Gosh Maggie and Bob you sure are making me envious. Maggie, like you I love the snow. We haven't had any snow to speak of in about three years, No, make that four. We had the worst blizzard in this area's recorded weather history in 1996: 30.7 inches in 24 hours. That doesn't sound like much for some placed, but for here it was an absolute disaster. The streets couldn't be plowed because there was no place to put the snow. Philadelphia is located between two rivers so initially the streets department was dumping the plowed snow in the rivers, but the rivers became dangerously clogged so that had to stop. It was a mess from some viewpoints -- but it was gorgeous! I just sat back and watched it come down, made up a pot of nice hearty soup, and snuggled down to enjoy it. I did go out and play in it some (I'm still a kid at heart) and I did take some walks. I live right on the edge of Fairmount Park (one of the largest city parks in the country) so I could enjoy both the beauties of the city and the forest -- both wrapped in beautiful coats of snow and ice. Since then we haven't even had much cold weather until this past week. Now we're being hit by dangerously cold weather (purple alert to get the homeless off the streets and into shelters) -- and soaring heat bills. But Bob, you're causing me real alarm: am I going to miss the wild flowers again this spring? Try to slow things down won't you! I can tell from my Texas electricity bills that the weather has been warm. Usually I get a break in winter, but it hasn't happened this year. When I was down there last fall, the horses seemed to be growing unusually heavy winter coats and I thought for sure we'd have some cold weather in east Texas, but I guess no. Frankly, where I have my place needs rain and cold. Rain to break the continuing semi draught and cold weather to kill off the bugs. Oh well. I guess I should get back to work. Di Ann