Are you getting as tired as I am of our outdoor temperatures resembling TV stations more than weather indicators?

I mean 8? We watch “Jeopardy!” every night on channel 8. 10? That’s our preferred local news channel, WHEC. 4? I love me some “Finding Your Roots” on PBS Channel 4.

At least we are gaining an extra smidgen of daylight every day — a smidgen amounting to about 47 seconds — but really all we can do about these frigid temperatures is ride them out while dreaming of warmer climes. Unless we happen to be traveling to them, which is what this “Pub Chat” is about: Travel. Which always leads me to thinking about my dad. And these are some stories that warm my heart on these frosty days.

Mario Puzo, author of “The Godfather,” also wrote a book called “The Fortunate Pilgrim.” Had he been writing about my father, it would have been titled “The Unfortunate Pilgrim.” No one had more misfortunes traveling than Pop, not so much with the actual flights but with schedule changes, tight seats, and luggage. Especially luggage.

Like the time he had loaded up his suitcase with all the best stuff from Italy: cheeses, meats, olive oil ... even a bottle of homemade wine from his father. He called Mom and had her gather up all the friends and relatives to be at the dining room table for The Great Reveal upon his arrival from the........

© Finger Lakes Times