Eight Degrees of Separation

Tom and I are in Illinois this week for a belated family visit.  My family is in the Chicago area and his are in central Illinois.  Connecting with our families is a great thing indeed, spending quality time with the nieces and nephews is always a trip.  But one thing I'm not fond of?  The midwestern winters.  Current temperature outside?  8F.  Yes, 8 degress Farenheit.  Oof.  Too cold for words.  And yes, this does make me appreciate the warmer climes of Los Angeles even more than usual.  I'll take days and days and days of rain in exchange for blistering cold, thank you very much. Still, cold weather is a small price to pay to reconnect with family and some friends.