Monday Moanings - January 28, 2019

A Letter to my Seasonal Amour








Dear Old Man Winter,
I have been a big fan of yours since forever. I quicken to the first touch of your fresh breath each year and my heart warms in anticipation of your star crystals and icicles. I love the melt in your mouth taste of fresh snowflakes and the squeak of wintertide footsteps on super-cooled ground. And that polar vortex thingy ya got going? Well, that's just so special!








I remember with delight the screaming joy of hurtling down snow-packed slopes on my red "flying" saucer or sometimes even the big old wooden toboggan with my Dad or sister on board for ballast.

Me and my red saucer 1959

And honestly, nothing can top one of your bright, crisp snow sparkling days set underneath a sky so blue that it is beyond words.

I love the cocoon you encourage me to burrow into when the weather outside is frightful; thick fleece and hot tea by a crackling fire, so warm, so safe and oh so very content.

Indeed I have loved you all my life, BUT here's the thing dear old, yet somehow ageless friend bounding with ceaseless energy, I am not six or sixteen or even six and forty anymore. Though I still revel in the gifts you bring, at least at first, you must know that snow and ice now present a great threat to life and especially limb.

Age has brought me a huge fear of bone breaking tumbles, occasioned by the meeting of slower reaction time with a slippery slope. Also, my senior arthritic hands can never come to terms with your new-fangled polar vortex. So, I think it's time for you to go.

I still love you. I will still eagerly await your return, same time next year. Just remember to schedule your departure for no later than January 28th.







Have a great trip back south of the equator. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with your early arrival! They could really use a cooldown.

Hugs and kisses,
April

p.s. Our snow blower is busted and in the shop. BACK OFF!

p.p.s. Snow-covered solar panels can't enjoy your brilliant sunshine.  BACK OFF!

©2019 April Hoeller

Thursday, or Thereabouts - January 24, 2019

Send me Away!

A cesspool of naughty microbes has bubbled up inside me. Sneezing, wheezing, coughing; streaming, sputtering, choking.
Please, oh please send me away to someplace warm and sunny by the sea.

It doesn't have to be for too long. I think a week and a bit will be enough to achieve the necessary attitude change. How about ten idyllic days with wonderfully warm sand underfoot...

... salt water bubbling between toes

... a white sandy beach interrupted only with thatched roofed palapas strung with hammocks.

Some fruity drinks with exotic names like Bahama Mama, Pina Colada, Mojito, Margarita, Mai Tai,  and Sangria too.

Surely such libations would do much to counter the uninvited pestilence that has invaded my respiratory system. All that vitamin C would do wonders, as would warm salt air breezes and spectacular sunsets.

The polar vortex that was the unwelcome guest earlier this week stepped out for a couple of days but is due back tomorrow.

Send me away!

©2019 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - January 21, 2019

It wouldn't be winter in southern Ontario without a refreshing visit from the Polar Vortex and my goodness, this stopover is nothing short of bracing. MINUS 17 Saturday morning, -20 Sunday morning and nostril-sticking, lung-icing -27 this morning. Then there is the wind. Just a tolerable nipping in light snow on Saturday, rip-your-face-off biting yesterday and today - oh, merely a lacerating swipe.

The birds are devouring seed at a great rate. Good thing I put out extra suet and peanuts.

On the other hand, there is brilliant sunshine today and also yesterday. So now that it's a balmy -19°C, the man is outside clearing off the solar panels.

Meanwhile, our intrepid canine Sophie was making snow angels...

...until announcing that it was too cold.

She's found the best spot in the house and the best antidote to a polar vortex.

I'm going to follow her fine example.




©2019 April Hoeller