Whose to Thank

In my last post I mentioned that the winter storm cycle is here and the snow is falling. Growing up I knew of two forces that contribute to the winter. Old Man Winter and Mother Nature. Today I'm not sure who I need to thank, or make a offering to, for the bountiful amounts of snow we get out here in UT. Is it Old Man Winter, with his cold temperatures, blustery winds and his ability to grab hold with his cold hands and never let go? Or could it be Mother Nature, with her change of seasons, moving weather patterns, and ability to make the sun shine for that perfect goggle tan? OR could it be both that Old Man Winter and Mother Nature combine forces for a few months a year to bring all the little ski bums joy and happiness. And as the snow slowly creeps down the mountain and the mercury falls down the thermometer, we get gitty. The ski movies are not playing to help cope with the sweltering heat, but to help the stoke ( http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20Stoke ). The skis get tuned week after week, the messages from the mountain employees fly about the conditions, eyes are on the weather, and the coffee grinder whines; sounding the alarm to get up and ready for first chair. 

I only ask the question, "Who do I praise", so that I may pay homage to the force or forces that allows for the place I live in to be transformed into my personal playground.