For some reason, the fast, fun toboggan ride down the hill of our backyard 40 years ago almost didn't seem worth the substantial trek back up through the snow to do it all again.

That was before we even knew winter's darker side — its risky travel and the physical toll, especially on the older among us.

Now, winter is cold, tiring, costly and hazardous. And without saying it too loudly, so far it's passing us by.

We wish a good year for those who make an income plowing snow, shoveling roofs and keeping the fuel coming. And we thank them for helping keep us safe.

We won't protest the snow dance of schoolchildren and others, rightly confident that winter will come and stay for months, with its snow days and fields to flood and freeze for rinks.

But we would ask our skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and ice-fishing friends to look with kindness, if not pity, on our vainly hopeful sun dances.

The season doesn't turn until Dec. 21, but already we are buoyed by a virtually flake-free fall. Could this be the year winter doesn't come?

So pardon us when we whistle and we look away as we pass winter's doorstep Monday, hoping not to rouse it. We know it will greet us soon enough, and remind us we are in its forest now.

A soft metal fence at the bottom of the hill made sure our red plastic toboggan stopped at the property line. Spring is that fence now. Let's all watch out for one another as we sled toward it. We'll get there together.