A River Flows Through Us

By Tom Millar

I got a real liking for rivers. Rivers in all seasons of the year. And in particular rivers in Ontario.

I grew up on the river. The Rideau River. That portion of the river that flows through Ottawa.

Well, I spent a lot of time on or around the Rideau River. The family home was just up the hill from the river banks.
This time of year, the river was frozen over. But after school and on the weekends, my young buddies and me would cross the river, more just to get to the other side. Like going from one territory to the other. Then manning the snow fort…sometimes just sitting around with a good feeling of satisfaction of having done it. You know what I mean, eh?!

Of course, there were the snowball fights with the East View kids. (East was pronounced more like Eeeaz.)

When the weather began to warm up, the ice would start to break-up, somewhat. That’s when we would “frog” across the river and then back again. Frogging is taking a long limb from a tree, the longer the safer, and crawling over the river ice and at times, sprawling on the ice surface and moving or frogging ahead with the limb securely in hand over the cracks in the ice.

Like, us kids wanted to stay on top of the ice and keep dry. Dry as in not fall through the ice into the chilling water.

Yes, I liked playing on, in and around the Rideau River, having good times.

These memories were triggered by knowing that Monday, March 14, 2011 is the fourteenth Annual International Day of Action for Rivers, Water and Life. And I just had to share this news with you.

Rivers are still important to me. Many of you have fond memories of being on and in river waters, too. Let’s express our love for rivers by telling stories or writings and with paintings, photographs or music.

Let’s speak up for better water management. Let’s encourage thoughtful discussion, especially with students about river issues. Let’s pass on a healthy, inter-generational gift from Mother Nature – Our Rivers.

Tom Millar is a retired accountant who lives in the Toronto area and, among other things, enjoys reading and contributing the odd column to Niagara At Large.

(Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary on matters of interest and concern to residents in our greater Niagara region and beyond.)