Kakizaki and runinruder, where do you guys live in Minnesota?
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I live to the northeast of Mankato -- about 45 minutes from the metro area. This time last year, I was working in Burnsville. How about you?
As for the remark about it being cold, it has been a pretty mild, for us anyway, this fall so far. Blah. I like it white for Christmas, not brown and dreary.
*edit -- Sorry, just saw on your profile, you listed Minneapolis.