I am sure I am not the only one that has noticed that winter is defiantly at our doorstep. In fact, it's safe to say that Mother Nature is ringing the doorbell, just waiting to get in.
It would be nice to be able to avoid it, just like we pretend we are not home when one of those nice young adults shows up at our doorstep trying to spread the word (Do they even know whose door they knocked on...I mean seriously, have they met me?). Anyway, not answering really isn't an option. Another Saskatchewan winter is upon us, like it or not. The wind is blowing, flurries are falling, days are getting shorter and the roads are beginning to resemble the surface at Crescent Point Place. Seems everywhere you turn, or skid....there's another sign that winter is here.
One of my children noted the other day that it was a really nice sunset. Only problem with that, it was 8:00 in the morning. Gone are the mornings that we woke up to a full sky of sunshine and birds chirping (Well at least me anyways, can't say I took in any sunrises in those early morning summer hours).
My husband responded, "This is sunrise ....and it isn't getting better anytime soon."
Talk about raining on my parade and at such an early hour. Talk about a brave man! Made me think though, he's right (don't ever tell him I said that). It is what it is. We live in Saskatchewan and although it is home to four seasons, winter seems to take hold of what feels like a good majority of the year.
So what is it, I ask...that I don't wear my winter jacket, big warm boots and mitts yet? Why is everyone insisting on driving speeds that winter no longer welcomes? Why aren't we scheduling in earlier depart times? I see everyone scurrying to and from their car. Parents are dragging kids behind (slippery surfaces sure make that easier). Kids who would much rather stop and catch a few snowflakes on their tongue. Seems crazy to me, insane perhaps, what we do to ourselves.
I have lived in this great province for over 30 years and have fond memories of winters as a child. Hours were spent outside playing in the snow building forts, throwing snowballs and making snow angels. Our parents had us prepared with the proper mitts, toque and snowsuit. We took our time walking to school making sure to not slip on the ice. Doesn't it make sense that we, as adults, do the same?
Time to get our winter tires on, put the safety kit in the back seat and slow down. Maybe then we might have the time to catch a few snowflakes ourselves.
