I was trawling through Facebook late last evening, and noticed I had a long list of faces that are currently not "Friends," but who are connected to me through as few as four common Friends, and as many as fifteen common Friends. It started me reflecting on the whole 'six degrees of separation' business. All these people who have relationships with many people that I know, but have no relationship with me! Looked at from one perspective, that could add to my sense of aloneness in the world. Fro another angle, I am reminded that my little world, though it sometimes feels empty, is really crowded with folk just over the horizon!
The current weather encourages this kind of pondering. For virtually the first time this winter, we have what may develop into a full-blown blizzard! There is wind (40-50kph), there is flying snow (light currently), and the temperature is pushing down toward -10°C. My favorite kind of Manitoba day, here in Alberta!!!! The streets are quite empty. Only one foolish soul at the end of the block is industriously shoveling for all he is worth. (Of course, he'll have to do it again in two hours). Myself, on the other hand, is doing no such thing. I am hoping that by tomorrow morning, I'll have the fun of firing up the snow-thrower and blast everything white off my driveway and sidewalk with a minimum of effort. Of course, in my usual compulsive way, I was up and on the street walking 3 1/2 Km in the dark! I even persuaded Beatrix to come along.
Snowstorms are beautiful, unless you happen to be in a potentially lethal situation, as; in a car, stuck in the snow, dressed for a party rather than a tramp in the country. In many ways, they take me back to my younger days - childhood, really - when mountains of snow meant great play structures, and proper gear kept you warm, Of course, by the time you had wrestled in the snow for an hour, everything was pretty wet. But I like things that take me back. I walked in the burgeoning storm this morning, and I'm quite sure I'll plow through the deep snow to walk tomorrow morning. Doing that, I can recall the faces of my childhood friends, the kids I played with in the snow. Looking out the window just now, I so no neighbourhood children outside in the weather. Times change, and I suppose we do as well. At least as far as what is appropriate play weather for kids. There is a part of me that wants to ring a neighbour's doorbell and ask if the kids can come out to play. But that would be too crazy, don't you think…?
The current weather encourages this kind of pondering. For virtually the first time this winter, we have what may develop into a full-blown blizzard! There is wind (40-50kph), there is flying snow (light currently), and the temperature is pushing down toward -10°C. My favorite kind of Manitoba day, here in Alberta!!!! The streets are quite empty. Only one foolish soul at the end of the block is industriously shoveling for all he is worth. (Of course, he'll have to do it again in two hours). Myself, on the other hand, is doing no such thing. I am hoping that by tomorrow morning, I'll have the fun of firing up the snow-thrower and blast everything white off my driveway and sidewalk with a minimum of effort. Of course, in my usual compulsive way, I was up and on the street walking 3 1/2 Km in the dark! I even persuaded Beatrix to come along.
Snowstorms are beautiful, unless you happen to be in a potentially lethal situation, as; in a car, stuck in the snow, dressed for a party rather than a tramp in the country. In many ways, they take me back to my younger days - childhood, really - when mountains of snow meant great play structures, and proper gear kept you warm, Of course, by the time you had wrestled in the snow for an hour, everything was pretty wet. But I like things that take me back. I walked in the burgeoning storm this morning, and I'm quite sure I'll plow through the deep snow to walk tomorrow morning. Doing that, I can recall the faces of my childhood friends, the kids I played with in the snow. Looking out the window just now, I so no neighbourhood children outside in the weather. Times change, and I suppose we do as well. At least as far as what is appropriate play weather for kids. There is a part of me that wants to ring a neighbour's doorbell and ask if the kids can come out to play. But that would be too crazy, don't you think…?
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