CONGRATS AND KUDOS TO MY HOMETOWN

It mat have just hit 55 degrees yesterday. If not, surely today. You see, it had been 94 days in a row when the temp never saw double nickels. Now that stinks.

When that gray curtain drops over the sky like a dark scrim in the theatre, it has a tendency to stick around. Similarly, when El Midwest Nino sets its Winter pattern over your area, then it's likely to repeat itself tenfold or this year, forty-or-so-fold. It's as stubborn as Midwest farmers who continually attempt to plant early Spring crops only to re-learn that their tomatoes still won't be ripe until July 22 whether planted in early or very late May.

So what does 55 feel like after a long, wet Winter? A heat wave. Shorts and short sleeves are in vogue. We were in Ketchican, Alaska, once in the Summer when it was a bright, sunshiny day. The people were in such a good mood. They only have 18 days a year, according to a waitress whose smile looked pasted on, of mostly sunny skies. I'm figuring good old MTV must be like that currently.

The only other comparable good-feel is when the Rams defeat arch rival Centralia in any sporting event. But neither lasts, so enjoy, enjoy. And don't forget to slap on some sunscreen.