Snowy Backdrop For Sochi Winter Olympics

SNOW MADE another rare appearance in southwest BC this weekend as if to lend atmosphere to the Winter Olympics in faraway Russia. It was a fairly mild winter and spring seemed just around the corner until Saturday when a mix of icy rain and flakes fell.

Since I drove into Vancouver that day, it was nice to know that the wet snow would melt as soon as it hit the ground.

My daughter and I huddled under a big umbrella as we walked to a restaurant in the city for brunch. It was near a heritage structure that caught my eye.

Spaces in this building on Main Street have been filled over the years with celebratory laughter and the happier moments in life. The Heritage Hall was originally built as a Post Office in 1916. But nowadays it is a popular choice for weddings and community events. It also houses various social services.

The clock in the tower was manufactured in England and set into motion in 1915. It is carefully maintained by The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

By the time Sunday (and more snow) rolled around my husband and I were definitely feeling the "wintry" theme of the Olympics. Like many neighbors we woke at four in the morning to watch the Canadian men's hockey team play Sweden live on television and were thrilled when Canada won the gold.

Our excitement was no doubt mild compared to the explosive highs and lows felt by every daring Olympian. From the cozy comforts of home, I captured images being televised across the globe.

Outside our window a white curtain of sparkly billowy snow fluttered downward, as if ceremoniously in close of winter and the Olympics.

The games, however, are not over and I look forward to the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics that run March 7th to March 16th.

Afterthoughts March 1, 2014

Although recent events show this troubled world needs more cooperation and less competition between countries and people in general, the Olympic games inspire me and I hope the upcoming Paralympics go well.

The flag waving and pride arrives from dedicated people working incredibly hard to achieve their personal best. Athletes who rise to the top respecting their opponents deserve a prize. And in the end it takes award-winning cooperation and a lot of local volunteers to act as ambassadors and bring people together with shared Olympic goals.

Now with Olympic values of fair play fresh in our minds the world will judge Russia on how it responds to the current turbulent times in the Ukraine.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s words still ring true today when he said, “Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is a thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off."

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms