Warm thoughts and cold reality

Had a chance to spend Valentine's Day afternoon skiing with my wife, Cathy. What a great way to spend an afternoon. It certainly does not get any better than that. An afternoon on the slopes with the one you love followed up with a cozy evening in front of the fireplace.

That certainly warmed my heart. On the other end of the spectrum is some cold reality. I just read that Lake Erie is now frozen over. This has not occurred since the winter of 1995-96. This translates into a 241 mile stretch of ice. Lake Erie, with an average depth of 62 feet is the most shallow of the Great Lakes, which is why it is the only one that completely freezes over.

Since lake-effect snow depends on warmer lake temperatures compared to the air, the ice cover will deter large amounts of snowfall to the downwind side of the lake. I am sure Al Gore predicted such an event.

Top 10

I am starting to hear a few grumblings about people wishing winter was over. Yes it is true that these naysayers do not embrace the fun and camaraderie that can be had in winter. And yes, even I know a few people like that. So here are some reasons not to wish winter away. Let's call it my top 10 list. Oh, by the way, all indications are that wonderful winter weather is with for the foreseeable future. Yea, baby!
#10....No crowds at the beach.
#9......Your Whitey's Ice Cream will not melt before ya get home.
#8........No need to weed the garden.
#7........Winter feel good food like Chili, Hot Chocolate, and Homemade Bread.
#6......Wood Fire in the Fireplace......there truly is something magical about watching a fire.
#5....That romantic feeling of watching a snowfall.
#4......The sight and sound of snow guns helping mother nature lay down some fresh powder.
#3......The crunch of freshly fallen dry snow as you walk out to get the paper.
#2........Snow in general. There is just a unique mystique about the pretty white stuff that blankets the landscape. Enjoy it----make a snowman, have a snowball fight, go tubing, take a picture of it, join your friends on the slopes.
#1....Winter Recreation.....Get off the couch cuz winter is the only time you can go skiing, boarding, tubing............make a memory for a lifetime with friends and family on the slopes.