This week we just have to talk storm. Oh, quit your moaning, class. I’ll make this as painless as possible – while still whetting your interest whistle.

I have to begin with this winter, overall. I’ll lead in by paraphrasing the immortal words of Dickens. No, not Charles. I’m talkin’ Hal Dickens over on 23rd Street. He waxes poetic with a tale of two winters: It was the mildest of times; it was the iciest of times.