White, white, white is about all I see looking outside. Too much snow, too much ice.
It seems to me we in Meeker have never gotten a break all winter from the cold weather. Our yard is still covered with snow left from November that has never melted.
I had hoped that warmer temperatures in the past week would melt lots of it. Now with a full day of snow and cold, it’s more layers of white on top of the old.
Yes, I know it is only early February and we still must get through March, the snowiest month according to Colorado weather records. So, we must endure. Keep shoveling, keep putting on coats and hats and gloves for any outing. It is not just snowy; it is cold outside.
Still, I realize these conditions are friendly to all who ice fish, snowboard, ski, sled, or love to race around on snowmobiles. You might as well enjoy winter, right?
I remember ice skating in my Indiana hometown if we were lucky enough that the local lake froze. It was a very cold sport, but you could buy hot chocolate to warm you up. You felt fortunate if your skating skills were good enough that you didn’t fall too often.
Trust me, it is very difficult to rise from the ground when your only footing is a skinny blade. Even shoes and boots can struggle to keep you upright on ice. Ice skates are even more treacherous.
Still, I loved the thrill of buzzing along on the ice. Of course, we weren’t doing any fancy jumps or twirls as you can see on TV of the professional skaters. It was just a fun outing for skaters of all levels and ages, from little tykes supported by parents to seniors and every age in between.
Ice skating is all about gliding and keeping your momentum. If you come to a halt, you have to start all over, dig in your toes and push off until you are moving steadily. Conversely, coming to a stop is also a tricky skill to master.
I haven’t been ice skating for many years, but I can still appreciate the joys that cold weather brings to others. In northwest Colorado, we always need moisture and hopefully this snow will slowly melt and give the ground a good drink.
Come summer our yard and flowers will appreciate having an underpinning of steady watering all winter. And our watering bills won’t be so hefty.
Keep going, white!
By KAYE SULLIVAN
