This fall has been beautiful in Southern Quebec. We still haven’t had a really hard frost, which is unusual for the end of October. Of course the delight of warmish days is offset by the knowledge that it is probably Climate Change that is causing it. Even if you don’t believe that humans are totally responsible, it is undeniable that our climate is changing. Short-sighted people might reason that’s a good thing, especially if it brings us Northern inhabitants a bit of warmer weather, but looking beyond our own backyards, signs of the gravity of the problem shouldn’t be ignored. Extreme storm after extreme storm, rising temperatures and sea levels, unbearably hot temperatures, not good news. But that was not what I wanted to talk about! This week we finally winterized our RV. Winterizing implies emptying all the water tanks and flushing out the plumbing to make sure it doesn’t get damaged by freezing weather, as well as clearing the “house” of anything that small rodents would find interesting, either to eat or to nest in. It also means raising it on blocks and putting its winter cover on. It is always a bit of a sad time, because it means that camping season is officially over, and that winter is, inevitably, just around the corner. Some people like winter. I don’t. Perhaps as a child I did, but I don’t remember ever being excited that winter was finally here! I like water, but in its liquid state only. And although the cold didn't use to bother me much, as I have gotten older, I find I like the cold less and less. And don’t get me started about winter driving!! For the last 12 years or so, excluding last year of course, we have been lucky enough to spend a good chunk of the winter in warmer climates. What started as a week's holiday in South Carolina over Christmas gradually turned into 3 months in Florida. It was never a life goal, it just sort of happened. But this year will be the last. The small condo we bought 10 years ago will be going up for sale, once we can get to it! The US government has announced that they will be letting fully vaccinated people into the country starting next month, so we will be driving down one last time to get the place ready to put on the market. I will miss the warmth and all the activities we were into, especially dancing, and of course the many friends we made in our community. I will miss the wonderful people in the art group I had joined there. I will miss the many thrift stores and art supply shopping! I will miss slipping into sandals and not worrying about layers before going out the door! But I won’t miss the long drive down and the longer drive home, or the checklists of things to do before we leave each place, “winterizing” each in its own way! Maybe when travel is “a thing” again, we will return “south”, or maybe even spend part of the winter in Europe! Who knows? But for now, plans are to make the best of winter and stay warm at home! What about you? Do you like winter? If so, what are your tips for enjoying it?
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AuthorMy name is Claire Bureau. Archives
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