February arrived as winter and left as spring.....at least thus far. We got our first real winter weather with blowing snow, drifting, and an ice storm. By mid-to-late February, conditions reverted to mild temperatures and sunny skies. We took advantage of the nicer days to get in some outdoor walks for some fresh air and an important distraction from unfolding events.
With the ongoing COVID pandemic, a convoy of frustrated Canadian truckers and protestors descended upon Ottawa and some border crossings, including Windsor, protesting mask mandates and vaccination passports. The nation's capital was besieged, and the Ambassador Bridge and Coutts and other border crossings were blockaded, causing significant economic concern. After several weeks of negotiation, police forces moved in quelled the situation, after both the provincial and the federal government declared states of emergency, even invoking the Emergency Measures Act for the first time.
As the domestic madness died down and the month waned, Vladimir Putin invaded the Ukraine after weeks of fabricated pretext. The people or Ukraine stood defiantly in the face of a much larger Russian foe, with ordinary citizens taking up arms and doing whatever they could, including taking down street signs to confound the advancing forces. One brewery even switched to making molotov cocktails instead of beer, with labels declaring "Putin is a Dickhead".
President Zelenskyy valiantly led his people, stating "they will not see our backs, they will see our faces". As a prime target for Russian aggression, he was even offered safe passage to neighbouring ally states, but declared "I don't need a ride, I need more ammunition".
The world has rallied around Ukraine - let us hope for a peaceful resolution to these one-sided hostilities.
A morning curtain of winter
A stroll along the Lake Erie shoreline
Another round of snow....and drifting!
A pleasant walk around the Leamington waterfront
A walk in the woods at "Big O" Conservation Area
Taking advantage of a Sunny Sunday
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