I’ve said in the past that I really enjoy winter and my tune hasn’t changed.
I’ve been told that this winter has been much colder than the one previous but it really doesn’t matter.
With snow tires on my car and a winter coat to boot, the snow hasn’t bothered me all that much and has added to the many scenic landscapes around the city.
Many people don’t share my sentiments though and some have lamented about how they wish the winter would end and it looks like they could be getting their wish.
This past weekend saw temperatures well above freezing and while there is light snow forecast for the coming week – at least as of Monday – many of the daily highs are in the five- degree range and the mercury is even expected to hit the eight-degree mark in the coming two weeks.
There are other telltale signs that spring is on the way and it has nothing to do with the groundhog not seeing its shadow.
It’s no longer pitch black when the clock strikes 5 p.m., as the days are becoming longer, and believe it or not, we set our clocks an hour ahead this coming Sunday (March 13).
Locally, teams in the Boundary Youth Soccer Association are gearing up to hit the pitch on April 10, which isn’t too far away if you think about it.
Religious people will no doubt be thinking up things to sacrifice as the Lenten season begins today (Ash Wednesday) and leads up to a well-known spring holiday, Easter.
If you’re a fan of pro sports, you can tell spring is in the air because the National Hockey League season is drawing to a close with the playoff races, the Major League Baseball season is starting with spring training and on the amateur level, many American post-secondary institutions are gearing up for the March Madness basketball tournament.
Yes, there is still snow on the ground and the temperature is still low but patience is a virtue and warmer weather, snow-melt and longer days are just around the corner.
Winter will be over before you know it.
Karl Yu is Associate Editor for the Grand Forks Gazette