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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Weekend Weather

By: Doug Speirs

Posted: 01/26/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Good morning, everyone. Happy belated Robbie Burns Day!

Or, as some of my ancestors would have said: "Gud morn, a fowk, canty belated Robbie Burns Day!"

Based on the bleary look on your little face, I am going to assume you were up late last night toasting the greatest poet in the history of the world with a dram or two and, just possibly, a few bites of haggis.

Before we go on, let me just say that, considering the hate mail I got last year when I dared mock the taste of Scotland's national dish, I now realize haggis is the greatest single food product ever invented.

OK, now that we are all friends again, I have decided, out of the goodness of my partly Scottish heart, to give everyone a break today.

I am referring here to a break from the bone-rattling, soul-destroying cold snap that has been crushing our will to live since a massive clump of Arctic air plopped down on top of us a little while back.

Get ready to feel warm and fuzzy, because Environment Canada says today we can look forward to a little bit of sun and a soothing high of -12 C, which is spot-on normal for this time of year and a lot better than the -30 C temperatures we have been smacked with in recent days.

On Sunday, we are going to enjoy a sizzling high of -4 C, which is pretty much like living in Hawaii. Better yet, the daily low will only sink to -13 C. Is that awesome, or what?

Monday and Tuesday will feel balmy too (with highs of -9 C and -7 C, respectively) and the lows should only be around -12 C, a temperature we can handle standing on our tuque-covered heads, not that we want to.

Keep in mind, I am not promising you a long break in the sense the bitter cold should start making its way back on Wednesday, with a high of just -23 C.

So let's get out there this weekend, Winnipeg and take advantage of this tropical interlude. As your weekend social convener, I am pleased to report there is a ton of swell stuff to do to celebrate this warmish blip.

Want to have big fun? Then check out the Big Fun Festival, the annual indie festival showcasing multiple genres of music and art in venues throughout the city today and Sunday. If you're feeling a little literary, head down to the Millennium Library today from noon to 5 p.m. for Human Library 2013: The Sequel, an event wherein about 30 Manitobans will be acting as "living books." Readers can "borrow" the living books for half-hour conversations. And, no, you can't take them home or let your dog chew on them.

Keeping with the theme, drag the kids to Grant Park Shopping Centre Sunday starting at 2 p.m. for National Family Literacy Day. Uncle Doug will be there telling stories, along with MLA Jennifer Howard and legendary kids entertainer Al Simmons.

The point is, Winnipeg, I think you should get out and enjoy this little break in the weather. Or as my bagpipe-loving ancestors would have put it: "Noo gie it thaur, laddie, an start enjoyin' yoorselves!"

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 26, 2013 A2

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