> I don't think anyone has expressed how I feel about New England so well as Edith Wharton in her novel Ethan Frome. While spring and fall are gorgeous, and summer is a hot haven, winter doggedly wears at my soul. Every winter increases an instinctual need in me to flee South.

Your very poetic. I won't even attempt anything. :) I get what you mean. Though my feelings about Winter are a reverse of yours!

> I would trade places with a Virginian gladly, if I could.

I luv how New Englanders consider Virginia 'South' -- for southerners, it's 'North'. ;-)

> p.s. - White Christmases are an exception to my rule. Snow on Christmas is a magical childhood wonder that outlasts any practical adult notions, or innate dislikes. Definitely a "must-see" -- you should fit it into your life someday.

I will definitely try. It kind of hit hard this past week; I've been talking on the phone and computer with friends from New England, Canada, etc. They've been talking about *snow*. Suddenly I realized -- "I've never seen a White Christmas!". And it's not like I've lived here all my life. I've lived on OK., MO., AR., TX., a couple other states I forget... and plenty overseas. But no White Christmas. Wow.

--Ni' "Someday, I WILL see snow on December 25th " tharn