We are back in winter mode, big time. From a high of about 40 degrees yesterday and being in the low 30s most of today, we are now on a slippery slope downward as night falls. The reading now on my thermometer is 18.7F, and falling steadily. There is a brisk NE wind that is swirling around the new, dry snow that fell this afternoon making it look like a blizzard out there sometimes. It's going to be a very cold night.
     Some folks probably won't mind the cold all that much. Andy Rudin sent me this little news item a few minutes ago. (How does he come up with these things???) Here it is:

MIDDLESEX, Vt. — One Vermont community is celebrating the holidays and the winter solstice with a massive bonfire and what they hope will be the world’s largest s’more.

The Winter S’morestice takes place Saturday at Camp Meade in Middlesex and includes fire artists and dancers, music, food, beer and wine and, of course, a sampling of the giant s’more.

The local Red Hen Bakery will make the 4-by-8-foot (1.2-by-2.4-meter) concoction, baking its own enormous cracker, whipping up marshmallow and using chocolate from a neighboring business.

The giant dessert will then be chopped up and shared with attendees. Organizers said they were too late in pursuing a Guinness World Record but may try next year.

     I hope they have a good big bonfire going - I have a feeling they are going to need it tonight! Sounds like fun, though. Too bad they didn't go for a Guinness record, though.

     We are so fortunate to have Jamie and Marie living just above us. Jamie came down with "The Peach" this morning and scraped all the slush off our driveway before it froze. The snow was only a couple inches deep, but was very heavy and hard for the snow blower to handle, so we were both very relieved that Jamie took care of it for us. I think after New Year's we will get a stretch of pretty nice weather - not unusually warm, but also not unusually cold and stormy. Seasonal is the word, I believe! That would be nice for a change.

     The New Year will be here before we know it, so let me wish you all "Happy New Year" right now, and along with it, pass along a genuine wish for your good health in the coming year and, dare we hope? - a sensible resolution to at least some of the nonsense going on in our nation's capitol these days. 

     Keep your loved ones close and enjoy a safe New Year's celebration. May happiness extend throughout 2019 for all.