Enter Snow, Stage Right

This is the beginning of December, the start of the season of snow. I grew up not too far north of Holland, Michigan and when I would think of the winters, I remember reveling in the idea of sledding and building snowmen. Sometimes it was wonderful simply to look out windows and watch our brown fall days turn almost magically into a world of white with ribbons of ice dangling from the roof’s edge. Winter can be fun, but it has in the past also proved memorable. Some of those winters created memorable pictures, and stories that made became a part of the history of this community.

If you look back at archival pictures from the early days of the 20th century you can find some amazing pictures of the fun created from the winter storms that blew through and seemed to stop life for the whole community. There are pictures of skating on the on Lake Macatawa from 1906, and of horse-drawn cutter races in the 20s. But the really memorable winter storms are marked simply by the years they occurred.

In 1918 the snow had created mountains that when plowed looked like canyon walls with telephone poles hovering at the top edges like buried giants. 1936 was another winter of record snowfall, but the winter of 1962-63 was a record maker for bitter cold temperatures and snowfall. Gale force winds created snow drifts that reached twelve feet. The Board of Public Works had placed 8 foot stakes by the hydrants for area plow truck drivers but after the incredible snow falls the stakes were barely visible. A total of 137.5 inches of snow fell that year.

Those of us who lived here in the winters of both 1977 and ‘78 remember five to 10 foot drifts, over 60 mile per hour winds and weekends in February that brought storms of such ferociousness that churches city-wide were closed Sunday mornings, and also closed roads county-wide.

Winter’s force over the years has given us many a snowy mess. But like in the early days of the 20th century, it also showed that young and old alike can enjoy a surprise snow day. Winters here can be unpredictable and sometimes over powering. But from sled races to building a snow fort, a great winter storm can create fond memories, and stories to remember for a whole lifetime.

The White Stuff!

Winter means little sunshine, and little warmth. But it also means twinkling snow that shines bright despite the lack of the beams from the sun. Personally, I love the change, and that different way to view life that winter gives.

Granted it also means nasty roads, often - and snow that needs shoveling on a regular basis. But, hey - it also has a beauty all its own! No color...just white and shades of gray and black. But the white can be really breath taking! So keep your summer days of heat, humidity and color. This time of the year I want snow - and lots of it!

Pre-Winter

The pre-winter season holds my attention like nothing else does these days. The change from summer to fall was dramatic courtesy of the drought in the midwest this year. Many trees just dropped leaves before any color came, while others flamed brighter than they have in years past.

Now we're entering that "iffy" time of almost winter, but not quite. The weather sooth sayers tell us that the next few weeks will be cold, but then the rest of the winter will be almost balmy...for Michigan. We had that last winter too.

In my years of winter viewing, I've noticed on thing that makes this time of year great for me - as many changes as we have in weather they really cannot predict it well sometimes, and winter is one of those times that can be difficult to understand. It is the one thing that we humans can predict all we want, but often we are still wrong about.

Nature is - for a time at least, still in control. And for that I am glad.