A steady, wet snow has been falling in Columbia since early this morning and is expected to continue through most of the day. Perfect for building a snowman, the white blanket now surrounds a dapper fellow in our front yard, constructed with the "assistance" of our grandson.
The beautiful winter scenery offers a tranquil end to an otherwise tumultuous year. Thanks to our dysfunctional Congress, international strife, widespread social injustice (at home and abroad), an unwillingness to adequately address issues such as mental illness, gun control and global warming and an exceptional run of natural disasters, 2012 delivered more than its fair share of tragedy.
Of course, most of the problems that we face would dissolve in an atmosphere of respect, compromise and communication, traits that should define humanity. Rather, greed, intolerance and mysticism stand in the way and the cycle of suffering continues. Here's hoping that 2013 will bring a more enlightened approach to the welfare of human society and to the health of our natural environment. Happy New Year to all!
