Enjoying Winter?

Submitted by Marina Hodson

In 2008, Ontario chose to implement Family Day to be observed on the third Monday in February. Whilst some skeptics considered its implementation a political tactic used to win votes, many saw it as an opportunity to break up a difficult time of the year in our province.

Regardless of whether you like winter or not, most of us agree that by the middle of February, spring would be welcomed. In fact, while January is considered the most depressing month of the year, I think it is not difficult to argue that February may be a close second. Snow has often lost its appeal, both literally and figuratively and no one is looking forward to another shortened gray day. The only welcome interruption prior to 2008 may have been Valentine’s Day, and that is of course dependent on having a special person or persons to share it with. So I for one welcome Family Day, not only as a day off, but as a much-needed reminder of the beauty to be found and experienced in our wonderful and vast Province.

If you truly took advantage of the day and utilized it as intended, you spent this past Monday with family and friends experiencing the beautiful outdoors and realizing all the wonder this season has to offer. Myself, I was fortunate enough to have a friend’s young daughter join us for a day of ice fishing, free to all on Family day, and to re-discover the wonder and majesty of the outdoors through a child’s eyes. If fishing the hard water is not exactly your winter activity of choice, how about snow shoeing or skiing as I witnessed many of the lake residents enjoy while I fished?

Whatever your preference, be sure to take this welcome opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Province with loved ones even this time of year.

Your friends at the Kawartha North FHT