Mom and dad are down south. I the old days–pre-internet, we were their source of the news north of the Mason-Dixon line. These days, mom and dad can just pick it all up on the laptop. But, just to keep them informed, and for me to fill space, here’s some news to help catch them up…

Okay, first the obligatory weather report for dad: woke up this morning to a very fine mist/sleet that just seemed to do nothing but get larger as the day went along. By this evening, coming home from Patrick’s conferences, there was a good half- to three-quarters of an inch of that stuff on the ground. Not horribly slippery, but certainly not too much fun. It’s warming up heading into the weekend, too: we should have a whole 30 degrees or so by Saturday. But they (and by that, I mean the TV blowcombs who get paid to vastly overblow any weather system) are saying that we should have a stronger storm coming through Friday night and into Saturday.

Meanwhile, T-Paw and the legislature entered the squared circle today for the final grudge match of his Minnesota gubernatorial career. Oh, wait…That didn’t carry the decorum that state government requires…Let’s try that again: The legislature is back in session, trying to fumble less than Adrian Peterson. No, no. That still isn’t right. Pawlenty and the legislature: this time, it’s personal! Um….

How fascinating is this session going to be? A record budget shortfall, a governor who’s (probably) running for president, and a legislative body comprised almost entirely of people running for governor. Oh yeah, kids! This one’s gonna be good! If you think last year’s posturing was obnoxious, just wait! There are actual political futures at stake now. Taxes and budget numbers will be yo-yoing more than Oprah’s diet. And lucky us: we’re the ones they’re going to try to sell this to.

Moving on, my parents own a Camry, which, last time I asked, wasn’t part of the whole recall thing. But you have to wonder who the engineer was who came up with the gas pedal fix: “um…maybe if we stick this thin metal shim in here, it’ll work!” The only thing better would have been to outfit the country’s Toyota mechanics with several million rolls of duct tape and a few pair of scissors.

And you know spring is coming (hopefully soon). Pitchers and catchers report to camp in just two weeks. And hopefully our catcher will be there long-term. Only in Minnesota could a full-blown inter-media argument break out over whether a report is correct or not. Here’s the story: Mark Rosen, of ‘CCO TV drops a note on his Twitter feed that says that Joe Mauer and the Twins are very close to signing a 10 year, $220 million contract. All the other media outlets in town can’t confirm it, and are showing egg on their faces if it’s true and they didn’t get the info at the same time. So then starts the great pissing match: Rosen says his source is a good one, and he stands by his info, and by this afternoon, some two days after the initial tweet, the Strib, KSTP, KARE, KMSP and ESPN are all calling “b.s.” to the story, saying no one has that information. Mauer denies it publicly, but Rosen sticks to it. At this point, I don’t care what’s happening–I just want him signed. For a very long time.

And finally, just asking for prayers and well wishes from all of you to Judy in particular, but also, please for Jenni, Matt and Bob. A tough stretch going on right now, so we just need that extra love.

So there you have it. The news from “up here” for now. Enjoy the warmth “down there,” and we’ll come back with more later.

See you tomorrow.