It was a dark, but not a stormy night at just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City." However, it is cold out there, to paraphrase that old song, and there is a 40% potential for snow in the not too distant future. If the forecast is right, it will be less than one inch. Just enough to make things slippery. Plus, there will be wind blowing at 10 - 20 mph. Sugar the Weather Dog and I will will just have to soldier on. We have an appointment for the intrepid one on Friday morning, and an appointment to have the car serviced in Holland in the afternoon of that same day, so we'll be watching the forecasts closely.

GR is reporting that they had record breaking snowfall last year, and this year over the same period, it is likely that they will set another record, this time for the least amount of snowfall. I know it is just weather, but something weird is going on here. Record cold, record snowfall, record warmth seem to be becoming the norm. Go figure.

Mary and I finished the indexing project yesterday afternoon. Then it was time for our victory dinner at the favorite watering hole. Since this is the second of two holiday weeks, there was a larger than usual crowd for a Monday afternoon. Next week, we'll become a sleepy little city for a few months.

Otherwise, not much was happening yesterday. Sugar and I took our regular walk in the morning, during which we met one of her favorite people. This lady works delivering the Grand Haven Tribune to various places in and around GH. To Sugar, she is the lady who deliver biscuits to Sugar. We crossed the lady's path twice, and Sugar would have gladly gone home with her if it meant getting more biscuits. Pavlov was right. As it was, Sugar received three biscuit treats and was overjoyed.

Earlier this morning, the first train that I have noticed rumbled past the palatial estate at 1:37 a.m. heading south. It took several minutes and the house shook on its foundation, so I know that it was long and heavily laden. But that is a somewhat anecdotal observation based on hearing only. It was not a visual sighting. I have not yet experienced the northbound run.

Today, I have time to play with the girls. I'll also have time to read the newspaper and do the crossword. I may also have time to read my latest book, as my boss says I can have the day off.

The sun will rise in a few hours a 8:15 a.m., and set later today at 5:17 p.m. Yes Virginia, the days are getting longer once again. Spring is not far away. Ciao.