Ever since we moved to Vancouver from Mexico City in 1975 we have handled snow with an ignorant precaution. In most cases we have opted to leave the car at home and take transit.

For some years we had Audi A-4s with all-wheel drive and we felt safe driving them during snow storms. The cars had all-weather tires. But there were slipping problems here and there.

This year with the idea that our 2017 Chevrolet Cruze is the last car I will ever buy and drive, I thought it was a good time to buy real snow tires. This I did at Dueck’s. They are charging me $80 to store the summer tires.

Today I have to pick up our granddaughter Lauren, 15, at her Arts Umbrella Dance class on Granville Island. If today’s snow stays I am kind of excited at the prospect of seeing how our Cruze navigates the snow.

What we are never told is that snow tires are extra good for wet roads. I have noticed how precise the Cruze is at stopping in rainy weather.

We woke up to today’s early snow fall and I looked out of the window. One of the few plants we kept from this house we purchased a bit more than a year ago is the Pyracantha coccinea. Notice the beautiful red berries outside my oficina and studio. To the right of the door I placed a bird feeder. I also put seeds in the pot hanging from the left of the door. Our garden is full of birds that take turns at munching the seeds.

My Rosemary smiles and that presages, perhaps a merry Christmas.