Excitement ratchets as the year’s first snowstorm approaches, for my birthday no less. WooHoo! Nothing but love here for the Weather Channel and local television meteorologists who make snowfall predictions fun. By the way, personal powers can recognize almost every Philadelphia-based meteorologist like Bill Henley, Brittney Ship, Kate Bilo, Michelle Rotella, Adam Joseph, Cecily Tynan, Marvin Gomez, Kathy Orr, etc. (This feels like an Oscar acceptance speech). Those not mentioned, forgive me, it’s 5:30 a.m. on Saturday and the countdown to snow has started. For the record, a love-hate relationship exists with all weather forecasters whose past predictions of major snowfall events fizzled. Yes, this snow event seems like the real deal. Understand that my relationship with snow spans a lifetime, including boyhood memories of snow topping surrounding farm fields near our house in Winslow, Camden County. The crock pot has been moved from a dining room cupboard and placed on the kitchen counter. What’s the best food item for a winter storm? Chili. People, the perfect confluence of some of life’s greatest experiences include my Minnesota Vikings playing the Detroit Lions in a showdown for the NFC North Division crown on Sunday night, just as snowflakes should start falling. Chili. Snow. Football. And, a birthday? A Vikings victory means top-seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Between now and Sunday, learning how to perform Vikings’ receiver Justin Jefferson’s griddy dance should be on the weekend to-do list. Enjoy the snow. Hope everyone gets a snow day without remote classes. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].