Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is 22° under cloudy skies. Today's high is forecast to reach 22°, also under cloudy skies. So, I guess you could say that we have both bottomed out and reached our zenith for today. The sun will rise today @ 8:06 a.m. and set later @ 5:09 p.m.

A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect until 7:00 p.m. this evening for the shores of the "Big Lake", from St Joseph to Manistee. A Small Craft Advisory means that inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions. Winds may reach speeds up to 25 knots and waves may get as large as seven feet in height, thus producing hazardous conditions to small craft.

Yesterday was a rather mundane kind of day. I got up in time to get some of my few remaining hairs trimmed and then I was off to the podiatrist for my regular visit. Everything went well. I finished up my personal travels with a stop at "The Bell" for lunch and some reading time.

Mary stayed behind and had some leftovers for her lunch and then she walked to her office to read some email. Later, we collectively traveled to that nearby big-box home-center for a return and then next door to yet another big-box retailer, this one of the office supply variety. Mary is compiling a binder that she hopes to fill with her research about the previous, long-time occupant of the manse. She is currently having a rough go, as there isn't a lot of information readily available. The binder we purchased is a small one, and it should be adequate for Mary's needs. But, I know how determined Mary can be, so I believe a breakthrough will happen.

We also traveled to Stan's and then home for a dinner of what seems to be a Chicago phenomenon, two hot dogs on one bun covered with relish etc. I requested Tater Tots™ as a side and as I like to do, I covered them with malt vinegar. Mary likes hers with ketchup, or is it catsup? Apparently, the two words are just alternate spellings for the same condiment, with the word ketchup being the more popular spelling. Who knew?

Today, Mary will be braving the cold of the mean streets as she walks to the library for another of her "Tad" volunteer sessions. The fur-children and I will be here, staying warm until I have to feed them and take out the trash. I have to be sure to feed the fur-children before Mary returnss, because If I don't, when Ginger spots Mary from Ginger's post on the sofa, she goes crazy for her pawferred human and then all bets are off. Who says dogs have it easy?

Mary started another loaf of her Dutch oven baked bread yesterday afternoon. Its rising in a bowl on the kitchen counter right now. She will be using her new Dutch oven to bake it later or even tomorrow.

I hope to get in some time with my music and art while Mary is away and that should be about it. Ciao.