When the snow finally started late last night—it arrived half-a-dozen hours past the forecasted debut—I had high hopes that maybe we were in for something special. Sigh: the storm followed the pattern set by the last one and, after it had dumped about four inches on the ground, turned to rain and crafted a slushy mess. I might get in some skiing, but I sure won't be tempted to sit on the lawn benches and read or engage anyone in talking about the weather.