It has been a hard winter where I live on the coast of Long Island New York. Lots of snow, many cold days followed by ice slick nights. Walking, driving and keeping warm have become daily endeavors requiring time and effort. This winter has been a bear. I grew up in the New York and New England area. I am not a stranger to winter. This winter is different. It is not only the amounts of snow it is very cold, bleak and gray. It is not the typical clean crisp clear winter days I have known all of my life.