Finally

[Nortoon_imp]

When I take my daily walk on the local nature trail there is a stand of tall pines with red bark that catch the sun. I stand looking up at the glowing bark and green needles against a background of bright blue sky and image that is summer.

I am thrilled to see a squirrel. A sign of life in a frigid white world.

I stop beside a short run of rapids on the Jock River and close my eyes. Hearing the rustle of water with my eyes closed makes it seem like early spring when the river frees itself from its icy prison.

Winter did not bother me when I was busy going to school, to work, playing hockey and broomball. But now that I am retired, I hate it because I can not ride my bike, go fishing, or run my trains outdoors.