Every creature has them … and thank goodness.

The abilities to learn, to remember, to know the good and the bad of things, plus, what I believe is our most important inbred power - our instincts.

As an example, I just know when I’m going to “catch it” from the boss, even though I’m sure she didn’t see me do it. Remember what we used to tell the kids? Careful, your Mom has eyes in the back of her head. I think maybe it’s true.

When it comes right down to, it though, the instinctual power all living things have, is a main factor in survival.

Look at the wild flowers in the fields and gardens, they have the good sense to hang down their heads, drop a few seeds and relax their decorative chores ‘till it gets warm again and they return.

The leaves on the trees know the sap is drying up, they figure the tree’s gonna take the winter off, so why should they hang around; they’ll fertilize a few gardens and come back in the spring.

The honeybees work their buns off pollinating flowers all spring and summer so they might just as well tuck their stingers in, slurp back some honey and relax in the hive during the winter months.

Canada geese pick a leader, get in formation and head to the Carolinas and points south for their winter vacation; right behind them are the robins, monarch butterflies and a flurry of other feathered friends who don’t feel like pounding on the pounds in order to keep out the cold of winter.

I’ve always told myself - it’s not that I’m a tad on the weak side in terms of willpower - but, the rather large pot-like protrusion just below my chest is simply nature’s way of protecting me over the winter. (I can’t figure out though, why this doesn’t just disappear come spring.)

All creatures also must be grateful for their built in ability - at the end of the day - to know where they hang their hat and where home is.

Squirrels don’t just nest in any pile of leaves they come across. They have their own pile in the branches which they’ve worked on for months. They’re perfectly placed and they’ve made sure every single cupboard is chocked full of nuts and non-perishables.

I guess that’s why pigeons have no problem wintering in Canada and knowing exactly where their little homes are in various attics, lofts and barns. They’ve also had the foresight to bunk down in a place where there’s plenty of seeds and such to snack on.

This again, is probably why the robin takes off. They’re OK with the odd seed, but worms are the real protein they crave, and those wings don’t make the best of snow shovels.

It would be something else to see a robin dig up a worm in winter. If it hung out near the surface it’d be frozen stiff and almost impossible to swallow.

I guess this type of thinking is why I always flunked out of biology in high school; never could get things straight.

But you know what? I’m one of those Canadians who enjoy every single season we have. That’s why we’re Canadians, eh?

You tell me what can be better than snugglin’ down on the couch with a great book, getting the fireplace stoked up high, listening to the wind howling while it blows into a blizzard, and, taking out any suggestion of a chill by having a sip of that hot chocolate.

Y’know what’s even better?

Making darn sure that hot chocolate has a doubled-up-dollop of Irish Cream in it.