WHERE'S THE ICE?

No big freeze here yet.

We've had below-freezing temperatures and mornings of frost and black ice, but so far the ponds and lakes around here remain ice-free. I'm not talking about skateable ice; I'm talking about the crinkling presence of frosty lacing along the edges that scream, "Winter's coming!"

Last winter was pretty much snow-free. Then, the summer came along and was gloriously free of rain. I know, I know; the drought caused all kinds of problems from wildfires to tree farm disasters, but it sure was nice weather, just the same.

So far, though, we've had some decent sunshine here for Fall. 

I've seen it worse: Ice storms ruining Thanksgiving; snow on Halloween; sub-zero temperatures by mid-November . . . But, so far? So far this change of seasons has been remarkably painless and pleasant.

So, when the temperature plummets and the roads are so ice-coated that we cannot drive on them nor walk on the sidewalks, when the cold wind threatens to peel the skin off our faces, when it snows so hard that driving looks like hitting hyperdrive in our starships, when we are struggling to shovel our cars out of snow mounds -- You may blame me. 

Bring it, winter. I may not be ready, but the anticipation is killing me.