Here in the Midwest, we didn’t need a rodent to tell us we have six more weeks of winter ahead of us. Regardless of the groundhog seeing his shadow, we are fully aware of the mounds of snow around us and the alternating cold and snowy days ahead in the forecast.
The news is buzzing with salt shortages, record-breaking snow day closings at schools, and traffic accidents due to the weather. But there is good in everything, even in these conditions.
Personally, I like the brightness of the snow. There appears to be so much more light streaming through the windows as the sun reflects on the snow. And when outside, we are wearing sunglasses almost as often as during the summer.
Here are a few other positives about this winter weather:
- Hot showers, hot drinks, and fluffy blankets are so much more enjoyable.
- Snow resorts don’t have to make snow. The real stuff is here in abundance.
- Snow removal and heating repair employees are banking a lot of overtime.
- No need to hurry home from running errands. That ice cream in the trunk isn’t going to melt.
- We get to wear beautiful scarves, sweaters, and boots.
- Not enough space in the refrigerator? We can just set those cold drinks outside the door.
- We’ve gotten our money’s worth out of our winter wear.
- Snow plow sales are up.
- Schools and some businesses have closed due to blizzard and subzero conditions. This has offered a lot of us days to enjoy family and the homes we work so hard to maintain.
- Kids are getting a lot of exercise and practice building snow-people and forts.
- Cuddling keeps us warm and happy.
- Snow makes a good surface for identifying animal tracks.
- Artists are not lacking in material for snow sculptures.
- The farmers’ fields will have plenty of moisture for planting in the spring.
©2014, Mary K. Doyle
Midwest Mary 
Our groundhog is Wiarton Willie. Like you, I don’t think it matters whether or not he sees his shadow. I still don’t put the boots and winter coats away until the first week in May. We’re expecting more snow – as a matter of fact, it has already started this evening and is to continue all day tomorrow. The kids are hoping for a snow day. THey’ll probably get it. Keep warm, Mary!
Your groundhog has a name? Is that throughout Canada? How many children do you still have at home, Terry?
Wiarton Willie is the groundhog for southern and central Ontario. Seven of the eight kids still live at home but that will be changing in the next little while. The oldest one is a journalist in Alberta. A son who is a social worker is finishing up post-grad courses and two more are graduating from university in May. Only the two youngest (11 and 13) are affected by today’s snow day since they take a school bus.
You have a very busy life there and facing another transition with your children and parenting. Keep warm up there!
What an uplifting post! I couldn’t agree more…especially the ice cream not melting. The other day after a stop at the grocery store to pick up some ice cream & a few other items, I made a quick stop to the post office. My quick stop turned into a 45 minute wait in line. While unhappily waiting, I did muster a chuckle when thinking, “well, at least my ice cream won’t melt!”
I also liked your comment about the animal prints. I never knew how many different animals came into my backyard in the middle of the night!
Thank you for writing, Sue. We have to make the best of it, don’t we?
It certainly is beautiful to look at! I know my cousin works for a snow plow company and is loving the weather we’ve had so far!
It is beautiful. Saturday night after Mass I was with my sisters and we noticed how everything sparkled.