Polar-ized

Early morning light in Millbank ON

This is the time of year when lists and summaries of the best and worst of the past 12 months are shared. Various dictionaries choose a "word of the year" and the  2024 selection is very interesting. Merriam-Webster’s 2024 Word of the Year is "polarization" which is not hard to understand in this time of political and social division.

The word took a different meaning for me today, one that is not found in any dictionary. I had an appointment to pick up some fresh citrus fruit in a small town 40 minutes north of our home. It was -15C on the thermometer, clear and still, the coldest day of the month. The polar vortex moved south for a few days bringing a rush of arctic air into our region. An Old Order Mennonite buggy was ahead of me in line as I waited for my ten-minute window to pick up my order. I am sure it did not have the heated seats and a heated steering wheel that I enjoyed in my vehicle.

The Conestoga River at Hawkesville ON

Hoarfrost formed overnight in the cold stillness and covered the trees, fences, teasel heads, and long grasses. Everything glowed white and bright in the rising sun. 

A fox walks across a field along the Conestoga River

Later in the afternoon, we watched the full Cold Moon, also known as the Long Night Moon, rise to the east as the sun set in the west. The temperatures warmed considerably during the day but a bitter east wind made it feel colder than it was this morning. We watched two Red-tailed Hawks pursue a Bald Eagle who entered their territory along the Grand River. Ducks and geese swam in a narrow stream of open water between the ice that formed along the river banks.

The rising Full Cold Moon

Photo taken by The Becka

It was a perfect winter day, more beautiful than any holiday greeting card. A very special little girl is also making the best of the "polar-ized" weather on the eastern edge of our province. 

First snowman of the year