So what’s an amateur scribbler to do? Ramble about the present or the future? Reflect about the past? Certainly not repeat or reiterate

And don’t even think about regurgitating previous thoughts.

This winter, like almost every other winter since we have been keeping accurate and useful meteorological records, has been cold. And this year, really cold. For a long spell.

I have been looking forward to the Winter Olympics in Milan (or is it Milano?) Cortina for several months. But the Olympics are so different now.

No truly centralized village, no one cauldron in which the Olympic flame would burn for the duration of the games. Six or eight venues for the events. Several temporary villages constructed to house the athletes and their retinues. Lengthy, often twisty turny roads on which to travel. And train tracks. Many tunnels.

Using multiple venues has no doubt kept construction costs down, but just imagine the organizational logistics for the food services. I worked in the Munich and Montreal Olympic villages many years ago, and they were miracle enough.

For these 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the organizers couldn’t even build the ice hockey rink to the right dimensions. It’s three feet too short, but on with the games.

But really, in the midst of our current world situation, who really cares?

The horrible disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Arizona. The serious civil rights abuses in so many parts of the world. Wars killing people and destroying families.

Our sheltered lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake seem even smaller than usual this winter, don’t they? But earlier today, on a freezing cold day under a bright blue sky, a reassuring and repetitive sight. The great Saskatchewan hockey player Gordie Howe regularly said it: “There is no such thing as cold weather. Just cold clothing.”

Our well known local walker Angela proved this again today.

Traveling down Niagara Stone Road, there she walked on the Bob Howse Trail. Cozily clad in a stylish ski outfit topped off with a warm wool toque, the indefatiquable Angela was striding along on her daily long walk. Only very rarely does weather keep her from her daily commitment to exercise.

Not that long ago, many of us walked every day. People walked to work, to school, to church, to visit. To get water, to wash clothes. We walked. To get food for sustenance. Now, we drive.

Getting in a daily walk is one of many good reasons to own a dog. Once a day, or in some cases more often, a dog must be walked. This used to be a simple task. Or, the dog was simply let out to “do his business.”

Now, I admire the warm, rain repellant and colourful outfits that so many dogs get to wear.

Please bear with me patiently as I wander along with this weekly Ramblings contribution. Things happen so fast now, and with satellites and whatnot, we see all the news all the time. Almost in real time.

Not that long ago, news traveled so slowly, if at all. There were tragedies and horrible happenings, but we didn’t hear about them.

So now, as we sit and get bombarded with news from around the world on our television screens, in our newspapers and on our computers and hand held devices, we must determine to stay positive.

Perhaps watch some of the Winter Olympic Games. And don’t get too upset when Latvia beats Canada in curling. Love it when a nation new to the Winter Games takes part.