Oh, how winter tends to sneak up on you around here. Last week, temperatures were hovering just below 70; this morning, it’s 46 degrees. I seriously felt as though it might start snowing during my morning walk.

And then there’s the surest sign that wintertime’s arrived: The Rockefeller Center ice rink, which I noticed being erected last Friday, is officially skate-worthy in time for today’s Columbus Day opening. I’m catching reflections of skaters drifting across the frozen sheet right now.

Since I’m now spending most of my days here anyway, I’ll have to strap on the blades and do a couple of laps one day soon. While suppressing the urge to body-check my fellow skaters, of course — especially the tourists who can’t seem to resist getting in your way…