And I went and started a thread on it before I noticed this! Not doing too well with these quick visits this week, typing too fast!

I haven't gone anywhere, as you can see. However, we're right in the midst of a winter storm here, with some snow and wind. So far it hasn't been nearly as bad as they'd predicted ... the blizzard stuff has gone to the east of us, in the Plains states, although they're still predicting sub-freezing temps here for several days this coming week. Hopefully the electricity and Internet connection will stay on, but just in case, if you don't see me for a bit, you'll know why.

"Set a new course. There's coffee in that nebula." -- Capt. Janeway, Star Trek: Voyager

Got a call from my son & his wife in Seattle on Saturday (2 days ago) saying much the same - if we hear about storms, wind and snow and can't get through, don't panic (what would I be able to do, send a gunboat?). They commented it had been on the news where his in-laws live (Queensland) but I saw no mention on our news here. Kitty - if the electricity goes down, you have ways to keep warm and cook a hot meal, I hope?

I have a fireplace to keep relatively warm, food to eat, and water to drink (we're on a well, so when the power goes out, so does the water) although I wouldn't be able to cook a hot meal. That also means no coffee . Fortunately, the local power company usually gets the service back on within a few hours. If not, send the gunboats!

So far it's looking good here. Only an inch of snow, which would be nothing except that it's extremely windy and cold. The county snow plows have been at work, and a few minutes ago I heard some kids riding their bicycles outside (where are their parents? ). My kitten Malcolm has been beside himself with excitement. He's never seen anything like this.

BTW, looking at the weather reports, it looks like the snow has pretty much stopped in Seattle.

"Set a new course. There's coffee in that nebula." -- Capt. Janeway, Star Trek: Voyager

Sounds reassuring. Last night's news here talked about heavy snows in the "northeast" of the US but little facts of geography don't hamper our news services. A friend in NJ (not really all that northeast) commented the weather wasn't too bad there.
Does Malcolm get to close quarters with the snow?

They had a major ice storm over the weekend in the New England area of the northeast US (Massachusetts, etc.) that caused a lot of problems.

Not as much as he'd like . He'd like to be out playing in it, and getting into all sorts of mischief. Not that he doesn't get into plenty of mischief indoors.

I have a sliding glass door onto the back deck, and a big picture window in the living room, so he's been as close to the snow as he can be without being in it.

"Set a new course. There's coffee in that nebula." -- Capt. Janeway, Star Trek: Voyager

Happy Christmas folks. I finish for three weeks tonight, and at work I am permanently online, but at home might go online about every three days. Today has been one meeting after another and I have a report to finish or they may lock me in here tonight. Then I go home and in a few days Orly and family will be over. I'll try to drop by every few days at least.

Have a great Christmas, John, and tell Orly "Hi" for us.

"Set a new course. There's coffee in that nebula." -- Capt. Janeway, Star Trek: Voyager

Have a lovely Christmas John.

Have a good one John.