Once again the miracle has taken place. This past Easter, when I was visiting my daughter in the City of Timmins about 600 km north of Ottawa, there was more than a metre of snow on the ground. In Ottawa there was nearly as much. It was almost impossible to believe that there could be life under that covering of snow, with plants asleep for the winter waiting for the coming of spring, and with insects lying dormant waiting for warmer days to spring back to life. But, as the days grew longer and warmer, and the snow and ice slowly melted, the miracle took place. The early, hardy, spring plants started to grow, some even growing through a few cm of snow to get an early start. Soon the gardens were full of bloom. We look forward to this so much. Tulips, crocuses, celia, and hyacinths cover the ground. These early plants can withstand days of cold, freezing temperatures, I do not know how they can do it. Now the early plants have finished blooming, the fruit trees have finished their beautiful blossoming, and the later flowers are coming into bloom.
Our summers are short, as compared to more southern areas. But we make up for it with longer days, the farther north one goes the longer the days are. My daughter in Timmins has much longer days than I have here in Ottawa, and farther north during the longest days the sun never sets. As a result, the plants receive more sunshine during the day, which speeds their growth, and people can have gardens and grow their own vegetables much farther north then would be expected. Soon our markets will be frull of local grown produce, and we welcome it so much after going through the winter with fruits and vegetables imported from more southerly climates. Tomatoes and asparagus and other items from Mexico are very welcome during our dark days of winter, but it is so nice to have our own.
Canada is a land of berries. Soon the strawberries will be in season, followed by raspberries, and then blueberries, which is our big crop, then blackberries and huckleberries and so on. Many farms have "pick your own" for both berries and other crops, and it is a great event for many city folk to get up early in the morning and go out picking before the sun gets too hot. I do not believe the items are any cheaper than in the stores when you pick your own, except for what you eat while picking, but it is the fun of getting out in the country with your friends. Then home, and having fresh strawberries for dessert, or making jam for our winter days. I have spent many hours picking berries, and then hulling them for eating. "Strawberry socials" are also a big event at the height of the strawberry season; they are often put on by churches and are great fun. Strawberries with cream or served in other ways. I am getting hungry just by writing about them.
I mentioned earlier how the insects are dormant during the winter, and the warm sun of spring brings them to life once again. However, it also brings the more unpleasant insects to life. The black fly season is now over; it is a short season but rather unpleasant. Then the mosquitoes come, and pretty well go on all summer, and then the deer snd horse flies. Horse flies seem particularly fond of me, and they are not satisfied with just one bite, I am afraid. With the hotter days of summer they become scarcer. But one wears long sleeved shirts and putrs on lots of "fly dope"when walking in the woods.
Some birds stay with us all winter, such as the chicadees. But most go south to warmer areas, and it is so welcome to see them returning in the spring, and building their nests. We particularly are pleased to see the Canada geese come back, as soon as the ice is off the rivers and lakes and they can feed and nest. In May, flock after flock passes overhead in their long V patterns, with continual honking. At times I have driven out into the country just to see them going north.
Summer also brings another group. In winter many Canadians go south for a time to warmer climates. In summer, this is reversed, and we welcome many southerners who come north to get away from the heat to our cooler climate and to our lakes, rivers, and our northern woods. So, the end of winter and the coming of spring brings about a lot of events.
Archie STALKER. Ottawa, Canada. June 14; 2006
astalker@cyberus.ca
Repor from Canada
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