Madison, WI

Started walk at 6:25 a.m.

The newspaper said that it was -2 yesterday when I took my walk. Oddly enough, because there was no wind, I didn't feel cold and didn't always need my gloves. Not today! It was cold. Without a doubt, I believe it is the coldest day of winter to date. As Chance and I walked out the door we could feel the bite. The sky was clear and the snow crunched under our steps. According this morning's paper the temperature is supposed to hover around 0 with a -17 windchill. The day's high is only expected to be about +6. As I said, it was cold. It was so cold you could hear the trees breaking in the woods because of the wind. We would hear a sharp "Crack!"--no other sound -- no echo -- just a "Crack!"

Regardless of the cold, we were treated to a full moon setting in the west. The moon did not appear as big as the moon setting during the Solstice. I have to read up on this phenomena.

Like yesterday, few birds with the noted exception of a the hardy black crows and a big fat red cardinal.

I saw the same Packer fan in the coffee shop this morning that I saw yesterday morning. We talked a bit about the virtues of walking dogs in the early morning. We both agreed that it keeps us better in touch with nature. However, in truth, his dog was in the front seat of a big black Chevy Suburban (with the heater running).

The waters at the mouth of the small stream that empties near the island sent a vanguard of steaming mist to meet the cold air. An attempted truce? It refuses to freeze.

Coffee -- Costa Rican -- good. Muffin -- New Baker -- Berry/Berry -- Not Very.