A Little Bit of Snow

It's not often that I experience that Midwest winter feeling anymore - stepping gingerly on flat feet to test the slip-factor; that tingly-tight feeling in the nose when breathing in; feeling deliberately and brightly awake because of the cold air all around. In fact, I don't think I've experienced that back in Michigan kind of cold in years. It's somewhat reassuring to experience winter again - real winter, scraping the windshield winter - even though I admit I was relieved that my office was closed yesterday and I didn't have to go to work.

It isn't that I am afraid to drive in the snow. I'm from Detroit, friends; I know how to drive in the snow. It's the lack of sanders and salt trucks, the dearth of snow plows, and the plethora of driving over the speed limit as if the laws of physics don't apply to them folks that make me happy to snuggle in and stay put.

Of course, watching my little man hop about in three inches of snow is a kick, too.

Thanks to Nicole Critchley for posting this photo online at KOMO TV and sharing it with the world.

I Love A Rainy Night

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And I do. Maybe not so much late last Saturday night, driving back to Seattle from seeing a movie with my dearest friend, when I made my way up 167 (would it kill someone to install some streetlights?) in the middle of what seemed like a monsoon. But yes, on nights like this evening, sitting in my cozy home in my cozy neighborhood, with laptop and small dog on my lap...what could be better than listening to the rain fall over the kitchen skylights?
Thank you to Puja on FLICKR for use of the lovely photo.