Rain, Wind & Snow

November has a reputation for much rain and record amounts did fall, whipped up with plenty of wind, stormy days and nights and finally a week of snow. Exciting month.

The snow started to fall on the island last weekend and Victoria got thirty centimetres Sunday.

A Snow Day was called for Monday, kids got to play in the snow as it was hazardous to try to drive anywheres. Libraries, universities, colleges and other public buildings were closed.

Walking around in falling snow is beautiful. The city and our town look kinder and gentler in the white blanket. But this heavy amount of snow wreaked havoc on trees and hydro lines.

We got to chat with our neighbours as we took to the streets to clean up, shovel and assess damage. Hydro workers, municipal employees and tree-scalers worked on fallen branches, trees and wires.

Transportation was frightening for a few days of snow, ice and black ice. The evening news was pretty and sometimes not so pretty.

The homeless had a tough time of it but more beds were offered indoors.

Tim, Tony and I had fun in snowy walks and Cal enJOYed some snow though he isnt really ready for big adventures in it due to his knee still recovering from surgery. Hot chocolate breaks never tasted so good. We were at Beacon Hill Park when the slopes were empty, Tim had some fun flying carpet rides. In Victoria, inventive sleds are the norm as we see snow seldom ... pieces of cardboard, innertubes, newspaper boxes and misscellenaeous plastic sheets are gathered for sledding. Sometimes folks bring real toboggans as well.

Baby Alexander saw his first snow. He is growing and smiling up a storm. He is experimenting with words and reaching out to us and his toys. He is ready to crawl and is rolling all over the place. Such a lovely little boy.

Christmas will be amazing with Alex, Tim, Pat, us and my sister Margy, cant wait. Maybe the weather gods will bless us with more snow for my Arizona sister.

November was a great month for music. Tim and I saw Raising The Fawn and Tony and I saw Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. Earlier, we saw Justin Rutledge and Jim Cuddy Band and The Mahones all in one night, two venues. I really liked the Bruce Cockburn concert.

December first already, where did this year go?

Hope everyone's December and New Year is best ever.

Love, Allie XO