Contemplative

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Snow sifts down from the sky in light flakes, a fine dusting of powdered sugar that begins to melt almost as soon as it reaches the ground. Still, it is snowing!— a rare occurrence in Berkeley, so even this one glimpse is exhilarating. I’m walking in the hills just before dark, as lights come on in the houses around me. The stucco cottage on the corner is festooned with colored lights and pinecone wreaths; next-door, a gaudy procession of painted reindeer marches across the lawn. Though the holidays are still a couple of weeks away, the chilled air feels charged and enticing.