National Perspective: The bright promise of winter and political storms

CONWAY — The snow, soft and silent, fell overnight, leaving this old ski village covered in white, recasting the landscape, altering the view, adjusting the mood, transforming the outlook. Now we know why the Aubuchon Hardware store over in nearby Center Ossipee has been advertising snow blowers, shovels, firewood and heating-stove pellets on its roadside sign. Now we know why the migratory birds have fled, the drizzles have had an icy edge, the storm warnings in these parts suddenly have taken on an air of peril.

And while the winter solstice — traditionally regarded as the time the season changes — is still nearly three weeks away, meteorologists (and political scientists) have their own perspectives and calendars. "Meteorological winter" — yes, that's a thing — officially began Friday. Political winter begins just about now as well. If the old crooner Andy Williams were still with us — he held a campaign event with Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in the very Los Angeles hotel where the 1968 presidential candidate would be shot three days later — he would tell us that we are now in "the most wonderful time of the year."