You Just Never Know

I am constantly in awe of the world around me. Taking a walk with Maggie a few days ago, the day was beautiful. But so so brrrr. That’s a word, right? Brrr. Or is that just the ability to take the English language and alphabet knowledge and string some letters together. It does not matter because it was brrrring cold. LOL. Because as I was coming back from the circling I do in coming off the cliffs to go down to the shore and walk along it until I have to turn around as I cannot go any further, I am stopped short. I know there are times when you just never know what is around the corner. But not that. For before me I see three people coming out of the dune path from the parking area down near the beach, crossing the hard sand that has a skiff of snow on it, heading toward the shoreline with its dirt covered ice chunks holding court.

Now that might not seem strange. But two of them were in shorts. I on the other hand as well as one of the trio, a female it looked like, were clothed in boots, long coat, hat and mitts. Am I missing something? Apparently. The taller person, as it looked like a man, began to take off his shirt and boots, and went into the water. No. He went into the water and layed down with head above. The other one who was also in shorts did not go in. Really!!! I could hear a woman’s voice counting. I of course not wanting to bother them trekked towards the dune path still hearing her counting up to 20. I guess he must have got out then as I heard voices coming closer as I got to the parking area and noticed a solo vehicle there with its motor running. Sauna city. LOL.

A polar bear dip. There seems to be a few people I know that are turning towards this way of experiencing a way of being more healthier. Hmmmm. Freezing every part of my body by, let’s face it, a cold electrifying no heat jolt to every part of my body. I’ll stay in the baby pool at the swimming pool thank you very much. I am not sure of the scientific reasoning behind it so I should not speak about something I do not know much about. But all I can say is….shiver me timbers. Brrrr. It is cold outside.

I am grateful for the cold snap as the weather has been up and down on PEI this year. I am going to pay attention as 2023 saw a huge abundance of rain over the spring, summer and fall months. But as far as snow goes, the ground has been sparsely covered. And the temperatures have been above freezing, even in low two digit numbers over November and December. Now I am speaking out of turn because right now, the snow is coming down. Suppose to get a big snowfall today. Ergo classes cancelled across the island and kids are home today.

I find that interesting as I can count on one hand the amount of times in my 33 years in education that classes were cancelled. Here on the island they do not take any chances. I guess being a small island and much of the population outside of Charlottetown area, the student population is in rural settings, they are not going to do the ‘what ifs’. I get it. The wind and snow out in the rural areas is unpredictable. Unlike the island, classes were not cancelled only buses in my experience. Interesting philosophy.

Regardless, you just never know how things are going to turn out. Better to be safe than sorry. But we have had it great as far as weather goes lately. I probably spoke too soon as lovely big snowflakes with a wind are swirling as I write. Don’t you just love a good snow fall. Being tucked inside, cozy and warm, while Mother Nature does her due diligence. It is the human unknown factor that comes to the fore, where humans meet Mother Nature. It can be wondrous or disastrous, you just never know.

I guess that is where faith comes in. We have faith that all will work out.

I know that in my walk yesterday afternoon, the waves were crazy wild as I looked across the open water while I plodded along the old worn tractor path on top of the cliff. The white caps were high and waves crashed into the rocky shore, beating against the shiny ice laden rocks. The sun was bright too as it spread its rays all around, bringing a joy to my heart, even as the chilly blustery wind forced me to cover my mouth. I am not a fan of cold lungs. Thanks. But oh that sun made me want to run and leap. Everywhere I looked it felt cheery and brightened the barren fields, lit the long reeds into a warm golden hue, and gave the water a deep ocean blue while painting a purest of white on the whitecaps. Lovely.

Well I hope all will be good this day as the thick snow continues to fall. I hear they are calling for freezing rain later on. That is not a favourite kind of weather of mine. Although, if all are safe and at home the aftermath of the freezing rain can be quite beautiful as the sun comes out and glistens upon surrounding nature….it is a sight to be seen. Blessings.

Let us pray for those who are need of our prayers and to those who are travelling today to arrive safely. Amen