Whether or Not...

Yes, we could have decided to go out on our usual morning jaunt, but in the end decided not to. March after all, came in like a lion. Gifting us with some fairly violent weather. More than enough road accidents reported, half-way through the day, some 70 just in this urban area. It would be much worse in the rural areas, needless to say, with high winds whipping the blowing snow and ice pellets right across highways, obliterating visibility entirely.

School bus routes were canceled, the airport was more or less on standby, public transit was running late, highways were clogged with slow-moving traffic. Thousands of hydro consumers lost their place on the grid, and were informed they might have to wait 24-hours before re-connection. Snowplows were out in full force on city streets, but side streets would have to wait another day. Good day to stay indoors.

All we had to do was gear up nicely against the wind and forge our way up the street then thrust into the ravine. The overnight deposit of ice pellets mixed with snow greeted us first thing in the morning with a fairly good blanket which the wind was re-distributing as it saw fit. Although the temperature high for the day was minus 2, it felt quite a bit colder with that wicked wind.

So, thinking of the our two brave little mutts plowing their way through the snow and what their tender little paws would feel like, along with the wind slapping snow off the trees directly at our faces, we thought better of it. Missing one day of our ravine walk wouldn't hurt. And we wonder, does this guarantee us an early and mild spring; will March, true to the old adage, go out like the proverbial lamb?

So we just took our time about things, had the day to relish. No hurry during breakfast, and we read right through the entire first section of the morning papers; me the local one, him the national paper. Then I did the baking, this time a lemon-square dessert for dinner. And bread dough for cheese croissants to accompany dinner. Oh yes, another bread dough to be set aside for our pizza tomorrow evening. And put a chicken soup on to cook.

He checked up in the attic to see how the mice were faring. Not so well, poor mites, it would appear. Then a little bit of vaccuuming to welcome in the week-end. I was a trifle nervous about going out into that screaming, snow-flinging weather, but we drove over to our local shopping haunts anyway, and did the food shopping. I did the food shopping.

He went over to the Canadian Tire store next door and loaded up on flourescent energy-saving light bulbs on sale. He also bought a few packets of flower seeds in anticipation of spring; he does that every March, to gladden my heart with expectations of colourful blooms around the corner. And also bought some boxes of our dogs' favourite cookie treats and chewies.

Let winter blow and do its darndest, we're all stocked up. And then, of course, there's the shovelling. He had gone out after breakfast to shovel the snow off the deck, the stairs, the walkways that bissect the backyard. To make the effort of struggling against the wind to find a place to evacuate a trifle easier for our spoiled little dogs. Button doesn't mind the weather, but Riley will allow himself to collapse in need before he'll venture out.

Inclement isn't his option of choice. And finally we have to order him out to relieve himself, poor little beggar. It takes more than a few passes with a towel before the snow and ice is removed from their curly locks, their little foot-pads, and they're patient enough throughout the process.

Weather like this encourages greater appreciation for all the comfort we live with. Curling up with the pleasure of a book. Turning on the (gas) fireplace. But first, prepare the portobello mushrooms to be placed alongside the turkey breast. And the cauliflower florets ready to bake. Wash the fresh raspberries to be sprinkled over the lemon squares.

Then sit back, relax, wait for dinner to cook. Get those croissants out of the oven, they're well baked.

Oh, the pain of it!