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Daily DigestYuck!
 There's a winter storm warning in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected. Be prepared for a messy morning commute as freezing rain and sleet move through the region. The morning commute will be slippery — drive careful!
Some New York schools, including Hoosick Falls Central School and St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls have already canceled classes.
All North County schools are closed; Pittsfield, Lanesborough, Berkshire Hills, Southern Berkshire and Central Berkshire school districts are closed. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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Confessions of a Practical Blonde: Let it Snow!By Sharon Leary - December 05, 2007
 | | Sharon Leary |
Walking Remy late one night, my spirits were lifted as I watched the little snowflakes fall from the sky. I stopped near a streetlight to watch them fall in the light, it's always a beautiful scene.
I LOVE snow. I may grumble and bark when I have to shovel my car out of heavy wet snow, but I try to look at it as an opportunity to get my cardio in for the day!
There's nothing better than looking out the window after a fresh snowfall, better still, I love going out just after a fresh snowfall and being the first one to make prints - actually that would be Remy since she is always several steps ahead of me.
I love knowing that I might get snowed in, even if it is a weekend. Is that weird? As long as I have electricity and plenty of blankets, I'm a happy camper. There's always soup in the pantry, so I don't worry about eating. Knowing that I can stay snuggled up in my comfy clothes and read, write or watch DVDs all day is priceless.
Being single affords me that little luxury. The only other being I need to worry about is Remy. And as long is she gets her bathroom breaks and biscuits, she's happy to snuggle up right next to me and sleep away the day.
I don't always while away the day in the house, fresh snow gives you the opportunity to get outside and enjoy some winter sports and fun. Skiing, ice-skating on a nearby pond, snowshoeing, sliding and building snowmen are activities we get to enjoy only during this time of year - unless you live or travel to the Southern Hemisphere.
Snowballs and Tomato Soup
Some of my happiest memories as a child involve snow. The snow days were the best because we got to go out and play in the snow. Snow angels, snow forts, snow ball fights, shoveling snow all were fit in to our day. And when we finally came into the house, mom would make us hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Lunch was usually tomato soup and a grilled cheese. In the afternoon, if we weren't playing in our rooms, we'd huddle around the kitchen table and play games like Sorry, Scrabble, Battleship, Connect Four, Life and Monopoly. Sometimes we would just play cards. Uno has always been a family favorite.
At night, there were never any arguments about going to bed. We were usually asleep before dinner was over. And if we didn't fall asleep my brothers and I would compete with each other to tell my dad all about the day.
"Jay hit me with a snowball right here Dad." "Did you see the snow fort I built Dad?" "Hey Dad, I made $8 shoveling snow for the neighbors and I'm going to spend it all on baseball cards!"
Lovely Weather for a Get-together
In the spring of 1981, a nor'easter dumped a couple of feet of snow. Winter did not want to let go. My friend April and her sister Heidi and my brother's friends Vinnie and Michael had a memorable teen day. We all went out and shoveled driveways around the neighborhood. We competed with each other to see who could make the most money in tips.
I honestly can't remember who won. But at the end of the day, we all ended up back at my parent's house. This was a treat because we had a small house and normally the teens did not congregate at the Leary household. But we had recently inherited a small pool table and the guys were itching to play.
We hung around and listened to records (I think mostly J. Geils Band), drank a lot of soda, ran up and down the stairs, teased each other and the usually reserved Michael Goggin entertained us with a dance - which I have captured forever on a Polaroid snapshot.
It was one of those days I will forever remember.
Driven Snow
When I first moved to the Berkshires in 1992, I had no idea what the winters were going to be like. My first winter living here I remember a nor'easter that dumped several feet of snow on the area. One of the most amazing sites I have ever seen was on Route 8A driving through Savoy a day after the plows had cleared the road enough for us travel on. The snow was piled at least 10 feet high on either side of the road. You couldn't see the houses along the road.
I suppose snow has its bad points as well. I recall a trip back from Springfield one winter night on Route 9. It's always scary at night driving on Route 9, because of the UFOs, but this night had the added bonus of not being able to see more than 10 feet in front of your car. Snow was pelting the windshield and the wind was howling. I couldn't wait to arrive at my destination.
Wearing layers upon layers of clothes isn't my idea of a good time either. If given the choice I would most definitely prefer to be wearing tank tops, shorts and flip-flops all year long. But alas, we must layer on the thermal underwear, sweat shirts and/or fleeces, wool socks, hats, mittens, scarves, jacket and, of course, your winter boots.
It's All About the Boots
When I was growing up I HATED wearing winter boots. Back in the day, winter boots were not as stylish and sturdy as they are now. I got to wear lovely plastic boots. I hated going to school wearing those boots and dragging along a bag with my shoes to change into. I was finally able to escape the boots when my whining was heard all the way out west one winter. My first pair of hiking boots was delivered to me via my grandparents. God Bless whoever invented hiking boots!
These days I don't mind boots so much. It's more about keeping my feet warm and in fact I own several pair and types. I have cowboy boots, suede, leather, hiking and, of course, the latest style. I even bought myself a pair of boots that are fur trimmed a couple of winters ago. A style I wouldn't have been caught dead in 20 years ago.
Hello Neighbor
Then there is the shoveling. I'll admit it is not my favorite thing to do, but I'll do it. Remy must have a path and I need to get to my car. However, one of the cool things about going outside and shoveling is seeing your neighbors. I find it endearing to see everyone out and shoveling, snow blowing or even snow plowing his or her driveways and walkways.
Usually everyone waves to one another, or stops and talks for a bit. Snow affords us the opportunity to connect with our neighbors.
Snow Is Not a Four-Letter Word
If you think about it, it's not so much the snow people hate, it's the cold weather that comes along with it. I'd take a 30-degree day with snow anytime over a dry subzero wind-chilled day. So don't hate the snow.
According to the Farmers Almanac, we were to have scattered snow showers for the next few weeks. Our first snowstorm was due some point amid the Dec. 13 and 17 weekend - but it came a couple weeks early. There's still time to tune-up your snow blower for the next round.
If my love of snow has not persuaded you to change your mind, keep in mind what my friend Jennifer Civello says: "The best thing about snow is that regardless of what happens it always goes away."
Enjoy the snow when it gets here.
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| Those stories sound exactly like mine growing up. I love the memories you brought back to me. My brothers and I made a pretty penny in our day. Thanks for bringing back all those warm memories. Keep those stories coming! When I was growing up in good old Williamstown we had lots of snow days...back then we really had snow storms. The pile in front of my house was always way above the front window!!! made for awesome snow fort building. | | from: Kelley C. | on: 12-07-2007 |
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| LOVE THE SNOW STORIES!!!! STILL HATE WINTER AFTER JAN 1st though! HOT CHOCOLATE with creame de menthe.... | | from: B. Cohen | on: 12-07-2007 |
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| Sharon love your "Let it Snow" story! You sparked many wonderful memories for me also. I share many of your listed loves for snow....Thanks. | | from: W300m | on: 12-05-2007 |
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| Snow...isa short way of saying "so, now" what sahll we do??? Growing up in Buffalo NY we always had a few REAL snow days..not the whimpy kind they call off school for around here...snow measured in feet and piles big enough for 3 person caves at the end of the driveway...thanks Sharon for re-kindling fond memories | | from: Polly Mac | on: 12-05-2007 |
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| That friend of yours, Jen Civello sounds smart! :) | | from: Jaimi | on: 12-05-2007 |
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