I have memories of the long winters and huge snowfalls that happened in the early 1960s, when I was back in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. As soon as you went outside you were surrounded by the cold white stuff. There were huge piles of it everywhere you looked. We haven’t had winters like that since.

But actually we have. In fact this winter, just about half over now, has seen more snowfall in my area than any year in the past. We’ve already broken the record, and probably still have a handful of storms yet to go. And actually, the runner-up years were not in the early 60s; the winters of 1996 and 2004 rank 4th and 6th; 1961 comes in 7th.

So we have huge snowpiles everywhere you go. And it’s starting to seem to me like like those early 1960s winters. But the piles today must be worse than in 1961, as we’ve had two-thirds more snow this year (with more to come, most likely). So it’s probably a mind question, about how everything seems bigger when you’re a little kid. I remember the strange feeling I would get as a 5th or 6th grader when I would go into a classroom where I had 2nd or 3rd grade. Everything seemed so much smaller than I had remembered! It seemed like a doll-house version of the classroom that was locked in my 2nd grade memories.

And thus the same for the snows of yesterday. They seemed so big and awesome when I was small. Now it takes a snow monster to re-kindle that feeling. And that snow monster has finally come to New Jersey. This will be a winter to remember! (Along with what I recall as monster snowfall, from 1961).

Stay warm, everyone, and keep your chin up. Spring will get here somehow, someday. It always does. This year, we will definitely have earned it!