"Hot Chocolate Anyone?"

It's a Snow Shovellin' Day

After I finish my fun and fitness walk and snow shovellin' for the day - likely after supper the way the snow's comin' down - I'm going to put my feet up on the table out back and enjoy a big cup of cocoa.

"There's a bird feeder out back too and I think it needs fillin'"

Link to Carry On Gang 11, "Snow at Last"

Photos and Cocoa by GH

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The Big Dump

I had (relatively speaking, of course. This ain't the Arctic) some heavy shovelling to do before finding my way to the workshop today. Hats off to Pat for shovelling out to the road.

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Photo GH

Photo Files - Snow Day

Parking Spaces

Old photo reminds me of the time - not too long ago - when we used to get snow during winter months.

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Photo GH

Zoom w a View: Late Fall

Clear Signs

I looked out my front door today, soon thereafter my back. I saw clear signs.

It is definitely late fall in Canada.

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Photos GH

'Morse Code' strikes me funny

Some people see a light layer of snow. I see messages in Morse Code.

["Spring has sprung but moves slowly"]

["Keep mittens, toques, warm coats near front door"]

["And keep your winter boots and snow shovel handy"]

Keeping your shovel handy?

Link to more Morse Code strikes me funny

Photos by GH

Zoom w a View: "cool haircut"

It was too cold to dig a hole yesterday (for a sturdy bird feeder pole) and I could only snap pictures using bare hands for about 30 seconds.

But I knew what I was looking for during that short period of time: Photos of birdhouses covered in snow.

I predict the snow will stay in place for another week, during which time the house with the cool haircut will undergo a bit of a trim.

Photos by GH

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It Strikes Me Funny: "there's no code like snow code"

["Here's the latest in instant messaging"]

Twitter, step aside.

Texting on cellphone, so yesterday.

Canada is home to the latest in communication services.

["Apples last longer in the crisper"]

["In a pickle? Call 9-1-1"]

["The other shoe is on the other foot"]

["More snow in tonight's forecast. Keep your shovel handy"]

Messages left in the snow. Cheaper than email!

Photos by GH

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Winter 2013: I'm ready

Officially, according to experts, the winter season begins December 21, part way through the evening news. Personally, winter begins with the first good snowfall, but only if it hangs around a few days and encourages me to wear my red long johns. While pulling them on I'll say, "This could be winter."

That being said, though I'm wearing long johns this morning, the jury is still out.

["I am ready this year. Deck chairs are stacked"]

["Gotta say, the 'hood looks good in white"]

["Snowy caps on the fence posts. Could be winter"]

Are you feeling winter in your bones? I think it's too early and this is a 'here today and gone tomorrow' situation.

Photos by GH

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Please click here to view memo: the weather turns 

like a cold shiver

something like a cold shiver

went up my spine when

I saw early morning, snow-covered trees.

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photos

with and without flash

by gah 

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Fenelon Falls: "The snow falls quietly..."

When I stood on an upper outdoor balcony at my son's house and looked up river toward Fenelon's lock system, about a mile away, I heard not one sound.

I felt the steady snowfall. Hundreds of cold wet flakes melted on my unprotected neck, face and hands.


I listened intently for any sound. None came, except for muffled noises from inside the house.

Is it snowing quietly in my hometown, London?

Photo by GH

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That reminds me. I should call my wife to say "all is well."

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Zoom w a View: “Drip drop, Myrtle”

A bit of snow shovelling warmed me up this morning but the sun’s affects were also felt, seen and heard.

Besides causing me to take off my toque (toboggan, wool cap, etc. This is Canada, eh!), the sun was causing the snow in the rain gutters to melt, then drip upon a small pile of lumber.


Drip, drip, drop, drop.


Three tiny purple flowers, in a warm spot beside the house, were also sprouting.

“Myrtle, aren’t you a bit early this year?”


[Photos by GH]

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Zoom w a View: PT 2 “Snowy day close ups”

Fronts steps. Slippery today. Keep your eyes open.


[Photos by G. Harrison]

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Zoom w a View: PT 1 “Snowy day close ups”

I shovelled, I swept, I clicked.


[Photos by G. Harrison]


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Soft Blankets, Tall Walls

Last night, between 2 and 4 a.m., something fell outside our house. I didn’t hear a sound.

Did you?


In a few minutes I will head outside to join my neighbours at work, snow shovel in hand. When I get to the 3-foot wall of snow at the head of the driveway, that’s when you’ll hear something.

[Photos by G.Harrison, Jan.3, 2012]

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Christmas without snow? WTHeck?

I want snow. Two feet of the white stuff or more.

The idea of a Christmas season without snow looms... and already I feel blue.

Even a neighbour’s Grinch is feeling depressed about the notion.


[Photo by GH, one who feels the same]

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Zoom w a View: Does the weather suck big time?

Now that the first snow of the year has landed in my backyard, I need to do two jobs, instead of one, first thing in the morning.

I’ll need to first whisk off the birdhouse before adding seeds to the porch roof. (Note to self - buy a whisk, buy more mixed seed).


And because of the deep puddles in the backyard due to this week’s unseasonal rainfall, I should also buy a high pair of rubber boots to keep from getting soakers - as I did yesterday. (Both feet!)


Who once said, if you don’t like Ontario’s weather, wait five minutes?


I think whoever-it-was got it right.

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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I ask again: Last snowfall of the season?

I think last week’s snowfall will be the last until next winter.


And yesterday’s will be the last.




["Snowy photos" by GH]

Of course, I have been wrong before. Like, just last week!

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Please click here for a snowy 'Zoom w a View.'

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Zoom w a View: Last snowfall of the season?

I think last week’s surprise snowfall will be the last of the season.




["Can you handle one more surprise?": photos GH]

Of course, I’ve been wrong many times before. (842 times).


And if there’s anyone with surprises up her sleeve, it’s Mother Nature. (If that’s even her real name!)

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Zoom w a View: Through a morning window

What day was it recently that began with 15 to 20 cms of heavy, wet snow?

Whichever day, I was enthralled with the resultant white scenes outside my backroom windows.




["White scenes outside my backroom windows": photos GH]

Though today is very bright and the skies are a perfect blue, I’m thrilled more by good packing snow.




Wet snow is great for making snowballs and scaring squirrels away from my feeders, and keeping cats from ambushing a distracted bird.

With enough practice, my overhand right might improve and earn me a look-see with the London Majors.

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Zoom w a View: Inside, daffodils blossom

Outside, the wind drives wet snow into every crevice, atop every branch, onto fences and rooftops, sidewalks and roadways.






Inside, daffodils blossom.




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