The Thaw

Winter is great when it's wintery, and spring is lovely once sprung, but in their interstices lurks that least pleasant of all seasons for which we don't really have a name - we rather are more likely to know it by its many indexical signs: a damp chill in the bones, sunny weather fooling you into thinking you can go for a long walk without mittens (how many times have you fallen prey to that old trick?), mud slurching up out of the grass, still brown and pathetic after being so mercilessly exposed by its melting winter blanket.

I think perhaps part of the problem i have dealing with the shoulder season is its very lack of official designation, for we all know that one of the first steps to overcoming our challenges is resolutely naming them! Luckily, some versions have it that the ancient Latvians were ahead of the game, sometimes describing the calendar year according to five seasons instead of four (oh so clever and perceptive). So your faithful blogger dedicates this post to The Thaw, and all of the fun you can nonetheless have while waiting for white to become green again.

Burlington Beach and the lift bridge:

Hippie chick:

Muddy hiking at our local Albion Falls:

Impromptu Friday night "Un-birthday Party" at Sabina's:

Mudzuks and one of her favourite small people, Nico!

Dancing queens:
Mudzuks snaps a quick one of Papuks bringing up the adult bevvies:

Blowing out the candles on the "un-birthday cake!"

Hiking at the Brick Works the next day:

Three little chickadees? A quick climbing stop at MEC:
And a sunny warm car ride home!

Maple syruping, the old-fashioned way:


"Face painting" on a Friday morning with Kelly!



And a Friday afternoon harbourwalk in our own extended backyard:
Yet, despite all the frollicks and fiddle-de-dees, Mudzuks is still picturing herself in warmer climes... (complete with a canned tan, from the looks of her complexion!)