Guest written by our friend Sergio Chaney.

Today we got the first snow of the year, and I am more excited than I expected. It's like this every year: I pooh-pooh the idea of snow and insist that I hate the stuff, but as the first few flakes come whirling dizzily down from the sky, I get all excited and start singing "White Christmas" and "Walking in a Winter Wonderland."

Now that I am living alone, I suspect that I will spend the afternoon digging the car out so that I can go to work in the morning. This may sound like a boring way to spend the day, but to me it will be sheer bliss. There's something wonderful about the crunch of the snow under my little red shovel. I won't be totally alone, either. For one thing, I will probably shovel Miss Ruth-Ann's sidewalk, too, and she's bound to bring me some cocoa. Every year, she stands out there in those adorable housecoats she wears and gives me a mug of cocoa. I'll probably score a few home made butter cookies, too.

When I'm finished, I will come inside and feed Rupert (who is too spoiled to venture into the snow, silly kitty). Then I will complete the enjoyment of the first snow of the year by snuggling up on the couch and watching a movie on DirecTV Satellite HD DVR.