Plan for the day

Need to run a few quick errands and get ready for the next two days storms.  Have to admit I'm not looking forward to another foot or two of snow.  This is the wettest winter in the last 15 years or so.

xxx

Dinner with John and Marie

John and Marie were over for dinner last night.  I made scallops marinated in honey and lime, sweet potato rounds in maple syrup and orange zest, and asparagus with white sauce.  With some homemade sweet rolls all very nice with a semi sweet Rhine wine.  Desert was vanilla ice cream with sauted apples in a sauce of maple syrup, brown sugar, and chopped pecans.  I think everyone overate a bit but we did enjoy the evening.

Symphony Pro Musica

BB and I went out last night to Symphony Pro Musica.  Alan Schneider, HB's husband, was performing and since the performance was in Hudson, the next town over, it was easy to get to.  The first half of the performance was Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde ("The Song of the Earth") with Alan and Gale Fuller performing.  Mahler isn't my composer nor is German opera but the performance was good and the orchestra outstanding.  The second half was Beethoven's Piano Concerto #4 in G Major, Op. 58 played by George Li.  You'll want to remember that name as this 15 year old prodigy is remarkable.  I'm not sure when I've enjoyed a piano piece so much.

On cold

Cold and people's reaction to it are interesting.  I've lived in upstate NY where there are occasional cold days and lots of snow and in Minnesota where there are four to six weeks of serious cold but not much snow.  For the most part neither cold or snow bothers me over much.  That said, this mourning it was around 10 below in Sudbury.  That's starting to be cold.

As a general rule, me feeling is that at 10 degrees above it's really not all that cold.  A reasonable coat, gloves, and hat makes it comfortable to be outside for extended time as long as you are moving a bit as in skiing or hiking.  From 10 below to 10 above it's time to get better dressed with thermal under cloths, better gloves with liners, and a face shield of some sort.  It's still possible to be out and active but you need to be dressed for it.  Now when it gets colder than 10 below it's time to get serious about clothing and really decide if you need, as opposed to want, to be outside.  A serious winter coat that covers the hips and upper legs and has a proper hood, and good over pants are essential to remain safe.  At around 30 below and colder, I've seen 45 below, it's really cold and while it is possible to dress for it it's time for serious arctic wear and a through reassessment of why you need to be outside.

I mention all this as I've noticed that New Englanders, at least those in Eastern Massachusetts are really weather wimps.  Today's cold seems to have most people in something of a state about being outside or driving.  I suppose that most people get like that when they experience the extremes of what they've seen previously.  Perhaps it's a survival mechanism, nature's way of telling us that we really need to watch out since we've not been here before.

All that said, I think I'll go skiing today.

Another 8" of snow

Well, it's getting to be a bit much with the snow.  Last night and this mourning we got another 8" of snow.  Nice dry fluffy snow that's left a lovely winter landscape.  That said we've now had something on the order of 5' or 6' in the last month and there is now no place to put it conveniently.

Heard from HB last night.  Her grandfather Niel has been hospitalized and she's concerned that he's dieing.  They are close and she's struggling with his possible death.  We spoke for some time and hopefully I helped.

Getting ready for the next snow

Tomorrow will bring yet another snow storm!  Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy the snow, but we've had close to 5' in the last 4 weeks!  It's getting a bit over much.  My poor small Toro snow blower continues to help but the snow banks are tall enough now that it doesn't throw the snow over them.  I'm reluctant to buy another larger blower since it's seldom really needed and will hope for the best with sir Toro and our plow guy.

Dinner tonight is stuffed chicken.  Most excellent.  I'll make some couscous and salad with fresh homemade Italian bread and a bottle of white whine. 

Time to go out and put a post by the Comcast box in hopes that the plow will not break it again.  I'll also treat the driveway with salt and sand to minimize icing for this storm.  Then off to run a few errands including groceries and the library.

It's a snowy winter

This winter has seen a lot of snow and with yesterday's storm rain and ice.  I rather enjoy the snow but rain and ice not so much.  Mike's been helping with the drive and deck.  That makes it a bit easier to deal with things.  Unfortunately, the rain today is making a mess of things.  I've chipped the ice off the steps and deck but I'm not sure what to do about the drive.  Hopefully there'll be enough rain to clear it.  We'll see.

Had a bit of adventure last night.  One of the plows managed to break Comcast's cable so no TV or internet.  John and Marie also lost their CC phone.  There were trucks here until 11Pm but the plow had buried the CC box under about 5' of snow and ice.  We tried to help the tech find it and dig it clear but no luck.  It's back online now.

Today was a dentist day so I drove to Chelmsford to have my teeth cleaned.  Nothing of consequence, just a cleaning.  On the way home I tried to stop by the Asian grocer that used to be in Acton to pick up some soba noodles.  The key thing here is "used to be."  I'm a bit surprised that we're having trouble finding soba noodles in the local grocer, but they don't seem to be stocked.  I suppose I'll have to order them online.

With the rain it's a good day to read and generally stay in and relax.