Winter Chick

My love affair with winter started young.

I think I was skiing almost before I could walk. I was tackling 'black diamond' runs with my (very overprotective, so you know I had to be good!!) Dad when I was 12 or 13. I remember one winter when we lived in Calgary heading to Sunshine Village or Lake Louise in Banff National Park with my family every weekend from Christmas till May 24th.

I've snowshoed, cross-country skied, learned to throw a mean snowball, built snowmen, ice skated, slid down hills at breakneck speeds on toboggans, and done just about everything else you can do in the winter.
We briefly 'broke up' in my late teens/early twenties when I lived, ate and breathed horses, but then in early 1989 I discovered sled dogs and our affair was back on.

Since then I have celebrated the season, eagerly awaiting its arrival every year and mourning its passing.

I've moaned and whined when it arrived late or left too early.

I've dealt with winter at its worst - snow blowing so hard you can barely see your hand in front of your face, -60F temperatures, and excessive amounts of snow - and still loved it.

I am a Winter Chick!!!!!

HOWEVER..........it is MAY 1st this morning.

Winter, you need to leave!!!!!

You have officially overstayed your welcome - even from me.

A good, healthy relationship has some space for the individuals in it. Give me some space.

Come October I will welcome you back with open arms - I promise!!!! But right now, you need to go!!!

If you really love me, you will do this for me.