Good morning GH, It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City" and our current temperature is 18° with light snow showers. The prediction is for 70% snow showers today, 50% on New Year's Day, and 20% on Thursday. We may see an additional one to three inches of accumulation over those days, just enough to require dealing with it. In Michigan, we consider that a spring like season. If it wasn't for the snow, everybody would live here, to borrow from Oprah. But, if we didn't have the snow, then everybody would live here and we'd have to have Coast Guard Fest all year long. We truly would be Key West, FL with all that brings. I think we'll keep things just as they are.

I just learned something off the Internet. Using a shortcut that someone suggested, I am now able to add the degree symbol to my typing just as my speech recognition software does. Small pleasures as they say. Every now and then, useful information can be found on the Internet. You just have to be sure that you know the source of the information.

Monday, Mary and I took a pleasure trip. As a famous comedian used to say, I took a pleasure trip today and dropped my                                (fill in the blank) off at the                                (again, fill in the blank). In this case, we took a trip to Kentwood to pick up my new to me guitar. Mary was very gracious as she drove through the snow for an hour there and back. The return part of the journey actually took longer due to traffic. Kentwood is actually on the south side of GR, and every two miles, the stores, fast-food restaurants, etc., repeat themselves. Some people like it, Mary and I were not thrilled.

But I digress. I didn't want to get my hopes up. A used 12 string Ovation guitar that I had to have shipped from CT and sent to Kentwood, MI, a guitar which I had only seen in a picture, is always a gamble. Dents, scratches, a worn fret-board, etc., are all possibilities. However, when I opened the case, I was very pleased. Other than needing a new set of strings and a little polishing, the guitar is in pristine condition. The store that was selling it described the condition as good to excellent, and they were right. Plus, it came with its original hard shell case. What's not to like?

I was surprised that the guitar was green in color. Mary asked, "Didn't you know that?" I said, "Remember who you are talking to, I thought it was black." In any event, Mary gave her a name, Ivy. Most guitars have a very feminine shape to them, so Ivy is the perfect name. I think Steph would agree with giving most things a name. Cars, guitars, etc. Hey, I even name plants and trees. That's how the apple tree I planted by our old house in IL got her name, Appleonia. After all, fruit bearing trees are feminine too. I wonder if the new car that Adam and Steph just got has suggested a name yet? Steph always names Adam's cars for him.

As we were leaving the house, the delivery service was dropping off the stand that I had ordered to hold the guitar in my music room/office. Now I have to decide on the placement in the room. Side by side with "Blue," or book-ending "Bridget," or ?????? So many possibilities.

I can't wait to get my shoulder in better shape so that I can play her. I think this may be good motivation for working hard on my rehab exercises. However, I can only work those so hard, so that I don't have a setback. The guy at the guitar store asked why I didn't wait to buy her, but I told him that when you see what you want, it is time to buy before it is gone.

Wow, just in time. Dashing through the snow, twin locomotives towing some box cars and a long string of covered hopper cars. I'm sorry, I couldn't resist that seasonal reference. Speaking of my concerns about trains and the cars they tow, below is a link to a train derailment in N. Dakota from earlier today. The cause was two trains passing, when one struck the other, causing the derailment. Fortunately, there is no chance of that happening on a one-track line.

http://news.yahoo.com/train-collision-north-dakota-sets-oil-rail-cars-004424603--sector.html

In sports, many NFL coaches were axed on Monday following disappointing seasons. You can't fire the whole team, so the coach has to go. The only point of a pro football team is to win the Superbowl. Anything less is not success. What was it that the legendary Vince Lombardi was quoted as saying? "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." Over a two day period, five coaches lost their jobs. There will probably be more. Too bad the boys in blue haven't gotten that message. The manager was recently fired for not winning. Why the next guy will be any more successful than the last guy, and the guy before him, and the guy before him, going back over 100 years, is a mystery to me. I used to think that my beloved Red Sox would never get there, and they have gotten to the World Series twice this century. I now think that the futility of the boys in blue will outlast me.

Well, that looks like enough for yesterday and early today. Sunrise will be at 8:16 AM and sunset at 5:20 PM today. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 12:00 AM "The City," with a current temperature of 21 degrees under snowy skies. We are heading down to a temperature in the teens, where we will stay through most of this week. We might, and I stress might, get to the low thirties by Saturday. By low thirties, I mean 31 degrees. The snow that was expected on Sunday never materialized. However, today snow is forecast at 50% and then 60% on Tuesday, New Year's Eve. Thursday has a forecast of 70% for more snow, but no prediction for how much.

Mary and I finished our work late Sunday afternoon. I think it was nearly 6:00 PM before we were done. Just in time to see the Bears lose, as I expected, to the Packers, 28 - 33. So, as my barber and I predicted, the Bears finished 8 - 8 and out of the playoffs for the third year in a row. Like I said, wait until next year.

That's what I am doing, waiting until next year, but now I am waiting for the boys in blue and my beloved Red Sox and the Tigers. New Year's Day football will be good, as the MSU Spartans face off against the Stanford Cardinal in the Rose Bowl. This once storied game used to be the "Big Game" on New Year's Day. But with the advent of the BCS series, which ends this year, it became just another bowl game. Hopefully the playoffs scheduled for college football next year will be an improvement. I am tired of teams with losing records getting  bowl bids. I know why the teams accept, money, but enough already.

Speaking of the increase in money expected under the new playoff system, I hope that the athletes get some of it. They play, they pay in injuries, and the colleges profit. Something is wrong with that. I don't want to compromise on what I love about college football, but a scholarship is little compensation for what they give. If the new playoff system goes wrong, college football will really become just a farm system for the NFL.

Of course we didn't get out on Sunday, no time. We had hopes of getting to Kentwood on Monday to check on a new to me guitar, but the weather may preclude that. We'll have to look out the window and at the weather forecast in the AM to decide. Kentwood is about a one-hour drive southeast from GH, and a very easy drive. However, neither Mary nor I want to be out driving in bad weather.  Our next day would have been Thursday, but as I noted above, that day looks dicey too. Oh well, that's Michigan for you.

Sunrise today will be at 8:16 AM and sunset at 5:19 PM. Tea time will be whenever we get up and going this morning. Mary and I had banana nut bread for breakfast on Sunday. However, it is time for me to get to work on those remaining boxes of Cheerios. Amazingly, I find that I miss them, even though I have to eat left-handed during my convalescence. My dad spent nearly 70 years doing that, but then he was left-handed in the first place. My older brother was ambidextrous, but I am very right- handed. I guess that this rehab will help me be a better guitar player in the future.

So that looks like about all for yesterday and today. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 39 degrees as we head down to today's high of 36. We have a 70% chance of one to two additional inches of snow today. It is also expected to be windy with 25 mph gusts in the forecast. That means drifting snow and difficult driving. Fortunately, we have nowhere to go and all day to get there.

Mary and I have to work on her latest effort. She has to finish and I have to edit. I finished my highlighting duties early yesterday afternoon on the next project. I enjoyed the process and I usually learn a great deal. But, I don't always agree with what I have read.

Meals on Saturday were eggs and leftovers. Generally, if we eat out, we get two meals for the price of one. Plus, when Mary is busy, she can get a meal on the table in minutes. What's not to like? Since we liked the meal the first time, we get to double our pleasure and double our fun. In addition, if we time things right, we can feel good about saving food and lives. If we don't get around to eating something that we have saved, we can feel good about throwing the item away and saving us from botulism. I heard of that concept from a comedian one time, and I like it.

Today, as previously mentioned, we will be finishing some work. Later in the day, I will watch as the Bears find a way to lose to the Packers. Their quarterback is coming back from injuries, just in time to vanquish the Bears and get the Packers to the playoffs. Oh well, to borrow from my other role as a die hard Cubs fan, wait until next year. I get to use that one again in 2014, barring any unexplained change of fortunes for the Cubs.

Since it looks like Sunday will be a quiet day, I may get to that reading that I have been putting off. Right now, I am watching a rerun of Dharma and Greg, in which Dharma is on a vision quest with her friend Jane. Greg gets a visit from a Native American shaman, telling him that Dharman and Jane need assistance. This show was always quirky. After the first few seasons, many sitcoms with a cute premise lose the ability to keep up the quality of the scripts. Mary says that this is almost always the norm. You know they have "Jumped the shark," when the characters find an excuse to sing, dance, or interpret some trendy act.

I don't remember how Dharma and Greg ended its first run, but I bet that it was something like that. The phrase "Jumped the shark," comes from the time that Fonzie attempted to jump his motorcycle over a fast food stand with a shark on top in Happy Days. The show outlasted its cuteness well before that event happened.

There is another sitcom on now called Til Death which has the umpteenth reincarnation of Martin Mull in a sitcom. Also present is Brad Garrett, who played the brother in Everybody Loves Raymond as the father. In the role of the mother is Joely Fisher, daughter of Connie Stevens and Eddie Fisher. Their pregnant daughter is played by Kate Micucci. Of course, the usual cast of character actors is present. What did I expect at 3:30 in the AM, Shakespeare?

So that looks like enough for yesterday and early today. Sunrise will be at 8:16 AM and sunset at 5:19 PM respectively. Tea time awaits before we get to work. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It has just passed 12:00 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is a balmy 39 degrees as we head for our Saturday high of 41. There is no, I repeat no, snow in the forecast for today. However, the forecast shows a 50% chance for Sunday and a high temperature of 36. By Monday, the high will be a much lower 16, and we won't see temperatures out of the teens until a week from tomorrow. That's a Michigan winter for you.

Friday I got another 60 pages of highlighting accomplished. I have another 140 pages to go. Mary will be finishing the index for the book I highlighted previous to this one. That means that she needs to get up early and get to work. I will be doing the same as I work at my desk. while I am convalescing, I am wearing a pair of scrubs. They are comfortable to sleep in, easy to work in, and socially acceptable. I think I know why doctors wear them to their offices.

We did get to my P/T appointment, and the therapist tells me that all is going well. I still have a passive role in the P/T, but I am doing my homework exercises on a regular basis. I know one thing for certain, the more I do, the faster my recovery, up to a point. I don't want to overdo, because a setback is possible if I do. However, I will take it up to the limit so that my recovery will be both speedy and complete.

Otherwise, not much on tap for today. I am still awaiting the Spartans versus the Cardinal in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. If the weather cooperates, we may go to the Post for their annual potluck luncheon. Mary may make her vegetarian chili as our contribution, if she has time. She has been, and continues to be, busy.  With luck I may see the Rose Parade too, though that's not essential.

Our snow piles are getting bigger. Our snow removal man is running out of places to pile it, much like last year. Our piles have piles on them. The difference is, we are about one month early this winter. Maybe that bodes well for an early spring. Of course when that happened two years ago, most of the apples, peaches, and other fruit crops were ruined. It was a financial disaster for the farmers.

The train was late  tonight. I think the horn happy driver was back from vacation, judging by the length of the horn blasts. No return so far. Sunrise will be at 8:16 AM and sunset at 5:18 PM. As you can tell, the days are indeed getting longer. Looks like the earliest team to report will be the Indians on February 11. The Cubs, the Tigers, and my beloved Red Sox have not yet announced a date. Neither has that other team from Chicago.

Well, time for some additional reruns on the TV. Earlier yesterday, I watched what has been called the greatest chase scene in a Western. It was the Native Americans pursuing a fleeing stage coach scene from the film, Stagecoach, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. I love old Westerns, especially those starring John Wayne, Randolph Scott, or Jimmy Stewart. I even like movies with Randolph Scott. My brother would have been named Randolph Scott, Not Randolph Allen if my older brother and I had had our way.

Oh well time for bed, and time to get ready for...Tea time. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It really is just past 1:00 AM in "The City." Our current temperature is 33 degrees as we head for a high of 34. No snow falling, for once. Given the amount we have received already this winter, that's okay with me. Since we started early this season, we should surpass last year easily. Sugar the Weather Dog likes the snow, but it is now higher than her undercarriage, and so she really does have to bound when she is out.

Thursday was a slow day for me. Mary made her sauerkraut and Swiss cheese sandwiches for brunch, and I still like them. Our driveway finally got cleared about 4:30 PM. Mary had thoughts about going out earlier in the day, but since our man who does this service for us was unable to come earlier, we shortened our trip to just going downtown. While the stores on Washington weren't busy, the eateries, even those that are usually not crowded on a regular off-season Thursday evening, were. However, by the time we were heading home, the Post was closed and there was a light snow falling. Maybe tomorrow we can visit Sally.

Mary worked on her latest project and I got started on the next one. She keeps getting new ones. It is shaping up to be a busy winter for her, and by extension, me. Given the fact that we can't leave town while I am rehabbing that's alright with me. My highlighting takes a bit longer with one arm less than 100%. For those of you who are curious, Mary added to her blog yesterday. Good photos and commentary regarding our Christmas activities can be found at: http://marygoeswalking.blogspot.com/. I also finished reading my latest library book, and it was both informative and in a way, scary. It is called The Crash of 2016, by Thom Hartmann. It is a real eye opener, even if it is only half right.

Today, I have my next P/T appointment at 3:30 PM. To facilitate our egress on P/T days, Mary gave the snow shovel person our schedule for the next several weeks. If the snow keeps falling at the current rate, I don't know where he is going to pile it.

The other day, we made all of our appointments for mid-afternoons so that it would be easier on all of us. Mary has to work up until we have to go. One thing about indexing, deadlines have to be met if you want more work in the future. Personally, I am enjoying the work because the books are mostly about topics of my interest.

No trains yet, but they may be along. I usually hear them around midnight. So, either they are late or not coming. As it turns out, the train is just going by now at 2:00 AM. A few covered hopper cars and black tank cars. Sugar the Weather Dog is keeping her radar ears alert from her office on the couch. Whenever a delivery person, a snow shovel person, or a non-regular letter carrier comes on the porch, she let's us know right away. Our regular letter carrier has been coming for a little over two years, but I don't think I have ever seen her react to a train. I didn't see a reaction this time either.

That looks like about it for Thursday and today. Tea time will  be soon and the Sun will rise and set at 8:15 AM and 5:17 PM respectively. No additional snow for two days and sunny skies are expected. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 12:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 29 degrees. Light snow is falling. There is another winter weather advisory in effect from now until the later morning, with the greatest snowfall occurring between midnight and 8:00 AM. We may see between three and six inches of additional accumulation along the shore of the "Big Lake." Naturally, that's where we live. It's a good thing we don't have to go out until Friday afternoon for P/T.

I am currently watching an old John Wayne movie on the television in the dining room as I type this blog. Mary and Adam would say that there is nothing unusual about that. In fact last year, Mary got me a John Wayne statuette for Christmas. It doubles as an ornament on our tree, and a decoration in my office the rest of the year. I thought that it couldn't get any better than that, but this year, I found out that it could.

We waited until after breakfast to open our presents. Our day started great with French toast and maple syrup. That came after Sugar the Weather Dog had returned from her morning constitutional. Sugar began her day with a walk. Then she got to switch roles to that of the estate sous dog, and clean up the leftover egg batter that Mary had used for the French toast.

My Christmas present this year was the quilt that Mary has been working on for about a year. It is knitted with my favorite stitch, and I love it. Sugar got a special treat too, a reindeer shaped biscuit from the store downtown. She loved her present too. I was rather pedestrian in my gifts to Mary. A stainless steel bowl and a covered measuring cup for her kitchen. When you get older, it gets hard to buy things that don't repeat themselves. Since I finished the first set of highlighting late last night, I don't have any more to do until tomorrow.

Speaking of Mary and special presents, there is more to the story. As I mentioned, I was watching a John Wayne movie when a commercial came on for one of the many products that is advertised these days. Most of these commercials feature attractive young women whose job it is to attract you to the product. That's where Mary comes back into the story.

When I was young, I had the opportunity to meet Mary at the gas station where I was working. I've told this story before, but what I didn't mention, was that even then, she was one of those attractive young women. Not an actress, but a young lady with potential. Attractive sure, but with an intellect to back it up. Plus, she talked to me and accepted my invitation to dinner. That was over forty years ago, and nothing has changed. She is still beautiful to me and her intellect is sharper than ever.

But I digress. The second part of my present came later. About 4:30 PM, Mary came down from working and told me to come to the kitchen and help her with dinner. She was planning on making lentil based shepherd's pie, part of our Christmas tradition. My contribution was mostly moral support, but I like to think that that is an important job. I did help with the potatoes after Mary created a glass of eggnog for me, consisting of almond milk, an egg, and cinnamon, mixed with spiced rum. It was great. Once she got everything everything chopped, assembled and in the oven, she made a gravy of her own devising. It was the perfect complement for the shepherd's pie. Finally, dinner was served. Sugar the Sous Dog also assisted in the cleanup of the dinner prep. The pie was excellent and I got to have one of my favorite things as a side, jellied cranberry sauce.

Afterwards, I retired to my chair while Mary cleaned the kitchen. She doesn't want me handling her china with only one good hand. But once again, I digress. In addition to her intellectual abilities, Mary has morphed into a great chef. She adapts and changes recipes to suit my finicky tastes. What more could a man ask? In short, along with her tolerance of me, she can cook with the best of them.

I guess that it is time to close out this tale. Christmas was great again this year. As Mary said, traditions become traditions when they are instituted. So we have a traditional Christmas of shepherd's pie and sharing presents that don't cost a lot, but which are both useful and wanted. I hope I did okay.

Tea time will be sometime after sunrise at 8:15 AM. Then highlighting, more "homework" for me, and reading. I think it is time to get back to Cheerios and apples for breakfast. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 12:00 AM in "The City," and all is well. Our current temperature is 19 degrees under cloudy skies, with a National Weather Service "snow advisory" beginning at 2:00 AM and continuing until 5:00 PM. Much like Chicago, if you don't like the weather, wait a few hours. Sugar the Weather Dog is okay with snow, as long as it isn't cold.

I had my first visit with the physical therapist yesterday. I will be going twice per week for the next several weeks, with the therapist doing most of the work. I have exercises to do five to eight times daily as homework. They consist of letting my arm dangle and allowing it to move in both circular and straight line motions. I have to keep using my sling and not doing any lifting until the doctor okays it. I guess that the snow removal will have to wait.

Since it is now Christmas, I wrote a verse for the occasion.

The Day Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, the only thing stirring was me, not a mouse.


The dog was asleep on the couch without care. It didn't seem to matter that I was still there.


My wife was nestled all snug in her bed, Cause when Mary sleeps, she's just like the dead.


I'm wearing my sling and my shoulder still aches, I guess you could say that them are the breaks.


While out in the street there was nary a clatter, and if there had been, what would it matter?


I looked out the window and what did I see, more than enough snow, than anyone needs.


The streetlight reflected off that new fallen snow, which is okay by me, as I've nowhere to go.


When what to my wondering ears did I hear, the sound of my dog snoring that's all that was near.


There wasn't a sleigh, there was no St. Nick, just the sound of no traffic as the roads were too slick.


No traffic was coming, not a truck to be seen, just new fallen snow, it was all so serene.


On Chevys, on Hondas, on plow trucks so quick, on Kias, on Buicks, the roads aren’t so slick,

There should be some Lincolns, there there should be some Fords at least some VW's to add to the horde.


But since it is snowing, I guess that it's cool; and since it is Christmas, no kids off to school.


No sleigh on the rooftop, no toys in a bag, at twelve in the morning, life can be a drag.


Our chimney is too small, our door is locked tight, ain't nobody coming in this house tonight.


Sugar is brave and I am awake, no one gets in at our house near the lake.


Our tree is all darkened, the lights are not on, Mary had doused them before she was gone.


No jolly old elf with a pipe in his cheek, our roof is too new it won't ever leak.

The presents are present, just where they should be, just where we had put them, there under the tree.


Our cards are in place right there on the shelf,

They came in the mail; Thanks to USPS, not some jolly old elf.


All is in ready, our sleigh it awaits, for Mary to drive before we are late.


The P/T appointments are all that we need, out in the garage waits our trusty new steed.


When Mary gets ready, as soon she must, then I will join her, in Mary I trust..


I don't miss the shoveling, I don't miss the snow, I do miss the walking, as most people know.



So get yourselves ready and now listen here, Happy Holidays to you, and to those you hold dear!

So, that's my verse and that's the way it is on this Christmas Day in 2013. We await sunrise at 8:15 AM followed by...Tea time. Ciao.

Good evening GH, and all the ships at sea. It is just after 8:00 PM in "The City" and the current temperature is 25 degrees under snowy skies. We are heading down to a low of 13 and the forecast is for three to six inches of additional snow before morning. We get a respite from any more accumulation of snow until Wednesday, when one to three more inches may fall. Sugar the Weather Dog is enjoying the snow. You would think that she would tire of it, but not yet.

Speaking of Sugar, she once again served in her role as the household sous dog, as I baked another loaf of my now world famous banana nut bread. Plus, I also baked some chocolate chip cookies, since I had the oven going. As Mary noted, you get a three-for when you do that. You get the first baking, then you get an additional item baked at a higher temperature, and finally, you get to leave the door open to add heat to the house. What's not to like?

I should mention, that mixing things with a hand mixer and having limited use of one arm, made the process a tad longer. I cleaned up, which also took a bit longer, but I did it.

Mary made her now famous sauerkraut and Swiss cheese sandwiches for lunch, and then Chorizo sausage tacos for dinner. I washed those down with the end slice from my bread loaf. Sugar wanted some, but I was good to her by not offering any. I want her to keep her girlish figure. Then, I unloaded the dishwasher, which took additional time too. Surprise.

I have that physical therapy appointment in the AM which I had to cancel due to the weather last week. That requires that the driveway be cleared before then. Once again, the man who does that for us during my convalescence will be pressed into service. I hope to get back into the fray soon. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of my life. Thanks Bogey.

I expect to hear the return of the trains tonight. Update, the train came by at about 1:00 AM, with the usual twin locomotives and towing the usual array of covered hopper cars and black tank cars. They aren't fazed by the snowfall. One thing I learned early this AM. When you are experiencing insomnia, there is a seemingly never ending string of old television reruns to wile away your time.

I did try more highlighting for Mary today. I can last about one-half hour before the ache in my shoulder gets too painful. I have about the same endurance when typing. So until...Tea time comes in the morning and the sun rises at 8:14 AM, Ciao.

Good late night GH, It is just after 11:00 PM in "The City" and our current temperature is 29 degrees. We expect the temperature to fall to 21 degrees overnight, with light snowfall. Sugar the Weather Dog is asleep on the couch and I am sitting here watching an old movie starring Van Johnson and Judy Garland entitled In the Good Old Summertime. This is a variation on The Little Shop Around the Corner which was on earlier and is similar to You've Got Mail, which was on earlier today. What was it someone said about there being only seven plots?

I was watching the Bears throw away a game that the Lions tried to give them in their divisional rivalry. I should have followed my system and not wasted the afternoon and evening. Three hours on the Lions only to see them lose to the Giants in overtime. Then the Bears, who are currently losing 54 - 11 to the Eagles. The Bears scored a safety and then the Eagles got one back. If the Bears defense had shown up, things might have gone different. Lance Briggs was back for the first time in seven games, but it didn't make any difference. Jay Cutler looked like the old Jay Cutler, getting sacked behind a porous offensive line and non-blocking running backs.

We went to our favorite watering hole to watch the Lions until halftime, and then we came home so that I could watch the Bears. I should have stayed in bed, or just about anywhere else.

Mary made an excellent biscuits and gravy for brunch. Dinner was half of a bean burrito at our "place." I got hungry, so the leftover biscuits became a snack around 9:00 PM. Since Mary had the oven heated for the biscuits, she also baked some squash that we had in our pantry. She believes that once the oven is heated, you should use it for two purposes. Sugar and I thank her.

Monday is an off day. I have more highlighting to do, and that's about it. Our shared driveway is ice covered and in need of more salt or something. There wasn't any available on this side of the highway, so maybe on Tuesday when we go to physical therapy, we can get some at the local big ox hardware store.

Sunrise is at 8:14 AM and sunset at 5:14 PM. That's the same as Sunday. I heard that the pitchers and catchers report in 51 days. What a great day that will be. It is official, Bears lose 11 - 54. This is not a Superbowl bound team, even if they win the division by default.

No trains tonight. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:30 in "The City" and the snow is falling, albeit at a slow pace. We are under a winter weather advisory until 12:00 PM today. Our current temperature is 30 degrees as we head for our high of 32. I am unable to consult the sophisticated digital weather forecasting equipment in the "Weather Center" on the upper level of the palatial estate. So I will have to make do with personal observations. Here's one, Brrrr! The forecast from the National Weather Service is for one tenth inch of ice and sporadic snow this morning in GH. It looks as though the serious weather will pass to to the south and east of us. There are many good things about living near the "Big Lake."

A while ago, I was awakened by a loud noise from the living room. I burst from my bed to see what was the matter. Oops, I was channeling again. Anyway, I found Sugar the Weather Dog on the floor. I think she fell off the couch in her sleep, as I had earlier seen her sprawled out there. So, I did the only thing I could do. I petted her, gave her a biscuit, and went back to my bed. Trouble is, I couldn't get back to sleep, so here I am.

Saturday wasn't boring. Sugar got her walk with her dog walker, I didn't read, and I found myself doing some highlighting for Mary in my office. I did fine upstairs. I have more pages here on the dining room table, but the light is more conducive to dining than reading and highlighting. When I am using a yellow highlighter that is not really within my color spectrum, I can't always tell when words are highlighted. I had that problem when I was teaching, and the students knew it and worked with me. I may have to change colors. Though I am not totally color blind, I have problems with certain shades. That used to lead to some interesting clothing combinations too. Today I will try again, but I may have to go back to my office to use the natural light that is coming through the window. If you don't have my color limitations, you don't really know what it is like.

Mary made breakfast/brunch tacos yesterday morning. They were excellent. She is using up the tortillas before they go bad. Scrambled eggs and lettuce with salsa. They were great. For dinner, I wanted pasta noodles and some type of sauce. I would have been content making pasta aglio e olio, a combination of al dente pasta, olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Fortunately for me, Mary was more ambitious, and so she made pasta with a tomato sauce that also included garlic, onions, parsley and Parmesan cheese on top. I think hers was better. But, I would have survived if she were out of town.

In any case, that set me to thinking about the vows that Mary and I took over 40 years ago. You know the ones. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, etc. The last few years, I have contributed more than my share on the sickness side of things. We've already done the richer and poorer thing and the better or worse thing is part of any marriage. I am thankful that she puts up with me.

This early morning blogging is alright when I don't have any real pressing items on  my agenda. I can rest when I wish and work when I desire. I just have to space the activities. I fell asleep in my chair on Saturday afternoon with a book in my lap. No college football of interest to me, so that's okay.

Sunrise today is at 8:14 AM and sunset is at 5:14 PM. As you can see, the days are indeed getting longer. Can spring be far behind? I always consider the day that pitchers and catchers report to spring training as the first day of spring. Plus, we got our first seed catalog on Friday and that's a sure sign of spring.

No trains last night nor this morning, just as I expected. However, I suspect that they will be back later today or tomorrow. I hope all is well with Barb. She is also in recovery mode. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City" and we are experiencing an ice covered morning. Our current temperature is 33 degrees as we head for a high of 34. That's just warm enough for the precipitation to fall as rain and then stick as ice. The driveway on the palatial estate looks like a hockey rink. When Sugar the Weather Dog's walker came over Friday morning, she had to hold on for dear life as she came down the driveway. Our neighbor's mother was visiting, and she had to do the same. It was reported that even the usually unflappable Weather Dog had to slow down to make her way on her morning walk. When that happens, you know it is slippery.

I had an appointment at the physical therapist on Friday, as I mentioned, but I had to call and cancel. They were not surprised, because they had received many calls before mine. I guess that people going to a physical therapist are not likely to brave ice covered walkways in order to get there. The current forecast is for these conditions to ebb a bit this morning, and then resume again later in the afternoon, continuing through Sunday and on into Monday. I guess it could be worse. Northern Michigan is experiencing heavy snowfall. Actually, that is easier to walk in versus ice covered.

Today, Mary and I plan to stay in. I have no desire to go out, and Mary wouldn't let me if I wanted to. In this case, I would once again have to admit that she was right. Now if I can just accept the idea of being housebound.

I hear a train a comin', it's rollin round our bend.  Twin locomotives and the usual assortment of cars. 1:20 in the AM. I suppose that they are getting a head start for the upcoming holiday week when they will likely not be rolling. Once again, I like speculating on what the trains are doing.

We had Mary's now famous sauerkraut sandwiches for lunch on Friday. They followed my breakfast of Cheerios and cut apples. I like the apples that Mary picked up at the store. They are of the Granny Smith variety, crisp and tart. Whenever you buy them, you have to go for the bag of organic ones. The loose ones are wax covered and the size of a softball. They taste fine, but I have to share with Sugar as I can't eat a whole one. Sugar doesn't mind, she loves sweet things for breakfast, but it is wasteful. Dinner was a Mary recipe for veggie chorizo sausage tacos. They were great. I am easy when it comes to meals, but even salsa can't make something that isn't tasty, taste good. In this case, this is a keeper.

We are in the doldrums of winter, and it is only December 21st. What January will bring is anyone's guess. Oh well, when I decided to have my shoulder repaired, I didn't expect winter to start so early, or is it late in the year. Such are the vagaries of the weather. Mary has a theory that winter will end sooner this season. I hope she is right.

Sunrise will be at 8:13 AM and sunset at 5:13 PM on this shortest day of the year. From here on out, the days get longer. Tea time will be soon and after that breakfast. I can then be found in my chair reading while Mary works upstairs. No college football until later in the coming week. The Lions play Sunday afternoon, while the Bears play Sunday night. The Bears will probably win the division as the Lions are crumbling and the Packers are hopeless, or is that helpless, without their star quarterback. Ciao.

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Good early Friday morning GH. It is just past 6:00 AM in "The City." Our current temperature is 33 degrees as freezing rain falls. I am certain that when Sugar the Weather Dog goes out with her walker around 10:00 AM, Sugar will not be happy. She may love snow, but freezing rain, or any rain for that matter, is another story. She tolerates those only when necessary. As of now, our current weather forecast calls for these conditions to continue until 7:00 PM this evening. I just checked, and the majority of the public schools in our area are closed today due to the weather conditions. Sugar may not be prescient, but she knows her weather.

Mary went to the grocery store after breakfast yesterday. She did one of the things she hates, and redeemed the cans that had accumulated. I finally got my hair cut yesterday. I put it off so long, that the diminishing amount of hair that I have had grown way too long for my liking. I had to get it done, because my barber will be starting his three week vacation today. After that, I accompanied Mary to Holland so that she could get a new sauce pan and a new paring knife at her favorite cook's store. We finished up with dinner out.

I just watched the train going by heading north. A lone locomotive, followed by a string of covered hopper cars, a string of box cars, as a string of black tank cars brought up the rear. Like always, contents unknown. Earlier this morning, around 12:30 AM, the train went by heading south. A 6:00 AM train is late for us, but I think the weather may have delayed the assembly at the switching yard. I like being able to speculate on all things railroad without anything upon which to base my speculations.

My extended time looking out the window allowed me to see that as predicted, no snow had fallen, but everything has a coating of ice. That explains the closing of the schools. I was watching the weather advisory overnight, and one of the schools in Kent County was closed to students, but staff and teachers were asked to report. Not safe for busloads of children, but adults are expected to drive. The MI DOT says be careful. Surprise! Go figure.

Mary is supposed to chauffeur me to physical therapy this afternoon. If the streets are bad, I will call and reschedule. I won't let her drive and I won't want to ride. Much depends on the city's salt trucks, as the temperature is warm enough for the salt to work.

Otherwise, speaking of Mary, she is staying in bed all morning just to pass the time.... Oops, I was channeling Carole King there. Mary has been so busy working lately and worrying about me, that she feels entitled. I can't say that I disagree. Meanwhile, I am working on this blog and then I am returning to bed to sleep more. I did the same thing yesterday, and Mary had to get me up at about 11:30 AM. I was warm and comfortable and I didn't want to get up. Sugar is ambivalent.

That looks like about it for yesterday and today. Sunrise is at 8:13 AM and sunset at 5:13 PM. Tea time is whenever we get around to it. It is time for more Cheerios and sliced apples. Mary will likely have toast with blueberry butter. She picked up a fresh supply downtown last Monday. She really likes it. I do too, but so many Cheerios and apples, so little time. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 7:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 36 degrees under partly cloudy skies. According to my recent consultation with Yahoo Weather, we are heading for a high of 38 with a winter weather advisory to become effective at 7:00 PM this evening. That means freezing rain and sleet are possible until 7:00 AM tomorrow morning. If that's the case, Sugar the Weather Dog will not be happy during her morning walk tomorrow. Surprise, the MI DOT advises people to be careful when driving. Sound advice I think.

We never got to the barber yesterday. No place to park, a line in the shop, etc. Mary and I think that the lack of parking was due to the time of day. It was lunch hour and many people like to park close to the neighboring restaurants. We will revisit either sooner or later today and avoid the lunch parking crowd.

That being said, we instead visited the downtown before my doctor's appointment. I stayed in the car while we visited the bank. Of course, the bank visit was at the drive through. Then, Mary visited the bakery and the place that will be printing out her latest indexing assignment. They said that they will call her when it is ready. What should be a short effort may be being thwarted by the seasonal needs of others. We also visited the Post Office for some stamps to mail our holiday cards, which we will mail today.

Finally to the doctor, where the nurse removed my sutures and then sent us off to x-ray for some post-surgery shots of my shoulder. As the x-ray tech explained, each doctor in the orthopedic office has his own preferred way to have pictures taken. Once finished, back to the doctor where he explained what had been necessary to fix my shoulder. As he went through the pictures, I could see that my rotator cuff and shoulder joint was a mess before surgery. He noted that my shoulder had once been separated. I think that happened during a bicycle crash I had about 20 years ago. Everything looks better now, so the next few months are physical therapy and some additional uncomfortable nights trying to sleep.

Speaking of physical therapy, my first get acquainted appointment is set for tomorrow. Having been to P/T before, this will likely be an explanation of the treatment plan, my responsibilities during and after my visits, and the expected number of visits required. Since Mary is my chauffeur, I think she will have completed several projects during my visits. She made quite bit of progress yesterday on a sock she is knitting. She may also do some of her indexing while she waits.

As I said before, she has been a trouper during my convalescence. Because I used trooper the last time I noted her efforts, I used trouper this time. Each word derives from the same French source, but trooper means brave or stalwart, while trouper means someone who is reliable and uncomplaining. I think I am safe in using the words interchangeably.

Otherwise, I heard only one train pass by last night just before 12:00 AM. I stayed in bed most of the night, but the ache in my shoulder forced me to sit up in my chair for a while. Hopefully, as time passes, I'll get more bed time than chair time. Sugar spent some of her time near me last night, but then returned back to her preferred spot on the couch. It is a good thing that Mary got that cover for the couch to prevent problems.

Oh well, Tea time will be soon, and then I can get ready to face the day. Sunrise is at 8:12 AM today and sunset at 5:12 PM. Saturday, the 20th, is the shortest day of the year with regard to sunlight. After that, we are in the home stretch and heading for more daylight and the spring season, not to mention my full recovery. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 9:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 27 degrees under cloudy skies. Snow is sporadically falling. We expect a high of 29. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping on the couch as I write. 

Speaking of sleeping, I actually made it all night in the bed. I was up watching TV part of the time, but I didn't sleep in my chair. I call that progress. Today is my first visit to the orthopedist since my shoulder surgery. It is time to have the external sutures removed. I also get to schedule some physical therapy appointments while I am in the building. A different venue, but the same location. Again, progress.

Mary and I plan to finish and mail our holiday cards today. I like the feeling of community that comes from that. We'll do that before we leave for the doctor and the barber, who plans to go on vacation until next year. His vacation starts with the close of business tomorrow. I like his style. He only opens three days per week for eleven hours each day normally.

We may or may not get to our favorite watering hole while we are out. That depends on how tired I am by the time the other activities are done. When you haven't been overly active for nearly two weeks, you tend to overestimate your physical resources.  

The train went by about 4:00 AM today. Only one, and not on a regular schedule. 

Adam sent an email the other day announcing the arrival of his new car. He is going larger and higher as a concession to his aching back, which he says he inherited from me. Hey, I inherited it from my mother and where she got it, I don't know. If I could give it back, I would. Mary and I often discuss how children get all of the things that they are from their parents. Unfortunately, that often includes the weak things too. Eyes, hearing, ears, bad backs go with voice, height, hair color, etc. Oh well, at least he got a lot of good things too. 

Tea time is soon. Mary is off to the shower room and I am sitting here watching television. I watch the news, but too often it just makes me want to watch old movies. Who doesn't like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?

Sugar's dog walker will be here soon. Sugar has grown accustomed to her daily long walks at a faster pace. She will have them for a few more weeks or months, I think. A lot depends on the intensity of the winter weather. 

Looks like that's about it for yesterday and today. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 10:00 Am in "The City" and the current temperature is 31 degrees with light snow falling. There is a special weather alert in effect at 1:00 PM today. That means that we will have periodic heavy snowfall this morning and then additional snow by this afternoon and later tonight. Sugar the Weather Dog still likes the snow, but I am glad that I don't have to go out in it.

Speaking of going out, Mary took me downtown and to the library yesterday. I got a stack of new books after getting a newspaper and a crossword book at the local independent bookstore. Then we went downtown to let me walk on our snow free sidewalks. It was a new experience, much like getting your sea legs back, or getting off of a long airplane flight. In any event, I was exhausted by the time I was done.

My breakfast was Cheerios, my lunch a black bean burger that Mary crafted with just a bit of assistance from me. I suggested she use the blender to pulverize the beans and that proved to be a good suggestion. A bit of spice would help too. As I get older, I want things to be more spicy. I think that's normal.

Sugar just left with her dog walker. She has totally accepted this new incarnation in her life, but I don't know that I have. I miss the exercise and just getting out each day. Soon. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of our lives. My apologies to Bogey.

Mary got the extended time she was seeking for an  index she wanted to take, but which she couldn't fit into her schedule. She liked the premise of the book and so now she can do it. We also have to finish the index she is current;y working on. I can assist by sitting and editing over her shoulder. Not the ideal way, but a necessary adaptation to my current temporary disability status.

Today, some reading, some TV viewing, and some index editing as previously mentioned. I am rewriting this blog because I somehow lost my previous effort.

In sports, the Lions managed to give away a game to the Ravens, 18 - 16. It was more a Lions giveaway than a Ravens victory. The Bears technically lead the NFC North by one game. The Lions have an edge over the Bears, but that may not matter if they can't right the ship. I think the barber and I may have been right when we predicted that a 9/7 record would win this weak division.

While I was sitting in my chair early this AM, a train came through about 1:00 AM. It did a first for me, when it stopped and blocked the street. Must have been a problem south of here. Getting a train started from a dead stop twice is not efficient. About 5:40 this morning, another train was heading north. That's late. Both trains had twin locomotives and many box, tanker, and covered hopper cars. Some of the tank cars were black and some white. I understand that the type of cargo determines the color and strength of the cars. They were also separated by other cars. Safety concerns I guess.

Sunrise was at 8:11 this morning. Tea time just passed. Cheerios again for breakfast. Three more boxes to go. Ciao.

Good  morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 19 degrees with light snow. Later today, we are expecting an additional one inch of the white stuff. Sugar the Weather Dog will be out with her walker when that is happening. I know that she will love it. Sunrise will be at 8:10 AM. Our high today will be only 23 degrees. On Tuesday, we may see an additional one to three inches of snow. Only time will tell. However, it the Weather Channel app is to be believed, the high temperature will be 31 with that same amount of snow expected. Wednesday is expected to warm up to 32 and Thursday up to 36 degrees, albeit with freezing drizzle. I love using albeit in a sentence.

I am currently using the keyboard, because in spite of my limited typing skills, I didn't like the way the speech recognition software interfaced with this blog. I will just take my time.

Mary and I are working our way through a book about the possible economic crash of 2016. The author makes some good points, but like all writers, he too has a bias. Since I plan to be around in 2016, I will get a chance to find out whether his prediction comes true. Too often, the people in the business of predicting the future disappear before they have to take credit for their work, whether right or wrong. Mostly they come around to take credit for being right, but are hard to find if they are wrong. Oh well, that's human nature.

Today I don't have any plans. Some additional reading, some television. The Lions are on Monday Night Football. By the by, the Bears managed to outlast the Browns, 38 - 31.

Mary has an index to finish, and I promised to help with the final edit in the afternoon. Of course, there is the requisite breakfast of Cheerios and cut up apples. Lunch will probably be whatever strikes Mary's fancy in the kitchen. Dinner, maybe pasta noodles with an olive oil/tomato sauce. That would be my preference, but that may depend on our finishing that index.

Mary already has the cups set for...Tea time, and that is something that I always look forward to. I was in bed for awhile tonight/this morning, but my shoulder still aches too much to stay for long. So, Sugar and I are back in our regular places this early morning, the couch and chair in the living room. I don't anticipate any trains this morning, but one never knows. Normally, I would have heard one by now if it was coming. Tha, tha tha, that's all folks. Ciao.

Good morning GH. Is just past 12:30 PM in "The City." It is currently 23° with light snow falling. We expect the same thing tomorrow. Sugar the Weather Dog, and her walker, went for a brisk walk this morning. Sugar, of course, had a great time in the snow. Sugar's walker said that it was not windy when she was walking over, but when she and Sugar were coming back, it had gotten windier. The rest of the day should be about the same.


I'm using my speech recognition software right now. It is mostly working well, but sometimes my diction gets in the way. The more I can teach it, the better it will work.


I spent last night in the chair, again. I was able to lay in the bed earlier yesterday, but I just felt more comfortable in the chair last night. Maybe tonight I can extend the bed stay. If not, there's always the chair again.


Mary made breakfast this morning using veggie chorizo, and farm fresh eggs. She also made tortillas as a side dish. I liked it!


We watched UP with Krystal Ball substituting for Steve Kornacki this morning. What they were discussing mirrors the book, Mary and I are reading together. After that, we followed with MHP with Melissa Harris-Perry. The discussion on that show was also very enlightening. Now I'm waiting for football to start. Not college, but on Sundays, Pro football will have to do.


It's always amazing to me to see grown men on the pregame shows get so excited over what is a highly paid group of young men playing a kid's game. That may be capitalism at its very best.


In overall news about my health, I'm feeling better every day. As the doctor said, it will just take time. My next appointment is on Wednesday, when the doctor will be removing the external stitches. I plan asking at that time if there's any damage I can do just by normal activity. I know I can't do any lifting with my right arm, and that I have a lot of physical therapy to do, but I'm more worried about sleeping and causing a problem with that.



That looks like about enough for yesterday and today. My morning… Tea time was excellent. Sugar the Weather Dog is currently sleeping on the couch. She seems to do that better than almost anything. But she did have a busy morning. She ate her breakfast, walked, and then had a biscuit when she got home. That's enough to wear any dog out. Ciao.

Good afternoon, GH is just past 2:00 PM here in "The City." It is 23° with a light snow falling. By the time the snow advisory is lifted later tonight, we anticipate an additional three inches. We are under a winter weather advisory until then. Sugar the Weather Dog has already had her daily walk, and so she is asleep at my feet.


Mary had planned to go to the mall tomorrow, so that I could do some walking indoors, but if the snow prediction for tomorrow is right, that won't happen either. I would've had the chance to be a mall zombie.


Today, not much is happening. I got a holiday card from a former colleague and current friend, who used to teach Spanish at the middle school where I taught. I wished her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Spanish. I hope I got it right because she wasn't here to correct me. That's something she used to do.


Mary has gone back to work on her index. She made her now famous sauerkraut sandwiches for lunch, and later she crafted a casserole that was loosely based on to the casserole. I liked it. In this case, it has nothing to do with meals being a high point of my day.


This morning I got my hair washed and I feel much better. Sleeping in a chair for many nights, you begin to look for any distraction. Now I'm here at my computer, re-creating this blog. I decided I didn't like the way the old one turned out, so I'm trying again.


Earlier this morning, I heard the train go by. In this case, I could see through the leafless trees, which allowed me to see two locomotives, towing many boxcars, and covered hopper cars. You have to take your excitement where you can get it.
That looks like about it for today and yesterday. I had two cups of tea for… Tea time this morning. Today and tomorrow look like it will be all about snow. That's not a bad thing when you don't go out. However, I wouldn't mind getting to the mall for that walk.



I'd like to mention that we also got a holiday card from one of our old neighbors. She noted that she would be moving soon. She also gave a sad news, her mother passed away, not too long ago. Our old neighbor is a good soul, and I hope things work out for her. Ciao.

Good afternoon GH. It is just past 2:30 PM in "The City," and the current temperature is 31 degrees under cloudy skies. We have a 30% chance of snow this afternoon. Tomorrow, the high temperature will be 24 degrees with an 80% chance of one to three additional inches of snow. 

Sugar the Weather Dog had her daily walk, and Mary asked the walker to drop off some books at the library while they were out. The walker also put us in contact with someone who cleared the driveway and who also does home maintenance, which he is doing now. We are following Adam's advice to throw everything at my disability status. In addition, since I am incapacitated, Mary had someone come in to clean the house. It has been a good morning for me, not so much for Sugar the Guard Dog.  These are all things that I would do myself if I could.

Not much afternoon left, so I don't have any plans other than a couple of crossword puzzles and a bit of TV watching. We just had lunch, Mary's special sauerkraut sandwiches, and so I am sated and ready for a nap. 

Last night the usual trains went by on their regular schedule. Twin locomotives going south with a string of covered hopper cars and a few box cars. Later, twin locomotives going north with no cars. I like it when nothing changes. I can tell you this, that the television watching in the early morning hours is pretty boring. 

So that looks like enough for today and yesterday. I am typing this one handed, since I can't use my speech recognition software right now. It just takes longer this way. Ciao.

Good morning GH.  It is just after 11 AM in "The City."  Our current temperature is 21° as we head for a high of 22.  A light snow continues to fall.  Sugar the Weather Dog has been out with her Walker this morning and all is well.

Now with today's news, here's Jack.  We're hoping that someone will come by today to clear the driveway. Otherwise, Mary cannot get out with the car.  We really only need the lower part of the driveway done, for our purposes, but that's a lot.

I tried sleeping in the bed last night, but that didn't work.  The doctor said it probably wouldn't, but I hoped. That meant another night in the chair.  Sugar still doesn't know what to do with herself. I feel sorry for her. She still likes the snow, but I still don't.  Mary noted that she's getting dingy, but that's because when she walks she is so low-slung.  That means her undercarriage gets dirty and never changes.

Last night while sitting in my chair, I finished another book.  This was another John Grisham book.  Mary would've liked it, it was about activism and a and a young man's quest to stop big government.  Now I'm out of books.  I guess I may have to work on my writing.

Today, like yesterday, not much is new.  Mary will probably come down around noon to watch the national news, and then she may go to the store.  All of that assumes that our driveway gets cleared. Right now she is upstairs finishing another index.  Actually, it's a re-indexing from a previous project.  The author made some changes.

Last night the trains came by as usual.  Two locomotives and many covered hoppers.  The snow doesn't seem to bother them very much. I also discovered how much you can do with one arm.  I learned how to put something in the wash machine and get it started.  That's because Sugar had an accident.  Like I said before, she is as confused as all of us.

I hope that Barb is feeling okay after her surgery.  She has had more difficulties than I have recently.  I wish her well.  Ciao.

Good morning GH.  It is just after 11:30 AM.  The current temperature is 19° under snowy skies.  Sugar the Weather Dog has had her morning walk and she loved it.  I'm just happy to be indoors.  We have a winter weather advisory until 5 PM today.

Mary made scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast.  She put jelly on my toast.  It was good. I put hot sauce on my eggs, bu then I always do.  I would have chosen peanut, but then I always do that too.  Good thing I'm not allergic to peanuts.

We got our first holiday card from Kerry and Ed and the kids.  Now I have to get ours in the mail.  I think Mary wants to include a personal message in some.

We had two trains last night.  One at about 12:30 AM with a string of cars.  Another at about 2:30 AM, with just two locomotives.  That's the train report for today.

I finished a book called Calico Joe last night.  It's a new book by John Grisham.  The story is about a mythical 1973, Chicago Cubs season.  A young ballplayer is called up from the minors and has a remarkable two weeks.  Then a bean ball thrown by a Mets pitcher ends his career.  Grisham interspersed actual facts with fiction.  It made for a good story and a good read.

That looks like about enough for today.  Ciao

Good morning G H.  It is just after 11:30 AM in "The City."  According to the Weather Channel app, it is currently 23° with a 70% chance of snow today.  Tomorrow looks about the same.  Right now we have white out conditions.  Sugar the Weather Dog is looking out the front door window.  I believe she is glad to be in now.  I would be. She is now back from her walk with her dog walker.  Although I don't like being inside, being outside would be worse at this time.

Mary has to go to the library today to pick up three books for me.  Somehow I don't think she'll like being outside any more than I would.  In fact, she drove north yesterday at about dusk, and learned to appreciate my being with her.  She said with the way the wind was blowing, she had to hold on with both hands.  She did get what she wanted and brought back a nice dinner too.

Last night I watched the Bears trounce the Cowboys in a rather lopsided game.  However, the Bears forgot to bring their defense.  The Bears quarterback looked like a world-beater last night.  Since I had nowhere to go, watching football was an option for me.  No time was wasted. I can remember when the Detroit Lions  

Earlier this morning I was watching the funeral for Nelson Mandela.  The President of the United States spoke of having a role model, Nelson Mandela.  That set me to thinking.  Do I have a role model?  I think I know the answer, it's Mary.  She taught me a lot about life as we grew up together.  If it wasn't for her, I probably would be living in a trailer.  Or, I certainly wouldn't have gone to college and done what I've done.  I tend to think that women can be the civilizing force for most men.

One thing I have learned about being inside.  It's just like being in the hospital.  The high point of your day is your next meal.  Right now I am thinking about the chicken noodle soup our neighbor made. She also brought some baked goods and the cookies are already gone.

I did hear a train go by last night.  I also felt it.  That tells you something about how boring it can be here about 2 AM.

That looks like about it for yesterday and today.  I've already had… Tea time along with my Cheerios.  I'm now contemplating another cup of tea. Ciao.

Good morning GH.  It is just past 11 AM in "The City" and the temperature is 29° under cloudy skies.  The forecast for today is light snow and continued cold.  Sugar, the Weather Dog had her morning walk and she loves it in the snow.  Afterwards, Mary asked if there would be anyone that Sugar's dog walker knew who does snow blowing.  She said she might know someone and would get back to us.

Mary checked my incisions today and they all look good.  Now it’s just a matter of waiting for my body to heal.  That will be at least six to eight weeks.  Oh well, that's the way life is some days.  That means that once Mary has gone to the library today, I'll have some new books to read and more TV to watch.  Oh joy!

We had quite a bit of snow last night, and so the television stations were warning us to not be on the roads.  Sounds like good advice to me.  Since I can't walk and I can't drive I have no need to go out.

If you're interested, Mary probably won't make the library today.  Her computer is giving her fits.  She thinks it's because she doesn't turn it off enough times, or often enough.  So now she is rebooting it.  And they said the computers and make life easier.  What did they say “To err is human; to really screw up takes a computer.”

I hope everything is going well for Ellen and Barb.  I wish them well as a fellow convalescent. No trains today or last night. I guess that means that I was right.  They will not be back until later tonight or early Tuesday morning. 

So now it's back to my chair to do some crossword puzzles and watch television. These are the times when I wish I could play guitar.  That will have to wait until my arm is better.  Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 12:00 PM in "The City" and the current temperature is 21 degrees under cloudy skies. Sugar the Weather Dog assures me that the snowfall will be less than one inch today. Once again, we are in that West Michigan "Sweet Spot" that means many storms miss us here on the palatial estate. Looks like we will have snow showers until Thursday when we will have sunny skies and a high of 24. Oddly, under those same cloudy skies, we expect a high tomorrow of 31. Go figure.

Last night I tried sleeping in a real bed, but it wasn't a go. I just wasn't comfortable. I ended up back in my chair while Mary got the bed all to herself and Sugar slept on the couch. However, once in my chair, I turned on a Beatles station on the internet radio and promptly fell asleep. Sugar slept well too. Mary says she checked on me and I was sleeping blissfully, so she didn't disturb me. Those pain pills I was taking seemed to wire me, so I haven't slept that well since last Wednesday.

Otherwise, not much is new. I watched the Ohio State Buckeyes fall to the MSU Spartans 24 - 34, thus spoiling the Buckeyes chances at both the national championship game and the Rose Bowl, where the Spartans will face off against the Stanford Cardinal on New Year's Day. This will be the Spartan's first time in that game in 25 years. Go Spartans!

Today is more reading and more TV. I guess that my usual plan of not wasting a Sunday afternoon watching pro football can wait as I don't have anything pressing. Sugar would love to walk more, but that's why we have a dog walker for a few months during my convalescence until the threat of snow and ice is over. Trouble is that Sugar only gets one walk per day now, so both she and I aren't getting enough exercise.

No trains last night, so that probably helped me sleep. I can't remember if trains begin again tonight or tomorrow. I'll know in about 12 hours.

So time to relax more and get ready for pro football. Lions and Bears oh my, though not in the same game. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 12:00 PM in "The City" and the current temperature is a brisk 21 degrees with a light snow falling until 2:00 PM. Tomorrow a little warmer and a smaller chance of snow. Sugar the Weather Dog went for her morning walk and she prefers to be inside. What she will do when it actually gets cold we will have to wait and see.

As you can see, I am back at the blog on an abbreviated basis. I am on the mend, but is will be a long process. However, like the the Little Engine that Could, I have the determination to make it up the hill. Otherwise, my days and nights have been taken up with insomnia caused by the prescribed pain pills and sitting in the chair. Sugar wants to join me, but she will have to wait. She doesn't understand, but that is as it must be. Soon I hope. At best, probably the 18th when I see the doctor again.

Mary has been a trooper, but she admits there is a reason  that she gave up the aide business many years ago. I am typing this in a one/two handed style that is a bit slow. I meant to try my voice recognition software, but Mary only has so many hands. Maybe tomorrow. I would still have to cut and paste from a word processing program, but I think it is possible.

Tonight is the Jingle Bell parade, but I won't make it this year. Even if I wasn't incapacitated, it is still cold. In sports, NIU went down in flames last night in the MAC Bowl, losing to Bowling Green 27 - 47 to end their season at 12 - 1. Maybe another bowl bid will come their way, but it won't be a biggie. Tonight, MSU faces off against Ohio State at 8:00 PM for all the marbles.

Speaking of little trains, last night I was awake to see something I have never seen before. A train with twin locomotives and a little switch engine in the mix. I guess that the little engine was being moved from one yard to another, because it didn't make the return trip. That's all for now. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 5:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 38 degrees as we head for a showery high of 51. Sunrise will be at 8:00 AM today. Tomorrow the weather goes south so to speak, so I won't mind staying inside for a while. Mary says that she wants to go out for some Asian food as my allergy to sesame won't let me have any. I think she should.

At about 8:00 AM, I will be in surgery for my shoulder. I should be out no later than 9:30 AM, but that all depends on what the doctor discovers while he is in there. I am hoping for the best. I have one more antibacterial shower to take this AM, and then I should be as ready as I can be to face the unknown. I haven't had any food since about 5:00 PM last night, so that won't present a problem. Mary has her work to take with her while she waits. I hope that I haven't been too weird the last few days. I don't really have any idea what the actual aftermath will be like, so I will be like everyone else. I am pretty certain that I will be a bit groggy and disoriented later today. I wonder if I can milk my convalescence for any special favors?

Tuesday, I set up the Christmas tree and wrapped Mary's presents in my usual style. Let's just say that if I had to make a living as a package wrapper, I'd starve. But it is the thought that counts. I also got to read some of my new book and the character is familiar. I like when that happens. I have to have that book back in four days, so I'll have to try reading more tomorrow.

We stopped in at the grocery store to get those things that Mary needed. I got the pleasure of returning the empty cans. Gosh, I don't know how I got so lucky. I do know that if I didn't have that "chance," Mary wouldn't get to it anytime soon. I think she detests that activity almost as much as she does pumping gasoline into the car.

As I mentioned yesterday, Sugar has been very empathetic, sleeping next to the bed and getting in some lap time. A man couldn't ask for a better companion, except for Mary. I know that the last time Sugar let me out of her sight, I was gone for a few weeks, so she is being cautious.

Well, I may be away from the blogosphere for a while. I will have to try using my speech recognition software for blogging. Necessity is the mother of invention they say. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 34 degrees as we head for a high of 42 and a 70% chance of rain. Tomorrow, we expect the temperature to be a warmer 48, but with only a 50% chance of showers. I looked out the Weather Window and I didn't see anything that indicates one way or the other.

At about 12:30 AM, I heard a train pass by. While in and of itself that isn't remarkable, I was thinking that the movement of trains throughout our nation is a regular occurrence. However, when one falls off the rails, as happened over the weekend in New York state, then that is news. Is it the fault of a single person? Maybe. Is  the fault of the government? I don't know. However, we do rely on the government to protect us from things that can be prevented. When a train falls off the rails, we want to know what happened and how we can prevent a future occurrence. If the government fails to act and a problem occurs with automobiles, airplanes, trains, or some other form of transportation, then we want to know why we don't have a law to protect us. That's why we enter society and form a government, to provide for the common defense.

Enough of my soapbox oratory. Too many other things to occupy our attention during this holiday season. Mary and I went off to Hudsonville to visit a larger health food store yesterday that had some of the things that we like. While not close, it was a necessary trip since I am nearing my surgery. We won't have the time to get there in the near future. We also visited a big box retailer to get some new pillows and a few other things. I don't like the sheer size of those stores, but sometimes you have to go there. A stop at another store followed and then we were ready for a late lunch. Finally home, where Mary tried her hand at some baked beans. While they were edible, they weren't her best effort. Sorry Mary.

I tried once again to get my new monitor to work consistently, but it won't, so back it goes. The best laid plans of mice and men as they say. Mary has to make another grocery stop today and while she is out, I'll be wrapping her holiday presents. I wont say what they are, but they are kitchen related, which she already knows. I have so much to do today that I don't know how I will get it all done. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but since I will be incapacitated for a few weeks, I have to get them done. At least I got the relocated hook installed that Mary wanted. I also got the chessmen packed for the holiday season as they occupy the table where our tree is sited.

Anything else will have to take a back seat. I finally got the monitor back in the box. Like most things, it came out easily enough, but repacking it without a manual is a challenge. I have great respect for the engineers who design packaging and the associated materials.

That looks like about enough for now. Sunrise will happen at 7:59 AM and sunset at 5:11 PM. December 21 is the winter solstice and shrtest amount of daylight. It looks like more sleep time is on order right before...Tea time. Ciao.

Good late night GH. It is just past 10:30 PM in "The City" and the current temperature is 38 degrees as we head down to our expected high of 37. According to the sophisticated instruments here in the Weather Center, the chance of showers increases to 40% and 50% respectively on Tuesday and Wednesday. That's just in time for my surgery on Wednesday.

Sugar the Weather Dog has been weird tonight. Like most dogs, she is very empathetic, so I think she suspects that something is up. In the long run, the surgery will make me better, so she will just have to work with me.

Today, I made the mistake of watching the end of the Bears game. As often is the case, they managed to snatch defeat from the the jaws of victory, as they lost to the Vikings. The score is not important, just the end result. You could feel it coming when they let the Vikings come back from ten points down in the closing minutes of the game. You had to know that when the announcers were discussing the division tie breaker scenario with the Lions, that disaster was on the horizon. Oh well, there is always next year. : - )

For dinner, we ate the leftovers from Thanksgiving that Stephany sent home with us. Mary made her usual fine gravy from vegetable broth and it complemented Steph's "Stuffin Muffins," greens, smoked turkey, and of course my personal side dish favorite, jellied cranberry sauce. It truly doesn't get better than that. However, in the process, Mary scratched her favorite saute pan, so a replacement is in order. I have sent her a few suggestions. However, she may want to buy one that she can check out in person.

Today, Mary plans to go to the grocery store for some additional needs for her pantry. After that, she wants to go to the big box store for some additional distilled water for our humidifier. There are a few other things that she needs to get, so her travels may be dictated more by her needs than her desires. We did get some things at the local health food store that she wanted, so those things are no longer necessary purchases. She used her time efficiently this afternoon, making more vegetable broth and doing some batch cooking of beans and rice. When she does that, it is because it makes life easier in the future. I just enjoy the results.

Not much else on tap for the day. Mary has some work to do. I have some reading to do and that's about it for me. We picked up some new books at the library today while we were out to go to the health food store. I just had to get a book by a new author who is writing in place of the recently deceased Robert Parker. I hope he doesn't disappoint. I also got a book that I had asked for several months ago. We'll see how that turns out right after I finish my current book. I know that I'll have plenty of reading time for a few weeks.

I also got my new monitor to work. The problem is that my laptop has a connection for an external monitor, but there is no facility for a solid attachment using the usual screws. So, you have to position the cord just right. I hope that they saved a lot of money by using this connector. Mary suggested that I use duct tape to keep it in place. I like her thinking.  That's all for now. Ciao.