One of the glorious gifts of moving to the east coast is the weather. It's not just a small-talk starter: it can be the spine of whole conversations. After nearly 30 years in Los Angeles, I had pretty much deep-sixed any memories I had of dramatic...

It's October. My official Favorite Month of the Year. The time of crisp apples and wearing jackets. The aroma on the open air is one of spice and woodburning fireplaces, burning wood. Halloween and little trick-or-treaters. The temperature is dropping,...