I tell people I moved to Maine (and then New Hampshire) to come to a warm climate -- and it IS, after Wisconsin!

Had a dusting of snow last night on top of the rain of the weekend and resultant mud in the driveway -- which we mostly can't use in the winter anyway. That also means what had been snow then ice near the deck steps is now a fairly deep puddle with ice on the top of it (oh, yeah, and the dusting of snow on top of that). Tricky walking -- I skirted the worst but broke through and got my foot wet before reaching the comparatively dry sort of mud (ground's partially frozen) of the driveway. 300 feet uphill to where the cars are parked.

That's the other reason I get tired of winter early -- the trek from car to house and house to car. Use a sled for groceries, etc. but it also means I can't Freecycle larger items this time of year.

New Hampshire broke the rain record this year that has stood since 1888, I think. By two full inches. And the year's not over yet.

Drove past a field the other morning on the way to work. Every tree and shrub and blade of tall dry grass was white and looked like they were dusted with mica particles that sparkled in the sun. Absolutely glorious! Like a German Christmas card. Must have had some fog in the field overnight.

Linn