by Ian Punnett

While my friend George is taking a personal day, today, I find myself taking today very personally.

For years I've been telling people that while it's cold in Minnesota in January and February and usually March (and sometimes April), we don't actually get much snow in the winter.

Well, just like many other parts of the country, this year is different already.

Global warming? Normal but rare weather patterns?

The usual suspects.  

I don't know, but either way I'd like to report the theft of my favorite season:  autumn.

After a minor snowfall on Saturday that melted long enough to get my lawn mowed on Sunday, we picked up 2-3 more inches of snow on Monday morning.

Now look at this photo taken on a street near my house and tell me what do you see?  Or don't see?

The snow covered leaves on the trees are green!

There are barely any trees in the neighborhood turning yellow and none of the maples are the customary orange, red or brown.  As of this writing, however, they are all white.  

And do you see that splotch of red in the middle of this shot?

Those are crabapples falling en masse from those trees and getting crushed by passing cars.

By the way, over the weekend I took some snaps of some old friends of yours at "Fall Con," my local comic book convention.

The Joker was in good spirits hanging with his buddy, Pengie.

Nice to see Superman still looking fit and trim in his “black and silver” look again.

Although I think the Incredible Hulk has let himself go a little bit.

Hulk, dude, you know I love you, but might want to go with the Diet Dew for a while.  

Darth Vader was as imposing as always. 

Still, you forget just how big Darth Vader really is until you see him next to his eight-year-old son, Connor Vadar.

Are you psyched for Halloween yet?

Perhaps carving your own "DEATH STAR" pumpkin will get you in the mood?

So cool!

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Tips:  Be patient and don't cut too deep.

In other words, don't use too much force, Luke.