Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 6:00 p.m. in "The City."

A short time ago, I was outside with the fur-children and the forecast from the NWS that calls for rain is very accurate. The current temperature is 35°, but it feels like 25° with a wind out of the east @ 13 mph. Tonight, the low-temperature will drop to only 33° before reaching tomorrow's hi-temperature of 35°. Then, the bottom falls out for Tuesday, as the temperature plunges overnight Monday night into Tuesday morning to 19°. That seems to be an anomaly. However, there is also a 49% chance for snow-showers tomorrow.

As of now, there is a Gale Warning in effect from St. Joseph to Manistee until 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night, as winds build to 25 to 35 knots with gusts possible up to 45 knots and wave-heights may go up to 14 feet! The sun will rise tomorrow morning @ 8:02 a.m. and set tomorrow evening @ 5:11 p.m.

I have proof that there is a G-d that watches NFL football and laughs. The 1 - 10 - 1 Lions finally won a game, literally in the last seconds, over the 5 - 7 Vikings, 29 - 27. Of course, that same G-d was also watching the inept 4 - 8 Chicago Bears lose to the 10 - 2 AZ Cardinals, 22 - 33. 

Good news in college football. 

The #2 ranked 12 - 1 Wolverines of Michigan and the BIG10, will return to the gridiron on December 31, @ 7:30 p.m. to play the12 - 1 Bulldogs of Georgia, ranked #3 in the nation, in the Orange Bowl in Miami. The formerly #1 ranked Bulldogs were manhandled by the new #1 Crimson Tide of Alabama yesterday, 24 - 41. 

The 10 - 2 Spartans of MSU and the BIG10, will face the 11 - 2 Panthers of Pittsburgh and the ACC Coastal Conference in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on December 30, @ 7:00 p.m.

Also on a positive note, the MAC10 West Champion Huskies of NIU, will be playing the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, FL on December 17, @ 6:00 p.m. 

Not much else was happening at the manse today. I am still reading the biography of Lady Bird Johnson and learning new things with every turn of the page. Mary is still stitching on her latest cross-stitch project as pictured in this photo courtesy of our Senior Staff Photographer. 

Note the intricate cross-stitch pattern and the use of myriad colors of floss.

We completed the indoor chores and I watched those aforementioned NFL games. I should know better, but like a moth drawn to a flame, I can't seem to help myself.

Tomorrow we have that appointment to get the car serviced and checked. However, that icy weather that is happening now may preclude that short trip to the nearby dealer. A game-time decision.

Tuesday is loaded for me, with a P/T appointment followed by an appointment for my twice a year knee injections at the orthopedist. Although it will be cold, the roads should be clear. Ciao.