major dumpage

well folks, the mountain is reporting 16 inches in 24 hours. not a bad start. the ski area will open next wednesday, the 23rd, with hopefully a good bit more skiing than the single run it opened with last year. today's high is expected to reach 25 degrees, but it's 11 am and still in the single digits. as a result, i can look out my window and see the mountain - and howelsen hill, for that matter - blowing smoky snow against a perfect blue sky.

winter is here. just like that. we left for my library conference in denver last thursday to blue skies and 55 degree temps. we drove back sunday night to a foot and a half of snow on rabbit ears pass. the storm started in earnest just as we descended off the pass and into yampa valley.

link o' the day:

like most folks, i love good food. also like most folks, i like to laugh. jason sheehan, the very funny food critic for westword - denver's weekly alternative newspaper - makes me laugh while writing about food. check out a recent column.