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We're right around the 30-day mark for the beginning of spring.
I can't wait.
Spring is probably my favorite of the four seasons. It's not just because of the natural feeling of rebirth, with the flowers and trees blooming, feeling a nice breeze on my face or a light rain shower on my head. It's not even because the season is kicked off by my birthday.
For me, spring is the end of winter, and that typically means the end of snow for at least seven or eight months.
I'm tired of the snow. Truthfully, I was tired of it after that first major snowfall in early January. I like to get my snow in little bits here and there, not all at once, so when I wake up to see close to a foot on the ground it is more than disppointing for a number of reasons.
Heavy snow creates additional work for all of us, with driveways, sidewalks, porches and roads to clear off and treat.
We've had a few major snows in our area this season, which has resulted in more than a few inconveniences and difficulties.
The recent snow and ice storm did a number on the Ohio Valley. Thousands of our residents were without power for multiple days. Schools were closed. Roads in some areas were impassable.
My neighborhood was without electricity for close to three days. We were more fortunate than others, though, as we have an additional heating source.
The nice thing was seeing the way the area pulled together, with emergency warming shelters established, people bringing food to help those in need have a warm meal. Hundreds of additional workers were brought into the area to address the electricity repair needs, meaning we could have been without power for a much longer period of time.
It reminds me of a major snowstorm a few years back, where we received around a foot of snow and went without power for close to a week.
I'm not sure when my thoughts on snow changed. I remember being excited as a youth, waking up to snow on the ground and bundling up to go and play. Maybe that's part of it? I see snow and winter as work and not so much an opportunity for fun these days.
Either way, it theoretically will be gone in around a month's time.
Then we will see bright colors, smell fresh air and find a little more enjoyment in the outdoors. The warmer seasons just feel better, as we climb out of our duldrums and rediscover our surroundings; a little like coming out of hibernation.
Much as with our animal friends, spring means increased activity. Local groups and organizations are probably already planning some of their yearly festivities and celebrations. I'm already hearing of Easter Egg hunts in the works, and looking toward summer, parades, pools and much more for residents to enjoy.
So, even though there are still some snowflakes falling to the ground, hopefully we soon will be putting those behind us for a while and we can enjoy the bloom of life that is approaching.
I wish you all the best in the coming weeks as we head toward the changing of seasons and, hopefully, a better part of the year.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)