Catching Up

Spring was definitely not in the air this past weekend, when we work up to this scene.

Outside our living room window early Saturday, April 12

As lovely as this scene might have been a couple of months ago, it was neither expected nor welcomed in mid-April. The parking lot in the top photo is from the Lofts 34 apartments across the river from Clocktower Place, where we live and park underground, lucky us.

But, it was over within a couple of hours and then the melting began as a light rain followed. 

Now, a followup to a fellow blogger's question. Last week's Friday Funnies post about a chair sculpture brought a question from Nick who queried: Is the sculpture meant to relate to the chairs in some way?

The answer is that I didn't know the how and why about the sculpture and the high and low seating relationship. On a recent river walk, along which this sculpture is placed, I checked if the piece had an identifying name. Nashua hosts an annual sculpture symposium. This most likely was a prior year's sculpture.

Success, sort of, about the sculpture, which is titled Between. It was created by sculptor Vasilis Vasili in 2016, a Greek contemporary sculptor whose work has been characterized by concepts like entrapment, restriction, escape, gateway, separation and partition. 

Vasilis Vasili

Vasili's sculptures are displayed in various cities in Europe, USA, Canada, China, India, Taiwan and Turkey. However, despite several online searches nothing was located about the sculpture, other than the artist information.

This year's 18th annual Symposium will take place May 8 to May 31 with the theme of In the Making and the four participating sculptors are all women: Casey Schachner (U.S.), Valerie Funk (Germany), Danaë LeBlond-Joris (France), Yunmi Lee (South Korea/Italy).

Top Row: Casey Schachner, Valerie Funk,
Bottom Row: Danaë LeBlond-Joris, Yunmi Lee

The artists work outdoors at the Picker Artist Studios which are within walking distance of the mill apartments where they will be working for three weeks from May 12 to May 28. The public is invited to observe and interact with the visiting sculptors. We will be walking there a few times to watch the works being created. And, future blog posts will highlight the progress of the sculptures.

Nashua is unique in being the only U.S. city to host an annual sculpture symposium. Since 2008, guest artists from around the world have created 52 sculptures which have been gifted to the city of Nashua as part of its permanent collection. These large, stone or metal outdoor sculptures have been permanently installed in various public spaces in downtown Nashua, schools, parks, neighborhoods, walking trails and riverfront paths. 

Top: Getty Images; Bottom: Atlantic Productions/Magellan

Today, marks as a sad anniversary. I was 113 years ago when the RMS Titanic sank with the loss of an estimated 1,500 lives in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912. The 46,328 ton pride of the White Star Line sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic about 400 miles off the coast of Canada. 

A new National Graphic documentary, Titanic: The Digital Resurrection, presents the most detailed digital reconstruction of the wreckage ever created allowing researchers to challenge long-held theories about the disaster and that the ship didn’t split in half, but was torn into two pieces. The project took some two years to finish using cutting-edge underwater scanning technology capturing 715,000 digital images of the wreckage which were then transformed into a full-scale digital image of the Titanic.

Bloggers who have the National Geographic channel, Hulu or Disney+ will be able to stream the documentary. Since we do not subscribe to any of these, I'm hoping it will be released to other channels later. I've watched online previews, it's a fascinating documentary.

And, for those of us in the U.S., this is the day the tax man cometh. There will be longer than usual lines at the local post office. And, the USPS has filed notice with the PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) for a postage increase, effective July 13, 2025, new rates include  increase for a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, from 73¢ to 78¢ — stock up now 😲.

Finally, the knee pain is lessening with abstinence from the elliptical, steps and vigorous walking plus the use of prescribed anti-inflammatory meds (ibuprofen). In speaking with others who have had similar muscle strain, it can take up to a few weeks for complete healing. Thanks to all asked how I was healing.

Just wondering 🤔 — Does the city you live in host any unique events?

Change This Year

It's been said that change is good.

Change will affect this blog going forward. 

Future posts will neither name nor show family or details about family celebrations and milestone. While earlier posts showing family haven't been removed, names have been changed to granddaughter, grandson, daughter or family.

Why? 

To make a long story short, this action resulted from the reaction of some family members to a since deleted 2023 post. Showing and naming family members wasn't new on the blog and has been done as long as this blog has existed. When family was shown, a link was sent to those included, if not, they would remain oblivious to posts. There was never any kickback.

What Changed?

This time there was a dispute about said post that named and showed family members gathered for Thanksgiving and December birthdays. Particularly as it included a senior family member who had driven a distance to visit. Later, a family member, who was also there, suggested that details of this visit remain quiet. Concern was that other family would be upset he had driven alone. In short, silence was expected and I did not follow suit.

The after-holiday post contained photos and names and a link was shared with the family who were there. Next came a backlash of angry texts and emails from several who berated me for going public and asked/demanded the post be deleted.

Their reactions seemed extreme. The family member in question when contacted, confirmed other family knew of the trip. This detail was shared, but failed to mollify the complainants as the post had not been deleted after their initial texts/emails. In hindsight, a rather stubborn reaction on my part. 

What to Do?

Let go of my stubbornness, delete the post, send an apology to avoid further conflict, explain that earlier posts would be edited to remove names and that family would be excluded from future posts. All actions needed to soothe tempers and tensions, theirs and mine. 

Beatrice & Grenville Boyd

In an aside, a comment was made that we hid behind online aliases. So, if any new or long time readers of this blog are unaware, my name is Dorothy, my husband is Patrick. 

The blogger names, Beatrice & Grenville, were chosen years ago after two Boyds Bears figurines from our collection. The blog name, Frog & PenguINN, was a fun name for our former VA home in which we had many frog and penguin figurines. We still do, but not as many. 

Moving Forward — It's all good.

While the reactions were surprising, change is not an issue. This blog started as a way to recount our experiences, travels, adventures, home life, so it returns to that focus.

If you've read this far, thanks. There's no right or wrong. After hesitating to share this reason for change, full disclosure seemed the best approach. 

Change happens all the time. For example, a Tuesday post earlier this week showed photos from a weekend snowfall of nearly 15-inches in Nashua, NH. 

These views were from our apartment early Wednesday after an overnight rain and most of the snow had been washed away

Another change by Wednesday mid-afternoon when, after a nearly 50-degree day not only was most snow gone, but a rainbow was viewed after a few rain showers.

Got Spring?

To say that the weather here in Nashua, NH, has been far less than spring-like would be a major understatement. Here's a look at temperatures for the upcoming week.

Thankfully, there's no forecast of wet weather until late next week. It's forecast as rain with temperatures on rise.

That's better than what happened 35 years ago when a late season winter storm on April 28-29, 1987 brought heavy snow to interior sections of southern New England. The storm moved in during the morning rush hour and sent road crews scrambling for snow-removal equipment.

According to an online article, the surprise snowstorm buried neighboring Massachusetts under almost 2 feet of snow and knocked out power to more than 180,000 New Englanders at the height of the storm which caused hundreds of traffic accidents. Meanwhile, a record heat wave baked the western two-thirds of the nation with readings in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Better news is that despite chilly outdoor temps this week, I enjoyed these indoor blooms.

Yesterday, the Nashua Department of Public Works set up the two fountains on the Nashua River below our 5th floor apartment. This is the one closest to our view.

Yes, it was quite windy, but the water spray was a colorful sight.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Hope you have Spring in your locale

A Foggy Day . . .

Not in London, this was the view from our apartment in Nashua, NH over the weekend.

A recent series of unusually warm days ended when the overnight temps dipped into the 40s

A Foggy Day (in London Town) is a popular song with music composed by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film, A Damsel in Distress also starring George Burns and Gracie Allen. It was loosely based on the 1919 novel of the same name by P.G. Wodehouse. Astaire recorded the tune for Brunswick Records and later in 1937 his recording reached number 3 on the day's popular song charts. In early 1938, it charted again when Bob Crosby and his orchestra, with songstress Kay Weber, had their version reach number 16. 

The song's full title was in reference to pollution-induced, so-called pea soup fogs that were common in London caused by the burning of coal. The song has become a standard recorded by numerous performers including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Billie Holiday Charley Mingus, Percy Faith, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Michael Bublé, Sarah Vaughn and Shirley Bassey (to name a few).

A foggy day in London Town 

Had me low and had me down 

I viewed the morning with such alarm 

British Museum had lost its charm …

Despite Saturday's foggy start, we enjoyed a great weekend with seasonably cool and sunny daytime highs in the mid-60s and nighttime temps in the high 40s.

And I leave you with this thought, never mind the October Halloween and November Thanksgiving celebrations in the U.S. There's only 80 (shopping) days left till Christmas as many stores have already started reminding everyone. These images were taken a couple of weeks ago.

Here We Snow Again

The calendar date was past mid-April this weekend, an early Spring was forecast, but yesterday morning, Old Man Winter had other plans for the second time in a week.

A couple of days ago, I posted about a short-lived snowfall❄️. That one was much more scenic and brighter then this latest one — both during and afterwards.

This was the scene early Saturday morning as snow was falling for about 2 hours. It was very overcast. A light rainfall preceded the snow and rain continued after the snow stopped. It was a dismal and dreary day, definitely a good one to be indoors.

This is an attempted panoramic of the entire scene from our window.  In this image, it looks like the Nashua River is curved, but it's not at our viewpoint.

Not only was this wintry weather short-lived, but today’s high temps will be in the low 60s. Rain is forecast for several days afterwards with temps in the 50s.

Thanks to those who commented earlier about our great window views. We really enjoy it as regular readers likely know by now. These views were what attracted us to this mill apt when we planned to relocate to Nashua, NH. And, we're fortunate in being on the "river side"  as the view on the "city side" is mainly the surface parking area.

How about for you — has Spring arrived with nicer weather and blooms?

Say It Isn't . . .

SNOW ! ❄️☃️🌨

But it was earlier this morning as seen in these scenes taken from our apt window. Thankfully, this was a very brief snow event and by 8 a.m. it was quickly melting away.

Yet, the snow event didn't deter this sculler who we've seen on the Nashua River several mornings a week in recent weeks.

Today, there was a noticeable difference in that he was wearing a face mask — true social distancing.

As stated above this was a short-lived wintry scene. Here's the view an hour after the first photos were taken. 

Spring 🌸🥀 we hope it gets here soon 🌺🌼

What a Difference

A week's weather can be like. Last Sunday we had an 8-inch snowfall in Nashua, NH which included some sleet and freezing rain. The temperatures plummeted into  the single digits by the following day. On Monday, the daytime temperature was well below 10º F all day. These views were taken this past Sunday a.m.

By mid-week, the temperature started to moderate and climbed to the 20s and 30s. And, on Thursday, it reached a daytime high of 54º F. These views were taken Friday afternoon after a day of downpours. Now, the concern isn't snow and ice, but flooding.

Mother Nature can certainly be fickle and, perhaps that's her prerogative.

At any rate, our weather has changed dramatically in a week's time. Has your weather been very changeable/dramatic as well?

Melting? (Think Cool)

Internet source

So said the Wicked Witch to Dorothy in the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz.
(Entire quote at end of post.)

Melting is what most of the U.S. is doing with temperatures near or over 100 degrees in many states before the July 4th holiday. Worse yet is that humid air is making it feel even hotter as temperatures seem more like 110 degrees in some areas. When we lived on the VA eastern shore, summer temps would be given in terms of the heat index, a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored with actual air temperature.

Internet source: WeatherBug

While U.S. states are in the midst of a triple digit heat wave, it's hot in western Europe as well. There temperatures are in the 80s in countries more used to the 70s. 

Here's a way to stay cool — think about Winter which arrives Friday, Dec 21, 2018.

Here's the temp in Nashua, NH as of 2 p.m. today. We're doing as little as possible and have only gone outdoors for a quick supermarket trip.

Internet source: Weather Underground

How HOT are temps in your part of the country/world — How are you keeping cool? 

Here's the rest of that famous movie line spoken by actress Margaret Hamilton: 

ARRRRRGH! — you cursed brat! Look what you've done. I'm melting! Melting! Oh what a world, what a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?! ARRRRRGH! I'm gone! I'm gone!

Rainy Day Monday

Rain, rain go away was the refrain all day earlier this week. It could have been worse as neighbors to our north had "white" stuff and even some accumulation. There was only an overnight dusting here, which the rain (thankfully) washed away.

By late Tuesday afternoon, things were improving. The cloud cover was impressive as viewed from our 5th floor window.  

Hope the weather is better where you are. We're hoping Spring arrives before Summer.

(Thanks for your comments on the Edible Cake Contest at the Nashua Public Library. I've no idea which won top votes; there was no info on the library's web site.)

24-Hour Weather

There's a quote attributed to American humorist and writer Mark Twain (1835–1910): 
If you don't like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.

That was true in Nashua, NH, but it took at least a day. After a 4-5 inch weekend snowfall, warmer temps and rain followed Monday afternoon. 

This early Tuesday a.m. view showed the snow-clearing weather results. And there's NO snow forecast the rest of this week — maybe spring will be a bit earlier than expected?

Meanwhile,  6+ year-old granddaughter Ellie helped plow snow in RI and 1 year-old granddaughter Lilliana played in the weekend snow in Pennsylvania.

Morning After Views

A great thing about weather is that it's always changeable. After a day of icy branches, slippery walkways and roadways this past Tuesday, the day after was quite a change.

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."   (John Ruskin, English writer)

That said, this was the view from our apartment window about 7:30 a.m. yesterday.

Scarcely an hour after the first photo was taken, this was the window view.

And by noontime, the blue skies were back and the ice scenes were all gone.

Yes, in reply to some previous comments, we do feel very fortunate to view scenes like this on a daily basis. It's one of the best things about  overlooking the river and living in this NH mill apartment. 

As for how we spent our bad weather day, it's best put in the words of Theodor Seuss Geisel, who as Dr. Seuss in The Cat in the Hat wisely said . . .

“The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house, all that cold, cold, wet day.”

It's M-e-l-t-i-n-g

Maybe it was the luck of the horseshoes shown in my recent Friday Funnies post, but the weather has changed dramatically in Nashua, NH, the past several days.

This was the Nashua River view from our apt window at the beginning of last week. While the river never freezes solid, there was a lot of accumulated ice.

We had a good view of these ice jams floating downstream.  Warmer temperatures over the weekend showed a much different view yesterday morning.

By day's end, the view had changed even more dramatically, not only was the waterway more open, but the current was visible again at least from our view. 

Temperatures will continue to be well above freezing here this week quite a dramatic change from the start of January. It's a wet start to the week as the next couple of days will bring a lot of rain but no snow. (It's a great time for us to catch up on some Netflix viewing as we're currently watching several programs on Netflix and Acorn.)

By mid-week, the rain is over and the extended forecast looks pretty good.

It's a great time for us to catch up on some Netflix viewing as we're currently watching several programs on Netflix and Acorn. Also, Grenville has taken up a new ham radio hobby while I continue to sort through photo CDs and copy to external hard drives.

Today's Update: Forecasters are not always right. After an all-day rain on Monday, temperatures dropped causing very slick black ice on walkways and roadways (attested to by Grenville who attended a meeting). Conditions haven't improved much today.

These are window views at noon time and 2 hours later (bottom)  — we're staying indoors.

How are the current weather conditions in your part of the country or world — if there's nasty outdoor weather, how are you spending your time ? 

Just a Bad Memory

That's what can be said about tropical storm Philippe now according to the National Hurricane Center.

We were out-of-state as noted below. Photos in this post were taken a short time ago from our hotel room with limited views as it was pouring rain with gusting winds.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and concerns on yesterday's post about the storm's anticipated effects here in the northeast. So close to Halloween, this was quite a nasty trick on the 5th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.

NH state officials reported that the storm produced one of the worst non-winter power outages statewide.
We left NH on Sunday morning for a pre-planned road trip to Killington, VT. While it rained all day, we arrived at our lodging, before the hardest part of the storm. We're at a ski lodge which has low occupancy during this pre-ski season, but it will be fully booked within a few months (and at much higher rates too).

Ironically, 5 years ago when Sandy hit, we left VA  (where we were living at the time) for a trip to White River Junction also in VT. That trip was a day-long adventure as we were caught up in traffic in NJ which was expecting (and later received) the worst from Sandy

Early this morning, outages across the northeast left 44,000 people without power in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, much better than in New England states.

New England was hard-hit with this nor'easter-type storm. States were pounded with rain and gusting winds of up to 65 mph during the height of the Sunday storm. Widespread power outages were reported in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut,  Rhode Island, and Vermont. Trees and wires were down in several states with some flash flooding. Many school districts cancelled Monday classes.

NH state officials reported that the storm produced one of the worst "non-winter" power outages. The Mount Washington Observatory on the summit of Mount Washington, NH, highest peak in the northeast, reported wind gusts of over 130 mph during the height of the storm on Sunday night.

Safe and dry in our VT accommodation, we're staying indoors until later today when (hopefully) the rain and winds will lessen or stop. The lodge has several wood-burning fireplaces which are lit now. 

There's a small movie "theater" in the lodge, but films are pre-selected. So, last night we watched the 1991 film, The Addams Family, on Netflix. It was an appropriate (and fun) film for a stormy night. The 1988 film, Beetlejuice, is another Halloween favorite, but not available on Netflix, so we'll watch our DVD copy later.