About Me

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Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada who enjoys reading, especially mysteries. Since 2000 I have been writing personal book reviews. This blog includes my reviews, information on and interviews with authors and descriptions of mystery bookstores I have visited. I strive to review all Saskatchewan mysteries. Other Canadian mysteries are listed under the Rest of Canada. As a lawyer I am always interested in legal mysteries. I have a separate page for legal mysteries. Occasionally my reviews of legal mysteries comment on the legal reality of the mystery. You can follow the progression of my favourite authors with up to 15 reviews. Each year I select my favourites in "Bill's Best of ----". As well as current reviews I am posting reviews from 2000 to 2011. Below my most recent couple of posts are the posts of Saskatchewan mysteries I have reviewed alphabetically by author. If you only want a sentence or two description of the book and my recommendation when deciding whether to read the book look at the bold portion of the review. If you would like to email me the link to my email is on the profile page.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Time in Saskatchewan

Photo by Larry Sorensen
Christmas time in rural Saskatchewan always starts with the weather. We know it will be cold with snow. This year we are in the midst of a deep freeze with about 60 cm (2 feet) of snow in the yard.

When I left for the office this morning it was -31C. When I departed for home this afternoon it was up to -22C but the weatherman assured us, and I agree, it felt like -29C.

There was a creak to the opening of the van door that told my older son, Jonathan, that it was very cold!

While cold the hoar frost on the trees is beautiful. The photo with this post was taken in Melfort four days ago.

My younger son, Michael, came by the office later today with the last presents to be wrapped and they are all under the tree.

The Canadian Armed Forces have the furthest north base in the world at Alert on Ellsmere Island and each Christmas they advise us when Santa has left the North Pole. Alert is about 3662 km or 2276 miles north of Melfort.

To accompany Santa across the vast spaces of Canada he will be accompanied by Canadian fighter jets. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has the story at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/12/21/pol-santa-rcaf-pilot-flight.html.

In Melfort tonight Sharon, Jonathan, Michael and I will be going to midnight Mass and opening one or maybe more presents depending on the negotiations. With two lawyers in the family and a third in law school there are ample negotiators.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

 
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 24, 2012 at 7:53 PM

    Bill - Cold or no cold, it all sounds lovely. I really miss snow...I am very happy to hear that you and your family are all together for Christmas. Have a peaceful and joyous holiday!

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  2. Bill SelnesDecember 24, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Margot: Thanks for the comment. My sons are of the age where I know we will not be together every Christmas so I love having them home this Christmas. I hope your family is able to join you for the holiday.

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  3. Prashant C. TrikannadDecember 25, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Lovely post, Bill, and the photograph too. Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and Joyous New Year to you and your family!

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  4. Bill SelnesDecember 25, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Prashant: Thanks for the comment. It remains a special moment of the year for me.

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  5. J F NorrisDecember 26, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    Hope you had a merry Christmas, Bill. We "lucked" out with a white Christmas in Chicago. First time in years I was out shoveling on Christmas morning.

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  6. SarahDecember 26, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    Happy Christmas Bill. I was very happy not to see any snow in the UK at Christmas this year.

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  7. Bill SelnesDecember 26, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    John: Thanks for the greetings. I equally hope you had a Merry Christmas. We have had so much snow this year my wife thought I was old enough to deserve a snowblower for Christmas!

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  8. Bill SelnesDecember 26, 2012 at 11:59 PM

    Sarah: Thank you for the Christmas wishes. I hope you had a great Christmas Day. We are bound to have cold weather so I am glad we have snow.

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