An old favorite is back

Hi neighbors. One of my Christmas presents was the complete boxed set of all eight seasons of "Monk" the television show. Long-term readers of this column will remember when, this show first aired and how caught up in it I was.

Nicknamed the defective detective, Adrian Monk was a character with multiple problems. The show begins with him just coming out of a three-year near catatonic state brought on by the sudden car bombing death of his wife.

Monk was a detective on the San Francisco Homicide Squad at the time of his wife's death and considered one of the best detectives around. He was rendered totally dysfunctional after her demise and the show picks up with him on the road to recovery but still with many issues.

He hires a nurse, Sharona, and she helps him with daily activities and drives him where he needs to go. To earn money, he becomes a consultant for the San Francisco Police Department Homicide Unit and works with his old partner and now captain.

Some of Monk's fears include (but are not limited to) germs, heights, shaking hands, animals, nature (any plant or creature living outside his home), loud noises, items of food touching each other on his plate, and any bottled water except Sierra Springs.

While dealing with his phobias and neurosis, Monk does solve crimes in his own odd way, often by seeing things from his own eccentric viewpoint.

His helper, Sharona, was in the first two seasons but was replaced from season three forward with Natalie. Natalie is less enabling of Monk's quirks and tells him early on that helping is a two way street. I think she pushes him into a less dependent and more mature role as a character.

Despite his obvious problems, Monk has no limitations where his intelligence is considered. Show after show he pulls one thread of clues out of the muddle and solves the case.

If you have seen the show in years past you will enjoy it again I know. I don't think it will ever be in production again, but it is available in many forms.

While we are talking about detectives, Sherlock (Sherlock Holmes) is on PBS for the next two or three weeks on Sunday nights. This is the series with Holmes and Watson in the modern world and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as Watson. To be honest, the first episode threw me off a bit, but I'm willing to see what happens next. It is Sherlock Holmes after all. He always takes a little getting used to.

I'm glad there are some good shows to watch with the weather outside being so unfriendly. I don't like cold and when it gets down to single digits I just want to stay in by the fire. I am so grateful I don't have to dig my car out, scrape off snow and ice and hope the motor will turn over to get me to work every day.

Retirement is certainly the most enjoyable winter sport in my opinion!

Remember, weather is nothing to ignore. Particularly life threatening weather where you can not only slip, fall, and possibly break bones, but where you can freeze parts of your body from exposure. Dress warmly in layers of clothing. Wear scarves, hats, gloves or mittens, and zip up your coats.

Remind children to take care of themselves in cold weather as they walk to school or play outside. Don't be afraid to stress the dangers of frigid weather.

Homebound and all elders might need to be checked on and errands ran for them so they can stay in the house and have their groceries and/or medications delivered.

Be safe, be thoughtful and be smart -- you'll thank me later.