Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:45 a.m. in "The City."

As of now, the temperature outside the WW is 30.4° with 61% relative humidity, although it feels like 19°. Indoors, it is 64.2° with 59% relative humidity. In the dearly departed summer, maybe in the recently departed beginning of the month, we'd be enjoying those temperatures and wishing them to continue. Now, I'm wearing my fleece and slippers.

Later today, the National Weather Service is predicting an icy winter storm that is supposed to start around 10:00 a.m. and continue through 6:00 a.m. Tuesday. Snow and ice are in the warning for much of Western, MI, including GH. As my loyal readers know, those predictions from the NWS are often inaccurate for our little corner of the world, and more accurate for GR. Strong winds, up to 30 mph and an accumulation of ice on power lines and roads of 1/2 inch are possible. The wind may gust to 50 mph. It looks like we're not in KS anymore Sugar, I mean Toto.

The high today is expected to reach all the way up to 32°, so that means that the roads and other surfaces will be slippery and treacherous. I guess that that is my way of saying that I need to get out with the intrepid weather dog before all of that begins. I have a few outdoor decorations to put away too, so that is high on my list after I return from the abbreviated morning safari.

I anticipate that there will be trains to spot later this morning. They are not generally deterred by ice. However, I'll be indoors when they pass, I hope.

In sports, the Bears and the Lions were winners yesterday, 26 - 21 over Tampa Bay in the case of the Bears, and 32 - 17 over the 49ers in the case of the Lions. Neither 6 - 9 team is going to the playoffs, and so next week's face off, to use a hockey metaphor, is for pride only. However the much hated Packers, sorry Ellen, fell to the Arizona Football Cardinals, 38 - 8. I have not seen a team dominate Aaron Rodgers and the Pack that much in a long, long time. Nine sacks, two fumbles, returned for TDs, and interceptions abounded. However, the Pack is going to the playoffs.

Elsewhere, yesterday was nice for walking with STWD. Then I stayed in and added more to my jigsaw puzzle, watched the Lions game, and later NCIS. Along with the game, I had prepared chopped celery and vegan blue cheese dressing, vegan Gouda cheese slices and green olives for a game time snack. Mary joined me for a few minutes and even added some chips, pickled jalapenos, and salsa to my feast. In short, my viewing experience was  a complete success, at least in the sports department.

Today, I'll get out for the morning safari, get those decorations down, and also remove some bark from our soon to be removed tree for Mary. I don't know her plans for that bark, but it shouldn't take long. I have a few indoor chores to accomplish too,

The sun will rise at 8:15 a.m. and set at 5:17 p.m. Ciao.