I have a very active family. If there's a game to be played, or an activity to partake in - it's partaken. Every Christmas we all get together and we either go sliding, play boot hockey or even lace up our skates and play actual hockey.
This Christmas? Not so much. And I ain't happy about it.
I know a lot of people love this warm weather, and who could blame them? Your lips don't freeze and your heating bills are down. But is this "warm" weather such a good thing? Heck, no!
First of all, it's not warm. It's just not cold. Second of all, this weather isn't beatiful. When I think of beautiful weather in winter, I think of white snow, red cheeks and green pine trees. Most people don't think of winter beauty as brown yards with piles of snowplow dirt on the side.
That seems "ugly" to me.
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There's just not a lot to do in this type of weather. It hasn't been cold enough to snow, so while the weather may be warm, you can't do much in 38-degree rain.
OK, so I can't complain about what I have no control over. Besides, I haven't had to shovel this year, nor have I had to go out in the freezing cold and warm up my car before I come to work.
Snow and cold during the winter season - despite their nasty reputation - are the only known cure for cabin fever. Snow allows us to do some Nordic skiing, or downhill skiing if you prefer. It allows us to get outside and smell the fresh, cool and clean winter air, go sledding, make snowmen, go snowmobiling or whatever millions of winter activities we Northerners love.
Besides, we all have to admit one of the best parts of winter is being outside for hours in the freezing cold and snow, only to come inside to drink hot chocolate, watch a movie and sleep like a baby.
By the way, our family activity this year was wiffleball, a Christmas first for us. I actually love wiffleball and I'll play it in any kind of weather during any time of year, but after four batters, all four of our wiffle balls shattered in the 25-degree weather - and not because of anyone's truly heroic power-slugging abilities.
I'd still much rather be on the rink playing hockey or at the bare minimum hitting a huge jump while sledding. Hey, if we're going to have a winter, let's have a real winter - snowbanks, skating rinks - the works.
Got that, Mother Nature?
Pine Journal Editor Mat Gilderman can be contacted at: mgilderman@pinejournal.com .
