It snowed last night here in Richmond Hill, and the white stuff has decided to linger.  Not what I was expecting in April.  Hopefully it’ll be gone tomorrow when I’m driving 200 kilometres west to London.

Cam and Ann own a home in Richmond Hill, which is attached to Toronto.  They also have a cottage in Lion’s Head, a village 240 kilometres to the north.

Richmond Hill has 220,000 souls, Lion’s Head 300.  The first says “city”.  The second says “home”.  Since the home is still buried in winter, here we are in the south.

Cam, Ann and I all love telling stories.  I often say to myself “Be quiet, Bruce.  The other person has stories too.  Let them speak.”  Thank you, wise voice.  You’re right.

So it was Cam’s turn.  This winter was brutal in Lion’s Head – there were many days windy and cold, say -10 Celsius.  When you add in the effect of wind, that temperature feels like -20.

Then there were days of deep snow, even a metre of it.  One time, Cam and Ann had attached a utility trailer to their car and were trying to back it from their lot to the road.  It was slightly uphill and icy.  Try as they did, it didn’t work.  A local man walking by whom they didn’t know tried to help for an hour, unsuccessfully.  But what amazing generosity.

Another time, the main roads were closed and only snowmobiles could move on them.  Blowing snow, close to zero visibility.  Cam and Ann had somehow driven to the highway to see what condition it was in … CLOSED.  As they stood beside their car figuring things out, a snowmobiler stopped and asked if they were all right.  He also told them that their hood was up a bit.  He put it down and said goodbye.  Neighbourly.

Lion’s Head is a family.  Ann goes to line dancing at the Community Centre.  There’s curling at the arena.  Badminton at the school.  Spring to fall there’s a farmers’ market every Saturday morning, complete with breakfast and a live country band.

Residents are watched out for, cared about, loved.  Everyone, including a few handicapped folks, is included.  Of course nothing’s perfect …

But it’s home

I’ll choose a warmer month next time

I’ll choose Lion’s Head