The winter winds our local newscasters so gleefully predicted have arrived. Not so much here in the Cove yet, where it's breezy with an occasional gust. But out at Bluffs Park, where the dogs and I walked off some of last night's celebration libations, it was another story.

Malibu Canyon was like the mouth of hell. One long screaming squall, wind so fast and wide and high it knocked your legs out from under you. Literally. The dogs, four-legged and low-slung, did fine, did great, really, loved every second of it. Ran for the ball, chased tumbleweeds, waited patiently as, held in place by just a flick of this big wind, I walked and got nowhere.

And here (who's surprised?) is today's sunrise. Happy New Year!