Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It has just passed 4:00 a.m. in "The City." A current temperature of 32° that feels like 25° is the harbinger of better things to come. Later today, the forecast calls for a high of 37° under partly cloudy skies. Tomorrow, the temperature begins an inexorable rise through the upper 30s and into the mid 40s by week's end. I guess that means that Punxsutawney Phil was right on February 2, spring was six weeks away. At any rate, let the melting begin, the flooding start, and the annual ritual of emptying the dehumidifier recur. In addition, the daily walks with Sugar the Weather Dog can begin anew too.

Elsewhere, we had a a weird occurrence with our phone yesterday. Mary tried to turn it on and it wouldn't, turn on that is. She tried plugging it into the charger, nothing. We tried pushing various buttons, still nothing. We had no idea how the battery came out, or if it even did. So, off to the local store where we got it two months ago. Apparently, some sort of software glitch caused the phone to lock up and not recognize that it was actually on. A removal of the battery, and voila, the phone came back to life. The technician checked the battery for strength and it was fine. That means that one of those computer gremlins had visited the phone and no one knows why. At any rate, it works now, or at least I think it does, as I don't look at the phone during the early morning hours.

We also found time to visit the Post for a couple of hours. As always, the people there were very nice. Then it was time to pick up the Grand Haven Tribune and head home. I prepared a sandwich to go with what I determined was the best Cole Slaw Mary had ever crafted. I know the simple ingredients, but only Mary and the cooking goddess know the proportions. Ironically, the book I am highlighting makes reference to the Fanny Farmer Cookbook, and it's reliance/insistence on exact measurements when cooking. Mary always says that in cooking, recipes are just suggestions, while in baking, times, temperatures and amounts are far more critical.

Later today, I still don't have much planned. I'm going to try my hand at baking some cookies. I think I'll follow Fannie Farmer's methods. Fannie has never let me down. Mary will continue to knit or start her latest project. I'll finish setting the many clocks that seem to be a part of modern life.

That looks like enough for today. The sun will rise at 8:09 a.m., and set at 7:41 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning everyone. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City." A current temperature of 29° is not supposed to get any lower than 24°. Once the sun rises at 7:11 a.m., the prediction is for snow showers and a high of 38°. The trend in the forecast is for continued warming. Once again, this is winter in MI. I heard the manager of our favorite watering hole say yesterday that this has been two harsh winters in a row.

On the other hand, I also heard someone say that the recent weather in the South disproves global warming. It doesn't. In fact, it proves that global warming is very real. The long term droughts in CA and the West as well as Australia, the snow in D.C., super storms in NJ, the very cold temperatures in much of the U.S., but not in AK, demonstrate that the climate is changing and much more rapidly than scientists predicted. The real threat to our children and grandchildren won't come from the Middle East, but from our own willful ignorance about man-made climate change.

But I digress. We got out late in the day to get some things at the big-box home center north of here. We didn't get everything that we needed, because we just weren't in the mood. Given the current level of snow cover in the back forty, I doubt that there is any rush. I can get the remainder of things that I need at the local big-box home center. Same things, different big-box.

Today, I have no real plans. I have to get to that highlighting for Mary. I also want to look for a picture in our archives. Somehow I doubt that I'll find what I am seeking, but I"ll look.

That looks like enough for a couple of days. Since there is nothing on TV, I can dispense with watching that. I should mention that baseball's spring training is on TV, and as we all know, baseball is life! So if I can find a game, all bets are off.

So when the sun sets at 6:41 p.m. this evening, Sugar the Weather Dog and I will probably be resting comfortably in the La-Z-Boy, and Mary will be puttering in her kitchen. In short, a perfect ending to a perfect day. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City." A current temperature of 16°, although it feels like 4°, should be as low as it will get this morning. In Chicago, the prediction is for 7°, so we are having a relative heatwave. Later today, after the sun rises at 7:12 a.m., the temperature will rise to 26°, with only a slight chance of precipitation. Saturday, the chance of precipitation increases to 40%. The eastern U.S. is bracing for a huge storm once again.

Yesterday, Mary and I went to the hospital/doctor for my first knee treatment. I also had to get some updated x-rays for comparison. When I return next week for treatment #2, the doctor will have those. Right now, my knees feel okay, but that may change as they felt poorly last evening, much sooner than I expected. The doctor wants to be sure that the treatments are worth the time, effort and cost. Here's hoping.

It was fun to look out the window in the late afternoon after we got home from the library, and see the sun shining for a brief time. Since we didn't have to drive and experience the glare that goes with snow, that was fine with me.

I heard the southbound train go by about 10:45 p.m. last night. I must have missed the northbound run. Oh well, that's okay, because it means that I was sleeping soundly. Sugar the Weather Dog got her paw-di-cure and Furminator™ treatment yesterday. She looks and smells much better. One thing about a dog that isn't a water dog or retriever, they collect dirt like a magnet. Of course the fact that Sugar's predominating color is white, may be a factor.

Today, we plan to get to the store to buy the lumber for the cold frame that I am building. That's about all that I have planned for today. I'll get the one book I picked up yesterday finished. I started it before we traveled earlier this year. I also have two others that I plan to read. I still have a puzzle to work on too. I once again understand how my mother in law was always so busy. I find that my daily work load is expanding to fill my time.

Mary got a new indexing assignment yesterday. Once she gets that printed out, which is problematical at this time due to a software glitch, I'll have to read and highlight that for her. That's how I earn my beans.

Speaking of beans, Mary made her version of rice and bean enchiladas for dinner. I liked them, especially since it gave me an opportunity to add some jalapeno slices. I can eat those like some people eat popcorn.

It looks like a full day ahead, so I'd best get back to bed and get my rest. My knees will appreciate my efforts. The sun will set at 6:40 p.m. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:30 a.m in "The City." A current temperature of 8° feels like -4°. Can I say Brrr! now? Good news though, we'll climb to 18° later today, and by Saturday, we should be into the upper 30° range. That's supposed to continue into the following week. Here's hoping.

My doctor was in surgery yesterday, and so his office asked if I could reschedule. Naturally, I was more than happy to postpone until today for at least two reasons. One, I want the doctor to devote as much time as possible to whatever patient he is treating. Two, I am more than happy to postpone my knee treatments. While I can tolerate pain, I am not a big fan.

Sugar the Weather Dog wants to go for a walk, but the state of the sidewalks is such that I'd have to walk in the street. I may try a bit of that today, as she, Mary and I could use the exercise. Or, we could load Sugar into the car and travel to the downtown area where the sidewalks are heated and walking is possible. I think I'll suggest that to Mary.

As it is, I had to place our trash bin in the street because there was no place in the parkway. If that "heatwave" prediction comes to pass, we might see some lawn again. Yes, dare I say it? There will be new grass on the field. Thanks to John Fogerty for the inspiration.

Yesterday, we got out, ran some errands, and picked up a few more things for Mary's cold frame. All I need now is the lumber and I should be set to go. That assumes that I actually see that grass again. With the Great  Lakes ice cover at 88%, we are likely to have a cool spring and a cooler than average summer. But, who knows?

Today, I want to go to the orthopedist and then settle in to do what I had planned for yesterday. I'm usually good right after the treatments, so I should be fine until tomorrow. I have a few books on hold at the library, so I may stop there while I am out. So much to do, so little time.

We stopped by at the Post to see who was there. Some of the regulars were, but John was tending the bar as Sally was down visiting her daughter in Florida, not far from where we just were staying. Sally left a message that it was raining, a lot.

Otherwise, not much is happening. The sun will rise at 7:14 a.m., and set at 6:39 p.m. The days they are getting longer. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 2:00 a.m. in "The City." That 1 - 3 inches of snow we were supposed to get yesterday morphed into about 4 - 6 inches. That necessitated that I go on snow removal patrol yet again. Our current temperature of 31° outside the Weather Window will also be morphing, as we drop to the overnight low of 4°. Good news though, we don't have much precipitation in the forecast. However that too comes with a price. Our high temperature today after the sun rises at 7:16 a.m., will be 19 cloudy degrees, which will last for the next two days. Then we begin a rebound to the upper 30s on Friday and Saturday. We are well below average and way, way below the records for this time of the year. Here's hoping.

Yesterday, I moved a lot of snow from the deck, porch, and shared driveway. Just as I had finished the end of the driveway, the city came by and deposited more. Oh well, that's winter in MI.

I found time to get very little done. By the time I recovered from moving all that snow, it had gotten late. I did get a chance to install a program called Evernote™ that will allow me to access my various music things anywhere in the world. That should be useful in the future.

Right now, the internet speeds are so slow as to be nearly in reverse. I'll have to call the provider later today.

I heard the southbound train go by around 10:20 last night. I have yet to hear the northbound train.Since I was here at my desk at 2:53 a.m., I was witness to the passage of the northbound train. The regular cast of EMD GP38 locomotives, #s 2057 and 2019, towing nine covered hopper cars and 11 of those dreaded black tank cars. Should I be afraid? Probably not at the speed that the train was rolling through, but one never knows.

Today I have an appointment to start my series of knee injections. Once every six to eight months, that becomes a necessity. I am actually at eight months and counting right now. The injections require a period of four weeks to complete. Somewhat painful, but the outcome is worth it. Once each injection is done, the next day I have some lingering pain as things realign themselves in my knees. A small price to pay. That means that I'll be convalescing in my recliner with Sugar the Weather Dog. I also have to find time to work on my music, so that is also a possibility. So much to do, so little time.

The sun will set at 6:37 p.m. later today. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just passing 2:30 a.m. in "The City." A current temperature of 24° that feels like 19°, will fall to an overnight low of 17° before we climb to today's high of 36°. Unfortunately, there is a winter weather advisory that goes into effect for today beginning at 7:00 a.m. We expect to get 1 - 3 inches of snow, but more importantly, a covering of ice that will make for hazardous driving. Our driveway is already a slippery mess, as Mary and I discovered when we tried to pull into the garage yesterday afternoon. We got stuck and had to get our neighbor's help to get the car to move. That's winter in MI.

Yesterday, I moved the snow out of the way of the garage, but I wasn't able to get down to the concrete, so the wheels just spun. That ice covering will not help. I did get the snow cleared off the front porch. I took a few before and after pictures to illustrate my efforts. I also managed to knock down some of the icicles that were hanging from the eaves. However, while I was inside, the sun helped in that effort and I had to clear some very large chunks of ice out of the driveway before we drove out. I didn't get pictures of those.

Today, I plan to stay indoors as much as possible. While I don't have any lingering aches and pains from all of yesterday's efforts at snow and ice removal, I have no desire to go out there and fight the battle any further. Pity poor Sugar the Weather Dog, as she wants desperately to go for a walk that neither Mary nor I plan to do, because of her tender paws and our fear of slip and fall.

I have to get to that music I need to edit further. I started the editing process while we were out of town, but it will take some time. I also have to start on my latest winter puzzle and a few other things that I have on my agenda. 

Both Mary and I are feeling a bit disoriented right now. Nearly two months away from home has made us unsure of what we are doing and where we are spatially in our own home. That should pass soon, we hope. 

In other news, the sun will rise today at 7:17 a.m., and set at 6:36 p.m. I am also getting closer to my daily sports reports too. As I like to say, "Baseball is life!" At this time of year, all of my teams have identical records and soon there will be new grass on the field.

As further proof of my personal disorientation, I almost forgot about my trainspotting report. But, a rumble in the ground and a whistle in the night remanded me. The northbound run just rumbled by at 2:26 a.m. EMD GP 38 locomotives #s 2019 and 2057, both sporting the latest livery, led a mix of 24 covered hopper cars, two box cars, and one tank car, that did not appear to be one of those dreaded black ones. 

Now for those pictures.

This is what I faced before I started

A wider view of the same

Post removal efforts

And the same, but another wider view

Thanks to the efforts of one of our neighbors with a snow plow, the end of the driveway was mostly clear. However, I had to open the gap a bit to make turning in easier. Too bad I wasn't as successful near the garage. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 3:00 a.m. in "The City", and it feels good to be home. We traveled on both Friday and Saturday to stay ahead of winter storm Sparta that was scheduled to hit IN, OK, TN, and other parts of the Midwest. Here in GH, we arrived home to find the front porch and the deck heavily snow covered, and the back door inaccessible. With a lot of help from our neighbor, we were able to get in and get resettled. Sugar the Weather Dog was glad to be home. Like us, she had had enough of riding in a car.

Currently, the temperature is 22°, although it feels like 10°. Later today, after the sun rises at 7:19 a.m., the temperature is expected to rise to 29° with a 0% chance of precipitation. Unfortunately, on the heels of Sparta. comes winter storm Thor on Tuesday, with a 100% chance of 3 - 5 inches of additional snow. While it is nice that the temperature will be 35°. It looks like we'll not see much real improvement in temperatures until late next week. March definitely came in like a lion.

I was thinking while I was out shoveling that snow late Saturday, that I'm not getting any younger. However, last night as I was thinking about that fact, I realized that it is nice to be able to get older. A few years ago, I wasn't so sure. Now, I have plans to live a long life, and grow older with Mary. Our 50th anniversary, (Wow did I actually write that?), is only eight years away. I never tell Mary often enough how fortunate I am to have her by my side and how much I love her. I love her more now than last year and not as much as tomorrow, (Thanks to Stevie Wonder for that lyrical inspiration), and she deserves the best from me. She tolerates my mood swings that seem to have increased since my illness a few years ago. It may be just my imagination, but I feel more emotional and more moody sometimes.

Keeping with the spirit of the wintry weather, I have to tackle those snow covered front porch steps and deck area later today. Mary wants me to move some of the snow off to the side of the porch in a particular way, but I can't seem to remember how. Fortunately, she'll be here to tell me. We have to pick up our stopped mail later today, so that's why I have to clear the steps and porch. Our letter carrier needs to be able to get to the mailbox. Otherwise, not much is on tap for today. Lot's of things need to be done, but none are pressing.

Yesterday, I had to thaw out the wash machine so that it would drain. Apparently, when the mud room was added several years ago, there was no insulation put under the floor, That allows the drain on the wash machine to freeze. Mary reminded me afterwards, that I should have started with hot water. Ah well, live and learn. Maybe next year I'll remember. Or, like Margaret in the Steve Goodman song The Dutchman, Mary will remember that for me.

The sun will set at 6:35 today. Ciao.