After several years of mild winters, this year’s cold season seems less bearable. It harkens me back to my college days when I would have to take a train and two busses just to get to school in the frigid and windy weather. To add insult to injury, I would need to march from building to building across the campus to get to my classes all the while avoiding icy patches and contracting wind burns on my face. Because of this, I have not had any adoration for the winter season. 

However, over the last several years of “global warming” (if you are a liberal) or “climate change” (if you are a conservative) I was beginning to rethink my stance on the first quarter of the year. Oh how wrong I was! Old man winter has been awakened from his hibernation and come out of his den with the vengeance of a hungry black bear. I am fortunate that now I have a car to protect me from the elements and I have a garage at the office. Also, I have the luxury to work in an office and no need to go outside if I chose not to. 

Temperatures for most of January have been in the 20s, which I realize is not cold if you live in the north, but to us folk below the Mason-Dixon Line, it is unbearable. I was overjoyed today to have the mercury reach 58 degrees and the sun shine bright. Even though Punxsutawney Phil sees another six weeks of winter. Tomorrow of course, we are forecasted to have another snow storm so we took this window of opportunity to experience “outside”. We decided to take Andrew for a walk to a park in our neighborhood.

Even in the grey of winter we still have some greenery

This trail winds its way across the entire county and connects all the parks.

A walk in the park

The creek is frozen

I always love coming to this bridge - even in the winter

  

Later that day - Watching the Super Bowl and cringing!