Madison, WI

Started walk at 7:35 a.m.

The sky was overcast and the temperature was in the teens. A waitress at the restaurant where we eat on Friday nights ran by with frosted eyelashes and eyebrows. Whereas she was nearing the end of her run, we were just beginning our walk.

Today, Chance and I extended our walk to an area where dogs and their owners often congregate in the morning and late afternoon. The dogs play and the owners talk (and scoop when necessary). Today there was another black lab named Puccini, a chocolate lab, a dalmation and a hound dog named Jake. As we walked toward the group of owners we passed Jake who had treed a squirrel and was howling for the hunters to come quickly before the prey escapes. I stayed for about a half hour to let Chance play and then we started for home.

On the return trip I picked up a freshly baked loaf of cinnamon chip bread for the family, a free slice of hot garlic cheddar bread (which I shared with Chance) for immediate consumption, and a refill of hot coffee. I love my Nissan thermos.

Two crows in a tree by the duck pond taunted Chance as we passed. Crows, unlike any other bird, will capture and transfix Chance's attention. It's almost impossible for Chance to pass under a crow without showing some measure of spirit.

As we neared home I could see openings in the cloud cover and it looked as if the sun may make an appearance later in the day.

Coffee -- Costa Rican -- Good --Refill -- Costa Rican -- Even better.
Muffin today -- Cranberry -- Very Good.