Madison, WI

Started walk at 6:15 a.m.

It was about 10 degrees. The sky was clear and a bright planet was clearly visible on the southeastern horizon. I do not know what planet it is. A little research is in order to satisfy my curiosity.

A rabbit ran across our path about thirty feet in front of us. Chance took this action as a challenge to follow mad dash into the brambles. However, I wasn't prepared to loosen my grip on his leash and Chance was forced to be content with a little dramatic posturing.

Chance picked up something brown and frozen near the woodchuck tree. At first, thinking it was a dead bird or small animal, I prepared for a tedious game of keep-away that I had no hope of winning. I was greatly relieved when I discovered that the object of his joy was a frozen brown cotton work glove. Let him have it.

Hundreds of webbed feet and fowl bellies have compacted the snow on the city side of the duck pond so it's like white concrete. This is the same side where General Patton's immortal saying, "...like crap through a goose!" holds true. Oddly, on the other side of the pond there is no evidence of this saying. Likewise, on the grass and stone base landing between the pond and the stonework steps, duck droppings are virtually nonexistent. The ducks must have a community conduct code that discourages droppings in these particular common areas. Ducks have mores!

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