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2016 Home For the Holidays
LINCOLN DAILY NEWS November 23, 2016
By now, the cold weather has announced its
intention to stay, like a relative who lives just
outside of driving distance for a same-day return
trip home. Christmas is coming; I’m sure I’ll see
my share of such visitors. At least they won’t stay
with me.
After enough coffee, I do a double-take as I look
outside and realize that the sky is not the only
white feature to see. The ground will look crisp
and frozen, like the vegetables I accidentally left
on the top shelf of the refrigerator.
At this point, I will sigh. Great; the first snow of
the season is here.
Now I know what you’re thinking; even the most
cantankerous among us takes the first snow as a
sign of joy. I don’t completely hate the first snow.
I’m just barely aware of it, especially when it
sneaks up on me in the night. But the love of the
first snow will soon turn to irritation; irritation
at having to clean frost away from windshields;
anger at shoveling it from driveways; and
frustration with the fact that now everything will
be wet until May.
At some point during the day I will look outside
and see children playing in the first snow. Even
if it’s only an inch or two, someone will try to do
something with it. At least they won’t be in my
yard.
But I also know that for many people, including
so many children, the first snow is a precious
memory. So I thought I would share a few
thoughts on the first snow, and how to make it
memorable, even if you’re a fellow curmudgeon.
The first step is always the hardest in any venture,
including braving the winter cold. Stepping
outside into the snow and wind always reminds
me of why I wish I was inside. If I want ice, I’ll
open the freezer for a moment.
Normally, outside activities in the winter call for
heavy coats, woolen hats, and copious amounts of
new mittens that have to be purchased after losing
last year’s set. Don’t even ask about scarves; I
have to relearn them every year; it’s like wearing a
giant, itchy tie.
But for a truly memorable first snow, consider
this.
Make your first snow outfit weird. Make it
something so off-the-wall, you’ll never forget it. I
recall a close friend who once wore a kilt and ran
five blocks in falling snow on a dare. He returned
bright red and shivering, but none of my friends
will ever forget that night. I’m sure he won’t
forget it either, especially the draft. I wonder if
the neighbors remember it, too.
Snowmen have long been a staple of winter.
For as long as I can remember, popular culture
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