Friday, 13 March, 2026
The February blues inevitably become the March blahs. Spring should be around the corner, but it seldom feels like it in Toronto. Yet last week we had a sudden three-day taste of days to come. Temperatures climbed to as high as 18C, and all was right in the world.
I went for a knee assessment downtown on one of those days. The sky was blue, the air felt mild to warm, and everyone was smiling. At the small hospital I went to, Holland Centre, I had a déjà vu moment, and it took me a minute to figure out it reminded me of my GP practice in Hackney at Somerford Grove.
At any rate, what an excellent physiotherapist. I came home with the usual raft of papers, including exercises (which I have yet to start) and people to call. Today I must make a list. even if I can’t cross anything off it. “People” like it when I say nice things about Toronto (you know who you are) so this is something to make me smile about being here:
This email from Denise sums it all up:
It’s starting to look like Spring. We still have the Christmas tree up for you and Krish;
HOW IS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE TODAY???
Jesus, our emails are turning into medical files.
xxx
PLEASE invite me for Christmas. I’m ready! Today I took Friday photos, and everything looked like winter was over. Two hours later, it looks like Christmas again. The fast-falling snow is blanketing everything. I shall have to do a second set of Friday photos before the light fades.
Speaking of the medical report, I made it to my eye appointment last week. The first time since I had my cancer diagnosis and had to put everything on hold. It went well, although all my measurements had to be retaken. I’m good to go, but only after I get a special “oncology eye test” at Princess Margaret Hospital. I don’t want to know what that entails, but do it I must, when I hear from them. I also had built in time after my long appointment to meet Robin for lunch. After a failed attempt at a ramen place (don’t ask, but autism can really suck), we headed down to find tamales in Kensington Market only to find that they were sold only on a weekend – boo. So we each had an empanada – cheesy! I forgot to take photos of the indoor food market (mostly Mexican/South American), but I did take photos of the upper part of Augusta Avenue. Kensington Market is a 70s throwback every time.
This will be another busy medical year with all the backlog. It would be painful to list it all, but hopefully it’s all worth it. On the other hand, I’m looking ahead. I’ve started to plan a “walk” (a misnomer, really, but a way to get those 3,000 steps in that they’re recommending for my rehabilitation), which will certainly include not only almond croissants for my brother but a revisit to Trinity College, which I passed on my way back from the Holland Centre. In this long Toronto winter, when snow and cold have been brutal at times, it’s good to have warmer dreams.
I’m not ready to move about the neighbourhood yet. It’s been too snowy and icy and cold. Last Friday was my birthday, though. I braved it out to the local coffee shop, Contra. To motivate myself, I ordered a 2good2go surprise bag – I needed to be there between 4:30-5 to pick it up, so I showed up around 4:13 and ordered a mocha latte. Got to say it was the most delicious one I’ve had anywhere. Very decadent and chocolatey. Usually, I order the chai latte, which I like because it’s made with loose tea and no sugar. I mentioned to the woman at the counter that it was my birthday, and when I got home, there was a bag that said Happy Birthday. It was a pain au chocolat. Chocolate for my birthday, yes please.
And now the Friday photos for 6 and 13 March
