Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is being reported as 28° and cloudy. That coincides with the prediction for a coating of ice that caused a weather warning. However, the low for Thursday is showing 20°. So in order to get down to our predicted high for today of 22°, we'll have to fall by many degrees. Afternoon snow showers are also being forecast for today. Oh well, it wouldn't be winter in Michigan if the weather was predictable.

While surfing the internet, like I often do in the early morning hours, I came across an ABC News story about a man who found some long lost love letters in an attic he was preparing for new insulation. Naturally, the fact that the story occurred in Michigan, and the fact that it involved historical letters, like the type of thing that Mary likes, piqued my interest. But as I read on, I discovered some additional facts about how the letters got into the attic of a house, a house that the granddaughter of the letter's writer didn't associate with her family. The house had originally been part of a World War II housing project, not unlike one that my own parents had lived in in Chicago following the war about 60 years ago; the same type of project that had been built for returning veterans.

A little digging by the current owner, indicated that the house had indeed belonged to the woman's grandparents and had originally been located in Muskegon, Michigan. Sometime in the past, many of the homes had been separated from the larger project and this one was moved to Casnovia, MI, from Muskegon. Muskegon is about five miles from here, while the other community is about 35 miles from our current home. I'll include a link to the story if you are interested in more facts.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/stranger-discovers-long-lost-love-letters-attic-story-203227690--abc-news-lifestyle.html?vp=1.

In other news, the early morning train went by about 2:30 AM heading north. I didn't hear the southbound run that must have happened about 12:00 midnight. This train was pulled by twin EMD GP38 engines of different livery, towing covered hopper cars and both white and black tank cars.

My doctor's visit went fine on Thursday. I have a visit to P/T this afternoon. I got my therapy system installed yesterday. It works fine, but the initial pain was a bit intense. I guess I am not as far along in my rehab as I wanted to believe. Of course, it could be that the guitar playing I did earlier in the day contributed to the pain. I'll lay off of that today. I hate to, but sometimes a man's got to do what a man's go to do.

Otherwise, not much on tap for today. That previously mentioned laundry I skipped yesterday, reading, no guitar, and that P/T visit in the afternoon. Sunrise will occur at 8:01 AM, quite a bit before...Tea time and what promises to be a late breakfast or early lunch.

I took some additional pictures of our increasingly snowbound state which appear below. Ciao.

A view out the front door

A view out the back door

I think Adam would have made a sled run out of this snow pile in days of yore 

Ragus' model

The entrance to the shared driveway, post efforts by our neighbor's father

Ragus on the front porch

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:30 AM in "The City." Our current temperature is 20° under purportedly clear skies. That is, unless you follow the other side of the forecast, that shows heavy snow will be falling. I decided to that a look out the Weather Window for verification, and I saw not a flake. However, in the interest of fairness, the forecast calls for snow to be falling around midday until 10:00 PM tonight. We shall see. They have wind gusts and wind chill predicted too.

Wednesday found us lounging in bed listening to the internet radio until nearly noon. Then Mary made French toast for brunch or late lunch. It was the end of a loaf of bread, which is usually the way you finish off a drying loaf. Since we needed to be out the door at about 2:00 PM to accomplish our errands, Mary went upstairs to do some work. She returned promptly at 2:00 PM and we were off.

First stop, the barber. He was not busy, so that only took about 25 minutes. That and my receding hairline probably sped up the process. Mary went to the library as planned and then came back to pick me up. Since we had about one-half hour to kill, we went downtown to walk about on the heated sidewalks. What we hadn't reckoned on was the biting wind. So, our downtown stop ended with a quick visit to the bread store for a fresh loaf. Then, P/T and an explanation of how my new pulley system should work. I also had more range of motion exercises and it was time to go.

A stop at our favorite watering hole for libations and dinner and home we came. I should mention that the people at the watering hole were discussing one of my favorite things, the Weather Rock. Like any Weather Rock I have ever seen or made, the explanation was the same. If it is silently sitting there, the winds are calm. If it is wet on top, it is raining. Snow covered. well you got that one. Swaying slightly, windy. Shaking violently, earthquake. Cold or hot to the touch, well you know the story. Unfortunately our personal Weather Rock is buried under at least six feet of snow, so I can only assume what it is showing. I have included a link to assist in understanding. http://theweatherrock.com/

Today a trip to the doctor at 9:30 AM, and then home to avoid the afternoon snowfall, if it actually happens. More work for Mary, more reading for me, and then lunch. That is unless the doctor is behind and we can stop for a salad in the cafeteria. Otherwise, we can do it here. Then more work for Mary and more guitar and reading for me, along with some shoulder exercises.

I might do some laundry if I am so inclined. I emptied the dishwasher a bit earlier this AM and made the breakfast juices from concentrate. Now I am sitting up to give my aching shoulder time to respond to the ibuprofen.

I heard a train go by right around midnight, so I anticipate a return trip around 3:00 AM. Sunrise will be at 8:02 AM, and sunset at 5:55 PM. That means that we are nearing 10 hours of daylight. Now if we can just get that snow to stop we'll be done with winter, or at least on the downside. I know that Punxsutawney  Phil still has to weigh in on February 2, Groundhog's Day, but that usually means more winter one way or the other.

That looks like enough for now. Tea time is early today due to my doctor's appointment and then the day can settle down. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 11°. There is a wind chill warning in effect until 10:00 AM today. With gusts of 20 - 30 MPH, the temperature can feel like is it anywhere from 15° - 30° below zero. Blowing snow continues to make driving hazardous, and that wind chill is very real. Mary and I were out for a short period on Tuesday evening, and it took less than 30 seconds before we were thoroughly chilled. Today it looks as though the forecast is for 18° as we head over to my P/T appointment, the library, and my haircut this afternoon. Thursday, the snow returns, but the temperature is forecast to rise to 28°

I opened the blinds earlier and stared out the Weather Window to see what the early morning hours were like. I closed the blinds again quickly, because it was a scene of desolation. I heard a train go by around midnight, one that Mary felt was short, but one which I felt was much longer. I could actually "Feel the wheels rumbling neath the floor." Thanks to the song City of New Orleans, for those familiar words. I believe that the snow cover muffled some of the usual good vibrations. Once again, thanks to another song, this time Good Vibrations, for more familiar words. I didn't see it, but I know it was out there.

It is possible that another train will return sometime later this morning heading north. I'll be back in bed, but I'll know, believe me I'll know. Hey, I'm on a roll, those are words from The Night has a Thousand Eyes. Just try to avoid humming some of the words to those three songs.

Sugar the Weather Dog is asleep on the couch downstairs. She'll be going out a bit earlier today to accommodate the schedule of her walker. That's better than going out in the back forty of the palatial estate on her tether, where she faces four white walls that are eerily reminiscent of a college dorm room. She and her walker won't be gone long, I'm sure.

It looks like the area schools will be open today, in spite of the wind chills. These shortened weeks wreak havoc on teaching schedules and student learning. You can make up the days at the end of the year, but by then the children are in a different mindset. All you can do is work through it and urge the students on to greater efforts.

Today, as I previously mentioned, we have all those places to visit. Mary has work to do, so she will probably be working right up until the time we get ready to go. I'd walk over to the barber shop, which is about one block away, but the sidewalks are treacherous between here and there. I don't know how much time walking would save. Maybe Mary can do the library part of the trip while I am in the chair. That should consume a goodly part of the PM hours today. The morning may be time to do very little for me other than breakfast and...Tea time.

During the morning hours on Thursday, I have a short doctor's appointment at the hospital at 9:30 AM. Since I can't yet drive myself, that interrupts Mary's morning too. That appointment shouldn't take long, but it is one more getting ready, bundling up, and driving in the cold. Then on Friday, another P/T appointment in the afternoon. However, Mary should have a solid amount of time in which to do her work before then.

That looks like about it for now. Sunrise is at 8:03 AM today. The days are getting longer and spring will soon be here, I hope. As evidence I offer the following. The boys in blue and the Tigers pitchers and catchers report on February 14. My beloved Red Sox on February 17. If I had to use the local weather as evidence, I'd be proven wrong. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:30 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 8° as we head down to a low of 2°. One part of the forecast says the snow has ended, but a quick look out the Weather Window assures me that that is wrong. Light snow is falling and the other part of the weather app says wind chills and snow until early Wednesday. We may or may not, depending what you want to believe, see from one to three more inches of snow accumulation. The weather app is contradicting itself. Surprise.

I wondered about the snow covered train tracks in yesterday's blog. I got my answer early Monday afternoon. A lone locomotive with a small snow plow on the front came through. The small plow pushed the snow from the tracks either to the side or into the street. It was now out of their way, but left quite a pile in. Of course that required the city to come by and push it back; a never ending cycle. But back to business. As I was downstairs in the palatial estate, earlier this AM, around 1:40, I watched this morning's train pass by. Twin locomotives as usual, but the configuration was unique. One EMD GP38, followed by some type of switch engine. That locomotive was under power, judging by the diesel smoke flowing from her stacks. I am not sure of the type, perhaps an ALCO, but she was followed by a lone box car and multiple covered hopper cars.

But I digress. We did get out Monday afternoon once the snow removal service had cleared the shared driveway one more time. The piles continue to grow and Sugar the Weather Dog is finding it harder and harder to find anywhere to walk, both on the grounds of the palatial estate, and in the city itself. Right now, the end of the shared driveway is drifting over and the garbage area is too.

We got the P/T item I was needing and I'll put it to work later today. I took some OTC pain killer earlier, and that's why I am up. Both waiting for it to kick in and writing this blog. I'll be heading back to bed shortly.

I did more of the puzzle on Monday. I have a few edge pieces to locate before I can call that part done. Mary suggested that I work on the interior, and I will, but I like to have the edge complete. Call that one of my quirks. Otherwise, no need to go out today and that's all good. Sugar's walker will be late today, as she has a previous engagement. Somehow, I doubt that Sugar will mind. Like me, her days are mostly lying about and waiting for meals. I guess that you could say that I have a dog's life. What's not to like?

Sunrise today will be at 8:04 AM, followed closely by...Tea time. I had Cheerios for breakfast yesterday, so today I am craving something warm. However, I am open. I can do a bagel thin, some banana/squash/nut bread, or some eggs, all of which I can handle.

That looks like enough for now. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:30 AM in "The City," and our current temperature is 24° under snowy skies. Our high temperature today is expected to be 11° as the snow continues. A still lower 8° is forecast for Tuesday with continuing snow. As I gaze out the Weather Window, the effects of the wind gusts are evident. The entrance to the shared driveway is once again heavily snow covered. That's due in part to the wind and in part to the efforts of the city as they attempt to keep the streets of our fair city clear. I used to say that it was a chocolate mess, based on a commercial I once saw. 

Today, I should get to the library, but if I don't, then that's okay too. I'd also like to get to the store for a device to assist with my rehab, but once again, I won't risk life and limb to do so. We are way past anything precipitation-wise than what we have experienced over the last two years. In fact, we have more than doubled the yearly snowfall average, and we are still in January. One side of me feels that I could have fought the good fight and handled the extra snowfall. In truth, while I would have relished the fight, I also recognize that whatever was left of my rotator cuff would have been shredded by the effort. That's why we have someone to do the snow removal this year.

Next year will either be more of the same, or we will be leaving town for the winter. The problem is that if you don't make reservations well in advance, you can't just drop everything and go. A total roll of the dice. I'll include some additional pictures at the end of this blog to remind myself, and anyone else who cares, of the reality of conditions this year.

Otherwise in music news, I did get in some additional playing time on Sunday afternoon. Not up to my personal standards, but I sounded okay. I also did some television watching just to pass the time. To me, sports are in their doldrums at this time of year. No college football, no pro football, and baseball is nothing but annual conventions during which management promises that next year will soon be here. In any event, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in about 18 days. Then, I know that I don't need a groundhog to tell me that winter will soon be over.

In the world of trains, the snow has fallen so heavily and the wind has gusted so much, that the tracks are no longer visible. I know that trains are not bothered by the snow, but the conditions beneath the snow cover can't easily be determined. If something is wrong with the tracks, no one would know until a disaster occurred, and you know how I feel about train derailments.

Sunrise will be at 8:05 AM today, just shortly before...Tea time. I'd like to try a recipe for a cauliflower main dish later today. According to the recipe, I have everything I need. However, I may stick to what I do best, dusting and floor washing. While I don't mind experimenting with banana nut bread ingredients, I might be out of my league with something that requires skills above my pay grade. Dirty Harry would have said, "A man's go t to know his limitations." I did get the laundry done on Sunday though.

So without further adieu, here are those promised pictures.

An older view of the entrance to the shared driveway, ante-clearing. Although not contemporaneous with this blog, an accurate depiction of current conditions. 

The outdoor entrance to the man-cave is under there somewhere. Unfortunately so is the water hose.

Our side of the shared driveway, post clearing.

Our side of the shared driveway, ante-clearing.

A view out towards the street, post clearing.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City." Our current temperature is 12° as we head for a high of 23°. The original forecast for snow has been modified to one to two inches vs. two to four inches. Sugar the Weather Dog will probably like that, because she is finding it hard to get her legs on the ground when she is out walking, according to her walker. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday promise to be cold, but not unbearable. However, MIDOT warns that blowing and drifting snow will continue to cause hazardous driving conditions.

When we awoke on Saturday, the snow had been deposited in the entrance to the shared driveway by the city crews. There is little they can do as they patrol the streets of our fair city in search of clear ingress and egress from "The City." Unfortunately that limits our personal ingress and egress from the palatial estate. However, the snow removal service had to work for over three hours to clear things and even had to recruit help from a passing plow truck to finish the end. I have some pictures to give an idea of what he faced before and what it was like after. I'll include some now and some in future blogs.

Once the afternoon had come, we were able to get out and go to the local grocers and the downtown area for some lunch. Since it was Winter-fest, the restaurants were crowded and that was the plan, so all went well. We didn't make it to the luau, but we did watch an old movie at home that we had only seen once or twice before. We had our own celebration and then I got sleepy and went to bed. Mary didn't and watched the umpteenth showing of her favorite apocalyptic movie. I told here we were living it, and didn't need to watch it.

Speaking of apocalyptic, the pictures I took I call snow-pocalypse. It seems appropriate. So until...Tea time occurs shortly after sunrise at 8:06 AM, I'll be returning to bed right after I add some of those aforementioned pictures. Ciao.

Out the front door.

A close up

The back porch

The end of the shared driveway

This is what Sugar the Weather Dog faced when she asked to go out

Good early morning GH. It is just past 2:00 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 29° under very snowy skies. A quick look out the Weather Window confirms that the predicted snowfall amounts of four to eight inches are very possible. We may even get more here in GH, as we are part of the famous "Near the lake" area. Zero visibility whiteouts, blowing and drifting snow, and very hazardous driving conditions are part of the forecast, as we head down to our high of 23°. Blowing and drifting, slippery road surfaces and hazardous driving conditions are also part of our fate. Fortunately, Mary and I don't have anywhere to go and all day to get there. Sugar will need to go out, but that's why we have a walker for her.

GH is having their Winter-Fest this weekend with dog races, a cardboard sled contest/race, and later in the day, the Waterfront luau in a heated tent as part of GH thumbing their collective noses at the season. The organizers were forced to cancel the polar plunge activity due to hazardous conditions. I noticed that one of the preliminary Iditarod sled races also had to be cancelled/postponed due to the heat in Alaska. Just the opposite of most towns in MI. In fact, several towns and cities in MI are having Winter-Fest type activities this weekend along with GH. One town north of here had to import snow for last year's activities from farther north, as there wasn't any of local origin. This year, they have more than enough.

I will avoid using the word obviously for this next entry. A long time ago, in a land far, far away, I'm channeling again, a professor who was instrumental in making me a better writer, said, "If you have to use the word obviously, it is likely that you haven't been," or words to that effect. So I'll just say that we will need snow removal services again in the AM. Mary knows who I am describing in both cases.

Friday, Mary dropped me off at P/T early, due to a cancellation, and went off the the grocery store. Her short exposure to the streets of "The Township," convinced her that driving was indeed hazardous due to blowing and drifting snow. On my part, the therapist noted that she lived close enough to walk and that she was originally scheduled to come in at 8:00 AM, but that the office called her and told her to wait until 11:00 AM due to those same cancellations. Good news, my range of motion continues to improve and I learned some new exercises to help in my recovery. However, I am up right now because I am waiting for the OTC pain medication to kick in. Oh well, at least I can use my time productively.

Speaking of using my time productively, I planned to make my world famous banana nut bread yesterday afternoon. However, I didn't have the requisite three bananas for the recipe. Since Mary was off to the grocery store while I was at P/T, she would be getting more bananas. But the new bananas wouldn't be ripe when they got home. She was able to procure applesauce too, which is a good substitute. But, I decided that since I had baked the squash the other day that I could use that as a substitute for the third banana. Let me say, that the squash was/is an excellent substitute. I have now added banana/squash nut bread to the banana/applesauce nut bread in my recipe quiver.

Otherwise, I have to repack the ramp that we got for Sugar the Weather Dog to assist in getting her into the car. It is just too steep. So, I will get that done later today. Then, I'll watch TV and play my guitar until it hurts, which shouldn't take long, unfortunately. As always, I'll await meals, hospital style, and perhaps work on the puzzle. I'll also watch the snow removal service once again clear the snow and attempt to find a place to pile it. I won't have any pictures, but even if I did, they wouldn't look all that different from those I recently included in my blog. The piles would just look taller.

As we were heading home, we saw a car crash not too far from the palatial estate, due to those previously mentioned hazardous driving conditions. I'll let Mary include a picture and further details in her blog to show the results of that crash. I did learn something at P/T today, in addition to my new exercises. Here in GH, and I assume in the balance of MI, the schools are mandated to close when the temperature drops below a certain point. The powers that be decided that having children waiting for buses in the cold was not safe. When I was a teacher, that wasn't part of the program, but probably should have been.

No trains tonight, as is always the case on Friday. One did go by last night, but I only heard it. Sunrise today will be at 8:07 AM and sunset at 5:48 PM. Tea time will be sometime after sunrise, and Mary plans to partake of my newly created bread. I think I'll forego the Cheerios for that myself. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 7:30 AM in "The City,"  and our current temperature is 12° as we head for a high of 22°. Those temperature come with forecast of -20° wind-chills, blowing snow, whiteout conditions and 40 MPH gusts along the lake shore. Along with those dire predictions, comes a possibility of 4 - 8 inches of additional snowfall. Some areas may receive heavier amounts. Frostbite is a possibility, and hazardous driving conditions can be expected. Both Mary and I are so over winter.

Once we were done at Sugar the Weather Dog's doctor, we stopped at the store for some condiments and OTC painkillers.

All night long, the city has had a force of front end loaders out transferring snow piles to an undisclosed location. I have some pictures which attest to that need. Mary and I were on our way back from Sugar the Weather Dog's doctor visit, so I snapped a picture.

This is in the "No Parking" space across from the bank on Washington. 
The street sign is visible, but that the stop sign is nearly hidden.

Sugar is fine, although her blood tests indicated on slightly elevated reading for kidney function, Her doctor said that the reading may be normal for Sugar. Apparently, the reading indicates too much protein. I was alarmed, but Mary in her calm style that goes with Sugar, which I don't have when it comes to Sugar, asked the right questions about what can be done. It seems that all we need to do is cut down on the high protein dog food Sugar enjoys. If that works fine. If not, keep an eye on Sugar's behavior. I am not rational when it comes to my "Baby."

We got the form Mary needed at the bank and then stopped to get it faxed. Then off to our favorite watering hole where I took a few more pictures. 

One of the smaller piles outside our favorite watering hole

A view across the street

The watering hole was uncrowded on a Thursday afternoon, so we watched some golf and enjoyed the music. Finally, time for home. I have more pictures from the palatial estate.

Looking out back from the driveway. Yes, the pile is that big

This is what Sugar has to contend with

Theoretically, I have that P/T appointment this afternoon. I need to go, but like yesterday, I won't risk life and limb. Sunrise is on the nigh at 8:08 AM and then it will be...Tea time. Odds are that we'll be having breakfast soon, unless I go back to bed, which is my plan, and we then don't get up until brunch. So it is either Cheerios and apple slices, or Swiss cheese and sauerkraut sandwiches as perfected Mary for brunch. I'm okay with either. Somewhere in there, Sugar's dog walker will be by to take Sugar for her morning constitutional. Tomorrow will be about the same, except that our snow removal service will probably have to come. Who knew that the most snow in years would arrive when I am incapable of handling it? Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:30 AM in "The City," and we are in the middle of what may be the biggest snowstorm of the new year. The National Weather Service in GR has forecast that the storm will continue until 1:00 PM today, with snow accumulations possible to a total of eight inches. Temperatures will never rise above 14° during that time. Currently, we are at 11° with light snow falling. We have an appointment for Sugar the Weather Dog at her doctor at 11:00 AM, but that will be a game time decision.

I heard a train go by shortly before midnight yesterday, but by then I was snug in my bed and unwilling to go look out the Weather Window. I was amazed that they came out, but as I've often noted, trains aren't affected by the snow. Their yard crews yes, but not the trains themselves.

I plan to add some pictures a bit later to this blog that clearly show the snow piled up around the palatial estate. That being the case, I won't be publishing this blog until I have the pictures in hand. At that time, I'll make a note of the time of publication.

Mary made an excellent stir-fry on Wednesday. I was supposed to go to P/T, but I canceled due to the weather. Hopefully, I'll get there on Friday. I know that I need the therapy, but I am not willing to go out and jeopardize myself in the snow. I also don't want to jeopardize the health of my chauffeur.

So, I did my home exercises twice on Wednesday, and I'll do the same today. I am not supposed to exceed exercising two times per day at this stage of my recovery period. That goes along with not lifting anything more than one pound of weight. I have done well at teaching myself to not reach out with my dominant hand during my convalescence. 62 years of habit can be hard to break. I also continue to use my left hand to eat and drink. I figure that that skill may come in handy down the road. Plus, most cups and glasses filled with liquid exceed my weight lifting limit.

So beyond the doctor's appointment for Sugar the Weather Dog, I personally don't have much on tap for the day. Mary will continue to work when she is not playing chauffeur to her intrepid Weather Dog and yours truly. I'll continue to look forward to meals, but I won't be playing the guitar today, as I strained myself enough yesterday. I have to remind myself that patience is a virtue.

So until...Tea time comes, and the sun also rises at 8:08 AM (Sorry Ernest ), when I can get those pictures you see below, Ciao

It is now 8:35 AM, just after sunrise. Here are those pictures

A view of the analog thermometer, 
located in the Weather Window
 8:25 AM
Note that -2° below 0° reading

The city did a fine job of overnight snow removal

The end of the shared driveway, post city efforts
Our snow removal service will have to retake the driveway

The back forty of the Palatial Estate. If you look closely,  you can see Sugar's run-out area at the rear of the deck

A winter wonderland.
Directly below the trees on the right,
Sugar's preferred outdoor area.
To get there, it requires her to scale a two foot high mound of snow

A view of Public Safety out Mary's office window

The trash is gone, but this carved out area was clear to the grass late yesterday

Alas poor Ragus, she is snow-bound on the front porch

Good early morning GH. This is a down and dirty version of my blog. Call it Jaxmeanderings 2.1. Current temperature, 10°. High temperature today, 17°. Tomorrow, 15°and Friday, 27°. We will be all over the weather map.

Finished editing for Mary on Tuesday. Had a quick lunch as befits a down and dirty day. Dinner was a bit more laid back, but still not fancy. Leftovers from last night become lunch today.

Today, P/T at 3:00 PM, followed by a lot of rest. Friday, repeat the previous. I'd be in bed now if my shoulder wasn't aching.

First train, now. Regular configuration heading south. Twin EMD GP8s, one old and one new livery, and a series of covered hopper cars.

Late night television is boring for the most part.

Today, more guitar that I couldn't fit into my schedule on Tuesday. Sugar the Weather Dog currently sleeping next to the bed. I like it.

Sunrise, 8:09 AM, sunset 5:45 PM.

To quote Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, "That;s all there is, and there ain't nor more." Ciao

Good evening GH. I am writing this at about 7:20 PM as the train that was blocking our street is backing up. What is unusual about that you ask? First, this train was coming through at a very odd time. 7:15 - 7:25 PM. Second, it was a long series of covered hopper cars being towed by a single EMD GP8. That locomotive was painted in the old style livery that belonged to one of one of the railroads that the current operator gobbled up in the recent past. Third, it stopped and then began to back up northward to clear the intersections on two or three streets. I think there were several box cars that I didn't see, but they are now headed north with the rest of the train. We just don't see trains at this hour very often. I guess I'll wait until later to see if it returns.

Meanwhile, I might as well continue my blog since I am here. Our current temperature at 7:30 PM is 20° as we head down to our low for the night of 6°. Tomorrow, our high is not supposed to exceed 12°. Light snow is being predicted. Nothing new there. My upstairs weather station located here in the Weather Center of the palatial estate affords me a great view and access to the latest in digital instrumentation. Our indoor temperature is 68° and the skies are clear. Sugar the Weather Dog is here to help and she is not making any predictions at this time. \

Oh oh, I hear the train a comin' once again. I wonder how long it will take to pass through? Same EMD GP8 towing the same contingent of covered hopper cars followed by about eight box cars that I can now see. It took about five minutes to actually complete the passage. I have to think that the train had to reverse course because something had its path blocked. That, or the train crew didn't know what they were doing given the time of the run. In either case, confidence was not engendered in the hearts of mortal man.

Today I finished the laundry, vacuumed the upstairs and downstairs, left-handed, and then played my guitar for a few tunes. Still painful, but I enjoyed myself. I also managed to get in two complete sessions of homework exercises. Plus, I found time to do some highlighting for Mary. Since the housekeeper we had coming over is indisposed for an indefinite time due to some very important personal matters, I'll have to resume my regular duties. It will just take me longer.

Mary tells me that my next editing assignment will happen tomorrow, about 32 pages of spelling and grammar checking. I can do that. What I have been highlighting is probably the most boring thing I have ever done. Many names and minutiae with no learning taking place on my part. In short, too much reading with no reward of knowledge.

Tuesday promises to be a quiet day. Some editing, some guitar playing, and some trying out of music I have transcribed for my use. I have several versions of the same song to see which one I like, at least chord-wise. Nowhere to go and lots of time to get there.

Sunrise tomorrow will be at 8:10 AM and sunset at 5:43 PM. Tea time will happen shortly after the sunrise. Then I put on my editor's hat and get to work. Ciao.

Does anyone remember that 7:20 PM train? Guess what, it's back. This time, it is headed north. Same single EMD GP8, and then a very long line of cars. So what you ask? Well, just a few covered hopper cars, then a large number of those dreaded black tank cars. Followed by more covered hopper cars and then more of those black tank cars surrounding a lone white tank car. Then? More covered hopper cars followed by many more black tank cars and another white tank car. Next, you ask? More covered hopper cars, more black tank cars and one more white tank car.

Is that all? Of course, not. Still more covered hopper cars, more black tank cars and then a single box car with a tiny little tail light where the caboose used to be. I'd like to say "Go figure," but given their track record, I can't.

I have a thought on the missing locomotive. I read something the other day about the dwindling number of locomotives in the original livery on the line. Most of the old liveried locomotives are slowly being taken out of service and given fresh livery. Maybe that's what has happened to one of the regular locomotives.

Good early morning GH. We have just cruised past 12:00 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 34° as we head down to our high of 22°. Tuesday promises to be colder still, with a high of only 13°. Each day also shows a chance of one inch of additional snow. We actually have piles on the piles all around town. The long time locals are even being surprised by the amount of snow we have received and continue to receive.

Out west, they are in a serious drought. It was in the mid-sixties in Denver for the NFL football game. California is seeing restaurants going to paper plates to save on the required amount of water for sanitary dish-washing. Unfortunately, that means that the landfills will be overflowing. Many sources have been given for the phrase, TANSTAAFL, which translates to "There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch." Fiorello La Guardia, one time mayor of New York City is said to have used a variant in the 1930s. Robert Heinlein in his novel The Moon is a Harsh Mistress used the phrase as shown, and there are others.

In any case, the chickens are coming home to roost. (Have I used enough colloquialisms now?) Snow pack in the mountains above California is nearly non-existent, causing some water reservoirs to have less than 100 days or less of supply. Is it necessary to have off-season vegetables at all times of the year that come from California? Not if it means that the people have to go without drinking water. Is the drought due to some unknown cause? I don't know, but something has to change, and something has already changed. Droughts are becoming all to common, while greater than normal snowfall in the Midwest continues to occur. Many other examples can be found. Oh well, I have been on my soapbox long enough.

In local news, many of the downtown restaurants were crowded on a Sunday that saw temperatures in the mid-thirties. As I noted earlier, that will change by today when our high struggles to get to the lower twenties. I managed to get in two sets of homework exercises yesterday too.

I am still having trouble with one that requires me to use a dowel rod to push my right arm to a 90° angle by using my left arm. I guess that I just have to keep working on it. I didn't play my guitar yesterday, as I couldn't get my arm over the top. That too will require more work.

I did manage to get all the laundry washed on Sunday. I still have to fold the towels and things, and that will occupy part of my morning. I got the winter squash baked and stored yesterday. That freed up a laundry basket in the mud room for the dirty downstairs laundry like cloth table napkins and utility towels. Mary hopes that she can find an attractive basket on one of our summer forays into the antique stores. At any rate, the basket is available until we fill it with squash next fall. I got in a little one-armed dusting and cleaning too. Those activities will take a bit longer with one hand, but I will get them done.

No trains this morning, at least so far. Since I usually hear one by now, it looks like they will wait until later tonight. Sunrise will occur at 8:10 AM and sunset at 5:42 PM. The days are getting longer and the pitchers and catchers will be reporting to spring training in a couple of weeks. Once again, the Tigers will be expectant. My beloved Red Sox hope to be contenders once again too, in spite of a series of defections by free agents. And the boys in blue promise that they will be competitive, just wait until next year. Plus, the White Caps, known here as The Caps, hope to have their recently damaged ballpark ready by spring. This year, Mary and I will get there for sure.

We also hope to make a Tiger's game or two. They are across the state in Detroit, so we have to plan accordingly. It has been several years since I have been to an American League ballpark, so I am looking forward to that. I can already taste the hot dogs and chili.

More bed time awaits as does...Teat time. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 12:00 AM in "The City" and the current temperature is 20° under cloudy skies. We are anticipating a high of 30° today. That will be under, you guessed it, cloudy skies. Now that's an unusual occurrence. It would be worthy of note if we had sunny skies, which aren't in the forecast for the foreseeable future. Surprise however, snow is in the forecast. I can't see it coming out the Weather Window, but I know that it will be here.

On Saturday, Mary finished her work and then we went downtown to walk around. ( I feel like a bad comedy record saying that). We both felt better afterwards, just because we haven't done that much walking lately. Here in GH, the downtown merchants pay to have a snow melt system for the first three blocks of Washington, including the sidewalks. That makes that area a haven for joggers and walkers, like us, who just want to get out and about. At first it was cold, but once the wind died down, we were okay. We actually went into a few stores and bought some things, on sale, and so the merchants were rewarded for their efforts.

We stopped at the Post for a quick one and then we were off again. We made a quick trip home and then I was ready for bed, at 6:30 PM. Mary said I'd be up way too early, but that is nothing new for me. I'll be going back to bed shortly. Without a TV, I can go right back to sleep, or just listen to the radio.

I actually got up, because my shoulder was aching and I had to take an OTC pain pill to help mitigate against that. Nothing odd about the pain, according to the doctor and the therapist. That doesn't make it not hurt, but at least I don't have to worry about the sensation.

Otherwise, not much is new here. Sugar the Weather Dog is now sleeping with us and I think she finds that preferable, at least I hope she does. I know that I do. No trains last night, as is the norm. They won't return until Monday night. We have a train schedule a lot like a banker's hours.

Sunrise will be at 8:11 AM today, shorty before...Tea time, and sunset at 5:41 PM, just before I am ready for bed. Not really, I hope to stay awake later tonight, so that I can sleep in the next morning, but that remains to be seen. I have to do some laundry today while Mary works, but before that, I also have to get her to help with the final tuck in on the bed linens that I couldn't do by myself. With a shoulder that has very limited strength, I couldn't lift the mattress and do the tuck.

Thanks for listening. Ya'll come back now. Hear? A genuine no-prize for anyone who can place that phrase with a source. And, if you can place the origin of the no-prize, another no-prize for you. Ciao.

Good afternoon GH. I am a little later than usual, but that's because I have been busy moving. Well, not actually moving, just carrying things from the downstairs to the upstairs. Mary helped me carry some heavier things last night, and then I stayed downstairs for one final time. My computer was up here in the my office/music room, so I didn't get to it until now.

It is just past 1:00 PM in "The City," and the current temperature is 26°. We had snow again today, probably a record, but maybe not. Not in the amount of snow, just in the number of days in a row. According to the television weather people, the dreaded Polar Vortex will be returning over the next several days. Not as bad as last time though. Still, I could do without it. The view out the upstairs Weather Window is better. Sugar the Weather Dog is downstairs, resting, from her long walk this AM. Last night she was still needy and joined me several times.

Now that I am out of my sling, I can at least pick up a guitar and strum a bit. However, not for long, as the pain when I put the instrument down is very noticeable. It will be at least another four to five weeks before I am well enough to really play for long. That should be just in time for the next Irish Jam Session. There is one today, but I had to skip it because I couldn't walk there on the snow-covered sidewalks. I wasn't going to risk life and limb to just listen.

Today, I got up early, washed and dried the linens, and then made the bed. I moved a few things around downstairs, and then watched a little television. I got more accomplished this AM than most days.

I heard two trains last night, but I didn't see them. I just have to assume that they were configured like most days.

Mary and I had...Tea time this morning along with French toast that Mary made. Real Michigan maple syrup makes it extra special every time. Orange, grape, and tomato juices rounded out our breakfast. I like my tomato juice with red hot sauce and horseradish stirred in. Mary adds parsley flakes to hers. Sugar had the leftover eggs from the French toast and she was highly pleased, judging by her reaction. Not quite banana ecstasy, but close.

So that's about enough for yesterday and today. Sunset today will be at 5:40 PM. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 5:00 AM in 'The City," and the current temperature is 26° under contradictory skies. I say that, because the Weather Channel™ says we have snow showers in the forecast with anywhere from a 50% to a 90% chance of certainty. However, they also have a statement that says "Expect dry conditions over the net six hours." Which is accurate? Both? Neither? Are they even right about the high temperature being 24° with an inch of snow? I don't expect perfection, but when I can look out the downstairs Weather Window and see snow covered streets, I think my personal forecast is more accurate.

Speaking of weather forecasts, Sugar the Weather Dog must have felt a disturbance in the force earlier this morning. I got up to rearrange myself and to take an OTC pain pill, and she was outside the door. When I opened it, she came in and laid down. It might have just been her needy nature over the last two days; or it might have been the Thunder Snow that the Weather Channel™ predicted earlier in the day. In my probably more accurate opinion, it was her need for human contact.

When I got up to write this blog, she had returned to her usual post on the couch. However using my keen observational skills, I note that she had been sitting at my feet most of the evening before I went to bed. So, as the immortal Sherlock Holmes might have said, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." I submit my personal observations about the weather as corroboration.

In witness thereto, regarding my forecasting skills, I just watched the city plow truck go by, further burying the end of the shared driveway of the palatial estate. That means that our snow removal service will be back later today to clear the path, again. Since I have a P/T appointment this afternoon, Mary has to get the car out, so we can't just leave it. In short, snow that blocks the driveway needs to be removed.

In other news, I started my homework exercises yesterday. Mary found the necessary dowel rod in the man-cave, so I was able to incorporate that routine in my regimen. That was the most painful. I can't get my arm past 90° without pain. However, the therapist told me that would be the case. All the other exercises went fine. One would think that five weeks of recovery time would be enough, but alas, I still have a long way to go.

But there is good news. While I was only able to play two short tunes on Ivy, my new to me 12 string guitar, she sounds great. Me, not so much, as my rusty singing pipes are just that, rusty. That too will improve with time. Another personal observation. My guitar chord work was also rusty, but I was able to hit most of them accurately.

I also highlighted some things for Mary. A little pain, but nothing that I can't work through. I do know one thing for sure, I have to do the highlighting at my desk upstairs. Down here, the highlighting is invisible to me. I know that I have done it, but I can't check it. It is nearly invisible under the light in the dining room. That may in part be due to my partial color-blindness.

In further news, the train went by heading north. The usual twin locomotives, probably EMD GP 38s, went by towing a long string of cars. One lone box car, about 36 covered hopper cars, 25 black tank cars, interspersed with the covered hopper cars, and two white tank cars. It is the black ones that worry me, given the recent derailments involving those in other parts of the continent. The white tank cars are never dangerous except for the cars themselves crushing something they land upon. I never heard a train going south. Perhaps there wasn't one.

While doing some research about the train, I discovered that a club exists about the railroad. They have a 1/8 scale layout in Marshall, MI, about 96 miles from here. They have a restaurant called Cornwell's Turkeyville that serves, not surprisingly, many things turkey based. However, they also serve some vegetarian things. Incorporated in the complex is a theater that does live performances, the musical Suds, looks like fun, and an antiques show occurs periodically. What's not to like?

Oh well, that's enough for one early morning blog. Sun-rise will occur before...Tea time at 8:12 AM. Sunset will happen at 5:38 PM. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City," and our current temperature is 23° as we head for our high today of 32°. The National Weather Service in GR is forecasting, through the Weather Channel™ app., that snow will begin around now and continue until late this evening. A prediction of 1 - 3 inches is possible. Sugar the Weather Dog is sleeping through it, but as long as there is no thunder, she will.

Wednesday was a busy day. I placed more pieces in the perimeter of the puzzle that Mary and I are working on. I finished the laundry and Mary spread some salt around the shared driveway and deck after the area was cleared. Too bad it won't last. Then it was time for doctor's and P/T appointments. The doctor was running late, so my not accepting the earlier P/T appointment was a good idea. However, we did finish up early enough at the doctors so that I was able to get into P/T earlier.

The doctor gave me good and tempered news. My recovery is going as expected and I no longer need to wear my sling. In that respect, I feel like the mythical phoenix who rose from the ashes and became reborn again. Or perhaps like the young bird taking its first flight form the nest. Or the puppy who opens its eyes for the first time to view the world in all its glory. In any case, I now have new homework exercises from the physical therapist. Twice a day, between P/T appointments when we will work on other activities. The tempered part of the news from the doctor is that I will have good weeks and bad for about four to six months. Then by about a year, I should be back to normal.

After the hospital, we stopped at the bank and the bread store downtown. Then off to dinner at our favorite watering hole. We celebrated the good news, drank a wee bit too much, and then came home. Mary went upstairs and I waited long enough to know that I would fall asleep, which led me to the bedroom and I was out.

I awoke about half-way through the movie Philadelphia, starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. While Denzel Washington's acting is reminiscent of the old time actors who made a career out of playing themselves, think Jimmy Stewart or John Wayne, Tom Hanks seems to become whatever character he is portraying. In both cases, it worked. I was reminded how fragile life can be and how important it is to tell those you love that you do, in fact, love them.

The recent loss of our new old friend was certainly a personal reminder of that. The last time we saw her turned out to be the last time that we saw her. For some people, that's fine. But for many others, you need to find a way to make contact.

Oh well, that's enough being maudlin for now. A train went by heading south, probably driven by the horn happy driver from the sound of it. I have yet to hear the return trip heading north, but there always is one. At 4:07 AM, there was. Twin locomotives dashing through the snow. : - )

That looks like about enough for yesterday and today. Sunrise will be at 8:13 AM and sunset at 5:37 PM. Tea time will come before breakfast and then I will attempt to play my guitar. I don't know yet how that will go, but just being able to try is a plus. Otherwise, more puzzle, more "homework" exercises, and that should be about enough. Oh, let's not forget the meals. Now that we have the proper bread, Mary can make her now famous Swiss cheese and sauerkraut sandwiches. Ciao

Good early morning GH. It is just past 3:00 AM in "The City," (How's that for a late rising?) and our current temperature is 27°, our expected high for today. Snow had been expected in the 2 - 4 inch range, but that appears to have passed us by. Mary often says that we are in a different zone here, and this time, she appears to have been right.  Of course, there is still more time until that winter weather warning expires at 1:00 PM. But right now, no snow is falling.

Tuesday, I cut up the vegetables and put them in the slow-cooker to make broth. Mary helped pour off the results, but we decided that the vegetables still had some broth potential. So they are once again in the pot cooking until later this morning. We'll get everything they have to offer.

Sugar the Weather Dog went for her morning walk with her walker, who asked if she could take the day off today. I said sure. Sugar will be disappointed that she has to go out on her tether, but she'll survive. I know that Sugar will be staring at the back door, expectantly, waiting at the regular time. But like I said before, she'll survive.

Mary spent most of the day working on a catalog. She came down around lunch time to "chat" with other indexers on my computer. Lunch was a salad. I slept in my chair, again, but the time I spent didn't seem to deter me from sleeping now. Maybe I have turned a corner. Mary made a quick pasta for dinner, utilizing shell shaped macaroni for my benefit. My unwieldy left arm and I thank her. I am getting better, but I'm not there yet.

Speaking of arms, I have to go to P/T today. Their office called for a reschedule to an earlier time than the scheduled 3:30 PM. But I have a doctor's appointment preceding P/T at 2:00 PM, so I couldn't do it. Last time I had a doctor's visit, I had to go to x-ray beforehand. So if that happens again, it would be cutting it close.

By the time I am done writing my blog and re-retiring, the day will be partially gone. Breakfast...Tea time and lunch. See how I focus on meals while doing nothing? In other words, inactivity will consume part of the day. We'll need to leave for the doctor's around 1:00 PM today As my mother-in-law, Eleanore, used to say, we'll be soooo busy. I never can remember whether she used an "e" at the end of her given name, so I guessed this time. Spell check accepts the non-"e" version, but not the "e" version." Mary will let me know which is correct.

Around 12:45 AM, the train came through heading south. From the sound of things, it was the horn happy driver at the throttle. I didn't see the train, but it don't think it was all that long. Probably an assemblage of cars similar to the usual trains that pass by. If I'm still sitting here in a while, I should hear another train going north Or not. It was about 4:45 AM when twin locomotives headed norht, sans any cars.

So that looks like it for yesterday and today. I didn't watch any television in my room after 12:00 AM and I think that helped my sleeping. I guess that I always let television keep me awake and that is why I always had a radio on low instead. Mary prefers the radio on louder, but that is a personal preference. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City," and our current temperature is 32° under cloudy skies. We had a relatively calm day on Monday as the ice and snow continued to melt. Sugar the Weather Dog went for her morning walk and then she proceeded to the couch for some rest. Today, we anticipate a high temperature of 33° with a 90% chance of 2 - 4 inches of snow. As I sit here now, the snow has not begun to fall. According to the Weather Channel™ app. the snow will begin about 9:00 AM today and continue off and on, at times getting heavy, through Wednesday morning.

Monday, the washer repairman came exactly at 12:00 PM. He got down on his knees, removed some screws, tested some electrical connections and explained patiently what he found. The room where the washer is located got too cold during our recent cold snap, and so the drain was frozen, since it is near the floor. Now that the temperatures have risen and the drain has thawed, the machine works fine. He did say that we were lucky that the pump housing didn't crack. His recommendation? Get a space heater to keep the room warm in the really cold weather. All that for $58.50 and a 30 day guarantee on the service call.

After he left, Mary reheated a burrito and that made for a great lunch. Mary moved the box of pictures off of the card table where we do our puzzles. I sorted the pieces of our new 1,000 piece puzzle, and found some edge pieces. Then, Mary suggested that I should sort the pieces one by one from one box half to another and I found a few more. Later in the evening, Mary found additional edge pieces and our efforts are bringing the edge into focus. We start at the edge, but I know some people don't. Personal preference I guess. Mary shape sorts, I work by using the words printed on the puzzle to help me focus. I think others use colors as a cue. I can't, because the colors look too muck alike to me.

First train this morning just passed through. Twin locomotives, followed by one lone box car. Then, a long string of covered hopper cars, emblazoned with the slogan, "How Tomorrow Moves." Next, came several black tank cars surrounding a single gray tank car of unknown contents. Finally, a few white tank cars, a couple more black ones, and then a lonely covered hopper car bringing up the rear. All of the locomotives and cars were heading south.

Like yesterday, Mary will be working in her office today while I am downstairs. I'll finish the laundry and then do a bit more on the puzzle. I have to be careful, because I can get absorbed in the effort and exclude other pursuits, like reading.

Monday, we got the new ramp to help Sugar get into both the car and her traveling crate. That came in the same box as the seat support to make my chair easier to exit. We have to try the ramp out with Sugar to see how it works. I've already tried the chair support and it is fine. Our new base cover for our Christmas tree also came.

As an aside, when I awoke this morning, I caught the last one-half hour of Guys and Dolls on cable. I always like this film, because it brings back fond memories of the drama productions at my old school. I am fairly certain that Ellen would get the same feelings.

So that looks like about it for yesterday and today. Sunrise is at 8:14 AM and sunset at 5:35 PM. Tea time will begin the day, as always. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City." Our current temperature is 40° under partly cloudy, well actually dark, skies. Coincidentally, that is also our high temperature today, except with with cloudy skies and wind. Snow returns again on Tuesday and it promises to be a real snow event, not those pesky snow showers. 1 - 3 inches is possible. We'll have a high temperature of 31° to make that snow real. Will it actually accumulate? Will it require shoveling? Will Sugar the Weather Dog enjoy her time in the newly fallen snow? Stay tuned for "Breaking News!"

Yesterday, with only minor assistance from the "real cook," I made the aforementioned quick wheat bread. It tastes great, makes a superb peanut butter sandwich, and the texture is excellent. However, I think I might cut down on the amount of "required" molasses next time. Good with peanut butter, but it may be a tad sweet for Swiss cheese and sauerkraut sandwiches. Once I get this bread perfected, I believe that it will also be "world famous."

The only hard part about this bread, is that it requires either buttermilk or its equivalent. Since we only use vanilla almond milk here, Mary to visit the local grocery. A small price to pay for having access to bread as near as the things we already have on hand. I bet I could do it with powdered milk and a little practice. I could keep the powdered milk on hand for emergencies. That would make me a real kitchen denizen.

Otherwise, the day passed relatively quick, with the morning TV shows from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Then Mary went to the store, got the aforementioned milk that I needed for my wheat bread, and I was all set to go. I laid out all of my supplies and implements and when she returned with the milk, I mixed up the ingredients and popped it into the oven. If I could just learn to read an entire recipe from start to finish, it would have been even easier.

This recipe called for a 20 minute rest between mixing and baking, said rest period to take place in a previously greased loaf pan. If I had read the entire recipe, I would have known that and not let it sit in the mixing bowl for 10 wasted minutes. That didn't seem to make a difference, but I could have been more efficient. I needed Mary's help to get the loaf out of the oven when it was finished.   Fortunately, Mary has a well stocked baking cabinet with everything a great baker needs. As usual, Sugar the Sous Dog was on hand to lend invaluable assistance.

Mary and I shared a burrito for lunch and then I fell asleep in my chair at about 2:00 PM. I slept off and on for nearly four hours. I valiantly tried to stay awake, but I didn't make it. So, you can guess why I am up typing this blog.

Today, the washer repair person comes between 12:00 and 2:00 PM to fix the washer that won't spin nor drain. I can't wait to hear what that repair will require and cost. Oh well, as I noted previously, it is likely a lot less than a new machine. I just don't want to throw good money after bad. Anticipation, anticipation, is making me late, is keeping me waiting. Oops, I was channeling again.

Sunrise today will be at 8:14 AM and sunset at 5:33 PM. I:ll start out with...Tea time and breakfast, and then we'll see where we go from there. Mary will work, I'll read, I'll await lunch, and then the washer repair person will come and use up part of the afternoon. After that, it is back to the same old, same old. TV, reading, anticipating dinner and then nightfall. There's that channeling again. What is the definition of boring? Convalescence. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 12:00 AM in "The City," and our current temperature is 33°, just one degree below our expected high for today of 34°. Our low later this morning will get down to 28°. We have had quite a bit of precipitation over the last two days. Mary went down to the man-cave and started the dehumidifier running as we had taken on some water. It will take a few days, but it will get the job done. Today, there is only a small chance of additional precipitation, at least for our little corner of the world. Tuesday and Wednesday are the next likely chances. Farther inland, near GR, two to four inches are possible on those two days. If the snow stays inland, I'll be happy.

Saturday, I slept in until almost 11:00 AM. It felt good to do that, but I must have lain funny, because my shoulder really ached when I got up. Fortunately, an OTC pain pill solved the problem. I think that my trip to the therapist during which he maxed out the range of my arm motion, caused some of that. Oh well, this time some pain, hopefully, some gain. Mary decided that Saturday would be a good day to travel to Holland to see the ice sculpture contest they were holding. However, everyone else had the same idea. With on street parking limited by the contest, we ended up taking a tour of 8th St and not leaving the car.

We did stop for gas on the way back, and with a little help, I was able to get the job done. Then Mary went in search of some bread at the grocery store that is in the same lot. She came away unrequited, because the ingredient lists on the packages read like a chemistry set. I suppose that if you could decipher what the chemical names stood for you might feel okay But as Mary said, "All you really need is flour, water, and yeast when you bake at home." I agree. The store loaves would last forever with all the preservatives.

So today, we are going to take a try at a loaf of quick wheat bread from the same cook book that I use for my world famous banana nut bread. Hopefully, this becomes our soon to be famous wheat bread. We'll know after about one and one-half hours of prep and baking.

Otherwise, we had dinner at our favorite watering hole and then headed home. We sat and watched some TV and then I was ready for bed. I slept until a few minutes ago, and now, here I am at the keyboard.

Sunrise is at 8:15 AM and sunset at 5:32 PM. I have requested scrambled eggs with sausage and toast for breakfast and Mary seems amenable to that. Of course, she has been known to change her mind. If I don't have to make it, who am I to complain? I will assist with the wheat bread, as will Sugar the Sous Dog, and then we will see what happens next. Ciao.

Good early morning GH. It is just past 1:00 AM in "The City" and our current temperature is 41°, as we head towards our high of 40° under rainy skies. That's what we expected on Friday, and we got it. However we were also visited by fog due to the warm temperature and the cold snow. That advisory was in effect until 7:00 PM. This has been one wacky winter. Since I am currently residing downstairs, I am using the lower level "Weather"/"Train Spotting Window." In addition to being able to report that it is raining, I just watched an exceptionally long train pulled by twin locomotives go by.

This southbound train was composed of many covered hopper cars, several white and black tank cars, and a long string of box cars. This train was not driven by that horn happy driver. It took nearly five minutes to go through. We don't always see trains on Friday night/early Saturday morning.

On Friday, my P/T appointment was moved up due to cancellations. That worked out well for Mary and me, because we didn't have to interrupt our editing process. However, that session took about four and one-half hours. By the time I was ready to get out of my chair when we were done, I felt like I was frozen in place. Next time I get up more often.

Speaking of my P/T appointment, my range of motion continues to improve. The therapist will report that to the doctor before my next appointment on Wednesday. Then when I go to therapy later in the day, my therapist thinks we can begin to get on to more aggressive activities. Plus, I may finally be able to cast off my sling. That in itself will feel like real freedom. I won't be able to use my arm, but I will at least feel more independent.

In relation to using my arm, I got the monthly email notice from my Irish Jam session coordinator yesterday. The next session is one week from today, on the 18th. I can go and listen, but I don't believe I'll able to play. Maybe, it just depends on what the doctor tells me.

I got an email from my former colleague, Ellen, and she was excited that her first real day of subbing went well. She reported that she had children in the class who were children of her former students. She noted that the best feeling of all came from not having to take anything home with her at day's end. I couldn't agree more. Still, it does make a teacher feel old. She reminded me of a day, a long time ago now, that our team at the time was visited by a pair of Chicago radio station legends. It brought back memories, but also reminded me how long it has been.

In sports, we finally have the complete schedule of reporting for the pitchers and catchers. The boys in blue report on February 12, 2014, the Tigers™, on that same date, and my beloved Red Sox™, report three days later on February 17, 2014. As an aside, Mary's tear-off calendar Scrabble™ game allows the spelling Sox for a pair of socks. Once I see firm dates for pitchers and catchers reporting, I know that spring is not far off.

Today we have very little on the schedule. We have to hand wash/wring some clothing, as our wash machine went out of whack on Friday. The repair person visits on Monday to bring more whack, as our former school librarian used to say. The repair won't be cheap, I"m sure, but the cost of a new machine would be considerably higher. Other than that, more reading of my next book, based in the U.P. of Michigan. Sunrise will be at 8:15 AM and sunset at 5:31 PM. Tea time will follow shortly after sunrise. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 12:30 AM in "The City," and the current temperature is 22° as we head for a balmy high of 37° under cloudy skies. In fact, if the forecast is to be believed, we will have rain showers in the afternoon, maybe as much as one-half to one inch. With the ground frozen as it is, we will need to check to Man-Cave regularly to ensure that no water is coming in. I thought that we would get by until spring, but no, the weather goddess isn't cooperating this year. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be similar, except that each day will be progressively windier.

I am on my own in the AM for breakfast and later for lunch. Mary is finishing her work, which we didn't edit yet, and then I will help her with that. Sugar the Weather Dog will be walking with her walker this AM, and then she will be waiting on the couch for whatever comes. Speaking of Sugar, she and I got in some quality lap time on Thursday. She is such a good dog. In fact, she is the "Cutest dog on the planet." I wish everyone had their own Corgle to keep them warm.

In the afternoon, I read for a few minutes and then I had to look at the ending. The book was a never ending series of character sketches and odd occurrences. I fell asleep in my chair for several hours. I covered myself with a blanket and once I was snug and warm, I was out. Mary came down to check on me, several times she tells me, but I never noticed. We agree that that's why I am up in the wee hours, but I haven't figured out how to solve that problem yet. Once I can get back to my regular sleeping quarters, I should be okay. However, as things exist, I can't keep getting up and sleeping in my chair upstairs. What a conundrum.

Mary spoke with Sally yesterday. She is still recovering from her bout with the flu, as are her daughter and son. Here in Michigan, the television stations are broadcasting regular encouragement to get a flu shot and to take precautions to prevent spreading the flu. But it appears that this state lags behind in getting vaccinations. Mary and I got ours. Sally got hers too, but this is a stubborn outbreak.

Today is my second P/T appointment for this week. I have to be sure that I don't make contact with too any people while in the facility, since it is in the basement of the hospital. I doubt that any place where people gather is 100% safe.

I heard the train go by about 11:45 PM. It was heading north, so the southbound run will be happening in a few hours. I hope to be asleep by then.

I got an email from a friend with whom I used to teach. She had to remind me about how long ago we were teamed and where. She just had to include some facts regarding her experiences in those rooms. She is substituting for another friend with whom I worked on the student newspaper. I am glad that she is getting the opportunity to do that, on many levels. Good luck Ellen.

That looks like enough for yesterday and today. Sunrise will be at 8:15 AM and then...Tea time. Lunch will be when I feel the urge. I'll keep breakfast simple, probably Cheerios and raisins. Lunch, probably simple too, likely a sandwich and cottage cheese. P/T at 3:30 PM and sunset at 5:30 PM. I won't enjoy having to go out in the rain. Ciao.