The New Hobbit Hole

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Is there actually someplace in Florida where it gets below 70 in August?

We had an unheard of August cold front a day ago. They say it may get down to 66,an all time record for the date. This would be 90 miles north of Orlando (Ocala) and points north.

[Sam Cree]

Hmmm, well, Blam was talking about an article in Discover Magazine that explores the possibility that another Little Ice Age may be imminent.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

possibility that another Little Ice Age may be imminent

Well 20 years ago the current global warming types were talking about 'nuclear winter' and a new ice age. Won't take much for them to switch back. The liberal media types won't skip a beat, neither will Algore.

[Sam Cree]

I'm sure it can be used to call for more governmental control of damn near everything, no matter which way it falls. Beats me how those who desire increased power to centralized government can refer to themselsves as "liberals."

[Sam Cree]

Both of my folks have been gone awhile; it's something you never get over I think, losing a loved one, though you do learn to deal with it in time. Often, when something strikes me, I still get ready to tell Mom about it, forgetting she's been gone more than 8 years.

When my folks passed away, though I was sad and lonely, a voice in my head kept saying: Thank God it wasn't one of the kids, thank God it wasn't one of the kids...

There were 2 couples that were closest of friends with my parents, the next generation of these 3 couples (which includes me) are all close enough that the 3 families consider themselves to be one family, we even sometimes combine our 3 last names into one.

Now, all our kids are reaching adutlhood and beginning to marry, just returned from one of the weddings in Atlanta. Lots of fun.

Meanwhile, my close friend in Jacksonville who lost his dad last week, lost his 27 year old nephew this week in a boating accident. So we stopped on the way home at the funeral, same church, same family, 7 days later. I feel bad for his sister who lost her dad and her only child the same week.

But everything's fine in my own family, Thank God.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

another Little Ice Age

Oh, that would be very cool (pun alert! pun alert!). Skiing is my first love. A little ice age might mean good snow from October through May. I'd think I'd gone to heaven! My bank account would be in hell.

But you never think about being poor when your flying down the mountain.

[HairOfTheDog]

I agree with you! I can use it to my advantage...

I have Nordic ancestry... It gets to blasted hot in the summer anyway!

[Sam Cree]

" A little ice age might mean good snow from October through May. "

I think it might help the ski resorts in Virginia too :-) They've been somewhat beleaguered recently.

Do you own your own skis?

[HairOfTheDog]

Often, when something strikes me, I still get ready to tell Mom about it, forgetting she's been gone more than 8 years.

That is what I think we all do... I actually cherish the moments when I think I can just call her up and talk! Even if they only last an instant it is nice... I have learned to let it make me smile instead of making me sad, but it is bittersweet of course.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Yes. my wife and I both ski K-2's -- they are a "local" brand that used to be made up here on Vashon Island (near Tacoma). Now, like everything else, they are mostly made overseas. The company is still owned by local folks (I had friends in high school who worked at the factory in the summers).

They still have the best skiing commercial of all time: Phil Mahre (double gold medalist from our area -- he and his brother Steve (silver medalist) are part owners of the ski area that I go to most often, White Pass) standing on a pair of skis mounted on top of a car, urging the driver (who was another skier) to go faster. It was supposed to be part of his "training".

[Sam Cree]

"I have learned to let it make me smile instead of making me sad, but it is bittersweet of course."

That's true, it does give you a little warm, but bittersweet feeling.

[Corin Stormhands]

My bank account would be in hell.

Well, at least it would be frozen!

[Corin Stormhands]

Woo Hoo!

I asked Mrs. Stormhands to see what promotional materials she could get from Wal-Mart. She's got her name on back of one of the big DVD displays! It'll look great in Corin, Jrs' room...

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Very cool! You're going to have to figure out how to post pictures so you can show us all what it looks like. :)

[Overtaxed]

I got the DVD to play on my 'puter! I don't know what extra features they're talking about. I did get DVD player software (not sure how good it is yet....it'll play the movie). On The Movie disk at the Main Menu there's a New Line logo. I click on that and there's a list of the features that's on the other disk. You click on those and it's just credits.....or maybe I'm just a ninnyhammer and can't see what's in front of my face!

[Corin Stormhands]

You're going to have to figure out how to post pictures so you can show us all what it looks like. :)

I'm sure the Wal-Mart displays are all the same. And there are OSHA regulations about posting pictures of my son's room...

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Well, the only display they had at the Wal-Mart I visited was a huge thing that had both VHS tapes and DVDs in it... but I can understand your reluctance to give us all a peek into your son's room. ;)

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Yes, sometimes in Canada (where it's really cold in January) my assets freeze too...

[Corin Stormhands]

But isn't it a dry cold?

[Penny1]

I'M HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I thought I would NEVER get back!

Here's hoping this is a permanent solution. Just in case, I ordered 2 of those power supplies....

Whew! What a relief!

I MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!