Right now, all of the Midwest is waiting for the BIG BLIZZARD. They say it’s going to be worse than in ’67, and the shelves in the grocery stores have been emptied in no time. The only positive sign is that the groundhog is very unlikely to see it’s shadow in only two days, so hopefully spring will be here soon despite the weather forecast. After two unusually cold and cloudy months, I’m definitely ready for spring! The yearning for spring and the return of the warming sun, budding trees and sprouting flowers is deeply rooted in the Swedish soul, but it turns out, I’m not alone.
1. Our blog dog Maggie does not like walks in the snow, especially on sidewalks with salty snow. Leather shoes look terrible after walking outside, so it is easy to imagine that it is uncomfortable if it is your skin. However, Maggie is no longer a puppy and needs plenty of exercise so everyone in the house is looking forward to long walks on dry sidewalks.
2. Right after Christmas, stores get rid of their remaining mittens and winter hats at bargain prices to make space for swim suits and short sleeved shirts. Have they never heard about kids loosing their mittens or hats? Or wearing them out? The kids at our bust stop don’t need swim suits in January, they need more mittens. A whole bunch of them are wearing non matching mittens this time of year to keep their fingers warm. Kids grow and some kids grow fast. No matter how long their snow pants were in October, by now they are short enough to slip above the edge of the boot and let snow in. You might be able to find new ones on sale, but most sizes are gone by now.
3. Treadmills and cross trainers are a blessing to keep in shape this time of year when sidewalks often are bumpy and slippery. However, a walk through a forest or a neighborhood with trees, bushes and flowers, singing birds and fresh air will make your entire body feel more relaxed and refreshed.
4. Nature has an amazing effect on overactive kids as well. Even if playing in the snow is fun, spring and warmer weather brings the play-outside-from-dawn-to-dusk that very few kids enjoy on cold days.
5. Six more weeks until Dairy Dream open their windows again! The old railroad, turned bike path, offers a relaxing environment for a family walk or bike trip and it goes right by Dairy Dream. Hopefully, the snow and the puddles are gone in six weeks. March feels far away, but we are closely monitoring the count down!
While we wait for spring at the glimling office, we enjoy ourselves with some cheerful new funflector™ tags! The hearts come in many red and pink shades and you can still order in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day. We have also stocked up for the first big spring holiday (at least in the Chicago area), St. Patrick’s Day! Our shamrocks come in three green shades. Show off your Irish spirit and improve the odds of coming home safely after celebrating at the pub… (Update 2017: discontinued, but check out our globetrotter collection)
The funflector team