Playing around with BeFunky again. So far, so good.

This is a photo from last winter. We have snow on the ground right now, but it’s going to warm up today, so I expect much of it will melt.

I have a love/hate relationship with Old Man Winter. I was raised in Michigan where huge snowfalls were the norm. For most of my life, I’ve lived in areas of the country that get a lot of snow. I can remember walking through a blizzard to get to a rehearsal when I lived in Philadelphia. Several of us in the cast were trying to get to the subway and we had to cling on to light poles when the wind started gusting in order to avoid being knocked on our behinds. In Boston, where I also used public transportation, I regularly slipped and fell on the icy sidewalks, had to wait for the T (the subway) while snow and sleet stung every exposed part of my skin. The last winter that I lived there, I remember thinking to myself: You have got to get out of here.

And I did. I got a job in San Diego. I lived there for 8 years. During that first winter in San Diego, I traveled home to Michigan for the holidays. At that time, my parents were living in Northern Michigan on the shores of Lake Huron, where huge snowfalls were a regular occurrence. There was snow piled everywhere and the winds coming off Lake Huron were sharp and biting. Perfect for a Christmas celebration with family.

But when I arrived back in San Diego, the temperature was in the 70’s and I felt the warmth of the sun on my face and I had that same feeling I have when I slip into a warm bath. Aaaahh.

So what did we do? Eight years later, we decided to move back East. And ten years after that move, here we are. My poor husband, Southern California born and bred, has never made friends with winter. He likes the first couple of snowfalls but then he longs for San Diego. Happens every year.

When I was younger and living in Michigan, I regularly drove in the snow and was rather fearless about it. I once drove across the state in a major blizzard to attend a friend’s wedding and didn’t blink an eye. Didn’t have four-wheel drive. Didn’t care.

Now, I watch the weather reports, I worry about Don driving home from work late at night, I do everything I can to avoid driving in the snow.

I get a wee bit depressed.

I’ve made a little list:

It’s very cold. But I like the way cold makes me feel invigorated.

It’s very cold. But I get to wear sweaters.

My garden is sleeping, hidden away under the snow. But I know that I will appreciate it all the more come spring.

There’s a lot of snow. But it looks so beautiful when the sun is shining and it sparkles.

All I see is white – everywhere. But I can see the bright red of our cardinals against the white of the snow and nothing is more beautiful.

I have to shovel. But it’s good exercise.

I get sick of it real quickly. But the dogs love it. Riley licks the snow, Scout frolics in it.

Winter seems endless. But without it, we wouldn’t appreciate the fresh green growth of spring.

It’s very cold. But I get to drink hot chocolate.

So here’s my question of the day: