Signs of the Season

In preparation for winter, I'm sorry to inform you that the battening of the figurative hatches hath begun. Canadian Thanksgiving will be upon us next weekend, and as turkeys cower in corners in an effort to look too small to cook, the rest us us can hear Jack Frost whistling in the distance, and we tremble too.

Yesterday, we cleaned out our tiny, barely-one-car garage to make room for Harriet the Chariot whenever the nasty truly weather threatens to burst upon us. The bikes were hauled into the basement and other items were stored in the garage's overhead shelves. So we're ready to drive the car in on a moments notice.

First steps were taken in readying the gardens for winter. The impatiens were pulled although the perennials have been allowed to remain in ground for the time being. I swear I can hear their petals chattering in the cold, however.

This morning, I felt compelled to extract our little portable heater from the depths and use it to warm up the bathroom prior to showering.

Furthermore, as temperatures descended to 15°C/60°F this morning, I eyed the furnace thermostat with lust in my heart. I did resist as the mercury began to climb to a balmy 16°C/61°F (please note the palindromishness of those numbers) and hopefully higher, but I will probably cave in any day now and flip the heating switch to the on position.. What can I say? I'm soft.

Meanwhile, I find comfort in wearing my hoodie in the house. We baldies lose the heat and feel the cold on our uppermost extremity, and I can't afford any more brain freeze than is normal to my sluggish thought processes.

That's all I've got today, which I don't think is all that bad considering that it's not yet ten o'clock and that I've already been up for seven hours. I did have two hours of sleep, however. I am forced to take what I can get ... and down the Tylenol like it's the most delicious candy known to humankind. Fortunately, I had a good book to keep me company through the bleak hours. It helps — quite a lot actually.

This is More Like It

Big deal, you say: kids playing on the porch. Well let me tell ya sumpin, this here is Canada, eh, and it's only mid March. Do you see any jackets? No, but you do see sun hats. Crazy eh?

We've had a gentle winter all things considered, our warmest and driest in 63 years, thanks to The Little Boy (El Nino — sorry if I've translated incorrectly, but I think I've read that somewhere). In the Ottawa area, we're sometimes snow-covered from mid-November to almost mid-April, but this years it's only been from December through February. The snow has been melting apace since March began and only remains in shaded areas or where it's been piled extra high after clearing — or both. In fact, I have been told that Environment Canada declared winter to be officially over last week, and it's really been over for almost three weeks now.

Compare that to these two photos which I posted on March 9, two years ago.





And look how much remained on our lawn on March 29 of that same year.



There was still plenty around on April 13, if you please.


I've often said that the main problem with winter is that it lasts too long and that I'd like it to stay away until December and be over by the end of February. Well, by golly, that's exactly what happened this year. Oh yes, we'll almost certainly have some miserably cold weather and some snow to boot, but it will pass quickly because winter is over.

Last Cottage Pics

Before I move on completely from our little winter vacation, I want to post a few more cottage photos. It seems appropriate to show winter photos as we head back into colder temperatures in this area after experiencing some fairly mild ones in the past two weeks. Just the other day, I was almost basking as I waked through a parking lot with my coat unzipped with the sun making an appearance of sorts.

We found quite a few fallen trees this time, particularly on the less trodden pathways which probably haven't been cleared in the past few years.



Although snowshoeing can be quite exerting it can also be a lot of fun. Here Cuppa turns to bless me with her happy countenance.



It's amazing how one can find comfort in the great outdoors even in winter regalia. The cat-like Cuppa is a master of creature comforts.





One day, I found myself in the nearby hamlet shopping for provender and stopped to take a picture of the restaurant that we had visited while waiting for the cottage to thaw out. Also, a few days before, my BIL and I had cause to drive past, and there must have been two dozen snowmobiles parked outside. Seriously, the upper parking area was overflowing to the point that many of the machines were forced to park by the road. Sadly, I didn't have my camera at the time, but I did this time and had just taken a picture when the logging truck went by. I thought how Canadiana it was, and if the snowmobiles weren't going to come out to play on a work day, I could at least get something authentic. I managed to squeeze the trigger just before the truck roared out of sight.



On the way back to the cottage, I stopped the car by a little valley and took these pictures. While I'm not totally happy with them, they do show you more of the local geography: snow, trees, and water.

Winter Living

We have fairly long and cold winters here in the Ottawa region, so it's really best to make peace with that fact and embrace the weather as best one can. To that end, Cuppa and I gave the kids a sleigh for Christmas. Nikki Dee was the first, and so far the only grand, to try it out. With Buppa as the horse and even attempting to sing Jingle Bells to the bonnie wee lass, out we went the other day. As the picture tells, Nikki Dee was quite content to ride whilst Buppa Horse pulled her back and forth and forth and back.



As my bald pate might reveal, it was relatively warm on Friday, but yesterday and today were bitter, with the low temperatures being aided and abetted by a harsh, north wind. Nevertheless, we stopped by Canadian Tire to get her a little snow shovel so she could help Buppa clear the driveway. It was even colder when we finally got around to our shovelling in the evening, but we all bundled up and felt better for the outing. She didn't quite grasp the concept of shovelling onto the pile and not off the pile, but that's okay.




Then, she'd put some snow into my shovel and I'd fling it into the air to great cries of excitement.




Cuppa took some dark an grainy video clips of our work session.



After shovelling, Buppa Horse was called back into action. We had a decent video clip that got lost somehow, so pictures will have to do.




We had another frosty session this morning before lunch. The kid had got up at the unearthly hour of six o'clock and was tired but fought a morning attempt to have her nap. So, we decided that another session in the cold followed by lunch might do the trick. It did; she napped for an hour and a half after lunch.






Cuppa got into the spirit of things too. The lady can shovel it with the best of them, I tell ya.



I also have a video of Cuppa shovelling, but this is me taking pity on you ...

On the Margarine of Winter

Yes, you read the title correctly; margarine is not a a typo. I did not mean to say margin and get it all wrong.

We all have different ways of measuring the seasons. Me? I know that winter is here when I get out ... not the winter coat, long johns, toques, boots or wool socks ... but ... wait for it ... oh, I've really given it away by choosing that title ... The Margarine. Yes, when I opt to spread margarine on my muffins and toast, I know that Old Man Winter has truly arrived. So, I'm here to say that he arrived several weeks ago.

You see, we keep our house cold enough, particularly at night, that the butter becomes hard, too hard to spread well, and I really hate ripping up my toast with hard chunks of butter. While I might love the taste of said buttery chunks, I really feel it better to spread margarine relatively thinly (although my thin might be your thick).

I make the best choice that I can by using the good stuff, the margarine that isn't hydrogenated. However, my beloved remains skeptical of margarine of any kind. She's got a point, I'm sure. I mean, what prevents it from getting hard in cold weather? Can whatever it is be good for us? Nevertheless, I choose to revert to spreadable margarine in these colder months. I mean, butter doesn't exactly come out of the cow in solid form, and neither does animal fat come advertised as health food.

The trouble is you never know if you're doing the right thing or not, and right is constantly shifting anyway. What's right today may be wrong tomorrow, so who knows what to do? Just do your best, I suppose, and at least consider what you do and why why you do it.

Seasonal Charm

I promised you more pictures, so whether you like it or not, here they are. This is a bridge to nowhere. The property backs onto the Crowe River, and there is a large tract of forested land on the other side. Some of my BIL's hunt-loving neighbours built this bridge in order to access said land during the appropriate season, but the owner barred the way, so it remains as a Bridge to Nowhere. While I don't love the notion of hunting, I also don't care for the landowner's selfishness. I have seen this more than enough up there where there is an abundance of almost unused land. We're a strange lot, we humans.



Another snowy pine branch and cone very near the other in the previous post.



The previous two photos showed how sunny it was, but then, as I mentioned in the prior post, the wind whipped up the snow in some sort of devilish fury. It was sudden and strange and only lasted for a few minutes.



And this was was of those moments. That's Cuppa and BIL trudging through the driving snow. BIL's two dogs accompanied us, and they are both in the photo, but you might only see one in the size that I am showing you here.



So, you see, all of ye doubters, each season has its beauty and charm. Having made that point, I hasten to confess that I've just about enjoyed my quotient of winter charm for this year.

Home Again

It wasn't a typical winter retreat for us — a lot of visiting and appointments and little snowshoeing and picture taking — but I do have a few photos to post in the next few days. First, let me say that the Internet was horrible, but I did manage to sort of keep up with you through Google Reader. I read from there and stayed away from clicking on individual blogs.

The first shot (below) was taken by Cuppa on the drive in last Saturday, but I'll claim the photo anyway since I specifically requested that she take this shot. I really like it: the snow, the old truck, the winding road, the dim lighting.



Next day, we did go for a snowshoe walk. The sun was bright, and I took this shot of the fence shadows in the snow. Unfortunately, I overexposed, so it's not as good as it could have been.



As we snowshoed along the old logging road, I stopped to take a few pictures. In this one, a snowy pine cone overhang the path.



Suddenly, clouds covered the bright sun, the wind actually began to howl, and the snow kicked up. I quickly snapped this one and rather like it too.



Now that we've had our winter vacation, I'll begin to wish for spring. I know it's too early, and I try no to wish too hard until March, and even then it's too early. Oh well. See you soon with more photos.

No March Marching

I do know that at the very least, I should walk for a half hour each day. And I totally agree with the principal. But I can't bring myself to it these days, for these are the days of March. You might think that someone wouldn't have trouble marching in March, but I can't conjure up a thimble full of enthusiasm for it this week.

You see, it's cold out there, and that turns me into a rather reluctant rambler. It shouldn't really, and it doesn't always have this effect in December or January or February. You see, my tiny, little mind equates those months with winter, and I embrace the season to a certain degree. I have walked on very cold days in those months and been quite warm. That's the thing with cold weather; you can pretty well always get warm. You can don layers of space age wonder material and be warm and toasty on the coldest days. I know it, and I've done it.

But it's March, and I no longer feel like girding my loins for wintry battle. If it's cold out, as it was today and many days recently, I find myself retreating into a fetal position and whimpering softly in the nearest corner. In point of fact, I can't remember when I last walked. I think it was this week, but it must have been early on — maybe Monday.

I haven't been totally bad. I have willed myself into the basement to work out at least twice (it's not as impressive as it sounds), and that's a good thing, and I have done my weekly linedancing tour of duty, and those things do count. Also, just last night, I copied and printed exercises from You: On a Diet. I haven't done them yet, but I have printed them. I have good intentions, you see.

Unfortunately, however, it's the season of winter blahs, and I find it hard to soldier on in the cold. That is compounded by the desire to eat more — more junk if possible. Potato chips lure me like the sirens of the deep lure sailors who haven't sighted a wom ... land for night onto six months. While I haven't totally descended into the dank depths of wanton gluttony, I have been making more than my share of bad choices. Strangely enough, however, I almost feel defiantly uncontrite (which spellchecker informs me is not a word) over my fall from grace.

But, it's supposed to warm up to above freezing on the weekend. It may even rain and wash away some of the snow and maybe some of my lethargy and cravings. It will happen relatively soon. Spring will come, and we'll be celebrating new beginnings. Before long I'll once again feel good about our four seasons — even the winter part. It just overstays its welcome. That's all.

Light and Shadow

One doesn't want to get too optimistic and excited at this time of year, but a hint of spring was in the air yesterday. After being locked in winter's icy grip for about six weeks, the temperatures actually hovered slightly above freezing yesterday. And the sun was out and the wind was down, making it a most pleasant day, a fine day to grab a coffee and reconnoiter at the park for a while.



Light and shadow seems to be the theme these days. Below is AC the Groundhog's shadow on a tree trunk.



I couldn't resist snapping the moon between the trees.

Leaking Through the Slats

So, just for a change, I thought I'd post some photos today. I mean to say that variety is the spice, eh what? Well, at least the photos are more or less different from post to post.



As I peered out from the bedroom window yesterday, I was quite taken with the streaks of light eking their ways through the fence slats. At first I thought that it would be a good candidate for b&w treatment (above), but I seem to have been wrong as the coloured version (below) looks much better to me. Some people can look at a photo and immediately ascertain how best to present it, but that ability seems to elude me. Anyway, I do like the coloured version.



In case you wondered, yes, those are Christmas lights still hanging from the fence. We're thinking of them as seasonal lights, doncha know. I've posted the original photo below, so you can see where I started. I cropped it because I wanted to emphasize the streaks of light and did the rest because I wanted to make it look better — to me, at least.

Snowy Tree

Last week we sat in the park and drank our Tim's coffee (half hot chocolate, Ben). I had been anxious to take pictures of the gently falling snow, but, alack and alas, it stopped falling just as we were arriving. Both Cuppa and I took snapped a few anyway. When I uploaded them, I realized that we had essentially taken the same three shots. This is one of mine, processed in two ways.