January 9, 2007 - New England Winter - Local Warming?

One of the things I like about New England is that we get to enjoy all four seasons - Fall, Winter, Spring, and that two-week period sometime in August we optimistically call Summer.
 
So far this season, we haven't had much in the way of a Winter.  Temperatures have been warmer than normal, and snowfall has been pretty much non-existent.

We did have a bit of snow on December 30th.  While it was pretty, it didn't last more than a few hours:

(first snow of the season - Winter 2006)
 

I've heard that this part of New England has snow on the ground at Christmas less than 50% of the time (although it certainly seems more often when you try to remember).
 
So the lack of the white stuff is ok by me, since I don't participate in winter sports.  But I know most folks would like at least a little snow in the area.
 
Have I just jinxed us?  Are the snow gods perhaps not amused?  Did I ruin some karma?  Are we now fated to have huge snowstorms?

I don't know.
 
However, I did purchase a new snowblower this year.  Some suggest this ensures that we'll have no significant snow this winter.
 
I could live with that.