Greetings as Armageddon is about to hit on this Saturday morning. Oh sure, there was a rosy tinge to our sunrise, but with overcast skies we know Armageddon is upon us – or so the weather ‘weenies’ tell us.

This week I did my little daily walk in a Tee one day and wore a wool cap the next. Yesterday it was an in-between day (another sign that the ‘weenies’ possibly could be right). Therefore, I am loading up on my morning coffee.

Marcia and I did (an infrequent) night out. Since it’s infrequent we did it right and stayed out till the wee hours (yes it was after midnight). This Rambling is therefore running a little late.

”Ever notice that when husbands turn fifty they absolutely start to display contentment when wallowing in misery.” ~ Alan Barnes (paraphrased)

A Spring Robin – Since I can’t tell one Robin from the next (is that a non-acceptable politically incorrect statement?) I won’t label this little Robin as being my friend.

But, twice this week I had ‘a’ Robin NOT fly away as I approached. Instead, it ran/hopped alongside me for about a house length. It stayed about a yard away, kept looking up at me, and showed zero fear. Actually it was kind of fun watching it run alongside me through the grass and the blooming Crocuses and Daffodils, its little legs going lickety-split. Maybe I was wrong and have found a new friend.

Planning North – This week it’s become a formality; no one can use our guest bedroom. It’s been a slow and occasional process – not often discussed openly. But, it’s reached a point where it had to be brought out into the open – we’re officially getting ready for our 2018 season at Northern Comfort.

Every shopping trip seems to bring stuff into our place that then quickly disappears into one bin or another stored in the guest room.

With our little 4’ X 4’ balcony the thought of grilling in the great outdoors comes front-and-center no matter where I look.

Jazz – Last evening it was a wonderful evening of Jazz with Pianist Phil DeGregg. Phil retired from his tenured position at the University of Cincinnati, Conservatory of Music (CCM); primarily so he could devote more time to his first love – performing.

Last evening it was an evening at the Greenwich which for the past fifty plus years has been a hole-in-the-wall fixture (surviving even though located in one of the scuzziest parts of town).

DeGregg travels extensively, worldwide, and has built up a list of musicians who occasionally come to play with him in these parts.

So, this week a good friend of his, saxophonist Alan Barnes from England visited. Apparently he played with Alan in the UK on many occasions and now decided to invite him to this side of the pond. DeGregg claims he is of the UK’s best, busiest, and funniest jazz musicians. Aside from an evening of exquisite Sax, Clarinet, Bass, Drums, and Piano playing, we enjoyed a perfect evening sprinkled with an extremely entertaining (read:dry) British sense of humor.” Such fun!

Marcia and I never thought we’d ever listen to a rendition of Back Home Again in Indiana done in the style of the late great saxophonist Charlie Parker.

Finis – Yesterday, while shopping, I was asked to grab an extra dozen eggs. I suspect I know the purpose for buying that extra dozen. Hint: these were bought one week early.

Oh, oh, just spotted a large city salt truck going by. And yes, while keying in these Ramblings the snow has started to come down. Sorta looks pretty though.

Even so, make it a great week.

Cheers.

Dirk