No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn

The holidays are well behind us, but winter is far from over. This is the time of year when winter weather may begin to wear us down.

I stumbled across some interesting facts while researching the season of winter. For example, snowflakes come in a variety of sizes. You can hear thundersnow when the conditions are right. The earth is closest to the sun during winter. 

Winter is often defined by meteorologists as three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. In Minnesota, it seems winter lasts far longer than three months.

Winter allows perennial plants to take a much needed period of rest before coming to life in the spring. Several people I know start growing plants indoors in March or April in anticipation of the gardening season.

This winter, we were blessed with a string of days featuring beautiful rime ice (also called hoar frost), which brought joy to several otherwise bleak days. My mom always inspired me to take note of the beauty all around us in every season.

Growing up on a dairy farm, the weather played a huge role every day. My 31 year old son Alex still milks cows and grows crops with my brother Russell on my parents' farm. We thank the Lord when the rain falls after the crops are planted and when the rain pauses for the freshly cut hay to dry. Anyone who works outside for a living is grateful when winter weather is moderate. Nice weather makes daily outdoor chores less brutal and equipment functions much better when temperatures remain above zero.

I have fond memories of growing up on the farm and our dad pulling us behind the Alllis Chalmers tractor with a car hood (hillbilly sled). Dad also flooded the pond in the pasture so we could ice skate after school. We would ice skate until our feet were numb and then go in the house where mom would serve up hot chocolate and a snack.

There are many fun things to do during the winter in central Minnesota. For example, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge offers walking, hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing until February 28th. Most of the refuge is open unless it is marked closed. After Feb. 28th, people must stay on the trails (or Wildlife Drive, once it opens).

Ice fishing is a popular winter activity in Minnesota. This year, I have even heard restaurants are offering food delivery to people in fish houses in some places.

Added daylight hours are a blessing as we anticipate the arrival of spring. Longer days offer people more of an opportunity to walk after work.

Many of my nieces and nephews are doing outdoor activities several days a week with their young children. It is so fun to see and great exercise. They enjoy outdoor campfires, boot hockey. ice fishing, sledding, cross country/downhill skiing, pulling the kids on sleds behind snowmobiles and making ice and snow forts.

The kids (age 4 and up) also enjoy downhill skiing. The last time I went downhill skiing (as a teenager), I almost ran in to the lodge at Powder Ridge.

Another fun activity I have always considered attending is the St. Paul Winter Carnival (celebrating its 135th year). They are featuring a drive thru snow and ice sculpture park at the MN State Fairgrounds. The event runs through February 8th.

I am making an effort to stay positive in the closing weeks of winter and get some exercise outdoors despite the cold.