ROGERS — I have finally figured out why I don't like snow, aside from the obvious reasons.
It's because, as a kid, we looked forward to snow days and no school.
That's when the romanticization of snow began, and it only got worse the older we got. You know: sitting by the warm fire, sipping a toddy with a good book as you and the significant other watch the fluffy white flakes pile up outside.
The reality? Most of us get to look forward to trying to get ourselves to work without becoming stuck or being hit by someone who doesn't understand the concept of driving cautiously when streets are slick.
And there is nothing romantic about shoveling a path to the street only to discover that there is drift of snow rear-end high that you didn't realize was there -- until you step in it.
Stepping into rear-deep snow -- several times -- was one of the two worse things that happened to me during the Great Winter Storm of 2011. The other: I got stuck. In the driveway. In a front-wheel, high-profile SUV. That's just wrong.
And stuck I stayed for two days until my colleagues Flip Putthoff, Caleb Fort and, believe it or not, Bob Caudle dug the Santa Fe out and pushed it not once, but twice, until it could gain some kind of traction.
There's only been one other time I couldn't drive in snow/ice/yuck and that was in '87 or '88 when I parked on the street and my Buick couldn't jump the snow berm alongside it. I am usually the one picking people up and taking them home.
So I was darned glad to read that Punxsuatawney Phil predicted an early spring and positively gleeful when the mercury hovered above 50 degrees.
Let's hope Ol' Man Winter is back north where he belongs.
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I have two problems when I watch the Westminster Dog Show:
The Pedigree commercials make me want to run right out adopt a shelter dog or three.
I am horrified by the attire of many handlers. So horrified I feel I have to comment.
Give props where props are due: the Pedigree Foundation does good work and those commercials sure hit their mark. I love my cats, but I often find myself wishing for a dog.
But to be a responsible dog owner, I think you need a fenced yard or the desire to traipse around the neighborhood in deep snow to give the pup exercise. I don't have a fenced yard and as far as walking the neighborhood in the snow, see above.
While I am sitting around wishing for a Cairn Terrier or a Golden Retriever or a Neapolitan Mastiff, I watch the handlers. My friend Dorothy once showed dogs and she assures me handlers are to dress so that the dog is the focus of attention. That being the case, I have some suggestions:
Ladies, do not wear sequins or anything sparkly. The sequined baseball cap at this year's show was too much. So were the sequined blouses. Please. A sedate pantsuit would be so much better. Besides, it also takes the black hose with runners out of the equation.
Ladies, not only are you galloping around Madison Square Garden, you are on television in front of millions of viewers. TV adds a minimum of 10 pounds. I am not advocating a quick weight loss, just a quick look in the mirror. Skin tight, knits in odd prints -- not a good idea.
Gentlemen, you don't have as many fashion faux pas to make. But those drool rags? Stuff them in you jacket pocket, otherwise it looks as if you shirt or underwear is hanging out.
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Sad news for a lot of us in Rogers -- our Borders book store is one of 200 in that chain being closed as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Borders has been a good corporate partner for Rogers. Having one less place where you can go to enjoy, touch and even smell books can be considered nothing less than a big loss to our community.
Leeanna Walker is local editor of the Rogers Morning News. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/NWALeeanna.