when it's -31˚c with the windch-ch-chill, even the five-minute walk between one's apartment and the coffee shop -- in spite of the scarf-hat-mitts, the chapsticked lips, the canadian upbringing, and the personal resolve to brave the elements *triumphant horns* -- is painfully long. and then, even the insides of the coffee shop require said scarf to remain snugly in place.
so it seems especially lucky that today (unlike yesterday, with its "friday" and its "13th") should be one of the days that knox church hosts its out-of-the-cold dinner, serving up pork roast, herbed potatoes and glazed carrots to anyone who might need refuge from the hurts-when-you-inhale air.
it's also a lucky day because, once the veggies and cheddar have been cut up and the crackers, pickles and dip have been put out, Joan -- the cheery woman who's been at the helm of this to-do for nearly two decades (as compared to my mere two months) -- turns to me and asks, perfectly innocently: would you like to be in charge of the hot chocolate? HA! eleven litres of boiling water, four litres of milk, and a costco-sized container of chocolate powder that shimmers like gold dust, like snow in the night light? seventy-six servings' worth of warm liquid chocolate, bubbling frothily in a giant metallic cylinder? all at the mercy of my ginormous witchcrafting whisk? the answer is yes. yes, Joan, i would like to be in charge of the hot chocolate. and the sublime pleasure of brewing the drink is only amplified -- some seventy-six-fold, i daresay -- when one of the guests enquires with is there any hot chocolate tonight? and i'm able to immediately plunk down two filled-to-the-brim pitchers for the pouring. few things warm the heart (or the stomach) like sharing hot chocolate does. but here are twelve more, to round out this month of five-dollar donations:
dec 20: nelson house, in honour of abused women and children. (hats off to friend Annick for this recommendation.)
dec 21: rideau addiction and family services, in support of those dealing with addiction in whatever capacity.
dec 22 (a twofer): 1) last chance horse and pony rescue, in honour of cousin Kate, her love of horses, and her big heart; 2) ref4rett, as per cousin Carlee's special birthday request. (happy birthday, C!)
dec 23: JUMP math, in support of education, in honour of Mom (who got me involved in this program once upon a life in toronto), and in honour of an acquaintance who regularly -- and rightly -- proclaims that math is everywhere.
dec 24: ACORN canada, in support of low- to moderate-income households, with a shout-out to my legal-eagle friend Jena.
dec 25: ottawa food bank, in support of empty stomachs on xmasday.
dec 26: canadian association for disabled skiing, in honour of friend Creed's birthday and his many years of volunteering with CADS.
dec 27: windreach farms (centre for inclusion and personal achievement for people of all abilities), in honour of Dad and brother Greg, whose dutch masters construction services built their facilities and has supported their programs.
dec 28: united way st. catharines, in honour of Uncle Joe's birthday.
dec 29: youth services bureau, in honour of friend Craig.
dec 30: matthew house, in support of refugees who come from all over the world to make canada their new home.
dec 31: translators without borders, in honour of (duh!) translation, because "access to information is critical," and "language barriers [can] cost lives." hear! hear!
happiest of ho-ho-holidays, and ho-ho-hottest of chocolates to you!
and now back to translating...
No comments:
Post a Comment