A scad of snow

We had snow overnight and the air was cold but without any wind. It was a fall morning when you could see your breath but conditions were perfect for a walk along the Rotary Friendship Park.

In Newfoundland vernacular, this amount of snow qualifies as a scad. It was just enough snow to highlight the landscape along the trail.

There are a few trees which have held their leaves in spite of the strong winds we have had for the last two months. 

The branches overhead draw the eye skyward.

A picnic table nearby won’t be hosting too many picnics this morning.

The trail between the fields kept us going on and on into the distance. 

By the end of our walk, the snow was melting. It was an invigorating walk with just enough snow for a taste of winter.

 

 

The new normal

Sunset is earlier every day. The daytime temperatures are just above zero and below zero over night. We have arrived at that time of year when our warmest clothes are not only out of storage but on us when we go for a walk. The windchill makes them necessary.

One afternoon recently, waiting for our granddaughter to finish dance practice meant time for a walk along the boardwalk. During these early days of winter conditions, we are adjusting to the cold and bitter winds again. It will be several weeks before our bodies adjust.

This view of the harbour will change in a few weeks as ice forms for another winter. Fishing shacks will be brought to the ice and residents will fish for smelt, one of the pleasures of winter. Before long those ducks, enjoying the last rays of this day, will search out the rare places where there is open water.

The days of muted daylight are on the horizon as well with the winter solstice a month away. Before long there will be days when it is impossible to walk here or anywhere as weather worsens and a nor’easter causes a white-out. Meanwhile we are adjusting to the new normal. 

Close to home

There is a newer trail in our city which my husband and I hadn’t walked so one morning last week, we headed to the Rotary Friendship Park for the first time. The park, on east side of town, is as the name implies, supported by the local Rotary Club. It was constructed and is maintained for walkers, bikers and mountain bikers. 

The park has trails which go through forested areas and alongside fields, many in straight line paths. 

However, the mountain bike trails take you off these paths, up hills, down valleys and over boulders, an unusual sight in the woods of Prince Edward Island. 

Since it was an early weekday morning, we took a chance there weren’t any mountain bikers on a trail with an expert skill designation. It was a trail of hills and valleys, 

steep turns, boulders to manoeuvre around or over. 

The hills were a challenge but fun too.

 We also walked some of the novice trails. 

There are many trees down in this park, probably victims of Dorian like so many other trees around the island. Work is underway to clean up some trees which could be a danger in the future.

This park will be fun to explore during the various seasons and to watch the mountain bikers as they pursue the trails of various levels of difficulty. 

The couple

On one of the trails recently, as my husband and I walked along holding hands near the end of our walk, we passed another couple. This wasn’t a typical couple we meet along the trail on a weekday morning. Usually we see other people such as ourselves, retired seniors out for a constitutional, taking in the scenery. This couple, wearing university jackets, looked about twenty and held hands too. They were beginning the trail as we were leaving. How appropriate! They took me back in time.

They were us not that long ago, though sometimes I feel every day of the fifty years we’ve known each other. My husband and I met in university, both in our teens. He was in a class with my friend and stopped to talk to her. She introduced us and so it began. Six years later we were married.

Looking at this young couple, I wondered if they would be together for a lifetime. If they are, it won’t be easy. The challenges and frustrations are many. I hope, if they do make a commitment, they will never give up on each other and will care enough to argue, listen, think, apologize and forgive. It’s easy to give up, to throw up your hands and walk away rather than fight for your togetherness. Staying together is hard work! 

Times have changed and young people today are marrying later than we did. I projected a lot on these two young people in this day and age. However, the seniors on the trail who wished them a good day, hope that life will afford them the same good fortune so that they too find that special someone to share the journey.

Bits and bobs 6

The patio furniture is put away, the garden has been put to bed and the mower exchanged for the snow blower in the shed. Another summer is put to bed. The snow was late arriving this year though so we delayed these chores until the last few weeks. The first snow disappointed us this past weekend. 

Recently on a visit to Charlottetown with our daughter and the kids, we experienced an episode of road rage from a driver in a truck covered in distinctive decals. He drove close behind us, revved his engine, blew his horn numerous times, slammed on his brakes to fall back behind us only to repeat the same. This occurred after our daughter didn’t allow him to cut in front of her at a traffic light.

We had three children in the car and didn’t want to alarm them so the adults made light of what was happening. However we were alarmed at this behaviour. After several kilometres, the driver pulled into a gas station, much to our relief.

Several weeks later, we saw the same vehicle in the parking lot of a local body shop and the front of the vehicle was gone from an apparent accident. It wasn’t surprising what had happened to that vehicle but I hope the man wasn’t hurt or that he didn’t hurt anyone else. Aggressive driving catches up with you eventually.

I was subjected to two email scam attempts recently, one claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency and another from Apple about my Apple account. The supposed CRA email claimed I owed money and the police would be notified about if I did not respond. The supposed Apple email said I had charged almost $90.00 for a game. If this was incorrect, I could check the information on a link, which I didn’t do. These scams keep me on my toes anyway. However, imagine the good which could be done in the world if these scammers put their time and effort into positive things instead of trying to swindle others!

There was a weather bomb last month. We had wind and rain for an extended period but it rained so hard for an hour that we couldn’t see across the street. We had never seen anything like it. It was as if a giant fire hose was positioned over the neighbourhood, pouring down on everything. Areas across North America have had the same for an extended time and have had major flooding. We were lucky.

If only scientists could figure out how to create these weather bomb conditions in areas where the earth is burning, such as in Australia and California.

Why do we have war?

“Nanny, if we should be kind to others, why do we have war?”

These are the words of our seven year old granddaughter prior to Remembrance Day last year. Discussion in school sparked her interest in the day and she had questions. Important questions.

So another generation learns about the sacrifices made for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

This two minute video by the British Army is worth a look.

                                                             Lest we forget

Bonshaw moments

The field at the beginning of the trail was a source of joy for the golden grand-dog. Off the lead, she ran, jumped and hopped around the field which we had never seen her do before. 

While my husband and I walked the winding path through the field, Georgie managed to prance around its length. 

Her joy was palpable. I understand the feeling. 

When we entered the woods at the bottom of the field, the trial was covered in leaves. The sound of the crunching leaves made this walk different from most of our walks among the Bonshaw Hills. 

We had never visited when the leaves were underfoot as they were this day. Snow keeps us off these trails and the snow is later than usual this year. The crunch and shuffling leaf sound as we walked was nature’s rhythm section come to life.

I thought I would miss the leaves from overhead but such was not the case. The sound underfoot was welcome but so was the leaf covered undergrowth, in all its rustic-coloured glory. 

Interspersed with the ferns which are still thriving, the forest floor is enveloped in fallen beauty.

In several places, ground hemlock looked like its needles were diamonds, formed by the sun instead of the earth.

Along the trails, trunks of the trees were more noticeable now without the distraction of the leafed canopy.

Above, where leaves previously resided, now each twig has its chance in the sun. The white of the birch trees is always impressive!

We had a picnic in the park and watched as this unusual insect braved the 10 degree C temperature. 

It too was lucky the snow has stayed away so long this year.

We walked again after lunch and as the sun dropped lower in the sky, the shapes of the tall giants around us took focus. Everything about trees is magnificent.

It was another day when nature gave me a sense of well being. It lifted my spirits and spoke to my soul. I know exactly how Georgie felt in that field!