Good morning, Nashville. We’re not quite sure which is more bewildering to us this morning: That white stuff falling from the sky or the 13-degree reading on the thermometer. Or maybe it’s the 200 crazies brave folks who hopped into the Percy Priest Lake on New Years Day as part of the YMCA’s annual Percy Priest Polar Bear Plunge. We’ve had quite the cold snap since Christmas, making the plunge a little more polar with temperatures dipping to 28 degrees and patches of ice floated along the shore. We can’t say we’ll be joining them next year, but we sure admire their commitment.

• Not bad at all. The Titans defeated the Seahawks 17-13 yesterday, ending the season 8-8. For starting out 0-6, we’d say it was a turnaround they can be proud of. We’re especially proud of Chris Johnson for reaching 2,000 yards and breaking all sorts of records yesterday. Hope the men of the offensive line enjoy their new cars!
• Expensive stuff. The TVA thinks there’s still a chance that insurance could help cover the cost of the Kingston ash spill cleanup. Up until now, we’ve all been footing the multibillion-dollar bill through rate increases, though we haven’t noticed much of a chance in our  electric bills because of falling fuel costs. While we’re at it, check out WPLN’s feature on the one-year anniversary of the spill.
• Bits & pieces. The first little Nashvillian of 2010 was Chaison Darnell Swiams, born three minutes after midnight on January 1 … Due to some tax issues with the IRS, the Preds may be in default of their Sommet Center lease … Gunner the K-9 police dog got a protective vest for Christmas after recovering from stab wounds sustained in the field two months ago.

Photo by Silenus81.