It's been a busy day so far in terms of energy expenditure. Another snowstorm hard on the heels of the last one that dumped in excess of 20 cm a few days back. This one began last night, continued on into the day and is slated to wear itself out by this evening. In the meanwhile, it looks as though it will exceed the previous snowfall, since we've already received the predicted amount for the entire snowfall.

After breakfast my husband went out to clear the snow from the top of the steel canopy on the deck. It was a very Canadian type of folly to erect it there to begin with. But he was tired of replacing those canvas canopy tops every three or four years and thought that this then-new product with its aura of permanence would be a good choice. And so we've been living with the winter consequences for the past four years. The manufacturer, to cover itself from any complaints or lawsuits had printed a discreet little message on the box the thing came in to the effect that should more than six inches of snow accumulate on the top, it should be removed to prevent collapse.

So, any time there's a build-up that's what has to be done, and it's a right royal pain, all the more so since it sits atop the deck which is itself about six feet off the ground and since it fits so snugly on the deck floor there's no room for manoeuvring on two sides. The problem was finally solved with a telescoping shovel that can be used to rake the snow off the metal 'roof' from ground level. But of course it's work and hard on the arms. It's not the kind of thing I can do, but I did my share of shoveling the walkways at the side of the house, the front and the back, over my husband's objections.

And then we huddled in consultation with one another; should we make an effort to go out to the ravine with Jackie and Jillie despite the new buildup of snow on the trails that was still continuing? We decided we would do just that, figuring we'd go as far as we could and when the going got too tough we'd just cut our circuit short. The snow was deep and not many had been out before us to break trail, despite which, wearing their little boots our puppies enthusiastically trooped their way through with no trouble, and soon began to resemble little snowdogs.

As for us, straining uphill was a challenge; the snow in its thick presence on the uphill clamber giving us the opportunity to experience that famous dance; two steps forward, one step back, as we slid and alternately found purchase on this new, challenging, changeable surface. We did come across three young people on separate occasions, one on snowshoes, the other two walking their own companion dogs and doing as we were, drinking in the delicious atmosphere and the delightful landscape before us.

The snow came down thick and heavy, rendering an opaque quality to the atmosphere, with the dancing, shimmering snow emphasizing the exquisite beauty surrounding us. Jackie and Jillie ran back and forth, picking up the new snow on their hairy little legs, and acquiring an exterior coating of bright white fluff over their head ruffs and waterproof winter jackets. Physical challenge aside where their little legs were almost obscured in the snow at times, nothing slowed them down.

When we finally did return home after our tramp through the forest ridge with its ascents and descents it took some time for us to brush the snow off our little charges, and warm-water-wash the icy balls hanging from their outgrown hair, then dry them. It's a ritual they've long become accustomed to, just as they persevere when their boots are being pulled over their little feet to protect them from the icy cold on the forest floor. We tell them their patience is commendable; in response they shrug modestly.