Jack Returns

It was a beautiful sunny morning, warm enough to wear my spring jacket. The chatter of the squirrels and the new tone in the song of the birds were definite indications that Spring was on its way.

On heading out, I discovered that Jack Frost had once again been back at work etching his beautiful designs on the windows of the car. It almost felt wrong to destroy his handiwork, but the market called, so his artistry had to go.

As I drove across the city, the scene changed. From the bright sun and clear blue skies on Cobourg Street, as I headed onto Mornington a gentle fog hovered above the land. By the time I reached McArthy, a thick fog was blanketing the earth. One could not not see across the field, and the new construction of the adult residence suddenly loomed into view out of the mist as I approached.

By the time I left the market some 30 minutes later, the fog had lifted. The sun brightened the scene with a thousand diamonds that Jack had left behind. He had once again been showering us with the beauty of a Stratford March.


I am anxious for Spring, as no doubt we all are, but oh, I do love the beauty of the winter landscape. Thank you, Jack, for reminding us how blessed we are to live in Canada!

Winter's Return

Winter drifted back into town last night. The shivery -14C felt much lower with the blustery wind adding to the chill.







At times today one could barely see across the street, but the next moment the sun would be sparkling off the shimmering blanket of fresh snow.

This is winter in "the snow belt."

WINTERFEST

This past Saturday dawned bright and cheerful and a sense of expectation filled the air.


When we arrived, Lower Queens Park was bustling with Winterfest activities. Our firemen had created a huge rink in the field below the theatre.

Ice had been trucked in to produce a Luge run for tiny tots, and sculptors had had their fun creating various figures.







The Aerial Angels were performing their high flying acrobatics.





Watching the children playing and adults visiting as we wandered past the many activities made me once again delighted to live in this fair town.


Winter's cold cannot dampen our spirits. Stratford is a city whose citizens like to have fun!

PICTURE PERFECT

A late afternoon stroll in the brisk, cold air of the January deep freeze, brought us to a scene out of the past. Rinks of all sizes have popped up on the Avon.

Pickup games of hockey, children donning their skates for the first time, folks huddled in groups to talk, or helping to shovel.

This is community. This is Stratford!

"Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

The cold winds of late autumn descended upon Stratford yesterday. Braving the elements to stroll by the river, my eyesight collided with the vanishing dream of summer.




Yes, the ice has appeared, as if from nowhere, and birds that once could float upon the mirrored water now find their image on the hardened icy glass. Skiffs of snow ride like whitecaps upon the solid stream, while wild geese hang on to the pretense that they do not need to leave.


Our river bed has heard the call of Amiens from the tent up on the hill.
“Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;”
As You Like It (II, vii, 174-176)

Maybe not so unkind, yet enough to breed a discontent, as we look ahead to huddled walks mid blowing snows, and shivering toes.
“Now is the winter of our discontent . . .
And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.”
Richard The Third Act 1, scene 1, 1–4


Welcome, winter. What else can we say?
Living here in Stratford we know each season has its stay. And even if I do not like the cold, I will find its beauty here in months to come.