The sun is shining on the muck and mire

And I'm home sick. Runny nose, upset stomach, fatigue - I'll spare you the gory details.

But I got a look outside at the big melt-off. I have mixed-feelings about mid-winter warm weather. With each layer of snow melting away, the more that appears needing attention when spring arrives.

I did spend some time on Sunday cleaning the backyard. I looked at it today and realized another layer melted away leaving more to be cleaned up. What's left of the backyard is mud and debris. Left over from last fall are the remnants of a small construction project. And there are fallen branches are here and there, frozen to the ground.

All of this needs to be cleaned up and dried out before the children can play outside again.

Unfortunately, some of the ice and snow remains making the clean up difficult (even if I was well enough). We're heading towards early spring, my least favorite time of the year. The cities are dirty with the trash of winter. Mud is everywhere. Everything is wet and miserable.

But winter is not over yet. A little snow and all will be hidden.

Let the punishment fit the crime

What would be the appropriate penalty for this crime?

"I don't recall a time where we recovered this many snow blowers," Capt. Michael Young said.

Police said one person would break into a residential garage, steal a snow blower and then sell it to another person for $50. That person would then sell it to another resident for $200-$300.

The suspects, who have a criminal past, remain in custody. Charges are pending at the district attorney’s office.

Any punishment that does not involve time on the chain gang in the dead of winter shoveling snow is no justice at all.

City to condemn climate change

Ok, I think we're entering really silly territory. I just received an e-mail "Live Stream" alert from WISN.com offering me live coverage of Milwaukee city leaders, including the mayor, discussing the coming cold snap. What are they possibly going to say? It's going to be real cold, so please don't bathe in the fire hydrants?

"It's going to be so cold you'll think it's January in Wisconsin."
"We just want to warn the public that when it gets really cold like this, running outside naked right after taking a shower is not a good idea."
"This is why mugging people at Mayfair is much more popular than mugging people at Bayshore."

I'm reminded of a classic line in the old sitcom, Taxi. "I know what's wrong with this cab. Winter."

I know, I know. We're going to get the usual warnings about pipes freezing, frost bite, exposure, and unattended space heaters. I have a suggestion. Just roll last year's tape.

Thoughts on the Winter Solstice

Today is traditionally the shortest day and the longest night of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. My Celtic ancestors once spent large amounts of time observing the heavens and constructing elaborate rituals around the day.

Today is barely observed as the start of winter, and the last four shopping days until Christmas.

It’s cold and the snow is blowing through the streets of Waukesha. But we’re well provisioned. The children are restless but there are plenty of things for them to do. We have hot chocolate. We have hot food. We have a warm house. We have each other.

As darkness falls over the sky perhaps we’ll remember three wise men from the East on a long journey, aided by the long night in their observance of a star.