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.