Good morning GH.  Somehow, I have succeeded in changing the appearance of my task bar and my desktop. I wish I knew how, but I don't.  I hope that I can ask someone who knows, but right now, I'll have to work around it.  Found out in yesterday's GH Tribune, that the proposed street race won't happen until 2014, and then only if the right financing, sanctioning body, etc. can be lined up.  The final venue will be just slightly north of our home, at Harbor Island.  As I recall from the first meeting, that was the preferred site, so that came as no surprise.  Considering the benefits that would accrue to GH by having the race at Harbor Island, it seems like a good fit with minimal disruption to the downtown area.  We shall see.  Looking out the weather window this AM and I still can't see much here at 7:00 AM.  Of course, if I kept better track of the times when I can see out, I would have a better handle on what is right and or different, but that wouldn't be me, now would it?  Otherwise, I anticipate a slow day here in our household.  I plan to do some housework, and then read for awhile.  That's after watching the morning news programs, of course.  Sugar and Mary are still snug in their beds, and Mary wanted to know why I was getting up so early.  I dunno, probably because I didn't want to disturb those two.  Anyway, looks like it is.........Tea time.

Good morning GH.  Unlike yesterday, I can't predict the weather by looking out the window.  Too dark. Maybe that in itself is a prediction.  If I can't see out at the same time that I could yesterday, then that is the harbinger of things to come today.  In fact, it was brighter when I arrived at the keyboard today than it is now, about 15 minutes later.   Of course, I could just listen to the weather report, but where is the fun in that.  Last night I had a great trip to the local library to hear a presentation by one of our local Michigan authors.  To borrow from Adam, the man was an Indian, and he knows that and is proud of the fact.  The gentleman noted that all people who were born in the USA are native Americans, and he is, in fact, an American Indian,  He strongly believes in the spirituality of events and in the Witiku, the shape-shifter as it is known in his native language.  For more information on David, visit his website.  If you want the address, just ask.  As he pointed out, all of the peoples have a word for this spirit.  In English, we use Sasquatch, Big Foot, etc.  Call it what you will, David believes.  His history is as varied as his life experiences, and his ability to tell a story is evidenced in his books.  I read his first book in the series and liked it, so I was fortunate to get a gratis copy of the latest book in the series.  Now I have to read the middle one in the series so that I can keep them in order.  I told him that his writing reminds me of myself, a good thing I think.  As he noted, he is a story teller, not a writer in the traditional sense.  Me too.  Oh well, it looks like it is Tea Time.  Looks like that weather event has arrived.

I am always amazed by the enjoyment that  you can get on a spring morning here in GH.  I find that as I get older, that the joy for life that I feel hasn't yet abated.  I think that the French call it joie de vivre, or something like that.  I found time to go to the Y yesterday, and it was a pleasant experience to get in the pool for the second time this week.  The water main construction going on in the parking lot of the Y is a bit of an irritation, but not really an inconvenience.  What is an inconvenience, is the speeds at which people drive on the local streets.  I know Adam would say that if they are going too fast, then I am getting too old, but speed is for the race track, not the streets where I live.   Tonight, we plan to go to the library for a presentation by a local MI Native American author.  I read his fictional account of a casino plan for Lake Michigan, and although it was long, I enjoyed it.  He was writing from his experiential background as a Native American.  Things like, military service and law enforcement.  They say when you wrote from that perspective it is hard to go wrong.  Of course, throwing in wise older people, beautiful women who wouldn't give a real old guy a second look, and the like, you get a thriller that sells.  It worked for me.  Otherwise, not much is happening here in GH at 6:50 in the AM, so I think that it is (wait for it), Tea Time!

Good morning GH.  It is now about the same time as it was yesterday when I sat down to blog.  51 degrees and the sun appears to be coming up.  Much windier though.  I just learned that we have a landscaping person coming over at 9:00 AM to discuss the bricks we would like to have installed in the back yard.  Nothing fancy, but something we would like to get done.  Otherwise, I will simply say, Tea Time.

Good morning GH.  One advantage to waiting till 7:25 AM to log on is that the outdoors is now visible out my weather window. I pronounce the day clear, but looks colder.  According to the temperature gauge on my desktop, it is currently 36 degrees.  It could be worse, as the farmers north of here are setting fires to keep their fruit crops from getting frost on them and ruining the entire year.  I know how that works on a very small scale, because I had my lone apple tree at my old house get frost bitten one year and had no apples to pick in the fall.  I have to ask someone how to create the symbol for degrees in the short form.  Maybe Mary or Steph, or Adam knows.  Nice story in yesterdays Grand Haven Tribune about the proposed street race.  Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday night at the community center.  The discussions will be moving to the how to get the race sanctioned, how to create a governing board, etc.  Got a call last night from the people at the R.E.A.D, program.  A possible student.  I am not certain if I want to take on the task of driving.  They will be sending info about the person, so much will depend on that driving thing, especially in winter.  Mary made a killer dip the other night and then yesterday we had it as a salad dressing.  It was also excellent in that role.   So many possibilities when you eat at home.  Mary spends a huge amount of time in the kitchen and I appreciate her efforts.  The foods are great and the health benefits are wonderful.  Otherwise, not much is happening today, at least not so far.  Oh, I did get the new lawn mower assembled.  Turned out to only need an 11 mm wrench a no curses.  It worked fine on the one swath that I cut on the way to the garage.  Now I can say it, Tea time.

Good morning GH.  Another day is about to dawn and this is still a righteous place to live.  Temperatures have dropped some, with a current temperature of 26 degrees showing on my desktop this AM.  However, that's okay, because the need to go out of doors is less urgent this morning.  Yesterday, I actually got to ride my new bike and the upright riding position is stranger than I have experienced before, but the overall ride quality is great.  Of course, I haven't ridden in over two years due to my various physical problems, and so, some of the uneasiness I felt is likely related to that too. Today, it is too cold to ride, but not so cold that I won't get other things accomplished.  I watched the Grand Prix from St. Petersburg, FL yesterday, but still had time for other things.  I was fascinated by the cropping up of problems related to the new car designs and of course I was also fascinated by the different engine options being used this year, Chevrolet. Lotus, and of course, Honda.  Interesting that the engines are now V6 and turbocharged rather than V8 and normally aspirated.   That part I don't understand.  Maybe someone can explain how that is or is not an improvement.  Got a new table and chairs to assemble, but that may wait until the weather warms up a bit.  I still need to get it out of the car though.  I think I will go to the Y today and do some swimming.  I haven't been since before we left town and I need to gt back in the "swim" of things.  Otherwise, not much is happening today.  Tea time!

Good morning GH.  I assume it to be morning, although it is still so dark out that I can't testify to that from personal observation, only from the time showing on my desk clock.  After some really great "lap time", Sugar and I had a great walk yesterday, and then came back, read the paper and planned our day, well at least Mary and I planned our day.  Sugar, her plans were obvious, sit, lay, eat, ask for treats, etc.  Who says that a dog who finds the right humans doesn't live the life of Reilly?  Come to think of it, I wonder if anyone stills knows the derivation of that phrase.  It seems to have come into use about the first part of the 20th century, and it was the title for a popular radio and television show of the same name starring some very well liked actors, but that is about all of the info that I have.  Mary and I were discussing the various phrases that we use, some that were "inherited" from parents and others from our children.  A couple of examples are "riding shotgun", and "icebox."  Both from the parental units.  Our son, Adam, gave us "stitches", "kooey", "spaghetti roll casserole," and various derivatives from that phrase.  I don't know if Steph has any "shop worn" phrases, but I bet she does.  Just something to think about when you are cruising through life and its lexicon.  Today, I plan to assemble the lawn mower, so that Mary can use it, assemble the patio furniture, which we both can use, and then put the furniture to personal use as I read the NY Times.  Beyond that, I hope for some bike riding and little else.  Therefore, it's Tea Time!

Good morning GH, and at this hour I can say that it is morning. although it is still dark out.  I finally got enough sleep last night, so that I awoke this AM feeling refreshed and ready to go.  I drank copious amounts of tea last night. and Mary was afraid I wouldn't be able to sleep.  Let's just say that as is always the case, it had no effect.  I slept like a puppy.  I installed my new keyboard this AM, just to make room for my extra large fingers.  It was found by the laptop and it is working just fine.  Heard the train go through a little after 6:00 AM, and I could have stayed in bed, but I figured that with all that I need to get done today, it was better if I just got up.  Tomorrow is the Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, FL.  I know where Adam will be at that time.  The race runs from approximately 12:30 - 3:00 PM EDT.  I hope that after the race, I can find time to ride my bike and just avoid doing any real work.  Probably wishful thinking, but I'll give it my best effort.  Our new plastic furniture looks fine on the front porch and is guaranteed not to rust.  Otherwise, not mush is happening this AM here in GH.  Tea time!

A little later blog this AM, but I am still adjusting to the lack of sleep from the long train ride.  I also spent some time on the land line this morning, trying to resolve some insurance issues for my phone and for usage charges for the trip.  Let's just say that the answers were less that helpful and leave it at that.  My phone will stay with a cracked glass until it falls off, because the deductible is nearly $200.00.  Mary, Sugar, and I went for a walk to the bank for some deposit/withdrawal activity.  Sugar who often accompanies us got into the down position she uses to indicate her desire for a biscuit, which she always gets at the bank, but the lady had none to give.  To say the least, Sugar wasn't buying.  She wanted to make a withdrawal of one biscuit, but the lady had none to give.  But, she fortuitously came up with a cracker and Sugar was rewarded for looking cute.  She left the bank satisfied with the services that had been provided.   It never ceases to amaze how much she remembers about sources of food here in GH.  We ended our trip at home after a stop at the book store for the daily USA Today.   Now we are home and planning the rest of our day.

Good Morning GH.

Seems like I have been remiss in my blogging.  But, I have a good explanation.    I was in San Francisco recently, and only recently came back to GH.  Our trip to the west was terrific and the opportunity to sight see in CA was terrific.  Of course, the weather was better here in GH, but that in itself is unusual.  We got to get the "baby" back from camp this morning, and then my entire day was better.  Sugar seemed to like the experience, and now I don't have to worry when we have to go out of town.  Mary had a great time on the train, meeting other knitters and talking politics in the observation car.  Me, I enjoyed the scenery and I enjoyed seeing the sights that San Francisco had to offer.  I saw the St. Patrick's day parade and of course, I had to take pictures of the various dogs I met.  All in all, a great time.  The trip back was a bit more challenging, especially the trip from Chicago to Holland, but that's a story for another day.  Of course, I had to have my tea this morning, which was preferable to the tea I had to endure on the train.  Again, a story for another day.  I know that Adam and Steph recently returned from their own vacation time, so I hope that they took pictures of their recent trip.  Had drinks at a pub on Polk street and also ate breakfast at their favorite cafe.  Otherwise, not much is happening.  This afternoon. we went to the local garden center and purchased a wind chime and a pot of tulips that should bloom nicely.  We ended our day at our favorite locals tavern.  It doesn't get any better than that.  More tomorrow.

Good morning GH.  Who says you can't blog from alternative computers.  It is a beautiful day outside, but I am personally feeling a little under the weather.  I hope a hot shower and some food will fix that.  I was thinking yesterday as I was conversing with Steph and Adam, that the world is really one big community that has yet to accept everyone on an equal footing.  Anyone who knows either of those two, knows that the world is exactly what you make of it personally.  I wish that everyone could see the good in everyone else.  A friend of mine sent me a link to a video of a young man who was born without eyes and with limited mobility.  However, that young man was given a different set of gifts that made him a musical prodigy and with the assistance of his father, he plays in a marching band and enjoys life to the fullest.  So, just when you think you have it tough, think about that young man and his approach to life.  He is truly inspirational.  Otherwise, it is tea time.

Once again, Good Morning GH.  Since it is 6:50 AM on a cloudy Thursday morning, it it difficult to see out my weather window.  I do know that there were storms last evening, because I woke up about 3:00 AM and found Sugar sleeping next to the bed on the floor.  Since she isn't very fond of thunder or any other loud noise, I knew what had happened or was happening.  Since she is the cutest and smartest dog on the planet, (See the picture that accompanies this blog), I know that her ability to predict storms or other disturbances is second to none.  Now that I can start to see out the old weather window, it doesn't look like it us currently raining, or for that matter, does it look like we got that much of a storm last night.  I heard the weather man on the radio talking about all the storm damage east of GH, but here, not so much.  Once again, luck is on our side.  Poor Sugar though, it doesn't take much more than a small change in pressure or other weather phenomena to get her attention.  I knew we were better when we got up this AM and Sugar had returned to her bed.  Speaking of her bed, the upstairs one will be going with her to stay away camp today, so that she has a comfortable and familiar smelling place to sleep while we are away.  I know that I worry too much about Sugar, but she is my best bud ever, so I think I am within my rights.  Otherwise, the answer to my shoe question came by telephone yesterday afternoon.  I have an appointment to see the orthotist this morning.  Ain't life grand.  Some small things to get before our trip, plus some packing to do, and then we are off to the big city.  Anyway, much to to today, as always, so it is Tea Time.

Good morning GH.  In spite of the promise of superior weather today, it is 50 degrees at 9:25 AM and kind of gray looking outside.  Sugar and I will be walking from from the other side of Beacon back to home after we do a little shopping.  Mary will drop us on her way to the mall.  I think I had better dress for the weather instead of for a day at the beach.  No rain expected until later, but I don't think that the Michigan mode of dress for the locals works for me today.  We are currently using up some of our perishables in preparation for our travels.  Sugar is unaware that she will be boarded for 12 days, but that is just as well.  She handles it just fine, but I don't want her to anticipate her fate just yet.  Tomorrow is soon enough. Got our new Michigan sweatshirts/hoodies yesterday.  Mary chose green, I chose a charcoal gray.  Both are sized to fit.  I am still wondering what happened to my new shoes.  I was supposed to get them either last Friday or this past Monday.  Hasn't happened yet.  I was just looking out the window, and I think that the new roof may be sooner than later. We will have to get someone to check it.  Otherwise, I have had my breakfast and my tea, so I am fortified for the day.

A word to the wise, don't give your dog peanuts in the shell before you go to bed.  Otherwise, you will wake up to the sounds of a dog doing what you don't want to experience.  Otherwise, things are great this AM.  The sun is shining, the temperatures are expected to rise to the lower 50s today and the overall prognosis is, to say the least, super.  Having said that, Sugar and I will be walking today to enjoy the sun and generally warmer out of doors experience.   Mary has an index to finish and I need to check on a haircut today or tomorrow.  In other words, nothing much.  We must go to the post office today and get the mail stopped, but that is just a formality.  Maybe while there, we can get our passports renewed.  Anyway, I have already had tea time, so it is time to get outdoors.

Good morning GH.  I know that some might say that life in Michigan can be a bit slower paced, but I suspect that they have never taken the time to really smell the roses.  Sure, in the middle of winter, there aren't a lot of roses to smell, but the sheer anticipation of roses can in itself be the thrill.  Someone once said that the joy of the journey is half the fun and that the anticipation is the other fifty percent,  In the case of anticipating spring, it may be even more.  I don't know, either that is a Yogi Berra saying, or I am channeling him.  Either way, I like it.  Since tomorrow is predicted to be in the low to mid fifties temperature wise, I can't wait.  I always used to say that I can't wait for tomorrow, because I get better looking everyday.  In this case, that is mine, I think, and although I don't really know, I still like the idea of anticipation for everyday.  Today I am going to go the the Y and swim a bit, I haven't been able to get there the last few days and I really want to. Tomorrow, looks like a great day for walking, so I have that on tap.  Today is going to be cool and clear, so Sugar and I will probably not walk as far, but we will still enjoy the journey.  Part of the joy for Sugar is smelling all of the new messages left for her by other dogs, cats and the ubiquitous squirrels that inhabit GH.  Of course, she has to reply to them all.  It's a dog thing I guess.  For me, I am just the censor.  My job is to make sure that her messages get read without endangering us both.  Sugar is oblivious to the danger of running into the street, unless she hears a garbage truck anywhere in town and then she freezes in place.  If that happens to be in the middle of the street, I have to censor her activities.  Overall. life in GH is great.  Tea time.

Good Morning GH.  Unlike most mornings this winter, there is snow on the ground.  We didn't get dumped on, but you can tell it snowed.  I may have to deal with the effects later, but as of right now, I don't.  I got the Cuckoo hung back on the wall yesterday, and as promised by the clock doctor, it works perfectly and is keeping excellent time.  So Steph, the clock lives on.  All the more reason for you and Adam to visit this year. Often!  Mary and I went to the Community Center indoor garage sale yesterday.  Lots of interesting things, but now, since we don't need much, we didn't but anything.  Now that I have my message bleachers, I have to find something to put on the cards that sit in the bleachers.  I have a few small things, but as I have noted before, when you have nowhere to go and lots of time to get there, nothing is that urgent.  I still have to get Mary to help with my computer file saving, but like all things, I have time.  I started a new book yesterday and I am enjoying it immensely.  If anyone is interested, I'll tell you, but let me say that it has already spawned several epiphanies for me.  Otherwise, there is not much to say this morning.  So, I'll just say, Tea Time!

Good morning GH.  Like most people in town, I am saying a prayer for the people who live in my former state, Illinois, and for those in Indiana, Missouri,and Tennessee as well.  The storms that they experienced and the loss of lives and property are devastating.  Here in GH, the wind is still blowing strong, but the locals say that the worst thing that has ever occurred here, is a micro-burst kind of thing that did some minor damage, but nothing as devastating as that experienced by the folks in those other states.  Today, the highs will be in the thirties, and by next Tuesday, the expectation is for the mid 50s.  For people traveling in the coming months, it is always good to have a handle on what the weather is going to be like.  Mary and I plan to walk to town later, without Sugar, to check out some of the spring fashions being sold here in GH.  As such, we will walk past the local real estate offices, where Noel works.  : - ).  I am always surprised and pleased by the sheer joy of walking in this city.  Today, the community is having an indoor garage sale between 9 and 3.  We'll stop in and check that out as we go by.  Don't need anything that we can think of, but it is always nice to experience what the city has to offer. Otherwise, our plans call for watching a little television news, some reading and writing, and some general inactivity.  Oh, I have to rehang my cuckoo clock.  I have missed it  all these months.  Don't know if life offers more in Sycamore, but her in GH, life does offer more.  Now, I think it is tea time,

Well I've done it again.  Somehow I managed to press a key or keys on this keyboard that took away my ability to do anything other than keep opening new windows.. Once again my big hands got in the way.  I am going to have to ask Mary or Steph what I am doing that I don't know about.  Maybe I should ask Adam, because he is somewhat cursed with the same big hands as I.  Anyway, before I messed myself up with this keyboard thing, I was commenting about the sports guys debating whether the 100 point basketball game by Wilt Chamberlain, which happened on this date in history, or the perfect baseball game by Don Larsen in the World Series was the greater achievement.  Since I am only 60 years old, I don't remember either, so for me, things like the Red Sox winning the World Series game with a pitcher bleeding through his sock were more significant.  It just proves, I think, that perspective is everything.  Even records are just that, records that are likely to be broken.  But, that requires being given the same set of circumstances that the original player was faced with.  So, a modern athlete has advantages in training, nutrition, equipment, etc.  Thus, it is unlikely that the records were broken under the same conditions.  Just a thought.  Today, the prediction for the UP is for copious amounts of snow by tomorrow, and what is often called winter in Michigan.  By Tuesday, they are predicting temperatures in the 50s here.  Go figure.  Finally we can see the light at the end of this long, arduous winter.  LOL.  Got the garage door thingy installed yesterday, and it works as advertised by the door people.  $65.00 versus several hundred.  Truly, an answer to a problem that we haven't had yet, but done on the cheap.  Adam would be proud.  Anyway, as I always say, Tea Time.

Not too bad, I awoke this AM in what is becoming an earlier and earlier wake up pattern.  I think it may be related to going to bed by 11:00 PM each evening, but that is purely conjecture on my part.   That pattern doesn't always hold true, so who knows.  Yesterday felt good once the rain stopped.  I went to the Y in the afternoon and did some swimming.  I really am enjoying the time that I spend in the pool, and I believe that it is giving me health benefits too.  When I left at about 3:45, the temperature was in the low 50s.  I picked up my new glasses yesterday before the Y and they work great.  However, I need to have the nose piece adjusted slightly to keep them up where I like to wear them.  Got a call from the clock repair doctor, and my Cuckoo is ready to go.  Warning to Steph, don't go to the upper level when you are here.  Also got a call from the shoe man.  My new shoes are in transit, and I should have them by Friday or Monday.  All in all, a red letter day.  Today is slightly overcast, but the temperatures are expected to be around the 40 degree mark.  Not bad for March 1.  I guess that March really does come in like a lion.  I know that spring is drawing near, because I git an email from the local race track regarding upcoming events.  While I am not an active racer, I do love racing. I think that the suspension of a crew chief by the sanctioning body for an infraction before the race was run, is a bit overzealous.  What the hey, they are driving taxi cabs, not real race cars.  What can you do, they are all about protecting the "integrity" of the sport.  Otherwise, all is going smoothly here in GH.  Tea time.