Winterlude
Canada's capital, Ottawa, is known
for its festivals;
The first three weeks in February, each year, is "Winterlude"
Festival.
On the Rideau Canal, is the skating
rink - the longest, maintained in the world;
With over seven kilometers in length, there is plenty of room
to be twirled.
The weekends draw the largest crowd
so we all hope for temperatures cold;
A certain thickness of ice there must be - and that is more precious
than gold.
Different countries participate
in another weather-testing art;
It is a garden of gleaming ice sculptures - and only the best
take part.
They last as long as weather permits;
too warm and they melt away;
If I were a sculptor, it would break my heart to see my masterpiece
sway.
Canadians like the cold - good
thing! With our temps you need to be hearty;
Families, together, skate and play and then there is also a party!
A Winterlude party is a "Beaver
Tail" - whole-wheat pastry so tasty;
Deep-fried, piping-hot, your choice of toppings; to choose you
musn't be hasty.
Will it be cinnamon, maple syrup,
or - maybe just some jam;
Then there is cheese and things more hearty - perhaps a little
ham.
Hot chocolate or coffee to warm
you through and then "just another mile";
Skating down the Ridea is so much fun; that's why everyone wears
a smile.
Imagine, just last summer, when
the boat tours took this route;
"It couldn't have been as much fun as this - visiting Winterlude."
Joan Adams Burchell
written July 12, 2003
(copyright)
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