More than two months of unseasonable weather has residents of the Vancouver lower mainland shouting enough. Many of us live here because we retired our snow shovels and sought better, warmer days. But Mother Nature is not pleased with our reckless ways and reminds us who is ultimately in charge. It’s also possible the record hot, dry summers are responsible for the pendulum swing to wetter and more severe winters. Just a few days before the official arrival of spring, daffodils and crocuses can be found to remind us better days lay ahead.

A month ago I had my stomach hernia repaired and am in better condition than I’ve been for years. I’m almost able to eat real food again but promised myself to take better care of my health. As I switched my diet from largely processed food to a more natural diet, I noticed how my garbage contains a larger amount of organic material instead of packaging. How did I get so careless in my choices? I was lazy.

It’s often been said that we spend the first half of our lives trying to shorten the second half. Guilty. Now I spend the second half trying to repair the damage done in my youth. My ten years of tobacco smoking has caught up with me. I better get back to the forest before needing to carry an oxygen bottle with me. Ah sweet days of  youth, why have you forsaken me?  Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be old than dead. Springtime in the forest is almost here and I’m looking forward to a return. The quest will continue.