It has been a week of snow.
While places in the country that are accustomed to little or no snow have seen their fair share this winter, Western Massachusetts had been blissfully spared up until this week. It started snowing on Tuesday and has on and off since then. In the hills I'd say we've had 18-20 inches and more north and west of here. The thing is tomorrow is March 1st and I'm ready to be done with winter, not just getting started. Before this our last major snow fall was in December and I would have been happy to keep it that way. I know, I know some places have been hit far worse this week and I feel for them.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sublime
There was one pair today. Sublimation.
Before I explain my memoir of the day, I would like to take a moment to ponder the vast difference in the definitions of sublime.
Before I explain my memoir of the day, I would like to take a moment to ponder the vast difference in the definitions of sublime.
–adjective
1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.: Paradise Lost is sublime poetry.
2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc.: Switzerland has sublime scenery.
3. supreme or outstanding: a sublime dinner.
4. complete; absolute; utter: sublime stupidity.
2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc.: Switzerland has sublime scenery.
3. supreme or outstanding: a sublime dinner.
4. complete; absolute; utter: sublime stupidity.
–noun
7. the sublime,
a. the realm of things that are sublime: the sublime in art.
b. the quality of sublimity.
c. the greatest or supreme degree.
–verb (used with object)
8. to make higher, nobler, or purer.
9. Chemistry.
a. to convert (a solid substance) by heat into a vapor, which on cooling condenses again to solid form, without apparent liquefaction.
b. to cause to be given off by this or some analogous process.
–verb (used without object)
10. Chemistry.
to volatilize from the solid state to a gas, and then condense again as a solid without passing through the liquid state.
How can one word go from meaning outstanding to chemistry. Wow, you got me.
Anyway, my six words for the day have to do with the old gent that hangs his underwear out to dry even on a cold New England day. We have come to the conclusion that his clothes dry because of sublimation (the chemistry part of the sublime definition). We have come to no conclusion as to why there is rarely more than one pair of underwear on the line at one time. What can I say, when you live in the country you have to find something to notice on your drive into work.
to volatilize from the solid state to a gas, and then condense again as a solid without passing through the liquid state.
How can one word go from meaning outstanding to chemistry. Wow, you got me.
Anyway, my six words for the day have to do with the old gent that hangs his underwear out to dry even on a cold New England day. We have come to the conclusion that his clothes dry because of sublimation (the chemistry part of the sublime definition). We have come to no conclusion as to why there is rarely more than one pair of underwear on the line at one time. What can I say, when you live in the country you have to find something to notice on your drive into work.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Clean Energy and Fallen Firefighters
Visiting Worcester on a windy day.
These turbine pictures were taken at Holy Name Catholic High School in Worcester. The turbine was a project done by the school and is expected to pay for itself over time. For now it provides more than enough electricity to run the school, which was a cost of approximately $20,000 per year. The 262 foot turbine provides excess electricity to the power grid which is enough for about 135 homes. It is located on the school's property so you can get close enough to appreciate the magnitude.
On a different note, in a different part of Worcester we spent a little time at the Worcester 6 Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The monument is in front of the firehouse which was built on the site where the warehouse fire took their lives ten years ago. I remember the fire and the funerals that followed. That Christmas we hung 6 wreaths with dark colored bows on the front of our house. The monument is a moving tribute to this sad, senseless loss.
These turbine pictures were taken at Holy Name Catholic High School in Worcester. The turbine was a project done by the school and is expected to pay for itself over time. For now it provides more than enough electricity to run the school, which was a cost of approximately $20,000 per year. The 262 foot turbine provides excess electricity to the power grid which is enough for about 135 homes. It is located on the school's property so you can get close enough to appreciate the magnitude.
On a different note, in a different part of Worcester we spent a little time at the Worcester 6 Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The monument is in front of the firehouse which was built on the site where the warehouse fire took their lives ten years ago. I remember the fire and the funerals that followed. That Christmas we hung 6 wreaths with dark colored bows on the front of our house. The monument is a moving tribute to this sad, senseless loss.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sigh
It's Monday again. Back to work.
Another weekend has come and gone. And now here I sit once again trying to get my head back in the game (also known as work). Sigh. I've just done a massive search through my purse for the powerball tickets that I purchased on Saturday. I wasn't able to find them but the internet has informed me that there was only one winner and the ticket was sold in North Carolina. Another sigh. I've also realized that my purse is in need of purging. BIG SIGH.
The weather was bitterly cold here this weekend with a wind that wouldn't stop. I attended the service for my previously mentioned colleague on Saturday. I have been to my fair share of memorial services and funerals over the years but this was the first where the deceased was of Jehovah's Witness faith. My best estimation is that there were over 500 people at the service. It was held at the local school instead of the Kingdom Hall, as originally planned, due to the number of people they expected to attend. It was a different service than what I'm used but was nice and well organized.
I will conclude this entry with a happier thought...Congratulations to the New Orlean Saints on their fantastic Super Bowl win last night. Kudos to the coach (or whoever made the call) on starting the 2nd half with a risky onside kick. Sometimes it pays to take the gamble.
Now, where are those Mega Millions tickets I bought for Tuesdays drawings?!?
Another weekend has come and gone. And now here I sit once again trying to get my head back in the game (also known as work). Sigh. I've just done a massive search through my purse for the powerball tickets that I purchased on Saturday. I wasn't able to find them but the internet has informed me that there was only one winner and the ticket was sold in North Carolina. Another sigh. I've also realized that my purse is in need of purging. BIG SIGH.
The weather was bitterly cold here this weekend with a wind that wouldn't stop. I attended the service for my previously mentioned colleague on Saturday. I have been to my fair share of memorial services and funerals over the years but this was the first where the deceased was of Jehovah's Witness faith. My best estimation is that there were over 500 people at the service. It was held at the local school instead of the Kingdom Hall, as originally planned, due to the number of people they expected to attend. It was a different service than what I'm used but was nice and well organized.
I will conclude this entry with a happier thought...Congratulations to the New Orlean Saints on their fantastic Super Bowl win last night. Kudos to the coach (or whoever made the call) on starting the 2nd half with a risky onside kick. Sometimes it pays to take the gamble.
Now, where are those Mega Millions tickets I bought for Tuesdays drawings?!?
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