A slush storm here in Ottawa, and I needed a prong-tipped hiking stick to stay upright on my walk in. What's more, I'm wet from the knees down -- I got a bilateral soaker from wearing boots without sewn-in tongues and walking on the sidewalk (unplowed, of course) instead of competing with the No. 1 bus for space on the street.

I'm feeling so sorry for myself that only a rum toddy with lemon and brown sugar will do. The sun's gotta be over the yardarm somewhere.