As I knew it would, winter has returned. At least this time it didn't bring more snow with it, just bitter cold. After the very mild temperatures last week, it feels even colder. I never even left the house yesterday, I just stayed cocooned in my apartment ( Read more... )

Each winter is weirder than the last. This year, we seemed to have it all in one week, with 3 snowstorms and bitter cold, followed by unseasonably warm weather. Last weekend, I went for a walk around Gates Pond with my friend B and her dog, Puck. There was still snow in the woods and ice on the water, but the road was mostly mud, punctuated by the ( Read more... )

Last weekend was my family reunion. It's always good to see everyone, and this year we had quite a few of the cousins (my generation) attending so we managed to corral all of us and get some pictures.


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It's been a fairly stressful week. My mom was in the hospital; she had what they called an "asthma event," but she's home now and doing much better. Apparently this lit a fire under the senior housing folks to find her a ground-floor unit and a better parking space; she has to move in two weeks, but that is less stressful for her than facing winter ( Read more... )

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It's no secret that spring is my favorite season. New life arising from the earth, where just weeks ago it was covered in ice and snow. After a late start, spring has exploded here in New England with some very warm weather the past few days.


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This weekend was the annual family reunion in Binghamton. It was a fun time, and it was great to see everyone who was there. I don't know if anyone did an official count, but it seemed like we had a smaller crowd than usual this year. I was really glad my brother and his wife were able to make it; I don't see them nearly as often as I'd like. I was ( Read more... )

One of my co-workers, a guy who's been there a few years, tells a story about taking a chance on calling businesses that you wouldn't think would sign up for BBB Accreditation. There was a business in his leads that did nothing but make pineapple soda. Didn't even sell it to the public, just wholesale. But he thought, what the heck, it can't hurt ( Read more... )

Spring continues to unfold, albeit more slowly than usual. Trees are finally leafing out, new flowers appear, grass is finally green and lush. The weather continues to resist staying nice for long, but we do get periods of pleasant weather for a day or two at a time ( Read more... )