03/08/2008: "March Break - Spring Break - Do you see Spring anywhere?"
Do you see Spring anywhere?
I wanted to chronicle Today!
It's March 8th, 2008 and we are having yet another snow storm... this being one of the biggest of this year's Winter season.
We actually spring the time ahead one hour this weekend... and it's STILL snowing! No sign of Spring. I'm worried that we will roll from Winter... right into next Winter.
Actually we are getting two storms. The storm of last night dumped a good 10cm on us here, and, for the moment, it has stopped snowing.
I wanted to be outside before the onslaught of the next storm which is due to hit us in the next few hours and will continue on until late tonight.
It's amazingly mild at the moment and not once ounce of wind ????? It really is the calm before the storm.
I left little Peanut at home by the fireplace. The snow is too deep for her tiny legs.
I donned on my snowshoes, took the chowdren down to the waterfront and decided to do a walkabout before the next storm.
Full Image Size
You gotta love chow chows. Merlin just eats this weather up!! and asks for seconds and thirds. He LOVES LOVES LOVES the snow.
Even at his spry age, he's more than willing to take a playful tumble especially if it means rolling and rolling in fresh powder.
There's nothing finer, (according to him), and as far as Merlin is concerned, everyone is welcomed to join in.
Full Image Size
As you can see ABOVE, nothing beats a good roll in the snow. It's a MUST for any decent chow boy.
If it was up to Merlin, we'd have snow inside the house for him to roll in!
Another very interesting observation that I've made is that his big, fat chow toes help Merlin stay on top of the snow.
MeiMei with her slender witchy toes sinks much deeper in the snow than Merlin does and he outweighs her by a good 55 lbs. so to me, chows do have a natural abiltity to deal with snow.
Full Size Image
Currently it's 6:30 am. I love this time of day. There is NO ONE, except me, my chowdren, the crunch of the snow, and the sounds of Mother Nature.
No cars, no snow blowers, no ski doos, nothing... just the wonderful sounds of Mother Earth.
Full Size Image
Without a decent set of snow shoes, trekking just isn't possible through deep snow or newly fallen powder. I've come to enjoy snowshoeing. It is an excellent cardio workout that one can do at their own pace. I use these type of snow shoes - they are lightweight and absolutely fine for regular trekking through the woods and on undulated surfaces, and very closely emulate the original wood ones used by our fore fathers. To date I'm not complaining. They work fine. I use mukluks with a pair of warm wool socks, and travelling is great. Please include your ski poles!!!! It's a great way to help eliminate any fatigue, and it also works the upper body too.
As a matter of fact Merlin is smart enough to stay behind me, as I break a trail through the deep snow. MeiMei hasn't figured that one out yet, she's still too "ditzy".
Full Size Image
I am always very respectful of wildlife and don't encourage my dogs to go chasing any. Merlin of course is blind so won't , but MeiMei who is basically ALWAYS in chase mode, won't hesitate to run after any potential prey. I know this area very well now, and it's quite un-occupied by wildlife. Last year we had a resident beaver family so I always kept MeiMei on a leash so she would not disturb them. I hope when you walk your dogs in the woods you keep them leashed because they can harm or disturb wildlife.
Full Size Image
Sorry MeiMei, there are no antelope, rather caribou here for you to hunt today!
Full Size Image
It's no wonder to me that they filmed SPIDERWICK here in our back yard. Just look at these creepy, craggily oaks!
Full Size Image
Come on your guys!!! Stop playing around and keep up with me please!!!
Full Size Image
The weather is SO nice even Merlin wants to play, play,play. I must say, my arthritic bones are feeling pretty good themselves, so the humidity must have fallen because not one bone in my body aches today. I even noticed that Peanut was running around today. Boy is that ever a good feeling (no arthritic pain)
Full Size Image
PEI DOWN! PEI DOWN! PEI DOWN!!!
Serves you right MeiMei - pestering your big brother like that!
Full Size Image
We've been trekking for a good hour and a half, so it's time to head back home. I'm seeing signs of the next wave of snow, and the wind has picked up.
The waterfront is no place to be in a wind storm. I learned that the hard way once and almost became completely disorientated. At least we all got our morning exercise, everyone feels good, so it's time to head home.
This is March Break. Literally thousands, and thousands and thousands of people are travelling this weekend and in Eastern Canada, (Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, Halifax) ALL airports will have delays because of these two storms. Can you just imagine the chaos??? I'm glad all I have to do is stay home.
Full size image
We can back home to a squeaking little Peanut giving us an earfull for having left her at home. Miraculously the snow plow passed while we were trekking so the street was actually passable for Peanut. It's so nice right now, she was able to come out for a small walk without her boots, coat, hat and other winter garb. (after all she is from California). Since her arrival here, Peanut has put on enough body fat to ward off Winter chill, and she's sporting an ultra lovely pei coat if you ask me.
Peanut ended up staying out with me for a good 45 minutes! That's a big deal for her. She waddled all over the place schniffling and snortleing enjoying her time being free. I love working with blind dogs in the snow. I can create all kinds of obstacles for them so we can practice, and at least if they bump into something, well it's soft! If they slip... the landing is soft too. This morning we worked on "gee" and "haw", (turn left - turn right), for a while, and Peanut had fun... she almost anticipates now, so some times I have to really give her different commands to keep her sharp and interested.
Full Size Image
Oooops! Small little accident. Peanut bumped into the snow bank! It's just snow, and she's getting so used to it now, she doesn't shake it off right away.
We had a super morning. I'm heading in to bake a cake for my neighbour Norman was was nice enough to come over here with his snowblower to blow alot of the snow out of the back yard so the dogs would have somewhere to walk and play. Afterwards I'll probably hunker down with the chowdren for the next snow session and watch movies, or a good book, have warm soup and keep the fire going in the fireplace. I love days like today!!!! You have a good snow storm day too.
Full Size Image