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.