Something of an odd title, but bear with me, it might make sense. The last week or two has definitely seen a change in the weather, moving from surefire winter to a more uncertain season. There is still plenty of snow on the ground, at least out in the mountains, but everything has warmed up, and I don’t like it! But let’s try to be glass half full…
I know, here he goes again, loves winter, blah, blah, blah… It feels wrong to be this warm, with temperatures above freezing and even up into the mid-teens centigrade, with chinook after chinook blowing through. Mid March, alright, but to be this warm from the beginning of February? It’s not all chinooks, but honestly, what a meteorological maelstrom. El Nino and climate change, warm winters and extreme weather, doom mongers and deniers. We’ve just had the warmest year on record, so let’s get fracking. No! Let’s not.
We have to show a fraction more sense. It should be cold(er) in winter! Global warming isn’t a leftist anti-oil and big business fabrication, but a common concern for all thoughtful (and thoughtless) human beings. Non-renewable resources are dwindling, and they will run out. We have to shift to renewable sources, and put our mental energy, education, and training into facing this reality. I understand the concerns about employment. Jobs won’t have to disappear, but different ones will need to replace current ones. New energy requires engineers, technicians, scientists, maintenance, infrastructure, retail and associated skills. This is an opportunity! Blocking clean air initiatives is fiddling while Rome burns. It’s fracking silly, and we can do better. Goodness, I am irritable this week.
A classroom, many, many years into the future:
“Excuse me, teacher? Are you sure this information is correct? It says that our ancestors continued to pollute the air, water, and ground, even when they had an opportunity to do things differently. Really? And they did it for profit?! They prioritized money over the health of the planet? Huh? But weren’t they educated? Couldn’t they see what was happening? Who was Willow?”
We’ll be long gone, and of course, I’m simply being fanciful…
Maybe I should step outside, calm down. Our last little snowshoe adventure saw us along the river once more, and the river was fractionally higher, with ice shelves collapsing into the water. Don’t get too close to the edge, and a precarious situation… Lovely to look at, but in February? Too soon! I tottered along (as mentioned last week, was still feeling under the weather, hence the tottering) and realized we were past the midpoint of winter, over halfway and racing towards spring. To be honest, I wasn’t racing, or even tottering, not in snowshoes, but isn’t tottering a great word? I do look forward to spring, but please, not yet.
So, Groundhog Day came and went, with the sad news that Winnipeg Willow died a day before having the chance to pronounce an end to (or continuation of) winter. Was this natural causes, or a shadowy groundhog grassy knoll conspiracy to suppress the truth? Who would want to silence poor Willow? The naysayers, or the doom mongers?
All these thoughts – too strong a word? – were swirling around as we enjoyed the snow, the streams, and the relative silence under grey skies. Oh, my mental maelstrom. Suppose the planet keeps on heating up? What of winter then? How thin is the ice? Hmm. Enjoy winter while you can, and if a snowstorm hits, embrace it because, who knows, suppose you don’t experience another? What an awful thought…
Fortunately, and on a more positive note, we did encounter the American Dipper once again. Knowing that they only frequent unpolluted rivers and streams made everything seem a little less precarious.
I think I’d best keep this brief, and aim to top up my optimism glass. Here’s hoping winter hangs on a little longer around here, and I’ll seek to enjoy it – it’s what Willow would have wanted. For all my doom and gloom, there’s usually a way to fractionally brighten the spirits:
As always, thanks for reading! Please feel free to share a story or leave a comment, and keep your guy ropes secure.
OldPlaidCamper 
Winter seems to be an up and down process here in Arkansas. Our weather is always unpredicatble. Today it will be 60 degrees, tomorrow 40. This up and down yoyo thing has been going on all winter. We all know here if we do not truly have some winter, the bugs will eat our gardens up this summer. Talked to a blogger in Colorado that cannot believe how weird the weather is there also. Doubt that mankind will ever wake up and realize what they are doing to planet earth. Sad. As always I love your photos and I do like snow myself, perhaps just a little less than you do. lol
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Good point about the bugs! Without seriously cold winters up here, the larvae of pine beetles survive and continue their destructive march from west to east, changing the landscape.
It would be great to see a more normal cycle of seasons…
Thanks for your comments, always appreciated, and have a wonderful weekend!
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Sometimes it’s difficult to calm down, when you observe stupidity. I know it’s difficult for me sometimes. Great post!
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Yup, but getting outside and appreciating what we have while we have it always helps!
Have a great weekend!
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It sure does! Have a great weekend!
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It looks like you’re enjoying the wintry scenery while it still exists, albeit waning, and oh are your photos ever lovely, pc.
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I was a bit tetchy in this one…oops. We’ve come out to Yoho for the weekend, and I’m happy to say there is plenty of snow this side of the mountains.
Thanks for your kind words, Jet, much appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I really enjoy reading your posts from a damp Irish homestead 🙂
Recently we were visited by stunning, iridescent, nacreous clouds; a very rare sight in Ireland.
Their ominous presence is linked to ozone layer depletion (remember CFCs) it was eerie to experience first hand evidence of global warming.
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Beautiful cloud formations indicating our destructive tendencies – nature having the last laugh?
Very happy to hear you enjoy this blog from your Irish homestead! Read your post about the fake Banksy, or at least how being a fake detracted from the point the artwork was making. I hope the area concerned isn’t destroyed – such an important part of recent history.
Have a great weekend!
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Great post. The weather has been very strange this winter. Last week the robins arrived thinking it was spring with the mild temperatures and all the snow melting, but the cold and snow arrived again this week. The lakes are not completely frozen and this winter it seems like the outdoor hockey players and ice fishermen only had a few opportunities to go out on the ice. It’s good to see you found something cold to brighten your spirits.
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It seems many have noted the recent strange weather patterns – perhaps now we can stop arguing the facts and take action…
I was rather irritable about all this, but the IPA restored me to a slightly less grumpy mood.
Thanks for reading and commenting, I always appreciate it, and have a great weekend!
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Hey Mr. PC, I raise a fine fractional IPA to your spot on thoughts about global warming and the great concern that anyone with half a brain should be holding with regard to earth’s immediate future. Actually I raise a half-full can of Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale (which I enjoy) to your praise of winter that we knew not so long ago. Culturally, we need to be as brave as your sentiment here and push for an immediate change to renewable energy sources. Your mental maelstrom is a familiar blues that many of the concerned are singing. Together we raise our voices, even if the less sensitive choose not to hear. Thank you, thank you for this!
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Thanks, Walt! I have to admit, I gave myself a timeout from singing these blues (no bad thing with my voice) and used it to research Two Hearted Ale. A fine sounding IPA, and the closest stocks to Calgary appear to be in either North Dakota or Arizona. It’s a long weekend, and if I share the driving overnight with Mrs PC, could be doable…perhaps not. Back to the singing.
As always, really appreciate your thoughtful comments – and beer recommendations!
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Wonderful picture plaidcamper.! Great shot.!
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Thank you, Francisco, and have a great weekend!
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You’re welcome plaidcamper.! Great weekend for you too.! 🍁
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Love the photos! And that ale looks particularly delicious right about now!
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