Good late night GH. I missed you. We've been busy and I've been lazy. It is just past 10:30 PM in "The City." The current temperature is 43 degrees under cloudy skies. However, I have to take the word of the Weather Channel app on those clouds, because the forecast for the balance of the night and early morning is, dark with a 100% chance of continued dark. No significant precipitation is on the horizon for several days. Sugar the Weather Dog is back in her rightful place in the bedroom, so all is good in our world.

We spent Thursday with Stephany and Adam in their alternate, undisclosed location. Stephany cooked up a terrific dinner which included: smoked turkey, "Stuffin Muffins," the obligatory jellied cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes topped by what is likely to become Adam's famous gravy. Our contribution was the cranberry sauce. I should note, that Stephany also cooked up what are, or should be, her famous collared greens too. I love those and I cannot get enough.

We spent the day drinking too much, eating too much and watching movies on their DVD player. We watched Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and each of us saw things that we hadn't noticed before. We also watched Cars which Mary and I had never seen. Adam is right, it is a great "Car Guy" movie. There are many other movies that have a Thanksgiving theme or connection, like Hannah and her Sisters, and Grumpy Old Men, but we all think that Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is the best of them.

We drove back home on Friday and stopped at several antique stores along the way. Mary got some things that she liked and/or wanted. I was along for the ride. We stopped in Holland for some spices for Mary's kitchen and then at a restaurant that we like for some excellent mushrooms and a veggie sandwich. I think that was a wise choice given how much turkey we ate the day before.

We picked up Sugar from camp as we neared home.  We were all glad to see each other. Sugar was so tired from running with her dog pack, that she drank several bowls of water and then promptly fell asleep when we got home. I am pretty certain that she will be back to normal by Sunday morning.

We didn't do anything on Friday. Today we went downtown to get a loaf of bread and stopped in at our favorite watering hole for some libations and to watch MSU beat Minnesota and Michigan lose a heart-breaker to Ohio State. I got good news later, Alabama lost a heart-breaker to Auburn by a lone touchdown. There is one guy that I know had his heart broken by that loss.

Today, Mary has more work to do and I have to give Sugar her monthly medications. She tolerates the flea and tick medication and loves the heart-worm chew. So, if you give her the heart-worm medication after the flea and tick medication, all goes well. That's about it for Sunday. Too much beer on Saturday afternoon to want to try the tavern again. I can watch from here if I so desire. I love college football. but pro football is a take it or leave it. We may go to the library to pick up a couple of books, but that is up in the air too.

I still haven't gotten my new monitor to work with my computer. I think that since the monitor works with Mary's computer, there is a problem with the video output of mine. If so, back the monitor goes. It is an expensive decoration.

So that looks like about it for me. Time to return to bed and await...Tea time. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:00 AM in "The City" and it is snowing under leaden skies. The radio station from GR is reporting the traffic every 10 minutes on the ones. They are describing the accident on 112th Ave. and Port Sheldon Rd. that resulted from the snow covered roads. That's followed by the local weather report. In this case, they have changed the lake effect snow advisory to a winter weather advisory. That applies to us since we are, in fact, on the lake shore here in GH. The route we take to and from here is Route 31, the major north south street through our area. Three to five inches of snow is predicted north of here and one to two south of here and beyond. When daylight begins to take effect, Mary will have to make the call about driving. The radio station is from GR, but in this case, the local weather is being reported accurately, I think.

Yesterday was actually warmer and only somewhat windy. We dropped Sugar the Weather Dog off at camp and then hit a couple of antique stores on the way back. We got to the downtown area of GH and went to the spice store before going to our favorite watering hole for lunch. Then home for a little TV viewing and sleep. I spent part of my time in the media room sleeping in my chair and then I tried to go to bed. Unfortunately, as Mary often says, I had taken the edge off and so I got up and watched several episodes of NCIS on the cable station. Finally, I felt tired enough and went back to bed. I slept after that and now I am up for awhile to type his blog. Mary is still sound asleep.

Today, we plan to travel to see the kids for Thanksgiving. That may be a slow drive, but the roads are supposed to be safe if you take your time. Like I said earlier, that's Mary's call. Otherwise, the usual things you do on Thanksgiving. Eat too much and watch too much football. You can never get too much family, well mostly, but that's the beauty of the holiday. When you have had enough, you can head for home, or at least bed.

Before I sound too jaded, I want to say thanks to Mary for putting up with me for over 40 years Thanks to Stephany for quickly learning Adam's quirks and abiding them. Thanks also to she, Mary and Adam for being there for me through my various medical problems. Thanks to Sugar the Weather Dog for being there too. She never fails to bring a smile to my face. Like that proverbial saying goes, "Let me be the person that my dog thinks I am." Special thanks to our veterans for what they have done and are doing in the name of our nation. I could go on and on, but in short, thanks to all who touch our lives daily in positive ways both seen and unseen. Bless you one and all.

With Sugar at camp, we don't have to worry about her for the day, so we are on our own. We can just worry about ourselves.

Early this morning, I heard two trains pass by, one about 12:15 and one about 3:15. Each shook the house and as they sounded like they were heavily laden. I don't mind. I have gotten used to the sound and the fury of the mighty locomotives as they say. That's the sound and feel of progress that brought prosperity to the U.S. for many years. Now we do more by Internet than rail, but some goods just have to be transported. You can order them or use many of them by computer, but ultimately you have to touch most things up close and personal.

So that looks like about it for yesterday and today. As the view out the Weather Window comes to light, we can get a better handle on the day. Sunrise is set for 7:54 AM today as the daylight hours grow shorter until December 21. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 24 degrees under partly cloudy skies. If the Weather Channel app is to be believed, we are expecting a 70% chance of from one to two inches of snow today. Tomorrow, there is a 40% chance for an additional one to three inches. Who knows?

Tuesday was a relatively regular day. I got up in time to get to the orthopedist and my pre-surgery lab tests. Sugar had her early walk with her dog walker, and Mary had time to think about the colors of her non-existent sewing machine cover. That meant than when I got back from the doctor's, we were off to the fabric store for some fabric and thread. Then, since she had also found time to contemplate a need for some canning supplies, so a stop at the medium box hardware store was in order. In between, we stopped for a couple of brews at the local place in Spring Lake. Back across the bridge, to the spice store here in town, but they were closed. So that meant a stop at one of the local restaurants for lunch, followed by a stop at the post for additional libations. Finally home, where it was time to sit. No painters today, so they will likely be waiting until next week.

I should mention that the low pressure warning system for the tires activated today, probably due to the cold weather. That necessitated a stop at a place where they had an accurate pressure gauge so that I could check all the tires. We never had one of these systems before, but I knew that if I didn't deal with the warning light now, Mary wouldn't want to drive the car for fear it would be in a dangerous state. Each tire was about four pounds low, and filling them up solved the problem with the warning system. Just one more of those pain in the neck things that happen when you don't need to have them happen.

Today, we have to drop Sugar the Weather Dog off at camp for her holiday. She likes to go there and then get a bath when she is ready to come home. : - ) Mary had something else she wanted to do today, but I don't remember what. Otherwise, not much on tap before the long holiday weekend. That's okay with me.

A quick sports report. The Northern Illinois Huskies defeated the Western Michigan Broncos, 33 - 14 to run their record to 12 - 0. The Huskies are still ranked 14th in the nation. What a country. Ciao.

Oops, I thought I'd get by without a train this AM, but a short one with twin locomotives, one sporting livery that I didn't recognize, went by pulling several covered hopper cars and box cars. Now I am done.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 12:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 35 degrees under cloudy skies. Coincidentally, 35 is our anticipated high for today. It looks like Wednesday will be the worst with regard to snow and bad weather.

With regard to the weather, when Mary and I went out to the big box hardware store, the big box electronics store, the big box retailer, and then home, the blowing snow and biting cold was not pleasant. We did get the monitor that I wanted, but that will need Mary's help to set up, because I haven't a clue how to attach it to my laptop. She has done it before, so I am sure she will say something along the lines of "How hard can it be?" For someone who has trouble setting his watch in the spring and fall, you'd be amazed.

We also got some cleaning supplies to take us through the next several weeks. Mary also got some new gloves that she hopes will be better than her old ones. She doesn't have the same problems as I with cold hands, but she has been frostbitten in the past, so she loses circulation in her hands sometimes.

Speaking of the big box electronics store, Mary and I saw what must be the dumbest people in the world there. They had set up an ice fishing shack and a tent at the door of the store to be ready for the black Friday sales that begin at 6:00 PM on Thanksgiving day. Keep in mind, that this was Monday afternoon. These people were planning to sit there for three and one-half days in the cold and snow to save money on televisions or something.

They were the first, but we doubt that they will be the last. I may wait in line to get money, I will never wait in line to give it. Someone at our favorite watering hole remarked later that for tickets to your favorite band, maybe you'd wait in line. However, that isn't something that I would do today. I am not sure I would have done it forty years ago.

Today I have to go for my final knee treatment and some tests before my surgery next week. I am not looking forward to the surgery and rehab, but I am looking forward to being pain free in a few months. Otherwise, I have to finish the laundry and then read more. I don't have anything better to do. Even Sugar the Weather Dog has someone to walk her for a few months. She and I will have to content ourselves with lap time for a while.

The painters should be here today, because they didn't call or come yesterday. Hopefully, this will be their last visit. I want my media room back. As I recall they were waiting for the paint match to be ready, so that may explain the delay.

It is time for me to return to bed, because that's where I belong. Tea time will be along in the morning after the Sun rises at 7:51 AM. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 31 degrees under cloudy skies. We have a forecast that predicts snow accumulations of from one to three inches today. That same forecast shows that the chance for snow increases from 60% to 80% as we pass the 12:00 noon hour and close on 3:00 PM. Before that, it is only 30%.

We had planned to go out today for a quick trip to the north, however that may be something we need to get done before lunch. Plus, I have a call due from the medical personnel between 1:00 and 3:00 PM. The painters are due again today to finish their work. If they can't be specific, we may have to put them off until Tuesday. Given the weather forecast, that may be prudent.

Tuesday I have an appointment at the orthopedist at 11:00 AM. With all that Monday has scheduled, a little juggling is in order. This week is shaping up to be a busy one and that doesn't count the Thanksgiving holiday. Looks like that's enough for a couple of days.

Mary and I finished her current project on Sunday and so that is at least one thing off the calendar. On Saturday I did manage to teach her how to change the furnace filter and empty the dehumidifier in preparation for my convalescence. Both of those things happen in the man-cave, and I won't be able to go down there for a couple of months at best.

Fortunately, Sugar's monthly treatments are due on December 1, before I am temporarily disabled. Mary will be on her own in January. However, there is also a need for a visit to the veterinarian in January too, so I don't know how we will handle that. Mary can't go into their office due to the cat dander. We'll have to figure that out as we go along. Maybe Sugar's dog walker can handle that since she knows the people at the veterinarian.

I finished sorting the family pictures on Sunday morning. It turned out to be more work than I had originally thought. Many pictures from vacations, Adam's past, our collective past, Mary's family, and my youth turned up. I guess that I had more than I expected from my younger days. Who knew?

That looks like about it for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Sunrise today is at 7:50 AM. Then it will be...Tea Time and time for a breakfast of apples and cereal. Mary will probably have oatmeal or banana bread. I try to have cereal with fruit because if I don't, I get lazy and that isn't good for me. I have to get the apples eaten too, because expecting Mary to fix those for me is a bit much. Ciao

Good morning GH. It is just past 4:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 21 degrees under snowy skies as we head for a high of 26. Snow is expected to accumulate less than one inch by later today with an additional one to two inches accumulation on Monday. Additional snow showers have been forecast through Wednesday. I like walking with Sugar the Weather Dog, but I don't mind letting Sugar's dog walker take her out when the weather is like this.

Saturday, I went out long enough to get a fresh supply of eggs, more creamer for ...Tea Time, and yogurt for Sugar's breakfast. If we got nothing else from Sugar's training sessions, the suggestion that yogurt would be good for Sugar was a great gift. I also picked up the newspaper while I was out. Once home, I read the paper and then my Sous Dog and I made banana nut bread. I prepared the ingredients beforehand and cleaned up after I got the bread in the oven, and so the process went smoothly.

Mary says that this loaf was crispier than my past efforts, but she was the first in, and so the end piece was naturally crispier. Plus, she usually doesn't get to the loaf until it has been in a plastic bag for one to two days when it is naturally moister. Really the only thing different about this loaf versus others was that I went back to straight bananas and no apple sauce, so I have no basis for comparison. Oh well, that's what happens when one cook critiques the efforts of another.

Later on Saturday, I read some and Mary worked some, and then we were off to our favorite watering hole for dinner. We didn't walk, because I refuse to fall when I walk on slippery sidewalks. Am I old? No, just prudent. I have enough trouble walking on dry sidewalks sometimes.

Today I have to help Mary edit her latest project and then I can settle down and do nothing, something for which I am well qualified. Sugar will have been walked and she and I can then go to chair for the afternoon. She is a bit big for a lap dog, but as someone once said, the size of the dog doesn't matter. When they want to be a lap dog, they become one. I like it, but I have no idea what will happen when I am recuperating from my surgery. We'll work it out.

Otherwise, not much on tap for the day. I doubt that I will watch any football, as I don't really have a horse in the race. MSU won on Saturday and Michigan lost to Iowa, a team that NIU beat in their first game this season. Speaking of NIU, they are on their way to the MAC title game with their 11 - 0 record. Way to go Huskies. I figure that since Adam went to NIU, I can follow their efforts.

So no trains to report, and sunrise is just a few hours away at 7:49 AM as is ...Tea Time. A few more hours of sleep and I should be good to go. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 6:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 43 degrees as we head down to a high of 42 under cloudy skies. In addition, there is a strong possibility of snow showers for the next several days. Maybe even some accumulation. I know I will be glad that Sugar the Weather Dog is being walked by someone else, read that younger, on those snowy days. I love walking, I don't like falling on slippery sidewalks.

Yesterday, I went downtown to try my hand at some local holiday shopping, but even though the stores were all open, I didn't find anything suitable for my needs. It looks like I may have to expand my search area. Neither Mary nor I really need anything, and that's why we have limited ourselves to small gifts for each other and regular giving to the local charities. I like to think that the real spirit of the holiday season is what you can do for others, regardless of your personal theological beliefs. I recently heard someone say that it is fine to believe that your hard work allowed you to enjoy your station in life, but remember that you built your place on the work of those who came before. I could not have said it better.

I never got back to the picture sorting. Maybe today. I have been avoiding playing guitar because it hurts too much. What was it that one of the players in Casablanca said, "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon." I like to think that the pain will be gone and I'll be better than ever in a few months.

Today I may leave Mary to her own devices in order to finish her work. I may go up to Muskegon or down to Holland and do my holiday shopping there. Or, I may be able to do it more locally in Spring Lake. Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that before. I wonder what they have at the imported hardware purveyor in Muskegon that she might want. Just kidding, although I don't know how anyone wouldn't want something from there.

The painter comes back today to finish. More plastering, more painting and they will be done. Somehow I think it will require three days, not two.

That's about it for me. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 10:00 AM in "The City" and our current temperature is 43 degrees under cloudy skies as we head for a high of 48. Tomorrow will be about the same, albeit a bit cooler and the high temperature will be 41.

As you can probably tell, I didn't get up during the night to blog. That's because nothing disturbed my slumber and so I slept on. Sugar the Weather Dog was fast asleep when we got up this morning. Her dog walker gave her a good run yesterday, so she slumbered on too.

I stopped in the kitchen this AM to chop some vegetables for lunch. Mary will be down later to make a stir fry for which she precooked the rice last night. So, my job was to get the vegetables ready for lunch and I did. I have to do some dusting today, but that won't take too long. Then, I will be going downtown to do the Christmas shopping that I was going to do yesterday. I wanted to combine the shopping with my dental appointment, but the stores don't open that early.

I just got a call from the painter, and he will be here to get started in about one-half hour. That works fine for me.

Speaking of the dentist, I was in and out of the chair in 20 minutes, including the x-rays. If you take the time to brush, several times a day, dental visits are a breeze. I wish that I had gotten that message earlier in life.

Today, I am planning to get back to work on the pictures that I began sorting yesterday. Two boxes full takes a lot of sorting. But unlike my mother, I will not just toss them. Adam and Steph will get a pile of things that relate to them and Fieros. I am keeping pictures that are vacation related and of myself and Mary and our respective families. I also will keep the various cards that we received from Adam and Steph over the years. That way, the pictures will be spread around and not left in the hands of someone who doesn't have a connection.

Speaking of those pictures, everybody in them looks to be anywhere from 0 - 40 years younger. I guess that is both the good and the bad of getting older. However, I doubt that I would want to go back again. To use that famous phrase. "Been there, done that." In some case, I even got the T-shirt. In the early pictures, some of the cousins aren't even there yet.

Otherwise, that's about it for today. Our letter carrier noticed that Sugar has an alternate walker and stopped by to see if everything was alright. What a great city.

I forgot to mention that Adam's Alma mater, Northern Illinois, played Toledo last night. They won going away, 35 - 17 to go to 11 - 0 and now they are looking towards the Mac 10 title game. They are also ranked 16th in the BCS. Ciao

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00  in "The City" and the current temperature is 28 chilly degrees under clear skies. The forecast high is 48, good walking weather. The 70% chance of precipitation has been moved from Friday to Thursday. That means that my trip to the dentist this morning will be under clear skies. It will be cool, but not cold, something that I can dress for without having to carry an umbrella.

On Tuesday, Sugar the Weather Dog got to meet her new walking partner. I went walking with them to make sure that nothing went wrong, but Sugar seemed to take to her right away. I can at least feel good about Sugar being out without me. I finished the laundry after that, and then I also finished my latest book. It was a a fictional journey through a man's life that left me wanting a more exact ending. In a book I used to read with my students, the author deliberately left the ending nebulous, a tactic that is good in a classroom. As an adult, I find that a weak literary device. I am sure the author found it clever. I found it imprecise.

Not much else was happening on Tuesday. We anticipate that the painter will arrive today. Since this is mid-week of the week before Thanksgiving, I wonder if he will finish before December arrives. Oh well, not much I can do about it.

Today as I preciously mentioned, I will be visiting the dentist. Since I see him once every six months, I will be well into my rehab when my next appointment will be scheduled. That is all good. I have an appointment at the podiatrist in late February, so that one will require Mary to help me get there. Otherwise that's enough for one day. Sugar's walking partner will be coming by again today, and this one is her first solo walk with Sugar. I anticipate that things will go fine.

Finally, my condolences to my former colleague, Mary Kay, on the death of her father. She has been a good colleague and a good friend for many years, and I wish the best for her and her family. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. I wish I could make it to the services, but I am not up to traveling these days. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. at 5:30 AM, the current temperature in "The City" is a brisk 36 degrees as we head for a high of 42. The winds are forecast to be much lighter today and for both Sugar the Weather Dog and me, that is good news. No precipitation in sight until Friday or Saturday.

Monday was mostly uneventful. I went to the car dealer in the afternoon only to find that the car really didn't need anything done until one year or 7,500 miles have elapsed. But that's okay, because I got my headlight answer and then on the way back, I stopped at an antique store and bought an older dictionary that looks great on the shelf. Plus, since it was one-half off, the cost was very reasonable. I was actually Christmas shopping, but this book couldn't wait to get on the shelf until then. I also got something that is unusual, a tool that was made in the USA. What a country.

Today we have a visit scheduled from the young lady who will be walking with Sugar during my convalescence from rotator cuff surgery. I could probably walk Sugar as time goes by, but since I couldn't deal with the fallout from our walks together, especially on the icy winter streets and sidewalks, I wouldn't be much good. We may or may not be getting a visit from the painter today too. Or, he may come tomorrow.

Today I don't plan to do much of anything. I am now reading an interesting fiction book, having finished the most recent semi-fiction book that I enjoyed. I still have to read yesterday's newspaper, but the beauty of that is that the news in "The City" doesn't change rapidly. The headlines are about the weekend windstorms and their local effects. Plus, there is the usual story about what local school children are up to. Also, the crossword is still in need of completion.

So there you have it. I heard the train go by around 12:30 AM, but it managed to traverse the tracks without my seeing it. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 44 degrees under cloudy skies with high winds. The 44 is our high for today, and the winds should die back as the day wears on. Some precipitation is expected in the 20 - 30% range, but nothing to worry about. I wish I could say the same for those poor folks in downstate Illinois, as so many of their homes were damaged or destroyed and several people lost their lives. The damage was caused by a large number of tornadoes Sunday afternoon. Even the NFL had to suspend the Bears/Ravens game to await the passing of the weather front. Those tornadoes were spread across several states, but the maps show the greatest number were in Illinois.

Speaking of football, the Bears won their game in overtime, 23 - 20 under very muddy conditions. Somehow, the football game seems unimportant given what people were facing elsewhere in the Midwest. Here in Michigan, we had our share of heavy rains and high winds, but they seem tame compared to losing your home or your life in a sudden storm. Yes, there were forecasts and predictions, but the severity was beyond ken.

Otherwise, Sugar the Weather Dog and I went out for an early walk to allow us to stay in during the worst of the severe weather. We got back before the heavy rains, high winds, and thunder and lightning. Sugar was a trooper and didn't spend all that much time in her hide-e-hole. I did more highlighting after breakfast and some reading, and that was enough for the day. I didn't watch much television, except for a repeat of the almost classic movie, The Goodbye Girl starring Richard Dreyfus and Marsha Mason. I'm a sucker for those romantic comedies.

Today, I have to take our car in for its six month checkup and that will consume a large part of the middle of the day. Even though it has been nearly eight months, we haven't driven many miles, about 3,800. It never hurts to get an expert opinion. Plus, we somehow have deactivated the automatic headlight feature, so I need help with that. I know Adam will be amused by that.

Otherwise, that leaves little time for other activities. I have to place another call to the hotel in Elkhart Lake, WI to try for a reservation. They told me I'd get a callback last week, so I hope this isn't an exercise in futility.

The Spartans won their game on Saturday, over the Cornhuskers of Nebraska, while the Wolverines were defeating the Wildcats of Northwestern. The Spartans are now in first in the Big 10 Legends Division. Their next opponents are those aforementioned Wildcats. Too early to celebrate going to the Big 10 championship game against OSU, but things are looking good. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 5:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 40 degrees as we motor towards a high of 57, albeit under the threat of afternoon showers. Mary and I have toyed with going to our favorite watering hole to watch the Spartans and the Wolverines later this afternoon. But, the forecast for showers is accompanied by a prediction for strong winds later. Sunday looks like strong T-storms are a possibility to go with the high of 64. More on that tomorrow.

Friday morning, Mary and I enjoyed one of my previous soup recipes for brunch, and even a normally ambivalent soup eater like Mary had to admit it was good. Afterwards, Sugar accompanied us to the dog park. Once she figured out where we were heading, she became very excited since she can see out of the car from her crate. She literally couldn't wait. She met some new friends there and she may have a play date on Monday if the weather cooperates. Given the abundance of potential mud in the park, a rainy day and a low-slung dog are not a good match.

We came home, I harvested a bag of kale for my soup, and I got to work with the able assistance of my Sous Dog, Sugar. Chopping vegetables, making broth for my soup, making a crock-pot full of future broth and then peeling the squash for my soup kept me busy. I also peeled a mound of garlic for both endeavors. Carrots, mushrooms, celery, onions, and of course the garlic, all went into the crock-pot. The smells were heavenly. My squash/kale soup cooked away on top, while I baked the remaining squash in the oven below. With a bit of help from Mary, we got the soup packed for the future when I am recovering. We even packed a jar full for Sally.

Finally, it was time to go to the post and out on the town. Sally welcomed her soup, we had a couple of libations and watched one of the regulars win $200.00 at Steph's favorite tear-off game. He bought a round, but we had to take a chip for our next visit so that we could walk home.

Since this was "Light Night," "The City" was teeming with people shopping and enjoying the lights. Adults, children, and people of all ages crowded the sidewalks. The organizers had to be beaming with satisfaction. We made it home, and then bottled the broth that had been cooking in the crock-pot. It was so good, that Mary decided that the vegetables held enough nutrients for more broth. I left her to her own devices and came upstairs to watch a little television and do some work before bed.

Today, walking with Sugar, Irish Jam session, possibly football, and then bed time. We are still working on my last loaf of banana/apple sauce bread at breakfast. Sugar will probably get some of the squash for breakfast to go with her daily yogurt. Sunrise is at 7:39 this morning. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 48 degrees as we head down to our nighttime low of 40 and up to our daytime high of 50. No rain is expected until Saturday when we are looking at an 80% chance of showers in the evening. Sunday is promising a 100% chance of T-storms. Sugar the Weather Dog will not be happy. Fortunately, the annual Light Night on Friday should happen under warmer, drier conditions as will the annual Holiday Shopping Center held at our own Community Center on Saturday. By Saturday night, all bets are off.

Thursday was such a beautiful day, that I chose to walk to and from the hospital for my knee treatments. One of the good things about the treatments is that my knees are locally anesthetized, so that for a few hours at least, there is no pain. Today, I will not be so fortunate. Still, the overall effect is very positive. I came home to do some additional work for my boss. I feel like Dagwood who works for Mr. Dithers under slave-like conditions. No rest, just deadlines.

Mary directed traffic on the palatial estate while I was gone, and now all of the leaves are history. The outdoor furniture is covered too, and the estate is ready for another winter. Mary has her own work to do, but she is being very protective of my not yet repaired shoulder. Later we journeyed to the post for a couple of drinks, and then off to get a pineapple pizza before heading for home. I stayed up for a while, and then as often happens, I was ready for bed. I sense a pattern here.

Tonight we may journey downtown to see the lights go on for the season, but that depends on my knees. If they feel okay, I am more than willing. If not, we'll see them at another time. Otherwise, more walking with Sugar, more reading, and more resting of the knees is in order. I may also get the kale harvested for my world famous squash/kale soup. That involves chopping, mincing, sauteing, and simmering, all things I am able to do in the kitchen. I can read a recipe with the best of them.

So before another train goes by, I'll sign off with that famous line from the that famous movie, "So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night," even though it is early morning.

Good early morning GH. We just passed 1:00 AM in "The City" and our current temperature is 42 degrees. We expect sunny skies today and no precipitation. Both Sugar and I will like that. Right now, the wind seems to be blowing at a rather strong clip in the 20 MPH range, so that hasn't changed much. But I guess that during what is officially autumn, that's to be expected.

Sugar and I went out just once on Wednesday. She would have been happy to go again, but I wouldn't have been. Her loss, but my gain. If the wind slows down a bit, I'll be glad to expand our walking schedule and distances. I did more highlighting on Mary's project and I am enjoying the read. This book is right up my alley. I always said that if I was going to get my PHD, that I would focus on the Constitution and the period that surrounded its creation. I think that there are insights to be found there regarding both the formation of our current government and the state of relations between the political parties.

Sugar and I got the newspaper and I read that after Mary made a nice salad for lunch. She hand-made a dressing for the salad, but the onions she used were too strong and they overwhelmed the dressing. She promised that next time she will use scallions instead of the stronger onions. I think it will be great. As a rule, she always asks what I thought of her culinary efforts, and in this case, the onions used in the salad were just too strong. Not a condemnation of the salad, just the strength of the onions.

After lunch, I also continued the my reading of my book. A quick read as I've noted, but an enjoyable romp through someone's life. Not an exact autobiography, but fun. I spent some time highlighting after that, but the fading light in my office/music room made me stop. I find that the in between light is harder to work with. I can do it without the light coming in the window more easily.

Part way through my work, I suggested to Mary that we try the alternative pizza place that Steph and Adam had recommended. It is one of two that are always neck and neck for numbers one and two here in GH. I think this one is the superior as we have tried both. Reasonably priced, very thin crust, and a limited menu, just like the one that closed not too far from our old home many years ago. I know that pizza is a personal choice and I choose this one if I am willing to get into a car to have dinner. No lunch, no delivery, closed on Monday. What's not to like?

Today, more walking with Sugar the Weather Dog, more highlighting, and more reading. I want to play music, but my shoulder is not cooperating. Surgery in early December and then at least three months of intensive rehabilitation. I wish there was another way, but there isn't. Speaking of the orthopedic doctor, I have my fourth of five visits to have my knees treated by the same doctor. Not pleasant during the treatments and for two days after, but the pain is worth the gain.

A quick note on sports. The Northern Illinois Huskies football team turned back the efforts of the Ball State Cardinals, 48 - 27. It was mostly Ball State in the first half, but the second half was all Northern. Ball State only scored three points in the second half as Northern scored twenty-eight. Northern is ranked 15th.

So that looks like about it for yesterday and today. Sunrise is at 7:37 AM and then the day begins anew. Doctor, visit from a man to help with the leaf removal, and then the day is once again mine. I also wonder how Barb is doing following her recent doctor visits. I hope that all is well with her too. Ciao.

P.P.S. A train is coming through at 3:20 AM going in the opposite direction from the one that passed at 12:20 AM. They would argue that they are going for the least inconvenience.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 33 degrees as we head for a windy high of 37. Sugar the Weather Dog may be easier to walk with today than yesterday. While the the winds will be similar, the temperature should be a bit warmer.

When Sugar and I went walking yesterday, the winds were in our face and the weather felt raw. When Mary wanted to go out to the fabric store, I was willing as long as I was done walking. My hands get so cold these days, that there do not seem to be any gloves that can keep them warm, at least none that I've found.

Bad news, I sent some links to Mary regarding the possible temporary closing of what must be our favorite Chicago watering hole, the Billy Goat Tavern on lower Michigan Ave. Say it ain't so Sam, Say it ain't so. We don't get there as often as we used to go, but if it isn't there, things will never be the same in the Loop. Everything changes I know, but there are those things, like your self image, that are never supposed to change. When they do, a small piece of you is gone forever.

Otherwise on Tuesday, we had breakfast/lunch, I walked with Sugar, picked up and read the newspaper and then my book with Sugar in my lap. Later Mary and I had dinner, ate too much, and then I went to bed. See what I mean about things changing? Everything was normal for me on Tuesday. We did get to the fabric store and Mary got a surprise. She was shopping for material for new table napkins and discovered that material is made that is halfway finished. All she has to do is cut the material to the appropriate length, fold and iron the ends, and then sew them up. Sounds easy, but I suspect that it is harder than that.

Today I hope to encourage Sugar to be more forgiving on my knees. We had to walk nearly one and one half miles before she was ready to come home. I feigned anger, but she knows me well enough that she jumped into my lap when I was reading and stayed for quite awhile. Otherwise, laundry is on my agenda and that's about it. I can easily be encouraged to be lazy once Sugar has taken me walking. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is now just past 4:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 29 degrees as we head down to a low of 28 and up to a high of 35 with snow showers. Sugar the Weather Dog will not be happy.

Speaking of Sugar, when she and I ventured forth on Monday for our morning walk, neither of us was happy. I don't mind the cold as much as I mind the cold rain and snow combination that was falling. Sugar likes the snow and so do I. I just don't like slipping on the sidewalks and ramps that get iced up. Those ramps are at the end of the sidewalks and they are supposed to assist with travel. Steep ramps become steep falling zones when icy; at least they did last year. Sugar tries to understand why one second you were upright and now you are lying on the ground at her level. I doubt that she gots it. I know I didn't.

Monday Mary worked and I read after Sugar and I walked. Sugar sat in my lap in "our" chair and looked out the window. I like it, but it does make turning the pages more difficult. She doesn't seem to mind. The book I am currently reading is a fast fun read . Later Mary and I traveled downtown to get some incomplete printing done for her latest project and to get a loaf of bread. Afterwards, on to the post to see Sally on Veteran's Day. We finished up with a light dinner at another place. Then home where I enjoyed the soup that Sally had given me. Sugar helped with that too. Afterwards I was ready for bed.

Today, not much on the agenda. Walking with Sugar and more reading. Mary reminded me that I can get started on my picture sorting project, but that is after I get to work highlighting on her latest book. I think I'll like this one as it is a journey through constitutional law from olden times to the present day. However, until our printer toner arrives this afternoon, I can't get started. We changed it a few thousand copies ago, so I can't understand why the warning light was flashing and messages were appearing on the desktop telling us that the toner was low.

A late or is it early train just went by. Twin locomotives towing an assortment of covered hopper cars, box cars, and a few white tank cars. A little internet research tells me that the railroad/shipper is concerned that the materials being carried in those cars might be considered hazardous and so a stronger car is used in the event of a wreck. Oy!

If the weather continues to look and feel ominous as it did on Monday, our morning walk will be shorter than usual. Tea time will be extended and Sugar will be in no hurry to go out. Mary tells me that lunch today will be her now famous sauerkraut and Swiss cheese sandwiches. The bread is getting older so it should be perfect. Enough for now. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 47 degrees under cloudy skies. We anticipate going down to a high of 44 today as the rain changes to snow. I liked Sunday much better, even with the windy conditions. We may have similar weather on Tuesday. You'd think it was winter or something.

On Sunday we got up late and then I headed out for a walk with Sugar as Mary went to the grocery store. When I got back, I installed Mary's behind the door can storage rack. If it could have been made any more cheaply, I don't see how. However, the cover she got for the couch fit nicely and once I had vacuumed off the hair that Sugar had left behind, it looks fine. The other item that Mary had ordered, a box storage system for the cereal cabinet, also fit well and did the job, so who am I to complain?

In the afternoon we walked over to our favorite watering hole to watch the Bears lose to the Lions. It was a raucous good time and that's what matters. Winning or losing is only important if it matters. Very little about pro football really matters.

Once home, we fed Sugar and we had a light dinner, after which I retired for the night. When I get sleepy I go to bed. At my age I think that's something I am entitled to.

Today the painter comes by to assess the necessary repairs to the walls that need re-plastering and painting. It isn't a lot, but plaster takes a while to dry between layers, so I fear that it will be a long process. Oh well, plaster dries and paint does too, so if we are patient all will be well before too long.

Otherwise, Sugar and I will brave the lousy weather that has been predicted. That won't take long, as she doesn't like to go out when the weather gets bad. A water dog she is not. We will have to avoid the piles of leaves that the strong winds of yesterday left behind. Just in time for the rain and snow to fall on them. We'll pick up today's newspaper and I'll read that before I settle in.

So that's about it. Not much to do today is just the way I like things. Tea time, breakfast, walking with Sugar, and then reading. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 44 degrees under cloudy skies, like I can see the clouds. The wind is blowing at a steady 20 MPH. That I can feel and hear. Our forecast high today is supposed to be 46. Right now the Weather Channel app is showing a 50% chance of showers for Monday. So far, like is often the case in GH, their forecast has not been accurate for our location.

Saturday Sugar the Weather Dog and I took a long walk in the AM before I set out for Holland. Even Sugar was having to fight the wind at the top of the hill. From her low vantage point, that is an interesting occurrence. We picked up the newspaper and then headed for home. Beyond the wind, the morning was uneventful.

When I got to Holland, I found a parking space under a sign that said "Customer Parking." I thought that I was indeed a customer in town, so they reserved it for me. What a country. Lunch was nice, and the beer was cold. Mary and I headed for home after a detour to the yarn store with Steph and Adam. He and I noted that the area where the store is located was once in the headlines as a renewal area in Holland.

Unfortunately, the renewal didn't take. As Adam noted an area has hit bottom when they get a Karate Dojo or something of that ilk. As it turns out, they are close, since a Yoga center is opening in a now shuttered cleaners. That's right across the street from a shuttered convenience store, and down the street from an upscale resale store that if you didn't know to look for it you'd never find it. Walk by traffic is nil. Mary suggested that a sign in the much busier downtown area encouraging people to visit this other shopping area would help.

There is a nice looking Italian restaurant and grocery store which is next to a store selling pretzels and nachos. There is also a coffee shop and a place serving breakfast all day. So if you could let people know that this area exists, it might work. But alas, the city in all its wisdom hasn't seen fit to provide that information to the people visiting downtown Holland.

Once we returned to GH, we stopped in for a quick one at our favorite watering hole. We'll be going back today for the Lions and Bears, oh my. Will Jay Cutler be back? Will the bears emerge as the clear leader in their weak division? Will the generally partisan Lions fans be in evidence? Stay tuned for further information.

That looks like all I have to say about that. Sunrise will be at 7:32 today and the fun starts all over. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 12:45 AM in "The City" and the train has just passed. It is also 42 degrees as we head for a high of 52 with possible showers and windy conditions. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping soundly, so it isn't a forecast that is for the immediate future.

Friday turned out to be a better day. The electricians finished their work and Sugar and I got out for two walks. The second was not all that long, but the need to be here for other activities made that necessary. Sugar in her role as Sous Dog helped me to make my hopefully famous banana/apple sauce nut bread. I haven't tried it yet, but it smelled good and Sugar seemed to like cleaning up. Here's hoping that my efforts were successful. If so, then Mary's long distance advice on the substitution of the applesauce will have turned out fine. If not, I can blame my failure on her.

On Friday I got down to the post after going to the library, where I picked up a couple of new to me books. One I had on hold, and the other was a spur of the moment decision as I was leaving the building. The worst that can happen is that I don't like either and return them quickly. The best is that I have found another author to read. As I have noted in the past, I don't change genres much.

Today Sugar and I will walk in the AM and then I have to drive down to Holland to pick up Mary. She is returning from Chicago after a meeting and after my long stretch of fending for myself. Life is hard sometimes, but I made it through.

Otherwise not much is happening. We may need to stop at the grocery store on the way back from Holland, but that is a game time decision. We need a few things, but we do have some vegetables that need to be used/eaten before they go over. I was a bit lax on my salad eating while Mary was out of town. Mostly it is laziness on my part.

So there you have it, a short synopsis of my daily activities on Friday and a short description of our plans for Saturday. All is good. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM today. Sugar and I will get out sometime thereafter. I was gong to have scrambled eggs for breakfast, but now I think I'll try my bread. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 40 degrees as we head for a high of 46. We never got that  forecast rain/snow that was predicted on Thursday. Our next chance is 30%, this time on Saturday, when I have to return to Holland to pickup Mary. With luck, I'll be able to avoid it once again.

I got up early on Thursday to get Mary to the train station and then on the way back, I was able to go to the local grocery store, stop for a haircut, and then prepare the mushrooms in the refrigerator before they went over the edge. After that, I was able to walk with Sugar the Weather Dog for an extended trip to "The City."

I made it to the orthopedist on time and that went well, except my knees hurt more this time post treatment. That made me put off my visit to the post. I am going to try that trip again today, after the electricians finish their work. The pain may have had something to do with the cold wind that was blowing yesterday. I did get to play some music and that is always a way to soothe the pain away. That and sitting with Sugar for lunch and dinner.

Today I plan to have some scrambled eggs for breakfast and then some leftover pasta for lunch. My dinner is up in the air at this time. Let's just say that it isn't something that Mary would prepare. That's okay with me, because once a year I get to fend for myself and indulge my own food vices. Much of my plans depend on the amount of time I have to spend here while the electricians are working. They shouldn't have to spend a lot more time. We'll see.

Otherwise, not much on tap today. I was thinking about doing some baking, but I am now down to two bananas, so that plan may go by the board. I guess I could make banana nut bread with two, but that is an alteration that I don't know how to handle. Sometimes my kitchen skills are dependent on following a recipe exactly, especially when baking. Mary improvises better than I. But I doubt that even Mary would alter a recipe for baked goods without a plan. Maybe I could substitute some applesauce since it is like bananas, soft and sweet. I am not in the mood to make something like the pumpkin pie without Mary here to bail me out. Like Clint Eastwood once said in a movie, "A man's got to know his limitations." I know mine.

In sports, the boys in blue have a new manager. The GM, his right hand man, and the owners are also floating the "Wait til 2015 theme" too. The usual themes were offered. There are players in the minor league pipeline who aren't quite ready. Some big league players failed to produce at their expected production numbers. The manager wasn't a good communicator etc. As a long suffering Cubs fan, I have to wonder how my beloved Red Sox reversed their fortunes in one year, why the Tigers are expected to contend again in 2014 with an inexperienced new manager, etc. The list goes on and on.

When the new ownership team took over the team, they said they were committed to winning. What happened? New players, new top management, an improved farm system, and dumping several long term high price player contracts were supposed to solve the problem. Next year is now. One comment I saw from a fan made the case for the Cubs getting to the World Series in his lifetime sound like a maybe. He was in his forties.

On the other hand, the Bears announced that their first string QB is healed from his injury a full week ahead of schedule, just in time to face the Lions on Sunday. Never count out a QB in what looks increasingly like a weak division. My barber and I agreed yesterday that a 9 - 7 record would likely win that division. Since he and I are experts, we both knew whereof we spoke. We also agreed that the Tigers have talent that had been mismanaged, that MSU has suddenly developed an offense etc. Left to manage the sports teams of our interest, there would be perpetual championships from now until forever.

So now it is time for bed before Sunrise at 7:29 this morning. There may be a train soon, but if there is, I'll be fast asleep. Ciao.

Oops, I didn't make it, a short train is passing now.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 4:00 AM in "The City" and the forecast is for continued dark. We also have a a current temperature of 38 as we head for a high of 47 with a 30% chance of snow/rain. As long as it holds off until I get back from dropping Mary at the train station in Holland and after I take the morning walk with Sugar, I am okay with that.

On the other hand, it took until nearly two in the afternoon on Wednesday before I could get Sugar the Weather Dog out for her daily constitutional. By that time, I had started some great tasting potato/leek soup and Mary had done a lot of her work backlog. Prior to two PM, when I had asked Sugar if she wanted to go out, she hightailed it for upstairs to hide under Mary's desk. Finally at two PM, she had to get out or bust. We took a quick walk to the newspaper office and then we were quickly on the way back from our sojourn.

When we got here, my soup was just finishing and I placed some in a storage jar for us and some in a jar for Sally. Even Mary thought that the soup was good. As someone who is not a soup connoisseur, Mary's opinion is a valuable one. We also made arrangements with the electrician to complete their work on Friday. I just have too many commitments today. I have to drop Mary at the train, walk with Sugar, go to the orthopedist for my knees, and then do a little shopping at the local health food store. After that I want to stay in for the balance of the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow I have to stay around to be here for the electricians.

Before I got up this morning, I heard the train go by. I didn't see it, but I am certain that the horn happy engineer was not at the controls. If he had been, I'd still be hearing the horn wailing. Sunrise today is at 7:28 Am and Sunset at 5:29 PM. December 21 can't get here soon enough so that the days will begin to get longer again.

So not much else to report. I'll be fending for myself and Sugar for a couple of days, but I am certain that we will survive the ordeal. My knee will ache a bit on Saturday, but I should be ambulatory enough to walk with Sugar. Mary and I will be arising soon, so I'd best get back to the rack. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. At just past 2:30 AM in "The City," the current temperature is 54 degrees as we anticipate a high of 55 and rain. Getting Sugar the Weather Dog to go for a walk with me may be difficult. It may well be a short walk. Sunrise is at 7:27 AM under rainy skies.

Tuesday was a slow day. Mary worked some and I read some and we waited for the electricians to finish their work. They are not yet done. We took time to vote for the millage to help rebuild the aging infrastructure in our city. The millage passed. Onward to the future. Mary raked some leaves while I watched in an effort to get used to not using my right arm and to preserve my shoulder before surgery. Since the electricians were working, Mary couldn't get to her work in the afternoon.

Today the electricians will return to finish. I think I've had enough of people doing work on the house for a while, it just takes up too much of our time and disrupts too much of our regular activities. There are still a few things in need of doing. Does it ever end?

In addition, we plan to go over to Spring Lake to get some fabric for table napkins. I wonder if I can learn to do that type of sewing? I am willing to try as it shouldn't be beyond me, I hope. We may not get there since Mary is behind on her work. Sugar and I will go for a walk or two and then the day will be complete. Mary has a business trip later this week, while Sugar and I stay home. Somehow Sugar and I will survive.

Proof positive that if you stay up late enough or get up early enough that you will generally see a train go by. I just did at 3:20 AM.

That's about it for Tuesday and today. Ciao

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:30 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 53 as we head for a high of 58 degrees. Sunrise will occur at 7:25 AM. On Wednesday the forecast calls for a 100% chance of precipitation. If that's the case, it should be a good day for baking.

I didn't get much accomplished on Monday. A walk with Mary and Sugar in the early afternoon and then a walk to our favorite watering hole for dinner. I am one of those people who likes to walk when the weather cooperates. So while it was windy, the temperature was pleasant enough. Since today promises to be more like an average November, I anticipate more walking.

We have the electrician coming in today to add a couple of outlets and to install the new ceiling fans. Probably about three or four hours of work for skilled people. For me, it would be several days and I wouldn't like the idea of going into the attic. Plus, the weight of the ceiling fans would be more than my aching shoulder could handle. So as Adam says, pay someone to do that which you can't.

That's much like the advice that Mary's mentor gives. She recommends that you waste no more than about five minutes of time before you call her for an answer to a conundrum. She also says that if what it costs to hire someone to do a particular job is less than you make in your business, hire someone. Sound advice from both parties. That's why we'll have someone installing the ceiling fans. We'll also have someone walking Sugar, and cleaning the house, and moving the snow during my convalescence. I can't do those things and Mary would be losing money in the process if she did. Adam put it this way, "Throw everything you have at it." So that's our plan.

Today with the electricians here, the house will be a bit busy. Sugar will have to be put into the downstairs hide-e-hole for her safety and that of the electricians. We'll walk, read, and once again try to play some music. I tried yesterday, but I found that my shoulder started aching almost immediately. That's a sure sign that scheduling the surgery sooner than later was  good idea. Dang, I hate getting old.

That's about it for now. The Bears won last night and the Packers may have lost their QB for a few games. I like to see good games, not bad injuries. These are after all human beings, and they should be able to play not spend their time on the IR list. Tea time awaits. Ciao.

P.S. I'm still up at 4:30 AM and a train is just passing. Two locomotives, many box cars, covered hopper cars, and a few assorted tank cars. Still no caboose. Alas, they are history as are the men and women who used to ride along. Too much weight and extra salaries I guess.

When I was a young man, the railroads called having a fireman in the cab of the locomotive featherbedding. The dead-man switch in the cab and the advent of automatic brakes on the cars negated the need for anything but one person driving the train. Progress I guess, but sometimes I think that it was just another way to get rid of working people. Maybe that's one of the reasons why the railroads can move freight at such a low cost per mile. I still wonder what they are hiding in those closed cars and tanks. Just asking.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 41 degrees under cloudy skies as we head for a high of 55. Precipitation is not expected until Wednesday, and that's all I have to say about that.

Sunday was a lazy day for me. A walk with Mary and Sugar, a few meals, and then down time. I worked a crossword and then read my book. Very little televisions and no music. It may be my way of weaning myself from my desire to strum. Or, it could just be me being lazy. I did get the towel hook installed and the windows sealed, but that was a short activity and then it was time to be sedentary.

I did make breakfast on Sunday, but that was something that I haven't done in a long while, so I did. I could have made pumpkin bread, but I opted not to. I was trying to conserve my energy reserves. Sugar and I spent some lap time, and Mary worked. She is still wrestling with the book from the great abyss. Hopefully it is done soon.

Today I anticipate a rerun of Sunday. I may watch the Bears tonight, but I can just as easily skip it. Perhaps laundry, perhaps not, I'm ambivalent. There is a certain pleasure in doing nothing. Sugar will want to go for a walk, but that's a pleasure for me most days. I do have to contact the car dealer to make an appointment for later in the week to have our six-month checkup on the Soul. I opted to do it by an email request. I want to see how well that works.

So that's about it, A slow day followed by a slow day. No other activity on tap. Mary wants me to be careful of my shoulder, and she is right, I just don't like feeling less than helpful around here. I guess that it is an opportunity to practice my kitchen skills and read. Tea time awaits post Sunrise at 7:24 AM. Ciao.

Good morning GH. We have just passed 5:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 40 degrees under partly cloudy skies as we head for a high of 49. No significant precipitation appears in the forecast until Wednesday.

Well we made it, another time change. We get an extra hour of sleep. Can't you tell? It took me some doing, but I got my watch reset for another five months give or take. It will take Sugar a few days to be able to adjust, but it is likely that she will now be more patient about her dinner, or not. That is unless she uses an entirely different time scheme that we don't understand. That is a strong possibility. She always marches to the beat of a different drummer. That's a lot like the boys in blue, who have yet to release their 2014 spring schedule. Most clubs do it right after the World Series, but not the boys in blue. Of course neither the Tigers nor my beloved Red Sox have released theirs either. I anticipate that each team will open training around February 22 or 23, 2014. I usually use the date that pitchers and catchers report as my unofficial first day of spring. That's about one week before.

I mostly spent my day reading, listening to the radio, and sharing excerpts from my reading with Mary. We both find the book fascinating. In order to save my knees a bit of wear and tear, Sugar and Mary walked without me on Saturday morning. My knees and I appreciate that. I realized that there are only so many miles in my creaky knees during my lifetime. Too many miles on cold gas station driveways and in garages and too many years on the concrete floors of schools I guess. The treatments help a lot, but they are not a miracle cure for arthritis. As the doctor who did my back surgery pointed out, he could fix the immediate problem, but he wasn't the cure for arthritis.

We finished out our day by watching the MSU Spartans defeat the Wolverines of Michigan 29 - 6 to capture the Paul Bunyan trophy. We started at our favorite watering hole and finished up at the post. The Huskies of Northern Illinois laid a big beating on UMass 63 - 19. They now have a perfect 9 - 0 record, just like the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Unfortunately for most other teams in the Big 10 this year, Ohio State is clearly the class of the Big 10 conference, following a 56 - 0 drubbing of the Boilermakers of Purdue. We also watched another showing of Midnight in Paris. I saw nuances that I hadn't seen before like I often do when watching the same movie more that once

Today, I will get that towel holder installed now that Mary has told me how it should be placed. I have to rely on her for that, because while I can tool whip things with the best of the DIYers, my artistic/decorating sense is somewhat lacking. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Beyond that, not much on the schedule. Mary doesn't want me to strain my shoulder before having it repaired. She feels, and probably rightly, that if I do just the wrong thing, I could end up with an emergency worst case surgical intervention instead of the easier scheduled one. That does limit my music.

So before the Sun rises at 7:23 AM, I'd best head back to the rack and catch a few more hours of sleep. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature  is 47 degrees under 80% rainy skies. The rain is expected to last into the early afternoon and be gone by Sunday. Our high today will be 48. No significant precipitation appears on the horizon until Thursday.

Friday was an easier day. Sugar had an uneventful appointment at her doctor's office and then we took her to the dog park for a bit of unfettered running. Sugar had a good time at the dog park and then spent the day resting up. It's hard to be a dog, It occurred to us that Sugar would need someone to walk with her while I couldn't and that set me to thinking. I asked Mary to call Sugar's doctor's office for a referral to a dog walker. It turns out that one of the young ladies who works there provides that service. The arrangements were made and that is one less thing on our list of things to do.

Mary did some work in the AM and early afternoon and then we set out for the post for a couple of quick ones. While we were there, Mary made arrangements for someone to do the housework while I am laid up after surgery. We picked up dinner and then came home. A couple of episodes of an old sitcom and then I was off to bed. I don't have the stamina that I used to have. Mary on the other hand stayed up and worked on her hook rug. She always seems to have extra energy, while I get tired.

That's about it for Friday. Cold and rainy and not much else to report. The city obsessively sent out the street cleaning crew to clear the curbs of leaves before winter. It seems to me that if they can do that with a machine they could just as easily vacuum up all the leaves. Oh well, there must be a reason.

This afternoon the Spartans and the Wolverines meet to establish the bragging rights over Michigan football prowess. That should be fun on a rainy afternoon. The Northern Illinois Huskies take their 8 - 0 record out for a spin to see how good they really are. At this point, they outrank both Michigan teams. The boys in blue seem to be narrowing down their list of managerial candidates, but given how they often do things and given the need for several teams to find a new manager, including the Tigers, they'd best get busy.

I have nothing special on tap for the day. Maybe a little football watching and I may hang that new towel holder in the upstairs bathroom, but that's about it. I think I will read more in any case. Yesterday I was short on energy, so I didn't play any music, I just listened. I hope to remedy that today, but like I've noted before, when I do, way shoulder aches very quickly.

Tea time arrives this AM about 9:00 AM and then Sugar and I will walk downtown and get a newspaper. After that I am in for the day. Second train passage between last night and this morning. Only two locomotives heading north, no cars. Ciao.

Good morning GH. We have just passed 2:30 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 51 degrees under rainy skies. It appears that that may be the case for both today and Saturday too. Oh well, since I was able to wear shorts and my Red Sox regalia on Thursday, I"ll take it. However, we are under a wind advisory with gusts up to 50 MPH, and sustained winds up to 30 MPH until 8:00 AM.

Given the wind that is currently happening and predicted for the rest of this morning, I'll either have more leaves to rake or they will all be in someone else's yard. With any luck, the ones that were still in the trees will probably be down by morning. Here on the palatial estate, we always end up with more than I want. There is another plus to the winds. It is easier to see the trains as they pass by.

I had my orthopedist's appointment for my knees on Thursday morning. My knees feel better now. I also made an appointment for getting my aching shoulder repaired. As Adam said, "It sucks short term, but it is the best thing in the long term." I say sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. The alternative to fixing it now, doing nothing, might have led to a crisis that would be totally unpredictable and not at all welcome. As Mary said, no winter sports, but lots of spring, summer, and future fun. Too many bike crashes, too many turns of a wrench, and too many baseballs thrown, not to mention lots of strums on the guitar I guess. None of those things helped. I think that the only thing I could have done without were the bike crashes.

Today we have an appointment for Sugar to get her Bordatella booster at the veterinarian. No injections, just a snort up her nose. She won't like it, but it is a must if she is going to be boarded in the future. It is also the day for her flea and tick treatment and her heart-worm medications. On Thursday, Sugar made new friends downtown. The young ladies who work the drive-up window at one of the banks have seen us going by many times and wanted to say hello. For her cuteness, Sugar received a small biscuit and the young ladies got to see her up close and personal. A win-win for both parties.

We had a few young people for Halloween trick or treating. The rain probably kept the numbers down along with the city sponsored downtown trick or treating at the businesses. I think I have to wait for Thanksgiving before I can convert our decorative pumpkins into soup or some other foodstuff. I have plenty of possible recipes.

Otherwise, no editing today and no other activities planned. By late today or early tomorrow, my knees will have their usual post-treatment pains and that will limit me for a day or two. Then all will be well. Overall the treatments are worth the aches that come with them.

Looks like that's about it for now. The first train is just going by, a short one with one locomotive, but not much automobile traffic. The automobile traffic seems to come with Friday and Saturday nights, at least in the off-season. Tea time awaits the rising Sun at 8:20 AM. Then it is time for a trip to the veterinarian. Ciao.