The illusive winter followed me to east Texas

(Wednesday Feb 12th, 2014)

  So I am beginning to realise that if my goal is to become more Canadian, I might as well stay here in Texas.  At the moment, Texas is competing to be it's own Canadian city.

  Coldness.  Ice.  Dare I say snow?  Giddy to see the white stuff, I venture outside to experience the cold that evaded my winter thus far.  (I experienced one snow day in Victoria this year.  Only about 1/2 inch actually stuck to the ground.)  Well Texas is making a good effort to compete. 

  




  A dusting of snow has settled on the forest floor.  It meanders over the curvature of pine cones.  Patches of crunchy frostiness cover the grass.  Persistent cycles of freeze - warm - drip - freeze - warm - drip have shaped unreal icicles.   They dangle from the eves-troughs like tinsel on a tree.  A few decorative pansies that bring vibrant colour to the landscape have frozen solid - pigmentation sealed in a shellac of ice.  

How has Texas trained me to become more Canadian?

• As long as the east Texas weather remains icy, I can acclimatize to a cold winter location (as opposed to sub-tropical Victoria).  As a Canadian, I am expected to have an impermeable skin that does not feel the cold.   I need to work on that...

• Grade school french classes have decomposed in my brain.  Here in the great state of Texas I have discovered 'duolingo' french lessons and I am embracing my bilingual heritage.

   

• I have a severe lack of winter sports skill.   I lack the talent of balance.  Skating, skiing, snowboarding all require the ability to stand on the white stuff for longer than 5 seconds.   As I grew up in Victoria where snow is mostly a myth, I did not have the luxury of a permanent frozen pond in my backyard.  My house was not situated on the side of a ski hill.  The snow and ice didn't come to Victoria to play with me, so I didn't bother seeking them out.   Thus the winter sport skills didn't develop.   If this Texas winter weather keeps up, we could see some ice accumulation.  The 'parking rinks' will provide a much needed location to cultivate balance and find my winter feet. 

Yes, I think by the time the month is up, I should be a true Canadian bilingual winter Olympian.   Perhaps I should take up 'skeleton'?  We have the perfect track right outside our door.  Let's just hope the cars keep away...