It is time to grab a shovel.
***
The January meeting of the Sack Resident's Society has been postponed until February. Gordon informed everyone about the change through the Society's email group.
The meeting must be changed, according to the missive, because Gordon is going to be out of town during this time.
"Out of town," in this case, means a ten-day winter vacation in Cuba.
***
Gordon, Big Doug and their respective spouses have been going to Cuba every winter for the last four years.
Last year, Little Doug went with them. A year earlier, Elizabeth made the trip, as well.
Cuba, I'm told, is a very popular place among the old town's sun seekers.
***
Oscar says Little Doug won't be going to Cuba this year, at least not with Gordon.
Gordon is miffed with Little Doug because of the debris on his side lawn. Scrap wood and a few pieces of siding are strewn about the yard. A snow-covered lawn mower sits as a centrepiece to the rest of the debris.
Oscar thinks it would be impossible for Gordon to go lounging about a tropical Communist state with Little Doug under this kind of circumstance. The subject of the unruly yard would hang heavily in the air throughout the vacation.
Little Doug says he has no interest in going to a place he has already visited. If he can afford to take a holiday, he'd like to go somewhere different. But this year, according to Little Doug, he doesn't really have the money anyway.
Oscar says Little Doug is probably saving up to contribute to a wedding for Daisy and Weed. It is now confirmed that they will have a child in July.
***
Gordon often talks about bringing small sundry items to distribute among resort workers when he vacations in Cuba.
He packs extra supplies of things like soap, deodorant, and gum. It is, according to Gordon, a simple humanitarian gesture.
Oscar is very impressed with Gordon's generosity and human spirit. He is always surprised when Gordon doesn't take his winter vacation in Rwanda.
***
Big Doug also makes claims about his humanitarian side.
Last year, he said he brought several boxes of promotional pens for his Cuban brethren. A friend of his wanted to get rid of these items.
He says the writing implements were a very popular item among the resort workers.
Oscar says Big Doug has probably made a significant contribution to Cuban writing. Thanks to him and the courtesy of the Royal Excalibur Insurance Company, the next generation of Cuban literature will find its way to paper.
According to the inscription on the pens, Royal Excalibur has been servicing insurance needs in the old town since 1983.
***
A second election sign has appeared in the Sack. Once again, the sign is in support of the New Democratic Party, Canada's social democrats.
With the election only five weeks away, the Sack's informal election sign poll is predicting a NDP landslide.
If the current number holds, the People's Social Democratic Republic of Canada will soon be a reality.
***
Oscar doesn't think the NDP has much of a chance in the election. He is probably right about this.
When driving through the old town, Oscar says another party seems to hold favour with the local citizenry.
"This Century 21 Party seems to have a lock on the whole thing." Oscar said. "They certainly seem to have the most signs out there."
***
There are two house parties scheduled in the Sack tonight.
Ben and Norma are having a party with Ben's co-workers. Big Doug will also be hosting some of his work friends.
Work-related parties usually result in a long snake of parked cars throughout the Sack. Half of the cars will be parked illegally.
When a party starts to wind down, there will be a rumbling chorus of cold engines and a series of dull thuds as car doors are closed. Several hours later, usually after 2:00 a.m., a few inebriated stragglers will make their exits.
Door closing will be noisier and oddly, more frequent. Voices will be louder and more robust. The good-byes that mark the end of the evening will be more spirited as well. Sometimes it will sound like partygoers are leaving on a long transatlantic sea voyage.
***
Sack people will never invite each other to work-related parties. It just isn't done.
Oscar says no good can come from mixing people from different parts of your life. Some of your work people won't mix well with your neighbours. And some of your neighbours won't mesh with your co-workers. Either way, he says things are likely to go awry.
According to Oscar, this is the same reason why mixing church and state isn't always a good idea.
***
The wooden shell of Burning Manor is now complete. The framing has been concluded and shingles are about to be affixed to the roof.
Despite some weather setbacks, the small construction crew made remarkable progress this week. Computer Doug thinks Dirk and Dora will be back in the Sack before the end of February.
On Friday, Dirk made an appearance in the Sack to check on the progress on his rebuilt home. According to Computer Doug, the front of Dirk's car has some significant damage to its right side. Very clearly, the car has been in a traffic accident of some kind.
All things considered, it has not been a very good year for Dirk.
***
On a final, but more positive note, I am pleased to report some harmony in the Bitterman household.
Oscar says he saw Britney and Mrs. Bitterman returning home together. They were armed with a number of shopping bags and packages. Oscar thinks they were Christmas shopping together.
This is a very good sign for the Bitterman fortunes. Like Dirk, the Bitterman clan has suffered through a tough year. Britney had a few nasty meltdowns and is now unexpectedly pregnant. Mr. Bitterman's gallbladder staged a painful attack upon him and Mrs. Bitterman has been tormented by menopause.
Jason Bitterman, currently engaged in the Christmas tree trade, has yet to make his long-awaited entrance into the military.
***
The smoothing of Bitterman feathers brings a hint of optimism to the Sack.
Britney could have a lovely child, along with a doting and hard-working Maxwell. Dirk and Dora might move back to the Sack and have quiet and peaceful lives. Oscar may finally acquire his long-awaited helper monkey and the Wonders' newspaper will only land at the very foot of the front door.
It could be a phenomenal year.
More important, the good people of the Century 21 Party will bring peace, order and good government throughout the land.
***
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