Dear Friends,
Hope that your Super Bowl Sunday went as well as ours did. There was much food, fun, and merriment at our party.
A person who knows nothing about football, and who could care less about the game, won our modest football pool. Linda called her last night after the game was over, and told the West Stockbridge resident that she won the $34 pool.
The winner of the pool got me thinking about people whom could care less about the sport. Our local Sunday newspaper had an article about the Packer and Steeler fans in Berkshire County. There was also an article of people who have no interest in the Super Bowl, and what they were going to be doing on this big day. One person, who happens to be the Cultural Director for
Pittsfield, said that she was going to a less crowded movie. Do you think if I invited her to the Curley Party next year that she would attend? There were several people at our party who don't enjoy football, but do like getting invited to a party no matter what the theme is. If you invite Linda and I to a party, we would do our best show up, and party with the hosts and other guests.
Have the words of the Star Spangled Banner changed just for the Super Bowl?
How about the 1200 people who had ticket issues for the Super Bowl?
We were pleased that most of the people who were invited to our party did show up. We were also pleased that people who couldn't make the party notified us.
We were also happy that the food which people brought to the party had very few duplications. My asking people to bring a pot luck dish without telling Linda and I what they were bringing worked out very well.
Our pulled pork didn't work out to be a big hit. Linda is trying to figure out what to do with the leftover pulled pork. There must be some kind of soup or casserole dish that she can whip up.
The last few guests, who stayed until the game was over, helped us clean up which saved Linda and I a great deal of work. I have to empty the garbage, take care of bottle and cans, and do a little vacuuming to get my Man Cave back to normal.
I am the only one leaving the house today. Linda wants to relax, and try and rejuvenate her tired body. I have a 10 AM appointment with our Tax Preparation guy. I hope that when the numbers are crunched, we at least break even. Writing out a check to the IRS is so painful.
Linda and I are so happy that we stayed home on Saturday night. A friend of a friend came out of a restaurant, and fell and broke her hip. Her friends took her to the hospital which was about three miles from the emergency room of Berkshire Medical Center. They operated on the woman, and her hip was pinned back together. The woman is in her middle 50's.
Some other friends attended a Mass that we were supposed to attend. After Mass was over, the parking lots and sidewalks were coated with ice. One friend spent a good portion of time getting people to their cars. At one point, he and his lady friend took car mats out of his truck so people could walk on them.
We have some nuisance snow coming tonight right into the morning commute. Right now our weather guys are predicting 3 to 6 inches of light snow. The weather channel says we are getting less snow.
We still have ice on our roads and sidewalks. I was so nervous for our guests trying to manage our icy driveway and sidewalks. I put down salt twice on Sunday with no appreciable effect.
Our next door neighbor fell carrying a party pizza while on the path from his house to our house. The pizza never hit the ground according to our neighbor. I was really nervous for one of our guests who is a disabled Vietnam Vet who walks with a cane.
I am going out this morning to get the newspaper with those ice grippers attached to my footwear for a second day in a row. All of us would rather have snow than ice.
Our friend who just retired played golf with his son in Atlanta yesterday. He said that the temperatures reached into the 60's while playing golf, and he said that he was sweating while playing golf. The only time that I have been sweating is while at the gym, or shoveling snow, chopping ice, using a roof rake, etc.
I can't wait to see how our son's party worked out. I think that I am going to do several racks of ribs next year, but I have to get Kevin's dry rib recipe if he would share it with his dear old dad.
The commercials during the Super Bowl were fun to watch. Some were great, and others were real duds. It is difficult to imagine that these companies hire advertising agencies big bucks to create these commercials. If the commercials are a real dud, like several of them were, the companies should get a refund.
Well, I have to venture outside and get the local newspaper.
Have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Hello on Super Bowl Sunday
Dear Friends,
Hope that your Saturday went well. Ours didn't go as planned because of the weather. The rain, and freezing rain caused a slippery mess so we didn't go out after I did a few errands. I knew that we were in trouble weather wise because the front steps, the sidewalks leading to the driveway, and the driveway itself were solid sheets of ice as I gave up trying to go to the mailbox at the bottom of our driveway.
I see that the driveway right now has a coating on snow on it, but the snow is just hiding the ice. I will put some ice gripers on my footwear when I retrieve the Sunday newspapers from the driveway.
We had some leftover beef stew for supper to help us get through the long day of being housebound. We were supposed to go to a neighboring town for a fund raiser, but we decided that the roads were too treacherous. A girlfriend of Linda's happened to be out on the roads when the freezing rain was coating our roads. She followed a City truck home which was spreading salt and sand. I am guessing that there might have been a few fender benders on Saturday.
Well, today is Super Bowl Sunday. I was going to watch the game alone, but I changed my mind a day ago. I decided that I couldn't make it through the game alone even if I stop watching the game after half time. Linda said that it was okay to invite a few friends to keep me company.
I must have passed on the Party gene to my son in Tewksbury. He is having a party at his house. He showed a picture of three full racks of ribs which have been dry rubbed that he will be cooking for his guests. He has already gotten some positive comments from his Facebook friends. One friend said that he was " putting on the feedbag" in anticipation of diving into those ribs. When you are invited to a party, and the family is in the restaurant business, you really have something to look forward too.
Linda and I would be heading east to Kevin and Kyla's party in a heartbeat if we didn't have such a busy week coming up.
We are supposed to be above freezing when our guests arrive for the game, but we will be heading into the teens toward the end of the game.
The strange weather has really put a damper on the Super Bowl which is being held in Texas. They have been experiencing snowy and icing conditions all week long. The restaurants have been taking a hit since the fans weren't able to make it to all the week long festivities. Snow and Ice falling off the dome of the stadium has injured people. Travel has been a nightmare. Even though the fans will be watching the game in a domed stadium, snow, ice, and freezing rain will be greeting those fans when the game is over. Just think that in a few years the game will be played in an open stadium where the Jets and Giants play their home games.
After the not so good things which are happening in Dallas, the NFL might want to consider having all games in places like Miami, Florida. Even if it is cold in Miami, it will still be a heat wave for people who have to deal with snow and ice all winter long.
I would like to see the Packers win because I don't like the quarter back of the Steelers because I think that he really did assault that girl. Even though he wasn't convicted of the crime, the NFL wouldn't have suspended him for the first four games of the regular season if he was totally blameless.
Observation -- I experienced one of those days yesterday which makes me appreciate what Linda goes through when she goes off to do a few errands. I needed two items at a grocery store which was having a sale on the meat. I also was looking for some particular heavy duty plastic glassware which I have purchased in this store before. I head directly to the meat section of the grocery store, and the cut of meat which was supposed to arrive on Saturday wasn't there. I get a raincheck. I go to the party and paper product isle, and the plastic glasses which I wanted were not there.
I go off to a second grocery store, and the meat that I was looking for looked awful. I left the store empty-handed. I forgot to go down the isle that has the plastic glasses which I wanted.
I drive to a third grocery store, but couldn't find a parking place so I went to a fourth grocery store. I did find the meat that I was looking for. A butcher friend at this grocery store sees me pawing over the meat and asks me what I was looking for. He said that he would find one in the back for me. He cuts a large one in half, packages it up, and give me a 10 cents per pound discount.
Linda calls just as my friend brings out the meat specially prepared for me. While I was traveling all over Pittsfield, she got on the telephone and called the parent grocery store of the first one which I went to. This fifth grocery store set aside two monster pieces of meat at the sale price of $1 per pound. Linda tells me to just put back the meat that my butcher friend just got through preparing for me. I could't return the meat. The guilt was overwhelming, and I got in line, and purchased the meat at this store.
I forgot about the plastic glasses again.
I get in my car just as the roads are getting slippery, and head to the fifth grocery store to pick up the meat which they have waiting for me. I did remember that I was supposed to get plastic glasses, but this store was out of them too. On the way home, I stop at a wholesale warehouse store which I know have the plastic glasses which I am looking for. I finally arrive home with the two items which I went off to get.
In summary, I had to go to 6 stores to get two items. I can't imagine Linda going shopping with her coupons along with a mile long grocery list. I really, really appreciate what Linda does for me.
One of the pieces of meat has been in the crock pot all night long. When it is done and semi cooled, I will strip the meat, and use it for pulled pork sliders for the Super Bowl Party. I am hoping that the pulled pork sliders will be a big hit for the party.
Well, I have to do some quiet activities, skim the Sunday newspapers, and do some gathering of tax stuff. I have a date with the Tax Man at 10 AM on Monday morning.
Have a great day on this Super Bowl Sunday.
The highlight of most Super Bowls are the commercials, and not even the game.
I can't wait for the game to start. If our guests arrive around the scheduled starting time of the party, we will have 2.5 hours to socialize before the kickoff.
Talk to you soon.
The Curley Lad
Hope that your Saturday went well. Ours didn't go as planned because of the weather. The rain, and freezing rain caused a slippery mess so we didn't go out after I did a few errands. I knew that we were in trouble weather wise because the front steps, the sidewalks leading to the driveway, and the driveway itself were solid sheets of ice as I gave up trying to go to the mailbox at the bottom of our driveway.
I see that the driveway right now has a coating on snow on it, but the snow is just hiding the ice. I will put some ice gripers on my footwear when I retrieve the Sunday newspapers from the driveway.
We had some leftover beef stew for supper to help us get through the long day of being housebound. We were supposed to go to a neighboring town for a fund raiser, but we decided that the roads were too treacherous. A girlfriend of Linda's happened to be out on the roads when the freezing rain was coating our roads. She followed a City truck home which was spreading salt and sand. I am guessing that there might have been a few fender benders on Saturday.
Well, today is Super Bowl Sunday. I was going to watch the game alone, but I changed my mind a day ago. I decided that I couldn't make it through the game alone even if I stop watching the game after half time. Linda said that it was okay to invite a few friends to keep me company.
I must have passed on the Party gene to my son in Tewksbury. He is having a party at his house. He showed a picture of three full racks of ribs which have been dry rubbed that he will be cooking for his guests. He has already gotten some positive comments from his Facebook friends. One friend said that he was " putting on the feedbag" in anticipation of diving into those ribs. When you are invited to a party, and the family is in the restaurant business, you really have something to look forward too.
Linda and I would be heading east to Kevin and Kyla's party in a heartbeat if we didn't have such a busy week coming up.
We are supposed to be above freezing when our guests arrive for the game, but we will be heading into the teens toward the end of the game.
The strange weather has really put a damper on the Super Bowl which is being held in Texas. They have been experiencing snowy and icing conditions all week long. The restaurants have been taking a hit since the fans weren't able to make it to all the week long festivities. Snow and Ice falling off the dome of the stadium has injured people. Travel has been a nightmare. Even though the fans will be watching the game in a domed stadium, snow, ice, and freezing rain will be greeting those fans when the game is over. Just think that in a few years the game will be played in an open stadium where the Jets and Giants play their home games.
After the not so good things which are happening in Dallas, the NFL might want to consider having all games in places like Miami, Florida. Even if it is cold in Miami, it will still be a heat wave for people who have to deal with snow and ice all winter long.
I would like to see the Packers win because I don't like the quarter back of the Steelers because I think that he really did assault that girl. Even though he wasn't convicted of the crime, the NFL wouldn't have suspended him for the first four games of the regular season if he was totally blameless.
Observation -- I experienced one of those days yesterday which makes me appreciate what Linda goes through when she goes off to do a few errands. I needed two items at a grocery store which was having a sale on the meat. I also was looking for some particular heavy duty plastic glassware which I have purchased in this store before. I head directly to the meat section of the grocery store, and the cut of meat which was supposed to arrive on Saturday wasn't there. I get a raincheck. I go to the party and paper product isle, and the plastic glasses which I wanted were not there.
I go off to a second grocery store, and the meat that I was looking for looked awful. I left the store empty-handed. I forgot to go down the isle that has the plastic glasses which I wanted.
I drive to a third grocery store, but couldn't find a parking place so I went to a fourth grocery store. I did find the meat that I was looking for. A butcher friend at this grocery store sees me pawing over the meat and asks me what I was looking for. He said that he would find one in the back for me. He cuts a large one in half, packages it up, and give me a 10 cents per pound discount.
Linda calls just as my friend brings out the meat specially prepared for me. While I was traveling all over Pittsfield, she got on the telephone and called the parent grocery store of the first one which I went to. This fifth grocery store set aside two monster pieces of meat at the sale price of $1 per pound. Linda tells me to just put back the meat that my butcher friend just got through preparing for me. I could't return the meat. The guilt was overwhelming, and I got in line, and purchased the meat at this store.
I forgot about the plastic glasses again.
I get in my car just as the roads are getting slippery, and head to the fifth grocery store to pick up the meat which they have waiting for me. I did remember that I was supposed to get plastic glasses, but this store was out of them too. On the way home, I stop at a wholesale warehouse store which I know have the plastic glasses which I am looking for. I finally arrive home with the two items which I went off to get.
In summary, I had to go to 6 stores to get two items. I can't imagine Linda going shopping with her coupons along with a mile long grocery list. I really, really appreciate what Linda does for me.
One of the pieces of meat has been in the crock pot all night long. When it is done and semi cooled, I will strip the meat, and use it for pulled pork sliders for the Super Bowl Party. I am hoping that the pulled pork sliders will be a big hit for the party.
Well, I have to do some quiet activities, skim the Sunday newspapers, and do some gathering of tax stuff. I have a date with the Tax Man at 10 AM on Monday morning.
Have a great day on this Super Bowl Sunday.
The highlight of most Super Bowls are the commercials, and not even the game.
I can't wait for the game to start. If our guests arrive around the scheduled starting time of the party, we will have 2.5 hours to socialize before the kickoff.
Talk to you soon.
The Curley Lad
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Hello on Saturday
Dear Friends,
Our Friday went okay with a few bumps along the way.
We had mentally planned to do errands, attend a wake, go to a Mayoral reception at our City Hall, and attend a welcome dinner at the ITAM Lodge for our Italian Sister City Guests.
I received a cell phone call that the flight from Washington, D.C. To Logan airport was delayed. I was not part of the pick up of our Italian Sister City guests, but I was pressed into action. I was asked to drive to Westfield, about a 40 minute drive from Pittsfield, and pick up our guests.
The driver of the original pick up' who lives in Westfield, had planned a family trip to the Boston Celtic Game. The Curley Lad dropped off Linda and a carload of groceries home, and I headed East on the Mass Pike.
I did get our guests to the Mayoral reception, helped them check into their hotel, and got them to the reception / Welcome buffet dinner at the ITAM.
Linda had to take my car to the Wake, which I missed, and drive herself to the Welcome dinner.
We did sit together at the ITAM.
Linda left for home first. I followed shortly after I found out someone else was dropping off our guests at the hotel.
We are not involved with our Italian guests today except for attending a four PM Mass at St. Mark's.
We are supposed to go out tonight with another couple or two at a Tavern in Lenox. We have another wintry mix heading our way today. If it is icy this evening, we are staying home.
Our guests also asked to be driven to Boston toward the end of the day because they have a 9:00 AM flight back to Italy on Sunday morning. They were nervous about the wintry mix which we will be getting today.
I am leaving the house before Linda gets up today. We went to two grocery stores before the change in plans happened. We went to this one store for some pork, which was on sale, that we use for making pulled pork sandwiches. The meet manager was new, and he under ordered this particular cut of pork. He told us that a new supply was coming in today.
Well, I have to do some quiet chores, and do my first errand of the day.
Have great weekend.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our Friday went okay with a few bumps along the way.
We had mentally planned to do errands, attend a wake, go to a Mayoral reception at our City Hall, and attend a welcome dinner at the ITAM Lodge for our Italian Sister City Guests.
I received a cell phone call that the flight from Washington, D.C. To Logan airport was delayed. I was not part of the pick up of our Italian Sister City guests, but I was pressed into action. I was asked to drive to Westfield, about a 40 minute drive from Pittsfield, and pick up our guests.
The driver of the original pick up' who lives in Westfield, had planned a family trip to the Boston Celtic Game. The Curley Lad dropped off Linda and a carload of groceries home, and I headed East on the Mass Pike.
I did get our guests to the Mayoral reception, helped them check into their hotel, and got them to the reception / Welcome buffet dinner at the ITAM.
Linda had to take my car to the Wake, which I missed, and drive herself to the Welcome dinner.
We did sit together at the ITAM.
Linda left for home first. I followed shortly after I found out someone else was dropping off our guests at the hotel.
We are not involved with our Italian guests today except for attending a four PM Mass at St. Mark's.
We are supposed to go out tonight with another couple or two at a Tavern in Lenox. We have another wintry mix heading our way today. If it is icy this evening, we are staying home.
Our guests also asked to be driven to Boston toward the end of the day because they have a 9:00 AM flight back to Italy on Sunday morning. They were nervous about the wintry mix which we will be getting today.
I am leaving the house before Linda gets up today. We went to two grocery stores before the change in plans happened. We went to this one store for some pork, which was on sale, that we use for making pulled pork sandwiches. The meet manager was new, and he under ordered this particular cut of pork. He told us that a new supply was coming in today.
Well, I have to do some quiet chores, and do my first errand of the day.
Have great weekend.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hello on Friday
Dear Friends,
This week really flew by. I can't believe that it is Friday already.
I decided to use the roof rake yesterday, and remove some of the snow from the garage roof. I only did one side of the roof, and I will tackle the other side soon.
Linda and I did go off and do couple of errands on Thursday. We took the paperwork saying that we are alive and well to get notarized so that our pension checks will keep on coming once a month.
Linda had fun at her Red Hat gathering at Zucco's restaurant last evening. I too had fun at Patrick's Pub last evening listening to the Jazz Ambassadors playing their music from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM. I left a table of friends a little after 11 PM.
I walked into Patrick's a little after 6 PM. The place was packed including the room which we had the party in for our friend who just retired. If there is a recession, it sure didn't look like it in this place.
When I first arrived at Patrick's, I sat at the bar. I sat next to one of my former students from the 70's. He is currently a contractor who has made it to the big time. He has had a couple of girlfriends, but never got married. He is 57 years old, and enjoying life to the fullest.
Another couple walked in and sat next to us. The husband had Linda as his Biology Teacher before Linda and I became a couple. He said that he didn't remember much Biology. What he did remember was one of those big jars of frogs in formaldehyde (a chemical which they stopped using). No one in his class wanted to stick their hands in this jar to take out some frogs for the dissection class. This student told me that he didn't hesitate to stick his hands in that jar, and grab a frog for each student in the class.
This former student of both Linda and I owns a rental business which includes tent rentals for outdoor parties. He is another success story.
I don't have to drive to Logan Airport today to pick up our three Italian guests from our Sister City in Italy. Another friend and his son will be doing the pick up.
I was all set to stop a my son's restaurant, and feed our guests or at least pick up some sandwiches for the 2.5 hour ride home.
My services might be required after the Mayoral reception in Pittsfield. Our guests might need transportation to the hotel as well as to the Welcome Dinner at the ITAM is evening. Linda and I also have to squeeze in a wake for the father of a friend who used to live next door to us. His father was over 100 years old. I do remember one time when my friend's parents drove into our driveway by mistake since the color of our houses are quite similar. His mom died a few years ago. The local newspaper did an article about them on their 75th wedding anniversary. Do you think that my friend has those longevity genes too?
Weather -- We have another nuisance storm heading our way on Saturday. Another wintry mix including a 2 to 4 inch snow fall. My snow blower needs a little time off, but Mother Nature doesn't seem to let it happen.
We are booked in for both Saturday and Sunday.
We have another busy week coming up next week including judging a High School Science Fair at our Berkshire Museum.
One of these days we will learn the "No" word, but I don't think that it will happen soon.
Linda likes it when we are stuck in the house when a winter storm is coming because all commitments usually get cancelled.
My friend who just retired left for Georgia(driving his car) at 3 AM on Thursday morning. He is probably in Georgia right now. The only problem is that he is not going into warm weather. He will be heading into the storm which will reach us on Saturday. He might be dealing with freezing rain and cool temperatures right now. He also had to take off his studded snow tires which are illegal in most southern States. His wife is still here in the Berkshires. She will be retiring soon, and she will fly to Atlanta to be with him. Luckily they have a nice neighbor who will take care of snow removal while they are in Georgia.
Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
This week really flew by. I can't believe that it is Friday already.
I decided to use the roof rake yesterday, and remove some of the snow from the garage roof. I only did one side of the roof, and I will tackle the other side soon.
Linda and I did go off and do couple of errands on Thursday. We took the paperwork saying that we are alive and well to get notarized so that our pension checks will keep on coming once a month.
Linda had fun at her Red Hat gathering at Zucco's restaurant last evening. I too had fun at Patrick's Pub last evening listening to the Jazz Ambassadors playing their music from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM. I left a table of friends a little after 11 PM.
I walked into Patrick's a little after 6 PM. The place was packed including the room which we had the party in for our friend who just retired. If there is a recession, it sure didn't look like it in this place.
When I first arrived at Patrick's, I sat at the bar. I sat next to one of my former students from the 70's. He is currently a contractor who has made it to the big time. He has had a couple of girlfriends, but never got married. He is 57 years old, and enjoying life to the fullest.
Another couple walked in and sat next to us. The husband had Linda as his Biology Teacher before Linda and I became a couple. He said that he didn't remember much Biology. What he did remember was one of those big jars of frogs in formaldehyde (a chemical which they stopped using). No one in his class wanted to stick their hands in this jar to take out some frogs for the dissection class. This student told me that he didn't hesitate to stick his hands in that jar, and grab a frog for each student in the class.
This former student of both Linda and I owns a rental business which includes tent rentals for outdoor parties. He is another success story.
I don't have to drive to Logan Airport today to pick up our three Italian guests from our Sister City in Italy. Another friend and his son will be doing the pick up.
I was all set to stop a my son's restaurant, and feed our guests or at least pick up some sandwiches for the 2.5 hour ride home.
My services might be required after the Mayoral reception in Pittsfield. Our guests might need transportation to the hotel as well as to the Welcome Dinner at the ITAM is evening. Linda and I also have to squeeze in a wake for the father of a friend who used to live next door to us. His father was over 100 years old. I do remember one time when my friend's parents drove into our driveway by mistake since the color of our houses are quite similar. His mom died a few years ago. The local newspaper did an article about them on their 75th wedding anniversary. Do you think that my friend has those longevity genes too?
Weather -- We have another nuisance storm heading our way on Saturday. Another wintry mix including a 2 to 4 inch snow fall. My snow blower needs a little time off, but Mother Nature doesn't seem to let it happen.
We are booked in for both Saturday and Sunday.
We have another busy week coming up next week including judging a High School Science Fair at our Berkshire Museum.
One of these days we will learn the "No" word, but I don't think that it will happen soon.
Linda likes it when we are stuck in the house when a winter storm is coming because all commitments usually get cancelled.
My friend who just retired left for Georgia(driving his car) at 3 AM on Thursday morning. He is probably in Georgia right now. The only problem is that he is not going into warm weather. He will be heading into the storm which will reach us on Saturday. He might be dealing with freezing rain and cool temperatures right now. He also had to take off his studded snow tires which are illegal in most southern States. His wife is still here in the Berkshires. She will be retiring soon, and she will fly to Atlanta to be with him. Luckily they have a nice neighbor who will take care of snow removal while they are in Georgia.
Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Hello on Thursday
Dear Friends,
Hope that your Ground Hogs Day went as well as ours did.
My only outdoor adventure was to do a little snow blowing, and go to our mailbox, located at the end of our driveway, and get the mail.
By the time the storm reached the Berkshires, it had lost it's punch.
I just looked out the front door, and saw that we picked up an inch of snow last night, but the city plows created another mountain of snow at the end of the driveway.
Our plow guy doesn't do our driveway unless the snow fall is 3 inches or more. This means that I will have to fire up the snow blower for a third consecutive day.
My friend who just retired the other day has had enough of this endless snow. He is driving to Georgia today.
He is heading into a weekend of not so nice weather in the region where his son lives, and where our friend has a second home. He can't rethink his plans because he is on the road already.
Our neighbors did come over for some of that Crock Pot Beef Stew. We almost talked them into using our spare bedrooms. Their hard wood floor in the kitchen was being resurfaced, and the odor from the varnish has permeated their house. They didn't take us up on our offer. Oh Darn!
Sports - I see where the Boston / New England sports teams haters have another thing to make themselves more upset with. Besides Tom Brady winning Quarterback of the Year, we have to add Bill Belichik as Coach of the Year. I am stilling reeling from the fact that the Patriots didn't even make it to the Super Bowl.
Speaking of the Super Bowl, the media event and the party tents outside the Stadium are doing so in cold and icy weather. It will be in the lower 60's by Super Bowl Sunday.
Yesterday we received some more grocery fliers in the local newspaper. Of course the fliers are all aimed at people having Super Bowl parties. I was feeling sad that I wasn't having a party at our house this year. Do you think that I made a mistake by canceling our Annual Super Bowl Party? I almost felt like changing my mind even though the Super Bowl is couple of days away.
Weather -- It will be cold and sunny today, but another winter event is heading this way for Saturday. Boston might be a little more wet than us in the Berkshires.
A roof collapse at the eastern of the State made National News yesterday. The Roof Collapse did so on some small airplanes, and one helicopter. A flat roof, which is cheaper to build, just couldn't handle the unusual amount of snow which we have had this year.
It is a balmy 13 degrees as I compose this e-mail. We will reach the 20 degree mark for the high of the day.
Social Calendar -- We have to do a couple of errands today, one of which, is to verify at we are alive so that the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System will keep sending our Pension Checks.
We are socially engaged is evening, but we are going in different directions. Linda has a Red Hat event at a local restaurant, and I am going to Patrick's Pub to listen to a local band who is trying to pick up a few donations to help defray the cost of a trip to Istanbul Turkey. Our Irish Sister City friend and Band Leader believes that world peace can be achieved through music instead of constant conflicts and bloodshed. If you knew this former student of mine, you would know that he is truly sincere.
World News -- Egypt is still in turmoil. The President of this Country formed a group of protesters who support him. This means that we have people from the same country fighting each other. I still think that the current President should find a way to gracefully resign from his position, and have his people vote for a new President.
I have noticed that when there is a weather event people are committing less crimes. Chicago got the worst of the latest storm, and yet it was the calmest as far as crimes went for a day or so. How could the drug dealers and the people selling their bodies even stand on any street corners with the wind blowing as hard as it was in Chicago over the past few days?
Well I have to finish my morning routine.
Have a great Thursday.
Linda and I will be having one for sure.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Hope that your Ground Hogs Day went as well as ours did.
My only outdoor adventure was to do a little snow blowing, and go to our mailbox, located at the end of our driveway, and get the mail.
By the time the storm reached the Berkshires, it had lost it's punch.
I just looked out the front door, and saw that we picked up an inch of snow last night, but the city plows created another mountain of snow at the end of the driveway.
Our plow guy doesn't do our driveway unless the snow fall is 3 inches or more. This means that I will have to fire up the snow blower for a third consecutive day.
My friend who just retired the other day has had enough of this endless snow. He is driving to Georgia today.
He is heading into a weekend of not so nice weather in the region where his son lives, and where our friend has a second home. He can't rethink his plans because he is on the road already.
Our neighbors did come over for some of that Crock Pot Beef Stew. We almost talked them into using our spare bedrooms. Their hard wood floor in the kitchen was being resurfaced, and the odor from the varnish has permeated their house. They didn't take us up on our offer. Oh Darn!
Sports - I see where the Boston / New England sports teams haters have another thing to make themselves more upset with. Besides Tom Brady winning Quarterback of the Year, we have to add Bill Belichik as Coach of the Year. I am stilling reeling from the fact that the Patriots didn't even make it to the Super Bowl.
Speaking of the Super Bowl, the media event and the party tents outside the Stadium are doing so in cold and icy weather. It will be in the lower 60's by Super Bowl Sunday.
Yesterday we received some more grocery fliers in the local newspaper. Of course the fliers are all aimed at people having Super Bowl parties. I was feeling sad that I wasn't having a party at our house this year. Do you think that I made a mistake by canceling our Annual Super Bowl Party? I almost felt like changing my mind even though the Super Bowl is couple of days away.
Weather -- It will be cold and sunny today, but another winter event is heading this way for Saturday. Boston might be a little more wet than us in the Berkshires.
A roof collapse at the eastern of the State made National News yesterday. The Roof Collapse did so on some small airplanes, and one helicopter. A flat roof, which is cheaper to build, just couldn't handle the unusual amount of snow which we have had this year.
It is a balmy 13 degrees as I compose this e-mail. We will reach the 20 degree mark for the high of the day.
Social Calendar -- We have to do a couple of errands today, one of which, is to verify at we are alive so that the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System will keep sending our Pension Checks.
We are socially engaged is evening, but we are going in different directions. Linda has a Red Hat event at a local restaurant, and I am going to Patrick's Pub to listen to a local band who is trying to pick up a few donations to help defray the cost of a trip to Istanbul Turkey. Our Irish Sister City friend and Band Leader believes that world peace can be achieved through music instead of constant conflicts and bloodshed. If you knew this former student of mine, you would know that he is truly sincere.
World News -- Egypt is still in turmoil. The President of this Country formed a group of protesters who support him. This means that we have people from the same country fighting each other. I still think that the current President should find a way to gracefully resign from his position, and have his people vote for a new President.
I have noticed that when there is a weather event people are committing less crimes. Chicago got the worst of the latest storm, and yet it was the calmest as far as crimes went for a day or so. How could the drug dealers and the people selling their bodies even stand on any street corners with the wind blowing as hard as it was in Chicago over the past few days?
Well I have to finish my morning routine.
Have a great Thursday.
Linda and I will be having one for sure.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Hello on Wednesday
Dear Friends,
Happy Ground Hogs Day!
I hope that the ground hog remains in hibernation because his hole in the ground has to be buried in snow.
Some of the creatures are starting to build snow forts to protect themselves from the elements.
For the past few nights there have been rabbit footprints on the top of the front steps. Even my furry friends are looking for a warm place to stay.
This day has particular significance for Linda and I. This is the day so many years ago that I mentioned to Linda that we would either go ice-fishing or pick out an engagement ring depending on the weather. It was kind of dumb / immature for me to even think that ice-fishing would be what we were doing on that day. Actually I do remember that it was very cold on that day. I guess that I told my two sons that story so many times that my sons never made it a choice between a sport or searching for an engagement ring.
Here we are almost 40 years later, and we are still happily married.
The snow after round one yesterday was about 6 inches deep. I went out to do my usual sidewalks, and paths to the bird feeders at the same time that my plow guy arrived to do driveway.
Round two started around midnight but I don't think that we are getting as much snow as they predicted. I do see a huge pile of snow at the bottom of our driveway caused when the city plows went down the street.
I hope there is no changeover to sleet or freezing rain, but we are right on the snow / sleet line.
I might have to use the snow rake on the garage today.
Pittsfield has already made the decision tom close the schools. I am guessing that the rest of the County will most likely follow suit.
Kevin was home with Max on Tuesday which is Kevin's usual day off. He hadn't figured how he was going to get the snow off of his driveway as of yesterday.
His restaurant continues to take a hit because of the never ending snow. I am watching a Boston news channel right now. It appears Boston will get more ice along with their snow. Logan Airport has pretty much shut down.
I am guessing that Max's daycare will shut down since most the schools in the area are closed.
If Linda and I lived closer to Kevin and Kyla, we could be helping out with childcare in these emergency situations.
The Boston Channel just showed a video of a contractor whose company dumped forty truck loads of snow into the Merrimack River this past weekend. This company is in big trouble with the EPA. There just aren't any places to dump the snow.
We might be shoveling more snow this weekend even though it won't be a great amount. The joy is never ending for all of us in the Northeast.
We had some friends who were doing one of those four day getaways (leave their elementary school children to the baby sitters) to some warmer climates. Their flight got cancelled, and the travel agent was trying to get them out as soon as possible. They never called their airlines like Linda and I did to see if they could get out before the storm hit. This situation is another example of why flying during the wintertime in the Northeast is not a good proposition.
I did hear a radio report from a travel agent who said that his business was booming. The people who are tired of dealing with snow are calling up in record numbers, and asking the travel agents to find them warm places to go. The agent said that cost wasn't even a factor for many of these people.
Speaking of money, the Stock Market rose above the 12000 mark. Somebody has to be making money even if it is not you and me.
The Egyptian President said that he isn't going to run for office when his term is over. His people want him to resign right now. The United States does a good job helping (spending American Dollars) to get these people elected to office because they support Democratic ideals. The United States needs a little work with respect making sure that these leaders don't stay in office too long or otherwise the people will revolt.
I missed the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics contests last evening because I was savoring a book. Both teams won their respective contests.
Tom Brady was named Quarterback of the Year even though he didn't take his team to the Super Bowl.
Linda's Mah Jong Ladies started calling before 9 AM on Tuesday. Nobody wanted to drive on the snow covered roads.
The Crock Pot Chicken Soup turned out spectacular. We ate it for lunch and supper.
Before we went to bed last night, we set up some Beef Stew in the Crock Pot. Our next door neighbors might be joining us for supper.
A friend sent us an email from Florida. He was taking a walk in 80 degree weather. During the past year, they sold their house in New Jersey (including their snow blower), and moved to Florida. I told him that Linda and I love the Four Seasons, and we were enjoying the snow event.
Well, I have to put on some boots and get the local newspaper off of the driveway.
Have a great Wednesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Happy Ground Hogs Day!
I hope that the ground hog remains in hibernation because his hole in the ground has to be buried in snow.
Some of the creatures are starting to build snow forts to protect themselves from the elements.
For the past few nights there have been rabbit footprints on the top of the front steps. Even my furry friends are looking for a warm place to stay.
This day has particular significance for Linda and I. This is the day so many years ago that I mentioned to Linda that we would either go ice-fishing or pick out an engagement ring depending on the weather. It was kind of dumb / immature for me to even think that ice-fishing would be what we were doing on that day. Actually I do remember that it was very cold on that day. I guess that I told my two sons that story so many times that my sons never made it a choice between a sport or searching for an engagement ring.
Here we are almost 40 years later, and we are still happily married.
The snow after round one yesterday was about 6 inches deep. I went out to do my usual sidewalks, and paths to the bird feeders at the same time that my plow guy arrived to do driveway.
Round two started around midnight but I don't think that we are getting as much snow as they predicted. I do see a huge pile of snow at the bottom of our driveway caused when the city plows went down the street.
I hope there is no changeover to sleet or freezing rain, but we are right on the snow / sleet line.
I might have to use the snow rake on the garage today.
Pittsfield has already made the decision tom close the schools. I am guessing that the rest of the County will most likely follow suit.
Kevin was home with Max on Tuesday which is Kevin's usual day off. He hadn't figured how he was going to get the snow off of his driveway as of yesterday.
His restaurant continues to take a hit because of the never ending snow. I am watching a Boston news channel right now. It appears Boston will get more ice along with their snow. Logan Airport has pretty much shut down.
I am guessing that Max's daycare will shut down since most the schools in the area are closed.
If Linda and I lived closer to Kevin and Kyla, we could be helping out with childcare in these emergency situations.
The Boston Channel just showed a video of a contractor whose company dumped forty truck loads of snow into the Merrimack River this past weekend. This company is in big trouble with the EPA. There just aren't any places to dump the snow.
We might be shoveling more snow this weekend even though it won't be a great amount. The joy is never ending for all of us in the Northeast.
We had some friends who were doing one of those four day getaways (leave their elementary school children to the baby sitters) to some warmer climates. Their flight got cancelled, and the travel agent was trying to get them out as soon as possible. They never called their airlines like Linda and I did to see if they could get out before the storm hit. This situation is another example of why flying during the wintertime in the Northeast is not a good proposition.
I did hear a radio report from a travel agent who said that his business was booming. The people who are tired of dealing with snow are calling up in record numbers, and asking the travel agents to find them warm places to go. The agent said that cost wasn't even a factor for many of these people.
Speaking of money, the Stock Market rose above the 12000 mark. Somebody has to be making money even if it is not you and me.
The Egyptian President said that he isn't going to run for office when his term is over. His people want him to resign right now. The United States does a good job helping (spending American Dollars) to get these people elected to office because they support Democratic ideals. The United States needs a little work with respect making sure that these leaders don't stay in office too long or otherwise the people will revolt.
I missed the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics contests last evening because I was savoring a book. Both teams won their respective contests.
Tom Brady was named Quarterback of the Year even though he didn't take his team to the Super Bowl.
Linda's Mah Jong Ladies started calling before 9 AM on Tuesday. Nobody wanted to drive on the snow covered roads.
The Crock Pot Chicken Soup turned out spectacular. We ate it for lunch and supper.
Before we went to bed last night, we set up some Beef Stew in the Crock Pot. Our next door neighbors might be joining us for supper.
A friend sent us an email from Florida. He was taking a walk in 80 degree weather. During the past year, they sold their house in New Jersey (including their snow blower), and moved to Florida. I told him that Linda and I love the Four Seasons, and we were enjoying the snow event.
Well, I have to put on some boots and get the local newspaper off of the driveway.
Have a great Wednesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Hello on Tuesday Morning
Dear Friends,
I am up early because I am heading off to Retro Fitness to be with the 4:30 AM crowd. I also want to beat the upcoming storm which could put us in the 15 to 30 inch range of snow fall before it is all over. Our son and his family in Leavenworth Kansas are getting the snow too. Our son and his family in North Tewksbury will be dashing through the snow too. Linda started a crock pot of Chicken soup last night before she went to bed. A Crock Pot of Beef Stew is on the menu for Wednesday. Linda did a grocery run yesterday afternoon. I made sure that I had enough gasoline for the snowblower. This is a two part storm which will give me time to snow blow after round one. I made sure the flash lights, batteries, portable radios are accessible just in case the power goes out. I have my Grill to Go ready to use if necessary. It is cold enough in the garage to keep the food in the freezer frozen for at least a couple of days. Linda has enough Yankee Candles to light up the whole neighborhood should the power go out. We have enough fake logs to put in the fireplace to keep us warm, and to be able to cuddle if we have no heat. In other words, bring on the storm, the Curley's are prepared.
I visited dad on Monday. He mentioned again that he feels like a widower. I wish my sister and I can convince him to sell the house in Lee, and go to an assisted living place. He is one lonely person. I feel that the loneliness will kill him before any physical problem does. My sister offered my father to live at her place, but he like my Aunt Gladys, who lives next door, are going to live and die in their own home. Linda and I love our home, but we are not attached to it like the World War II generation is.
I see where the prostitutes are lining up in the areas surrounding the Super Bowl this weekend. Texas law enforcement officials said that they are also going to break up any child prostitution rings working in the area too. They said that Child Prostitution has been a real problem in past Super Bowls. What a sad commentary for us, and the Democratic Society which we live in?
On a happier note, Linda and I were invited for supper last night to eat some leftovers from the Sunday night party for the retiree. The food was wonderful a second time around. The retiree decided to not head south until the storm is over. He felt guilty leaving his wife to deal with a couple of feet of snow in their driveway. She like Linda is never going to fire up a snow blower, and get involved with snow removal. There is a woman across the street from us who does it all. She snow blows her driveway, and mows the lawn in the summer time. Most of our friends have wives of the same mentality as our wives. Certain jobs are what husbands are supposed to do as part of the marriage contract.
I just returned from Retro Fitness. A light snow started to fall to and from my 2 mile ride to the gym. The usual suspects were there. The beautiful people decided to stay home. I stuck with pedaling devices for most of the hour.
The oil prices have already started to rise because of the Egyptian crisis. North Korea and South Korea are at it again physically. A o Judge in Florida has ruled Obama Care unconstitutional. Massachusetts started mandatory Healthcare before the Federal programs were signed into law. We in Massachusetts have been doing okay with it. The Republicans are being pushed by the drug companies because their profits took a hit with Obama Care. The lobbyists representing the medical field secured big bucks to get people elected who would vote their way so that big profits would be at an all time high. Does our Congress have the same Obama Care coverage as the average citizen?
The radio program went well on Monday. There was a minor problem. An email was sent by the host of the program last week saying that the starting time was noon for the Gormalley Lad and me. I had spoken to the host who was at the fundraiser which I worked this past Thursday. He reminded me of a 10: AM start time. Well, the Gormalley Lad's wife happened to be listening to the program, and she heard me on the radio. He rushed to the radio station, and made it for the last 30 minutes. The Gormalley Lad is on my daily blog, but he must not of read that I said that I was going to be on the radio at 10:00 AM. The error didn't turn out to be a big deal because we will both be on the radio next Tuesday. He has the 10 AM slot, and I have the 11:00 AM slot. I will be on the radio with my UNICO President discussing up coming Italian events.
I did forget to mention on Monday that Tiger Woods had a less than stellar performance during the last two rounds of the tournament which he played in last week. I believe that he ended up in 55th place. Has he turned into just an average golfer?
Well, I have to quietly take a shower, and get ready to head off to an 8:30 AM appointment. After the appointment, I will just hunker down with the Queen and watch the snow fall. Many Schools in our county are going to open on time, but dismiss early. Years ago you could get a full day of credit for attending a half day of school. They stopped that practice a couple of years before Linda and I retired.
Have a great couple days if you are in the track of the storm. Don't try and fight Mother Nature, but embrace it! Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
I am up early because I am heading off to Retro Fitness to be with the 4:30 AM crowd. I also want to beat the upcoming storm which could put us in the 15 to 30 inch range of snow fall before it is all over. Our son and his family in Leavenworth Kansas are getting the snow too. Our son and his family in North Tewksbury will be dashing through the snow too. Linda started a crock pot of Chicken soup last night before she went to bed. A Crock Pot of Beef Stew is on the menu for Wednesday. Linda did a grocery run yesterday afternoon. I made sure that I had enough gasoline for the snowblower. This is a two part storm which will give me time to snow blow after round one. I made sure the flash lights, batteries, portable radios are accessible just in case the power goes out. I have my Grill to Go ready to use if necessary. It is cold enough in the garage to keep the food in the freezer frozen for at least a couple of days. Linda has enough Yankee Candles to light up the whole neighborhood should the power go out. We have enough fake logs to put in the fireplace to keep us warm, and to be able to cuddle if we have no heat. In other words, bring on the storm, the Curley's are prepared.
I visited dad on Monday. He mentioned again that he feels like a widower. I wish my sister and I can convince him to sell the house in Lee, and go to an assisted living place. He is one lonely person. I feel that the loneliness will kill him before any physical problem does. My sister offered my father to live at her place, but he like my Aunt Gladys, who lives next door, are going to live and die in their own home. Linda and I love our home, but we are not attached to it like the World War II generation is.
I see where the prostitutes are lining up in the areas surrounding the Super Bowl this weekend. Texas law enforcement officials said that they are also going to break up any child prostitution rings working in the area too. They said that Child Prostitution has been a real problem in past Super Bowls. What a sad commentary for us, and the Democratic Society which we live in?
On a happier note, Linda and I were invited for supper last night to eat some leftovers from the Sunday night party for the retiree. The food was wonderful a second time around. The retiree decided to not head south until the storm is over. He felt guilty leaving his wife to deal with a couple of feet of snow in their driveway. She like Linda is never going to fire up a snow blower, and get involved with snow removal. There is a woman across the street from us who does it all. She snow blows her driveway, and mows the lawn in the summer time. Most of our friends have wives of the same mentality as our wives. Certain jobs are what husbands are supposed to do as part of the marriage contract.
I just returned from Retro Fitness. A light snow started to fall to and from my 2 mile ride to the gym. The usual suspects were there. The beautiful people decided to stay home. I stuck with pedaling devices for most of the hour.
The oil prices have already started to rise because of the Egyptian crisis. North Korea and South Korea are at it again physically. A o Judge in Florida has ruled Obama Care unconstitutional. Massachusetts started mandatory Healthcare before the Federal programs were signed into law. We in Massachusetts have been doing okay with it. The Republicans are being pushed by the drug companies because their profits took a hit with Obama Care. The lobbyists representing the medical field secured big bucks to get people elected who would vote their way so that big profits would be at an all time high. Does our Congress have the same Obama Care coverage as the average citizen?
The radio program went well on Monday. There was a minor problem. An email was sent by the host of the program last week saying that the starting time was noon for the Gormalley Lad and me. I had spoken to the host who was at the fundraiser which I worked this past Thursday. He reminded me of a 10: AM start time. Well, the Gormalley Lad's wife happened to be listening to the program, and she heard me on the radio. He rushed to the radio station, and made it for the last 30 minutes. The Gormalley Lad is on my daily blog, but he must not of read that I said that I was going to be on the radio at 10:00 AM. The error didn't turn out to be a big deal because we will both be on the radio next Tuesday. He has the 10 AM slot, and I have the 11:00 AM slot. I will be on the radio with my UNICO President discussing up coming Italian events.
I did forget to mention on Monday that Tiger Woods had a less than stellar performance during the last two rounds of the tournament which he played in last week. I believe that he ended up in 55th place. Has he turned into just an average golfer?
Well, I have to quietly take a shower, and get ready to head off to an 8:30 AM appointment. After the appointment, I will just hunker down with the Queen and watch the snow fall. Many Schools in our county are going to open on time, but dismiss early. Years ago you could get a full day of credit for attending a half day of school. They stopped that practice a couple of years before Linda and I retired.
Have a great couple days if you are in the track of the storm. Don't try and fight Mother Nature, but embrace it! Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
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