Well, almost.

How's it going?

I hope you're keeping warm if you're up here in the Norther Hemisphere. Of all times I chose to come back to Canada I chose January.

I'm not a newb, I knew what I was getting into.

But I had forgotten just how bad it could get.

If that chart doesn't make sense, just understand that we are now in the deep cold of the Canadian winter. In theory, it can only get warmer from here.

And, as I've told many a people in response to their shock that I can't naturally stand the cold ("You're CANADIAN!"), the skin don't judge. When it's cold, it's cold.

The one upshot of this time of year is that the rivers that run through the city are frozen solid, which means you can go skating on them. There's also the Festival du Voyageur, which celebrates the trade between the early explorers and the indigenous peoples, but that doesn't start until February. I haven't been since I was a kid so it might be worth a visit... if I'm still in town!

It also means you have to literally "brave the cold."

It stings the skin.

Literally.

It hurts.

No exposed skin or else you're asking for trouble.

But, this is where I was born and raised, in the middle of the Canadian prairies. Cold n all.

And, as I learned with my first trip overseas so many years: despite how normal you think your hometown is, people all over the world have legs, move around, walk, go to work and do stuff.

What a lesson!

In essence, the world keeps going, wherever you are, regardless of the weather.

So, how are you keeping warm? Beijing, are you okay? USA? Australia, enjoying the summer?

Let me know.

Hope you're well.

Steve