The Warmth of a Car

On my walk home this morning, from accompanying my children to school, I saw a few signs that nature, and not the calendar, had decided that spring had definitely settled in. Robins were chirping and scurrying around on front lawns. In the air, against a heavy and overcast, low-cloud sky, I saw Canada Geese flying north in their signature V.

The forecast calls for temperatures in the twenties this weekend - even upper twenties! The weather specialists are saying we may very well break more records - after having had a record breaking winter for warm temperatures and lack of snow.

So I was walking home happily. Halfway I noticed a tingling sensation in my nose. No deeper than that, in my sinuses. Not quite the feeling you have when you are cold which is to say no congestion or pressure. Just tingling. In fact, as I am writing this I still have the sensation. I also noticed a smell. Finding words to describe the smell accurately is proving hard. Chlorine? Some other chemical? Chemical fertilizer?

My thoughts turned to the low rumble of commuters on Highways 20 and 40 that border our neighbourhood to the south and north. Fourteen lanes of blacktop within 1.5 km of each other - our home sandwiched in-between.

Might those cars, each with their seemingly minute contributions, have helped Canada achieve such a warm and pleasant climate?

Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!