Snow

Here on the Canadian prairie, boots are more than just a fashion item. Winter arrived all of a sudden early last week. With it came snow and temperatures as low as -30ºC (-22ºF).

The snow is pretty, especially when the sun is shining on it, but boots are absolutely essential! So, is six pairs of winter boots enough, or should I add another pair? That is the question!

Let’s take a look at my present collection.

Two pairs of tall boots by Taxi, identical except for colour. The first time I wore my previous pair of tall winter boots out into the snow in November of 2019, I discovered that they leaked. Wet feet at subzero temperatures is more than uncomfortable; it’s dangerous. I knew that I needed to replace them, but since I live 85 km (53 miles) from the closest shoe store, I decided to check one of our local second-hand stores on the off chance that they might have something in my size. That’s when I found the brown pair. They were like new and now, going into their fourth winter, they’re still in very good condition. They’re comfortable, stylish, and reasonably warm and perhaps best of all, the elastic panel at the back means that they fit my slim calves. Last winter, I decided to keep my eye out for something similar in black and eventually I lucked out again when I found the exact same pair in black, also second-hand! Score!

These three pairs of ankle boots, two also bought second-hand, are really just for show. They have smooth outer soles that don’t provide traction on ice and snow, the insoles aren’t cushioned for comfortable walking, and they don’t have warm linings. I love them, but they aren’t practical for spending much time outdoors in the depth of our winters.

Then there’s this rugged old pair. And I do mean old! I distinctly remember buying them while on a high school basketball trip with my youngest son when he was in grade 11 or 12. That was over 20 years ago! In fact, he now has a daughter in grade 8! Although I used to wear them a lot, I pretty much only use them for snowshoeing now.

So, with six pairs of winter boots, why would I be thinking about buying more? That’s easy! I don’t have a pair of warm ankle boots that are safe and comfortable to do much walking in. The old rugged ones used to serve that purpose and perhaps they’d still do if I added a pair of comfortable insoles, but I’m thinking that I might want something a little more attractive and in style. Vanity, I know! I’ve been thinking about something like these

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these

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or maybe these.

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According to the calendar, today is the first day of spring, but looking out the window I see a grey, gloomy Eeyore sort of day.

Yes, though it seemed for a little while that spring had come, this morning we woke up to snow again! The geese are back, the pussy willows are in bloom, Jami-Lee and her little friends found dozens of ladybugs at the playground in Calgary last week, and I’ve heard that the gophers have been out and about. I suspect that they’re huddling deep in their holes this morning though.

The best thing about snow in March is that it isn’t likely to stay very long and it will provide much needed moisture for the fields. Unlike the eastern part of the continent, we didn’t get as much snow as usual this winter.

I’m not a fan of winter and I’d love it if the first day of spring really was spring-like, but like Eeyore, I’ll try to look on the bright side. I’ve been receiving regular updates from a missionary couple living in Vanuatu, the remote cluster of tiny south Pacific islands that was blasted by Tropical Cyclone Pam late last week. It has been called the worst storm to ever hit the Pacific region and the devastation is beyond imagination. More than half of Vanuatu’s buildings have been badly damaged, many having their roofs blown off, and up to a third of the country’s 266,000 people have been left homeless. What’s a little spring snow compared to that? I dare not complain!