It's colder than normal in Vancouver and a six-inch snowfall recently fell, a recurring scenario this year there. Even so, our younger son told us that he already had seen spring blossoms on a plum tree. He was out skiing as usual on Mount Seymour, but the opportunities to do so will be narrowing as the month progresses, unless those cold-weather snaps continue. Caused, evidently by the jet stream bringing in cold Arctic air that has been hanging around British Columbia, even though the Arctic itself has been experiencing unprecedented melts.

We've been see-sawing back and forth between  unusually mild weather stints and sudden onsets of freezing weather here, as well, and the heaved and cracked condition of the paved roads is ample testament to that continual freeze-thaw cycling. Yesterday we had another all-day snow event, but it was relatively mild, hovering around the freezing mark, albeit with a biting wind. Good occasion, though, to get out into the woods with Jackie and Jillie for a trail walk.

Snow garlanded the trees and the landscape looked swooningly lovely. Jackie and Jillie, delighted as usual to be out and about in the ravine were in their element. We came across a few other snow-trail-hikers with their dogs, enabling opportunities for a bit of a romp between them all. One little fellow in particular, just a year old, was rambunctiously energetic and he and our two raced about madly back and forth.

Their antics and their poses gave ground to reason for shared hilarity among their human companions, lightening anyone's mood in response to the entertainment they unfailingly provide. This little apricot miniature poodle was beside himself with happiness at the presence of new snow, burrowing into it, flailing about in it, lapping it up.