It may not last all day, as the forecast calls for higher elevation snow, but it is dumping outside my office along the Truckee River at the moment. Snow is sticking to the needles of the fir trees and onto the ground. The road has enough snow on it to call the surface slushy. For the first time in days, it feels as though a real ski season is just around the corner.
All the rain we have had the past few days has filled streams and rivers and left me rather unhappy, but watching white flakes drop from the sky is lifting my spirits.
It is the holiday season and time to count our blessings. I have made my year-end donations to various organizations in an effort to spread some hope and joy to those who are not as blessed as I have been over the years. When I think of my concerns, which are often how much snow we will receive this year and when ski season will begin, or what trail I should hike or mountain bike on any particular day, I slap myself in the face and think of so many people who have real issues of concern.
Sometimes tears run down my cheeks when I think of families that have been torn apart for no honest reason, or of people that have been persecuted for their religious beliefs, or of people with health problems that are not easily remedied, or of those who are just hungry due to the lack of resources to afford meals.
This is the time of year that we should be filled with joy for our good fortune and hopeful for all the others in this world who are not as fortunate.
Enjoy your day, and have a happy holiday.
Andy
Andy, beautifully written. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us, readers of your vast readership.
Amen
Nice article about the less fortunate, Andy
We’re 15 mi down the South Yuba river from where people were evacuated
In floods. Hope they weren’t Air BnB types. My AWD is broken and I can’t drive
It to Tahoe until Jan 8 or later. Maybe the Prius if roads get cleared. Got time
to send off charity donations. 😒
What a thoughtful message Andy and I thank you for your observations that yes , snow may actually occur soon. Also that there are others much less fortunate who have bigger concerns.
Hopefully all of us have made charitable donations to help in anyway, we can with others.
Happy Holidays to all & bring on the ❄️
Well said Andy. I am having the same thoughts for my fellow less fortunate men and women – and like you, I have also been observing this time of year as the season for giving.
Well spoken, Andy. Quite a bit of clear snow here on Tahoe Island.
I love your heart, too. I don’t believe there are coincidences in life. I believe we see needs everyday for a reason. If we have purchased a pass and have decent ski/ride equipment, we would probably be classified as “well off”. We should share some of our “well off”.
Have a great Christmas! 🙏❤️
Wishes for peace on earth and goodwill towards all!
Oh, and six feet of snow by Boxing Day!
Merry Christmas!
Poetic. Thank you for sharing Andy, and Happy Holidays!!!
Andy,
I share your enthusiasm! Just seeing your pics of the snow hanging onto the tree limbs makes me happy. I am very grateful for being able to ski at the tender age of 74. Grateful to be able to celebrate my 6th decade at Alpine (1966-2026).
As skiers, we are blessed with healthy bodies. If you’re considering year end giving, may I suggest equine therapy programs for children afflicted with disabilities that confine them to a wheelchair. We feel joy when we ski. Let’s make more joy this year, seeing the smiles on the faces of children riding on a horse with their therapy support team reminds me of the joy I see on skiers faces at Alpine Meadows.