Ah. Christmas again. 2015

Unable to be with my children but still with family. That counts for a lot. Happy and sad all at the same time. Also, first Christmas without a parent living. Count your blessings everyone. There are so many things to be happy about. Never underestimate the power and value of having people who love you.

NEWBURYPORT ACTIVITIES ACCELERATE

The snow is almost gone. Mere patches here and there, mostly on the south sides of the streets where the sun has not quite stretched its rays. The docks are emerging, extending out from the banks of the Mighty Merrimack, and waiting for the boating trade to explode once again.

The animals are out and about, free from their winter hideaways. Newburyport is finally sunny. Open. Awake with spring. At last.

Not that Newburyport sleeps during the winter. On the contrary, people are walking here and there shopping. Making their way to the places where their cars hide buried in the latest snow-dump. Walking the dogs. There was even a trickle of brave runners. The trips were just shorter. Much shorter. Avoiding the biting cold winds and dangerous slip-and-slides of ice and snow-caked streets. And occasional narrow sidewalks that often resembled tunnels.

But alas. Spring has arrived and brightened the moods of those wretched in winter and releasing the energy and hope of all residents.

Tourism will reign once again, bringing with it ice cream. One of the best things about sunshine, warmer temps and hot sandy beaches. Ice cream. Worth the wait. And, in this writers humble opinion, the ultimate symbol of summer. Along with fried clams.

So drive carefully everyone. The streets are active again with out-of-towners. And let your face be warmed by the sun.