Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Fantastic Four - Spring Portends

I was awakened - at 5 freaking 30 am - today by the sound of birds chirping outside the window.  After I shook the cobwebs from my head, I was actually fairly pleased to realize that if birds were back in town the spring can't be far away.

What are the 4 best things about spring?

1. Daffodils and tulips - As a kid, we had these flowers everywhere.  My grandfather bought them by the bushel at Frank's. At my last house, we planted hundreds of daffodils. The place looks great every spring.  I missed planting in the fall, but I have put it on my calendar for this year!

2. The Phils - Even after the disappointment of last year and the mysterious acquisitions of Ben Revere and Delmon Young, I am still excited by the sounds of spring training on the radio.  Can't wait!

3. Open Windows - I love to sleep with the windows open.  Winter in this area makes that pretty tough, so some fresh air will be welcome.

4. Marshmallow Peeps - While Just Born now has a year-round supply of marshmallow treats for us addicts, there is still something perfect about a Peep!

How about you?  What are you looking forward to about spring time?

Glorious

Walking from one meeting on campus to another can sometime be a bit of a drag.  I pretty gladly walked up and down Broad Street for my midday meeting today.  72 degrees, slightly hazy sunshine and the promise of more to come this week had everyone out and about at lunch time.

There were the usual lunch truck crowds, smokers and homeless people.  But today they were joined by thousands of people who seemed enlivened by the simple act of getting outside and walking around on a beautiful (nearly) Spring day. I was among them, taking a few extra loops around blocks to extend my walk for a scant few minutes and enjoy all that mid-March in a mild Philadelphia winter has to offer.

And the best part is that tomorrow will be even better!

Thursday

It was 60 degrees at lunchtime today, so I went for a walk instead of writing.  I likely won't be writing tonight either because I am going to a Flying Fish Brewing event at Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant in about an hour. 

Short story is that this is today's blog.  Enjoy it's brevity and prfound lack of content.

Snow in Medford!

I slept in a bit today and woke to the sound of ice pebbles on the window glass. The snow here in Medford has begun to change over to icy rain. I'd say we ended up with a bit less than two inches.

Not much, but just enough to coat the ground and make everything look petty!

Holy Cow! It Snowed!

We've got an unexpected coating of snow here in Medford! Be careful and take your time on the way to work!

Winter Is Here

While the official first day of winter doesn't happen until the winter solstice on December 22 this year, today is the first day that it has felt like winter to me.  The deciding factor for me was the frost on the windshield this morning.  I'm pretty sure that I have not had frost on my windshield since March of 2009, a pretty good run, for sure, but a pretty stark wake-up call at 7 this morning.  Ahh to have a garage again, oh but then you have to shovel the driveway...

How far can we be from this scene?

We had a very mild fall, with temperatures in the 60s as late as 10 days ago.  I Even given the freak Halloween snow storm that his much of the Philadelphia region, I still have not really felt the cold until today.  As loathe as I usually am to bundle up, I went with gloves and a scarf today, but could not bear to put on a watch cap yet. 

Only 68 days until pitchers and catchers!

Not A Good Start To The Day

The big Halloween 2011 nor'easter is rocking the Philly area today and the rain has already started to freeze here in South Jersey.

Drive safe on your way to get the milk, bread and eggs!

Not A Bad Evening

I wish I had had my real camera last night to capture this beautiful sunset and moonrise.  The 8 megapixel camera on my HTC Incredible Android phone is pretty good, but doesn't do justice to the real thing.

Yesterday didn't go exactly as planned, but it was nice to be outside last night and enjoying the refreshing change in weather that rolled though the area yesterday.  The rain cleared, I handled some personal stuff and then had a fun night with the kids.  The weekend promises to be absolute proof that autumn is here, with high temperatures in the 60s and temps for Sunday night's Phillies game dipping into the 40s.

This is a great weather time of the year.  Spring has the greening and flowering trees and the sense of re-birth about it, but fall has great colors and events that close out the warm weather and get us ready for our long winter.  I'm enjoying the weather now, because I am pretty sure some more snow is not far away.

I hope everyone enjoys the Octoberfests, youth athletic games, car shows, food festivals and Phillies games this weekend. There's too much to do, but I will find a way to get to about 4 different events on Saturday! Have fun!

What Else Ya Got, Mother Nature?

John and His Snow Friend
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

So we're all dug out here in Mount Laurel. School and work resume tomorrow. We've shoveled out the driveway and built a snowman and played video games. And now life returns to normal.

The fiancee and I are headed into Philly for dinner at Marc Vetri's Amis and all is right with the world. Tomorrow we have normal Fridays followed by a weekend of birthday parties, Valentine's Day celebrations and waffles for breakfast.

And then on Monday ... more snow!

Super Snow Day 2 - Part II

Blue Skies Again!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Can you believe this? It's officially the snowiest winter on record! We've got our second day off this week from work and school, the second major snow storm in a week and the Big Dig Out is just starting.

The skies are blue, the temperatures are icy and the wind is biting. Kids are beginning to move around and the coffee is hot. Hopefully that will be enough to get things moving today.

Special thanks go out to Mike for stopping by in the thick of it yesterday and getting rid of the heavy, wet snow on the driveway. We've got about 8 or 9 inches left of much lighter stuff to get rid of today. Thankfully we've got power and no trees in danger of falling today.

How are you weathering things?

Snowpalooza!

Snowy Pine Tree
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

We at Another Delco guy are up and about on this snowy Saturday, taking photos and assessing the snow event that is pounding the Philadelphia region today. John Bolaris is on Fox 29 saying that this snow storm will be one of the five largest ever, bigger than the December, 2009 storm and maybe even THE largest ever!

Fox 29 has a very cool new technology going allowing viewers to live steam video from their iPhones, showing conditions from all over the Delaware Valley.  The app's video is a little choppy, but still very fun to watch.  It's miles ahead of the guys at Channel 6 with their ancient graphics and stupid Action News ruler.

I have no idea how they are measuring snowfall totals, because the blowing and drifting has accumulations at my substantial, but not ostentatious estate varying from a mere 3 inches to over 20 inches. Regardless of how much we're going to get in the end, we will have some shoveling to do when it all winds down.

Safe and Snug at Home

Blizzard and Lights
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Well I braved the 16 inches of snow we have here in Mount Laurel to get you this shot of our Christmas lights in the Blizzard of 2009.

The roads are barely plowed and our driveway and walk are unshoveled.  What's the point when you are getting an inch of snow an hour?

The kids enjoyed the day and are looking forward to even more fun in the snow tomorrow.

Friday Fantastic Four

There's no looking back.  The window has slammed shut on summer and we're in full-on fall mode here in the Philadelphia Region.

I will admit I was hoping for a few more days of warm weather, but we will just have to wait until our annual late October Indian Summer.

It's time for an Autumn-themed Fantastic Four:

What are the four things you most like about fall?

1. Not sweating.  I like the warmer temperatures of summer in some ways, but there is nothing better than an afternoon drive with the sunroof open without having to worry about melting because of the heat and humidity.
2. Fall colors.  From the clear blue skies to leaves changing to the yellows and red and oranges of the mums to the incredible Halloween displays that will be going up on lawns across the nation, fall is the prettiest time of year.  I used to make sure I drove to fall conferences just to see all the colors.  With the kids it's harder these days, but I still want to get out and shoot some foliage this fall.
3. Fest beers.  While you seem to be able to get them earlier and earlier every year, my favorite style of brew is a malty, almost sweet fest style.  I've had two good ones this year so far and am looking forward to finding a few more.  Maybe at Blue Monkey's Oktoberfest.
4. Planting. I don't know how a kid from suburban Philly got it in his blood, but I love to plant and grow things.  It's said that Fall is for planting, and I have been trying.  I have some mums and pansies in the ground and some grass seed spread too.  Maybe a few shrubs next ...

So what do you love about the fall?

Have a great weekend!

Snow Photos

Got Some Work To Do Before The Party
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

At 7:30 am , there is 7 inches on the ground here in Moorestown. Still no peeps from upstairs. It's only a matter of time ...

More photos up here.

33 and Rain In Moorestown

A bit slushy but not bad here on the South Jersey roads.

A tip for the drivedrs out there. If I canstand in the rain and clear the snow off my car, so can you! There is absolutely no reason to be endangering me by driving around with a frigging porthole on your windshield.

Winter Mess

It's 28 degrees with freezing rain in Moorestown this morning.  The inch and a half of snow we have has an ice crust over it.  The kids, both mine and most of those across the region are off from school.

I'm getting ready for work. 

Why can't it ever just snow here?  It's always got to be a 'wintry mix.'  Storms start as snow, wander through sleet into freezing rain and end as rain.  A giant mess to be sure, but nothing to look at and never a day off for normal working folks.

I want an all out snow storm, complete with hot cocoa, snowmen, snowball fights, grilled cheese and tomato soup.  Remember them?  It's been about 7 years if you're from Philly.

Instead we get jackknifed tractor trailers on Vine Street, reporters who look like drowned rats, 25 mph speed limits on the bridges and co-workers complaining about having to be at work.

Oh well.  Time to head in!

Santa Is Blown Away

With wins of about 25 mph and similar temperatures today, Santa seems to be having a bit of trouble. It's a rough day for the typical pre-holidays in and out of the car routine, but I will cope. I've got the rest of the year off after all!!

Friday Fantastic Four

First Snow!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

While you can't really see it in the photo, there IS snow falling in the Philadelphia region today, causing slick roads and as much as 3 inches in some of the western suburbs.  It's been a wild weather week for me, from a record high temperature of 93 in Los Angeles on Saturday to snow and biting wind today.

So today's Friday Fantastic Four will be weather related:

What are your favorite things about the weather where you live?

1. Leaves turning
2. The first snowfall
3. Indian Summer
4. The earthy dampness that you can smell after spring rainstorms

Everybody have a great weekend and enjoy the snow!!!!

Yuch

While the rain has stopped here in Center City, it's still pretty cold and gray and nasty.

I hope you have something warm planned tonight!

Well That Sucked

I can't believe that Major League Baseball let that game go on last night.  Yeah I know they didn't want to call it and have the Phils win a tainted World Series title, but to let it go on in a complete monsoon was ridiculous and dangerous.

I know that fans are angry, and so are the players, but I am in the odd position of being happy.  since I am out of town, MLB's moronic decision making process last night will give me the chance to perhaps be in town when the rains let up on Wednesday.  Regardless, I'll be home for the parade.

There is a god and he wants me to see the Phils win the world series in person.

Game Three ... Or Not

We've just finished a great meal of roast beef, mac and cheese, roasted veggies, dinner rolls and green beans courtesy of the GF. The kids are bathed and we are gathered in the living room.  Except for Emma who has decided bed is preferable to listening.

We're awaiting the first pitch of Game Three of the World Series at 8:35.

Except that it is POURING rain here in South Jersey.  Apparently things aren't much better in South Philly.

Hmmm...

Waiting for Hanna

Summer's Over
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

If this blog entry had a song playing in the background, it would be BIlly Joel's "Famous Last Words." I've stacked the chairs for the fall and the leaves are starting to cover the patio. Football starts tomorrow and the Phils are playing the Mets with the Division on the line.

School has started and the mornings are a bit cooler each day. Summer has indeed come and gone.

Here in the Philly / South Jersey region we're waiting for the remnants of Hurricane Hanna to bring soaking rains and gusty winds, with power outages and tree damage likely. At least that's what Doug Kammerer says. It's warm and still and sticky here now thought, with just the deepening gray clouds portending a rough afternoon.

This is always a time of year that I get a bit morose. Perhaps it's because the Phils have always faded by now, or because The Eagles just haven't ever gotten it done. The weather changes have something to do with it as well, but somehow I think it's something deeper, something that has to do with the slowing down that happens in fall.

It's really one of the best times to live here. The humidity is much lower, the temperatures are cool in the morning, but not the brisk, nose-running cold that comes in November. You can pick apples at the local farms, or drive out to the pines and watch the sunset, or sit at a sidewalk table at a restaurant wearing a jacket.

The craziness of the holidays is just around the corner, so take a minute and slow down for a stretch.

Michael Moore is an Ass

Michael Moore was on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC show Friday night sticking his foot in his mouth.  In this clip, Moore calls Hurricane Gustav "proof that there is a God."



It's apparent that Moore is so ridiculously absorbed in his self-appointed role of attacker-in-chief on the Bush administration that he has failed to note that Gustav is poised to place millions of people in harms way, do billions in damage and potentially destroy a great American city.

It's time for Michael Moore to admit he's just as out of touch as those he has spent the last 20 years attacking.

Sheltered!

The weather turned nasty here in DC and we've found cover at the Station Grill at Union Station. There's not satellite signal due to the weather and I have to drink my Redhook Sun Rye out of a Redskins glass, but at least we're dry!

Wow!

I am on my way out of the city and in the early afternoon it has already hit 100 degrees on the thermometer.

It honestly FEELS hotter than that with the sun beating down and the dewpoint hovering in the jungle-like 70s.

We're headed to the pool to cool off!

Ugh!

We are on our way home from a nice birthday party at the Hannigan's (photos up later). It's 7pm and according to the billboard on I-95 next th Lincoln Financial Field, it's STILL 92 degrees. It felt a bit cooler in the shade withe a good breeze blowing, but nw I am feeling a bit wilted. And tomorrow it will be even hotter. Lovely!

Friday Fantastic Four

Ok all - today is a typical early spring weather pattern for the Philadelphia region, thus a rain-related Fan 4 today.

What are your four favorite things to do when it rains?

1. Read
2. Watch sports from areas of the country where it isn't raining.
3. Do a little work in the bedroom.  Ahem!
4. Surfin

Everybody have a great weekend!

Happy Spring!

Today should be a national holiday!  The first day of spring AND the NCAA Tournament begins.  What a day!!!

In Like A Lion ...

It's 57 degrees right now in South Jersey.  And it's going to hit 70 degrees a lot of places around the Philadelphia region today.

Notice the damp, earthy scent in the air as you walk outside this morning?

Do you know what that smell is?

It's spring!!!

Enjoy the second day of near-record temperatures, because the monsoons start tonight.  Sometime after midnight, the skies will open up and we'll get 2 inches of rain before daybreak!

In the meantime, enjoy the springtime! I'm going to go out for a walk at lunch and maybe take a few photos.  The Flower Show can wait.  We've got REAL spring right now!!!

Snow Paralyzes Region

  Pine Street Snow 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

What was originally forecast as a dusting to 3 inches in Philly blanketed Center City with 4 to 6 inches today, closing over 800 schools and snarling traffic.  It also caused breathlessness in weather and traffic casters as they struggled to impart the proper degree of seriousness to the impending doom posed by the weather event of the year.

At area workplaces not idled by the weather, employees took advantage of the opportunity to stretch "casual Friday" to the max, appearing in jeans, snow boots and other otherwise banned attire.  Bosses across the region also endured various excuses from folks who claimed to be "working from home."

Fights were reported at dozens of area convenience stores as grandmothers fought over milk, bread and eggs.  Thousands of families had French toast for breakfast and will munch on grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch.

Area emergency rooms have been inundated with middle-aged men complaining of chest pain after being exposed to their wives and children cooped up in the house for hours watching Barney.  Area air pollution figures spiked this morning as thousands of lazy fat guys rolled out their snow blowers for the first time in three years, saying it was "about time they got their money's worth out of the damn thing."

For those of you stuck at work like me, enjoy the commute home when the streets will be glazed with "black ice" and your car will be coated with freezing rain, causing "numerous fender-benders" and "snarling traffic" yet again.  I'm sure it will be covered live from about 2:30 on as the area "gets an early start on rush hour."

Snow Starting!

It's just 4 pm and the snow has started in Moorestown!

It will probably be not much of a storm, but may get us ready for a big one on Friday. Let's hope for a snow day!!

Record Heat!

It was 66 degrees when I left home this morning and it hit 70 on my way home. Both temps shattered the record high for the day and sent droves of pale Philadelphians out for a walk at lunchtime.

While a cold front has come through, we won't see really cold weather until Sunday when the mercury will struggle to break 30. I'll be in the mountains of New Mexico by then, experiencing winter in the high desert.

Friday Fantastic Four

  21 Degrees?!?! 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

I had another Fantastic Four ready for today, but given today's frigid temperatures, it can wait.  Based on the aged thermometer outside my filthy Center City office, it's 21 degrees at 8:45.  That's snot-freezin' cold!

Today's cold weather Friday Fantastic Four is:

What four places on earth would you rather be today than where you are?

1. San Diego (duh)
2. Miami Beach
3. St. John
4. Quebec City - If I am going to be freezing to death, I would rather do it in this beautiful city.

Have a great (and cozy) weekend!

Snow In Philly

  City Hall Lights 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

While it's pretty much all gone now, last night marked the first real snow in Philadelphia this season.  The late autumn storm brought between one and four inches of the white stuff across the area.  it was enough to make driving a bit messy, though not really treacherous. 

This morning, it was as cold as I can remember in a long time, with the thermometer showing 22 degrees when I got the CR-V started this morning.  I uploaded a few images of Center City that I shot on the way home last night.  The camera shake was desired this time, but I sure hope I get a monopod from Santa! I especially like the ghostly appearance of the lower portion of City Hall in the photo at the left.

Have a great day!

The Snow Has Started!

Rain!!!

It's 70 degrees now with bright blue skies.  Not unusual weather at all for Philadelphia in the fall.  But given that 4 of the last 6 days have featured high temperatures of 85 or higher, it's unusual for this year.  I guess we've seen the last of the REALLY warm weather for the year, but I am still not ready for winter. 

We never really had a chill, so it's not like you could even call the last few weeks "Indian Summer," since summer basically just stretched on into mid-October unabated.  I have not had the heat on this year and even as late as 2 nights ago, the AC was necessary to sleep comfortably.

And then there was this weird wet stuff falling from the sky last night just after dark.  I can't remember the last time it rained.  According Weather or Not we had .16 of an inch of rain in the last 6 weeks, but I must have slept though that.  The cold front that came through last night with thunder and lightning knocked out the power for a few ours and also knocked out the humidity.  It's really comfortable  outside for the first time in what seems like weeks.

For the weekend it looks like we'll have to fire up the oil burner for the first time as temps will drop into the 40s for the first time since may.  I love fall and I have missed the cool mornings, so I guess I am ready.  No snow yet please though!!!!

Another Summer Slipping Away

  Late Summer Back Yard 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Is it just me, or did you wake up this morning feeling like fall was nearly upon us?

Yesterday's sticky heat was swept away in last night's storms and there is a coolness in the air this morning that we have not felt in the Philadelphia area since May.  Fall is almost here.

August is a month that has some of the summer's hottest days, but also often has morning that force us to realize that the days of falling leaves and yellow school buses are bare days away.

When I was a child, we were often in Maine during the last weeks of August.  Nearly every morning was crisp and fall-like and the afternoons barely touched the 80s.  We usually got home just a few days before returning to school.  The coolness of this morning reminds me very much of the bittersweet feeling I used to get as the days of August drew closed in the col mooring stillness of Cape Porpoise.

Have a good weekend!

Happy Father's Day

Just a quick post to wish a happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and to thank them for all that they do fpr their sons and daughters.  Here in Moorestown, we will be holding the Pesotski Family Annual Crab Fest.

Matt, Kevin and I will be cleaning the crabs, The girlfriend and Carin will be steaming them and we will all be eating them.  Grandma will be playing with the grandkids and "Pop" will supervise all activities.

This tradition is my father's revival of crabfests that my grandfather used to do occasionally each summer.  He loved his crabs and beer, and I can remember several nice afternoons that we all spent in his backyard enjoying the still-hot crabs.  Back in the day I drank orange soda, but today we'll hoist a few Genny Cream Ales as tradition holds.

My dad deserves the credit fo keeping this going.  No matter what we are all doing, he makes sure to let us know how important it is to him.  It's our Father's Day gift to him and I know he appreciates it.

It will be hot, but the AC is already cranking and the beer will be cold.  I'll try to get some phots of the festivities up later tonight.

Happy Father's Day!

***UPDATE***

For various reasons, this thing was written on dialup.  Do you have ANY idea how friggin' slow dialup is?????  Jeez!

New Photos

Hey - Just a quick hello to say that there are new photos up at my Flickr site from my trip with the GF to the Phils game last night.  There was a terrible hot dog throwing incident resulting in an ejection.  I was not involved.

Also It hit 90 degrees here yesterday. Crazy, huh?

And I officially work in the Gayborhood!

Have a good one!