January has passed and here we are in the first weeks of February. Groundhog Day is over and he has seen his shadow and, as the old saying goes, there will be a few more weeks of winter weather. Well, the groundhog was right and it has turned real cold in our area and state.

Last weekend’s cold snap had many of us dreaming of an escape to a warmer clime, possibly as a treat for the coming Valentine’s Day. Last minute air reservations to the Mediterranean or even Caribbean are often hard to manage, but a bit of advance planning and some judicious shopping can produce a delightful Valentine’s Day feast without physically transporting oneself to the sunny shores of Greece or many of its idyllic islands.

Last Friday, Feb. 3, an anniversary occurred that is now almost totally forgotten except by those who knew about it at the time. It is only a footnote in the history books, if it is mentioned at all. Unfortunately, it is not taught in schools.

Hannibal Hamlin is best remembered today as serving as vice president under President Abraham Lincoln. He almost made it to become president.

Jan. 15: The sweet CNA got me up past 6:30 a.m. She helped me dress and get into my wheelchair. Then she took me to the scales to weigh me. The sweet helpful nurse came in with my meds and a nebulizer treatment. She was told by the sweet overnight nurse that she didn’t get a chance to give them to me.

I have become my grandparents! In my 30s and 40s, I heard things come out of my mouth while parenting that assured me I had become my parents. Now, in my mid-60s, I have become my grandparents.