Snowmapocalyptopalooza

 This year has brought more snow than I can remember in a long time. Certainly a good winter to be a kid in Minnesota - huge mountains of snow to climb, plenty of raw material for snow forts, and nearly always a fresh dusting (or fresh dumping) on which to bring another snow angel to life.

When I was a kid, the heaped-up corners on the boulevard at the end of the driveway was often utilized for snow forts. The pile of snow was already there from the plowed road and shoveled driveway, so all you had to do was hollow it out. And when you were done, it was a fine place to hang out. There was a feeling of contentment, just sitting there in the snowy silence as the outside light filtered through the icy walls. It was like having a place of your own for the first time. Remember moving into your first dorm room or apartment? The first time you moved away from home? It was a sneak preview of that; the sparseness, the lack of amenities didn't matter - it was yours.

But that was then and while I hope my kids are having as much fun this winter as I had in the winters of my youth, I'm getting to be a bit of an old duffer, and I'm quite tired of this winter, this Snowmapocalyptopalooza, and I'm ready for spring.