Welcome to the frozen, white, below-zero Upper Peninsula. We should know better than to expect anything else this time of the year. Traveling was a little dicey though, as we went along with our son, Dave, who is finally home from his tour of duty in Iraq; we returned our grandson to Indian River following a weekend visit. When the Weather Channel calls for flurries and cold temperatures, that's good enough for me. I'm ready to throw another log on the fire, grab a good book, and stay home.

The lazy curl of smoke spiraling upward, the crunch of snow underneath your feet, and the quietness of the whole scene are what our tiny towns are experiencing as we head into February, with a few calls here and there from the snowbirds, whose temperatures indicate the need for tennis shoes and sweaters as opposed to snow boots, warm hats, and gloves. We've been fortunate not to experience the weather problems those in other states deal with.

Lee and Lenora Kerridge enjoyed joining in the 90th birthday celebration of Lenora's sister, Velma Bushre, which took place in Roscommon.

Sunday dinner guests at the home of Dave and Robyn Albrecht were Robyn's brother, sister-in-law, and niece, Steve, Brenda, and Olivia.

Not too much hype in our tiny towns about the Super Bowl. Folks did gather for munchies and to watch the game. Our son-inlaw, Charlie Fosdick, who is a big Chicago Bears fan, was hoping for a different outcome. Maybe next year.

Birthday wishes, a few current and some belated, to Devon Derusha, Ben Wyse, and Janet Tippett, who celebrated January 28, Andrea Miller and Russ Nelson January 29, Bill Hanson, down Black River way, and Hugh Bigelow, down Epoufette way, January 30, and John Browning, January 31, our bowling buddy and all-around good guy, Dave Lewis, along with a fine and gentle man, Don Frederick, a new addition to the neighborhood February 1, and Pam Paquin, James Varty, and Tim Darknell February 4.

Anniversary wishes to our brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Karen Livermore, who can't always remember how many years, but I know it's 38.

Continued get well wishes to Lee Kerridge, who had surgery Monday, and to Harry Stephenson and others, who continue on the road to getting better.

Stay warm, everyone, this too shall pass.