Winter this 2016/17 season, is taking its time settling into a routine. Not that winter is ever predictable since storms can arise with amazing speed and regularity just when we delude ourselves that nature has turned her multiple faces toward 'moderate'. Nothing, ever, can be taken for granted when nature is involved.

Yesterday we ran the gamut yet again from freezing rain, to rain, to snow. There was no intermittent pause in this weather circus, enabling us to get out into the ravine for our usual walk. Throughout the day, rain was persistent and at times copious. Rain, at freezing temperatures and wind is anything but pleasant. And while we would have been curious enough about the manner in which the landscape would present itself, we knew our two little dogs would find it tough going; their hair, despite waterproof garments, soon becoming drenched.

So we abstained. There was more than enough to do between us all. And last night we decided to view another film, this one downright Shakespearean in its psychological exploration of human attributes and deficits, emotions both laudable and psychosocial. The film, "There Will Be Blood" certainly fuelled ample discussion between the three of us, afterward.

Even Jackie and Jillie become involved, upset over some scenes of physical violence that they found to be uncivilized in brutality, barking their little fool heads off.

The day before, after a deep, light snowfall leaving us with a day's-worth of covering, our son had gone skiing in the ravine, and when we went ourselves into the forest for our quotidian taste of winter to trek the trails, we came across far more people than normally frequent the ravine. A New Year's holiday from the tedium of the working schedule will impress upon people that there are healthy and enjoyable alternatives.

This morning we were greeted with another snowfall. Of a certainty, this winter season will turn out to be a record-breaking one, judging by the amount of snow that has fallen thus far, and certain to continue doing so. It was clear that plentiful snow had fallen overnight, as well. The walkways that had been shovelled out yesterday were once again even deeper in snow. Convincing our son to get right out there with his skis to take full advantage of the new, plush covering on the forest floor and its many hills and valleys.