--After the panic, let's think about the fun aspects of winter--sleighs, end-of-year parties, presents, twinkling lights, and the general atmosphere of coziness.

--This just in: The Patriots win, and the world learns that referees are sensitive about snowballs. More from the Redux tomorrow.

--In Massachusetts' ongoing effort to get as far ahead of the political primary process as possible, the Globe has endorsed Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee and John McCain as the Republican nominee. The Republican endorsement was the equivalent of giving Mitt Romney the finger. [Obama: Boston Globe, McCain: Boston Globe]

--The man who died in yesterday's fire in Gloucester has been identified as 70-year-old Robert L. Taylor. The Gloucester Fire Department was understaffed by two people at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. [Boston Globe]

--Have members of the Kennedy family split over who they will endorse for the presidency? The answer appears to be "yes," but no one knows what Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy is thinking. [Politico]

--Is East Boston the new hotness with gallery openings and "unbearably handsome waiters"? [Boston Globe, Response: The Hubster]

Image of presents on a sleigh at the Fairmont by jdolan12 from photos tagged "Bostonist" on Flickr.