Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City."

The current temperature is 37° under partly-cloudy. Today's high is forecast to reach 43°. The sun will rise today @ 7:58 a.m. and set later @ 5:59 p.m.

Yesterday was Ground Hog's Day, the 2nd of February, when Punxsutawney Phil,emerged from his burrow to predict the weather, ie the coming of spring, from the city of Punxsutawney, PA. That's up on Gobbler's Knob. If Phil had seen his shadow, six more weeks of winter.But, he didn't and
a top-hatted man, one of the Inner Circle, read Phil's scroll: "So do I hope you think it's neighborly, for there is no shadow of me. Spring will be early, it's a certainty." Not good poetry, but a nice way to break up a winter's day in PA.

The denizens of Punxsutawney have celebrated Groundhog Day every Feb. 2 since 1887. The tradition was brought over by German immigrants. Since that first gathering, this Punxsutawney Phil (there has been a few since then), has predicted more winter 104 times, according to none other than the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Counting this year, he hasn't seen his shadow 20 times. Records are missing for 10 years. Since 2009, according to NOAA, (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Phil's prediction has been right about 40% of the time. I like this year's prediction.

On the other hand, if you like a more "Authoritative Source,", the Old Farmer's Almanac has this to say. "According to our long-range outlook, spring will be slow to start with winter lingering across the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, and New England. Occasional wet snow and unseasonably chilly conditions will hang on for a ride that you may not be able to get off until April! I like this prediction less.

But, that's enough for the weather and Punxsutawney Phil and the Old Farmer's Almanac. Since it is now February 3, I assert that spring starts in just eight days in Florida and Arizona. I'll be born again, there will be new grass on the field, when the pitchers and catchers report.

Yesterday. I stayed home with the fur-children and made vegan Italian meatballs. Mary went grocery shopping. Collectively, we finished the indoor chores.

We took a walk with the aforementioned fur-children and both they and us enjoyed a day that saw temperatures rise into the upper 40s under sunny-skies. Those same sunny-skies allowed me to add more paint to the work in my studio. I am nearing completion.

As I described in yesterday's blog, the NWS was predicting windy conditions and a Small Craft Warning for the "Big Lake", with 30 knot winds and waves up to seven feet. So, we loaded ourselves into our Jeep Renegade™ and traveled to Grand Haven State Park to see what we could see and photograph. We were not alone, as the pier was busy with people willing to dare the fates and walk out  towards the lighthouses.

While the winds were strong, the waves were not all that big. However, I took some pix of the waves that were lapping up the sides of the South Pier and onto the shoreline.

Snap the shutter enough times and you get a great shot!

Often, of crazy people!

A sunny day.

A birch tree that is getting ready for its springtime bloom..

While not completely empty, I still like pix of playgrounds.

When we first arrived, I took this shot of the sun over Lake Michigan.

More crazy people.

Directly in front of these people is the recently revealed well that that was sealed years ago, but which the rising waters have uncovered for the first time in a long time.

According to an article from Wood TV 8 and Joe Vanderstel, the water facilities manager, "More historical artifacts could soon be visible if the water keeps rising. The water in Grand Haven is so high now it’s uncovered wells, pump houses and other concrete structures built nearly a century ago that once provided water for the city.

“This is an unusual sight, because it wasn’t that long ago when we had very low water. We’re seeing a lot of erosion, and exposure of some old wells that were put in in the 1930’s,” Vanderstel said. “I mean everything always pops up when you have a lot of erosion.”

Vanderstel added, “It’s amazing really, they’re not really that much outdated.“ "I mean they still use the same technology, obviously a little higher tech, with all the pumping." "That technology still is being used today." "It’s a great technique." "We just don’t use those wells now." "We use a buried infiltration bed.”

Those infiltration beds are buried 700 feet further off shore, 15 feet deeper below the sand too.
Wells that Vanderstel believes one day in the distant future might become exposed themselves.

Let's just say that the beaches at Grand Haven State Park and the Grand Haven City Beach further south, are seriously eroded and there are rumors that some activities at the State Park may be limited this year, including camping.

Today, we have nothing specific on tap. We have to get to that transplanting and perhaps another walk with the fur-children. Dawn will be by to clean the manse, so this is a perfect opportunity to transplant the various fauna that occupies the manse. We'll take advantage of the warm temperatures and do that transplanting task on the deck. Ciao.