Last night I was reminded of ski reports and packed powder versus granular snow.  In Austin, TX we had snow. In December.  In central Texas. Not central NY, where the ski report of the 'local' mountains was part of the morning news.

Don't laugh, it was practically a sign of the apocalypse, if not for people being mesmerized.  It's all but gone now, mostly on car tops and odd spots like my the corner of my stairs. I

t makes me really glad I don't drive, because I'm sure some of the overpasses and other spots are rather treacherous. People down here don't know how to drive on black ice; the first winter I was here, I got trapped at home for three days because of an ice storm, with a clear view of completely useless clay being tossed on the roads, and the inevitable accidents that the clay didn't prevent.  Even as a non-driver, I knew better. While a little snow and ice is no big deal elsewhere, keep in mind that it's uncommon here.  There are no snow tires in this part of Texas.

Down in South Austin, it was big granular bits, arguably frozen rain.  So it was Texas sized snow.  It came with very strong windows, up to 44mph, and thunder and heavy rain. The wind was so loud and the downpours so loud it sounded like being under a waterfall or next to a speeding train.   Before it got really intense, before dark, the cats were joyously playing tap the leaf and the wind would blow them up against the screens. It was like watching kids playing that dancing video game.

It was exceptionally odd because earlier in the day it was so warm I had all the windows open and was warm enough in summer clothes I kept contemplating turning on the AC.  Today will be 55F for the high.

But it certainly put me -and many other people- firmly into the Christmas Spirit mode.  And I appreciate that.  Having grown up mostly in upstate NY, and then 12 years in Boston, I miss the bustle of Christmas in the cold. Window shopping on Newbury street, amongst people rushing to get their shopping done, or get inside where it wasn't chill factor of -2F.  The bracing cold has always been a trigger to cook, and then to share with coworkers, friends, neighbors and family.  The onset of cold weather meant it holiday weather, before we got sick of cold wet feet, freezing rain, and overindulging on holiday music.

Here, it's often barbeque weather.  Even some traditions involve barbeque on Christmas, because it's often shorts weather. Normally we don't get frozen rain and such until February.  While family and friends back in Boston are complaining about the cold, I may be deciding whether not to turn on the AC.