Am I getting old and cranky?

It must be a sign that I’m getting old because it seems that when the snow starts falling, and the temperatures start dropping, my mood turns downright cranky and surly.

I feel a bit like Ebeneezer Scrooge these days, and saying ‘Ba-humbug” as I look at all the Christmas lights and winter coats and people eagerly waiting to build snowmen, go ice-fishing and go sledding down the hill at Colby’s Sixth Street Park or Abbotsford’s Shortner Park.

I’ll admit it, despite living in Wisconsin, I’m a warm weather kind of guy. I love nothing more than putting on a pair of shorts, sitting in the sun, and having a glass of tea. I love walking out of County Market in July and feeling the heat hit me like a comforting blanket.

Driving down with the windows open, and hearing birdsong, or the low sussurus of the wind whistling through leaves or bugs chirping is one of the best feelings in the world.

So when I woke up Tuesday morning, saw the snow coming down, saw the frost glazing my windows and the ice coating my car, I took an extra long swig of my coffee and savored my cinnamon raison toast. That’s because I knew those two things would be the highlight of my day.

Driving out to games in the winter, during bitter cold and dark nights, is a frightening prospect. Hit the wrong patch of ice and the next thing you know, you’re in the ditch, for who knows how long.

Now, I’ll admit, there are some great things about the winter in Wisconsin. There have been some nights when the drive back from a game is a magical experience. The moon is full, there’s no wind, and the vast cornfields are covered in snow which gleams like a field of diamonds.

Those moments feel a bit like magic, like you’re in some otherworldy domain. I treasure and cherish those moments because they are beautiful, and I know I am lucky to witness them. But if you’ve never seen the sun sink down into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with the clouds pink and orange, and mirrored in the water, you’re missing out.

I knew the winter had to arrive to Wisconsin sooner rather than later. And maybe our mild fall, which saw temps in the 50’s and 60’s in October and November has spoiled me. I know it’s going to take some time getting used to darkness before 5 p.m. and no sunshine until 7 p.m.

The one consolation is winter does not last forever. Eventually you begin to notice the days get longer, the sun shine brighter and the warmth begin to build. And if you have good friends by your side the winters can practically fly by.

I know these last four years have flown by. Covering games helps get through the winter, and I am looking forward to seeing which players break out. Some of the teams are off to a rocky start, but that’s to be expected.

The time after the holidays is always more important anyway. It takes time to ease into a new sport. And besides, who wants to rush the holidays?

I’ll be spending my Christmas with my family up north in Hayward. I have not been there for months, and I am looking forward to seeing old friends.

I’ll have to tell them about this years Christmas parade in Abbotsford. 50 years is a long time, and it takes a lot of people working behind the scenes to pull it off.

It’s certainly nice to have spectacles like that. It helps make the winter pass by quickly. And once again, I dressed up as Donald Duck. I took a little tumble on some ice, but still enjoyed myself.

And I guess that’s what life is all about. You take a tumble, pick yourself back up, and keep moving on.

M USINGS AND G RUMBLINGS

ROSS PATTERMANN REPORTER