Last weekend’s snow disappeared by Tuesday as the temperatures rose. We did have some flurries on Thursday, but they didn’t amount to anything as they melted as soon as they hit the ground. Even the wildlife visitors cut back on their appearances as they seem to be able to forage. The temperature is supposed to be in the upper 50s for a few days this coming week, before dropping back into the 40s.
The Detroit Pistons were busy this past week, dropping one game but winning three games to raise their record to 38-13. They’re still in first place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, seven games ahead of second place Cleveland. I hope they to continue to win and improve as the season moves forward.
The Michigan Wolverines moved back into second place in the NCAA rankings. They played on game this week, rolling over Penn State 110-69, to up their record to 21-1. The Wolverines play Ohio State this evening.
The Michigan State Spartans dropped to 10th in the NCAA rankings but returned to their winning ways last night by knocking off 5th-ranked Illinois in overtime 85-82. The Spartans are now 20-4 on the season.
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” — Ernest Hemingway. Compliments of https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on February 8th, the 6th Sunday of 2026 and the second one in February. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Théodore-Agrippa d’Aubigné, French soldier, historian and poet (Histoire Universelle / Universal History); Robert Burton, British writer and Anglican clergyman (The Anatomy of Melancholy); Samuel Butler, English poet and satirist (Hudibras); Gabriel Daniel, French Jesuit, historian and historiographer of France, appointed by King Louis XIV (History of France; harles-Jean-François Hénault, French writer and historian (A Chronological Abridgement of the History of France; Moritz Gottlieb Saphir, Austrian satirical writer and journalist; ohn Ruskin, English writer and art critic who championed Gothic Revivalist and the Pre-Raphaelites; Maxime Du Camp, French writer, traveler and early photographer (Les Buveurs de Cendres); Jules Verne, French novelist known as the “Father of Science Fiction” (Around the World in 80 days); Kate O’Flaherty Chopin, American writer; Theodor Lessing, German writer; Henry Roth, American writer (Call it Sleep); Elizabeth Bishop, American poet (North & South, Pulitzer Prize 1956); Henri Knap, Dutch journalist and writer (Per Ongeluk, De Weg naar Peruwelz); Lisel Mueller, German-American poet (Alive Together – Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 1997); James Deetz, American anthropologist and historical archaeologist (In Small Things Forgotten: The Archaeology of Early American Life); José Maria Sison, Filipino writer, poet, and founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (Philippine Society and Revolution); Averil Cameron, British historian; Pirzada Qasim, Pakistani poet and VC of Karachi University; Z’EV [Stefan Weisser], American poet, percussionist and sound artist; John Grisham, American writer (Client, Firm, Pelican Brief; Yucef Merhi, Venezuelan artist, poet and computer programmer (Poetic Clock; Quetzalcoatl 2.0.1.2.); and Bethany Hamilton, American pro surfer (shark attack victim; author Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board).
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this week: Jules Verne and John Grisham. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work in Progress
Work slowly continues on Temples of Abydos as I’m dealing with multiple external activities. Over the past week, there have been an additional six chapter reviews, bringing the total to sixty-one. As always, plenty of positive suggestions to improve my writing.
Here’s the next snippet:
A porter stepped forward, took the keycards from the receptionist, and gestured toward the elevators. “Right this way, please. You are in adjacent Madina deluxe suites. Both have balconies with views of the city. Your own butler is included, along with access to the executive lounge. My colleagues will bring your luggage to your suites, so we do not have to wait.”
They stepped off the elevator, and the porter took them to the first suite. He unlocked the door and handed the keycards to Charles before gesturing for them to enter. “There is a separate living room and bedroom. If you require anything during your stay, please let the butler know. Thank you for choosing the Kempinski.” He turned and left the suite.
Charles handed a keycard to Finley. “Guess you’re next door. Go check it out and see what you think.”
An hour after checking in, Charles, Isabella, and Finley entered the Osmanli Restaurant. The restaurant was decorated in oranges, creams, and yellows. A myriad of Turkish pottery, kilims, and ornaments clung to any available wall or shelf space. Featuring traditional Turkish meals derived from the Ottoman Empire, the various aromas of cooking meats and hot dishes permeated throughout the restaurant.
The maître d’ escorted them to a table overlooking the Nile River. A reserved placard indicated the table was for Professors Rennie, Burness, and Burness.
“Cool. May I keep the card?” Finley grinned. “I’ve never been called a professor before.”
Charles laughed. “Aye. Keep it and may it be an omen for the future.”
“Now you’re starting to speak like Ali.”
They laughed.
Charles glanced at the menu. “Shall I order for everyone, or do you want to choose your own?”
Isabella closed her menu. “Lead on, Professor.” She chuckled.
“Go ahead, Uncle Charles. I’m sure you won’t lead us astray.”
“I hope not.” He turned to the hovering waiter. “We’ll begin with the soğuk and sicak meze. For the main course, please bring Osmanlı karışik kebab. We’ll finish with baklava and Turkish coffee.”
“Very good, sir. And to drink?”
“Bottled water and one Coke.”
After the waiter departed, Charles turned to Finley. “We’re starting with the chef’s selection of cold and hot appetizers. Afterward, we’ll eat one of the house specials, a mixed kebab.”
“This is awesome! So this is how the rich live.”
“Don’t get too used to this.” A glint of a smile creased Isabella’s face. “After we acclimate to the Egyptian weather and begin our excursion, we’ll be sleeping in tents.”
* * *
Two men dressed in tan trousers and long-sleeved blue shirts sat at a nearby table. One held a cell phone in the air as if he was reading a text, but in reality, he was taking photographs of Charles, Isabella, and Finley.
The second man sneered. “More rich foreigners coming to rob us of our culture. Tarik will be pleased we spotted them.”
“Yes, Omar. The money you paid to the porter to keep us informed of new foreign arrivals and get their details was worth the expense. We shall keep an eye on them while they lavish in style and report back to Tarik.”
“Agreed, Pilis. When the time is right, we shall strike.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2026 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
