Winter is here... Officially ....

Throughout my life, Winter has been by far the most subjective season. While living in Nebraska growing up, it often felt as if winter started in October when the bone-chilling winds blew down from the Rocky Mountains and froze everything in their path. Any plant matter left outside was sure to be resigned to a Siberian death, from which there is no resuscitation. Sometimes the arctic chill would last well into late February and early March, unrelenting with its frigid fists. Other times the winter would subside early in February, and the bitter cold and snow would transform into a blissful rainy spring.

Here in Denver, things tend to be significantly stranger. One can expect a considerable snowfall early in October some years, and others, well, not so much. A couple years back we had a streak of 70 degree days around my birthday, which was rather odd, but greatly appreciated! Winter is much more of a fickle beast here, often flip-flopping between sunny & gorgeous and cold & miserable. The weather in Colorado resists prediction by feeble meteorologists, often changing significantly in an hour period, almost as if to spite the weather men and women for trying to direct its capricious nature. As the old Denver adage goes, " If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes!"

One thing that I know for sure though, is that Christmas always seems to signal the 'official' start of winter. Christmas decorations and carols evoke a feeling in us all that force us into the harsh realization that winter has arrived. Although they probably won't be having a white Xmas in Dallas anytime soon, the spirit of the holidays conjures up feelings of winter time and cold weather that even the most devout Texan can't deny. Although the residents of Maui may never experience snowfall, they still know that familiar feeling that comes with singing "Let it Snow" or "Frosty the Snowman." The irony of it all never ceases to amaze.

In sum, Winter is here,whether I like it or not. After three consecutive days of significant snowfall accumulation and sub-freezing temperatures, there is no debate that Winter has laid its glacial claim to my fair town. There will be many days of long underwear,snow shoveling, and hot chocolate to come as we cross over into a new decade. All is not lost, however, as I optimistically envision walking around in my shorts sometime in the near future. I just need to wait a few minutes: It is Denver after all!

A.S. Bloom