Good morning, Netizens...

David Horsey's cartoon this morning summarizes conditions yesterday in Seattle and points beyond, but it is inclusive of our humble pie in Eastern Washington, with the exception this morning when, although the roads are relatively clear, the thermometer sank into record-setting mode. As of 5:15 AM this morning, temperature outside the door to the Virtual Ballroom was sitting at zero, although the weather moguls are all jumping up and down, pointing eagerly at the minus 5 degree temperature at the airport, as if it justifies their existence. As often is the case the further outside the city lights you go, the colder it gets. Having lived in various other locations across the United States, I've been in colder places at or before the dawn. Call in the pets, put on an extra blanket or two and snuggle up if the opportunity presents itself.

Yesterday's commute, in a few words, was financially illuminating, at least from the perspective of tow truck companies who remained busy all morning during the commute. As the illustrious Mhibbs pointed out with bare-faced elegance, he was able to travel throughout most of the City of Spokane with ease, once all the people with bald tires and/or lack of driving skills had been towed out of the way from whatever uncomfortable position they found themselves. In the words of my own beloved, road conditions after the commute hour mayhem were actually quite good once she crossed over the line to Spokane Valley where they applied copious amounts of sand and salt to nearly all intersections. What a concept, applying sand and gravel to intersections!

Take the money the City of Spokane regularly pays out to various indiscretions of the past (that will not be mentioned by me) and apply it to street maintenance and the problem simply evaporates.

Today is purported to be one of the busiest travel days of the entire year, but for me and mine we are having as little of it as possible, as we have already purchased our victuals for the Thanksgiving Day feast and aside from any last-minute provision runs, we will be staying close to home. Although we are not having mince meat pie, my beloved has promised me the culinary delight of pumpkin cheesecake, so we will be more than adequately provisioned for Thanksgiving Day, hunkering down and as prepared as one can be.

Seattle, much like Spokane proper, it seems, is unable to cope with any amount of snow at the onset of a storm for differing reasons perhaps, but the net result is quite similar.

Dave

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