I had to add the “almost” as we finally got winter in the last half of March.

At the end of December we had a bit of snow. However, my ATV died on me and although I started plowing, I couldn’t finish it. (My neighbour was away and soboth dogs were following me)

Winter, if we’re lucky, gives us great sunsets.

After about 10 days being snowed in, I asked my neighbour to come and plow.

And then, of course, it rained.

And turned everything to a block of ice. So slippery, I could not walk on it even with ice grippers on my boots. And that, basically, was our winter.

Clear mountains were rare, but by mid January, it was possible to see how the sunset point was moving. On the shortest day it sets to the left of the trees.

Occasional bits of snow, and lots more rain. Although it thawed every day and sometimes never froze at night, frozen ground prevented the snow from melting.

I spent most of the winter creating another triptych painting. Based on the Perkins Peak area (actually Chrome Creek) and incorporating some of my favourite alpine flowers.

By early March, the garden was almost bare of snow.

Then we got a bit more.

But it wasn’t long before we had more rain.

No surprise that the redwing blackbirds arrived nearly two weeks early. (I love to watch them fight!)

More rain.

Equinox sunrise.

Then we started to get our winter. Temperatures often down to -16C to -20C overnight. Even daytime temperatures below freezing. A sudden influx of juncos.

But the arctic and southwestern States were recording record highs. Skiing in Colorado.

Environment Canada’s monthly forecast illustrates this. A regular ice cream sandwich and we’re in the middle.

When I next post, I will be a new woman. Or at least part of me will, for in 3 days, on 31st March, I will have a hip replacement.