Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 9:45 p.m. in "The City."

A current temperature of 69° is being reported by the NWS in GR. That 69° feels like 69° even with the 13 mph winds. 

Several statements, watches, and advisories go into effect tomorrow beginning @ 7:00 a.m. and ending on Wednesday @ 1:00 a.m., and from 7:00 p.m. 

There will be a Small Craft Advisory in effect from St. Joseph to GH , with wind speeds from the south up to 30 knots and waves from two to four feet in height. In addition, there will also be a Gale Watch also in effect from St. Joseph to GH. Wind speeds may be as high as 40 knots and waves ay reach from four to six feet.

Finally, there is also a Lakeshore Flood Statement in effect tomorrow, beginning  @ 7:00 p.m. and continuing until 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, for Allegan, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties. A strong possibility exists for erosion of lakeshore properties and dunes as part of that statement.

Yesterday afternoon, we decided to take a trip to the Spring Lake Township Cemetery located on Fruitport Rd.in Spring Lake. The oldest part of the cemetery, which we visited, is located east of Fruitport Rd. It was originally established in the 1800s and the name was changed from Oakwood Cemetery to its current name, Spring Lake Township Cemetery, in the early 1900s.

While we were there, I took many pix of things and markers that we found interesting.

As we traveled Savidge St. in Spring Lake, this cloud formation caught my eye.

As did this one. 

This seems like nothing more than a boulder from this angle. 

But in reality, it is part of a monument for Mr. Thomas M. Nelson, born in Lakeville, MA, who moved first to Chicago, then to Fruitport. in Spring Lake Township. The boulder was originally located on the Nelson  Homestead in Assawompsett Neck in Plymouth Colony, MA.

Many markers in this part of the cemetery were badly damaged due to age or other factors.

Some had initials that referred to names on a larger marker nearby.

While other markers may have simply been vandalized. 

The Savidge family, for whom the main road through Spring Lake is named, features prominently in the history of Spring Lake, MI. Spring Lake was originally named Mill Point, MI, due to the presence of the lumber mills that milled much of the lumber for Chicago following the Chicago Fire in October, 1871, which lasted three days. More than 17,500, mostly wooden buildings, were destroyed over those three days. Much of Spring Lake is built atop the sawdust that was created as the lumber was milled, then loaded aboard ships in GH, and then sent across Lake Michigan to Chicago.

The O'Connells have a large plot in the cemetery.

Baskets of varying sizes are seen throughout the cemetery from this small one,

To this very large one.

And one of a medium size too. 

The only marker we saw with this shape.

One more fallen marker, probably vandalized too. 

We couldn't decide if this marker from the mid-1800s had fallen, or if it was intentionally placed this way. 

When we got back home, I took a pic of the area between the garage of our neighbor to the east and our own garage. 

In the foreground, is the VW taxi we got from Steph and Adam's place in South Haven. 

Also after we got home, Mary went with Ginger to the big-box nearly everything store for a pickup, while I stayed behind and made more of my famous vegan Italian meatballs, six of which became part of Mary's secret recipe pasta sauce, served over Chickapea spaghetti noodles. Since those noodles are made from chickpeas and lentils, Ginger won't eat that type of noodle until it is cooked. However, she will eat whole wheat noodles, whether dry or cooked. Who says dog's have no sense of taste? 

Oh, I almost forgot, Mary and Ginger were going to make a stop at the City Beach on their way home, but according to Mary, it looked like most of the people in GH and Ottawa, County had the same idea. So instead, she and Ginger ended up at the Lake Forest Cemetery for a walkabout. 

Tomorrow, I have an appointment in Muskegon in the late afternoon, but before that I have to take advantage of the warm temperatures to place some hooks on the front porch of the manse to hang my Christmas lights after Thanksgiving. That's the earliest I am allowed to begin my annual Christmas decorating.

The sun will rise today @ 7:30 a.m. and set later @ 5:26 p.m. 

Sadly. or not, I awoke this early a.m. to the sound of the train heading north on the RSTL. I was already at my desk last night @ 11:35 p.m. when I saw the passage of MMRR locomotives 2019 and 2057 heading south, towing nine CHCs, six DBTCs, and three DWTCs.

Then earlier this morning @ 4:52 a.m., O observed that same tandem of locomotives heading north, with 12 CHCs, three DBTCs, one DWTC, and 27 CGCs (Covered Gondola Cars) in tow. 

The CGCs I mentioned, looked just like the one pictured here. 

Revised/updated  @ 5:37 a.m. Tuesday. Ciao.