It’s beginning to look a lot like — winter. Standing at the kitchen window as I mindlessly wash my favorite flower-painted mixing bowl that I refuse to put in the dishwasher, I can’t help but notice that the trees are empty now.

While they are void of color and leaves, they still hold the dozens of crows or blackbirds that have taken up refuge there against the wind. Speaking of that wind, it’s been howling for days. Not just a slight gust here and there, but those pesky, loud swirling blasts of cold air that rattle and toss the garbage cans around outside.

They make it impossible to hang holiday decor outside. I worry for my neighbors’ blow-up Santas and reindeer that have taken up residence in their yards. I expect to see Santa flying through the air and being chased by Rudolph and gan

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