Winter Snow

Winter snow can be at once soothing or terrifying. It can depend on where it finds you; or, whether or not you own a warm coat. Your feelings may be influenced by the nature of the snowfall, or plans for skiing, or driving in it.
When you hear mostly wheels spinning, snow calls for a new definition of progress, or a shovel. Canada’s economic, political winterscape of record bankruptcies and constitutional crisis suggests we’re in deep – snow that is.

Globally, the revolution we’re experiencing in the organization of human affairs is like the howling blizzard. It transcends recession. It disregards national or international boundaries. It commands the strongest sense of urgency to adapt resources for personal and corporate direction. In a whiteout the best knowledge, instrumentation, experience and courage are all critical to survival. Nature – even frozen – is in pain. In every snowdrift – confusion. Humankind is affecting change at rates that outstrip our ability to adapt.

The child in us is awed by snow when it falls – fresh, lazy, fluffy flakes – late at night. All is calm – with built-in promise of enchantment at dawn. All is bright. Then, unsightly backyard corners and alleways – even surplus, stained lumber piles – are transfigured. Snowflakes – in quiet concert, transforming instruments of harmony – affording wholeness and peace to life itself. This is the snow of Christmas: How soft; how silently, how silently.. it melts.. the heart.

– Ernie Harder (Dec. 1991)

Whoever said it was easy? Picking out the ‘right’ Christmas tree, that is. Traditionally, when I was growing up it usually came down to whether or not Mom agreed with the selection. In fact one now-retired lumber wholesaler (who shall go unnamed) in years past was known to have once even returned the carefully selected family tree to the lot, because it failed to pass re-inspection upon delivery at home.

Some tips on picking the right tree from Reader’s Digest are worth noting here. Good Housekeeping meanwhile, leans toward the green variety: “Most Christmas trees are now raised on established farms, meaning deforestation isn’t an issue, but they must be shipped, often from long distances. They do require pesticides and fueled vehicles to maintain, and may end up taking up space in landfills. Most artificial Christmas trees are made in China, typically from oil-derived, pollution-releasing polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A number have been found to contain lead. Once finally disposed of, artificial trees will last for centuries in landfills. These days, roughly 70% of Americans choose artificial.”

Here in Vancouver, it was shocking to discover that real trees are illegal in many downtown condo buildings. Just this week, some nervous tenants were seen smuggling very suspicious-looking large garbage bagged shapes with the unmistakable aroma of fresh green Fir.

“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.”
– Larry Wilde

A fine Fraser Fir stands ready..