I cannot get out of my mind's eye the contrasting pictures of that unfortunate Russian in his prime, and as he lay dying after being poisoned by Polonium. 

If the fact that anyone who smokes and is reading this, is ALSO being exposed to that same poison, doesn't prove to be the final impetus needed to stop .. providing the determination necessary for success in this difficult step ... well, the rest of this sentence is censored.  I know from watching my own Mother die how hard it is to stop smoking. 

The original Dirty Bomb

While I am grateful that we are far better off than some, since we still have power,  our area is one solid sheet of ice:  I thought those of you basking in more temperate climes (between hurricanes, of course!)  might enjoy this picture taken from my back door.

I I wish I had been holding the camera earlier, when my two huge Irish Wolfies went involuntarily skating!!