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In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb…and Back to the Lion Again

Retirement Reflections

I may have been boasting a bit too much (and even throwing in the occasional happy dance) about our little corner of Vancouver Island not having any snow this winter. In fact, I was still bragging about it on January 31 when I snapped the first picture above (to the left of your screen).

But then… karma stepped in.

On February 1, the view from my front window changed dramatically. Yes, both sides of the Image Compare show the exact same view (though the second shot is slightly wider). That should teach me not to tempt fate!

Another Snowy February View From My Front Window

At this point, I’d normally launch into a bit of a rant about how icy, snow-covered roads, sidewalks, and freezing cold winds just aren’t my jam. But with Canadian sovereignty currently under threat, I am feeling especially grateful for—and incredibly proud of—all things Canadian. So much so, in fact, that I did something I previously would have found unthinkable.

To escape what little winter we do get, Richard and I usually plan a last-minute getaway around this time of year—typically to Mexico or Hong Kong (where our youngest son lives). After much thought and discussion, we decided to put our vacation dollars where our values are and travel within our own diverse country.

The dilemma? Since we already live in the warmest area of Canada (at least in winter), our only option was to go colder.

So just when the view from our front window finally started looking like this again…

Richard and I fastened our seats on Air Canada and headed out here:

Current webcan view of the first city of our visit.

And then here:
Evening webcan view of the second city we will visit on this trip.

I will share details of this holiday with you in an upcoming post.

Now is the time for each of us to vote with our values, even in small ways. Regardless of your nationality or politics, how have you been aligning your choices with your values lately? I’d love to hear from you. And I’d love for you to share what’s been on your calendar.

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Cohosts: Sue, Debbie, Jo and Donna.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

88 thoughts on “In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb…and Back to the Lion Again”

  3. Enjoy your snowy getaway Donna. We’re still basking in 30 C degree temps down here with no sign of the heat letting up! Looks like a great place to visit while staying local. I can’t wait to read more about it.

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  5. Snowing in Maine again. Yes, I am aligning my choices with my values: tomorrow is a national no-spend day, and I am ready. More such days to come, and I will be ready for those days, too. On Saturday, we will be going to an independent cinema for a movie, out to lunch at a local restaurant, and then to a local market for some groceries. Can’t entirely avoid big-box stores or online shopping, but we are doing our best to support local folks and blue businesses.

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    1. Hi, Laurie – Canadians are also joining in on No Spend Day tomorrow concerning American goods and businesses. I have already eliminated these goods and businesses from my shopping and it was far easier than I imagined (even though I lost all of my digital and audiobook collection). Voting with our wallets can make a huge impact!

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  7. I would have made the same choice, Donna. Canada is a beautiful country
    In fact, although Portugal is only my adopted country in retirement we try and buy ‘Portuguese’ as far as possible, especially when faced with buying Spanish or Portugueswe veg.

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  9. Hi Donna – as you know, I always get charmed by all those snowy pics….but I don’t have to live with the reality! I hope your time away is really enjoyable – and good on you for being a cheerleader for Canada. I think most Aussies see Canada as our sister country on the other side of the world – similar values and “feels” – I hope you get to stay that way. x

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  11. Writing from just south of Sydney, Australia I fully agree with Leanne that we do see Canada as a sister country with very similar ‘feeling-worlds’. We may have that Big Pond twixt you and us and perchance it is not always diplomatic for us to ‘say’ so, but . . , Even if different from the planned and usual, trust you will have a great time and cannot wait to hear about it 🙂 !

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    1. Hi, Miriam – We travelled to Montreal and Quebec City. It is definitely cold and snowy here which is typical for both places this time of year. When we left Vancouver Island outdoor flowers were beginning to bloom. A very different change of climate! 😀

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    1. Hi, Jacqui – How wonderful to have that experience with your son. ❤ Our Vancouver Island weather was a bit cold (0C) in the beginning of February but was beginning to be spring like when we left. Montreal is very cold and snowy (-15C) but I think the weather here is very typical for them this time of year.

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  14. Here in Michigan our winter has been more normal than it’s been in years. We actually have snow on the ground! And of course, just like in the old days, we are tired of it and ready for spring. And of course spring will tease us for weeks, maybe months before it really shows up for good.

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  15. I think it’s a great way to show your values by traveling in Canada although your other two spots would also have worked. As to going to a snowy environment we do it every year and totally enjoy it. I hope your boats and jackets make the difference in the colder weather you have flown to. We have often thought about going to Quebec City during carnival but you know….ski season. Thanks as usual for hosting. Bernie

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    1. Hi, Bernie – We missed the Quebec Carnival, but planned our trips so it would coincide with Montreal’s Festival lumiere. We’ve only been here 24 hours so far but love it already.
      Although HK or Mexico would have worked for trips. our first choice is keeping our money in Canada. We have completely changed our grocery shopping and meal planning to honour this. Lots of cabbage, squash, beets, potatoes, carrots, kale, chard…repeat! All grown locally on Vancouver Island and available all winter long. 😀

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  16. A lovely post, Donna. We don’t get snow so I only see it very occasionally. We saw snow in Japan when we visited Mt Fuji and when we visited the snow monkeys. We also travel locally and try to help boost our local economy.

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  17. I have to wait until next post to see where you went! Well, I’ll definitely be back for that. I rarely talk politics with my friends or online, but have been feeling for my Canadian and American friends. It’s very strange and upsetting times. I’m thinking of you. Your snow photos are beautiful.

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    1. Hi, Jennifer – We are in Montreal then headed to Quebec City. There is so much fear and devastatiion spreading across the world right now. Although it is very upsetting for Canadians, I cannot even imagine the horror that Ukraine and Gaza continue to go through. Like you, I have never previously used my blog for political discussion in any form. But now it is time for all citizens to speak up and not wait for others to do so.

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  19. Hi Donna – well at least you’re away from home, even if it’s beautifully cold! Enjoy the break – and yes a wise decision to stay settled in Canada for now. Enjoy the break … and today is the last day of meteorological winter … so Spring will appear from that whiteness!! Cheers Hilary

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  20. Well done to you both. I’m sure you’ll have enjoyed just being away… well wrapped up! 2 UK friends of ours have headed to Bavaria in search of snow and are delighted to have found it! Takes all sorts xx

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    1. Hi, Jo – Today was day one. It was sunny and -8C so a beautiful day! Richard and I managed to walk 16 km just taking in this amazing city. Sadly, my Weather App tells me that a cold front and hazardous snow fall will begin in the next three hours. That Weather App can truly be a party pooper!

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  22. When I was in high school and learning to type, there was a sentence that was typed over and over again – “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” It seems like it is an appropriate mantra for these times.

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  23. Yes, the weather that we have no control over. After ~2 wks of cold, minus 20-30C – the weather has warmed so now we’re dealing with melting snow that turns to ice when temps drop at night. As long as we Albertans are upright, no one complains because the warmer temps are such a respite after the cold. I’ve been putting boots to the ground & walking daily to blow off the “stink” of cabin fever. I’ve never wanted to fly the flag more. I don’t believe any country’s politics is free of criticism. We could talk about oligarchic influence, the divide between rural & urban, mismanagement of public funds, etc. I do expect elected officials to display a certain level of decorum & represent all classes of the population. Like the weather, there’s a lot in politics that I have no control over & I’m aware that there’s a lot I’m ignorant of. Therein lies my task – acting in the arena that I do have control over & becoming more aware. Enjoy your holiday.

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    1. Hi, Mona – Once again, I greatly appreciate your very wise words. “Acting in the arenas that we do have control over and becoming more aware” is a very good plan. That is my plan as well, including voting with my shopping/buying practices. It’s amazing how money continues to speak the loudest!

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  24. Regardless of your nationality or politics, how have you been aligning your choices with your values lately?

    Yes. Constantly, consistently, with concern for the future of the world.

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  26. Hi Donna, With proper winter clothing and a sense of adventure, I’m sure you’ll have a great holiday in Montreal and Quebec City. I’ve been buying local and made in Canada products. I’ll be travelling in Canada this summer/ fall. I added my blog link to the WBOYC link-up. Happy March!

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    1. Hi, Natalie – Since I live on Vancouver Island, I mostly have raincoats and rainboots. No snow boots and definitely no proper winter jackets. Luckily, I was able to hit a couple of quick sales of Canadian outdoor gear before I left. I wouldn’t have survived even Day One without them!

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  28. Donna,

    The view from your window is as enviable as is your dedication to your country. Enjoy your holiday. I sincerely look forward to reading about the highlights. Your bloggy friend, Joe.

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  30. Hi – I love the idea that you stayed in your home country to travel around and for the reasons…
    also, looking forward to hearing more about the trip

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  31. We always go up north in the winter to Scandinavia or the Scottish Highlands, f.e. to experience a real winter. It seems to us that at least in Europe the best month to experience a real winter is February.
    When living in Arctic Finland, – 22C was a normal temperature in January and February. We love such temperatures as the air is that clear and you have all these optical illusions like parts of rainbows everywhere, the optical shrinking of distances, and you sometimes see several suns.
    Enjoy winter
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  32. It’s been the same weather over this side the world, Donna. “Feels like” temps in single digits, snow shows almost daily… but next Wednesday it’s supposed to be 59 F?! Boggles the mind . . . . . 🙄

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    1. Thank you so much for dropping by. The weather in Montreal has been all over the place in a very short time period. Two days ago was -7 with snow, yesterday was -22 with ice, today was -6 with sun and midweek is predicted to be +5 with lots of rain. Good grief.

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  33. Good for you, Donna, acting on your values and spending your money on your own beautiful country. I wish I could be so proud of my country right now. This is the first time I can ever remember having ambivalence about my patriotism. I have recently deleted my X account, donated to causes I believe in, contacted my political representatives (repeatedly), and have had respectful, but pointed discussions with people of opposing views. I’m not sure it will make a difference, but no one can accuse me of standing silently by as I may have in the past (introvert and peacekeeper that I am).

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    1. Hi, Christie – Thank you for this positive feedback and for all that you are doing. This is now the time for all to stand up, especially the quiet peace keepers, and advocate for what they believe in. If we all do this, it will not only make a positive difference – it will make a HUGE one!

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  34. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #429 – Thistles and Kiwis

  35. Your last of winter pics are lovely, Donna! Some of yours leaked over into Eastern WA the next day. As you know I enjoy winter, especially since we haven’t had much snow in two winters here. March is being a sweet lamb right now. Hope your Toronto trip was enjoyable!

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    1. Hi, Terri – We never made it to Toronto on this trip, just Montreal and Quebec City. The weather has been all over the place ranging from -22C with sun, -8C with snow, +6C with heavy rain and everything in between. Still, it has been a very enjoyable trip! ❤

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  36. What a grand idea!! I love keeping our money in El Paso and Texas. We try to visit our local/neighborhood stores and shop small when we can. Have so enjoyed your wintery pictures from your getaway on social media. We didn’t have a single flake of snow this winter and pretty mild temps. We haven’t had rain in months. Truly, months. Worries me so about what we are doing to our planet that our weather has become so drastic and bizarre. Our last 2 summers have been record-breaking. I don’t know what will happen if we have those same incredibly high temps and no precipitation. I don’t know what in the world to think about our politics and President down here. Living in a city that was gravely impacted by the open border policy of the past administration, I was glad to have someone come in and shore up our borders again. But some of Trump’s other agendas are very disturbing. Reclaiming the Panama Canal is one I can’t decide about. I lived in Panama for 6 years as the canal zone was being turned over and the U.S. was beginning to pull out. I looked for and fully expected Russia to move in. They had a fairly strong presence in the countryt already. But now to learn it is China running the show is concerning. And the poor Panamanian people – family of ours – in the interior continue to get poorer while the government officials in Panama City get richer and more powerful and undoubtedly, more corrupt. Heaven help our country, your country, our world.

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    1. Thanks, Leslie – I have never been one to discuss politics on blog or online before. But l join the vast majority of Canadians who are made as hell at the unjust threats to our sovereignty from a friend and ally. These threats put both of our countries in much economic danger and erode a long-standing partnership.

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