Dreaming of a white Christmas? Stop wishing. This year it looks like a lock.

Growing up in the landlocked Midwest, we occasionally heard the term "nor'easter" on the national weather reports. We considered it some kind of spectacular winter storm, peculiar to Maine and those other seafaring states. The term conjured images of whalers in heavy yellow slickers, and windblown ships with icy waves crashing over their bows.

Nor'easters, I believed, were the province of the New England coast. I had no idea, when I chose to live in Cooperstown, that a nor'easter could be felt all the way into Upstate New York. If this winter's early performance is any indication, nor'easter warnings will be just as common here as tornado warnings in Missouri. The difference is that tornadoes rarely strike; it seems that nor'easters rarely miss.

What's a walker to do?

After the storm clears, walking in a winter wonderland has a lot to recommend it. In the right boots and winter gear, a snowy stroll is exhilarating. If you take your walk in the village, Christmas shopping is remarkably easy. A special mittened salute is due those businesses, institutions and residents who keep their sidewalks clear, so walkers don't have to resort to the street.

Walking indoors works, too. Ask Santa for a treadmill and a set of headphones. Set it up in front of the TV and take the guilt out of watching your favorite shows. One situation comedy a day is a great start for the New Year.

The Clark Sports Center walking track is available free of charge to seniors, Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. Join Nancy Mitchell and her stepping friends. For early risers, the Cooperstown Middle/High School is open from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., to walk the warm, well-lighted hallways and keep track of this year's school happenings.

There are a lot of options to keep your body in motion during the cold months. While making your holiday wish list, add a Clark Sports Center membership, snowshoes, cross-country skis, dancing lessons or a membership to a Curves fitness center.

The WE-GO office manager, Kathy, is a life-long Upstater and tells me that what the Weather Channel hype is calling "nor'easters" are really just garden variety snowstorms. A real nor'easter would bury us for days. The abridged version is plenty for me.

May your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be white.

Brenda Berstler is the founder of the Walking Example Group (WE-GO) a non-profit organization encouraging walking and walkable communities. Visit their website at www.we-go.org.