Ever since I was a kid, I loved winter. I could not wait to get home from school, put on my winter clothes, and grab my toboggan, pan, or Flexible Flyer and head back to the neighborhood to sled ride with my friends. It seemed in those days, it always snowed and there was always snow on the ground. All we did was build snow forts and sled ride in the Stowell’s backyard all the way down to the creek. If you really launched it, you would hit the creek and hope that it was frozen. Snow was always up to our thighs and we couldn’t get enough of it.

At around the same time, my parents thought it would be a good thing for my sister and I to learn how to ski. I am so thankful to them as my enthusiasm for that sport has not waned in 63 years. I couldn’t wait to call the ski report when I heard that it snowed in the Laurels. When I heard Lars Skylling say the ” skiing is good to excellent”, I couldn’t wait for Bob Rose to pick us up and head for the mountains. Fast forward after visiting 114 different ski areas, my love for skiing and the winter has not changed one bit.

But I live in Western Pa and we have been sort of short- changed in recent years with weather. The winters have been kind of mild and if you wanted to enjoy the outdoors in the winter, you had to do it in the rain, the hail, and basically sub- standard winter conditions. But this year has been a welcome change. Here in the depths of the polar vortex, Western Pa. has abundance of snow. I am happy to see the kids at Hartwood Acres sled riding with smiles on their faces. I am gratified and remember all the great winters of my youth.

As much as I like to ski and can’t wait to get out west, I am so happy we are having a great winter around here. Laurel Mountain conditions have been great and it is so scenic in the winter in the Laurel Highlands. So many things to do. Cross country skiing, alpine skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, mountain bike riding. It has all been possible so far this winter because of the snow and temperatures.

Now a lot of people do not share my enthusiasm. They don’t like winter and can’t wait for spring. But I always encourage everybody to get out and enjoy it. Even if you just take a walk or hike in the snow, the muffled silence of a snowstorm is something to embrace. Every time I see it snow, I am enthused. I tell my not so enthused friends that if they just get out and try some winter sport. they will have a whole new attitude towards winter.

We are hauling out the snowshoes soon and it has been a while since Janet and I have done that. This winter makes it possible again. I talk about winter and skiing all the time. Even on rides in the summer. I have always looked forward to winter and it all began with the deep snows long ago in my neighborhood.

Wrapping things up in this week’s post, I encourage anyone who is not so sure about winter to once again give it a try. Most of the people who read my drivel are fans of winter. Skiers and riders. But for those who would rather be in Florida now……….give it a chance. Put on the warm clothes, enjoy the winter, sit by a roaring fire and take in what we have locally. Global warming took a back seat in our neck of the woods so far, and for that……………I am grateful. Thanks for reading.

“Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.” 1 Chronicles16:24