We're sometimes given to wondering whether there is anywhere else on Earth where the weather is as frustratingly changeable and near-to-impossible to predict as it is in the Ottawa Valley. Our chief weatherman several days back went to pains to convince area residents that a snowy Christmas would after all, eventuate. And he was forced today to retract that reassurance, updating the weather prediction to amend the forecast to rain, rain, rain.

We thought, given the forecast, if we didn't set out early enough in the morning, we would have to forego our usual daily romp through the forest trails with Jackie and Jillie. They were confused, and thought we were preparing to set out without them to go somewhere and leave them languishing at home. A bit of a panic set in, even when they saw us laying out their winter gear.

At that point in the day it was still cold enough to convince ourselves we wouldn't be likely to be caught out by the rain, a reasonable enough presumption. At -2C, if rain descended it would be freezing rain at the very least, perhaps even snow. Although the overcast was clamped on so tightly it seemed as though we were in a time warp, that it was night, not day, so that too engendered a bit of confusion for our puppies.

Set out we did, glad to see that the snow that had last fallen, all 2 cm of it when it should have been ten times more, was still around, somewhat brightening the landscape and lifting the pall of early-morning gloom. In fact, we were more than comfortable with the morning, and felt like taking a long, leisurely hike, planning to make the most of the opportunity since if the forecast was right, we likely wouldn't be able to get out tomorrow.

 We were surprised, though we shouldn't really have been, to encounter quite a few other people and their dogs on the trails. Everyone seemed cheerful, the good cheer of the incoming Christmas and New Year holidays resonated with smiles and greetings and well-wishing. As long as no one mentioned that when Christmas Day arrived, it would be to a dark, rainy day which will have banished what was left of our bright, beautiful snow coverage.

Little wonder we're so fixated on the weather. It's so volatile. And we've now been officially alerted by Environment Canada to expect this teeter-totter weather from warm to teeth-achingly cold, rain and snow, freezing rain and sleet, all of which we receive in a normal winter, with the weight or seasonal precipitation in favour of snow. This winter is already shaping up to be one for the books.

This year of 2020 is one that many people will be delighted to see the last of. To characterize it as unusual in every way is to minimize its impact on our lives. The pandemic has had such a universal outreach there is nowhere on this planet that it hasn't impacted; now we learn that even Antarctica has registered COVID cases, and South Africa has a new, mutated virus rapidly spreading and so efficient it is far more contagious than the original versions.

All the more reason to be grateful we haven't been personally touched by the virus, even as we quail with inner fear as the case numbers keep ratcheting up day by day. So day by day we live our lives, depend upon routine to keep us grounded, engage in some introspection to enumerate the ways in which our lives remain significant, precious and rewarding. And look forward to better days returning now that effective and safe vaccines are beginning their circulation.