Obviously I don’t mean that literally. Life in this climate gives you many things, but a freshly picked lemon is not one of them. Unfortunately it just doesn’t have the same ring to it when you say “if life gives you snow, ice, and cold, then you might as well have a winter carnival”. But snow and ice and cold is exactly what Ottawa has this time of year. So every February it hosts a celebration called Winterlude, complete with ice sculptures, music, and other festivities.

Sunshine is an interesting thing. Take a moderately cold day with overcast skies and it’s enough to make you want to curl up in front of the fire with a good book and a glass of wine. Not that I’m suggesting there’s anything wrong with curling up in front of the fire with a good book and a glass of wine, mind you.  But even if it is ten or twenty degrees colder, bright sunshine changes everything. It lifts your spirits. Add a bit of rhythm and before you know it everyone is having a great time. Thought it be fair, warm clothing helps a lot.

No discussion of winter in Ottawa would be complete without a picture of the canal, so I will include … wait for it … a picture of skaters on the canal.