Today was the day I was supposed to be taking my first helicopter ride and starting my yearly trek to Florida. It didn’t turn out quite the way I planned. I’m sitting in my house, in my pyjamas looking out at the dreary Canadian winter.

We bought a place in Florida 2 years ago. We had been renting up until we finally found our dreamy winter home. It was going to be our warm oasis for a few months. How things change.

I’m fortunate to be retired and collecting a pension. I don’t have to put myself in harms way to go to work or worry about how to make a living. I do count my blessings. It could be much worse.

I’m staying positive in my new house. It’s all been renovated and we’ve installed a new built in unit and barn doors. We really like it. As I stare out my window, I can see the lake behind some large pine trees. I know I’m lucky.

January is half over. I look forward to summer in my new home. My debut novel, called Rose Coloured Houses will be published this year.