In the world where I grew up, winter was a bleak, cold, and white month. There were exceptions; I remember being able to go for a long, non-icy, run on a day in mid-January, but, generally, there was very little to recommend about January.

Last year in Surrey, January was sodden. I don’t know if the last few days will set a pattern for the month, but only one word thus far applies to January 2010 in Campbell River: mild.

At home, the heat is on low just to cut the dampness, I’ve switched back to summer bedding, and I can actually hang out in bare feet. At work, I do my outside chores very comfortably in only my long sleeve tee-shirt if it’s not raining.

Needless to say, I’m completely mystified by the Campbell Riverites who come into the store bundled up for doomsday, teeth chattering, and full of complaints about how cold it is outside!

It’s presently 4 degrees at 2AM and the forecast ahead is just going to get warmer and warmer; we might even reach the double digits next week!

Even with the few weeks I had in Oliver last year, I’m starting to forget what real cold is, although I’m pretty sure that the -27 in Dawson City tonight is unpleasant. 😀