Fort Albany, Thursday March 22, 2012

 


Although the March Break is over and done with, I'd still like to invite you to reminince with me over some of the finer days my mom and I spent together...

It turns out that the weather experienced down south was not a concentrated fluke and even in Albany continued on it's upward spiral of intense heat. It's conclusion coming as late as yesterday when it finally hit the minuses over night. Most all of the snow has since melted, the ditches filled, and the foot of slush plowed off the roads twice over. Bel has been soaking it all in like the princess she is.

This of course did not slow us down a great deal as we slopped our way over the upper dyke (sp?) road for an hour or two of hiking through the slush one especially warm day. Bel was absolutely exhausted, though to be honest, time revealed Mom to be the only one not to have resulting sore muscles. Every step taken was half a slide back and had your heel sinking enough to give your calves a good stretch.

Another day we used the ever-shrinking available snow for about 15 minutes of cross country skiing on a small trail behind the school.

We were lucky enough to have a fun little meeting with some of the more excitable young kids as we put our skis away. By the time we got all of the kids out of the pitch-black gym, re-straightened the pile of snow shoes, and picked up the overturned garbage can, they'd already disappeared outside and back into the melting snow heaps...

Of course I must also admit that our Scrabble intake was intensified on especially warm days and on closer inspection, we also managed to complete the entire first season of Corner Gas. We took a few chances to take Bel down to our favourite walking spot at the edge of the river which I think Mom especially appreciated for its view of tall coniferous trees and brisk blowing winds. Always peacefully refreshing.

One day on our return from the Northern store, an especially adorable puppy (I'd nick-named him Charmin's by the time we got home) followed us all the way back to the neighbourhood, made friends with all the pack dogs, and even went out of his way to play with the kids across the road. They're notorious for being a little 'rough' with puppies shall we say. He not only survived it all, but seemed to love every minute of it.
Oh and this last picture's for you Mom. Your pussy willows are out in full bloom all around town and looking beautiful, almost as if to let us know spring's coming a couple months early this year.