February 27th Storms

 

Winter has been very fickle this year, often flirting with spring-like temperatures before dealing us a weekly ice storm. There was no skating on the world's largest public skating surface for the first time this year. With its history of reliable winter cold and snow, even Ottawa did not have enough frigid days to freeze the Rideau Canal to a safe depth. 

We love a good snowstorm, especially if it is packing snow that lasts long enough to make good snowballs, snowmen or snow sculptures. On February 27, 2019, four years ago today, we had one of those perfect snowfalls. 

After shovelling the driveway, my daughter and I decided to try making faceprints in the snow. It was a silly idea promoted on social media but there are moments when silliness is an antidote for too much seriousness in life.

All I can say is that the snow is shockingly cold! The faceprint was barely recognizable and very fleeting.

We experienced heavy snow this afternoon which started just before the evening commute started. Driving in a winter storm is not as much fun as a face plant in the white stuff. And now, we are getting another round of freezing rain, five short days after the last blast of ice.

Complaining aside, it is not time for spring and a few more weeks of cold temperatures are expected. Our grandchildren, like all children, enjoy winter and have no difficulty finding ways to play in the snow. My skating, tobogganing, and "rolling down the hill" days may be over but there is always some fun to be had, even for this grandma.