The Magic of Winterlude

There is something magical about skating on the Rideau Canal in February. Thousands of people flock to the Ottawa area for Winterlude every year. I think it's the city's biggest tourist draw. I guess we have to do something to help ourselves get through the long, cold winters. As I get older, Winterlude has less and less of a draw for me. All of my memories of skating on the canal are fraught with cold feet, sore ankles, sore back, cold nose, getting left behind because I'm too slow and just generally not liking the experience. The only good thing about Winterlude is the beavertails, those sticky, sweet pastries loaded with brown sugar, cinnamon and just a hint of lemon. But wouldn't it just be so much better to not have to eat them with your mitts on and your scarf sticking to your face??

Winterlude is a time for many gatherings. Our little church swells with visitors during this time. Family comes from far and near and friends jump at the chance to come and hang out downtown during this frigid time. I dread this time of year. As the only chance to hang out with people is to tighten up those skates and join them on the ice, where my feet invariable cramp up and I run out of energy all to quick. Nobody seems to understand the feeling of panic when everyone you know skates out of sight around a corner laughing with delight; not even realizing you are struggling to keep up. Being torn between wanting desperately to take off the dreaded skates and curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and wanting to join in the fun everyone else is having, that's the magic of Winterlude for me. Not very magical.