Anniversary of a blizzard

Today was the kind of day that makes people love Spring. Temperature in the mid70s; low humidity; lots of sunshine; forsythia in bloom; daffodils in bloom. It just doesn't get much better. And to think that 15 years ago today (13 March 1993), we were in the midst of a blizzard. We had temperatures below -10, and somewhere between 15-20" of snow (they don't know how to measure that much drifting snow down here). Some folks were without power for a week. Fortunately, we were out only 36 hours, and we have a fireplace and a gas stove. I surely am glad that doesn't happen regularly around here.
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The current issue of Newsweek magazine has an article about the ACS Cancer Prevention Study-3. The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers, ages 30-65, who have never had cancer, to participate in a study that will follow their health for at least 20 years. The goal of the study is to figure out who gets cancer, who doesn't, and why. Prior studies have uncovered the major links that smoking causes lung cancer, and that obesity ups the odds of colon, endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancer. If you fit the demographics, and are willing to participate, please CLICK HERE for more information. What a painless way to benefit research.
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The word is:
STARTLING

startling

starting

staring
string
sting
sing
sin
in
I

Did anybody get it?
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Today's photo is of Pink's favorite flower - that humble harbinger of spring - the dandelion.