More weather to which we must pay attention

Snow began falling about 3 p.m., right on schedule. This time it's the tiny, serious flakes that pile up without your noticing until suddenly there's a 4-inch layer over everything.

I took a long, careful walk before the new storm started, grateful for the occasional cleared sidewalk and most of all for well-sanded steps that lead down to the main road from our icy narrow street. I got back just in time to thank the man we call our "guardian angel," a resident who changes light bulbs, keeps an eye on all systems, and annually puts up barriers and caution tape in front of the building so we don't find cars parked illegally on July 4. Today he was spreading de-icing granules and sweeping the sidewalk, so the new layer of snow will at least land on bare concrete instead of ice.

It's all supposed to wash away (or perhaps turn to sleet) late tomorrow. Meanwhile, Z packed a change of clothes and her sleeping bag to take to Benaroya Hall, in case she can't get home after tonight's performance of "The Messiah." So far they've delivered every one, to intrepid, enthusiastic audiences. For all this effort and dedication, the instrumentalists get paid - chorale members are volunteers.

L finally got out of Las Vegas, 36 hours after arriving, and has touched down briefly in Boca Raton. Tomorrow they come back, late. To distract myself from useless fretting, I decorate, and wrap presents.

It still feels strange not to be singing a Christmas program tomorrow.