What? Winter Love?

 I have written, some might justifiably say too often, about my dislike of cold weather--not just winter, though that season takes the brunt of my complaints.  Cold and I simply do not mix.

Minnesota has been enjoying a mild winter.  I'm not sure the temperature has dipped zero.  I know for certain we haven't had one of those prolonged cold snaps that keep children from going to school (when that was the case) due to fear of frostbite contracted while standing at the bus stop.  The warm for winter weather wasn't enough to entice me to go walking.  I still look, with a mixture of admiration and consternation, at the regulars parading up and down our street, regardless of the temperature.

I've spent more time outdoors this winter, however, than in probably the past two decades combined.  This was due to:    

    1. Grandchildren who do not share my 'fear of freezing' gene

    2. Remembering I had purchased, on a whim and on clearance, a pair of snow pants at Target a couple years ago.

We didn't have much snow until right before Christmas, of course the perfect time for the skies to let go with a dump of flakes.  Since then, there have been a couple plowable snows which, in the world of most Minnesotans, is the only amount that counts.  (Forget the 'dusting'.)  That amount of snow covers the ground so that all manner of outdoor activities can be enjoyed.  Turns out the grands love to go sledding.

And, this winter, so did Grandma.  I loved the snow pants--what a revelation!  As children throughout snowy climes have known for many years, snow pants keep you warm and dry!  I went flying down the hills with a grandchild in lap, not too many times, but I did set a new amateur land speed record for grandmothers at the Cedar Manor Hill in St. Louis Park.

                                           Clark W. Griswold setting a new amateur land speed record 

If you missed Christmas Vacation this past holiday season, please double click on the link.  The conversation between Eddie and Clark is a classic.

I would laugh one of those deep belly laughs watching the kids soar down the hills, rolling in the snow if they fell off the sled.  Sledding was a vehicle to see grands and their parents, who also turned out to be sledding aficionados, outdoors.  An extra added bonus was enjoying the activity.  Note to self for next winter: purchase a pair of gloves/mittens on the order of the snow pants.  And your own sled.

Minnesota is in for a couple dousings of snow over the next week or snow, along with some colder temperatures.  I'll be enjoying watching it on a screen as I sit on the sand in Florida, where we will engage in the Hunger Games that is attempting to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Let's not overdo a good thing.

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