Valerie's Journal

Ode To The River

by Valerie Ross, Writer And Resident of Pinawa

The river in Pinawa is something to behold in the late fall.  In the early morning, one begins to notice soft, thin slush appearing along the river's shoreline.  I can imagine putting my hand in the water and moving it all about. As the sun rises in the sky, its warmth causes the icy trimmings of the river to recede.  By the middle of the afternoon, the river flows freely once more.  But each week, slushy, icy areas push further out and further along the river.  Strong currents do their best to prevent total re-structuring. 

However, before long, the sun and the currents are powerless to stop the river's transformation.  As the Pinawa air becomes more frigid and, snow visits briefly, the slush mutates, thickens, and becomes translucent ice in many places.  Before long, snow takes up residence and intermingles more and more with the river's surface.  I take note that areas of slushy ice have been pushed together forming ridge like mounds here and there throughout the water.  Snow enhances these ridges.  As I look out, I can imagine white, capped waves.  It is eerily beautiful.   I stand in awe while memories of swimmers; sailboats, kayaks, and motorboats float by as if on a screen.  It will be awhile before the river hosts those activities again.  Still, many will rejoice when, finally, beautiful, thick ice covers the entire river.  It will be winter playtime once more...    

I look around and stare in wonder at the snow covered earth.  The bright, white, snow sparkles as it is kissed by the sun.  It's not a heavy, damp snow.  It is layer upon layer of lightness.  I blow little snowflakes into the air.  As I walk near the river, I look up at evergreens covered in huge puffs of white.  The sky is incredibly blue.  The air is so fresh.  There is quiet.  I cannot hear a sound.   It is all breathtaking.  And then there is a deer.  To anyone who hasn't experienced the joy of walking beside a deer, while stepping into white fluffy snow, while looking at an icy river, while in the midst of snow covered evergreens and trees, while blue sky is everywhere, while the sun shines on one's face, while quiet surrounds, well, you must come to Pinawa.  It is an experience you will never forget.  I sometimes have to pinch myself.  Why, I live here.  I hope I never take all of this for granted.

As I write this, I am thinking of Christmas.  There's a school and community concert to attend tonight.  My husband has a bridge party next week.  My writer's group gets together and then there is that “do” at the neighbours, and a drive by to look at Christmas lights, and a get together with my swimming buddies for hot chocolate and, and, and….  My neighbours and friends and family will be getting together Christmas Eve.  For sure, we all will be out after dinner waving to Santa as he passes by.  Perhaps a few brave carollers will sing familiar songs.  This will be my second Christmas in beautiful, Pinawa.  I can't think of another place I would rather be.  My son told me a little while ago that he has never seen me so “alive”.  I have experienced support, encouragement and kindness from all I meet.  People here are special.  I have family near by, my Toronto son will be visiting during the holiday, I have close friends and, I have wonderful neighbours.  What more can I ask?

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and an amazing New Year.   I hope some of the people who read this might visit Pinawa next year.  If you do, drop in.  Expect me to go on and on though.  I love this place.

Back to the Front Page December 2007...