February! Not so Bleak right now.

     The groundhog did not see his shadow in Punxsutawney, and Balzac Billy in Alberta didn't either, so Spring is coming early.  We shall see. The sun is shining here, but - the calendar doesn't lie and we have only started February here in Alberta.

Snow only in the shadows

     We had a great thaw here last week at the end of January - all the snow was gone except for large piles of black and gray parking lot accumulation.

     But on Sunday, we woke up to another beautiful dusting to transform the world. Today the sun is shining and that Sunday snow is again gone, but the temperature is hovering around 0°c. 

     People keep asking us how we are liking our Winter here so far.  We have not minded the weather at all, the bitter cold of -25°c is a bit much, but we have not seen that too often. It is all in our minds (and warm clothes) as to whether we will accept the weather as it is or complain. 




     I was reminded of one of my favorite Twila Paris songs. The poem this song is based on was written in 1872 by Christina Rosetti and described the birth of Jesus.  Not certain that the first Christmas was as bleak as she represents, but the first verse of the song always brings thoughts of long winters to me - with promises of blessing. 


In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
Snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long ago
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign
In the bleak midwinter 
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ


     As we move towards the anticipation of Spring and begin to celebrate the holidays that move us forward such as Ash Wednesday, Valentines Day, Winter Break (in Canada), Presidents Day,  St. Patrick's Day, then Easter, I will be careful to not get ahead of myself in anticipating the end of Winter. I remember our visit to Canada in April 2014 when we had snow on Palm Sunday and was told that last May they had a real dumping of snow.

     I am reminded of a line from one of my favorite book series, Jan Karon's Mitford books, where the local paper runs gardening tips. 

 "However much the heart may yearn toward Lady Spring's vernal passage, 
hearken, I implore you, to the one bit of counsel that, 
come what may in this earthly life, 
will never, ever betray you: DO NOT PLANT UNTIL MAY 15!"

     I am envious a bit of our good friend in Tennessee who saw some signs of Spring peeping through, but am patient to see what a Spring in Alberta, Canada has to offer as far as beauty is concerned. 

     After all, I have not built my first snowman here in Canada yet - so bring on more snow!