Chicago winter blessings

I am done with this Chicago winter. It's ridiculous how long it keeps hanging on, snowing and snowing and being cold and getting colder. We're on track for our 5th snowiest winter since 1928. That, my friends, is too much snow. Though Tom Skilling also says that we're in for a large proportion of 90-plus degree days in the summer. So in the summer I'll be dreaming of the days when we had snow piles twice the size of my car, like today.

In honor of our never-ending winter, I would like to list the reasons why I love winter in Chicago. So that I can be grateful for my life right this moment, and stop wishing away the days until May.

Tracy's Top 10 Chicago Winter Favorites (quite a few have to do with driving, but let's face it, I've spent a great deal of this winter in my car):

10. Driving north over the top of the hill on Lake Shore Drive by Navy Pier and NOT seeing hundreds of wealthy yuppies tanning themselves on the decks of their boats, instead seeing quiet, frozen stillness and being reminded of God's power over creation.

9. Driving on Lake Shore Drive freely and above the speed limit, without being obstructed by yelling suburban Cubs fans.

8. Seeing the white lights draped on Buckingham Fountain at night.

7. Having the sound of traffic blocked by the quiet stillness of a fresh snowfall.

6. Looking out my window from my bed and seeing my neighbor's roof being covered by the falling snow.

5. Being able to play my Christmas music long after Christmas is over, because "Winter Wonderland" is appropriate long into February.

4. Being able to sleep in longer on a Saturday morning because it stays dark forever.

3. Getting exercise in the morning just to dig my car out of its parking space, it's the only exercise I'm getting these days.

2. Driving late at night with no one around and snow falling fast and furious, so I can pretend that I'm in the beginning frames of Star Wars and the stars are warping past me.

1. Having winter means having fall and spring, and I would be bored out of my mind living in a place with no real seasons. As cold and nagging as winter can be, I wouldn't have it any other way.