My apologies for the drought in blog posts. I've been doing math.
Autumn in Nanaimo is a transition from the constant stream of sunshine to the perpetual parade of precipitation. Each day is different, and as a result it is fresh. Our landscape undergoes a metamorphosis, from green to fiery to subdued. Our evenings progressively get colder. Our sunshine supply is decreased, so its value increases to the point where we truly appreciate our lovely sunny days (thanks for the economy lesson, Alek). Our heating begins to get turned on in the morning, sporadically at first as we get into the routine. Our hot coffee drinks become more sophisticated. And at some point, we begin to entertain the idea of snow.
Did you hear? It's going to snow this weekend. Definitely.
Maybe.
My father is a man of catch-phrases. Every time the flakes start falling, he says, "Snow is for children to play in." As a child, that made perfect sense to me. Why else would snow exist? Its only practical application is for construction of fort walls, projectile ammunition, and friends with carrots for noses. 10-20cm meant hot chocolate, a happy mum and, if we were lucky, an extra five minutes at recess.
As an adult I am still pro-snow. I know that it makes commuting a God awful nightmare, but I still love it. Especially right now. We are in anticipation of the very first snowfall of the season as we transition into winter. That anticipation drives us to do things that we associate with winter, like bake cookies, brew some tea or coffee, and snuggle in to watch Elf. If this precipitation materializes, I highly recommend a late night walk, complete with a hot toddy in a travel mug and a midnight kiss. And hiking boots and reflective clothing of course; safety first.
Autumn is my favourite season in Nanaimo. Everyday is a little different from the last, and the anticipation of the beauty of winter keeps me tuned into my environment. I hope you enjoy the weather this weekend, snow or not.
And now for that hot toddy.