ice and snow. or lack thereof

The most snowfall Stockholm has seen this season came in November and we missed it being in Boston. We have had a few dustings, some freezing and two big thaws. The most snowfall Boston has seen this season (and probably over a lengthier period of time) has come since we left Boston.

My parents, 80&81, have been shoveling and hacking at ice since we left and we've barely had enough snow to scrape together a mini-snowman which promptly melted two days later in the first thaw.

Winter returned to Stockholm long enough to refreeze the lakes for great skating. But then it departed with a cover of ice on all open areas and secondary roads. This past weekend people could have skated to the neighbor's house. The school's parking lot across the street from us was as close to a skating rink as any could be. I was tempted to put skates on X and let him practice. I would have had we not done other indoor activities.

I see more water and green grass than snow outside my window today. Will winter ever take a true hold?