In this Olympic year Spring brings Silver & Gold

Winter Seens III

Ahh, the freedom to do whatever you want. I think I'll do more of this. Winter seems harsh but not having freedom and democracy is harsher. More on this topic in the next blog posting. For now, just a few more captures of winter at Canada's most eastern 47th parallel.

cool views on winter

before we entered the net
and could watch digital tv,
winter's snow and ice
were great things, and free

it's still true today
with kids out at play,
there are no winter complaints
except shortness of day

now it causes heaps of wrangle
tied tightly to the age of our angle,
clothes aplenty, keeping dry
can simply limit winter's tangle

like kids seeking a winter thrill
ways exist to cool the chill,
a brisk beauty to be seen,
as more than just sliding down hill

Just Getting Stormy

Why Winter is Good

The hassles and torments of winter are obvious, but look on the bright side. In summer after June 21, the days start to get shorter, but in winter the days get longer, since December 22. Snow is often beautiful, and certainly fun for kids, and outdoor enthusiasts, so therefore, the "fun" and social need is met, thus, happier, healthier people, and happy memories. Winter also presents plenty of photographic opportunities. There are many interesting ice and snow formations, glitter, blanketed forests, color contrasts, landscapes, the sky's the limit.

While it can be a little disappointing to see summer fade, at this time of year, summer is the reward that is coming, as our lingering winter eventually fades. During winter we are also at a low risk of getting skin cancers because we're covered with layers upon layers of cold shielding fabrics. There is more indoor time to do indoor things you like to do. There's probably many more positive things about winter that anybody can list. That's it for me, back to reading, writing, and checking out interesting places to visit and photograph in this province.

The Writer of "White Christmas" Did Not Live Here

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" is the chorus in the best selling single of all time, "White Christmas", written by Irving Berlin.

Berlin, born in Russia (Belarus), wrote the song in 1940, by a poolside spa in hot Arizona. He must have been a long time removed from the hardships of winter - shovelling, freezing cold, scraping, trudging.
Winter unofficially ended 7, maybe 8 months ago here. Sure, it is literally pretty, but the reality of winter is for many, a nightmare. Images of winter appear quaint to many in warmer climates, and that is easily appreciated.

The refrain, however, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", can sound absurd to someone who lives here. It equates to a northerner writing, "I'm Dreaming of a Swarm of Locusts", or, "I'm Dreaming of a Small Earthquake, or a series of Hurricanes", "... just like the ones I used to know..."

For wishers of a white Xmas, dream no more. For anyone hoping for an early end to winter, keep dreaming.