Good news, despite copious amounts of snow and winds that would embarrass those who refer to that Illinois city as windy, the Harbor Freight shelter still stands. Framework is sturdy and intact and tarps are securely in place. At this point I'm believing it will endure the winter not much less worse for wear.

Bad news, the materials to close off the bottom couple inches were acquired and still sit in the garage. Seems that along with getting older and health issues, I don't handle cold very well. So my excursions out to work on the shelter though frequent were short lived and accomplished little compared to the task at hand. I'm also coming to grips with a bit of depression resulting from the passings of my niece and my mother. At least it is in retreat without the use of additional meds (shucks I already take enough of them). So the bottom remains open, plus snow and ice arrived early and stayed which is a little unusual. There is no way I will brave riding a bike the size of a 1500CC Goldwing on packed snow and ice. The bike remains in the garage.

Giving consideration to the amounts of snow this fall and winter already I'm somewhat pleased the bike didn't make it into the shelter. Not to say it would have been less secure there but the truth is if snowfalls continue in amounts and frequencies we've already experienced we are in for a very wet back yard come spring. Now I don't expect we will have flooding here but very few miles east, the Red River will. And there is the football field distance of wet clay to be traversed before getting to pavement. That is more challenge than an 800+ pound motorcycle plus rider (the rider would be me) may be willing to accept. Even not flooded it will be very wet and clay is really greasy when wet. Yep, considering that, I'm glad it isn't back there.

In the meantime Janice is using the garage next door. The next door townhouse is for sale and unoccupied, so we came to an agreement with the owner to use the garage until the property sells. For us the price is right since all I have to do is keep the drive, walkway and front steps cleared of snow. Considering the amounts and frequencies of snow so far it does mean I'll have ample cardiac rehab whether I go to the gym or not. In general though I think we have a win – win.

The shed continues to prove itself a worthy investment. It has endured high winds and copious snow. Let me tell you about the snow, or better yet I won't. Put it this way, if it's still standing come spring, it will get covered with pole barn siding and made into a much sturdier shelter. That was the intention from the beginning. This could be an inexpensive way to end up with a good storage shelter. Hmmmm.

For the major part of six decades I've observed preparations for the new year including drunken debauchery (got to admit to participating a few times myself), major partying, and even doing some foolish things such as driving home when I really shouldn't have. Knock on Formica covered particle board but those indiscretions on my part did not result in accidents, injuries or worse. That can only be attributed to luck and in order to keep the lucky streak intact I ceased from taking such chances in a vehicle. After all, New Years Eve and the first few hours of New Years Day are nothing less than the ultimate amateur night. End of sermonizing.

There is however one tradition I have taken more entertainment from than any other. That is listening to the New Years Resolutions so many make each year. Resolutions are overwhelming in their variety and scope but nearly all end up being two things: 1. Attempts to improve oneself. 2. Short lived. Today is January 3, 2009 and I suspect I can safely bet 87% (how's that for an arbitrary number) of all resolutions have gone by the wayside by now. Of course there are a few that make it longer, and even a few of those actually make it to the next year. And to those successful resolution makers I impart my hardiest congratulations and admiration.

Someone reading this is thinking: “OK, so do you make New Years Resolutions and how well do you do”. The answer is yes, I continue with the same resolution from year to year and thus far have never broken it since I began. You see, I've had many accomplishments and many failures, such is the nature of life but one thing I've observed: I have not failed or succeeded in something only because I started the practice at 12:00:01 AM, January 1st of any year. After coming to that realization I decided to resolve that I would make no other New Years Resolution but instead change things as needed or as I became aware of them. It has worked well, I have experienced no failed New Years Resolutions since.

So how's everyone else doing?

Here it is, getting toward 8:30 PM (CST), December 31, 2008 and we've been home about 15 minutes now. We met some friends at “Speak Easy” restaurant for dinner and conversation and went our separate ways after. They were on their way to a local comedy club to bring in the New Year. Janice and I consider New Years Eve as nothing more than amateurs night which makes the streets after 9:00 PM very dangerous. Thus we are home enjoying each others company and that of our dog. It feels comfortable and we're good with that. I'm thinking this is an indication we're becoming old fogies.

So 2008 winds down and not unlike every other year the twists and turns of events range from those very close to home to those of global nature. Close to home for me included the totally unexpected passing of my niece at 37 years of age and 12 days later the less surprising passing of my mother at 94. Both events were heavy with emotion; the kind of things that bring greater awareness and acceptance of our own inevitable mortality. Even though Blue Oyster Cult told us “Don't fear the reaper”, I have one thing to tell the reaper: not yet.

As for the global twists and turns, I'm leaving that for each of us to detail in our own views. Much is happening and will happen but mostly we are all only along for the ride. What directions all this stuff goes is at best slightly within our control and the rest will mostly sort itself out over time. I want to stick around to see how it ultimately turns out but I fear anyone that can read this tonight will be long gone before then.

There was a small time span between last paragraph and this one while Janice and I indulged in a bottle of Tosti. There is something amazing about how little sparkling wine is needed to produce an impressive buzz. In days gone by it would be only the beginning and in the morning I would feel terrible. Now it means further indulgence will be carefully metered to not feel that way. Amazing how things change with maturation and health considerations. Dang, how I miss those youthful years and the reckless disregard. Dang, surprising how much I'm enjoying this time of life. I guess all things have their trade offs.

Now it's just past 11:00 here and we watched Dick Clark bring in the New Year in New York. That was a bit painful, I think it's time for Dick to retire. Time also for me to bring this to a close. The New Year brings with it new twists and turns in events and circumstances. It is the human spirit that continues rising to the challenges of these twists and turns and moving us forward. I can only hope we all move forward and never let the challenges defeat us.

Happy New Year everyone!

Another 8.8” of snow fell overnight and this morning which I believe made this a new snowfall record for December. It took a mere three hours to blow everything out this afternoon. I know, I know – I've already complained about the weather and the snow. Truth is my complaint is with myself.

The way it works is pretty basic stuff. The snow comes down, the wind blows it in where you previously blew it away from and you fire up the snow blower and do the process over when the snow and wind have dropped off. No problem, right? I mean after all you blow out the drive and walkways to their normal size and when it snows again you repeat.

Yep, it's simple as that. EXCEPT! Here's the deal, as you continue blowing more and more snow onto the same piles you reach a point when the snow is piled to a greater height than the snow blower is capable of moving it over. Now this is a problem, namely what to do with more snow. You have now reached that time when the only option remaining is to give up space. Giving up space is a highly undesirable condition and one which should be avoided if at all possible. Once you give it up, it is gone for the balance of the winter leaving you even less space to park and walk. If the winter is harsh enough you could conceivably end up having no space to park except on the street. Now parking on the street is OK except with frequent snowfalls the street department encounters exactly the same problem and they give up space which makes the streets much narrower and increases your chances of someone crunching your vehicle while it is parked. That doesn't take into account the possibility you will be in the way of the snow plows when they clear the street and they will make every effort to pile an impassible bank around your vehicle.

Well, you get the idea. I find myself in a battle with “Giving Up Space” (G-U-S) and it's way too early in the season to be concerned with that already. My solution? Tomorrow I fire up the snow blower and do my best to open another three or four feet along the sides of the drive from where it is now. The way I figure it if I can accomplish that it's a real possibility we'll have light snow during the rest of the winter. Oh yeah, I see that expression of “sure you believe that”. Nope, I don't.

But I'm hoping.

Let's create the picture here. A seven year old, tube type, 19” Emerson color TV with precious few bells and whistles other than the remote control. Now add a non-functional mute button on the remote control (whichever of several remotes we used). The mute button was the deal breaker for Janice. She planned to just buy the converter box (we both love our cable internet but watch little enough TV to justify paying for cable) and was going to keep on using that TV until it died. But no mute function just wasn't going to do.

After discussing our options we agreed to pool our Christmas funds and buy the shared present of a 32” LCD TV. So even though I joked about those that go shopping “Black Friday”, we found ourselves in “Wallow World” shortly after Janice finished her half day that Friday. I was determined to be on best behavior and believe I only commented “I'll bet you drive the same way you push that cart, don't you” three times getting back to the electronics section. Have I ever mentioned I consider myself something of a curmudgeon? We had a specially priced TV in mind and after checking it out and talking with a surprisingly knowledgeable employee we decided it would suit our needs very nicely. We loaded one into our cart and made for the checkouts. I think my cart pushing versus driving comment was made only once getting to a checkout. After declining the extended warranty offer (I'm a “Square Trade” user) we were on our way out the door. Within 20 minutes we were home with the box that seemed so much smaller in the store sitting in the living room in front of and hiding about 2/3 of the piano.

After working through the details of how to arrange things so such a monster would work in available space, the old TV sat mostly under the piano bench for about two weeks. Then Janice grabbed the digital camera, took pictures and posted the best along with a description on a local free online classified site plus Craigs List with a $30 asking price. I told her people put completely functional electronics of that nature at the curb on trash day all the time and there was between no chance and less than that anyone would pay $30 for it (remember, I'm a curmudgeon).

Early this afternoon a lady and her husband arrived to pick up the TV. Exactly what she wants to hook up a DVD player and watch movies while exercising in the basement. Janice graciously hasn't rubbed it in because she thoroughly enjoyed making a production of asking if I really wanted to go out for dinner in this cold or if sitting home eating artery clogging pizza, enjoying a Newcastle Brown Ale and watching a rented movie on the new TV while remaining warm and cozy would be preferable. You would think by this age I would have learned when to keep my curmudgeonly mouth shut about what will sell and what will not – but no – that's not my style. Enough said.

Originally this was entitled “The Day After”. You know how it is, sometimes you decide to write something to post, get to the proper folder, name a new document and by then inspiration is gone. So you close the document and it sits there empty until such time as you fill it with text or delete it. In this case since it is “Two Days After” Christmas pushing toward three I think I'll just rename it and go from there.

Because we did the exchanging of gifts on Christmas eve, ours was a rather quiet Christmas day spent indulging first in a pot of freshly ground coffee and then lazing about for most of the morning. The afternoon was for visiting friends, drinking too much coffee and eating too much rich food. Yep, the arteries took another hard hit. But for the most part it was a quiet day devoted to being with each other. I get the feeling spending time together is something we have moved away from in these times. 'Tis a shame.

Friday and today were work days for Janice but at least today was only half day so we went for the gusto and had lunch at a Mongolian Grill buffet we have a weakness for. I left there feeling overstuffed and bloated. Next stop: home and a nap. It is now being our typical Saturday evening: me online on at least one computer, Janice online, or catching up on TV programs taped during the week, AND microwave popcorn. Yep, it's a Saturday tradition with us.

Don't even try to tell me we have no excitement in our lives.

Although I have in past years started a thread in the open forums of 4AllAccounts (or its incarnation of the time) wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, I'm opting to post my thoughts and observations in my personal page at 4AllAccounts this Christmas.

It is Christmas Day and we most assuredly have a white Christmas in our little part of the world. That is a sentimental thing and one I missed when I lived in warmer climes even though that seems an eternity in the past. But if tomorrow morning I awoke to no snow and 60º F (that would be 55º warmer than it is now) I could handle it. For today we have bright sun, light breezes and the nearness of those important to us. For me it is that nearness far beyond all else that is most important. That includes all the great folks that come to the 4AllAccounts forums whether to read or comment or both.

It is my hope everyone has enjoyed a great Christmas day whether it is a holiday you observe or not. I look forward to the opportunities to enjoy the company of all in the coming year.

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At the risk of offending those that do not observe Christmas I submit the following lyrics:


I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
to hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
to hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
with every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright,
and may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
just like the ones I used to know
May your days be merry and bright,
and may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
with every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright,
and may all your Christmases be white

May your days be merry and bright,
and may all your Christmases be white

And may all your Christmases be white (All your Christmases be white)
And may all your Christmases be white (All your Christmases be white)
And may all your Christmases be
(All your Christmases be white)
(All your Christmases be white)


OK then, glad I got that out of my system and hope you all enjoyed it. At least you weren't subjected to a MP3 rendition using my croaking vocalizations. In fact we can perhaps all consider ourselves fortunate no such MP3 exists.


Now, at the risk of offending those that both love and adore that song and the attached sentiments and also love and adore the idea of a white Christmas I say:





Thanks ever so much for letting me vent. I'm better now, really I am, honest.

Except for about five years spent in the LA area, most of my approximately six decades have been spent in North Dakota and Minnesota. These are four season states. Each spring is a little like being born anew as snow melts, plants stretch upward adding color and variety to what would otherwise be a stark landscape. Critters of all kinds turn their attentions to renewing fat layers and food stores for surviving the next cold, merciless winter. Spring to me is the time of rebirth, coming alive and seeing all else come alive as well.

Summer ends seemingly before it arrives. It's my favorite even when oppressively hot and muggy and North Dakota can be that. For me as a motorcyclist it is the best time of year with long hours of daylight. Never mind high humidity and temperatures that make staying comfortable a challenge. Fall comes in a good second except for ever shortening daylight hours, knowing what coming months have in store and how much needs doing before winter conditions set in. Shucks, it's still fall and already we've experienced a blizzard that shut down the greatest majority of the Fargo/Moorhead metro area. Yep, it ain't winter yet and already it's looking as though it's gonna be a long one.

By Monday morning the snow stopped falling, wind subsided and plowing streets, parking lots, shoveling and/or snow blowing remained the tasks at hand. Many places opened late or not at all. Janice started 2 1/2 hours later than normal.

With temperatures below zero Fahrenheit all day (I think the high was -7º Monday) I spent about an hour struggling with the snow blower attempting to open room in the back yard for our dog to run and play. The challenge was the snow drifted in deeper than the height of the snow blower. Even with insulated boots certified for -40º my large toes were stinging cold by then. In addition it seems I need to adjust belt tension on the blower (no small task) to deal with snow that deep and compensate for past hard use.

So it became an ongoing project. Tuesday I took the blower inside and thawed it out before taking the belt housing off and adjusting the belt. By then it was getting late into the afternoon and I had time to open one small path in the shallower drifts on one side of the yard before darkness set in. Yesterday (Wednesday) I managed to get the other side where the snow is deepest cleared out. The Haley dog was extremely pleased and ran full tilt around the perimeter. Today I went out front and cleared the drive. All I can say is it's a good thing we both have 4WD vehicles.

There is good news though: Fargo/Moorhead is open. More snow is predicted for this weekend.

I'm so excited!

The Thirteen (13) Days of Shopping the World for Christmas

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On that final day of Christmas, I stopped to take a rest,
And listened to my true love tell me I’m the best.

In the spirit of Christmas and all the other holidays that fall during this season, we at I-ShopTheWorld.com hope you are finding time to stop and take a rest and that all your efforts to make the holidays grand are being noticed and appreciated.

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###

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Today, December 14, 2008 Fargo/Moorhead is closed. When “those paid good money to be wrong over 50% of the time” start predicting it I become an instant skeptic. Well, this time the weather forecasters were right. It's a banner day, they predicted a blizzard; we have a blizzard. Dang!

We hunkered down in the house all day doing our best to keep warm in the negative Fahrenheit temperatures. Only one small problem: I needed something to help relieve some distress caused by preservatives used to keep salad fixings green and crisp. Seems the corporate Christmas party caterers made liberal use of the stuff and I reacted in explosive manner (additional description I choose to avoid).

About 3:30 Janice decided to dig a narrow path to the truck so we could be back home before nightfall. I made sure we were in 4WheelDrive as we backed from the driveway. At the corner is snow drifted about 18 inches deep and 30 to 40 feet wide. Not a problem, 4WheelDrive is a great invention.

First thing we noticed aside from a major lack of traffic was those in other than 4WD vehicles were stuck in snow banks. For that matter there were even 4WD vehicles stuck. Some people would probably get stuck even driving a bulldozer. Second we observed that places like McD's, gas station/convenience stores, liquor stores, grocery stores and yes even our destination, “Wallow World” was closed. Yep, the Fargo/Moorhead metro area is closed.

So the problem remained, where to find over the counter stuff for gastric distress which lead us to the nearest truck stop. It was open. Little option with freeways closed and no place for over the road truckers to find refuge. I walked in, found what I needed and paid the inflated price (gladly paid the inflated price I should add). As I got to the exit door I caught a snippet of conversation, something about going online and being a cyber trucker rather than deal with problems of highways closing due to weather.

Heck of an idea, cyber trucking that is, but think of all the fun would be missed out on.

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Please Reply with Your Comments, questions, etc. and find additional information and updates regarding The Virtual Consulting Firm's Social Networking Consulting Services and/or any/all The Virtual Consulting Firm's Services at:

http://blog.thevcf.com/2008/12/01/make-money-from-the-hot-new-wave-of-social-networking/

We look forward to hearing from and working with you soon! to help you Maximize Your Benefits from and Make Money with the Hot New Social Networking Wave to help Your Business Succeed! :)