Is it going to snow? It’s supposed to plunge into the low 30s tonight, 10 degrees below the normal temperature for December nights on California’s south Coast. It hasn’t snowed in Santa Barbara since 1932, but I remember making hail cones and a little hailman (cousin of the snowman) in the driveway in the late sixties.

Actually, it does snow here, on the foothills behind the coastal towns, but not down here at sea level. It doesn’t help that I’m 110 feet above the surf, unfortunately. I’m not high enough. Maybe you’ve had that problem too, from time to time.

Speaking of snow and ice, I’m really sorry the three guys on Mt Hood couldn’t be rescued. I’m sorry for their families. And I really hoped it would go the other way for them. But is there anybody out there who disagrees that there’s something fundamentally illogical about high-altitude mountain climbing in December? Why do some people want to take high risks with their fragile lives? What’s wrong with a nice hike among the trees? A good old September backpack trip, someplace pretty, would be good, don’t you think?

I’m just sayin’, life is short, all glory is fleeting, and there is happiness in a comfy chair. And while none of us has the promise of tomorrow, I have an appointment with my flannel sheets and down comforter.