The wind is whipping snow about as I look out the window of my office. The snow is the lightest, fluffiest snow imaginable... due to the bitter cold! When I walked the dog this morning I wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck and up to my cheeks and zipped up tight! The more I walked, the more I realized how much I love weather that is extreme. I love cold, blustery snowy days. I love kicking the snow and laughing as my crazy dog rolls and bites at it. I also love the wicked summer storms that develop from the collision of heat, humidity and cooler incoming air. I love the rain that comes in the spring, then suddenly breaks with the sun shining. Leaving the air smelling of earth and growing things. I could do without the smell of worms however... It reminds me of when I lived up north and you could smell the unique fragrance of melting peat bogs.
Once again, the experience of the world around us comes down to the sensations we take in. So few seem to stop and enjoy them. I love that my daughter will comment on a bitterly cold day how much she likes the 'smell' of snow. Or the delight in both kids faces as the wind whips snow up and around them and they squeal in delight, bursting into the kitchen hollering about the 'storm' out there. Sometimes I find myself conjuring up the images and sensations of opposite seasons as I am plunged into the other. Like thinking of how nice it is to be in a forest and feel the filtered sunlight and heat during a heatwave. Or the smell of rain on hot pavement (oh how I love that smell!). On cold days I sometimes think about how amazing it feels to lay on the sand in the summer and feel the heat radiate through your body, or the waves of the lake splash against you.
Ahhh, the world is a beautiful place. Canada is a FABULOUS PLACE! As much as I hate the muck and slush of melting snow, or the grey bleakness of November... I must say I love having the diversity of seasons we do. To look forward to spring, then luxuriate in summer, to pure enjoyment of the fall, to anticipation of first snows, white christmases and snow angels. Lucky.
