The picturesque mountain vistas, the exuberant smiles on promising athletes’ faces, the cheesy interjections by commentators…it must be time for the Winter Games!

The Opening Ceremony is on as I type this. TV coverage started at 6:30, but the ceremony didn’t start until 8. Maybe the newest Olympic event could be “Dragging Things Out For As Long As Possible.”

 The Parade of Athletes was one of the first parts of the ceremony and now it is the cultural/musical portion of the show.  Even though it is in an indoor arena, the lighting and effects really make it seem like it is taking place out in the open air. It was even “snowing” indoors a little while ago.

I enjoy watching all of the winter events, especially (big surprise alert) figure skating! Pairs skating starts on Sunday, and one of the American competitors is from just down the road in Moorhead, Minn. Go Ladwig & Evora!

Now there is a big glacier or mountain rising from the floor of the arena…very cool. I’ll get back to watching the spectacle. Stay tuned to the blog over the next 16 days and I’ll offer some observations on the Olympic events I watch from the confines of wintry Jamestown.