Winter

That magical time of year
When the earth sleeps for a time.
The beauty of the first snow flakes
That turns the earth so white.
Just a little chill in the air
That reminds us of warmer days.
The magic that only a winters day can bring
For you and me.

Each season has its special moments, but only winter has so much to offer each of us.

We look forward to skiing, ice skating, snow ball flights, sliding down a hill on our rumps or a piece of cardboard, sled-riding or just frolicking in the snow.  A wonderland of white that adorns pine trees with its splendid beauty and where a child's snowman guards the winter nights against the heat of the sun.

As winter progresses we look forward to Christmas, decorated trees, holly, mistletoe, Christmas diner with family and that special love one.

The magic turns our breath to a misty white while on cool days and nights makes the snow crunch beneath our feet. While on a cold winters night children and lovers sing Christmas carols while horses pull their sleight ringing their sleigh-bells keeping time with the music.

 Let's not forget New Year's Day when one year passes into the history books and a new one begins.  We can't help looking forward to spring and its promise of new life and the banishing of the snow caped world.

With winters passing we also look forward to new opportunities for a better tomorrow and a promise of better days.

No other time of year is so challenging and yet so magical...as winter.

Runners

My son wrote the following for all you runners.

Had an epiphany of sorts yesterday.  Here is what I’ve come to realize:

You know you're a runner when you get excited about newest ASICS GT-2000-2, your new slogan is “Even the best can be better”, and you tell all your friends about it:

You know you're a runner when you mourn over discarding an old pair of runners, remembering all the battles you've fought together.

You know you’re a runner when money is no object when buying new shoes.

You know you’re a runner when you have “chafing” in places you didn’t know you had.

You know you’re a runner when you consider tapering before a marathon to be the hardest part of training.

You know you’re a runner when you try to convince your wife to go on winter vacations in warm places so you can run a marathon.

You know you're a runner when your answer to "How was your day dear?" is "GREAT! I had an awesome run!"

You know you're a runner when you try to turn all your friends into runners.

You know you're a runner when you have more spandex than underwear.

You know you're a runner when the slightest weight gain is a tragedy.

You know you're a runner when a day without running is torture.

You know you're a runner when you swear to one day be the world’s oldest marathon runner.

You know you’re a runner when you keep raising the bar.

You know you're a runner when you can't imagine life without running.

You know you're a runner when you accuse the person offering you a piece of cake, of attempted murder. 

You know you're a runner when your Inbox keeps filling up with running related advertisements.

You know you're a runner when you religiously take your vitamins and supplements.

You know you're a runner when you can write the book on nutrition.

You know you're a runner when your biggest fear is not being able to run.

You know you're a runner when you won't play tennis with a friend, fearing possible injury.

You know you're a runner when you’re a member of GNC and Popeye’s.

You know you’re a runner when “taper” is a four letter world.

You know you’re a runner when you don’t know the meaning of an “Easy” run.

You know you're a runner when you start writing a bunch of "You know you're a runner when" sayings, and there is no end in sight.