It was Cold

It was frigid cold outside on my 🎂 birthday this past weekend. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, all were much appreciated. I played dominoes with friends and we went for dinner on Sat eve. It was a very low-key celebration. 🎉 

Cold here in Nashua, NH was daytime highs in the single digits and overnight in the minus teens. But nowhere near some other places, especially Mount Washington, NH. There it was minus 108 F wind chill, 97 MPH winds, which is likely the lowest ever recorded in the country. That's really cold 🥶

Aside from the biting cold across a lot of the nation, there was another event last week in the U.S. On Tuesday, the country's most famous marmot saw his shadow Thursday morning after leaving his burrow at Gobbler's Knob. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, spring comes early. (Groundhogs are a type of rodent known as a marmot, marmots are closely related to squirrels, yet squirrels have never forecast the weather.)

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Phil,  a furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town, saw his shadow which means that the country can expect below-average temperatures for the next six week, that is, if you subscribe to the legend of a furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town and Phil's weather-predicting abilities. 

Phil made the prediction at Gobbler's Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil's "inner circle" summoned him from his tree stump to learn if he would see his shadow.

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On Feb 2, the nation awaited to see what he would predict, and, with a bit of human prodding, Phil came out of his burrow about 7:30 am and saw his shadow for the 137th time in front of a large Groundhog Day crowd. 

Phil made his prediction after speaking with Groundhog Club president Tom Dunkel who translated the prediction for the world. Yes, there is a Groundhog Club. It was established in 1887 and a website details all Groundhog Day events, including lunch with Phil and a Groundhog Day ball and banquet, who knew?

But, while Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction forecasts more winter weather, on Groundhog Day, it depends on who you want to believe. Phil is not the only groundhog forecaster as there are several others, it's just that Phil is the most well known.

For example, there's, Staten Island Chuck who did not see his shadow and therefore, signaling an early spring. And, another groundhog, Lady Edwina at the Turtleback Zoo in West Orange, NJ sided with Phil. 

Predictions aside, Punxsutawney Phil has been making his long-range winter forecast the longest, since 1887.  Staten Island Chuck only joined the forecasting game in 1981. The newest member of the four-legged weather crew, Lady Edwina, is the youngest and most recent weather forecaster at just over 2 years old. When it comes to accuracy, Punxsutawney Phil isn't that accurate, while Staten Island Chuck has been right 80% of the time. You can choose which one to believe if you are so included, as for myself, not at all.

Last week, we continued a long-standing tradition by watching the 1993 film, Ground Hog Day, starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. If you have never seen this movie, you should watch it someday. Bill Murray's character relives the day over and over again. It's a true classic. Spoiler alert, the movie was filmed in Woodstock, Ill, although the actual Punxsutawney, PA, holds annual festivals. This shooting location was close to the hometown of film director Harold Ramis, whose family lived in Chicago, IL.

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Of course, Phil's prediction came as many areas were dealing with a major winter storm and frigid temps. Of the 127 recorded times Phil has predicted the weather, he has now seen his shadow 107 times (or 84% of the time). His longest streak of seeing his shadow remains at 31, when he saw it every year from 1903 to 1933.

Ice on the Nashua River this weekend

The Nashua River below our living room window had its first coating of ice this past weekend. Temps are warming up this week and so the ice will be gone in a couple more days.

Speaking of cold, I am dealing with yet another head cold, the second one this year. Once again tissues are close at hand and I'm staying home. Hope that you are all staying well.

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Canon Powershot G7 Mark III

As to what I bought myself for my  birthday, it's a camera, which may come as no surprise. Now, I have to learn how to best use it before we travel later this year. The camera was bought refurbished on the Canon website. Good Great news is that it includes a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. An added 2 or 4 year protection plan can also be purchased at additional cost within 90 days, most likely I will get that. Purchasing this camera refurbished on the Canon website was a significant saving over new on other sites. 

Your turn — Do you buy yourself gifts too ?

It's a Bit Late

But, still not too late to ask if you asked for or received Christmas gifts, especially as Valentine and Easter items are now on store shelfs (sigh). Note: this post as updated as some folks were not familiar with a couple of the tech items, and they are not alone.

Like many in our (ahem) age group, we're at the point in our lives where if there's anything we want, it's simply purchased. That said, if there was something special, a well-placed hint to Grenville would be enough to ensure it as a gift. He complains about my not telling him if there's something I want (not need).

Regifted to Grenville

That was the case a few years ago when I mentioned possibly getting Apple AirPods to replace the corded earphones being used in the gym. But, I wasn't sure if they were needed them and then shared this with Grenville. Unbeknown to myself, he had already bought them for me as a gift. Talk about putting the proverbial foot in the mouth.

Apple AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds designed specifically to work with iPhone and iPad. They are wireless versions of the Apple earbuds that used to come standard in a new iPhone box. Newer models no longer have a plus for wired ear sets, leading to the popularity of these devices.

Happily, these turned out to be a really great gift used for several years until I gifted with an upgrade to AirPods Pro on sale. The original AirPods were regifted to Grenville who has been using them on his gym visits — win-win for both of us. These days,while both sets are not the most current, they're still working, and we have no plans to replace them.

My gift from Grenville

This was Grenville's gift to me this year — a tire compressor to replace the very much older one that was in my car. It's a handy unit to have in the car. Even though I never specifically mentioned this, I'd been planning to get a newer one.

Here's why, the much older one in my car was used to inflate a low tire last fall, which it did or so we thought. We didn't know that it had somehow caused the tire valve to get stuck and air was slowly leaking out and we found out after the tire went completely flat. (This is when a AAA membership is worth the cost, despite the service wait time.) The flat was replaced with the spare in just over an hour. And, I was not upset about the flat as, after checking my auto records, learned the tires were 7+ years old and overdue for replacement. The next week, I had 4 new tires and now a new tire inflator.

My gifts to Grenville

It as my turn to surprise Grenville with these gifts, who was a bit annoyed that no wish list had been provided to him. Really, neither of us did one for Christmas. Anyway, surprises are so much better.

One will be enjoyed now (blueberry jam) and the other will be handy later (air tags). That's because we're going on a much belated anniversary trip. It's needed after an earlier anticipated anniversary trip (Rocky Mountaineer train excursion) was cancelled due to you-know-what. It took months to get trip deposit monies returned. We decided not to reschedule that trip.

Apple AirTags are button-shaped Bluetooth trackers designed to help folks track valuables or often misplaced personal items (keys, backpack, wallet). Increasingly, they have been placed in travel luggage to assist in locating lost bags.

We have a 2023 anniversary trip in the works, so these will come in handy. Our trip is set for a couple of weeks after our August anniversary (details later). Glad we renewed our passports during the pandemic, and can travel for a number of years, starting this year.

My gift to myself was also air tags especially after reading how handy they can be in tracking misguided luggage. The colorful holders shown above came in an 8-pack. We split the color choices and Grenville chose the darker colors.

Gifts from granddaughter

Here's a tip, if you never want to get more of certain items, remember not to let family members know about those things or you certainly will have more of them in the future. 

Case in point, years ago, Grenville owned a John Deere tractor and usually would get holiday and birthday gifts with a JD theme, especially t-shirts. He had an entire wardrobe! Similarly, it may come as no surprise that our collection of frogs and penguins was in various  forms — stuffed toys, figurines, signs. Most of these, but not all, were donated when we moved from VA to NH. Some favorites relocated with us, for example, the large cement penguin and frog below. This pair formerly graced our front porch, and now stand sentry outside our apt.

Now, there's more penguins. Granddaughter Ellie gifted us with this penguin pair and a glass penguin ornament. These two have joined the other frogs and penguins.

Admittedly, it is getting a bit populated in this area. However all seem to be getting along with the snowmen (shown in last week's post) taking over residence on the shelf above, aside from this welcoming one.

Assortment of frogs and penguins on floor outside our apt entry

Your turn — Did you get any expected, unexpected or total surprises this past🎄season?

If so, please share in a comment.

All I Wanted for Christmas

Was nothing, not even my two front teeth. (If you're young enough not to remember this 1944 novelty holiday song, you can see videos on YouTube.) 

That said, I received two unexpected gifts, even if one as not as much a surprise as you will read.

Like many (ahem) older folks, Grenville and I no longer exchange holiday gifts. We did in the past, but we're at a time in our lives when if anything is needed or wanted, we can buy it (finding a good sale, of course). In talking with other similarly aged folks, it seems they do the same. We enjoy trips and time together all year long and gift-buy for grandchildren, family and friends — gifts enough for us.

Instead, we give and get surprises at non-holiday time. Last year, Grenville bought me a popover pan after we enjoyed these at a neighbor's home, a couple of cookbooks to go with cast iron pans I bought and recently bought another Italian recipe cookbook he thought I'd enjoy. For my part, I bought him two Vermont Flannel shirts (USA made).

When Grenville asked what I wanted for Christmas, my answer was nothing. But, one day after his oft-asked query, I blurted "bluetooth ear buds." Now, I've always used corded earphones, own several pairs and resisted any urge to buy bluetooth ones, which would just be another thing to charge. Corded earphones were fine with me. All our personal electronics are Apple brand, so there was little doubt about what he would consider buying. Brand loyalty is alive and well with Grenville.

After realizing that he might actually buy this item, I recanted any desire for bluetooth ear buds. It was a case of being too late as it wasn't until we were headed to visit family in CT on Christmas Eve.

Then on Christmas morning, Grenville gave me a small package containing Apple AirPods. (The red silicone cover was an after-holiday gift to myself as the white case is slippery.)

Yes, I felt bad recalling how in spite of my babbling the night before, he had made this purchase a couple of weeks earlier.

Was this gift unexpected? — more or less
Do I like them? — completely, used daily at gym
How do I feel? — very thankful to my husband 

I wondered if these cordless earphones would fall out, but they've remained in place at the gym. The small case is charged via a lightning cable and the AirPods recharge in the case. A charge reportedly holds for 5 hours; my gym sessions are way shorter, so that claim remains untested by me.

Bluetooth connection is easy, just put the Airpods in and they connect; they sense when they're being worn and pause when removed. The charging case is said to hold multiple charges for over 24 hours listening time; 15 minutes in the case gives 3 hours of listening time. Checking battery life is done by holding the case or the AirPods next to a device. 

I'll make the second unexpected gift a shorter tale.

I'm an avid photographer who, years ago, used photo paper and a printer for photo printing; now I order online via Snapfish. At home printing used a lot of ink and, as many well know, printer inks can be costly for photo printing.

A couple of family members surprised me with this gift — an HP Sprocket portable photo printer. Admittedly, I had never seen (or heard) of these devices. There's no excuse for my ignorance, except lack of interest. It seems the target market for is to folks active on social media who want "instant" photos. (Years ago that need for instantly printed pictures would have been met using a Polaroid camera.) 

These mini-printers operate much the same. No ink is needed, colors are embedded in the HP Zink photo paper which puts crystals on every sheet that show up as specific colors when heated. Each paper pack includes a separate bar-coded page run first to calibrate the printer for the paper pack. 

As shown above, these are small photos (2x3 vs. standard 4x6-inch prints) and are geared toward sharing vs. photo albums. The prints have a sticker backing; an HP Sprocket app allows adding borders, text, and stickers if one is so inclined.

My reaction? — it's a fun techie device
Would I have bought one? — most likely not
How useful is it? — fun for family pics, not so much for travel pics
Quality and results — impressive with bright colors

It was fun to send a thank you and include holiday photos printed via my cell phone to the HP Sprocket. I'll also use it to print pics enclosed with future card mailings.

This last gift was both expected (and not). Do you recall jokes about holiday fruitcakes that people would get and pass on every holiday season? — This gift is not like that. 

Friends who live in VA (not the eastern shore as we did) have been sending this now annual gift from when we formerly lived in NJ. 

We always thank them, tell them we appreciate the gift, and i's not necessary to continue. In reply, they tell us ()every year): "We send this gift because we want to and you need not send anything in return." 

Do we enjoy this annual gift? — absolutely
Are the cheeses used? — Yes, throughout the year in many ways

This year, we sent our friends a gift box with maple syrup and pancake mix. 

Your turn — did anyone receive unexpected gifts this year?
If so, please share in a comment.

Carried Away?

A while back, Grenville posted that in late July we will become 2nd time grandparents with the arrival of a granddaughter.

And, as we did earlier for our grandson, we’re already gathering baby bargains in the local thrift stores.

Many items are not only like new – some are brand new and never worn by a baby – maybe too many outfits in the same size?

WHAT deals we’ve found! The bib above and this hat were 25 cents each. At these prices, we can afford to buy a wardrobe and have $ left over for toys – or a college education?.

Saving money aside, this is great fun. Any clothes she can’t use will be donated elsewhere, so it’s all good.

We’re trying to avoid the all-pink look, adding yellow and purple outfits.

This week, we got a chance to buy blue baby clothes as NJ friends became 1st time grandparents and we sent these for their new grandson.

Can you tell that we’re having a great time shopping?