will tune to my favourite channel and sing all the way to work, and marvel at the  majesty of the sight of the sun rising just behind the steel plant. And I will do it with gratitude in my heart.

Morning Breath

It was only 6 degrees Celsius at 6:30 this morning when I started my car. A misty rain was falling. It was dark with the sun sitting well below the horizon. A wistful preview of the long winter commute that lay ahead. I rolled the windows down half way so I could see as I pulled out of my driveway. Note to self to get glasses so I can actually see while I drive.

On these damp, unfriendly mornings it's difficult to get motivated to leave the heat of my cosy duvet - and hubby. I defy every fibre in my being when I force myself into my tuck and roll and head for the comfort of the icy tiled floor of my bathroom. Thank goodness for steamy showers, but then again, so hard to leave the heat and greet the morning air.

But there is a certain stillness in the first hours of the morning that feels sacred; a private, quiet reprieve; a cleansing breathe to the start of the day. Morning breath!

Stormy Weather ...

Today was the first storm of the year. Welcome Christmas! Welcome winter! Left for work early this morning in clear skies knowing that the ride home would be a treat! Managed a few shots on the drive home (thanks to auto focus).





Visibility was zero in some places on the highway ...




Our street looking so very peaceful.


Home sweet home. Benzie (my car) came through and won me over. Jeep rules!



Hubby duelling with the shovel!