Ah yes, Snow. Yet another four letter word :) I could seriously punch out anyone who tells me "But I love snow" UUGGHH!!

I loved your description of New Orleans--I kind of got the feeling that Mardi Gras wasn't just the week before Lent but literally 24/7, 365 days a year :):) It really makes me want to visit! :)

I have heard of the "Cadfael" mysteries but never saw them--I shall have to check them out--and I agree that Derek Jacobi is a wonderfully talented actor. One of my favorite roles of his was in Dead Again--he was nice and insane in that one :)