just being myself: still winter

the date: Wednesday March 26 2014.

the temperature: -5*C in the sun. that sun is a trickster.

when i woke this morning the voice on the radio said it was -22*C

we received more snow yesterday.

i don't shovel anymore.

we haven't for a few weeks now.

except for when we needed to clear a parking spot for my parents - in an area that no one had parked all winter.

the sides of the parking spot were taller than the car.

i woke up saturday planning to run 11K.

i looked out the window.

overcast and snowing.

*sigh*shoulder slump*

i couldn't do it.

i ran on sunday instead.

bright sunshine, had the best run all year so far. and the farthest.

then the temps dropped again.

like i said earlier...

it snowed yesterday.

beautiful large snowflakes.

but the fact that it was snowing was the problem.

no matter how beautiful they were, they were coming at the end of march.

we've had snow since our first snowfall at the beginning of November.

we've had a lot of snow.

it has been bitter cold or snowing.

it's been a long winter.

my cat wants to go out when the sun is shining through the window.

then i open the door and he gets this confused look and turns and walks away - "not yet"

the sun is shining more.

i've been listening to the birds singing more often, and hear them playing in the branches.

that first robin i have not seen though.

less layers are needed most days.

i have tried to not complain about the winter.

it is a blessing having the 4 seasons to enjoy.

i am thankful for where i live, knowing full well that winter is a part of it, a huge part of it.

we have a ski hill 15 minutes away, we need winter here.

but we are primarily cottage country... we need summer too.

this has been a long winter for those whose employment is geared to no snow.

i just want spring.

i want to wear my birks...without freezing my piggies off.

i laughed the other day because i walked into the house and had muddy shoes...

i had mud on my shoes

not snow!

then it snowed again.

i can feel the warmth of the sun.

i know it is slowly beginning to feel like the beginning of spring.

i watch the icicles melt.

then reform overnight.

i see our canoe that got crushed by the amount of snow we received, and am thankful it was the old, already patched one anyway. but look longingly at the other one who stood the test of winter.

i love the sparkles of light on the snow...there's so much snow, they're everywhere.

we laugh that our girl walked over and picked off the icicle dripping into the rainbarrel...she walked on snow the same level as the top of the rainbarrel.

winter is beautiful.

i am thankful for the winter memories i have from this long winter.

quinzee sleeping, the girl learning to ski, the boy snowboarding, sledding parties, skating, hiking out back, getting out to take frosty photos, skijoring lessons for the dog, watching the dog slide down the hill because he loves snow, running on the snowy days, and enjoying that they're not bitter cold. being inside with the family on a bitter cold day watching a movie, eating popcorn, watching the kids play- even in the bitter cold - while waiting for the bus, and the temp, not affecting them, snow days.