Now that we’ve outlasted another winter and seen the first sunset of a hopefully merciful spring, here are a few final thoughts on the dark season just ended.

Frozen in thought is no longer a figure of speech: During the long spell of super cold, if you dared ponder whether you really needed to see while walking or could cover your eyes, as well, you may have found you tarried too long in it and became an ice sculpture. And who doesn't like an ice sculpture? On a side note, frozen in thought is my excuse for the writer’s block I had for an editorial this week, leading to this winter goodbye.

Improved balance: A sunny day can start to melt the snow and ice, which then refreeze and seem more slippery than before. Avoiding an inadvertent triple axel takes balance, so by winter’s end you may have been able to pull off an intended one, and without the expense of skates.

New attire for pop culture icons: When the  look-alikes to “Saturday Night Live’s” classic Coneheads stood in Friday’s wind chill in a political protest downtown, Judy Flanagan’s Conehead-style cap had a winter hat on it. I don't know if it made her any warmer but it added realism. Note: If you see any other local protests featuring nostalgic TV characters, take a picture or let us know. This is not encouragement, but an attempt to cover political views and pop culture when they happen together or apart in our towns.

So long, winter. You’ve tested our fortitude and we, not you, put the win in winter. Don’t let the icicle hit you on the way out.