Through a Jungian Lens

Time out during a street hockey game in Saskatchewan

Well, as usual, Christmas at our home means that we will have at least one game of street hockey if the weather allows.  This year, we got in three such games as the grandkids and kids are tough when it comes to weather.  I can’t say that we are the norm for modern Canadians living in rural areas, but I would like to think that maybe we are not that different, that others take time to go outside for “fresh air activity”.  Of course, we do live in a modern world and our children and grandchildren are into technology.  When not outside or playing games inside, we had four laptops going at a time with a Nintendo DS occupying the remaining grandchild.

Holidays are almost over as our last child takes her family home tomorrow.  Then, life returns to normal and the quiet that goes with it for retired people.

Summer bikes are parked now that the countryside is covered in snow and trees are covered in hoarfrost.

Saskatchewan is in the grips of another Arctic front with today’s daytime high unable to break into the -20C range.  One would almost think that there is the slightest of snow flakes falling.  However, the snowflakes are really just ice crystals.

Though the cold reigns, it doesn’t seem to slow much down.  Christmas travel plans are on as it is much preferable to travel during times of bitter cold than it is to travel during a blizzard or during a warm spell which features freezing rain. 

For the next few days, posting will be on hold as it is time to enjoy play time with grandchildren who are coming to spend time with their favourite grandparents. 

Merry Christmas!  Joyeux Noël!

Late winter afternoon in Saskatchewan. If you are thinking you are lost, just follow the signs.

A walk into the countryside finds that the weather has warmed up with the arrival of more snow.  The gentle snow fall and only a slight breeze makes -25C feel like a very pleasant temperature for a walk.  Only in Saskatchewan.

On the northwestern edge of our town, there is only one way to turn, back into town following the rail line.  It’s an old town with very little that is modern.  It’s a town of retired farmers for the most part, content with closeness to the open spaces and close to the soil.

Cactus in bloom in December

Though it is still as cold as cold can be, sunshine pours throught the window into our house here in Saskatchewan.  This morning, somehow defying all odds, one of our cactus plants decided it was time to bloom.  It definitely is a case of one biological clock gone wrong.

Because we travel so much, we have replaced most of our live plants with expensive fake plants.  Only the cactus and succulent plants have survived the purge, and only because they require less care.

In a way, cactus plants are my favourite.  Maybe because they are so much like me.  Though prickly on the outside, the heart is moist and nourishing.  Used to tough times and deprivation, they still know how to blossom given just a little bit of warmth and attention.