Blog Archives

Happy New Year

12/31/2013

Tonight, lots of people will go out and celebrate New Year’s Eve. There will be singing, dancing and parties. There will be festivities throughout the night and magic potions will be served everywhere.

Liquor is a magic potion. Used right it changes moods and outlooks, gives confidence, creates friendships and can makes love connections, but it’s also extremely dangerous when used wrong. It can allow people to become abusive and ugly, it can destroy friendships, ruin love relationships and cause tragedy. If you use it, do it right and have a safe evening.

I want to thank all of you that stop by this little corner of the world. As this year comes to a close and the hopes of a better 2014 is right around the corner. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. So go out and have some fun, and wake me up when it's over.

Aural Borealis

12/30/2013

The elusive northern lights may be making a rare appearance in the next few days. The projections by the astronomers who know this stuff are looking good for the nights of January 2-3 and 3-4th.   They are now calling these nights, “active projections”.

There has not been two days of active projections in one month since the first week of last October and when it did happen that week, northern New England saw a few nights of great shows that were put on courtesy of the northern lights.

Also, January is scheduled to have another active night. This one will occur on January 9-10th. I hope we are lucky enough to have the lights put on a show like they did a couple of months ago, If there is a solar storm that happens on those days and it throws off a few solar flares or sunspots and it could be a big event.

Since Galileo’s time, scientist and astronomers have been keeping track of sunspots and have found that they have an increased level of activity every 11 years. This activity has been on the increase for the last few years and this winter 2013-2014 should be the "Solar Max" of the 11 year cycle.

Watching this celestial phenomenon is truly a magnificent sight and a photographers dream. If you are planning a trip to see the aurora there are a few things that you must consider.

The first is the timing and then be ready for the word to travel. The next is location, head north and head rural.

It will also have to be a clear night without interference from city lights. Light pollution is the light that bleeds into the night sky, even if you can't see the "glow" of a nearby plaza; it’s there and will reduce images in the night sky. And last but not least is weather: will it be clear? If you have all those pieces going for you, grab the camera, tripod and  “go for it”

There are a few good web sites available that I follow this stuff with and have added the links to below.

     soft serve news      aurora alerts      space weather      gli Alaska      aurora watch

A Few Changes

12/29/2013

Come January 1, there are some new laws that go into effect throughout each state in New England. Here is a couple of the new ones that I found interesting.

Connecticut and Rhode Island — passed increases in their minimum wages that take effect at the beginning of 2014. Vermont will see an increase thanks to state laws that require automatic annual raises tied to the cost of living. This will allow an automatic increase as well on Jan, 1st

After a year of planning, medical marijuana from licensed facilities should finally be available to the residents of Massachusetts and Vermont sometime in 2014.

In New Hampshire, the speed limit along an 80-mile portion of Interstate 93 north of Concord increases the speeds for all vehicles from 65 mph to 70 mph. It starts at the 45 mile marker near Canterbury and will run to the Vermont border. Lawmakers also gave communities the option of letting bars push last call from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The federal government has mandated the elimination of the 40 and 60 watt incandescent light bulbs. After 1 Jan stores will only be able to sell what they have in stock. The new compact fluorescent lights, known as CFLs will be the bulb that all Americans will now have to buy. The bulbs cost more than traditional bulbs, although they can last significantly longer and requires far less energy output. I have some extras in the closet. They are cheap right now! Also, I like the warm, warming light in the winter and they do throw off some heat.

First Night Celebrations

12/28/2013

If the midnight parties or bar scene is not your thing, First Night Celebrations are a great way to celebrate and ring in the New Year. It's out with the old year and in with the new at the many celebrations that are scheduled throughout New England this year. Boston led the way with the first “First Night” celebration in New England. Now we have cities across the landscape that can offer you a great way to have some fun. These events are primarily alcohol free and geared towards family-oriented celebrations. If you are looking for a great way to celebrate and ring in the New Year close to home, Check out what these cities have to offer.

Beverly Ma. Boston Ma. Burlington Vt. Chatham Ma. Danbury Ct. Hartford Ct. Northampton Ma. Portsmouth Nh. Providence Ri. Sandwich Ma. St. Johnsbury Vt. Westport Ct. Worcester Ma. Wolfeboro Nh.

New Years Resolutions

12/27/2013

Well, we made it through another year. Custom dictates that resolutions and goals for 2014 are ready to be made. Some people will resolve to lose weight and stick to a diet plan. Some people resolve to learn something new, like another language or others hope to kick unhealthy habits like smoking or compulsive shopping.

There was a time that in my life that I never really liked New Year’s resolutions. In fact, I had years when I did not make any, or if I did, they were sure to end up in the never-to-be-seen-again pile of stuff hidden out of sight. Why did I so hate resolutions? I believe it’s because I never really felt good with myself after the completion of a resolution. The resolutions I was making had no life-enhancing experiences.

So now I make resolutions that keep my interest and bring happiness to my life rather than limiting myself to the once-a-year, do-or-die goals. I make resolutions that don’t suck. Things that I really want to do and believe that I can get done. It may seem like a no-brainer, but setting the bar too high or not having your heart in it is just setting yourself up for failure. There will still be a few of those resolutions on my list that should be done for health and welfare. But the majority will give me an opportunity to tickle a funny bone of life and bring on a smile.

As the Rolling Stones once put it, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you need."

Here is a list of my goals and resolutions. Everything here can put a smile on my face and should be attainable.

Read at least 2 classic novels…winter

Grill outside in a snow storm

See at least three live shows….summer

Make a difference in a stranger’s life

Drink only water for 1 week….?????

Learn a new craft and make something with it

Eat vegetarian for a week….winter

Volunteer at a soup kitchen…winter

Watch 6 movies at the theatre…all year

Visit a city I've never been to before….summer

Loose at least 2o pounds by this summer

Donate 25 things I no longer need or use….soon

Make a list of 58 quotes that inspire me…soon

Get a favorite photo framed for my wall

Watch 2 films from the year I was born

Go to a Drive In Theater

Go to 3 art museums that I have never been to….winter

Be a better person.......every day

Merry Christmas

12/24/2013

I love this time of the year. Besides the joy that the Holiday brings, it’s also the time of the year when I can embrace cooking as my playtime. Preparing goodies and carving in the kitchen are allowed and expected of me. There will be a lot going on in the next 24 hours and it will involve food for dinner tonight and again tomorrow, so it’s time to rejoice and get to it!

To all my friends and visitors who read this little corner I’ve carved out for my ramblings: Merry Christmas, to you and yours however you choose to spend it. Remember the reason for the season.

The Reaper and Santa

12/24/2013

My favorite Christmas video. Make a difference today and remember, Karma is that special something that never forgets your name.

Me-OWW

12/23/2013

A woman trying to protect her dog from a cat got a taste of Karma recently in Detroit. She was trying to get rid of a cat that she had taken in earlier during the year when the cat realized that this was such a wrong way to be shown the door. The woman was filmed by a neighbor kicking snow at the cat as she was trying to send him off in the cold.

The cat most definitely did not like that as you can see in the video. While cats do not usually attack humans, they have been known to attack on occasion when they realize their meal ticket is about to end.

Dropkick Murphys

12/23/2013

My second favorite Christmas video. New England style, Where I'm From

My Christmas List

12/22/2013

As I was sitting in the living room this morning and looking at the Christmas tree, I came to the realization that my list “What I want for Christmas” has not been materializing to the levels that I had hoped. I figured that maybe the list got tossed out when it got mixed up with the junk mail.

Seriously, I am so grateful for such a healthy and happy year, but that doesn’t mean I can’t remind everyone that I have asked Santa for a thing or two…. or nine. With kindness, unselfishness and love, I feel the need to remind my wife that I have worked hard by your side to create a wonderful life together. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise to always to respect and love you. See items 1-5

To my children, don’t be defeated. Take a breath and get back out there. Think about the recipient, the years that I have made sure that Santa always came to make your Christmas day fulfilling. I would love to see you get swept up in the season. The giving and joy that comes when you see Dads face light up with all the goodies that you have secured and fulfilled from your part of the list. See items 6-9 You guys are only committed to two each. I understand that you have families of your own so the list is smaller.

I know I won't get all of my Christmas list items nor do I expect to. I'm sure that there are things that you probably thought I would appreciate and you have already gift wrapped them up. I highly recommended that you just leave wrapped and bring them along as well so you don't have to worry about the hassle of returning gifts at this time. I fully understand that it’s just too much of a hassle.

I love this time of the year, it’s so nice to have everything on one list. See descriptions in pictures below.

Love always and thank you in advance,

Dad

Santa Fails

12/22/2013

My favorite Christmas video of the day. # 3 Make a difference today.

Goodwill to Men

12/21/2013

This week was rather hard for me to believe that this is the Christmas season. Prejudices, bigotries and violence were very much the big stories in the news. There were far too few stories about people doing good by or to each other.

Kindness costs so little and does so much. It should not be thought of as some kind of self-sacrifice where what we give to others comes at our own expense. To know that you made one person smiled today or breathed easier because you were there. Kindness has a "ripple effect" it can be part of a lifestyle that will flourish and nurture your soul and those of others as well.

Christmas and New Years are now just days away. Start off by playing your part in the practice of humanity, the one thing America desperately needs right now is humanity; If we can't take care of each other then we are all doomed.

Peace on Earth Goodwill to Men

Christmas Pains

12/21/2013

My favorite Christmas video of the day. # 4 Make a difference today and Pay it forward.

The Grinch

12/20/2013

My favorite Christmas video of the day. # 5 Make a difference today and Pay it forward.

White Trash Christmas

12/19/2013

My favorite Christmas video of the day, # 6
Make a difference today. Pay it Forward and extend a helping hand.