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That notice about my column returning in mid-April has been there long enough.

Bear with me while I get used to writing on the fly through this blog, which I hope to update on a regular basis. My first discovery is that there is no way to indent paragraphs. "Insert a double space," I was told.

My column has been missing from the News-Miner for the past few weeks because I've been working on my next book, which deals with the first half-century of Alaska statehood.

My column is to resume in the News-Miner Friday on a regular five-day-a-week schedule, God willing.

In a couple of weeks I will mark the momentous occasion of my 32nd anniversary at the News-Miner. It's a job that has always been challenging and fulfilling. I've been fortunate to have been in Fairbanks long enough so that I know a little bit, (emphasis on little) about a lot of things.

I have written a daily column for more than 15 years, dealing with everything from missing dogs to missile defense.

With the scattershot approach, I hope the advantage for readers is that those who don't like what I'm writing about today can hold out hope that the next one might be an improvement.

As Red Smith wrote of the daily grind, "One of the beauties of this job is that there's always tomorrow. Tomorrow things will be better."

Those who have written blogs for some time say that a more informal and off-the-cuff approach works best with this format. I am quite used to saying whatever comes into my head when I am speaking to people. But when writing I've tried to put some thought into the finished product. Typing is not the same as writing. The latter requires editing.

I'll use this space to let you know what I am working on, what I find out and sometimes what I think about it.

I'll also use it to call attention to things that may be worth your attention. To that end, I welcome your e-mails and suggestions at cole@newsminer.com.