On the next to next to last day of the year 2004, the barometer in my room is steady at 30.4 inches, which is quite high. It's wintertime high pressure and may cause headaches. In fact, sometimes people Google "barometric pressure" and "headache" and get here. Well, if your headache persists, you should see a doctor. But it may just be the air pressure if it's temporary. Still - get some sleep. It never hurts. And by my novel, Carrie Pilby, too. How does that help your headache, you ask? It doesn't, but it sure helps mine.

The barometer got down to 29.58 inches during yesterday's rainstorm, but since then has crept up to 29.62. It's supposed to get cold soon. It's going to be a cruel winter. And I'll love it!

The barometer in my apartment is 30.17 inches and falling. It has been pouring all day and is scheduled to pour tomorrow as well. As a man pushes an empty metal shopping cart on the sidewalk below my window, the cold air heightens the squeak of the wheels. Rain is falling throughout the country. Can snow be far behind?