Just heard the first Mister Softee truck of the year come chirping up my block.

A storm blew down a few trees and light poles on 20th street in my neighborhood a short time ago.

Astor Place, at 8th and Lafayette, 22 Feb 2008

Animals know when the weather is about to change. While I was walking in my neighborhood Thursday night, I saw a skunk and a raccoon. I have only seen a raccoon once before around here, and skunks are so rare in Brooklyn that I have never seen one.

Were they out stocking up for the storm? The snow began falling overnight and left a fluffy coat on everything by Friday morning. By midday Friday, the snow had turned to sleet and rain, and promised to turn into ice overnight. Still, it was our first significant snow this winter.

By chance I am off super early to go skiing today, chaperoning the church youth group on a trip to Windham.

Days like today are the reason there’s a thermometer at the top of this Web site. As I’m writing this, it’s 11!