When winter skates on thin ice

I hustled over to the ice rink on a very busy Tuesday afternoon because sometimes winter acts like a spoiled child.

It can blow through so furiously we hide in our houses, bundled up and waiting for the tantrum to pass. Each time we poke our heads out the door, our faces freeze in its wrath. We tread carefully around this winter, lest we slip on its ice and wrench a limb. “This too will pass. This too will pass,” we whisper to ourselves as that cold wind whips our hair around.

And then, just as quickly, the ice storm passes and winter beams at us, as though the past few days have been frozen figments of our Boomer minds.

Relieved, we make our plans. Sledding! Skating! Skiing! Snowmobiling! Let’s go.

And then…

Winter yanks its fluffy snow and its nice, thick ice and stomps away.

That’s what happened here in Wisconsin, anyway.

Just as we shook the ice off our eye lashes from our most recent arctic freeze, our weather here took a turn in the completely opposite direction. By Saturday, the forecast calls for a high of 46 degrees, which is not great news for anyone looking to enjoy a little outdoor winter fun.

That kind of whiplash can make a gal a little cranky, am I right?

So, yesterday I pried open a small window in my schedule and crawled through. I grabbed my skates and headed over to Erb Park to enjoy a little fresh air and exercise.

An ambulance pulled up just as I arrived and remained parked there until I left, which cracked me up. At my age, a little preemptive emergency services stalking can be quite comforting.

Fortunately, my first ice skating adventure of the year proceeded without incident. The ice conditions were particularly smooth, so hats off to the Appleton Park and Rec department for their diligent care.

In my mind, I performed a gorgeous arabesque and a couple of double toe loops. On my actual wobbly legs, I skated sturdy circles. Still, it was really fun to be back out there.

I hope the rink survives this latest, extended warm spell.

In the meantime, Winter of 2026, you’re skating on thin ice.