The First Snow: A Reminder

Outside this morning, I can see the first snow for this part of Wisconsin. It isn't much.

But it's there. Winter is coming upon this part of the state gradually, in almost friendly style.

The last three years, right on December 1, we've had huge storms; powerful winds, more than a foot of snow. And it remained all winter and into a late spring.

Compared to much of the last 30 or 35 years, that was unpleasant. We've had something of a reprieve from winters up until this point.

Now, winter hangs around longer. Climate change: It's a bother.

The word is that tomorrow, there will be up to 9 inches of snow. A week later than before, huh? In just a moment, we won't know the difference.

For now, until, maybe, Valentine's Day, snow is welcome around here. After that, it just becomes dirty snow--won't go away, not likely to be replenished.

It's then that people need to know how to do something in it. I have purchased snowshoes, and moved around in them a couple of times last winter.

Not a bad idea, all told. As long as I'm around here, I'm going to try to do it again. And again. And again.

At this particular moment, it's kind of bracing; a run-up to Christmas and holiday pleasure. People don't mind it because it reminds them of the season at-large.

After the holidays, though, it's either something to remain recreational, though at a slower pace, or just a pain.

Here it comes. Get ready.