Greenwater Report for December 17, 2001

The Greenwater Report for January 2, 2002

Greenwater Provincial Park - Wednesday, January 2, 2002 - by: Jerry Crawford

Combined
December 30th, 2001: I really had good intentions to get a report out before Christmas, but Doreen reminded me none of the papers publish that week, so I will combine last weeks info with this report.

-22º to -10º
The thermometer dipped down to 25 in mid-week before Christmas. Strangely enough, Brian Shuya said it only went down to 12° at his place, and Jim Steadman said 15° at his place. There is often a 5° difference between the Park and those up on the hill, but ten to twelve degrees is rare. Since then, it has been in the range between 22° and 10°. Despite the lack of snow, snowmobilers have been out in force, particularly this weekend.

little
snow
There is no snow in the forecast for the balance of this year; however, Saskatoon got dumped on the Friday before Christmas, and we got a skiff of light snow, not enough to measure. This week, too, just a few scattered flakes. I could have shoveled the driveway with a broom.

hoar
frost
A couple of mornings the trees were covered in a fine hoar frost. Magical world! On our morning walks, diamonds were winking at us from every direction.

lazy
shopper
gifts
The Sunday before Christmas, I thought it was time to get serious about gifts. I like to have my Christmas shopping done before the stores close Christmas Eve. Jim had a good idea he thought the Cove should gift-wrap various articles, mark them as $10, $20, $30, etc., and whether for a male or a female. A last-minute shopper at the end of his tether could just pick a gift in his price range without having to agonize over whether it would be suitable or not. Chances are, it would be just as appropriate as anything he could pick out himself!

rubber
boots
One of the coffee row regulars once raised a bit of livestock. His wife complained about her rubber boots leaking, so for Christmas he bought her a brand-new pair of rubber boots and a new pitchfork. When she saw them, she was so happy she cried!

skating
I see the Park staff has cleared off a skating area on the Marina; all around Norgrove Island and north past the walking bridge. There is a warm-up shack with a heater, too.

Christmas
We had our whole family home for Christmas, though a couple of grandchildren had to leave before our Christmas meal. It really is a treat, having them all here, especially as it gets harder and harder, with grandchildren being pulled in other directions as well. We told them all that we love to have them here, but not to feel guilty if they cant make it.

snow
machines
The snowmobilers had a good time, on one day going as far as the west end of Barrier Lake. There hasnt been enough snow to groom the trails, of course, and the going is pretty rough, but I understand these newer machines have suspensions that can handle rough ground well.

dogs
We also had three dogs here at the same time. One is a crusty old miniature schnauzer, then there is a year-old overgrown black lab that can out-drool Odie. The youngest is an almost-one-year-old, horny cocker spaniel, constantly embarrassing its owners. The three seemed to get along by ignoring each other; if there were any spats, I didnt hear them.

reindogs
On Christmas Day, the black lab, called Max, or Dufus, or Rudolph, came into the house wearing a pair of red antlers. No red nose, though. I guess it had to draw the line somewhere.

ice fishing
Ice fishers have been out, and snowmobiles, cars and half tons are running all over the lake, The ice is almost a foot thick now, safe for vehicles, but I have no plans to drive out on it. Our fishermen had no luck, and I haven't talked to any others.

buy local
Doreen and I had a long discussion and decided to do as much of our shopping as possible locally, starting with Fishermans Cove and the Park store, then Kelvington and Porcupine Plain. We have to go to one city or another once a month or so, but only plan to buy there what we cant get locally. That's our New Years revolution. Let's see if we can make it stick!

Hope you all had as great a Christmas as we did, and that 2002 treats you well!

Doreen & Jerry Crawford
Box 100, Chelan, SK S0E 0N0 (306) 278-3423 http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/crawg

The Greenwater Report for January 2, 2002


Greenwater Provincial Park - Wednesday, January 2, 2002 - by: Jerry Crawford

Combined	December 30th, 2001: I really had good intentions to get a report out before Christmas, but Doreen reminded me none of the papers publish that week, so I will combine last weeks info with this report.

-22º to -10º	The thermometer dipped down to 25 in mid-week before Christmas. Strangely enough, Brian Shuya said it only went down to 12° at his place, and Jim Steadman said 15° at his place. There is often a 5° difference between the Park and those up on the hill, but ten to twelve degrees is rare. Since then, it has been in the range between 22° and 10°. Despite the lack of snow, snowmobilers have been out in force, particularly this weekend.

little snow	There is no snow in the forecast for the balance of this year; however, Saskatoon got dumped on the Friday before Christmas, and we got a skiff of light snow, not enough to measure. This week, too, just a few scattered flakes. I could have shoveled the driveway with a broom.

hoar frost	A couple of mornings the trees were covered in a fine hoar frost. Magical world! On our morning walks, diamonds were winking at us from every direction.

lazy shopper gifts	The Sunday before Christmas, I thought it was time to get serious about gifts. I like to have my Christmas shopping done before the stores close Christmas Eve. Jim had a good idea he thought the Cove should gift-wrap various articles, mark them as $10, $20, $30, etc., and whether for a male or a female. A last-minute shopper at the end of his tether could just pick a gift in his price range without having to agonize over whether it would be suitable or not. Chances are, it would be just as appropriate as anything he could pick out himself!

rubber boots	One of the coffee row regulars once raised a bit of livestock. His wife complained about her rubber boots leaking, so for Christmas he bought her a brand-new pair of rubber boots and a new pitchfork. When she saw them, she was so happy she cried!

skating	I see the Park staff has cleared off a skating area on the Marina; all around Norgrove Island and north past the walking bridge. There is a warm-up shack with a heater, too.

Christmas	We had our whole family home for Christmas, though a couple of grandchildren had to leave before our Christmas meal. It really is a treat, having them all here, especially as it gets harder and harder, with grandchildren being pulled in other directions as well. We told them all that we love to have them here, but not to feel guilty if they cant make it.

snow machines	The snowmobilers had a good time, on one day going as far as the west end of Barrier Lake. There hasnt been enough snow to groom the trails, of course, and the going is pretty rough, but I understand these newer machines have suspensions that can handle rough ground well.

dogs	We also had three dogs here at the same time. One is a crusty old miniature schnauzer, then there is a year-old overgrown black lab that can out-drool Odie. The youngest is an almost-one-year-old, horny cocker spaniel, constantly embarrassing its owners. The three seemed to get along by ignoring each other; if there were any spats, I didnt hear them.

reindogs	On Christmas Day, the black lab, called Max, or Dufus, or Rudolph, came into the house wearing a pair of red antlers. No red nose, though. I guess it had to draw the line somewhere.
reindogs

ice fishing	Ice fishers have been out, and snowmobiles, cars and half tons are running all over the lake, The ice is almost a foot thick now, safe for vehicles, but I have no plans to drive out on it. Our fishermen had no luck, and I haven't talked to any others.

buy local	Doreen and I had a long discussion and decided to do as much of our shopping as possible locally, starting with Fishermans Cove and the Park store, then Kelvington and Porcupine Plain. We have to go to one city or another once a month or so, but only plan to buy there what we cant get locally. That's our New Years revolution. Let's see if we can make it stick!

	Hope you all had as great a Christmas as we did, and that 2002 treats you well!

	Doreen & Jerry Crawford Box 100, Chelan, SK S0E 0N0 (306) 278-3423 http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/crawg