© 2013 Raymond Alexander Kukkee
Windblown Snow Looks Cold, doesn't it.... Photo © rakukkee
The Time Continuum and Winter Solstice
I’m either rattled, or excited, perhaps both, rest assured. December 21st, Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year passing always does that. The days get longer from now on, but it’s weird, and I think they're only teasing, the days don't seem to get longer until late January or so. Maybe it just seems that way, but every year I wonder if somebody got it wrong tripping over snowbanks. That’s a digression. See what happens? Winter does that. Winter equinox? To the optimistic, we’ve got winter whupped already. We won’t waste our time complaining. It’s almost Christmas too! Merry Christmas everyone!
So —it’s almost Christmas again, and time seems to be going faster and well, faster. Will Santa come faster? Do you feel it? Where did this year disappear to? Last I checked my space-time continuum, the inner metronome was ticking away—you know the one keeping 'orderly progression'—and everything seemed to be working normally, but this last couple of months have raced by at an incredible rate. Is the world busted? Did we wind some important clocks too tightly? Is time accelerating? Where are we headed? Strangely enough, that may be a valid question.
Shoppers, and S.P.S.R. —eh? What’s that?
Only a couple of days left before Christmas, traffic congestion is upon us, ice everywhere, solid, slippery, nice and cold, -25C (that’s cold “F” too, but let’s not go there) parking lots are full, that’s shopper retail-madness enough not only to empty every bank account in North America, but bless everyone with S.P.S.R. (Shopping Parking-Spot Rage) too. Let's avoid that if possible. Be nice. Be polite. Ice, snow, frozen windshields, crowds, and winter- hurry causes short tempers, arguments, slips, falls, minor bumps, and even dents in automotive accessories. Be careful out there. So far theOut in the Wilds -The Snowbanks of Northern Ontario
Piles of snow block, crowd, at times even fill sidewalks completely. Ladies, shoppers all, sporting warm and fuzzy faux-fur hats, lug brightly-coloured packages piled high to their one-horse open sleighs waiting cars. The rushed, the crabby, the blocked and indignant squint and peer through foggy spectacles, sniff and complain, studying the great banks of snow, clearly impediments to a great and speedy spending shopping experience.
After all, northern snow banks, formidable obstacles indeed, are better left unchallenged wearing dainty boots or shoes. Some people smile with much dignity,shrug, and waste little valuable time complaining. Seniors trundle their walkers the long way around the same predictable, cold, and unforgiving obstructions they've defeated for decades; quickly, efficiently, without complaint, but rather with wonderful smiles, purpose and good cheer.
Long-legged younger types wearing snow suits, toques, mittens and Canadian snow boots (the warm felt-lined kind with grips) are brave enough to take the direct route, up and over, straddle the snowbanks and risk being hung up on the peaks. Giggling. Laughing all the way. Jingle Bell Rock fills the air. Get out the snowboard. Where's the toboggan? Why not? After all, we're northerners. Canadian too.
Merry Christmas, one and all!
Is that Incoming I hear?
Morgidoo's Christmas Carol Available in Print and eBook
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hey, snow up to the cat’s elbows, and way past his ears too..this was the white Christmas so wished for; kids and dogs, cooks and grandpas, snow plow overtimers, picture takers and vacationers, the quiet streets, the clean crisp air..ah, t’ is that season..the oven is busy, the mittens at ready..boots by the door..i wish you a wonderful week and restful winter.
PS: Morgidoo should be an audio CD…the cover is so rich..
Hi Nadine, yes, snow up over the knees too, snowbanks, cooks and grandpas are doing just fine, the temperature is -25C but so what, it’s the season! Yes, an audio CD may be part of the mix for Morgidoo’s Christmas Carol at some point, the cover turned out beautifully didn’t it? “:) We have Robin Tidwell at Rocking Horse Publishing to thank for the cover “:) Merry Christmas, Nadine, keep on writing! “:)
My it’s cold your way,,, brrrr! I’m cold just thinking about it. We are a warm 10 degrees here. You’re right that time seems to go even faster than usual around now — must be a Santa kind of thing! Happy Xmas to you and family, Ray!
Hi Christyb, yes! It’s been very cold, not surprising, we get a couple of really cold weather every year, but maybe time will speed up, create friction, and before we know it, we may be *as warm as you are in BC “:) *hopefully
Happy Christmas to you and your folks, too, Christyb !!