Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Weather Update
A month ago, this region broke its yearly record for rain since 1871, when measurements began being kept.
As of Monday night, November 28, 66.13 inches of rain had been recorded locally this year, beating out the record 57.8 inches set in 1990.
Monday, the nearly 2 inches recorded from Saturday to Monday afternoon broke November's record of 7.1 inches, set in 1985. 7.71 inches of rain had been recorded this month as of 5 p.m. Monday.
Monday's rain fall of 1.38 inches broke the record set on the same date in 2005 of 1.07 inches!
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The outside temperature has fallen to 33.4 degrees and there is a covering of snow on the grass and shrubs.
School children are dancing with glee!
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November ended with a total of 8.33 inches of rain for the month; normal rainfall is 3.43 inches. The annual rainfall is 66.76 inches, normal rainfall is 39.15 inches.
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The winter forecast calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures with more precipitation than normal. We'll see!
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November ended with a total of 8.33 inches of rain for the month; normal rainfall is 3.43 inches. The annual rainfall is 66.76 inches, normal rainfall is 39.15 inches.
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The winter forecast calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures with more precipitation than normal. We'll see!
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Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
It is becoming a tradition to spend Thanksgiving with the Little People and their parents; their cousin and her parents; their great-grandmother and their paternal grandparents in Louisville. This year, a great-aunt and great-uncle who recently moved to Iowa, came for Thanksgiving.
We have said grace and the children are ready to eat.
Choices included turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing with and without oysters, creamed peas, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, cole slaw, mixed salad and rolls.
I brought a loaf of lemony zucchini bread that disappeared quickly.
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After dinner, the big kids 'played' ping-pong.
When they tired of ping-pong, they played wii.
When they tired of wii, they played ping-pong.
When they tired of wii, they played ping-pong.
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It was a sunny afternoon, so we strolled to a near-by school playground. Everyone walked, even Little Miss El.
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Later, the adults were watching football, the big kids were playing ping-pong. It was suggested to Little Miss El that she show her dance moves.
She did.
The grandmas joined in with her. Daddy joined in to show his dance moves, but Little Miss El said, "Only the girls!"
Then Little Miss El and the grandmas sat at the table for a drink of water and for the grandmas to rest. Little Miss El said, "Only the girls!" when Uncle Curt wanted to sit at the table, too.
Then it happened!
Uncle Curt caught an 'imaginary' in his hands. He gleefully showed the 'imaginary' to the men and said, "Only the boys!"
The men chuckled with glee... Uncle Curt chuckled with glee!
Little Miss El was beside herself. She just had to see what was in Uncle Curt's hands!
"No," Uncle Curt said. "Only the boys!" and he wouldn't show the 'imaginary' to Little Miss El!
Back and forth; Little Miss El wanting to see the 'imaginary.' And Uncle Curt saying, "Only the boys!"
And then, Little Miss El captured the 'imaginary' from Uncle Curt!
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Who do you think had more fun - Uncle Curt with his 'imaginary' or Little Miss El?
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The next morning, we had a tasty breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, biscuits with butter and coffee.
And for desert, an oatmeal birthday cake!
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Hope you had an equally delightful Thanksgiving!
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Giving thanks is important not only on the holidays, but as a way of life.
Gratitude improves sleep, fights depression and cuts heart disease risk.
Gratitude improves sleep, fights depression and cuts heart disease risk.
That's a great way to improve your health!
Enjoy!
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The Miami University marching band has once again been chosen to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
Watch for the band to play just before noon, just before Santa!
Congratulations to the Miami University marching band!
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The Miami University marching band has once again been chosen to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
Watch for the band to play just before noon, just before Santa!
Congratulations to the Miami University marching band!
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Saturday, November 19, 2011
Birthday Dinners
My Thursday birthday dinner: tender roast beef with mashed potatoes, gravy, assorted vegetables and cole slaw - a personal favorite. Oh, yes, and a glass of wine.
Birthday cards, a couple of bags of M&M's, pumpernickel and sesame seed bagels! What could be better?
Did I mention my new computer and wireless printer? :-)
Did I mention my new computer and wireless printer? :-)
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We met the Little People and their parents at Outback Steakhouse for dinner Friday evening. I won't mention the heavy traffic southbound for us and the equally heavy northbound traffic for the Little People. Yikes! Who'da guessed?!?
One of the Little People thought he was just going to starve!
We had a nice dinner - finally. With sundaes and carrot cake for dessert. Yummm!
The evening ended all too soon!
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Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday Birthdays/Weather Update
Singer Gordon Lightfoot is 73. Movie director Martin Scorsese is 69. Actress Lauren Hutton is 68. Actor-director Danny DeVito is 67. "S.N.L." producer Lorne Michaels is 67. House Speaker John Boehner (Bay-ner) is 62. Niece and mother of four wonderful sons Paula is 28 (again).
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Weather Update
Temperature: high/low 44/34
Normal: high/low 53/36
Precipitation
Month to date: actual 4.31"
normal 1.85"
Year to date: actual 62.76"
normal 37.57"
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Tuesday morning, November 15.
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Raking the leaves... maybe for the last time?
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
Connecticut Adventure
The adventure started at seven o'clock Friday morning, when our plane was de-iced before taking off. The outside temperature was in the low 20's.
The adventure continued at the Philadelphia airport where our connecting flight to White Plains was cancelled. The 2:20 flight to White Plains was so rough, a passenger sitting behind us (all the passengers were sitting behind us) lost his/her lunch en route! What a way to start!
Saturday was the warmer and sunnier of the two days, but not warm enough to sit in the sun on the deck as we had in years past. We did carry fire wood from the drive to be stacked. Bob had both knees replaced this year and has great flexibility, but is not yet ready for the NYC Marathon. "Next year," he says!
Bob grilled chicken for dinner Saturday. Christine prepared baked brown rice and fresh green beans with mushrooms without using Campbell's cream of mushroom soup! Yummm!
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Sunday was overcast with temperatures remaining in the low 50's. Sunday's task was the completion of the cross word puzzle - a source of great amusement for almost everyone!
Myself, I'll take the five-way Sudoku!
Myself, I'll take the five-way Sudoku!
And, of course, petting the kitties. Floyd was his usual self, hiding out in the basement. Lloyd was much more friendly this year, allowing me to actually pet him as he brushed past my leg! Kitka is still skitterish around strangers.
All three are feral cats; the ones with a lower I.Q. are more friendly towards people!
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Christine prepared a delicious lasagna dinner with an equally delicious salad Sunday evening.
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Monday morning.
And, it's off to work we go!
Have a good day and
thank you for a lovely weekend!
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We had smooth flights back home. The sun was shining, temperatures were in the upper sixties. A strong wind was blowing from the south/southwest. A tornado watch was in effect when we got home.
Yet, another adventure!
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Christine prepared a delicious lasagna dinner with an equally delicious salad Sunday evening.
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Monday morning.
Have a good day and
thank you for a lovely weekend!
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We had smooth flights back home. The sun was shining, temperatures were in the upper sixties. A strong wind was blowing from the south/southwest. A tornado watch was in effect when we got home.
Yet, another adventure!
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Stolen from a friend's e-mail...
Stolen from a friend's e-mail.....
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Halloween Pics...
