Unusual Weather

I went walking yesterday with my coat flung wide open, no hat, no gloves in balmy temperatures. While it felt nice, it did not feel right.



For my American friends: 15°C is about 59°F - shattering the previous record of 8.3°C for this date. Christmas? It felt more like a spring holiday. It is not just today's temperatures that feel different. Although we have had green Christmases before, there has always been snow before, even if it all melted again. We have not had more that a few flurries which never lasted more than a few hours.



The squirrels have been taking advantage of the weather to keep eating and put on a little more weight. One article I read suggested that we may have a plethora of squirrels in the spring due to fewer deaths over the winter with their extra stores of fat. This then will result in a bumper crop of babies.

Snow is coming but the forecast is for a mild winter.

Wishing all my friends a happy holiday. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it! Wishing all a happy, healthy time full of family, friends, fun, laughter and love.

Early in the Day

Early in the Day, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

We have had a spate of hot, humid weather with some violent thunder showers. I'm a cool weather person and tend to stay indoors when the temperate soars. For those who think in Fahrenheit, 33 is about 91F and with the humidity it felt like much more.



Later in the day a wall of rain came down, creating ponds in the road.



Manhole covers spouted water. One near us was pushed partway off the hole it was meant to cover. Fortunately it was quickly put back in place by the city workers.

This cycle of high heat and humidity was repeated (July 19), but with a less violent storm.

         

These pictures were taken just before the rain started. We now have great views into the distance. The lightning provided a dramatic light show. Finally the heat has broken and we expect several days of pleasant summer weather.

Sandals in March

Sandals in March, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Pasty white legs which have been covered all winter are visible in the May weather in March. The thermometer in my car registered



That's more than 20°C higher than normal (previous record high 16°C). It was cause for a stop at Bilboquet for a mini ice cream. I sat watching people pass by in summer dresses. It all feels surreal.

Climate Change

Climate Change, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photo: December 14, 2001

Still no real snow. And I'm angry. The Harper Government puts economy before everything. Short term solutions for long term disaster. They have backed out of the Kyoto Accord, try to say that the tar sands are not only ethical but environmentally OK. It is an embarrassement to be Canadian.

November was unseasonably warm. December has been unseasonably warm. And this is no longer an anomaly. We have had several of the warmest years in a century just in the last decade. The climate IS changing, whether Harper wants to acknowledge it or not. And we all have to do something to pull in the reins before massive flooding leads to economic hardships in many parts of the world, before climate change leads to drought in other parts of the world. There was a time that Canada led, not just followed. Canada could be an example to others. Instead - if the US isn't on board we won't be either.

Sure, I want people to have jobs. But we have to start thinking longer term than the next quarter of the year. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Let your MPs know you are not happy.

May 8/10: Trillium

May 8/10: Trillium, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The sun shines
On the rain-washed flowers
which carpet the forest floor
I look in every direction
And see their bright white faces
Dotting the ground
Trilliums

They call me to the woods
To honour their brief stay
I must linger a while
To smile back at them.

Apr 27/10: April Snow

Apr 27/10: April Snow, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It came
heavy wet snow
blanketing
weighing down the flowers
It coated the trees
with their newly opened leaves
Then trees
dropped the snow
on what was below
in plops of wet snowballs
Spring storm
a damp reminder
that weather too
has its mood swings

Day 258: Jacket Weather

Day 258: Jacket Weather, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The weather has changed subtly; going out the door now means stopping to put on a jacket. No more carefree barefeet in sandles on a summer evening. As the leaves change, so do the colours of our clothes. Dark business attire replaces the pastels of summer. Sleeves creep down arms, exposing less and warming more.

The young still parade in their warm weather togs, bare legs, bare arms. They are not yet ready to relinquish summer. On the same street walk sweatered adults, beyond caring about the impressions they make, intent just on their comfort. I donned my jacket before stepping out to go to a rehearsal, tied my closed up shoes and felt my step a little heavier as my autumn attire weighed me down a little - it's part of the loss of freedom Autumn brings.

Day 134: Changeable Skies

Day 134: Changeable Skies, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The wind blew all day, rapidly changing the weather. The morning sun was soon covered by clouds, first light then ever darker. Later the rain, driven by the wind, pelted down, sometimes almost sideways. By 5:00 these dark clouds hovered, threateningly, but the sun came through some thinning patches. I love the contrasts in light this created. Everything light-coloured was highlighted, everything dark seemed to grow darker still.

Spring storm.