Dear Mother Nature:

Dear Mother Nature: I am impressed. The last time you decided to show the Tri-State area how skilled you were at making a lot of snow was in the 1990s. There was a year when we had 18 snow storms. While you are not showing off like that this time around, I can tell you that I am speechless with regard to your snow making skills. And ice?? Boy can you make ice. Since my office was closed today (and the subway that could take me to the rink in Queens wasn't running), I was treated to the sounds of spinning car wheels as crazy folks decided to drive their cars on the ice caked roads. I've learned that no matter the size of the vehicle, spinning wheels all sound the same. Amazing! Since you are familiar with my love of shopping, I appreciate the numerous snow storms that caused my winter boots to start to take in water. No problem; I'll get another pair... if they're available anywhere, so far, no... they're not... But they will be soon. In the meantime, I'll just carry an extra pair of socks for when my feet get wet. I'm not complaining Mother Nature, I am in awe. Wish I had that kind of power. The power to make ordinary, easy-going people swear like sailors when they can't get their cars out of the driveway. The ability to make teenage girls wear actual full-length coats instead of little cropped jackets. The power to make NY slow down for a little while. Yet, at the same time, there are some problems. People can't get to the theatre and they planned it months in advance. (It should be noted that 70% of the technical people in theatre do not live in Manhattan. Most live in Westchester, Connecticut, Long Island and New Jersey. So if they can't get to work, does the show really go on??) Most people lose the ability to pick up their feet walking in boots, so you hear them scuffing from two blocks away. Hotels are crowded with people who want to leave, but the airport has been shut down. The snow days have caused me to look at alternatives: travel, exercise, food... I am shrinking my carbon footprint by taking public transportation (okay so it takes 1 1/2 hours on the bus and a .75 mile walk from the bus stop to the office, but it's great exercise, dodging ice from sidewalks that haven't been shoveled). Getting more exercise by walking those .75 miles. And as far as food is concerned; I'm either very hungry or not hungry at all. Go figure. The Groundhog determined that there would be 6 more weeks of winter. Mother Nature, can you please explain to me, how dragging a hibernating rodent from his home and making him parade in front of the press determines the weather? I thought that was your job. Plus, if you do this practice in early February, spring is ALWAYS 6 weeks away! I will let you go now Mother Nature because I understand you have another storm to prepare for the Tri-State area. The work never ends. Thank you Mother Nature for making me appreciate the little things in life: Twizzlers, brandy, ski pants and monitoring the Sunday session because now that's the only session I'm skating. See you tomorrow as I'm walking to or from the bus. Skatecat