It snowed yesterday. There is still some of the white stuff on the ground this morning. It's October 13th!!! Bring back the sunshine and the warm air, please.
I remember a time when I actually didn't mind the snow and the cold weather, but those days are long gone. Now, I live from April through September and hibernate the rest of the year. That's an exaggeration, of course, but the fact is that I don't spend much time outside in our Canadian winters.
I have wondered, on occasion, what it may have been like had my parents emigrated from Germany to Brazil, like one of my aunts, instead of to Canada. It's warmer in Brazil. Of course, the country is a disaster in many ways, particularly economically, but did I mention that it is warmer there than here in Canada?
I'm not really unhappy about living in Canada. It is a good place to live in many ways. We are relatively safe here, the country is relatively prosperous, taxes are relatively reasonable, and we have relatively less-insane governments than some other places in the world. The common thread here is that Canada is not a place of absolutes. Everything is relative. Things are what they are until they change, and then they are different. I know, it doesn't make sense to me either. There is less attention to principled law and regulation than I would like, and more effort made to placate the demands of the 'something needs to be done, so let's get the government to do it,' agitators and malcontents. Much of the meddling results in laws and regulations that are simply ignored, because they are so silly. I'm sure that Canada isn't the only place in the world with that distinction. With thousands and thousands of pages of laws and regulations, who can possibly know and follow them all?
Canada isn't perfect. On the other hand, is there anyplace on earth that is?
I don't think so.
So, let it snow. When it does, I will simply retreat indoors with my guitars and books and wait until spring arrives again. Unless, of course, a law is passing making it mandatory to engage in winter sports, particularly hockey. Then, it might be time for me to consider leaving. Have you ever seen me skate? It's not a pretty sight. No, give me bare feet and a sandy beach any time.
I'll save a beach chair and a cool drink for you.
Atavist, I'm surprised, a Canadian like you disliking Winter. It's my favorite, I think, because I'm so sick of humid summer in Illinois. I love the ice, the white, the blue sky, the cocoa, the fires, the walks with your breath. Save me a diamond studded path in the woods in winter any time!
ReplyDeleteI like the walks in the snow, the frozen breath, the trees with their fresh white mantles after a snowfall. What I don't like is scraping windshields, grey slush on the roads, muddy floors, shovelling snow, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think snow reminds me of the transcience of life. Fresh and beautiful for a few (seemingly) milliseconds, then deterioration and disappearance. How's that for an upbeat, positive, message?
Guess I'm just an old, curmudgeonly, cynic.
I love sunshine. It recharges my batteries and makes me smile.
Well, when you put it like that: freshness then death, I can see your point.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about scraping windshields. Bus duty in a wind tunnel. Salting the sidewalks. Okay, you have a point.
Like my beloved father, you get recharged from the sun. I suspect it also just plain feels better on your body. My father's heart (figuratively) and hips always feel better in sun, so he goes to Florida every winter for three months or so. Do you go to your lovely Panama?
Yes, it does feel better on my body. I like summer because it means few clothes and sandals, or going barefoot much of the time.
ReplyDeleteUntil my son came along, we travelled a lot in the winter, to the southern USA, the Carribean, Mexico, etc. Now he is in school and my wife teaches, so it is more difficult.
Once our development in Panama is ready, I plan on building a small home there and spending a few weeks a year there.
Closer to home, one place I have long wanted to go to, but for whatever reason haven't managed yet, is Chicago. It seems like such a cool place with its history, and judging by pictures I have seen. Maybe next summer.
I know you would like Chicago. It's such a wonderful city with its architecture and location on Lake Michigan. The museums are fantastic, the food is fantastic, The Magnificent Mile (of stores on Michigan Ave) is fantastic, and now the new Millenium Park is not to be missed. I hope you come sometime.
ReplyDeletep.s. You might even like such a "silly" thing as an open air bus tour, or an architecture tour from one of the boats. They sound touristy, but they are well worth it, even for a Chicagoan girl like me. I'd be glad to give you references if you so desire.
Sounds like a 'must do' to me. I often listen to WLSAM over the internet, and it is a constant reminder that I haven't gotten to Chicago yet.
ReplyDelete