Letters from the Snowshoeing Bookworm: Part 3

Dear Reader: What a beautiful day! The warmth of the sun grows stronger now, and it feels so good on my face. I am outside without a coat for the first time this spring, and I can get away with it a little while longer since the late afternoon rays have been heating up the deck nicely. The snow has melted here leaving the wood dry and warm, even in my sock feet. Below me, on the ground, is a different story. The big drifts piled there by the wind take weeks of mild weather to shrink, and though the ice has broken up, I can still see floes all the way to the horizon line. Winter hasn't quite left us yet.

Letters from the Snowshoeing Bookworm

Dear Reader: I've just gone outside to fill the bird feeder, and now I'm enjoying watching the ensuing air traffic composed mostly of chickadees flitting between the trees and my deck. There's a lovely light snow falling to complete the tranquil scene. Must be time to put the kettle on and see if that red squirrel who has joined the birds won't mind having his picture taken. I put some seed for him on the rail where it's easier to get. I think he deserves a celebratory dinner. He's very lucky to be alive, and although he's missing half of his bushy tail, he has managed to escape from something very intent on eating the rest of him as well.

Letters from the Snowshoeing Bookworm: Part 2

Dear Reader: I am terribly sorry to report that this month of January has so far been a complete snowshoeing failure. I have no interesting trails and ice-crunching adventures to share with you, yet. In fact, looking out my window there simply is no ice and no snow, either. Our Canadian winter is normally much more cooperative than this, but, instead, the radio keeps informing me that we have broken yet another record high temperature for the season. So if you are coming to Canada for winter sports, I recommend heading to the west or Midwest, where apparently they are hogging all the snow.

Letters from the Snowshoeing Bookworm

Dear Fellow Snowshoers: First of all, I must confess to you that I am but a beginner in the snowshoe sport. Neither will I be described as an athlete at any time in the near future. I have very few miles under my belt, and despite living in Canada alongside Lake Huron for many years, I have only just discovered the joys of walking over the snow banks.