Halleluja! Old Man Winter has traveled south and north of us this year. And Punxsutawny Phil is predicting an early spring.

Either my memory is going or I just can't remember a winter like this in the past two decades. Fifty-degrees on Feb. 1 and 2, with just a few snowbanks visible to remind us that it's winter? I'll take it!

I do feel sorry for those who like to slide or skate, but after last winter, I have enjoyed not having to shovel nearly every day from January to March (or at least it seemed like it). Even if we get a nor’easter later this month, the time it hangs around will be a lot shorter than what happened last winter. My legs and back can take a two-month winter.

Maybe it was meant to be — my neighbor found a snow scoop for me at a yard sale this fall so I could clear my roof (rather than borrow his scoop) and he also loaned me a ladder; he went out and purchased a used snowblower to clear his property; and my father-in-law and son-in-law erected a small skating rink for my granddaughters. Usage of all of those items have been little to nil this winter.

With heating fuel prices being a lot lower than two years ago and temperatures climbing toward springlike weather, the winter of 2015-2016 has certainly spoiled us. But, we Mainers deserve a break, especially after the past two winters.

I sure hope this is not the result of global warming. Let's just mark it up to Old Man Winter taking pity on the coast of Maine.