A Good, Old-Fashioned Winter

Posted by Susanna McLeod Feb 2, 2008

Winter changed about a decade and a half ago in our area of Eastern Ontario, turning into light snowfalls, more ice and quick melting. There wasn’t enough material for a snowman, let alone a snow sculpture. We gave up on buying the “GT” sleds that were the rage for our two sons – there wasn’t enough snow for the sled’s skis to slide on. There wasn’t even enough for a flying saucer to bump down hill without getting snagged and dumping its rider at the top of the hill. It was a huge disappointment. After all, if we are going to live in a cold winter climate, let’s have the snow to go along with it!

But last year and especially now this year, we are having more of the good, old-fashioned winter. A foot of snow fell yesterday; it would have been more if the temperature had been slightly colder. Part of the precipitation fell as rain and little icy pellets that stung the face on windy contact. Now we have snow to shovel, a great coating of white to fling ourselves onto and make snow angels, to sled, to build snow sculptures and snow forts. There is enough to make snowshoeing possible, for some to bring out their cross-country skis and others to have a great battle of the snowballs.

Too bad our kids have grown up. I guess I’ll just have to bundle up and go build snow sculptures in the front yard by myself. That’s a satisfying winter.