Madison, WI

Started walk at 6:18 a.m.

It's February. The sky was overcast and the the temperature was below freezing. It's February. It's dark in the morning with little promise of Spring. It's February. Everything and anything gets on people's nerves. It's February.

A little mouse startled me while walking along the wooden boardwalk. I was looking down to ensure safe footing when the little rodent scampered from underneath the walk and ran beside us for a few feet. It's not that the mouse was large (although it was fat), it was just that it was unexpected. It didn't even scamper fast. It kind of wobbled quickly. It's February.

About eight ducks were lounging near the mouth of the stream. They was no quacking or splashing or head diving. No spectacular landings. No playing. Just eight ducks hanging out near a spring-fed stream. It's February.

Coffee -- Costa Rican -- Excellent. Muffin today -- Cranberry -- Good.