Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City." A current temperature of 50° presages the arrival of spring at 6:45/5:45 p.m. this evening. Tomorrow we anticipate a high of 43° under partly cloudy skies. Sunday looks about the same. We may, and I stress may, get back into the upper 40s by Tuesday.

Later today, we have an appointment at the car dealer for an oil change, new windshield wipers, and other sundry things that the car may need. Since we just completed a 3,500 mile trip to Florida and back, we thought it was time. Many car aficionados believe that the cheapest thing you can do is to have the oil changed more frequently than the owner's manual calls for, and I am firmly in that camp.

I also plan to spend more time with the girls today. I've had that same plan each day, but something seems to get in the way. I have an Irish Jam session on Saturday, and I'd like to get in some playing time before then.

Yesterday, we made it to the orthopedist and then to the big-box home center for the supplies to build the cold frame. Now I just have to motivate myself to get to the man cave and do the construction. I figure that I have about two weeks before it needs to be in place. While spring is nearly here, the ground needs to thaw a bit more.

We did get down to see Sally at the Post. Things were quiet in the afternoon. We have found that along with being able to visit with Sally, it makes for a nice walking destination. Usually the day after my orthopedic visit, my knees are achy. Right now, they feel better than they have the last several days.

I just looked out the full time Weather Window and the part time Trainspotting Window as the northbound train rolled by. The same engines that ply the line regularly were pulling 17 covered hopper cars, one that was so rusty that it was nearly impossible to recognize the Chessie System markings. Interspersed were a lone box car and three of those dreaded black tank cars, 21 cars in all.

Otherwise, not much is on tap for today. The sun will rise at 7:48 a.m. and set at 7:57 p.m. In between, the day looks like it will be pleasant. Ciao.