By Jamie Rieger

Out with the old, in with the new. As we say goodbye to another year, it is time to welcome the next with enthusiasm and optimism.
2011 was a year filled with its share of ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and of course, lots of things to be grateful for and a few things some of us would love to just forget.
At the start of 2011, Mother Nature and Old Man Winter were in cahoots and delivered some nasty winter weather with lots of blowing snow and high windchills. The relentless pounding from those two was enough to make the toughest say enough is enough already.
The bad weather kept this reporter grounded on more than one occasion and at times, I couldn’t even get my car out of the back alley without getting stuck or sliding into a garbage bin along the way.
Spring finally arrived and the ground turned from white to green and in some cases, into fields of water where flooding was once again creating problems for those living in low-lying areas. I was happy to get my car out of its parking stall without having to ask for a push from a neighbour or use a shovel to first clear a path for myself.
As summer came into view, I was too busy to actually enjoy the pleasant, warm days as I prepared for my move to Bow Island. (I have finally settled in quite nicely, thank you very much!)
Both Mother Nature and Old Man Winter slept through much of Autumn and folks got to enjoy some nice weather as the foliage started turning from green to their brilliant fall colours.
When Mother Nature awoke from her slumber, she proved just what an old windbag she really is. The winds have been howling and it seems to me that there have been more windy days around here than calm ones. Or perhaps, I am just noticing it more.
We have been fortunate that while the nasty, old windbag continues to blow, Old Man Winter has not yet woken up to accompany her and wreak havoc like the pair did at the beginning of 2011.
Let the old guy sleep. Maybe by time he arouses and dumps a pile of snow on us, Mother Nature will have no more wind in her sails to blow our way and we can actually have a winter that outdoor enthusiasts and travelers can safely enjoy.
After our last two winters, having a “normal” one isn’t too much to ask, is it?