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In this crazy-enough world in which we all live, along came snow that we all had to wrestle with earlier in the week.
Bah humbug, I said, then turned to read the next story in the newspaper -- Tim Skubick's weekly column.
As I did, I wondered whatever became of common sense in the world.
More and more, I just shake my head at events happening today. I have learned that, much as I would like to control or at least influence the world around me, most things these days defy logic and, thus, cannot be changed, even if I could control things.
Certainly, politics is one of those areas.
This year being the midterms of another presidency, prevailing thinking would give the advantage to the party not in the White House. Historically, it is not uncommon for that other party to achieve gains in midterms as we Americans seem to love parity when it comes to all things political.
Throw in the fact that the economy stinks, inflation is at record levels again, and the workforce seems to have disappeared off the face of the planet, and it would seem the party not in control of the White House would have a field day this year.
Indeed, they might.
After all, you need a bank loan to purchase groceries or put gas in your vehicle these days.
Everything looks good for a change until you mention the name of one man -- Donald Trump.
The minute Trump's name enters the discussion, all bets are off, and the only thing you can be assured of is that common sense and traditional thinking will surely be absent from the equation.
Skubick's column this week focused on how Trump's interest in Michigan GOP primary elections might influence other races. Certainly, he is right, and some things Skubick discussed that are happening in Michigan are being repeated elsewhere in other states, as well.
All of which frustrates me.
Why should any of us care about what a former president who now lives in Florida thinks about the elections in Michigan, Georgia, Minnesota, or wherever?
Yet, Skubick writes that people still are influenced by Trump, as "polling data suggests that 80% of Republicans would be more likely to support a candidate endorsed by Mr. Trump than anyone else and in a crowded GOP primary for governor."
I don't doubt the polling numbers, which is why I would caution Republicans to think long and hard about what they hope to accomplish in this year's election results.
The decisions they make in the weeks ahead could have a long-term impact on where they want their party headed in the future. The world is theirs for their taking in these elections, but it also can just as easily be lost if they are not careful with their selection of quality candidates.
Personally, I yearn for more stability, compromise, and negotiation in politics today. I favor politicians like U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney, Joe Manchin, or Kyrsten Sinema, or former politician John Kasich. I respect people who will stand firm in their convictions and who will buck party lines when necessary.
In my mind, the sooner the GOP buries its ties with Trump, the better.
As evidenced by this week's election filings, several very interesting and highly contested races will dominate the local political scene.
I know Alpena News reporters will work hard to keep readers informed on all the information from those battles.
I hope those are the candidates that garner the most copy in the days ahead, rather than the attention that follows Trump and his pandering.
We need Trump's influence in Michigan like we need another snowstorm in April.
Bill Speer recently retired as the publisher and editor of The News. He can be reached at bspeer@thealpenanews.com.