What can I say? Even the Groundhog is against us

Well--it happened--the famous (infamous?) woodlands weather forecaster has delivered a forecast for more cold, snow, and general bad weather for at least six more weeks. Read about it here: Groundhog News.

You would think that he might have relented given the state of the economy!

But, no!

Does anyone know how to start the groundhog weather forecasting appeal process?

I want a recount!

Groundhog Day 2010

It's four-fifty something in the morning. I can't sleep. The dog is scratching, my nose is runny, Chris is snoring, and it's only 28 degrees outside--a heatwave compared to Sunday's 9 degrees.

And to top it all off, I'm worried about the groundhog.

I want him not to see his shadow so bad--and call an end to this too long and too cold winter. Someone needs to take control.

I want to open the pool and recline on a floatie with a cold beer in the hot sun in the afternoon.

And it all depends upon some furry woodland creature named Phil who lives in an unpronounceable place (Punxsutawney) in Pennsylvania.

Really? Our whole future depends upon the prognostication ability of a wood chuck? You can even get minute-by-minute reports from Gobbler's Knob of the activities of Phil on your cell.

I'm worried because Phil doesn't really care because he doesn't even like swimming in a pool.

Come on Phil--give us a good report! The electric company has stolen enough of my money this winter while I try to walk the fine line between being just a tad cool and frozen in order to conserve electricity and have enough money left over to live on after paying the electric bill.

We're depending upon you Phil! Give us a break and end winter early!

Monday Musings - February 1, 2010

1. Amazingly enough, when snow falls lightly from the sky--as it did outside my window on Saturday, it provides a peaceful setting for the countryside. It is even a bit pretty, in small quantities.

2. In an awesome piece of news--the rim on Chris's car was ordered, finally, and even installed on Saturday! This has only taken 6 months! But, one long term item has come off the "to-do" list!

3. Families can be very frustrating at times. It is hard to consider all of the impacts of changing and fast moving plans and then someone feels either left out or put out.

4. I'm feeling pretty good about getting plans together for spring break and the summer Florida trip. We are way ahead of normal years and can now focus on planning the fun rather than the logistics.

5. 9 degrees! That was the temperature yesterday when I woke up. AND, also, 5 and a half inches of snow from a storm that was supposed to miss us! Who dialed up this weather?

6. Yes. I changed the template for my blog after just over two years of using the same one. It needed a face lift. Let me know what you think. For those of you reading on Facebook--click on the item and then click on "view original post" to see the new template.

7. One nice thing about snow weekends--I get a lot of time to think and chill form the exciting pace of normal day-to-day life.

8. I reread the State of the Union speech presented by President Obama. I can't see where he ever answered the question.

9. The President, in the State of the Union address made the following statement: "Let me repeat: we cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95% of working families." Has anyone noticed a tax cut mixed in with everything out there that keeps going up like food prices, gas, and medical copayments?

10. What is your favorite Napa Valley (or Sonoma Valley) winery? We are headed there in April and are looking for all the good ones to visit!

11. Hey--it is already the second month of the new decade! We survived January! I'm feeling the need for a party.

Angeline Merlot 2007 Sonoma Valley - A Review

We had a bottle of the 2007 version of this wine the other night.

The nose was very fresh and light with hints of berries. The taste is smooth and light and continues the light berry flavors, and adds some cherry and a hint of vanilla and some mild tannins. The light purple color is very pleasant. I found the finish a bit weak however. It does not linger very long--and is too soon gone. I would wish it to linger a bit longer to add to the enjoyment.

If you are looking for a light wine to enjoy with some light munchies--this is the wine to try.

Don't look too close at the label depicted here--we had the 2007 Sonoma Valley wine--which has the same label except for it says Sonoma Valley instead of Russian River Valley. But the label otherwise is identical.

RECOMMENDATION: A good buy at $12 per bottle.

Mid-Winter Splash of Color

As the darkness and gray of the winter drags on, I believe it is helpful to look at bright sunny scenes and remember warmer and brighter days.


I do not know what this flower is called--but the deep greens of the background and the bright pinks of the flowers are calling out to the Summertime which still remains in me despite the weather outside.

If you click on it--then there is a bug in the middle of one of the petals, sunning itself. I could be that bug right now!

Sunning myself, on a sunny beach, in a warm (even hot climate). Toes in the sand.

Smelling the sweet and sometimes musky smells of summer.

Hearing the dragonflies buzz overhead feasting on mosquitoes.

Feeling the sun on my face.

Yeah!

Out of the Mist

Yeah--OK, it is called the Maid of the Mist for a reason. But think deeper about this image of a minute.


Sometimes I feel as if the falls behind the boat represent the turmoil in our lives. Those insurmountable obstacles that always seem to arrive square in out paths at just the wrong moment.

There is no way we are going to succeed on our own--we will be pummelled into submission or, worse, destroyed. Yet, like the Maid of the Mist we continue to sail into the turmoil. Right into the very middle of the storm. We have to sail directly into the most violent part of the storm.

And when we survive or overcome the obstacle. it is because we are surrounded by a stout ship--even when sailing into the very middle of the fiercest storm.

Look at the calm waters in the foreground. Not so far from the falls and the rocks. We long to sail smooth waters and calm seas. And it seems we can always see smooth sailing not that far off in the distance. We want to get there on our own. We think we can. Even though we are exhausted.

I want to sail those calm seas, but I know that there will be storms and obstacles which are trying to upset or sink my boat. Sometimes they succeed. But--I am blessed in that there are always other intrepid sailors to help right my ship and get me back afloat to meet the next challenge or storm.

Morning Light

As I walked across the parking lot into work yesterday, I noticed the brightening dawn on the horizon--although the sun was still a long way below the horizon, it was beginning to illuminate the morning sky and drive the darkness away.

I could still see the stars, and yes it was a clear sky. But on the horizon--the light of the coming day was beginning to silhouette the trees and houses. I detected faint orange-tan colors in the sky which were preceding the coming dawn.

Another preview of the coming Spring when it will again be daylight when I arrive at work!

It made me smile--despite the gloomy weather forecast of snow for the weekend.

Ah--but as the weeks continue I will look forward to seeing more and more daylight as I arrive at work. Maybe even soon--I won't have to turn my headlights on to drive in and it will really be Springtime--that is, until Daylight Savings Time kicks in--and it is dark again!

But then--it will be March and Spring will truly be here!

Sprintime, Hope, and the Orioles

I am getting excited.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 17th--and then, regardless of what our favorite February woodland creature predicts--it will be springtime!

Bring it on!

I wish I could go to Sarasota to ssee some spring training games--but, Tampa is a bit far for a weekend jaunt--prob 18 hours by car--each way. And Southwest just isn't offering those $49 each way specials, yet! But there is hope.

Fan Fest on Saturday revived me from the wintertime doldrums! Jeremy even said that he could feel the sun rising on the Orioles season.

It was good to be in a place with so much black and orange. Yeah, the O's are in the toughest division in baseball--but you know what--when we start winning this thing again the Yankees and the Red Sox will be wondering what hit them.

Springtime and hope springs eternal for the baseball world. Every new season there is the hope of a good year-- and here is my prediction: the Orioles will finish with a winning record for the first time in 12 seasons--and may be as good as 87-75 (but I'd be happy with 82-80).

Fire in de hole!

Sunday was grandson day at Hacienda Doan.

All three (Ethan, Jax, and Lucas) were present at the house for the weekly football and food orgy. (well, orgy may be a bit strong)

An interesting dynamic developed in the basement with the two oldest grandsons becoming involved in a major disposable drinking cup war! Yes--disposable drinking cups. The paper kind used for summer picnic activities and the red cups traditionally used for beer. They make great projectiles--similar to the "nerf" objects but far less expensive and far more numerous.

They throw pretty good, too. Especially sideways. And a four-year old can hold four cups in each hand and send them on their way towards the intended target with peals of laughter.

Even the 2-year old could play--although we did have to implement a "no head shot" rule for Ethan because he kept hitting Jax in the head and it began to hurt. Although, then there was the excuse: "Well I don't really aim very well" when a couple cups continued to hit Jax in the head.

And Lucas? Well, he was oblivious to the war going on in the basement as he slept peacefully in the arms of numerous family members.

Ah--the joys of children being creative with the most common items on a rainy, cold day.

Monday Musings - January 25, 2010

1. I woke up to an unexpected surprise this morning--56 degrees. Nice. Now if it wasn't raining at the rate of an inch an hour it might be something to get really excited about.

2. With only two weeks left to go, the football season is winding down and we will finally be able to get on with our regular sport--baseball.

3. And writing of baseball--the Orioles held their annual Fan Fest event this past weekend. We attended of course. Here is the truly amazing part--over 12,000 fans came out on a cold January day to see the Orioles and get excited about a baseball team which has not had a winning season is 12 seasons. There is a solid fan base here--imagine if we started winning more than losing. It was good to see orange and black everywhere. Jeremy remarked--he could feel the warm sun rising as we were watching the State of the Orioles--a presentation by the President of Baseball Operations and the Manager for the season ticket holders! Go O's!

4. We got a bit excited last night and finalized our plans for our Napa Valley spring break trip in April. But--I'm so excited I'm glad we finally got the reservations for air and lodging completed--now we can begin working on a winery plan.

5. All three grandsons were at the house yesterday for football. The family is continuing to grow. Who would have though two kids from Ithaca could be part of something so cool that started over 35 years ago and is still growing!

6. This is the last week of January 2010. And the year is already 1/12 over--Doesn't it seem like New Year's was just yesterday?

7. The pastor asked an interesting question of the church yesterday: What do you do when things aren't the way they're supposed to be?