first snow

Today October 3rd, in Calgary, we have just had our first fall of snow. Officially it is still fall as winter, in North America, officially begins with the winter solstice on December 21st. This contrasts with the United Kingdom and Ireland where it begins on November 1st (all hallows or samhain) and the solstice marks mid-winter.

Either way for me, the first snow in Canada reminds us to enjoy the remaining days of fall. As a small aside, fall was a term used in England during Elizabethan times and was transferred to the colonies where it remained in usage. Back in England it fell out of usage and autumn became the preferred name for this transitional season.

No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face - John Donne