Good morning or good evening wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:40 p.m. in "The City", where there are currently no watches, alerts, advisories, nor warnings in effect at this time. I believe that may be a first for quite a while.

The current temperature is 25°, although it feels like 19°, with a slight wind out of the northwest at five mph. The sun will be setting @ 6:27 p.m. tonight.

Tomorrow, the NWS has forecast that the high temperature will rise to 34°, with an overnight low of only 32°, so we should see some of that heavy coating of ice melt away.

We have been ear-reading our latest audio book entitled The Last Dress From Paris, by Jade Beer. It is a story of a young woman's search in Paris, France, (Duh), circa 2017, for a dress worn by her grandmother in 1953-54. It has been a fascinating ear-read and if you are into this type of fiction, I recommend this book without reservation. 

I finished my own print-read early this morning, but I have yet to start another, owing to reading two newspapers, starting their respective crossword puzzles, and doing some painting, and playing some songs in my studio.

I am totally enjoying finding time to do these various activities in my time between surgery, physical therapy, etc., which begins anew next month.

Mary is downstairs finishing the indoor chores, which I assisted with, ear-reading her own novel, and cross-stitching. 

Tomorrow, I believe that we have no specific plans, but that is something that I may have misinterpreted.

That being said. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 2:20 p.m. in "The City", where the temperature feels like 26°, due to strong winds out of the southwest @ 20 mph. That wind is part of the Gale Warning issued by the NWS for areas along the shore of Lake Michigan from St. Joseph to Whitehall until 10:00 pm. tonight. Wind speeds of 20 - 30 knots with gusts possible to 35 knots will propel waves up to nine feet in height.

Our current temperature of 37° will also be today's high temperature before we fall to an overnight low temperature of a very chilly 21° after sunset tonight @ 6:26 p.m.

Tomorrow's high temperature will only reach 27°, so whatever melting of the ice that coated everything from the latest Winter Storm Warning will only last so long. In fact, the daytime temperatures for the next ten days or so will bounce around from the low 30s to 40°, with low temperatures dropping into the upper 20s to lower 30s each night. It appears that March will indeed come in like a lion and go out any way it pleases.

Worthy of note is that due to that Winter Storm Warning, most schools closed yesterday and remain closed today, while the county offices, and other entities closed early yesterday, and some remain closed today too. In addition, depending on the area in which people are living, power outages range from a low of less than 500 customers in Ottawa, County, to a high of over 7,000 customers in Portage and Kalamazoo, Counties, due to tree limbs coated with ice falling and landing on power lines. Crews are waiting for roads to be safe before attempting to repair those outages. Some customers may be out until the weekend.

We have been enjoying our latest ear-read, while Mary has been ear-reading a separate book of her own along with cross-stitching and baking bread.

I have been painting, sketching, changing the strings on my banjitar, playing music, reading a novel, solving crossword puzzles and crypto quote codes. Plus, I also made more of my soon to be famous vegan Italian burgers, using kidney beans in lieu of portabella mushrooms and also baking nearly three dozen funfetti cookies, Mary's favorite. I have been quite busy as I look back on my week.

Today is more of a day for both of us to do whatever feels right at the moment. Right now, Mary is ear-reading and cross-stitching after reading the newspapers and stowing our latest order from Doorganics™, a service that delivers local and/or organic produce direct to homes throughout Michigan. 

As I noted, I've been painting, sketching, and just enjoying the efforts of our snow removal service, who had to chop at the heavy ice on our deck and driveway to clear a path to the garage and for Ginger to go out.

As for tomorrow, to paraphrase from an old song lyric, "Who cares what tomorrow may bring." Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:30 p.m. on a mostly cloudy afternoon here in GH. Our current temperature is a very comfortable 40°, although it feels more like 36°, with a slight wind out of the southwest @ five mph. Our overnight low tonight has been forecast by the NWS to fall to 29°.

The NWS has issued a Small Craft Advisory in effect until 1:00 a.m. tomorrow, from St, Joseph to Manistee, with wind speeds from 10 to 20 knots and gusts possible to 25 knots, causing waves to build to as much as five feet in height.

However, that Small Craft Advisory will be superseded by yet another Gale Warning, from 1:00 a.m. tomorrow until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, with winds from 20 to 30 knots and gusts possible to 40 knots, propelling waves up to 11 feet!

The sun will set today @ 6:22 p.m.

We got out to take some pix over the last few days. Mary has been generous in driving, while I have been in my role as the Senior Staff Photographer for my Jax Meanderings Blog. I posted many in yesterday's blog, but without any real order, here are some additional photos that I like.

Another shot of the sunset over the parking lot as the south pier. 

The outer lighthouse as the sun was setting.

It seemed like everyone had the same idea, let's go down to the pier for the sunset.

Once a proud union town, this is one of the last vestiges of that heritage in Muskegon.

In Coopersville, the Coopersville & Marne is closed until spring. 

But this Pullman railcar will be ready to go when the railroad reopens.

But will these locomotives and the caboose will be ready?

Somehow, I doubt it. 

Sadly, Coopersville is yet another small town that time has passed by. All they have now are two pizza places, a couple of restaurants, one outside of the downtown area, and a few small shops. Once per year, Coopersville plays host to an annual Car Show and celebration, loosely based on onetime resident, the late Rock and Roll star, Del Shannon. 

GH has remained vital due to GH State Park and its associated campground, the south pier, the lighthouses, the beaches, and the foresight of several iterations of our city council over the years. Plus, we have our annual Coast Guard Festival and Craft Show, a terrific Fourth of July Fireworks display, and numerous other attractions, such as Salmon Fest, Hispanic Heritage Fest, Jeep Fest, and art shows. 

I finished my last book late yesterday and I am soon to start another. I have returned to my easel and that is another plus to alleviate my winter doldrums. In fact, I have been painting this afternoon, while Mary has been downstairs ear-reading, cross-stitching, and enjoying some time with Ginger, who always wants to go wherever we are going. 

Tomorrow, we have nothing specific on the agenda. We have to finish that ear-read by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as it has to go back into the ether soon. But that's what makes retirement so great. I recently read a novel in which the main character said, "The only problem with doing nothing is, is that you don't know when you are done." I must agree. But one thing is for sure, I'll blog at you soon. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. across the nation and across the world. It is just past 2:30 p.m. in "The City." 

I've decided to diverge from my regular blog format, as we've just returned from a photo-op to Muskegon, Swan Lake, and our own Back 40. Yesterday, we made it out to the shores of Lake Michigan, i.e., the South Pier and Lake Forest Cemetery. 

That being said, I'm going to start with some of yesterday's pix and then segue into some from today. 

This deer was just as curious as we were. 

This young deer is getting his antlers for 2023.

Lake Forest Cemetery was Deer Central at sunset yesterday. 

One of the "No Fear" deer.

Sunset at the South Pier and Lighthouses. 

One of those times when the right camera is the one you have with you. That and my original telephoto lens. 

Mary says that these outdoor shelters are one of the few good things to come with the Covid-19 pandemic.

This plaque describes the next picture.

A cold and blustery day, but I was able to walk and snap this pic.

This one near the same location too.

As we returned from Muskegon, Mary stopped and suggested this pic. 

When the weather warms, the boat from Grand Valley State Univ. docks here. 

I really liked this shot of the people gazing at the lighthouses and the South Pier.

This year, with the channel and the Great lakes nearly devoid of ice, this boat will be out and about soon. 

Near our deck, I can't decide if these daffodils are coming in early.

Whatever the case, it felt good to get out, ward off some of the S.A.D. that I've been feeling, and get out for a walk on the windy side.

Today, it is nearly time for the 2023 Daytona 500, so I have decided to watch part of that, with Mary delivering popcorn to the delight of yours truly and Ginger. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 1:45 p.m. in "The City", where the current temperature under partly cloudy skies is 38° with a Small Craft Advisory being the only concern issued by the NWS until 5:00 p.m. today.

Not much is happening here at the manse. I have been learning my way around my new computer with Mary's help. But mostly, I have to just sit and play with it for a while to get more proficient.

I have some plans, but the reality is that the reason I waited so long to change machines is the need to change passwords, learn where programs store things, etc.

Today is another day of deliveries for Ginger, tomorrow too, as she is in need of a new bed and some additional food. Of course, the FedEx delivery van stopped a bit ago, and Ginger just had to go crazy. She is a Terrierist after all.

Tomorrow, I may, or may not watch some of the Daytona 500. I'm not much into NASCAR, ever, but this is their first race of the new season. For me, the start of racing season begins with the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" the Indianapolis 500. But even that has lost some of its appeal for me. 

Fortunately, there is always baseball.

I started a new novel after Mary picked up that one and many others yesterday. We continue to ear-read and that is going well.

I should be painting or coloring, but I seem to lack the ambition for that right now. Alas, I may be succumbing to SAD. (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

So, just to keep my hand in, I have written this blog. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 50° with showers possibly in the area. What does that mean? They are or they are not in the area!

At any rate, the wind-chill report from the NWS shows a steady wind of 19 mph causing the temperature to feel more like 44°. The warmer the actual temperature, the less impact that wind has on the feel of the air on the skin. The strongest winds today will come sometime after 7:00 a.m.

The sunrise today will be @ 7:42 a.m., with sunset @ 6:16 p.m.

In between, the NWS has continued that pesky Gale Warning until 4:00 p.m. today, with 40 knot winds propelling waves up to nine feet in height along the shores of Lake Michigan from St. Joseph to Manistee.

Plus, the NWS has also continued the Wind Advisory for parts of the Lower Peninsula, until 4:00 p.m. today, with 50 mph winds possible and the requisite blowing debris, downed tree limbs, and possible scattered power outages. 

Well, another Valentine's Day has come and gone, and while the world didn't stop turning on its axis, the usual cast of characters has either posited that something has to be done about gun violence in this country, or that they have offered up their "thoughts and prayers" for all of the victims of the latest tragedy, yada, yada, yada, while doing nothing! Mary found something on the internet wherein someone called those thoughts and prayers, "Tots and Pears" for the victims. That is probably just as good. But I am being maudlin. 

Today is the day that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training and the day that my annual subscription to MLB.TV renews. Once again, there is new grass on the field, and all that is good about life in America can receive our focus and drown out our fears for at least a few hours each day.

I decided to add this video from YouTube™ and the movie Field of Dreams, Field of Dreams, as a way of reminding all of us about what was and can again be good in America, if we have the will.

This afternoon, our new living room furniture arrives. We have waited over two months for this event, and we are excited to see what we bought. We remember it as great, but until we see the furniture in our living room, we won't be 100% sure. I think we are going to love it!

As a typical male, I would just set it and forget it, but Mary has the ability to mentally place things and then actually move them about physically until she gets the look she wants to achieve. 

I finished my latest novel about one hour ago, and now I have but one book on my shelf to read. I had a second, but it turned out that I had read that book sometime in the past. A "Senior Moment" I suppose. Oh well, I have more in the queue that await notification from the library that they are ready to be retrieved.

I drove downtown yesterday to do some walking while Mary and Ginger walked all the way. I needed to see if I had the ability to drive to an appointment this coming Friday. I do, but after not having driven for over two months, I was very apprehensive. I don't think I like driving anymore. It is okay by me to leave the driving to Mary. That coming from a once upon a time car guy.

Mostly today, will be more ear-reading for Mary and me, hiding out with Ginger when that aforementioned furniture delivery occurs, working more crossword puzzles after reading the newspapers, and watching as Mary gets the placement of the furniture just so. 

I should probably go back to bed, as I should be tired, but such is life. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just passing 8:00 a.m. in "The City", where the current temperature is 31°, although it feels like 23° with a slight wind out of the southeast @ eight mph. Today's high temperature forecast calls for 53°, with an overnight low temperature of 45°.

The sunrise this morning occurred @ 7:43 a.m. with sunset to follow this evening @ 6:14 a.m.

Once again, the NWS has issued a couple of warnings and advisories that will be going into effect this morning and tomorrow.

First, there is another Small Craft Advisory set to go into effect @ 10:00 a.m. today, from St. Joseph to Manistee, until 7:00 p.m. tonight, with the usual admonitions directed towards operators of small craft.

Next up, there will be a Gale Warning going into effect when that Small Craft Advisory expires @ 7:00 p.m. tonight until 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, also from St. Joseph to Manistee. Winds can be expected to be steady from 20 to 30 knots, with gusts possible up to 40 knots, causing waves up to nine feet in height. 

Given that forecast for Gale Force winds tomorrow and a high temperature of 46°, it looks like the surfers will be out on the third coast. 

Finally, there will also be a Wind Advisory for Central, South-Central, Southwest, and West-Central Michigan in effect from 1:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, with strong winds of 25 to 30 mph and possible gusts up to 50 mph, causing damage to tree limbs and power lines. 

After all of that, it is hard to focus on what is important today, but here goes.

This is St. Valentine's Day, a lover's and greeting card holiday, but it also marks the fifth anniversary of the mass carnage @ Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, in which 17 people lost the rest of their lives and devastated the lives of 17 families forever. What should have been a day for lovers and friends to enjoy each other's company, became a day to be remembered as one of devastation, permanent injury, either physical or psychological, and in 17 cases, death.

Last night and into the early-morning hours today on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, a lone gunman, since deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to capture, took the lives of three people and wounded five more, some with life-threatening injuries. 

It will take a great deal of investigation to determine his motivation, information that may have died with him. One thing is for certain, the Founding Fathers. and I doubt that any of their significant others had any input, never predicted that type of carnage when they added the infamous "Second Amendment" to the US Constitution in the late 1700s.

Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, opined that this is "A uniquely American problem," and added, "We should not, and cannot, accept living like this." However, it looks like this is the current and future state of affairs in this country. Must we accept this as the price of living in a free society? I don't know about any of my readers, but I don't feel very free today.

Otherwise, I am at a loss about additional things to say. 

Mary and I are still ear-reading Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? by Dr, Martin Luther King Jr. and the words he wrote in the mid to late 1960s are still as apropos today as they were over 50 years ago. 

I am still reading that novel by Nelson Demille, entitled Nightfall, in which fictional retired NYPD detective, John Corey, and his wife, current FBI agent, Kate Mayfield, explore what happened to TWA flight 800 which crashed shortly after takeoff enroute to Paris, France in 1996. In many ways it is eerie, as that crash took place after the first attempted destruction of the World Trade Centers in NYC, but before that tragic day, 9/11/2001, when those buildings were toppled by terrorists using large jet aircraft. Many of the same characters we learned about after that infamous date, were featured in this novel. 

Mary continues her solo ear-reading and cross-stitching between indoor chores, grocery runs, and TV news watching. 

Happy Valentine's Day to Mary.

To borrow from Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that." Ciao.