Good evening GH. I am a bit premature with this posting, but that's the way the ball rolls sometimes. I just finished watching some inane TV show, so I thought I'd sit down and write this blog. Just think of this as the early morning blog I would normally offer.

We have a current temperature of 33° as we head down to the overnight low of 21°, before we rebound to a post sunrise temperature of 23°, albeit with a 0% chance of precipitation for the next several days. Incidentally, the sunrise tomorrow will occur at 7:56 a.m,. and the sunset will happen at 5:11 p.m. Sugar the Weather Dog and I will take the morning constitutional in less than ideal conditions. I must say although the temperature today was warmer, the wind out of the west was a harbinger of things to come. The mist was being blown right in our faces as we walked westward. Still, we had a good time.

Mary wasn't able to accompany us, as she was busy printing out her latest project. When Sugar and I returned, it was time for the morning juices, flax seed capsules. Breakfast consisted of leftover deviled eggs that had morphed into egg salad sandwiches, with homemade applesauce on the side. Later we had more of the greens that Stephany had made for Thanksgiving, along with stuffing muffins, turkey for me, and everything smothered in Mary's delicious gravy. I had the lion's share of the greens, but that is fine with me.

That means that so far, we have had three meals from the Thanksgiving dinner that Stephany prepared. We are likely to get one more meal, and if you count the original meal, that makes five. Plus, there are still some mashed potatoes in the refrigerator and greens in the freezer. I am in heaven.

I just watched the southbound run of the twin locomotives. They were "deadheading" to borrow a phrase. and that means that they will likely be returning north with cars in tow. It is likely that I won't be awake to see that trip.

I got the laundry done today, all of it. Now I have to get busy highlighting Mary's nest indexing project. I started it and I like the subject matter. That means that it will be a labor of love. I still expect to be paid for my efforts. Once you work for free, you will be expected to always work for free, so I won't make an exception now or ever. My boss is too much of a slave driver.

Otherwise, I got in some time with the girls and that's a good thing anytime. In the next few days, I'll be setting up the Christmas tree, which means that I have to fit in painting the new ornaments. I'll be heading off to bed in a few minutes, and then I hope to sleep the sleep that I deserve. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 1:30 in the early morning on this dark night. Right outside the Weather Window, there is nothing to see. There is also a current temperature of 48° as we drop to the overnight low of 44°. When the sun rises at 7:54 a.m. the new dawn will bring a high temperature that will be about one degree lower than the overnight low that is currently predicted by the National Weather Service. By Monday, the high is expected to get to a not so balmy 23° under partly partly cloudy skies. Go figure.

We had a great holiday. We joined Stephany and Adam for Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. As is always the case, Adam laid out the various appetizers and Stephany outdid herself in the kitchen. Her dressing muffins, greens, my personal favorite, green bean casserole, and the mashed potatoes to which Adam gave  his blood, sweat, but no tears, were all excellent. Leftovers abounded. Stephany made extra greens just for me to have leftovers, and for that I thank her. We were fortunate enough to carry some leftovers home and I will enjoy all of them. In fact yesterday, we did, in fact, start the enjoyment. Mary made her gravy to add to the feast.

On the way home, we stopped off to pick up Sugar the Weather Dog and she was glad to see us, as we were glad to see her too. Once home, she immediately went to couch and was gone to the world. I was tired after our holiday activities, and so I retired to the La-Z-Boy for a nap. Two hours later, Mary woke me and we journeyed to the Post to have an afternoon cocktail and enjoy the conversation.

In between, the Wolverines of Michigan lost to the 28 - 42. We watched the start of the Spartans of Michigan State defeat of the Nittany Lions of Penn State, 34 - 10. On Friday, the Huskies of Northern Illinois University, handled the Western Michigan Broncos, 31 - 21, in a battle of MAC 10 rivals. Today, the Lions and the Bears have the day off. That's good for both teams.

Today is laundry day after Sugar, Mary and me take the morning constitutional. The predicted temperature will make for a great time, I'm sure. Then I'll settle in for the crossword and watch the laundry go round and round. Afterwards, I should find time to play with the girls. That should be enough for the day as Mary continues her work. I'll wait until Monday, December 1, to start the annual Christmas tree set up. Mary feels strongly that I shouldn't get started before the month of December. I like her thinking, but the major retailers got started a bit earlier than I.

The sun will set at 5:11 p.m., and then I will be ready for the day's labors to end.

That looks like it's time to say Ciao before the sun rises, so Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 1:00 a.m. in "The City." We have a current temperature of 21° as we await the rising of the sun at 7:53 a.m. Naturally, as the Earth rotates, the sun will set at 5:12 p.m. A 60% chance of precipitation is expected today, but that shouldn't cause any travel concerns for Mary and me. Especially me, since I don't have to drive. Saturday, the chance of precipitation falls to 40% as the temperature rises to 43°. Sunday we are supposed to get to 46° as people begin their long treks home from their family gatherings.

I had a great Thanksgiving. Mary worked, I walked with Sugar the Weather Dog, and then I went to work in the kitchen paring apples. Sugar the Sous Dog was there to assist, as always. As I prepared the applesauce, she was able to partake to of the apples I was paring. I also pared enough apples to make an apple pie. My pie was a scratch effort. I used no store bought items that weren't in their most basic state before I began. I have included a picture directly below to highlight my efforts.

For my first effort, I like to think it looks great and will also taste great. Photo courtesy of Mary.

Once I had cleaned up after myself, Mary came down and continued using the oven, as she baked a loaf of rye bread she has been working on for two days. Then she got to work on some deviled eggs. All in all, the kitchen was a busy place yesterday. Sugar the Sous Dog was ever vigilant to make sure that nothing went awry.

I found time to complete the crossword from yesterday's newspaper too, along with finding time to play the girls. In short, what a great day. I watched a small amount of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from NYC. Three hours was more than I could give to that activity. Then it was time for football. The Detroit Lions were victorious over the Chicago Bears, 34 - 17. As a transplanted Michigander I was torn, but I'm glad that a team that I follow won the game.

Today we'll be traveling south for Thanksgiving dinner with family. I have it on good authority that the greens are taking over the kitchen where we are heading. That's okay with me, because I love greens. I didn't know that until a few years ago, because greens were not something that my mother nor my maternal grandmother ever prepared. Of course, it wasn't that long ago that I discovered that I liked deviled eggs too. I used to eat just the egg whites from hard boiled eggs, But one day I reasoned out that if I liked eggs scrambled, I could eat egg salad and deviled eggs too. Even fried eggs are now in my repertoire. I still don't care for mushrooms nor bananas. Sugar the Sous Dog can always have my share.

That looks like enough for two or three days. Ciao.

This being Thanksgiving, I'll just be thankful and start out by saying, thanks to Mary, Stephany, and Adam, just for the sheer joy of having family. Thanks to everyone who helps out the homeless, the needy, the hungry, and any lost souls, whether animal or human.

That being said, I wasn't going to get up and blog, but sometimes the best laid plans, etc., etc.

Just outside the Weather Window, it is still cold and there is snow. More on the way, but I don't have to travel today, so that's fine with me. Sugar the Weather Dog and I will take our regular morning constitutional, if that counts as traveling. The sun will rise at 7:52 a.m., and set at 5:11 p.m., and nothing I do will change that. That in itself feels good and reassuring.

I got all of the housework done yesterday, so today I think I'll peel the remaining apples and make apple sauce. I may also take time to bake an apple pie, and since Mary will be upstairs and out of her kitchen, I should be able to accomplish that without interference from the "owner" of the kitchen. Sugar will be at the ready in her role as Sous Dog extraordinaire to lend a paw whatever I do. I will also find more time to play with the girls. Of course, I may also find time to watch the Lions and the Bears at noon after the annual Thanksgiving parades.

Yesterday, we had plans to go see those Christmas trees in Muskegon, but the pre-holiday traffic on the highway made us change our minds. Instead, we decided to visit Sally and the folks at the Post. Then it was off to the favorite watering hole for dinner. For the people who have tired of their families by then, the watering hole will open at 4:00 p.m. today.

So that looks like enough for me. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 5:30 a.m. in "The City." Our current temperature outside the Weather Window is 31 cloudy degrees. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature will not drop further under partly cloudy skies, however with a 10 mph wind, it feels like 21°. That's all before the sun rises at 7:50 a.m. We should be light on precipitation today, but on Thanksgiving that changes to an 80% chance of one to three inches of snow, and don't tell Mary, but that may be the same on Friday. Temperatures are expected to stay the same. at 31°. We have plans to travel on Friday, but neither of us is thrilled about driving in those conditions. Once again, a game-day decision.

I got bad news earlier on Tuesday. I got my few hairs cut, but my Barber, Joe, told me that December 18, will be his last day in his shop. He'll be moving his expertise across town for one to two months, and then he's off to Florida for a well earned retirement. That means I'll have to break in a new barber, close to home, and probably pay higher prices for my limited needs. Best wishes Joe.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, the floors got swept and washed in all the tiled rooms. Today, I have plans to finally get to that dusting and vacuuming that I have been putting off. Then I'll be done with my housework and I can get back to playing with the girls. Well, I generally find time for that activity everyday. I also have to get to work on some ornaments for our Christmas tree. That and work on my latest puzzle. Mary pointed out that for a retired guy and a work at home person we are certainly busy. I am beginning to understand why my late mother-in-law was always so busy. Work and other activities expand to fill your time in retirement.

On her part, Mary will be working on business activity while I am dusting and vacuuming around her. She spent about three hours the other night cleaning "her" kitchen Sunday or was that Mondays night. She professed that it was physically taxing. No doubt. But once I had changed the overhead light bulbs to some that are significantly brighter, the need for cleaning became all too apparent. As she says, she uses her kitchen, it is not a "Set" for a commercial or magazine. I am "allowed" to use it too. Naturally, it is also Sugar the Weather Dog's "mess hall" also. In addition, in Sugar's role as household Sous Dog, she spends nearly as much time there as Mary, certainly more than me.

Speaking of her kitchen, Mary made leftovers for lunch yesterday, and then using things that she had in her freezer and cabinets, she made a delicious spinach lasagna for dinner. This recipe is a definite keeper. Spices, tomato paste, and tomato juice were in there somewhere, along with the lasagna noodles, I believe. I just watched TV.

I'll be dong that vacuuming and dusting before the sun sets at 5:11 p. m. As I said, I'll get in some play time with the girls and then probably finish my novel. I am liking both the author's style and the subject matter. All of that will come after the morning constitutional with the intrepid weather dog. She didn't get a walk yesterday, and she wasn't happy about that. Both she and I will miss waving at Joe when we pass in the morning, and in the better weather, the afternoon. Ciao.

Good morning GH. It is just past 3:30 a.m. in "The City." That's the newly snow covered city Mary and I call home. Not really a lot of snow, but there is a chance for a bit less than two inches of snow total by the time this snow event ends. That's a lot different than the earlier alert which has since been revised downward from four to seven to that maximum of two inches. We have a current temperature outside the Weather Window of 30°, which will rebound to 32° as Tuesday comes into focus. Of course, that forecast is courtesy of the National Weather Service, who was also predicting one to three inches of new snow before the sun sets at 5:11 p.m. this evening. In short, like all the forecasts that they and I offer, it is subject to change.

Elsewhere on Monday, I awoke to the sound of a power shovel digging up the yard of the house two doors down. Apparently their sewer line needed repair. Sugar the Weather Dog was Sugar on the spot, and let us know that that was happening. Mary and I did a few errands after lunch, going to the shoe store and the big-box home store in Muskegon. Mary got new household slippers, I got light bulbs. That quick departure gave us the chance to avoid the latest storm front that moved in about 3:00 p. m. yesterday. The wind it blew, the snow it flew, and the temperature fell as the evening wore on. We had dinner and then, I went upstairs to watch TV, while Mary was cleaning the kitchen. In this case, I got the better part of the day's/evening's activities.

I also spent some time reading my latest fiction novel too, and I like the style of this author, Patrick F. McManus. This book was one I picked from the N.Y. Times Review of Books, titled Circles in the Snow. There are many earlier works in this series, so I should have another author to read.

Today, Mary and I will be walking to our hair stylists. Both of us will walk in the street to avoid the ice patches on the sidewalks. She will have to go about one-half block less than me. Her long hair will get styled, while my shorter hair will get cut. She'll pay more, I'll pay less, but my hair is a work in progress, while hers continues to grow.

I'll pick up today's Grand Haven Tribune, on my way home. Sugar the Weather Dog will have to go out on her tether, as I don't want to be pulled down icy sidewalks. I need the walk as does she, but I am too afraid of falling on the ice and snow that is now clinging to every horizontal surface in our fair city.

That looks like enough for yesterday and today. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be. It is just past 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night in "The City." The view outside the Weather Window is dark with a side of rain. That is a harbinger of things to come tomorrow. Our current temperature is 51°. When the sun rises tomorrow at 7:49 a.m., the temperature will rise to 46° from the low of 46°, with a 100% combination of rain/snow/wind. That's a far cry from the weather that we experienced today which was, mostly mild, some rain, and a good day to take a walk with Sugar the Weather Dog.

Tomorrow, the sun will set at 5:14 p.m., with little chance for a repeat performance in the weather department. Oh well, at least the snow was gone for a day. We can expect to see less than one inch of accumulation on Monday.

Mary and I have plans to go out and about again tomorrow, but that is dependent upon her work schedule ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. There is an exhibit at the Muskegon Museum of Art that I have wanted to see for three years, called the Festival of Trees which is only displayed for 10 days each year. It started on the 20th, so it will only run through the end of the week.

Today's errands included picking up the additional embroidery hoops Mary needed to complete our tree skirt, and I got the puzzle saver for my winter puzzles. Then we stopped off at the big-box hardware store to get some LED light bulbs and a clamp to repair my desk, which I will do tomorrow in the daylight. We decided that we like the LED bulbs and their brighter light so much, that we now need to get several more.

Mary worked hard on today's dinner, and it was excellent. It featured a Celebration Roast from the fine folks at Field Roast Products™, and some potatoes and carrots that Mary had on hand. I like the Field Roast™ products a lot. The taste is great, the texture is perfect, and their offerings are all natural combinations of fruits and vegetables.

After we get the bulbs tomorrow, we'll go to the museum and view the exhibits and perhaps visit a yarn store that we visited once before, but which may not be there any longer. That seems to be our luck with yarn stores lately. However, we won't know until we get there. Then it's home to the palatial estate for some rest and relaxation.

That looks like enough for tomorrow and a good description of today's activities. Ciao.