A Quest to Overcome the Winter Crankies

I knew when I made my decision to leave California and move back to Buffalo, it would mean giving up one of my favorite things: bitching about the winter weather. I had a chance for a blizzard-free life but I CHOSE winters in Buffalo. So never again can I whine about being cold, having to dig out my car or wear layers and layers of unattractive clothes. I knew that if I ever WERE to complain to anyone again, that they would have the right to slap me. I accepted all of that when I packed everything I own into my car (again) and headed home.

I gave it up for you, Buffalo.

I told myself that I loved this city enough to embrace winter. I'd start snowboarding again. I'd walk through the park in two feet of snow. I'd learn to ice skate. Go sledding with friends. I'll find a way to overcome my annual case of S.A.D and enjoy myself year round. Yes! I can do this!

But that was in June.

Now it's December. It's cold out. I've had to dig my car out from under a foot of snow. Driving through this lake effect slush is like trying to steer a sheet of cardboard down a slip-n-slide. AND THESE BOOTS I'M WEARING ARE ANYTHING BUT CUTE!

view from my front door

So now's when I'm really going to have to work at not becoming one of those Buffalo weather-bashing naysayers I've been talking about. I really do love this city, and I'm still really happy to be here, in spite of the weather. I'm going to go out and buy myself a sled (if I don't get one for Christmas, hint hint) and drag my friends out to the park for some fresh air and old-fashioned fun (get your snowpants ready people; this is happening.) I'm going to get my snowboard sharpened and tuned up (where's the best place to do that, by the way? Urban? Phatman?) and head out to Holiday Valley.

To keep from being bored and lonely, I'm going to brave the winter driving conditions and check out some of the many events that are always happening around town. The Home for the Holidays concert series will continue for a few more weeks. I'm also looking forward to checking out the Olmsted Nights and Winter Lights show and Flurrious Festival in Delaware Park. I was really sad to have missed the first annual Powder Keg Festival last winter, and am already looking forward to attending it this year. In addition to the events, there are still lots of live theatre performances happening all winter long, museums and gallerys to visit, and of course great food to eat! I haven't been to the new Eights Bistro yet, but their menu has my mouth watering.

To top off all of my winter gallivanting, I'm planning to take some classes this winter. Cone Five Pottery on Hertel Ave. offers pottery classes which I'll be starting in January. I'm hoping also to be accepted for the  Preservation Buffalo Niagara annual docent training classes. I'm clearly a big Buffalo supporter, and a not-too-shabby public speaker if I do say so myself. I think I'd make a pretty awesome Buffalo Tour Guide - don't you?! Maybe I'll even finally take one of the workshops at the WNY Book Arts Collaborative that I've been talking about since I got back.

I'm reminding myself every day that I couldn't really appreciate the warmth and beauty of spring if I didn't have to first endure a little winter. And in the mean time, yes I'm doing my very best to embrace and possibly even enjoy it.

Ok, so maybe I'm not embracing winter quite as wholeheartedly as some, but it's a start. And yes, if you catch me doing any more whining, you have my permission to slap me.

Autumn in the Queen City

I didn't think anything could top summertime in Buffalo. Then came October. What an amazing time to be in this city! The weather was phenomenal and there was so much to do.

One beautiful Sunday afternoon my parents and I went on a walking tour of Forest Lawn cemetery. I've always loved spending time in Forest Lawn and really enjoy learning about the history of the place. Some people get a little turned off by the idea of hanging out in a cemetery, but Forest Lawn is really so much more than just a grave yard. It's a park, a museum, an art gallery, and a nature preserve. The landscape is beautiful, the history is rich, and the memorials are some of the most beautiful architecture and sculpture in the city.

The tours are over for the season, but will start again in the spring. I enjoy tours, but Forest Lawn is open to the public year-round for those who would rather explore it on their own, or don't want to wait until June. Some highlights to check out include final resting place of President Millard Filmore, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Blue Sky Mausoleum, and the ornate Blocher Memorial. In addition to the tours, Forest Lawn has an on-going event schedule.

Another tour I got to check out was Mason Winfield's Ghost Walk of Allentown. I had been looking forward to checking out the ghost tours for years, and was looking forward to hearing the history behind the ghost stories. Honestly, I was a little disappointed when a lot of the tour had to do with people losing their keys, or dogs barking when nothing was there. I can't speak to all of the Mason Winfield tours, and I'll probably go on another one next year. I hope when I do I'll hear more about the history of the buildings and the people who lived in them.

In addition to enjoying Forest Lawn and the Ghost Walk, I got to spend a sunny afternoon lounging on Bidwell Parkway with my best friend, hit the farmers market for some awesome local produce, and get fresh apples at one of Buffalo's many apple orchards. There were also some great Oktoberfest events and Halloween parties to enjoy. Now the holidays are here and I can't wait to see what awesome experiences I'll have in the Queen City this season!

I Couldn't Have Said it Any Better.

I love this town.