I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to Southern California for griping about the chilly weather throughout my recent visit. While I lamented the fact that I wasn’t able to wear shorts and walk around in December, it was nothing compared to what greeted me back home.

First, I slipped on black ice not even an hour after leaving the airport. Fell on my left knee. Forunately, my right hand braced some of my fall so my entire weight didn’t come crashing down.

Unfortunately, said right hand was holding an open cell phone at the moment because I was trying to listen to an important meeting.

It was strange coming home to a neighborhood blanketed in snow. I had missed two snowstorms while I was gone – the first significant accumulations for the season. So walking out in the cold, windy night air made me suddenly wish for the high 30s of SoCal.

This was the scene that greeted me one morning a few days after my return.

(Please ignore most of my winter whining. Deep down, I really do love watching snow fall. It’s so beautiful and serene. It’s especially wonderful when I’m inside with a cup of hot chocolate.)

It just kept coming down. I was mesmerized, until I realized that I had things to do that day and errands to run. Stupid, senseless chores. Like buying food, getting a hose clamp for a leaky car radiator, and mailing out bill payments that are two months late. You know, useless stuff like that. (Just kidding on the two months late thing. Those due dates are just a suggestion, yes?)

As soon as the snow died down, off I went.

No, I wasn’t driving. I may be crazy sometimes, but that trying to handle a camera AND drive in the snow trick? I’m not touching that.

Which is a really good thing, because then I would’ve missed out on this shot through the passenger side window.

Welcome back to New Jersey! Try to forget the fact that during this same week – yes, right after leaving California – it was back in the 70s there.

I may have to rescind that apology to SoCal after all.

Apology #2: I’m sorry for having been delinquent in posting. And commenting at my usual haunts. And answering emails. One of the souvenirs from my trip was a nasty flu-like virus that I’m still trying to shake. Meanwhile, whatever strength I can find is being channeled towards packing yet again. This time, we’re off to the Caribbean. Maybe the sun there will burn this bug and kill it.

Am I packed yet? Of course not. When am I leaving? First thing tomorrow morning. Do I have everything I need? I have no idea. I think I burned my shorts fifteen minutes after seeing the weather forecast for California. Then I went and hid everyone’s swimsuits because … because … well, because I just like to mess with them, that’s all.

I think this virus is melting my brain.