He's Mister 20 Below

Old Snow Miser was singing his song today.   Everything was frosty and bitter.  Three layers on the bottom, four on the top, hat and scarf and a pair of too small mittens as I had to send my gloves to school with an absent minded child who has probably left 10 pairs of gloves and mittens at school so far this year.  I do have to say that my new boots did their job.  One pair of socks and my feet were comfortable and they seemed to keep their grip too.  I had two dogs to walk this morning and no access to my car which meant a half hour walk each way to the other pup's house on top of the hour that they pay me for.   My pup was not appreciative of the all business attitude of today's trek.  Kept him on a short lease to keep him from pulling me all over the place on the ice that has glassed the paved surfaces and to ensure that we were actually walking instead of stopping every two seconds to check out the smells. Too cold for smells.  Ears were pulled back in resentment, but he was good and, after slipping himself a few times, I think he figured out what the issue was.  Mr. Whippet was not interested in doing much more than his business and high-tailed it back to his house in short order.  He wasn't even in the mood to play and run in the backyard for a bit which is what I usually let them do after a walk.  I'd like to wax on about what I saw or did, but alas the sky was grey, it was horribly cold, and I spent most of the time staring vigilantly at the ground watching for ice.  Ah! Canadian Winter!  May it be short this year.  Would have given anything to have a hot chocolate when I got home, but that's off the menu, at least for the time being.

After Christmas, I am finding lined pants, long underwear, snow pants and a balaclava.  Have a lot of winter walking ahead of me and am determined to be warm.  

First Snow

Last Monday was welcomed with the first real snow of the year.  The first snow is always so soft and gentle and fluffy.  It covers the world in a pure velvet blanket.  The light of the world is softer, hazier.  All is quiet and hushed.  It’s a charmer, warming the hearts of even the most hardened winter haters; it lulls you into a false sense that maybe all will be well.  It makes you forget all the deep freezes, slush, snow dumps and back breaking labour of the dark winter to come. 

Dogs, in particular, love the first snow.  They get right into it.  They frisk and strain at the ends of their leashes.  They paw it, lick it, eat it, snorfle their noses right into it and throw their faces to the sky, chins heavy with snowbeards.  They kick it up with their feet, they swish it with their tails, they roll and scamper and love it.  Their lives are not disrupted by it (unless they get walked less).  They seem to thrive in the cold.  They are invigorated by it and embrace it.  You can’t help but feel a little of their excitement. 

I dreaded going out.  As pretty as it was, I am most whole-heartedly not a winter soul.  But I had warm boots, coat, hat, gloves and two dogs that were dependent on me to get out there and trudge in the damn stuff.  I anticipated that it would be blisteringly cold, but it was actually pleasant.  Even the best of walkers get lazy or put out if there’s a change in the routine.  Best to adopt the attitudes of the dogs and deal with whatever Mother Nature dishes out with a little fun.  If life gives you snow, throw on your boots and kick up your heels.

Now if only I could feel that same attitude when I get served up a heaping helping of extreme cold like we have today...