For my friends in Australia

Most of the winter we have managed to dodge the bullet, but last night, we took a direct hit.  Tonight, more is predicted.

I hate snow with the cold bitter hate of a Klingon warrior.  I spent yesterday in my pajamas in protest.  I may repeat the act today.  I want to curl up with blankies, light a fire, and ignore this freezy skid stuff right out of existence!

But I know you folks in Oz would be thrilled with the water and the cool temps.  It's below freezing since night before last.  It will stay that way till Sunday afternoon.

Portland is not good with snow.  We don't salt the roads, because it poisons the soil and rots the cars.  And Portland has lots of hills.  Add to that the folks who have moved up here from Southern California and think that their four-wheel-drive vehicles have excellent stopping traction on snow and ice.  The city will be pretty much shut down for the next two days.

The groundhog was right.