Freezing over now

Back to Ottawa! The Rideau has started to acquire its icy winter crust, but open water is still predominant, with a few hooded mergansers swimming on it. Hardly any snow has fallen on the banks as yet, so the new plaques on the ground under the young memorial trees by the river path through New Edinburgh park across the river are still readable; they have touching and thought provoking messages beside the names of the people they commemorate:

... Loved forever and ever.

... Walk in peace.

... drowned, trying to save his dog ...

aged 21, who died tragically, mourned by the whole community ...

and there is one in Italian exhorting us to celebrate the life of everyone.