Well, in that case, I have a couple of things to thank in my acceptance speech:

First of all, I could not have made it this long without my wife having to travel to California during this last week. I would like to thank the fine people who scheduled her trip out of town during November. Also, being an empty-nester for the first time this year was a real difference-maker. I would like to thank my children for moving out, it really helped.

Secondly, I would like to thank the fine people that make Ororo heated vests. I have given a couple of these to my wife for her birthday and they helped get us over the finish line this season. The real reason for the gift of heated vests were to help her stay warm while watching our son's cross country ski races, but we found another purpose for them this fall.

Finally, the Westinghouse electric blanket that I gave my wife for Christmas last year was magical. Make sure if you buy one, splurge and get the one with 2 zones. Most of the time I don't even turn my side on as I am always hot, but my wife loves it and uses it religiously. Investing in this was what we needed to become more competitive in the MIAC furnace competition.

I am not sure if I won, I think we need to hear from SJUJohnnie before declaring victory. We got our electrical bill from Excel Energy this week and it was the lowest it has ever been. Perhaps the savings could be used to travel to a SJU football game if they could go deep in the playoffs this year?!? A guy can dream.

Time of death: 5:51 pm and the fireplace was turned on. From one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs, "Winter time is coming, the windows are filled with frost ". It Takes a lot to Laugh, it Takes a Train to Cry

Still in! Although two of my kids unexpectedly came home from college this weekend and I had to listen to them b!tch about the cold non-stop. With the wife in sunny California until Thursday, I think I can stay in it until then.

Still King of the County at my house! And my wife left yesterday for a work trip to sunny California until Wednesday, so it is just me at home for the next 6 days. It was 59 degrees when I woke up this morning. Had my wife been home this morning, the furnace would have been turned on.

Does anyone know if the St. Scholastica video feed is still worthless? The last time I tried to watch SJU play Scholastica, it was unwatchable. I am hoping it has improved.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-college-football-bethel-royals-concordia-cobbers-st-johns-johnnies-st-thomas-tommies-miac/601908600

Reusse with a nice article about Concordia football being competitive with Bethel and SJU again.

Still Lord of the Manor, but the Queen of the Castle is getting sick of it. It was 61 degrees this morning when I woke up. She is gone on business next week, but I fear that we won't make it until then.

I have tried to park at 11:30 am behind Physical Plant at the Hamline and Concordia games this season and all the spots were gone (some were making there own spots). I think a lot of folks try to park there now. They have coned off places like down at Brother Mark's garage area, so it is more limited now.

You know that survival show "Alone" on the History Channel? Someone should pitch the furnace challenge to be made into a reality tv show. They could interview suffering wives and children. They could air dramatic moments when your daughter comes home from college for fall break and unknowingly turns on the fire place (my situation last year), thus destroying any chance of winning the title. Instead of snuffing out your flame when you tap out, your pilot light would be lit instead. I'd watch it.

Weather is warming up, highs in the 60s and 70s for the next week. If you made it this far, this next week should be a breeze!

Oh, and go Johnnies! (The Cobbers always worry me)

First grumblings about being cold in the house (63 when I got up) from my wife. The next 24 hours might be crucial as it is supposed to be cold and windy. Still master of my domain though.

Just making sure Johnnie fans didn't miss the great article about SJU running back Corey Bohmert on the main page from a couple of days ago:

https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2026/corey-bohmert-does-it-all-surging-johnnies

Congrats to Charlie King from SJU for making the D3 Team of the Week!

Really wish I could go to the Bethel-SJU game today, but my son is running at St. Olaf at exactly the same time this afternoon. Also, this evening I am attending our own post patterns contributor SFury's induction into our high school's athletic hall of fame. Congratulations SFury! And Go Johnnies!

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-college-football-rivalry-carleton-st-olaf-goat-trophy-northfield-tradition-ncaa-division-3/601885825

A nice little article about the St. Olaf/Carleton rivalry and tradition in Northfield.

This is the first fall that all my kids are gone, empty nester! I bought the wife an electric blanket for Christmas last year in preparation. Like Gustavus football has been saying for the last 30 seasons, this is our year! (to win the MIAC furnace competition)