Winter Just Isn't the Same

Top 10 things I did in Wyckoff on a cold January day circa mid '80's:

• If there was snow on the ground, go sledding at Sicomac School, Campgaw or Indian Hills High School—preferably on a plastic tray;
• Hang out in someone's basement listening to The Grateful Dead, The Doors or Michael Jackson;
• Drive around at night looking for "lawn ornaments" such as a giant Frosty the Snowman, and "relocate" them;
• Ice skating on Turtle Pond;
• Lay on the couch, watch "General Hospital" and eat parents out of house and home;
• If it wasn't too cold, ride mopeds "uptown;" stop at Dairy Queen for a video game;
• Take a ride through the Wildlife Center "after-hours;"
• Go to dinner with parents at Steaks-n-Stuff (now Curves);
• Have a drink at the Barn with friends (ooops!);
• Pray for a snow day.

The top 10 things I do in Wyckoff on a cold January day circa 2010:

• If there is snow on the ground, take kids sledding at Sicomac (no trays);
• Make beds;
• Do laundry;
• Fold laundry;
• Put away laundry (or not);
• Walk from room to room trying to figure out where all the laundry came from?
• Roam the aisles of the Stop and Shop for meal-time inspiration for family;
• Abandon thoughts of cooking and go to Wyckoff Pizza or Blue Moon instead;
• Have a drink at Pane Vino with friends;
• Pray there's school tomorrow.

"Time,  
Time,  
Time, see what's become of me  
While I looked around for my possibilities.

Look around,  
Leaves are brown,  
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter.  
Look around,  
Leaves are brown,  
There's a patch of snow on the ground."

—The Bangles 1988