Illness doesn't keep holiday schedules

Each year I've spent in Beijing, I've been amazed that within days of Spring Festival the winter chill melts away into sunshine and warmth. Each year anew, a glorious spring bursts forth as if commanded by the lunar calendar.

Each year ... except for this one. This time, icy weather spilled over into spring, clinging to the city with dogged persistence, and as though in lock step with a fluke that drove away any interest I might have had in celebrating the holiday.

One of my sons caught what seemed to be a cold about 10 days before Spring Festival. No big deal.