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Slip, Sliding Away

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  The first big storm of 2025 arrived over the weekend. Governor Stein declared a  State of Emergency  before the event to permit citizens and civil authorities to prepare properly. The white fluff was only a few inches deep, but the icy rain that preceded the snow made for a deadly combination. Our area received about 4 inches. Traffic on the main highway in our area, NC Route 421, between Wilkesboro and Boone, was at a standstill for several hours due to two semis jackknifing, one on either side of the road, near Deep Gap. Closer to home, our serpentine mountain roads, with several steep grades, were a nightmare. Two construction pickups with trailers jackknifed and blocked egress. Our postman slid all the way down the community entrance road, across the county road, and down the opposite embankment into some trees. Several residents had to abandon their vehicles on the roadside after failing to climb the rise. At least 20 cars got stuck on the two-mile county access ro...
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Winter, Brrr...

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  Blizzards  and ice storms are impacting a large portion of the US. I spent over 50 years in northern climates: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Montana. Today, I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where we are usually blessed with a temperate climate. These days, I dread going out if wintry weather is predicted. Unlit, narrow, switchback mountain roads with no guardrails can be treacherous if covered in ice and snow, especially if untreated with salt or unplowed. I awoke to an icy fog, pine boughs bowed with the weight of icicles. As the sun rose and its radiant heat bore down on the scene, a constant “raining” sound occurred: the tinkle of ice and dripping water. Now, the trees stand upright, branches raised. It’s a good day to stay inside. Chili is cooking in the Crockpot, the aroma warming the senses. The perfect time to snuggle down with a good book. Or maybe go out and frolic in the snow, like these folks in  Washington, DC . You can view a delightful ...
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Another Year Dawns

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  As we bid adieu to the old year, we reflect on what it brought. 2024 was a stormy year both in weather with horrific hurricanes… …and in politics with the election. We filled our bingo cards with events imagined and unimagined. Wars… …incredible aeronautical advances And the death of a venerable President. We will usher in the New Year tomorrow evening. As we do, there may be more than man-made fireworks as a  Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) hurtles towards the Earth . As 2025 dawns, so does the historic  National Debt . As I type this blog, I watch the debt clock link as the debt climbs above 36 trillion dollars! Will  DOGE  be able to reduce the deficit before the US goes bankrupt? A massive cold front looms for much of the US. We look forward to a tropical escape. What have you planned for the new year: personal or professional ambitions? You can follow the Author on her  Website  or  X .
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Happy Holidays!

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  “Tis the season” for all sorts of celebrations. On December 21 at 4:21 AM EST,  Winter Solstice  occurred-the longest night of the year. Now, the days will incrementally get longer. A crowd of pagan adherents gathered at Stonehenge. Both Hanukkah and Christmas are this week. You can honor whichever tradition you choose or elect the hybrid holiday,  Chrismukkah . I will insert a personal holiday today-my birthday. For all of you who are too polite to inquire, I’m now 71. It was also my late father’s birthday. Next week, 2024 ends with a bang on New Year’s Eve. And then 2025 will dawn. Enjoy this festive season. Safe travels if you journey to spend the time with family and friends. You can follow the Author on her  Website  or  X .
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Chocolate-Covered Anything Day

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Versatile chocolate is a sweet confection which pairs well with multiple food flavors. Yes, even bacon! Many people enjoy chocolate-dipped fruit or nuts. Chocolate can complement a pretzel’s salty notes. Or add sweetness to a spicy mole. Why do we crave chocolate? Eating chocolate releases the chemical phenylalanine, which boosts our mood. Falling in love causes a similar effect on our brains. There is also evidence that dark chocolate can  increase memory and reaction times . D ark chocolate, a bar with 70–85% cocoa, is nutritious . If you consume 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate, you’ll get a significant percentage of the daily recommended intake of manganese (85%), copper (196%), iron (66%), magnesium (57%), [and lots of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium], as well as 11 grams of fiber. Cocoa has a good fatty acid profile, consisting primarily of oleic (heart-healthy), stearic (neutral effect), and palmitic (can increase cholesterol but is only 1/3 of the total ch...
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Mailbox Overload

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  It’s the time of year when our physical mailbox is stuffed with paper catalogs, and our inbox is populated with internet ads. With Thanksgiving barely behind us, we were slammed with  Black Friday  notices piling into our email, dozens hour after hour. Next up was  Small Business Saturday , a kinder, gentler approach to gift selection. This Hallmark holiday is the time to visit a local small-town merchant and honor them with your purchases. Once again, today, there has been an outpouring of ads, this time for  Cyber Monday . My iPhone notifications are off the charts. Tomorrow dawns with a philanthropic choice,  Giving Tuesday . It’s an excellent opportunity to donate dollars to your favorite charity. We are not impacted by these requests because we do our holiday shopping year-round. When we see an item we think would be a perfect present for a friend or family member, we pick it up and store it away until the time is right for gifting. Are you a last-mi...
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