Let it snow, let it snow

To be sure, snow is a four letter word. But it doesn’t have to be a swear word if you accept it and deal with it and make what you can of it.

Let’s face it, snow is a fact of life in most parts of Canada. And if you live in northern Ontario, the chances are good that snow will fall in November and extend into April.

So why curse and swear and mumble and grumble about it?

Unless you plan on heading to a warm weather destination for winter, you might be better off to simply face the fact that it is going to snow with regularity for the next five or so months instead of complaining about it.

Personally, I will take snow over rain in just about every instance.

And while it may be true that you don’t have to shovel rain, there is a lot more to do in the snow than there is when it is raining outside.

For example, you can go for a walk in the downtown, along side streets in your neighbourhood, or take a hike in any of the area trails and parks. Try and have fun doing any of that while it is raining, drizzling or cold and damp outside.

If you have a dog, it is a lot more fun — and potentially refreshing — to take your pet out in the snow instead of the rain.

And think about the fact that the sun has been known to shine brightly during winter. Does the sun shine much when it is raining out? Nope.

Then there is outdoor activity that can be done in the snow of winter. There is skiing, skating, snowmobiling and outdoor road or parking lot hockey games among family members and friends.

Specifically, I like to walk. I live downtown and walk my dog at least three times a day. And while I do love summer, it is a lot more refreshing to walk Stafford in the snow rather than in the heat. (Or the rain for that matter.)

My wife and I like to walk. We walk somewhere downtown just about every single day of the week, year around. Come snow and winter season, we simply bundle up and dress warmer. Again, better to walk in the snow than the rain.

Really, winter and snow is what you make of it. And if you live in the Sault area year round, you might as well accept (if not embrace) winter and snow rather than whine and complain about it.

To be sure, I will admit that I used to curse and swear about winter and dread the arrival of it and the snow that it brings. And I still get annoyed with inconsiderate city workers who are paid well to plough and remove snow and who do not do a very good job of it.

But I am gradually learning to accept winter and snow for what it is, in that I choose to continue to live, work, enjoy myself and be entertained in this fair city of ours.

Why complain?

Long winters and a good amount of snow are a given if you live in northern Ontario, in this case, Sault Ste. Marie.

Besides, to me, it isn’t really hockey season until there is snow on the ground — and a few snow banks, for good measure.

Winter and snow are only going to get you down if you let it.

So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Oh, and another thing. Snow has been known to provide extra days off during winter.

There are, to be sure, snow days that turn into holidays in the Sault. Can’t say the same about rain days.