That's an old riddle that my Scottish grandmother used to tell us every Hogmanay. "Have you seen that man yet?" she'd ask. Those who had figured out would smile knowingly; the rest of us would rack our brains in frustration.

After a long delay, winter has finally hit Ottawa with a blast of snow.  The ploughs are clearing up the streets and, for those of us who have been looking forward to taking to the Rideau Canal Skateway, there's a promise that the ice may be thick enough by January 16 -- the day we plan to celebrate Sir John A. Macdonald's 201st anniversary by skating in our kilts.