Mother Nature has delivered winter to us. Actually, considering we live in Canada, it has been a beautiful fall. It is only in the past week or so that the snow has started to arrive and the bottom fell out of the thermometer. By the weekend we are supposed to hit -28. If we have any wind with that, will drop it even further, even the -40’s isn’t out of the question. I know many have never experienced temperatures like that. I imagine it would be considered just awful, but really if you dress for it, it isn’t that bad. Actually, I enjoy breathing in that cold crisp air. Well, that is unless it get to cold and then with my breathing I just can’t seem to catch my breath. I am obviously a Canadian as here I am talking about how cold it can get and therefor showing how hardy we are. “yup, I am a Canadian, we are a hardy tough bunch. We thrive on the cold, minus 20 is still picnic weather.” OK, maybe I am exaggerating just a little with the picnic thing. Though, as I am sitting here a memory just hit me, it really isn’t an exaggeration. It was Vi’s birthday, 3 or 4 years ago. We were at her sister, Debbie’s home, they live on an acreage just out to Winnipeg. For her birthday, Vi decided she wanted an outdoor wiener roast. A hotdog when roasted over an open fire, ah nothing better. Nothing really unusual about that except her birthday is February 4th.. I know the temperatures were in the -40’s and with one wicked wind, who knows what the windchill factor was. A few strategically placed vehicles, a roaring bond fire and a really great time was had. Man, are us Canadians ever tough.
I haven’t done much visiting lately, but really hope to change that in the next few days. Yesterday, though I saw an unknown name on the visitors list. I clicked on the site to see who it was. It details a very heart wrenching, almost painful to read ongoing story. It chronicles the ongoing story of Marisa and her battle with cancer. Please check it out and give her your support at Marisa
Dying mans daily journal 
Bill, there is an old Norwegian saying. Det er ikke derlig vaer, bare darlig klaer; there is no such thing as bad weather; there is only bad and improper clothing.
Gotta love winter!!!!!
hi Catherine. By far the most part I agree with the saying. Nothing is all that bad if you are dressed for it. Although, when you are in the -40’s and the wind takes it down to the -50’s or -60’s, I am not so sure about that.
Canadians appear to be, for the most part, able to deal with colder weather than I would choose! Gives me hope that I might be heartier than I think I am.
Thanks for the link to Marisa’s site. I am so moved when people allow others to connect with them during such important times.
hi Carol, we like to play it up about how hearty we are. It makes us Canadians feel good. but really dress for the weather and it isn’t all that bad.
Hey Bill,
I have to agree with you about enjoying the cold. The fun starts when you take a breathe in and the nose hairs all freeze. I also LOVE the sound of the snow when you hit -20’C … all styrofoam like.
Good luck with the -28, I am sure it will be here soon enough!
M
hi Martha, you are right about the crunching sound of the snow, it is kind of nice. I have a mustache so it isn’t only the nose hairs, as you exhale your mustache gets crusted in ice. Our winter truly is something everyone should experience if only for a short while.
I cannot even imagine it being that cold. Over here, especially us here in Queensland the Sunny State of Australia, we hit panic mode if our winter reaches 8 degrees….. That to us is freezing. Anything under 20 degrees we have our jumpers on. Notice I am not adding the (-) sign to these……… I think I would freeze on the spot with those figures……. I did go to England on a working holiday once and that got to -5 whilst I was there, that was freezing. We are about to hit our summer. We are heading into the high 30 early 40 degrees. Our new house has a pool, so I will be thinking of you freezing your butt off, whilst I am enjoying a swim :)…….. (That sounds cruel doesn’t it)……. It certainly sounds like an experience to put on the list of things to do though.
Ah, Jo my friend. I hope you enjoy your swimming. I do have to say though that truly if given a choice, I would take -40 over +40 any day. If you are to cold you can always put on another sweater or something. But if you are to hot there is only so much you can take off.
I’m Canadian. I’m hardy. I HATE the cold!
hi Sage’s mommy. Billie, I have explained to you the cold builds character or something, or maybe it is just frost bite. Now, don’t you just feel for poor old dad as we really start to head into winter.
love you
What a wonderful birthday request!!!!! Wish I could come 🙂
This is a standing invitation, you want to enjoy a fire and roast wieners in the middle of the winter (which really is great) let me know when and we will set it up.
Oh no Bill. You and Vi are so brave. And we think it is so cold here in Memphis when it is 35 degrees above. lol
Thanks for letting me know about Marisa’s blog. The next time I complain about a little pain or ache, I will remember her.
Gina
Hi Gina, Marisa’s blog is truly touching and can give most of us a reality check about how good our lives really are. Nice to hear from you.