SEPIA SATURDAY (148)

Me thinks Alan played a cruel game with me when he selected the prompt picture 

for this week's Sepia Saturday... 

I don't think he's an insensitive man, 

but perhaps a tad forgetful of the reality on this side of the Atlantic. 

It may be a side effect of that meeting with Tony and some other folks. 

As we get older, 

we just don't bounce back as easily as we used to... 

I should know!!! 

But it is snowing here right now [yet again] 

and we've had to suffer very cold weather, 

day after day, 

so you can imagine my [lack of] enthusiasm...

St James Street, Montreal.

R.A. Sproule, Painting, 1830. 

Some people have a poetic notion of what Winter is 

and those are the same people who never had to live in it. 

After over half a century now of me enduring Canadian Winters, 

let me tell you: 

THIS IS SHEER HELL!!! 

Notre-Dame Street, Montreal, 1887. 

The well-to-do never shovel that shi...snow, 

while the less fortunate ones have to cope with one snowstorm after another. 

My means may be modest 

but I am happy to report that I never had to deal with this crap, 

making sure there'd always be other people to handle this for me. 

I don't shovel snow and I don't do windows!!!

Mrs Sanderman, Montreal, 1911. 

I always believed that I was meant for more, 

to live a life of comfort. 

I wouldn't wish to be famous, 

preferring my privacy, 

but comfort? 

Everyone craves that!! 

I know beauty when I see it 

and I've tasted it, 

and that is what I like to surround myself with. 

It DOES NOT include snow!!!

Mount-Royal Park, Montreal, early 20th century. 

Some rich people will find snow amusing, 

enjoying various sports involving snow or ice, 

but I don't!! 

I avoid touching any of it as much as possible. 

I would prefer hibernation, 

if this was at all possible...

Tobogganing, Montreal, 1870. 

Toboggan Race, Montreal, 1891. 

Winter activities can be quite democratic 

as people from all venues can enjoy them, 

should they feel so inclined...

Aislin, Cartoon, Montreal, 1989. 

This above somewhat reflects my current state of mind... 

minus the gun, 

obviously!!! 

We've recently crossed the mid mark of Winter, 

halfway to Springtime!! 

But we're far from being done with Winter... 

It just keeps on coming!! 

Shovel, Montreal, 19th century. 

So for those who find this stuff poetic, 

pick up that shovel and knock yourselves out!! 

Come tell me afterward 

just how much you like Winter now...

I now return you to 

SEPIA SATURDAY, 

where other contributors will certainly try to sell you on the idea that Winter is fun, 

or if you're lucky, 

perhaps some will have found other topics 

that will be more heart warming and less bone chilling... 

I need to get ready for work, 

putting on sweaters and scarf, 

hoodie and shearling coat and boots over my thick woolen socks 

to survive the day outside. 

I will walk under the sparkly falling snow, 

the Arctic wind cutting off my breath short 

and making my nose running... 

Who ever said Winter was poetic?!? 

NOT ME!!! 

:/~ 

Sepians can also join our Facebook group, 

where, 

(I am appalled myself about this turn of event...) 

it turns out I've been named as a moderator of said group. 

Better behave, folks!!! 

:D~ 

HUGZ 

P.S.: 

All material in this post is courtesy of 

the Archives of the McCord Museum, Montreal, 

keeper of all things Canadiana. 

You may find stuff in there you'll find "poetic"...

:)~