It’s winter!!!
I am writing this post so that come February, embattled by our cold northern winter, I can return to this entry and hopefully find the courage to power through the last dreary weeks…
Outside the window, there is gently falling snow which has blanketed the houses, and trees and streets, and it makes me feel excited and happy and warm inside. Not so warm on the outside mind you, because it’s chilly here in my office in the East wing, far from the burning fire, and my nose and fingers are frozen.
Nonetheless, few things in life are better than those first real snowfalls of winter and here are a couple of my personal all time favorite things:
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Watching your neighbour shovel from the warmth of your house, when your driveway has already been done
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Watching the dog run out the back door, and hop like a gazelle through 3 foot snow banks to get to his destination (and imagining that he’s swearing a blue streak the whole way!
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The look of wonder on my daughter’s face each morning as she peers outside, having forgotten that the world is now snowy
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Snow days, when the city’s schools and businesses shut down, and we all get to play hookie (except those die-hard finance guys and gals in power suits who refuse to let Mother Nature make a mockery of them)
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Driving through deserted streets, in deep, fresh snow, weaving and skidding about (if you try this and crash into a tree, don’t sue me)
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Those oddly warm winter days, when you step outside expecting to be greeted by frigid air, but instead find a mild, soft day
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Finally being old enough, and mature enough, to really dress for winter and not feel self-conscious in massive winter boots and a tuque
These are some of the true gifts of winter in my mind, and I would trade them reluctantly despite their high cost (frostbite, bad drivers on bald all-season tires, 6 months of hat hair, snow down your collar, bad imported fruits and veggies…).
So I hope wherever you are today it is snowy and beautiful or balmy, sunny and humid, cause that’s wonderful too.
