Self-respecting

As I write these words, it is Wednesday morning, March 23, 2011, although you will not read it until Thursday or Friday.

There is a certain commercial airing on Canadian television at the moment; I have no idea what it is selling, but it uses winter to try to convince us that we are a hearty race of people that loves to be outdoors in the winter. The key line I remember goes something like, “No self-respecting Canadian ever says lets wait for a warmer day.” Oh really?

Yesterday morning the snow was all gone in my yard, and I remember watching the robins hoping around looking for unsuspecting earthworms for their breakfast. This morning we awoke to 15 cm of fresh, blowing snow, East winds, and slippery roads. I think the earthworms are safe today, if they haven't frozen to death. Welcome to what is hopefully winter’s last grasp!

According to the premise being foisted on us by the sponsor of the above named commercial, if I am self-respecting I should ignore all the dire warnings to the contrary, jump in my car and head out on the highway. After all, I have a 9:00 a.m. appointment to get my snow tires off, and a 10:00 o’clock staff meeting! As a self-respecting Canadian, nothing should prevent me, right?

Now, I love the old Steppenwolf song, Born to be Wild, at least as much as the next person. The pounding rhythm and soaring guitar and keyboard can still get my blood pumping all these years later.

Get your motor running
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
In whatever comes our way

Sounds good, right? But wait, I recall another line in the bridge of that song. It says

We have climbed so high
I never want to die.

Hmmm… Maybe heading out on the highway is not such a good idea today. In fact, maybe loving being outdoors on a cold, stormy, March day with a raw East wind whipping the snow across the highway and reducing visibility to nil at times is not the kind of adventure I want to come my way at all. Maybe that commercial is trying to sell me a bill of goods!

Being a self-respecting Canadian, I think I will work at home today. In fact, being self-respecting, I will cancel the car appointment,keep my snow tires on, and join my meeting via Skype. Being a self-respecting Canadian, I think I will wait for a warmer day.

Enjoy a smile today.

Posted by Carman

Postscript

Some of you may have received two blog posts yesterday (Wednesday) or not. In any case, after I wrote about my adventures on the road I had another one!

Many thanks to Archie Hill for the ride in his newly restored and very spiffy 1926 Model T Ford. Now if any of you want a real road adventure, I suggest you contact Archie. He'd love to tell you all about it and perhaps negotiate a ride for you.

Thanks Archie,

Posted by Marion