Pretend It’s a Forest

This March has surprised us with the most snow we’ve seen all winter—an overdue dump that was desperately needed in the Sierras. This winter wonderland spectacle created a landscape so impressive it would make Bob Ross extremely proud. This natural beauty portrait was free for everyone to enjoy—unless, of course, you had a lot of snow shoveling on your agenda. In that case, beauty can turn ugly, especially if you were mentally gearing up to welcome spring.

But as we know, Mother Nature operates on no one’s timetable but her own; she sets the rules, and it’s in her nature to be unpredictable. Therefore, we as humans should adapt to her instead of expecting the weather to adjust to our plans. That’s why, dear reader, I come to you with a proposal: let’s celebrate Christmas on the first good snow of the season. And while I know I cannot change nature’s ways or celebrate Jesus’ birthday twice a year—which, in my opinion, would be a great opportunity to remind modern Christians about the history of the Nativity—my suggestion strictly pertains to a Christmas tree, lights, a proper dinner, and some time off. So, if you’re still reading, that means you’re interested in my proposal. Let me outline it for you.

Christmas Tree: Whether you choose to leave it up from the end of November to the first big snow of the season, in this case, the end of March, you are fully entitled to do so—unless you have a judgmental roommate. In my case, a husband who might take it down when you’re not around.

A Big Dinner: Why keep all your holiday favorite recipes exclusive to one time of the year? Indulge yourself with a whole turkey, mashed potatoes, ham, and all the panzarotti you can eat. If lucky, you’ll have leftovers until summer.

Lights: A staple that could exist way beyond Christmas, at least until daylight saving time, to make the darkness more festive. This proposal would have to come with a PG&E agreement to lower power rates.

This proposal offers a perfect opportunity to plan for next year. Imagine a ‘Downieville Christmas in March’ event. But, as we’ve discussed, Mother Nature follows her own unpredictable schedule. Who knows? We might even see another snowfall in May, so keep your lights handy. But for now, locals, old-timers, newcomers, tourists, and visitors from other galaxies—let’s pretend that Christmas can happen at any time of the year. All you need is a bit of snow, a Christmas tree—which can be found in this area all year long—and some Mariah Carey.