I remember avidly reading Calvin and Hobbes through my youth. Seeing this little boy’s seasonally majestic, twisted and hilarious snow creations made me wish for something most people grow to dread where they live. Snow!

It’s officially winter in L.A. And by that I basically mean I can’t comfortably wear shorts anymore and my nipples could be described as overachieving. I have to drive a few thousand feet up for the planet to forget that I’m in Southern California and allow snow to enter its toasty borders.

I wasn’t really ever able to make snowmen as a kid, but the snowmen series of Bill Watterson’s comic Calvin and Hobbes strips made me ache to roll and pack my own diabolical wintery scenes for everyone to behold (and for my own parents to worry about).
 

When I was still young, I did have a chance to finally build a snowman and was hit by the epiphavalache that it’s FRIGGIN’ HARD! Snow sure ain’t play-doh. So, my respect for Calvin’s imagination was then matched by my respect for his sheer determination and endurance.

It’s not difficult to imagine that Bill Watterson’s strip shaped me and my creativity. Go find a book or collection of his works and enjoy, or share the joy. It doesn’t matter which. He never made anything that wasn’t brilliant and spectacular.

Also, make weird snowmen! For those of us that can’t.