Good early morning GH.  It is just after 8:00 AM here in our snow covered city.  Currently, the temperature display on the desktop shows 37 degrees.  Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping next to our bed right now, more about that later.  Yes, I said snow covered, because we finally have enough snow to cover everything and it has stuck for several days.  This is a good thing when you consider our low lake levels both here in Western Michigan, and across much of our nation. Currently, the Mississippi River is so low that barge traffic is restricted and it may even have to be curtailed.

Where the Missouri meets "Old Man River," they found a WWII minesweeper that must have been carried there in some past storm.  No one knew it was there.  On the other hand, parts of Oregon and California, are expecting full reservoirs from snow melt, so there is no consistency, unless you count inconsistency as being consistent.

Today, I have to edit an index for Mary and I want to do some cooking with the able assistance of my sous chef/ Weather Dog, Sugar.  We have no plans for New Year's Eve, except to go to bed early, which has become our new normal 

Last night, I was wide awake, so Mary and I watched Midnight in Paris, and I enjoyed it in its entirety.  A great statement on the city of Paris, and of course, on why everyone needs to experience the City of Light at least once in their lives.

Otherwise, not much is happening.  Sugar is back to her new odd sleeping habits, so I guess that I spoke too soon.  Is she being predictive in her job as Sugar the Weather Dog?  I doubt it, unless she is anticipating the fallout from going over the "Fiscal Cliff."  So, until next time, Ill just say Ciao and get ready for...Tea time.

Good very early morning GH.  It is just after 12:00 AM in the morning, and the view out the Weather Window is darker than not.  I got up because I awoke, and then rather than just lay there, I decided to blog a bit and then I could more easily go back to sleeping.  We shall see.

Good news, when I got up, Sugar the Weather Dog was in her bed, which for both of us is a good thing.  Maybe she is over whatever was bugging her.  It could be that Steph was right.  Or, it could be that we physically changed her bed. Or, it could be neither.  Sometimes, dogs are like those people whom they call inscrutable.  Whatever.

Right now, I am listening to the radio station from Battle Creek.  Typically, the station is playing a syndicated talk show, but that is the wave of the future I fear.  At least it isn't a political talk show. However, the station usually is dominated by right wing talkers according to their web site.  I have found that to be the case here in West Michigan.  In this case, there is a young lady talking about computers and security software.  She is recommending that the person to whom she is speaking get something to protect her new computer.  Good advice, but sometimes I think that the people who sell security software are the same people who write all those malicious viruses; create a market?  Just a thought.

Otherwise, not much is happening.  Mid-winter here in West Michigan is quiet, and that in itself is a good thing.  No bright lights, no shows, just snow and cold.  However, we do have gambling, so in that way we are like Las Vegas.  But here, the attraction is that the casinos are owned by the local tribes and they are warm.  However, I don't have the urge to go, so neither is a reason to compel me.  So, until next time, I'll just say Ciao and go back to bed and wait for Up and POTUS in the later morning along with...Tea time.

Good morning GH. It is about 4:20 AM. in the morning here in our fair city. Currently the temperature on the desktop and in the window display is 29 chilly degrees. The view out the Weather Window is dark. Sugar the Weather Dog is once again in the bathroom. Per Steph's thoughts, we did move her bed away from the window, and she did try laying in it, but that didn't last. Oh well, we'll have to try something else.

Late yesterday afternoon, we stopped at the Post to see Sally, and the other folks who were there. However, given the fact that we actually had our first real snow, we decided to drive. And speaking of driving, yesterday when I was out, I got to try out the anti-lock brakes on the car. Unfortunately, I still managed to slide through an intersection. Let's just say I was more careful after that. I was glad to make it home. Right after I finish this blog, I'm going to do a survey for the store where I bought my groceries and things, and I do have some comments for them. They need to get some can redemption machines that actually work full-time. I have asked, and they say that they don't get a response when they ask, but maybe if I mention it often enough in my surveys, someone higher up will pay attention. All of this could be avoided if the people of our state would recycle, but alas, that seems unlikely.

So this morning after I go back to bed, our plans are to get up and watch UP with Chris Hayes. Of course, we will be using our UP mugs during…Tea time. It has become our go to program on weekends. We'll probably repeat that effort on Sunday, except when we cut away to watch Meet the Press, where the POTUS is scheduled to appear and talk about the fiscal cliff. I think we spend way too much time talking. But that's one of the things that we do in this country, we talk everything to death.

So, until I decide to get up in the morning, I'll offer this on life.  Be kind to your friends. Be kind to others, and most of all, be kind to the people you love. Life will be a lot nicer that way. So, until the morning or tomorrow, I'll just say Ciao.

Good morning GH.  Currently, the temperature on the desktop is 24°.  It is about 5:10 in the A.M. here in our fair city.  The view out the Weather Window is, wait for it, dark.  Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping in the bathroom once again.  I still don't get it.

As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, my student canceled, so Mary and I went downtown to run some errands.  We went to the bank, and then to our favorite watering hole.  It is much quieter here in the off-season.  Some of the locals say that we have a tourist problem, but I think that we are just a small town that is off season right now.  Most of the people who work in the bars and restaurants will tell you that they have a need for tourism and the money they bring to our town, but that the tourists consume a lot of energy.

I was trying to decide if we are a suburb, or just a rural small town.  I don't think we are rural, because we are close to so many things and highways.  But, we really don't fit the definition of a suburb, because the nearest big city is Grand Rapids.  I guess that it just depends on how you define a suburb.

Today, I have to go to the pharmacy and pick up a prescription.  I had another message from the people who are making my eyeglasses, and they tell me they're just about ready to ship them.  One can only hope.

Otherwise, not much is happening.  I need to do some laundry today, again, but that's about it. So, until it is… Tea time, I'll just say, Ciao.

Good afternoon GH.  I made it, it is now just past 2:30 PM.  The view out the Weather Window is wispy clouds and the sun is trying to shine.  Currently, the temperature on the desktop display and in the Weather Window display is 35 brisk, but comfortable degrees.  Sugar the Weather Dog thought it was just fine outside.  I still don't know what is bothering her, but she still refuses to sleep in her bed at night.  We came back from our afternoon walk about 1/2 hour ago, and then I picked up the branches that were felled by the high winds the other day.  I hope that by putting them in a yard waste bag that the refuse people won't refuse to take them.  A nice play on word forms, I think.

Otherwise, I have nothing to do this afternoon.  My student called to say he wasn't feeling well, and that he had to cancel for this afternoon.  So, that leaves my day's end free. I am currently listening to internet radio.  I like this use of the bandwidth.  I will probably play my guitar some, and then read.  Tea time was good this morning, and the newly discovered vegetarian Italian sausages we discovered the other day were delicious for lunch.  Mary made them just right, and believe me, it is easy to make them wrong.  We had a salad with the sausages, and that made the meal complete.  I should mention that Mary made fried egg sandwiches on English muffins for breakfast, and they were also good.  So, until I have more to say, Ciao.

Good morning GH.  The view out the Weather Window is kind of bleak this morning.  The skies are gray, the temperature on the desktop display is showing 27 degrees, and other than that, not much is happening.  The kids are still off from school, so they aren't up to much either.

I simply have to comment on our Christmas day.  It was pure and simply, the best we have had in a long time.  As some of you may know, while I do like traveling, I also am quite the homebody.  I didn't get the traveling bug like Mary did when she was young, due I'm sure in large measure to the fact that her mother worked for the airlines.  They got to fly around the world for free. or at least at very low cost.  I remember when Mary and I were first dating, I asked about the Playboy Club in downtown Chicago.  She replied in a casual fashion, "Once you have seen the one in London, England, the rest are just a repeat."  I don't think she meant it in a negative way, it was just a matter of fact observation.  But, when I was a kid, I could honestly say that I had never been farther north than Minnesota, farther south than Springfield, IL, nor farther west than the Mississippi River.  My parents never traveled.  Maybe when my dad went to England for WWII, he got enough of traveling.  Or, maybe we just didn't have the money.  Whatever, I didn't feel deprived, nor even curious.

I still remember my first plane ride.  I was maybe eighteen or nineteen years old, and a friend and I took a quick flight with his flight instructor, something I never dreamed about.  We flew over Chicago, and when the my friend mentioned Wrigley Field, the instructor turned the plane on its side so we could get a better view.  I wasn't scared, just fascinated.  My next ride on a plane had to wait until I was in my thirties, when I flew for business to Indianapolis, IN.  Once I got on the plane and took off, it was cool.  Mary thought that people who flew on such a small plane had to be crazy.

But, I digress.  I got a way cool John Wayne ornament from his role in  Rio Bravo, Sugar got a package of biscuits, and Mary got something it turned out she really liked, a set of four prep bowls for her kitchen.  We both liked this Christmas more than most others we could remember.  We watched some movies, ate too much, and then finished off the evening watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  When we all finally went to bed, Sugar still wouldn't sleep in her bed, and I doubt that she even knows why.  So, here we are at a new day, and I am satisfied that we spent some time as just us, our little nuclear family, Jack, Mary, and Sugar on Christmas.  So, now it is...Tea time.

Oh, as an aside, I registered both Mary and myself for an audition on a TV game show.

Good early Christmas morning GH.  In spite of what the date setting shows, it is nearly 3:00 AM on Christmas morning.  In spite of all the help suggestions, I still can't find the right place to change the settings.  Maybe in the future.  Surprise, even on an early Christmas morning, when I look out the Weather Window, it is dark.  However, it is unlikely that there will be a side of train. Currently, the temperature on the desktop display is somewhere around 22 degrees, and the predicted high for the day, according to Weather.com, is 34 degrees.  As Mary often says, as long as we don't have snow covered sidewalks, this is still the place to be.  Sugar the Weather Dog is still sleeping  but once again, she is sleeping next to the bed. She gave that up last night, but now she is back, go figure.  Her predictive abilities are being skewed by some disturbance in the force. So, her input is limited.

We had a nice visit with one of our local bartenders, and we wished he and his fellows a merry Christmas.  Personally, I want to wish the entire planet peace on Earth.  Holidays have a way of renewing the spirit.  I am often reminded of that whenever I talk to the younger generation. So full of hope for the future, and so full of both anticipation and lack of regret.  For them, there is only tomorrow, and they know in their hearts, that it will be better than today.  I like that spirit.

For me, there is the joy of just being.  Mary is my raison d'etre, which roughly translated from the French, means my reason for existence.  It may not be my job to take care of her, but nearly forty years ago, I promised both Mary and her mother that I would do my best.  I like to think that I have, and she is easily my better half.  As someone might say in Spanish, Feliz Navidad, Prospero Anno Nuevo!!!  Sorry for the lack of diacritical marks, but I am not that skilled at the keyboard. But, the sentiment is there, I hope. For Stephany and Adam, I wish all the best in the coming new year. Stephany has that new job thing and that is all good, I hope.  To know them, is to love them. For a very special dog, I hope that all is good in your world.  It can be hard being adopted, just ask Mary, but we have tried to give you a good home.  I hope that more of your posse has a similar fate, and soon.

Today, is the day we celebrate life, and all of its promises.  Let the word go forth, that it is time to be good to each other, and hold hands more than we have in the past.  We truly are all in this together.  As Hillary famously said, and for which she was too often derided. "It takes a village." So, until the morning rolls around with...Tea time, Happy Christmas to all.  Ciao.

Good morning GH.  It is about 3:45 in the morning, and I got up because I did, no real reason.  A quick look out the weather window here on this early Monday morning, actually, Christmas Eve morning, shows me the usual, it's dark.  Currently, the temperature on the desktop is a brisk 23°.  Today was kind of interesting, we spent a good part of the afternoon reading the New York Times, and then went downtown for a quick dinner.

Yesterday morning for breakfast, I made one of my world-famous garbage potato dishes.  Like I told Mary, it's a secret family recipe, and just as soon as I find out the secret, I'll have it perfected.  Of course, that was following UP with Chris Hayes, which was accompanied by the usual… Tea time.  That we went for a walk to the local health food store along with Sugar the Weather Dog.  Speaking of Sugar the Weather Dog, she is currently sleeping next to the bed, for reasons known only to herself; perhaps a commentary on the weather, perhaps just a quirk, who knows.  The store didn't open until 12 o'clock, so Mary and I had to go back later without Sugar.  Since we were out, we went to the local bookstore to buy the New York Times, which I mentioned earlier.  Of course, Mary found a cookbook that she really liked, and we had to buy that too.  I probably have things a little out of order, but that's how I decided to write today, in a stream of consciousness style.  Well, actually just a disjointed style.

Not much on tap for today.  Maybe a little baking, probably some reading, and likely some guitar playing, and chances are, some laundry.  Of course, there will necessarily be… Tea time.  So unless something else comes up, I'll just say Ciao.

Good late evening GH.  It is approaching 12:00 here in GH, and I am up kind of late.  I fell asleep early, and then I awoke a few moments ago and decided I had to get up, or just lay there, so guess what, I got up.  As usual, at this hour it is dark out and the view out the Weather Window is limited.  But, that's to be expected.  Currently Sugar the Weather Dog is in her bed, and so her contribution to the forecast is to show by her inaction, that nothing big is on the horizon.  Last night, that wasn't the case.  Currently, our outdoor temperature is a not uncomfortable 34 degrees.

Mary and I visited the Post earlier and had a few Christmas cheers before coming home.  We had gone downtown to ship a package, so a stop at the Post seemed in order.   There was only one other person there when we arrived, but more trickled in, so Sally stayed open.  She was glad that starting next week, she can get back to her regular schedule of three days per week, instead of five.

I wish I had good news for Lions fans, but they succumbed to the Falcons tonight by thirteen points.  Just like the with Da Bears, I saved time by not watching.

Otherwise, the day started with UP with Chris, a scintillating two hours of talk and opinion.  We did in fact drink from our UP cups, and I had two Irish teas.  Some people like coffee, but I like tea in the AM.  Mary made French toast, and with real maple syrup, it was super.  Afterwards, she went to the grocery store while I walked Sugar, and I think I got the better part of the deal.  I like walking and I can live without the grocery store.  As usual, Mary reported that the can redemption machines were being cantankerous, but until they replace them, that is likely to continue.  I know they cost money, but since they have become a major headache to the customers, somebody has to take the bull by the horns and resolve the problem before the store loses customers to other "Big Box" grocery stores nearby.

So, until the morning and...Tea time comes, I'll just say Ciao.

Good morning GH.  Well it's coming up on 3 AM in the morning, and as usual the view out the Weather Window is dark.  Currently, the temperature on the desktop is 30°.  Sugar the Weather Dog is back in her bed now, having recently been in her hide-e-hole, which I discovered when I got up.  There must be something about the weather that changed.  That is usually the only reason she does that.  I came to bed before Mary, and I discovered that she had left on the television when I went downstairs.  Unfortunately, she didn't know I'd gone downstairs, so she turned off the light in the hall and then went back to bed herself.

Today was an interesting day.  I finished editing the index for Mary, and it didn't take much convincing for her to drive us when we went downtown to get something to eat.  I had been out earlier today with Sugar, and because of the cold winds I knew that I didn't want to walk anymore today.  Sugar did not stay out long, let me tell you. Fortunately for me, Mary was okay with that.  Otherwise, not much on the agenda for today.

We have plans to watch UP with Chris Hayes this AM.  At the moment, that seems like a busy day to me.  Of course, there will be… Tea time then too.  We will be using our UP teacups in solidarity.  So, that's about all for now.  Until next time, Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just now about 230 in the morning, and I got up because I couldn't sleep. Right now, it seems to be raining pretty steadily, and of course, Sugar the Weather Dog is still sound asleep. Since there is no thunder associated with this storm, it is unlikely that she will get up. Currently, the temperature on the desktop is a very rainy 38°. A quick shout out, to everyone else here in this city of Grand Haven who's awake at this hour. Probably the only people who are up right now are just coming out of bars where they were working or drinking. I think I hear a train coming, and as I look out the window I see the lights flashing here at Columbus. Yes, it is a train being towed by a two locomotives, no it's just two locomotives. No, it was a whole train. Trains are not often affected by bad weather, unless it's heavy snow in the mountains. Today I have a meeting after 5 PM, with my student at the local library. One thing you can be sure of, is that if the weather is too bad, I will call him and tell him not to come. I don't want to walk in the bad weather and I don't want to have him drive. I don't like to lose time with him, but our health is more important. Mary told me yesterday, that in keeping with the Christmas spirit, that we should each buy a small gift for each other. I honestly don't know what to get, because she doesn't want jewelry or perfumes, so maybe I'll stop by one of the local stores downtown and see what I can find if the weather allows. Right now, I'm using my Dragon software to dictate this in a window that is allowed in this program. I'll have to transfer this to my blog when I'm done. I am getting the hang of the software. It is a learning curve for both me and the software. Otherwise, I am getting close to returning back to bed because I am getting sleepy.  But, I think I'll go downstairs first and get something to drink. So until my next blog, and until it is... Tea time, I'll just say Ciao.

Good afternoon GH. It is about 3:25 PM. A quick look out the Weather Window shows blue skies and the sun is shining. Currently the temperature on the desktop is a comfortable 44°. Sugar the Weather Dog is in the room with Mary, and she indicates there is no rough weather coming. I just received a call from the nurse at St. Mary's Hospital. She was calling to tell me that the doctor had read my MRI results and determined that there was no evidence of any growth in my brain. I was truly excited, as I have been worrying about that for a long time. Now I can get on with the rest of my life, at least for the next year. Mary and I plan to celebrate that piece of good news this evening. Now let me tell you about what the rest of my day has been like. Of course, I got up this morning, ate breakfast, and then fed and walked Sugar the Weather Dog. Mary walked with us for a while, and then Sugar and I went to the post office to mail a Christmas card. Then, we came home through Central Park. After that I took the bicycles out of the basement, and took them to Rock and Road bicycles for their one-year tune-up. Ian, the manager, said they will be ready Thursday afternoon. According to the weather report, it is likely that it will be raining very heavily tomorrow afternoon, so we may have to put that pickup off until Friday or Saturday. I hope it is not raining too heavily, because I have a session with my reading student at the library tomorrow afternoon. If it is raining too heavily, I may have to call to reschedule. We have not had a chance to meet for two weeks, and I really don't want to miss another session.  Then I came home, vacuumed, washed the floors, and that was enough for me, at least I thought that it was.  However, I also scrubbed the sink in the kitchen, because it needed it  As you can tell, I have had a busy day.  I should mention, that I dictated part of this blog on my new speech recognition software.  I am still getting the hang of it, but once I do, the sky is the limit.  Til then, I'll just say that it's time for a little more relaxation, maybe some guitar playing, and that should be about it. Until next time, Ciao.

Good morning GH.  It is just past 7:00 AM here in the city of Grand Haven, and the view out the Weather Window is still, dark.  However, what I can see still doesn't show any snow cover, yet.  It looks like we will have a rainy day tomorrow and then snow for Friday and maybe
Saturday.   So, there is still a chance of snow cover by Christmas.  While I am not a big fan of snow and ice, I am a big fan of snow cover that improves the levels of the Big Lake and the other small lakes that surround us.  Sugar the Weather Dog is still abed, but her prediction isn't for much in the way of scary weather, or she wouldn't still be quietly sleeping.  I recently discovered that Sugar now has her own blog every now and then, but for the life of me, I don't know how she does it.  If you are into what she has to woof about, you can find it @ sugargoeswalking.blogspot.com.  I found it to be most enlightening, so I suggest that you may want to make it a regular stop on your blog reading rounds.   Otherwise, I now will have a chance to finish the vacuuming that I have been putting off for several days.  With my eye doctor appointment yesterday, drilling the hole in Mary's shell, and just doing other things, I had several good excuses for not doing the vacuuming until at least today.  Like I said before, I love it when a plan comes together.  So, for today, my plans are...Tea time, walking Sugar the Weather Dog, vacuuming, guitar playing, reading, and a few other things as yet undecided.  Gosh, it will be a full day.  I am just so busy as Eleanore used to say.  So until the next time, Ciao.

Good morning GH.  To borrow a phrase, "I love it when a plan comes together."  Last night, Mary and I went to the downtown of our fair city to grab a little dinner and to view the Nativity scene on Dewey Hill.  You can get an idea form Mary's blog, and realize how nice it is to view.  I told Mary that I like "Schmaltz" sometimes.  I can't explain it.  I think it may be part of my artistic side, but I can't say for certain.  Whatever the cause, it is the thing that caused me to miss a Christmas tree and to want one again.  Our tree is shaping up nicely, and my thanks to Steph and Adam for their suggestions on how to decorate.  In my case, it took Mary to actually bring things together; she has an eye for those things.  I appreciate the outcome, but I can't always cause it to happen.  A vision is one thing, planning to reach the goal inspired by that vision, is quite another.  I should mention that the tree topper Mary and I agreed upon looks super.  A beautiful item from Germany in blue and silver.  Plus, Mary's vision for the tree skirt came together nicely.  But, more on that later.  We are experiencing a problem with mice this year, and the mice are laughing at the mouse traps, so I don't know what they find so amusing.  I didn't tell Mary, but the last traps I bought are the kind that are "silent killers."  They cause the death of the mice, but you may not see the death in person.  Better for all in that way.  I forgot to mention that Sugar the Weather Dog is still fast asleep, so no report from her.  The current desktop temperature is a brisk 30 degrees, but there still isn't any snow cover.  Our neighbor is predicting ice cover on the lakes by January 15, but we will see.  I was awake this AM, so I decided to blog.  Incidentally, the rail line that passes our house is about 22 miles in length, running between Lowell and Greenville, MI, home to several fests/events each year.  Today, I got to see three of that railroads locomotives; all of this before 7:00 AM in the morning.  I'd best be going now, because there is much to be done today.  So, until it is once again...Tea time, I'll be saying ciao.

Good afternoon GH.  It is afternoon, and I have been hard at work this morning. I dusted, did some  laundry, and cleaned the bathrooms.  I also baked some cookies for good measure this afternoon.  They are healthier and they taste okay, but this is not a recipe that I would save.  Of course, since they were supposed to be oatmeal, cranberry, and white chocolate chip cookies, and I made walnut and raisin cookies, that may have something to do with it.  Of course, Mary didn't want me to make chocolate chip cookies, because she doesn't like them, so I made this alternative.  But, she isn't really into cookies anyway, so I don't know why I bowed to her wishes, since I like chocolate chips.  Go figure.  I should point out, that Sugar the Weather Dog approves of my efforts, but being a dog, she isn't all that discriminating.  Next time I make cookies, I'll make what I want, not what Mary wants, but won't eat anyway.  Otherwise, Sugar and I took two walks, the first halfway with Mary and the second just Sugar and me.  I still like this town, and with the temperatures in the 40s and the sky gray, it is just fine with me.  I am certain that it will snow to last at some point, but so far, nothing.  Otherwise, I have just the vacuuming to finish along with washing the floors, and I am ready for the holidays.  Oh, I should mention that I don't do the dusting of Mary's desk, and it shows.  She has promised to do it herself, but I may be old by the time that happens.  Wait, I just looked in the mirror and I am old.  See, I was right.  Tomorrow, I have an appointment to see the eye doctor, to learn if my eyes are part of my headache issues.  My BP is well controlled now, so I know what it isn't, not what it is.  So, until tomorrow's...Tea time, Ciao.

Good evening GH.  It really is evening here in GH, being nearly 10:00 PM.  The view out the Weather Window is, not surprisingly, dark, with only slight precipitation and the desktop temperature is 41 degrees.  However, with the wind chill, the temperature feels more like 33 degrees.  Sugar the Weather Dog is fast asleep, and Mary is watching Turner and Hooch for about the tenth time this year.  Both of us were kind of bummed out by the needless deaths in Newtown, CT on Friday.  I didn't use the overused word senseless, because any murder, is by definition, senseless.  I used needless, because if our politicians had any courage and weren't being cowards, they would tell the gun lobby to stick it.  But alas, that is highly unlikely, so the needless deaths will continue and the gun manufacturers will not be held to account   Oh well, I digress.  Today, I walked Sugar and then did some additional highlighting on the indexing project.  I was told to stop, because there is a problem with the page order, at least that is what Mary tells me.  So, instead of additional markups, I'll be doing some housecleaning tomorrow and getting ready for the Christmas holiday.  I like our tree, and our eclectic assortment of ornaments.  As I mentioned, when we were in Chicago last week, Mary and I picked out a super tree topper from the market in the plaza downtown.  Mary will place it on the tree when all of the cleaning and hanging of ornaments is completed.  Then, we will open the blinds and let the rest of the world view our masterpiece.  Until it is once again...Tea time, I'll bid you adieu.

Good early morning GH.  Well, I was up earlier, but I decided to use the time for highlighting on Mary's indexing project, so it is now 7:25 in the AM.  The view out the Weather Window is still on the dark side, but from what I can tell, this should be another nice day temperature wise.  Mary and I are still a bit sore from our walks in downtown Chicago, but that's to be expected at our advanced ages, well mine at least.  Currently the desktop temperature reading is a somewhat brisk 36 degrees, but the expected high for GH today is the mid-forties.  However, about that time, the chance for meaningful precipitation increases to 80%.  However, the good thing is that it will be of the liquid variety, not the flaky variety, so that's all good.  Sugar the Weather Dog is still sound asleep, but during the night, she spent some time in the upstairs bathroom.  Who knows.  Her prediction for wet weather is that it will be wet, something that she can live without.  Mary and I traveled to Grand Rapids yesterday for my annual MRI.  It won't get read by the doctor until nest week, so no news on that front other than the actual test is done.  Thank goodness for the headphones that deliver smooth jazz over the noise that the MRI machine makes as it goes about its business.  So this morning, it will soon be time for Up with Chris Hayes.  Mary and I have been speculating on his choice of topics and guests for today, given the horrendous events in CT yesterday.  I am not going to waste time restating the obvious.  As a former teacher, I think it is time that we recognize that guns do kill, and in this case, four guns killed 28 people, 20 of them babies, our future.  So, if a politician here in our home state, or in the U.S.A. as a whole, isn't ready to pass some meaningful legislation, then as Mary often says, "We're Doomed!"  I wonder how those people who think that everyone should be able to carry a gun into a school, a church, or a library, are feeling today?  Oh well, it is nearly...Tea time, so I am off to get myself ready face the day.  Irish Music Jam later and then more highlighting.

Good afternoon GH.  Well, I finally made it.  I have a few moments to spare here at the keyboard.  I have been working on editing an index for Mary and that was after visiting the USPS to mail some forms and receipts to the medical insurer and also to visit the bank to cancel my unneeded brokerage account before they began to charge me for a service I wasn't going to use.  Then, I did some laundry and had to rush out to pick up Sugar the Weather Dog from camp.  When I got there, she had already been bathed and was waiting patiently in her pen for pickup.  Once she knew I was there though, she set up a ruckus like I have never heard.  We were both glad to see each other, I think.  When she got here, I gave her her ear pills and then put her bed in the dryer.  She got new stuffing, well actually our old pillows, and now her bed is clean and fluffy once again.  Currently, the desktop temperature is 46 degrees, and there are wispy clouds in the sky.  The sun is beginning to set, but when I was out earlier, it was beautiful.  Once again, I am being plagued by my cold hands, that seem to be a hold over from my days in the gas station business.  I loved the job, but now, I am paying the price for my youthful joys.  Otherwise, I am getting hungry.  Haven't eaten since this AM, and that was the last of Mary's buy of the two huge boxes of Cheerios from the big box store.  Now, I can get to the Rice Krispies that I bought, something I have been impatiently anticipating. However, in her zeal to keep my healthy, more Cheerios have been purchased.  Speaking of keeping me healthy, I have an appointment for an MRI tomorrow in the AM.  I have my fingers crossed that it turns out well or negative or whatever.  I have had enough of hospitals and rehab for a lifetime.  Of course, I had my...Tea time this AM, along with some orange juice, so I was fortified for the day.  So for now, all is right with the world. Sugar the Weather Dog in in her bed, I am back on the blog job and the Irish music jam is coming up on Saturday in the PM.  Life is good.  Oh, by way of mentioning the last two days, Mary and I visited Steph and Adam in the big city, and that was all good.  We visited some Irish pubs, walked through Lincoln Park Zoo, and had lunch at the Goat and the second day at a place downtown that was excellent.  See Mary's blog for further info.  A nod to the the index I just finished editing.  So, until next blog.  Ciao

Good very early morning GH.  It is about 12:00 AM.  Well, chalk us up as one of the places that didn't get much in the way of snow from that big storm that is hitting the upper Midwest.  Here in our fair city, we got passed over again, not that I am complaining.  However, if we don't get much snow now, that drought that we all felt last summer will just be extended by another year.  Ouch!  Currently, the view out the Weather Window is dark and the temperature on the desktop is 32 degrees, tight at freezing.  Sugar the Weather Dog is still abed, so she has nothing to add at this time.  I had a great day in the kitchen yesterday.  After an hour and a half of chopping, cutting, peeling, and cooking, I ended up with a fantastic pot of squash soup.  I'll leave it to Mary to add pictures to her blog about the final product and process, but I tasted it. and it was superb, even if I have to say so myself.  Mary can out cook me on most days, but when I put my mind to it, I can do okay.  Sugar the Weather Dog was, of course, an invaluable assistant sous chef when we got back from our morning walk.  I learned that she doesn't like raw kale, at all, but that she likes raw butternut squash, a lot.  She sure has a sweet tooth.  After I finished my journey through Mary's kitchen, we went downtown to see what was happening.  We ended up at our favorite watering hole for lunch, and that was all good, except that they had the unBearables on and they didn't fare so well.  Later, the Lions also didn't fare so well either.  I don't know what it is, but wherever we live, the sports teams tend to be less than adequate.  But, and this is the important thing, the unBearables did have their timeouts in their pocket when they left the field.  I guess that was part of the plan.  When we lived in Illinois, there was a guy who used to complain about the middle linebacker and his lack of ability.  Let's just say that without him on the field the unBearables were even worse.  So, I think we did miss his presence, just saying.  Otherwise, not much is happening here in our fair city.  I still have an appointment for an MRI on Friday, so that will consume a good part of that day.  Well, I am getting tired, so that is all good.  I think I can hear Sugar stirring, so I don't want her to get the urge to go out or something.  I'd best be going.  Until it is...Tea time, I'll say Ciao.

Good late afternoon GH.  Well, it has just passed the 5:00 PM mark here in our fair city, and it has been a pretty good day.  Mary and I walked with Sugar the Weather Dog this AM, and she proclaimed it to be a good day from her perspective.  She got to go to the bank and get a treat as her withdrawal, and I got to get some money which I promptly handed over to Mary for safekeeping.  Then, it was off to the big box stores for more fun.  We got a water heater blanket, a replacement for the shade in the bathroom, and then subsequently donated the old shade to the Goodwill store.  This was after a mostly non requiting trip to the big box retail store where we got new pillows and a few items in the pharmacy area.  Then it was off to another big box retailer where we got a nice little tree for the holidays.  All in all, it was a good afternoon, which required a stop at our favorite watering hole here in town.  The barkeep had his music playing, which was very enjoyable.  We got home, and lo and behold, a box arrived for Mary.  Turns out, that it was a calendar for my office and so that was all good.  Now, I just have to repaint the wall where the old one was hanging, because the stick on hook that isn't supposed to damage the wall, did in fact, damage the wall upon removal.  Oh well, I had to repaint part of the wall anyway, but this is a different color that requires my carrying two cans of paint up from the man cave.  At least, that's where the new hooks are located according to my locating system.  So, more work to be done.  Currently, the desktop temperature is a nice 42 degrees, and the view out the Weather Window is getting dark.  So, it is now time for dinner.   So, I'll be going down to watch some MSNBC and eat some Mac and Cheese.  Until next time,  Cioa.

Goo afternoon GH.  Well, it is 4:30 PM, so that qualifies as late afternoon, so I'll just lay claim to it being afternoon.  Currently the view out the Weather Window is clear skies and sunny with a desktop temperature of 50 delightful degrees.  Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping of her trip to the "Bone Zone," which she completed about one hour ago.  She came in just in time to let me know that someone rang the ball and dropped off a package.  That of course, required a reward of another biscuit.  I think she has the best gig in the house.  We go out and come in, she gets a biscuit.  She goes out and comes in, she gets a biscuit.  Someone comes to the door, she gets a biscuit for pointing out the obvious when that someone rings the bell.  It is really a dog's life around here.  By the by, the package was our new UP with Chris Hayes mugs.  Mary will have more about those in a future blog.  I am feeling better now.  But last night, I was panicked enough to get Mary to take me to the emergency room.  My BP spiked and I have been having  headaches, so I was worried about a stroke.  But, a CAT scan, and EKG and blood tests all proved negative.  So, I went to my regular doctor today and got an additional prescription to help me control the spike.  I'll know more in the AM how well the new drug is working.  According to the doctors in Australia, or New Zealand, there is nothing in my head, oops, that came out wrong.  There is nothing going on in my head.  Oops that came out wrong too.  I mean that there is nothing organically going on in my head.  No evidence of a tumor growth, no evidence of an aneurysm, nothing.  So, that is one thing I can take off of my list of things to worry about.  I am going to call the neurologist in GR tomorrow, to see if I send them the latest CAT scan results, and ask if that will be enough.  Not that I don't want to get another MRI, but if I don't have to spend the time or money, well my time, Mary's time and the money from our insurer, I won't.  So, that's about enough for today.  Tomorrow, I have to put my editors hat on again and check the latest index for typos, spelling errors, etc.  Oh, if anyone out there gets a car calendar for 2013, that would look good on the wall in my office, feel free to send it my way.   I finished my...Tea time about 1/2 hour ago, so all is well.  Ciao.

Good very early morning GH.  It is about 12:30 in the AM, so it certainly is early.  I am going to keep this short and sweet.  Currently the temperature on the desktop display is 36 degrees.  There is a severe case of dark out the Weather Window.  The prediction for the early morning hours here in GH is for some fog.  We are expecting a high of 62 very nice degrees during the day today.  I hear that it will be even warmer in Chicago.  Sugar the Weather Dog and I have an appointment at the veterinarian this morning.  She needs to have her follow up on her ear problem and she also needs to have a pedicure.  She has been shaking her head again, so perhaps her ears are bothering her once more.  I know that mine are still not right and yet, the ENT has been unable to see anything in there, so I don't get it.  Otherwise, there is a good chance that Sugar and I will get in some time in the "Bone Zone."  It all depends on how accurate Sugar's forecast is.  She has a lot riding on her accuracy, that's for sure.  Otherwise, I just finished a book by James Patterson, after finishing that one, my next is The Generals, by Thomas Ricks.  My first perusal of the book, looked promising, as I mentioned in a previous blog, so I have hopes.  Then I have more fiction to read.  In addition, Mary has said that she is open to the idea of getting a Christmas tree this year.  We will check into one when she is done with the current indexing project.  That has to be finished by Wednesday, and so Thursday looks like the day to go out.  I have to get a water heater blanket that is on sale at one of the big box hardware stores, as well as a new shade for the light on the ceiling in the bathroom.  We also plan to get some replacement pillows at another big box store, so that should be perfect timing.  Actually, the pillows will allow us to place our older ones in Sugar's bed.  A twofer.  So, until it is...Tea time, I'll say Ciao.

Good morning GH.  Wow, although it is not real early, it is just after 7:00 AM here in our fair city.  For those of you keeping score, that's about 5:00 AM mountain time and 4:00 AM in the far west.  So, by any measure it is early.  I was awake, so I thought I would take advantage and shower and shave etc.  I even had to disturb Sugar the Weather Dog, and she didn't look happy about it.  She can be kind of grumpy when she doesn't get her beauty rest.  I mean she was sleeping while I was in the shower, so I don't get it.  Maybe it's that diet thing.  Yeah, that's it, she is grumpy from lack of food, not lack of sleep.  The view out the Weather Window at this early hour is still dark.  Currently the temperature on the desktop is 36 degrees.  That agrees with my Weather Station, and my indoor temperature readout, according to my highly accurate digital thermometer, made in China, it is a very comfortable 69 degrees.  We are looking for a high in the lower fifties today and any precipitation isn't expected until later tonight.  So, the GH Tree Lighting Parade should go off as planned, in very comfortable temperatures.  When Sugar the Weather Dog and I were downtown yesterday, we saw that Santa's Workshop was all ready to go.  I just hope they give the old guy a heater, because being an old guy myself, I know that you start to need warmth in the winter, especially when you spend most of your year at the North Pole.  In other news, I finished my yard work on the palatial estate yesterday.  I raked up the loose grass, put in some additional soil, including in my horseradish tulip pots, and then I sewed some grass seed.  I hope that some of it takes by next spring.  I am done for this year, I hope.  So, until the seed sprouts nest year, I won't have a clue.  I am going downstairs now for...Tea time and UP with Chris Hayes at 8:00 AM.  Sugar just poked her head in, I hope my Christmas music wasn't disturbing her.  Ciao.

Good morning GH.  Not too shabby.  I made it until 8:45 AM without getting up to blog.  That means that the view out the Weather Window is actually a view, albeit a cloudy one, and the current desktop temperature is 38 degrees.  Update, I wanted to add that the sky looks like that "Hazy shade of winter," in that old song.    Here in my little corner of the world, ie, my office/music room, it is 69 degrees and the air is calm.  I had an interesting day yesterday.  Sugar the Weather Dog was acting cute, as usual, and the day just seemed to fly by.  Took a couple of walks with the intrepid Weather Dog and both of us had a good time.  As you know, I finished that book about the woman and her chance meeting  with the panhandling boy the night before.  I got to thinking that my meeting Sugar may have been similar.  Both of us needed someone, me more than I realized at the time, and Sugar for the obvious reason.  I like to think that it has worked out well for both of us.  By the way, when last seen, the Intrepid one was still abed, and so her prediction for the day is not yet available.  I got my next MRI appointment for mid-December, and that is all good.  I hope that it comes out clear.  It seems as though it was only two years ago when I was diagnosed with my problem.  Hey, I guess it was.  My thanks to all of the doctors and nurses that participated in and precipitated my recovery.  Most of all, my thanks and love go out to Mary for being there for me.  I have been kind of grouchy the last few weeks, but I realized that that seems to happen at this time of year when I am anticipating that MRI.  I am sorry for being a crab.  I had a good tutoring session with my student last evening.  I think we are making progress, but I also realized how woeful his early efforts at learning to read were.  It is an awesome responsibility for me and for him.  He wants to have someone he knows enroll in the program, so he must be feeling okay about our efforts.  So, since it is now nearly...Tea time, it is time to go.  Ciao.

Good morning GH. Wow, I got up just in time to see something that you don't often see here in GH, a long freight train drawn by two locomotives.  I have seen as few as two locomotives and as few as two and one car, but by most measures, this was a long train.   But I digress.  I am planning on going back to bed soon, but I wanted to add to my list of timely blogs.  Currently the temperature on the desktop is 43 degrees.  For late November here in MI, that is quite warm at this hour.  We are expecting highs in the lower fifties this weekend.  Not quite like Thanksgiving, but still very nice.  I am certain that Sugar the Weather Dog would concur.  In my office, the digital display is showing 68 degrees, and my personal Weather Station located in the Weather Window, is showing just over 40.  As I mentioned previously, the view out the Weather Window is dark with a side of train.  I finished a good book last night, it was called An Invisible Thread, by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski.  This book was a library discussion book earlier this month and was recommended by the librarian in one of our correspondences.  A short read, and a great true story.  Based on Laura's memories of finding a young man panhandling in the streets of New York, it tears at your heartstrings and gives you hope for a better future.  The story follows him from age 11 to adulthood, and through many periods in both his life and that of Laura.  I recommend it if you want to feel up and down and better all around.  I had an interesting day in the kitchen yesterday.  I actually made three things, four jars of baked winter squash, , two varieties, which I stored in the freezer, four loaves of banana nut bread and some red salsa.  Two required chopping and like the book, the salsa produced some tears.  I started with the squash, after I had mentioned that one of the stored ones was going south, and then when I was done with that, Mary said, "Well, why don't you make banana bread, while the oven is warm?"  Mary supplied me with an easy to follow recipe, and the rest just came with being in the kitchen.  Man, it gets hot in there when the oven runs for several hours straight.  I have included a picture below of the banana bread.  I didn't take a picture of the salsa, it was just salsa after all, and no pictures of the squash either.  The banana bread was my first effort at baking from scratch, and I think, after my first taste, that it turned out great.  Mary will give it her rating at breakfast later this AM.  When left to my own devices, and prodded by Mary, I can accomplish modest things.  However, I am more than happy to relinquish my kitchen duties to Mary.  So, until it is...Tea time, that's all for now.  Ciao.

Here they are!

Good early morning GH.  Well, I promised myself that I wouldn't get up this early, but when you fall asleep by nine the previous evening, this is a long time to sleep.   I'll be going back to bed soon, but I thought that I might blog a few words.  Currently, Sugar the Weather Dog is still asleep, so I don't expect that there will be any storms on the horizon.  Current;y, the temperature on the desktop display is 32 degrees, as it is on the window readout.  Indoors in my office/music room, the digital display is showing 68 degrees.  I raked leaves yesterday, but when I looked out the Weather Window earlier this AM, just before the train passed, I saw snow on the ground.  If the predictions are right, it won't last, but I am so not ready for snow yet.  I mean I like it and all, but it is hard to take a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog when it gets slippery.  So, if it didn't snow I'd be okay with that too.  I still have some grass seed to plant for the fall, in hopes that it will grow next year, so I'd like the snow to hold off just one more day.  I got in some serious guitar time yesterday afternoon, and that is all good.  Adam and I had a nice conversation via email about his new R/C car and NASCAR, and Formula racing.  Well, you get the picture.  I had to go to tend to my Weather Dog, so I had to ring off.  Otherwise, I amassed seven bags of leaves, and they go out for tomorrow's pick up.  So, it is now time for bed, before I have to get up for...Tea time and grass seeding etc.  So much to do, so little time.  Ciao.

Good afternoon GH.  Wow, it really is afternoon again.  Not bad.  I went to the ENT again today because my ear just doesn't feel right, but he found nothing amiss.  I don't know why, but I just feel like something is wrong in my ear, but he says there isn't anything obvious.  He may be right, that I am sensitive to my ears feeling weird because of all the ear problems I have had over the years.  So, I think I will wait a bit longer and then see how I feel.  It is just that I am having these headaches, and once you have had a neurosurgeon poking around in your head, you become acutely aware of things that are in or about your head.  So, I called the neurosurgeon here, well actually in GR, to make sure I am set up for another follow up MRI.  I don't want to take any chances.  Otherwise, the day has been pretty much walking with Sugar, raking the leaves, and now I am about to play my guitar.  I did stop at the library to turn in a couple of books and to pick up one I had on hold.  This new one is about various generals of the Army and how effective they have or have not been.  Let's just say, that the early parts of the book are not that complimentary of the generals in WWII.  I doubt that being an officer or a general is an easy job, but if you can't stand the heat of battle, then get out of the war.  A nice turn of a phrase I think.  Otherwise, I went down to the man cave and modified a wall plate that has a built in digital thermometer, so that it would fit behind the moulding in my office/music room.  Currently, the temperature on the outdoor thermometer mounted outside my window is about 34 degrees, while the temperature on the desktop is showing 33 degrees.  So, as I noted yesterday, they are about equal.  My wall mounted thermometer is showing  69 degrees here in my room.  That thermometer was one I received with my energy audit kits, and it looks fine on the wall, now that it has been modified to fit.  Meanwhile, Mary is hard at work in her office, as I finished my first task of highlighting the book she is indexing.  It took me 17.5 hours, and Mary isn't sure if that saved any time.  But, I like to think that that is time she didn't have to work on it, and if I can help in that way, then I will.  Now, all that I have to do is edit her final output.  So, until it is time for NCIS later, I am going to play some.  Oh, did I mention that I am still finding a tell tale trail of white and tan dog hair on my keyboard.  I will have to get to the bottom of that one of these days.  So for now, Ciao.

Good afternoon GH.  Well, this is a lot better than 1 - 4 in the AM.  I now have a new thermometer in the window.  This one is also a stick on, but it uses suction cups to maintain its grip, not static cling.  We shall see.  Anyway, the temperature is showing as 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Celsius.  The desktop temperature is showing 33 degrees, so I am assuming it is accurate.  Sugar the Weather Dog is lying on the floor in the foyer, so she has no comment art this time.  I got all of my errands run this afternoon.  I got a new battery installed in the Vibe, for $62.00 versus $162.00.  First price was from a local dealer, the second from a local independent.  Whether the Vibe needed one for sure, I don't know, but it was nearly five years old and so I opted to avoid problems down the line.  I also went to the local small box hardware store to exchange some items. That went great.  Got that new thermometer, a set of measuring spoons for Mary's kitchen, and a small knife for chopping herbs and things for me.  Then, like the guys in the video, I came home.  So, not much is happening today.  Time to play a little guitar, time to ignore Sugar wanting her dinner, and time to do a little reading.  My book is due back in three days.  So, until I have more to say, Ciao.

Good evening GH.  It is just after 8:00 PM here in our fair city, and the view out the Weather Window is mostly dark with a side of ebony.  Currently, the temperature on the desktop display is a brisk 31 degrees.  I should mention that I will be returning the new window mounted thermometer that we bought, because the thing won't stick to the window as advertised.  Sugar the Weather Dog is either in her bed or in with Mary in the media room.  I don't know for sure, because Mary is watching one of her long string of movies at high volume, so I sequestered myself in my office in order to avoid the sound.  I wanted to watch the game between Notre-Dame, and Southern Cal, but since Mary has commandeered the media room, I can't get in there.  I'll have to wait to see if she gets done soon.  We had a good day, going down to Holland to pick up a new clock for the living room, and then going to our favorite watering hole before stopping in to see Sally at the Post to give her the old clock.  She seems to collect them, so she was welcome to it, rather than giving it to Goodwill or some other organization.  I had good fortune in Holland, finding a $20.00 bill lying in the street next to where we were parked.  That paid for our drinks and a couple of lottery tickets.  Otherwise, the clock looks great on the wall and the day went without difficulty, unless you count the necessity of having to walk slowly to the bakery this AM, to avoid breaking our necks.  Sugar wasn't worried, because she can't wait to get to East town and the bakery.  Plus, with her short legs, she would have a hard time falling up.  But, since she is on a calorie restricted diet, she didn't get any treats there.  She may be less eager next time.  So, rather than drone on, I will say adios and get ready for bed and await the morning's activities, including...Tea time.

I knew it, someone has been at this keyboard again.  I don't know who, but if I'm extra vigilant, I'll figure it out.  It can't be Mary or Sugar the Weather Dog, because they are both sound asleep.  Still there is this tell tale trail of white hair, so there must be clue in that, if I can just figure out where I've seen that hair color before.  Mary got me this new window mounted thermometer, and if it stays stuck to the glass, it should provide some good readings of the actual temperatures right outside of my office window.  Right now it shows 46 degrees while the desktop display shows 52 degrees.  I like to think that the one on the window is the "real" temperature right outside, but I'll continue to track the two and make comparisons.  I did some additional highlighting this morning, and I am up to page 314, so I am just past the 60% done point.  I finished what I started this afternoon, when Mary reminded me that I said I would go downtown with her to see the newest exhibit at the Tri-Cities Museum.  It was about Middle-Eastern and Asian art forms and it was great.  We also saw some of their medical exhibits, and they were cool too.  However, in the holiday go home early spirit, the staff was turning off the lights right behind us.  We then went to our favorite watering hole, drank too much and had our usual food choices.  We like many things, but why change when you really like something?  Then, we stumbled home, sticking mostly to Washington's better lit sidewalks until we got home.  I thought that this being Thanksgiving, I'd mention some of the things for which I am thankful.  First and foremost, there is Mary.  I never tell her how much I love her, and I need to do that more.  I am thankful that she was there for me when I had all that surgery over the last two years.  I am thankful that she is there to help me get home when it gets dark, both literally and figuratively.  I am thankful for her for Adam, the best son a man could ever want.  He is a good man.  By extension, I am thankful for Stephany.  She is a delight and I love her like I love Adam.  I am thankful for Sugar the Weather Dog, even though she is an expensive adopted child.  To paraphrase a former secretary of defense, "You don't always come home with the dog you went out to get."  She may not be a bulldog, but she is the "Right Dog," to paraphrase another political wannabe.  She is just the right size, or at least she will be if I don't give  in to her begging and make her the right size again.  I am thankful for this town.  As Mary and I often say, this was a righteous decision.  Most of all, I am thankful for the good fortune that has come our way in general.  While there have been some setbacks, it has been mostly good.  So, before I get more maudlin, I'll just say, "Happy Thanksgiving to all."  Oh, I didn't want to forget to say thanks to all of our service men and women and to all of the veterans of all the wars that this country has fought in over the years.  Ciao and I'll see you at...Tea time.  I'll close with some pictures.  I don't have any of Mary or Adam and Steph on my computer, so you will have to get by with these.

Part of the attraction of Grand Haven

See what I mean about being cute?

This is what I don't want Sugar the Weather Dog to look like

Hey, good very early morning GH.  I think someone has been at my keyboard.  There is goo all over it, and the presence of dog hair makes me suspicious.  I must have just missed them.  I think that if I am extra vigilant, that I'll catch whoever it is.  Currently, Sugar the Weather Dog is sound asleep in her bed, so I know that it can't be her, besides she's a dog.  But if I find whoever has been slobbering all over my keyboard, well.  I know it can't be Mary, because like Sugar, she too is sound asleep.  Anyway, the current view out the Weather Window is...DARK!  On the desktop, the temperature reading is showing 43 degrees.  A street sweeper came by a while ago, so I was right, the city does sweep the streets in the wee hours.  I've heard it before, but this is the first time I have actually seen it.  Probably the best time, but I don't envy the man or woman who has to get up and do that job.  I didn't blog yesterday, because I just didn't have the time.  On Monday, I had to take Sugar to the veterinarian, because she had been shaking her head and wasn't being her usual exuberant self.  Turns out that just like me, she has an ear infection for which she got some ointment put in her ears and she has to take some antibiotic pills for seven days.  Mary and I are fooling her by putting the pills in a piece of soy hot dog.  Sometimes, dogs are slaves to their natural predilections.  I got some additional treatment on Monday too, also for my ears.  The ENT took care of my ears too.  I also have some drops for my ear.  On Tuesday, I went to a local place for some car care.  The Vibe is in pretty good shape for its age, but it does have a slow leak in one tire, probably a rim leak, and it needs to have its rear brakes adjusted.  I guess that I thought that the rear brakes took care of themselves.  It also should have a new set of wiper blades and the battery terminals are corroded.  I think that I can handle that myself, but I don't want the computer to get stupid while I do, so I'll have to check the procedure.  Otherwise, all is well.  Mary can still cook up a storm, and I can still clean house with the best of them, so I think that our division of duties is working out well.  Adam and Steph are still in Boston, but we did hear from them and all is well.  They promised to share pictures next time they are here.  Mike the bartender at our favorite watering hole is looking forward to going bow fishing with Steph, but he is bummed that he hasn't gotten his deer yet.  Otherwise, I have made further progress on the highlighting, and that is all good.  I don't mind doing it, but it sure is time consuming.  So far, I am done with 212 pages in and I have worked for seven and three quarters hours.  this could take awhile.  So, until I get up from my sleeping, I'll just mention that....Tea time is still good and say Ciao.

Good early morning GH.  Well, I got up about an hour and a half ago to just do some work on Mary's indexing project, and lo and behold, one and one-half hours elapsed.  Maybe I shouldn't have, but I want to feel as though I am doing my part.  Currently, the desktop temperature is a brisk 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and of course, the view out the Weather Window is dark.  But, Sugar the Weather Dog and Mary are sound asleep, as they should be.  I went to bed early, about 8:30 PM, because I felt as though I couldn't stay awake any longer.  I was watching the girl in the blue gingham dress and her little dog, along with lions, and tin men and scarecrows, oh my.  I can't wait for Mr. Smith goes to the building and loan.  But, I just couldn't make it.  I did watch the Lions go down to defeat earlier in the day, after the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix was over and Lewis Hamilton had pulled out the victory in a rather convincing fashion over the early leader, Sebastian Vettel.  I have to say, that it is more exciting than watching taxi cabs race.  The track looked phenomenal and made me more than ever, resolve to go back to Road America this coming year.  I just have to decide which event I want to go and see.  So many choices.  I learned on Saturday, that GH is planning a music day, similar to their Artwalk, that would include numerous musical acts and of course, our little Irish Music Jam group playing in Central Park.  This will happen on September 7, 2013, so if Mary and I are going to go out of town to celebrate our 40th anniversary, it will have to be either before or after.  In addition, September 7th is Adam's birthday, so we would have to work around that.  Once again, so many things to consider.  Otherwise, I got a lot of pages highlighted in the wee hours of the morning, so that is all good.  I turned down the water heater, and also had time to sit outside and read as Sugar chewed her obligatory bone.  No blog would be complete without a mention of Mary's culinary skills.  She made a vegan chili that was/is to die for.  Everything that my mother's chili wasn't, Mary's was.  I can honestly say, that I don't miss the meat.  Although, there are times that I sneak in a little beef jerky, just for old time's sake.  Today, I have a doctor's appointment with the ENT specialist at 8:40 in the AM, so I'd best be heading to bed.  So, until it is...Tea time, I'll just say "Fare the well."  Addendum, my hearing is the same, I have an outer ear infection, and the ENT "Vacuumed" out some detritus and I have new drops and and orders to not get my ear wet, just like a Mogwais from the movie.  Gosh I feel like a new man.

Good early morning GH.  Well, It is now about 4:30 AM, and rather than lay there and toss and turn, I decided to get up and write something.  Of course the view out the Weather Window is, dark.  Of course, Sugar the Weather Dog is sound asleep, and of course, Mary is also sound asleep.  I wish I slept that soundly, but alas, I am in my sixty-second year of life, and I never have.  So, it is not a habit that I'm likely to start soon.  Currently the temperature on the desktop is a brisk .55 degrees Celsius, but what do you expect for the 18th day of November?  According to the folks at Weather.com, we can expect a high in the upper 50s or lower 60s by Thanksgiving Day,  Mary and I were just talking about walking in the Wisconsin Dells on a Thanksgiving Day a few years ago, when we went there with Adam and a friend of his. I don't remember how many years, but it was a few.  So, is this climate change, or something else?  I think it is, but then I'll take this on Thanksgiving.  However, if it means we have droughts and way too hot summers, than I'll give up the warm turkey days.  Alas, I doubt that I get a choice or a say, so it is up to the people in charge to make some changes in how we save energy, and then how we produce it.  I should make note that each person or family can and should reduce their energy consumption/carbon footprint, which would help.  Mary and I are doing what we can, by using energy efficient appliances, bulbs, and a set back thermostat, as well as walking to as many places as we can,  Just one man's opinion.  Otherwise, I am going back to to bed soon.  Adam and Steph are off to the east coast for Thanksgiving, and if the weather turns out like the weather folks say, they should have a great time.  So, until it is time for UP with Chris Hayes, and until I am ready for more highlighting for Mary, I'll try to get more sleep.  Oh, in honor of the Grand Prix race today, Mary is trying a new chili recipe, as that is as close as we could get to something that would celebrate both the European roots of Grand Prix racing, and the fact that this race will be taking place in our own American Southwest.  So, until it is...Tea time, I"ll just close with both and Adios and an Adieu.

Good afternoon GH.  Well. it is just past the noon hour here in GH, and I thought just a few moments to write this blog would be in order.  I walked to the dentist this morning, Mary and Sugar the Weather dog walked part way with me.  All in all, the visit took just twenty-five minutes, and I got my usual bag of goodies when I left.  A new toothbrush, some floss, some toothpaste and I was on my way.  I walked home, and that took all of fifteen minutes.  So, in total I had to give up only one hour and fifteen minutes of my day.  Not bad I say.  When I got home, Mary made a brunch meal of rice and beans and a tortilla, and that was an excellent way to cap off the morning.  I completed the survey I was doing for energy efficiency, and now I await the check for my efforts.  I liked the program, I got some good things for my home and they paid me for the privilege.  What's not to like?  Currently, the view out the Weather Window is clear skies and sunny and the desktop temperature reading is 44 lovely degrees.  You can see why walking was a pleasure.  Sugar enjoyed going a new route there and back, and of course, she had to smell everything and leave a message for other dogs along the way.  I have to say, that this is still a righteous decision, moving to GH I mean. This afternoon, I plan to strum a little, do some markups for Mary and then just kick back.  I have an appointment with the ENT doctor next Monday morning, and on Tuesday afternoon, I have an appointment to have the Vibe serviced for winter.  So, it won't be quite as busy next week.  I hope that it slows down for a couple of weeks.  I plan to rake and bag some on Saturday, before I go to the library for some Irish music jams.  That is about my limit for outdoor activities this year, unless you count sowing some grass seed when the temperature stays low enough to prevent premature germination of the seeds.  I also have to do more dusting to do next week, but I find that rewarding in a weird way, just like the vacuuming.  So, until I have more to blog, I'll just say,  Ciao!

Good afternoon GH.  Well, it is nearly 1:30 in the afternoon, and Mary and I just finished lunch and Sugar the Weather Dog, is happily napping in her bed.  The view out the Weather Window is partly cloudy and the current temperature on the desktop is 43 degrees.  If the weather app on my phone is right, we have nearly reached the high for today.  I received word that the package I returned has arrived at the sender, so I should be getting a refund soon.  Not a huge amount, but it was worth returning.  Also, Mary and I walked over to the big box hardware store yesterday to  exchange the glass cover for one of the new bathroom lights that we had purchased the day before, and which I installed yesterday.  No problems with the exchange, except that it should have been free of defects when it went into the package.  Oh well, what would life be like for all of us if anything lasted or came out in perfect condition.  Last evening, I attended a round table session for the tutoring organization that I work with and we had a good discussion about how to best serve the people that we are tutoring.  I have an actual tutoring session at 5:00 PM this evening, and then a dentist appointment tomorrow.  I once again reiterate that Eleanore was right, when you are retired, you have more time, but more uses for that time.  Otherwise, the day is going to be uneventful.  So until next time, Ciao.

Good very early morning GH.  Well, it is early and I have yet to go to bed.  I think that I am trying to stay up late so that I can go to bed and just sleep the night away instead of getting up part way through.  One look out the Weather Window tells me two things.  It is dark and it is quiet here in GH except for the passing train.  Sugar the Weather Dog is sound asleep in her bed and Mary is in her own world of dreams.  Currently, the temperature on the desktop is four degrees below the freezing point on the Fahrenheit scale, (28 degrees) and the sun won't be up for at least another six hours.  Our expected high for tomorrow, oops, today, is 48 degrees, so it should be a good day for bagging some leaves, doing a little work in the upstairs bathroom, and walking Sugar the Weather Dog.  I am nearly done with the book I took out about climate change, and I have a few more to pick up at the library while I am there tonight.  I almost said tomorrow night, but I forgot that I am now in tomorrow.  Otherwise, not much is happening.  I just thought I'd get my blogging in before the morning, which will allow me to get on with my day.  So, until the dawn's early light and until...Tea time, I'll borrow liberally from an old musical when I say, "So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, good night.  So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, adieu, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye to you and you and you and you etc.

Good morning GH.  Well, this is a change, Mary is still in bed, Sugar the Weather Dog is still abed, and I didn't get up until about 8:30 AM.  In fact, Mary complained that she was awake all night, instead of sleeping like an army private on leave.  Currently the view out the Weather Window is kind of gray, and the temperature on the desktop is a chilly 31 degrees, a dramatic change from the 60s and 70s we had over the weekend.  Mary and I enjoyed a trip to Pentwater on Sunday, only to discover that the cook's store there was going out of business.  Oh well, you can't expect a twice a year visit to keep them in business.  We were able to stop in some interesting antique shops on the way back, and some interesting small towns, so that was good.  One town even boasted of having an historic district, but it wasn't much of an attraction, even if you consider that they had a "Future Historic"  building on the site.  Hey, when you think about it, any building is a "Future Historic" building, and anything is a "Future Antique" if you wait long enough.  In that way, I am fast approaching being of historic significance myself.  Gosh, a whole new avenue of development opened up.  Yesterday, we went to Holland and bought some "Future Antique" baking and storage pans, some "Future Historic" spices and a lot of things that could be of value in the future.  At this rate, I can see why people collect anything, because they know it will become valuable someday.  I should mention that in the process of doing laundry on Sunday, that I pulled an Adam, when I found all the money that Mary had left in the pocket of her jeans as I pulled them from the dryer.  I "made" a total of $24.00 in the process.  What a country.  Today, more reading, more music, and maybe some raking.  I got the lawnmower and our bicycles into the basement yesterday, and that was enough for the afternoon activities.  Today, is a day for dong nothing, as I want to save my energy for the balance of the week.  I have a meeting tomorrow evening, a tutoring session on Thursday, and a dentist appointment on Friday.  I feel just like /Eleanore again.  So, until I discover more value in the tings around me, it is...Tea time.

Good early morning GH.  It is currently about 1:45 in the AM and I am not really awake, but I am also not really asleep.  I got up because I was tossing and turning and that isn't good when Mary is trying to sleep, although the chances of her waking up are slim to none, because she can sleep through a hurricane and then awake and wonder what happened.  I know from personal experience, as does Adam, that she seems to be awake, she holds conversations and yet, she isn't really awake.  I wish I could sleep that soundly.  But alas, if you read my blog with any regularity, you know that I don't.  So, here I sit listening to iHeart radio, occasionally playing solitaire, and typing away.  Currently I am listening to one of my stations that plays John Denver, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Dan Fogelberg, the Carpenters, Jim Croce, etc.  Currently the temperature showing on the desktop display is a balmy 62 degrees.  The view out the Weather Window is dark, and Sugar the Weather Dog is snoring soundly.  We are expecting showers on Sunday, late, but the temperatures are expected to stay warmer until Monday, when they plummet into the 30s and 40s.  I had to endure the overtime as Michigan beat Northwestern.  I was excited that the number one team lost and that ND is now 9-0. Maybe they really are back.  Sugar and I enjoyed some deck time yesterday in the PM, she with a bone and me with a crossword and iHeart radio on my cell phone.  It was getting dark when Mary came out to get us.  I hope that today will be a nice easy day.  Maybe the NY Times, and some guitar, but that's about all.  I don't think that I miss the political ads at all.  I do however miss one of the progressive talk stations that changed to a sports format.  Oh well, it is commercial radio.  So, until I feel sleepy, I think I'll read some and then it is back to bed until it is...Tea time and time for UP with Chris.  Ciao

Good early morning GH.  It is fast closing on 5:00 AM.  I took time this AM to wrap the package that I am returning and then I went downstairs and discovered the dishes that needed doing, so I did those while I was there.  Mary cooks and I do what I can, a fair division of labor.   Kind of like the housework I think.  Anyway, on to the regular order of business.  The current temperature on the desktop readout is a sultry 50 degrees.  Sugar the Weather Dog is still fast asleep, but if our luck and the weather holds, we may both get to benefit one more time from the Grand Haven channel.  She with a bone and I with a book.  The view out the Weather Window is dark so I'll have to wait for the sun to rise in order to more fully assess my world.  Mary bought an excellent cookbook yesterday that I had seen at the local independent bookseller and which I then subsequently checked out at our local library.  Turns out after reading it, that it was one she wanted to own.  It is a cookbook of holiday recipes designed for the vegan in us all, but the recipes look delicious as do the photos of the foods.  Mary always likes picture styles cookbooks, and I confess, so do I.  Once again, that's where Mary's expertise n the kitchen comes in.  All I have to do is eat and clean up.  I think I actually get the better end of the deal.  Mary and I went to see the new 007 movie yesterday afternoon, and it was incredible.  I won't spoil it, but if you like cars, and action, Bond women. and most of all Bond villains, then this is the movie for you.   It is amazing how they can fit the trailers for upcoming movies to the audience.  Let's just say that there were no kid flicks represented.  Of course, I had to have popcorn, the reason, or at least one of the reasons I go to movies.  Oh, best of all, this theater actually has hand dryers that work, not like those anemic dryers that are found in so many places.  So, it is now time to go back to bed before I have to get UP for Chris.  So until the morrow, I'll leave you with it is nearly...Tea time.

Good just afternoon, GH. Well, I almost made it, but the time got away from me, again.  Sugar the Weather Dog has been very needy lately, something that tells me she is feeling neglected.  Sometimes when you get busy, you tend to not do a good job of interaction with your companion pet, so I urge everyone to take time for your best friend, whether two or four legged, so that everybody benefits.  Anyway, speaking of Sugar, she and I went for a walk this AM, and then stopped at the local news stand for the morning papers.  We still need to go out for the GH Tribune, but that will wait for a few minutes.  I think she thought the day was okay, but I can't be sure.  Currently, the view out the Weather Window is gray skies and the sun is nowhere to be seen.  A very wintry looking day.  Strange, since the predictions for the weekend contain showers, but also warmer temperatures.  Also, the current temperature on the desktop display is 42 degrees.  I just got off the phone with a place that I e-subscribe to that was offering a free calendar, so that is why I got a late start.  I also checked on the availability of a vegan holiday cookbook at the Loutit Library, and now that I know the call number, I can check on it in person.  I also requested a book called The Generals, by Thomas Ricks, that purports to give a critique of some of the great and not so great generals in our military service.  As soon as a copy becomes available, I'll be able to pick it up.  I do have a book on hold that I'll pick up this evening when I am there for tutoring.  I also talked to one of our neighbors recently who told me that  a new coffee shop will be opening up on 7th.  I suspect that Adam and Steph will be interested in that.  Otherwise, I am awaiting the editing job from Mary and then I will be off to the library.  But first, my companion pet has a need, so I'll take care of that now.  Until tomorrow, Ciao.

Good afternoon GH.  Well, it is nearly 3:30 in the PM, so I think that good afternoon is appropriate about now.  The view out the Weather Window is a beautiful blue sky and the sun is shining as brightly as it can at this time of year.  Sugar the Weather Dog is back in her bed after getting sick to her tummy, so she is resting now.  If I spoke more fluent Corgle, I would have understood her when she asked to go out.  My bad.   Currently the temperature display on the desktop is a very nice 49 degrees.  We are expecting a high in the upper fifties and lower sixties on Saturday and Sunday.   A possible chance to get in some additional time on the Grand Haven channel, especially if the forecast-ed showers also come to pass.  Of course, Sugar the Weather Dog will get a bone too.  I want to mention that enough time has passed since the Tigers were bested by the Giants 4-0 in the World Series.  Coming off the Cubs, that was good, but not nearly as good as it might have been.  Also, although the NHL and its players are talking, the Winter Classic which was to have been held at the Big House in Ann Arbor, was canceled.  I don't know which set of millionaires is greedier, but I think they both are to blame.  For the average fan, they all seem to make too much money.  However, the owners lease taxpayer supported arenas, so I tend to think that the players have more to lose every game.  I also know that Adam was hoping to see a Grand Prix race while he visits Boston with Steph, but alas, the Patriots are on, so the sports bars there will be showing that on every available television.  I don't really have a horse in that race, but you would think that they could spare one television for auto racing fans.  I came away from the recent election season relieved.  I am so tired of  the barrage of political commercials for all the candidates and all the issues.  I felt like little Abby when she just wanted it to stop.  However, I am beginning to miss the constant email contacts soliciting money for the various groups and causes.  But, given the alternatives, I like it better.  I thought that Mr. Romney gave a nice concession speech, while President Obama was also nice in his victory speech.  So much money to produce so little change.  Otherwise, I am awaiting my next editing job for the index Mary is working on.  I already have ten hours in, so I will be glad when this one is done.  I got the outdoor furniture completely covered today, so that is one more thing off my To Do list.  So, until next time, I'll just say fare the well,,

Good morning GH.  Well, I am up at my usual time, and this morning the view out the Weather Window is, of course, dark.  However, with the return of standard time, the dawn comes an hour earlier.  As I noted in last night's blog, Sugar the Weather Dog is not pleased by the change in hours.  She will have to get used to it, but like most dogs, she is a creature of habit and does not take readily to change.  Currently, the temperature display on the desktop is showing 33 degrees, which I think is warmer than when I went to bed last evening. I too am having trouble adjusting to the change in time, and so I fell asleep in my chair around 10:30 last night.  I woke, told Mary I was going to bed, and she reminded me that I had already been sleeping for about one half hour.  I like to think that I was tired from my day's activities, but it is probably just my circadian rhythms working on me.  As most of you know, today is election day here in GH, and whatever your political persuasion, I urge you to get out and vote.  In spite of the heavy reliance on polling data by the media, every vote counts and we should all exercise our right to vote.  Unlike most retired people, I intend to use the midday for casting my votes.  Otherwise, it is now time for bed.  I am fully tired again and that is a good thing.  So, until it is...Tea time and time to vote, I think I will return to bed for a long winter's nap.  Ciao, auf wiedersehen, , bye bye now, etc. until the morrow.

Good evening GH.  Well, as you can tell from the opening line, I got a real late start today/tonight.  I was so busy doing the housework this AM, that I didn't find time to blog until now, which is about 7:45 PM.  I did manage to dust, clean the bathrooms, and vacuum the entire estate, so I can tell you I was really tired when I was done.  Sugar the Weather Dog and I went for a walk this AM before I started the housework, but then she was traumatized by the vacuuming and dusting.  I probably wouldn't have to dust and vacuum so often if she didn't live here, but that's the price of having a companion pet in your home.  She, as Adam would tell you, has me totally wrapped around her little paw, and that's okay with me.  Anyway, the current view out the Weather Window is, surprise, Dark!  In addition,the desktop temperature is a brisk 31 degrees.  I had entertained the notion of sitting outside for awhile as Sugar chewed a bone, but I came t my senses.  Speaking of Sugar, she is still working on adjusting to the time change, and still expects dinner at the usual time.  Unfortunately for her, that is now one hour later by the household clocks versus her internal clock.  She will get the hang of it, but it will be a few days.  We tried to stall her yesterday, but she would have continued to bug us, so we fed her ahead of our schedule, not hers. Tonight, the people from the cable company are going to be doing some line work, so the cable will be down from about midnight until about 4:00 AM.  I hope that it is up and running when I wake at 4:00 AM, as I always do.  I touched up the walls in my office where I had nicked them and then I also got the salt out of the basement to make ready for winter.  I'd like to say that I was done then, but I had to go through another edit on the table that Mary is working on, so there went the balance of my afternoon.  So, until tomorrow morning, I'll just say Ciao, bye bye, later much, and adios to you all.

Good first morning of daylight savings time GH.  As expected it is lighter outside at this hour, but that means it will be darker this evening on the flip side.  I should mention that the current desktop temperature is a brisk 36 degrees,  However, there seems to be little wind, so it should be nice enough today.  More than ever, Mary and I are convinced that in spite of the anomaly that was represented by the mild nature of last winter, this was a righteous decision to adopt GH as our new home.  We like it here, it feels comfortable.  I did actually get to some cooking in Mary's kitchen yesterday.  I made the salsa verde that I mentioned, and it turned out absolutely perfect.  Not too runny, not too spicy, and best of all tasty.  Mary first tried it out on some queso enchiladas, and it was great.  Today, she plans to work with the eggs that I got on the way home yesterday as she crafts some huevos rancheros, and I anticipate that they will also be excellent. Anyway, it will soon be time for UP and so I'd best e on my way to...Tea time.

Good early morning GH.  It is about 3:30 in the AM, so of course, the view out the Weather Window is...Dark!  Sugar the Weather Dog is still abed, as is Mary.  She worked hard yesterday, so she needs her sleep.  The current temperature showing on the desktop is 38 degrees.  That's chilly, but then it is November 3.  Not much to report from yesterday.  Barb had a long day, but an excellent outcome.  I think the best thing to say at this point is to just say, Way to go.  I don't have anything in particular on tap for Saturday.  A little college football, a nice walk with Sugar the Weather Dog, and then maybe a little cooking.  While we were out yesterday, Mary and I picked up some tomatillos, and they of course, make excellent Salsa Verde.  You can also use them in scrambled eggs and other dishes.  I printed out several recipes, so I'll try one if I find the time.  Inside joke.  Otherwise, my yard work is nearly finished for the year.  A few more leaves have to fall, the pot for the tulips needs to be returned to it's spring ready state and voila, I'm ready.  I had the chance to watch the railroad workers repair the tracks yesterday.  I don't envy them.  I've laid HO scale tracks, and that's enough for me. If they got it wrong, I'll have a train in my front yard.  Turns out I was awake when the tow locomotives came through, so it appears that they got it right.  So, until next time, Ill just say it is once again time for bed and then "UP" will be on.  Oh, I have to see if Auto Talk is available on iHeart, then Adam can listen to the show on Saturday mornings.  It turns out that it is.  The station is WOOD 106.9 FM from Grand Rapids.  The program is on at 7:00 AM here, so it would be 6:00 AM in Chicago.  Ciao.