The Riley Factor #41

The Riley Factor -- February 16
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, February 16 -- After a brilliantly sunny, warm and breeze-less President's Day Monday, today looks like a possible snow day in Middle-of-Nowhere.  Weather forecasts are a bit spotty with no one really taking a stand on quantity of the white stuff, as Tuesday predictions range from two inches to eight inches.  Yesterday afternoon, Riley and Gabby walked and ran around the back trails for an hour with Susan and Chris in the perfect February winter weather.  Dogs collapsed upon returning, while the humans carried on.  Snow began falling gently Tuesday morning, but has not yet managed the inertia to accumulate in earnest.  Susan and Riley are out in the greenhouse planting and digging, while Gabby plays on the deck.  Riley continues his quest to become the fastest growing Golden retriever of Modern Times, as he approaches 45 pounds at age five-and-a-half months, but maintains his ever-happy disposition.  His favorite activity? ... chasing cats AJ and The Professor every waking moment when they are in the house, and occasionally when he can get his considerable paws on them outside.  Stryder and Arwen will have none of that dog nonsense, each hissing and swinging the famous Maine Coon Cat paw whenever Riley's nose gets into close proximity.  In a related story, the NY house was full of guests all the long weekend -- Pauline with The Donald, Grandma Babs, Linda of Richter and Stevie.  Spectacular feasts were enjoyed by all on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoon.  In other news, the annual Mohawk Valley Produce Growers Auction Organizational Meeting takes place all day tomorrow in Little Falls, which should be a grand event for both the Rock Creek Farm CEO and Earth Transportation Engineer to attend.