Winter in Warren

Took a walk today about 1.5 miles west through town, then 1.5 miles on a dirt road loop into the mountains which brought me back to town, where I walked another 1/2 mile loop to visit the bank, the post office and the library, which are within 2 blocks of one another, then headed north a mile to my mother's house where I shoveled her driveway for the 2oth time this winter, then backtracked 1.5 miles to where I started. That walk encapsulated everything that is wonderful and depressing about Warren: All one needs is within a mile and most of what one wants is within 3 miles-so long as one is willing to walk through clouds and/or rain and/or snow for 8 out of 10 days. I literally do not need a car to live here and yet can count on my hands the sunny days since November 2nd. While living in the eastern part of the state I was accustomed to seeing redwing blackbirds and grackles return by late February, so I miss the comparative warmth and sunshine of that area. But the overpopulation there contributes to an overall level of stress and economic inflation that makes the area nearly unlivable. Warren is in the process of trying to revitalize it's downtown into a tourist mecca in order to attract people to the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, and the town has much to offer for simple, cheap, friendly living- If only it could control the weather! Needless to say, I am ready for spring and look forward to that time of life when I can move south for the winters and return when this town shows it's summer charm...