My husband got unaccountably stuck in the stacks yesterday. He'd set out on one of those routine trips in the neighbourhood to make a number of stops; the bank, a local hardware store, a supermarket and the public library. It was at the library that he discovered on this occasion he would be unable to complete the mission that sent him out to take care of a number of routine things, for he became a victim of sorts of a garrulous old man.

Men tend to think of women as being overly verbose and talkative, but something happens to many men as they age, and age, and age; they too become verbose and overly-talkative. My husband is open to discussions with strangers. He's a friendly man and when people show an inclination to speak with one another he's obliging enough. That's how this encounter started out when a very large, robust man approached him at the library while my husband prepared to carry out the function of his trip there. In the end, he came home empty-handed only to embark once again this morning to come back with several books and videos on loan.

The intent old man hulked over my husband in an intimidating manner, but that was just his manner, enough to make anyone uncomfortable in such a situation. He wanted to expound on his detestation of Canada's prime minister and nothing and no one would dare to interrupt as he foamed and frothed with indignation and deep dislike over this current Canadian leader's inept and disastrous effect on society, the economy and international relations.

He had a sympathetic ear in my husband initially, but the sympathy ebbed away as he felt obliged to listen to a tirade that simply became excessive and tiresome. My husband kept trying to diplomatically excuse himself, to no avail. It was as though magnetism drew this fellow to my husband to enable him to spout his venomous hatred for a man many Canadians hold in scant regard. In any event, by the time my husband returned home it was later than we had anticipated, so our afternoon walk in the ravine was consequently later than usual.

But off we set, after three in the afternoon knowing that dusk was waiting in the wings on the penultimate shortest day of the year and sure enough before we had exited from our circuit the aura of dusk had appeared. Before it did, though, we came across a number of ravine-hiking acquaintances and their dogs, and Jackie and Jillie had an uproariously joyous time of it, meeting up with their friends and indulging in a bit of a romp.

The day had been sunny and bright and fairly mild until early afternoon, so that by the time we eventually ventured out clouds had moved in to add to the dim lighting effect. But it was mild, at -3C and barely a whisper of wind, so striding about on the forest trails was quite comfortable. We're overdue for snow. The snow that had accumulated from mid-November forward was substantial but those early days of sub-zero temperatures have since succumbed to intermittent days of milder temperatures which first turned the snowpack to ice, then began to melt it.

Today? No ravine walk. Rain began in the early morning hours and has continued throughout the day. We can see the snow steadily receding, a gloomy prospect for people looking forward to the beauty of fresh snow mantling the ground for Christmas.