Stranger things have happened. If I can recall, it was perhaps fifteen years ago when a similar weather pattern emerged at the same time of year. And it's looking increasingly certain that the Ottawa area will remain without snow for the Christmas holiday period. According to Environment Canada forecasts we're in for a milder December, and we've already experienced what happens when the atmosphere remains milder than usual, when copious rain that otherwise would have resulted in substantial snowfalls, occur. Needless to say, when the temperature hovers between subnormal and normal for the time of year, ice fog occurs, and so does freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions.

When we set out for our usual walk in the ravine yesterday, we were all of us wearing outerwear reflecting the need for suitable maximum coverage from a wet atmosphere. We set out in a steady drizzle, with dark skies overhead assuring us that much more was yet to come.

But when we had gained some distance in the ravine only partially through our usual circuit, the prevailing dimness lifted and before long we could see shadows and here and there sunlight settling on various patches of the forest floor. The transformation from gloom to brightness was swift and soon enough the entire forest was lit up. Everything around us in the forest was saturated; it would take more than a brief sunny interlude to make any difference in that direction, but the sodden forest was bathed in bright light, and so were we.

Quite beautiful how the woods presented, not that they weren't equally beautiful without the illumination when dimness gives the environment a mystical, brooding appearance, but now with everything revealed within the glory of bright highlighting, an almost audible sigh of exuberant relief could be imagined emanating from the drenched forest.

And then, when our circuit was completed and we made our way back up the first long hill that descends from the street into the ravine, the already dissipating brightness swiftly absented itself. Above the houses on the street dangled once again those dark threatening clouds, heralding even more rain.