Now it's beginning to look a lot like winter...

Does today mark the real start of winter? I ask the question while looking out the window, at a steady stream of fluffy snowflakes drifting down.

It's now a few minutes after noon, but while the flurries seem relentless only a few are sticking. The bigger clumps look like pollen, but even they quickly melt and disappear, barely staying long enough to have their picture taken. We shall see: the weather bureau says 100% chance of snow -- maybe up to half an inch today -- but the temperatures will range from 23° to 39°, so nothing's certain.

Still, better safe than sorry. I went shopping for a snow shovel yesterday -- they range in price from $8 to $35 at the four stores I checked. Right now, plenty are available. But be forewarned...