Oh the Weather Outside Is Frightful . . .

It snowed in Moscow today. May 3. May 3. Not much. Only flurries that didn't stick. It is just one more reminder of how Russia can beat you down.

It wasn't cold. It was the depressing thought of having to put on a wool winter coat before I walked off to a meeting. May 3. Walking in the snow with my collar pulled up in the same coat I was wearing two months ago and realizing that I had on lightweight trousers that offered nothing against the wind. It was one more thing that has me counting days until we leave. Actually two things have me crossing off days on the calendar -- bad weather and my goat rope of an office.

Of course, two years ago it snowed on June 8, and where we're going next it has already hit 100 degrees. From one extreme to the other.