Local Forecast: "Sunny and Frigid"

A couple of days ago in Tucson a woman told me it was "freezing cold" outside.  It was in the 50s and a little drizzly.  If she thought it was cold in Tucson, she should be where I am as I write: northeastern Ohio, where the weather forecast the day after I arrived was "sunny and frigid."  Most of the time I've been here the weather has been similar but without the "sunny." Today's forecast is for probably the warmest day of the year so far, but includes "periods of freezing rain." The weather gods have not been kind to this part of the country in 2015, and it's worse elsewhere.

Despite the cold and snow -- which is getting a little old for most of those who actually live here -- I've had a great time. I'm visiting my Mom, spent a weekend with my brother and sister-in-law, and was able to get my son to his Grandma's as well.

Jim is with the rig at Tucson's Davis Monthan Air Force Base, and I'll be in Ohio  another week.

A mourning dove has been hanging out in Mom's lilac bush and bird feeder.  I tried to melt the water in the bird bath, but with these temps I have not been too successful.

The first night I was with my brother Bob and SIL Suzie, they took me out to dinner at a Brecksville, Ohio, wine bar called "750 ml" -- the measurement of a standard bottle of wine. Very nice.

One of my brother and SIL's six black poodles looking for a shortcut into the house.  

SIL Suzie, son Paul (who lives in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood) and my brother Bob in downtown Cleveland where we did a little sight-seeing and grocery shopping.

Part of the Cleveland skyline on a day that was frigid but not sunny.  Actually, it didn't feel that bad.  The skyscraper on the right is the 708-foot-high Terminal Tower, the fourth-tallest building in the world when it was dedicated in 1930. It originally was an office building atop a new railroad station.  Now it's atop a casino, shopping mall, and hotel.

Five opulent theaters opened in 1921 and 1922 in downtown Cleveland; by the late 1960s four had shut their doors.  They've since been restored and a couple of new ones added to what is known as "Playhouse Square."

This 20-foot long chandelier hangs over the street at the corner of 14th Street and Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland's Playhouse Square.

Rotunda gracing a newly opened (just last week) Heinen's grocery store in downtown Cleveland. The upscale supermarket is in the beautifully renovated Cleveland Trust Bank building.

Suzie, Paul and Bob at Heinen's "Sip, Swirl, Savor" wine tasting station.  You buy a smart card, slide it like a credit card, select the wine you want and the amount, place an actual wine glass (no plastic cups here) under a spout, and voila!

After staying two nights with Bob and Suzie, Paul and I drove to my Mom's via the town of Medina, where nearly 100 ice sculptures -- including this doggie -- grace the town square. They were carved in mid-January.