February,
although it’s a short month, can be difficult in the prairie provinces of
Canada. This year has been an exceptionally mild winter, but often January and
part of February can have bitterly cold weeks. Besides that, it’s often gloomy
and there aren’t many hours of daylight. Then, we can often expect a last
blizzard or big snow fall in March. So how do we cope?
Some people
head for a winter holiday – Mexico, Hawaii, etc.
Others find
wonderful places in the cities where they live (Saskatoon has the conservatory
at the Mendel Art Gallery – in the process of changing locations). Edmonton has
the wonderful Muttart Conservatory (the glass Pyramids). They have regular
displays that don’t change a great deal, and there’s always a special display –
this year it’s been ‘The Year of the Monkey.’ It’s wonderful to get inside and
feel the different air quality, look at the flowers and other lush plants,
enjoy the arid zone, browse the gift shop or eat in the restaurant.
And, of course,
one of the cheapest get-a-ways is through books. I’ve been reading fantasy –
The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer, and the Septimus Heath series (eg.
Magyk, Flyte, etc.).
Movies, and
video offer great escapes as well. I’m looking forward to watching the sequel
to ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ – ‘Sword of Destiny.’ The latter is my
get-a-way today when the temperature has dipped from above zero and melting, to
minus 15 degrees centigrade with the wind chill.
Enjoy your
breaks from winter, whatever they are!