THE FIRST SNOW OF DECEMBER IN SEATTLE

THERE IS DUST IN THOSE HILLS AND A GRAY CURTAIN. THE WIND BLOWS TO THE SOUTH ALTERING THE SPEED OF THE CHILLED FLAKES RACE.

WHITE TENTS WITH CHIMMINEYS SCATTERED THROUGH THE SURBURBAN SCAPE.

BLACK STREETS NOW ARE WHITE PATHS AND IGLOO'S ON WHEELS MOVE SLOWLY SOME ARE STILL STATIONED BETWEEN VANISHED PAINTED LINES.

THE GROWN,SCATTER AND HIDE AND THE YOUNG PITTER PATTER AND CLONE SNOW PEOPLE THEY BOMBARD WITH HARDENED POWDER CANNON BALLS.

A PIANO PLAYS THE SCORE AND A ROARING FIRE SURROUNDED BY BRICKS KEEPS THE HANDS WARM. I LOOK OUT MY WINDOW AT MY EVERGREENS THEY TURN BRIGHT WHITE AND WITH THIS HOT CIDER I PREPARE FOR A COLD NIGHT. THE PIANO PLAYS ON AND I THINK OF SUGAR PLUM FAIRIES DANCING AMOUNG THE FALLING IN THE FOREST IN A NUT CRACKERS DREAM. THE WHIP OF THE WIND SNAPS AS WIPERS FLAP AND RED LIGHTS FLASH OF CAUTION LEAVING STUDDED TRACKS BEHIND THEIR CARBON SMOKING TAIL PIPES. THIS REMINDS OF BEING A CHILD WITH A SHOVEL AND HANDS THAT ARE MADE OF MITTENS CLEARING A DRIVEWAY IN NEW JERSEY TO HAVE IT ONLY BLANKET AGAIN. DARK EVENING WILL APPROACH WAY TOO SOON AND OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WILL REFLECT OFF THE WHITE THAT WILL HARDEN OVER NIGHT.