The minor fall, the major lift ...

Tea: Lapsang Souchong.

Music: Jeff Buckley, "Hallelujah"

Time: Almost midnight.

Yesterday was warm enough that a quilted jacket over a long-sleeved knit shirt felt like too much.

Today, it snowed. Somewhere during the afternoon, the wind kicked up -- and it's still blowing.

Tonight, it feels as though the cold is something not quite alive but also not entirely dead, something that wants to drape itself around my shoulders and dig in its claws.

But the warmth will return. It always does ...

Doesn't it?

That Boy Just Ain't Right

Tea: Mandarin Green

Music: Amy Winehouse, "Rehab"

Time: Night.

The above image is my photograph of my 15-year-old son's handiwork from this afternoon. I see a bit of "Calvin and Hobbes" influence ... okay, so more than a bit.

It's still pretty funny (and warped, too), even if I do say so myself.

No idea where he gets it from, though ...

Brrr ...

Tea: Chocolate Cherry with Honey

Music: Alan Parsons Project, "Days are Numbers (The Traveller)"

Time: Night.

It's snowing outside. I've already seen one nasty wreck. Ten bucks says I'll see a few more before I see the inside of my eyelids.

But staying in, attractive though it might be, isn't an option. There are late-night places to check out, and write about.

Here's hoping I stay out of one place that never closes -- the emergency room -- and that all of you who don't have to be out are staying in with hot tea and ginger cookies.