The worst of winter is behind us, I think

I’m making a bold, and possibly foolhardy, prediction that the worst of winter is over, and it wasn’t too bad, really. 

 The next couple of weeks are crucial. Once we hit February, it’s clear sailing to spring. If there is no snow by the 67th annual Groundhog Feed on Feb. 2, we’re done with winter and you can put that snow shovel back in the garage.

 What’s nice is that we’ve had rain in Weiser and the Treasure Valley, but they are getting snow in the high country, where it’s needed to fill rivers in the spring. 

 They love snow in McCall and they can have it all. They are prepared for it. They welcome it. They have snowshoes and skiis and dogsleds to get around. 

 I saw an advertisement in the Idaho Statesman’s Sunday paper promoting all the fun, outdoorsy things to do right now in Canada. Who wants to go to Canada in the winter? Not I, for one. 

 Southwest Airlines had a special the other day that caught my eye. You can head south to San Diego for $100 each way. Now, that’s the direction I want to head this time of year. The airline will even throw in a free bag of peanuts.

 I grew up in cold weather country on the east side of the state. The Upper Snake River Valley is frozen from November through March. I don’t miss it. 

 Winter sports don’t interest me much anymore. It’s age, I’ll admit, and a fear of tweaked knees and dislocated shoulders.

 My two brothers and I were great skaters. We had a city maintained ice rink right across the street from our house in Idaho Falls. 

 It was great fun to bundle up with about five layers of clothes, starting with thermal underwear, lace up the figure skates and attempt some daredevil antics on the ice. 

• • •

 I don’t know anybody who was really thrilled with the outcome of the NFC-AFC championship game on Sunday.

 Controversy about the refereeing cast doubt on the Rams versus Saints game. Just when viewer numbers were up for the $8 billion corporation known as the NFL, they infuriate fans again.

 There was even one New Orleans player on Monday calling for a redo on the game. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I’d watch it again. 

 I made a hypothetical buck on the Chiefs and Patriots game, the second game on Sunday afternoon. 

 I’m not a big New England fan, but the guy I bet against was so big on the  Kansas City Chiefs that the contrarian in me made me do it. 

 The Patriots and Tom Brady have worn out their welcome with too many Superbowl appearances. Let someone else have a chance. Besides, is there anybody more dour-looking on the sidelines than Patriots coach Bill Belichick? Even when he’s winning he looks unhappy.

 So the cast of players for the Superbowl 53 gridiron drama is set. I will take the Rams. I haven’t followed the team much in recent years, but Brady and Belichick deserve to get beat.