Land of Perpetual Snow and Ice

The Farmer's Almanac 2009 edition calls for colder than average temperatures for most of the country. The almanac also predicts above-normal snowfall for the Great Lakes and Midwest, especially during January and February. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will get an unusually wet or snowy February.

I think they may have it right. This is the first winter in many years where it has snowed the majority of days, from light flurries to big wet flakes to downright blizzards and whiteouts. It started early in November and has not truly let up straight through December and on into January.

I am beginning to think that white air is the norm! Not that I mind. An old-fashioned winter such as I remember from my childhood with plowed snowbanks soaring high over my head and the irresistible invitation to don snowpants and come outside and play.

So far, I have engaged in a snowball fight of minor proportions, relishing the splat in the face by a sloppy snowball hurled by a student desk worker on my way in to work the other day; assisted in the formation of several snowpeople - not so much from the rolling or lifting, but the sculpting afterwards of crossed arms and buttoned gowns; created three snow angels (one of which was recognizable as such - apparently I have lumps and bumps that were missing in my skinny childhood); and shoveled more than my share of behind-the-car impediments (I have gone through two car brush scrapers so far).

I plan to do some cross country skiing soon with a friend, and might be convinced - if the right opportunity arose - to do some ice skating. Not so sure about sledding any more. Never was too fond of swooshing down a hill on some board or flying saucer, spinning totally out of control until some benevolent tree managed to halt the downward motion.

Wouldn't you think all this unsought exercise would help? But no. I have not lost an ounce. Must have something to do with the appetite one works up in the frozen tundra!