With Halloween so near upon us, that means winter is almost here. Maybe I should start thinking about Christmas 2019 since this year's Christmas will be here in a blink of an eye and I'll never be ready for that...
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| A snowy day in New Jersey several years ago. |
Are you ready for snow season? It's unlikely I'll be seeing snow this winter unless I happen to go back East for Christmas. I'm still trying to decide. Maybe I will see snow up close and crunch through it even. Or maybe I'll just have to settle for seeing it on the distant mountains. Or maybe I'll hibernate like a bear.
If you find me sleeping then just let me be. But I'm not in a state of torpor quite yet though sometimes I might appear to be. Actually right now I'm here with my latest Battle of the Bands results report...
Battle of the Bands Results
This recent Battle between Fairport Convention and Stoneground with their versions of the Jimmy C. Newman song "Alligator Man" was another horse race. In the final stretch, Stoneground picked up the votes that put them in a decisive lead.
I really liked the version by Fairport Convention with the fiddle, tin whistle, and all--I've liked this band for many years. Still, I preferred the boogie rock sound of Stoneground and that's where I put my vote. My vote didn't have much effect on the final outcome.
Final Vote Tally
Fairport Convention 9 votes
Stoneground 13 votes
Next Battle on Thursday November 1st
I'll be staying with a sort-of Halloween theme in that next Battle with the results being announced on Wednesday the 7th which will also be my contribution to the Insecure Writers Support Group. Until then, take care of your teeth. Or not. If Halloween candy is in the house then you are excused.
Are you stocking up on Halloween candy this year? Are you ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Where do bears hibernate anyway?
At least it was close.
ReplyDeleteDoubt we'll see any snow either. We don't tend to see it until January or February and some years not at all.
Alex, when I lived in TN we didn't see much snow except in the mountains. I like to look at the snow, but don't like so much to be out in it for any length of time.
DeleteLee
I'm still trapped in SC indefinitely, so I'll probably only see a very light snowfall once or twice again. As much as I hate snow, cold, and ice, it feels unnatural to not have a real winter as I know it.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, I can think of worse places to be trapped than SC. I've gotten used to not having snow and as I get older that's okay with me.
DeleteLee
Mary's having blood sugar issues, so the Hallowe'en candy thing is a no-go. Damn.
ReplyDeleteFor my money, there's nothing better than the end-of-year holidays. We're especially fond of the week between Christmas and New Year's.
John, I've always enjoyed that week between Christmas and New Year's. When I was a kid it was especially wonderful.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - definitely not ready for the snow. Looks like last day of the Indian Summer sun - so I'm off out for the day to enjoy it ... before close off comes! As you say - Christmas will be here before we can think about it ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, gather ye rosebuds is an appropriate analogy I suppose. Time speeds by.
DeleteLee
It seems everyone (or nearly everyone) had fairly close Battles in this round, LEE. By gobs, I think we're starting to figure out this BOTB thang.
ReplyDeleteI gave one month's notice where I work and will be unemployed beginning the week of Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to make another move to a different city before too long.
One of the bonuses of this decision is that I won't be driving to work at 6:30 in the mornings on a freeway that is literally just a long sheet of ice. These city employees in Reno don't do a damn thing about the roads in Winter and it's treacherous as hell in the mornings. I've pushed my luck for three consecutive Winters, but this year I'm saying, "No thanks!"
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
STMcC, sorry your move to Reno didn't work out like you hoped, but sometimes we don't see drawbacks until we experience things first hand.
DeleteWhat city do you have in mind if any? Pico Rivera is not terrible as far as CA goes. Lots of places to get Mexican food, but I've been getting sick of it lately. I think it's my system. Not much food appeals to me anymore.
I'm still dreaming of SW VA where housing is cheap and the countryside is beautiful.
Lee
LEE, God willing, I'm hoping to move to Carson City in early 2019. I've already given my notice here at work.
DeleteC.C. seems better than Reno in every measurable way and I feel like it's the sort of place I've been looking for.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
That seems like hardly a move at all! Only about 30 miles? My wife commutes that much every day. But I guess the smaller town atmosphere might be better. I've never been in that area so I don't know what it's like. Wouldn't they have essentially the same weather in CC as in Reno?
DeleteLee
It was the oddest thing!
DeleteI was thinking I'd be moving back to Phoenix to be near my Brother and Sister. I don't like Phoenix, and wasn't looking forward to moving 12 hours South, to a place that feels like hell 7 or 8 months out of the year. But I really hate Reno and wanted OUT of here.
A few weekends ago, I drove down to Carson City to tell a friend of mine there that I would likely be moving back to Phoenix. I was going to say goodbye to her, figuring I'd not see her again.
But within 20 hours of being in C.C., I had a kind of "Saul On The Road To Damascus" experience. It was like God opened my eyes (or hit me in the head with a Shepherd's staff) and suddenly I was really seeing C.C. in a whole new way. I realized it seemed exactly like the kind of place I want to live.
It's a few degrees cooler than Reno in the Summer; it gets 7" less snow in the Winter. It's big enough to have everything I want (incl a 99-Cents Only Store), and yet it has a small-town feel to it. It felt like it was caught in some kind of time warp or something. I kept feeling like I was in 1966 Orange County or 1992 Prescott. Either one is really good!!
The biggest selling point to me is in the 'Population Density' category, or number of people per square mile. Roughly, those figures are:
Phoenix, AZ. - 3,165
Reno, NV. - 2,186
Prescott, AZ. - 946
Carson City, NV. - 366
Less people = Happier STMcC
I really did feel like I'd traveled back in time to a better era in a small town. Plus, if I ever feel like traveling to the metropolitan zoo of Reno again, it's just 30 minutes up the road.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
You got me curious about the population density where I live: Yikes! 7076! Guess I've gotten used to it in my 21 years here. Some of the other towns around L.A. must be really dense. West Hollywood is listed at 19,000.
DeleteI'd really like to go to someplace like Southwest VA. Or somewhere back east. Even if I didn't have my family there.
Lee
No candy here in the 55+ community. But, my daughter and gr-daughters have theirs ready. Whether those bags last is another question.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I haven't bought any Halloween candy yet like I usually do even though I haven't passed out candy to the kids for several years. I need to stay away from sugar, but it's difficult for me.
DeleteLee
We're about to embark on an epic road trip so we won't be here for Halloween. We're going to OH to take the grandsons trick or treating. I haven't thought to the holidays yet.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, "epic road trip" is music to my ears. I don't know when my next one will be, but I'm looking forward to it. I wouldn't mind going to Ohio. It's a nice state.
DeleteLee
You never know Lee, a bear may come trick or treatin, so be prepared. No snow in the summer months here in South Africa tho fairly recently there was plenty of snow in them thar mountains ... It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us ... granted, two months to go but these last 2 months of the year go the fastest.
ReplyDeleteSusan S, it seemed like this whole year has gone by faster than my personal comfort would prefer, but I think you're right about the last two months of the year. They always fly by for me in my stage of life. When I was a kid they seemed to last forever, but everything seemed like forever back then.
DeleteLee
Hello Susan, Geoff Here.
DeleteIt's so nice to find another South Africa Blogger, I do have a few blogs by South Africans that I follow but they are few and far between.
Hello Lee.
Summer is almost on top of us here so, no snow this year, in fact we haven't had snow here for a number of years. I remember when I was just a child we would get snow every year but not anymore. I have no idea why that is but do suspect the steady rise in global temperatures has a lot to do with it. Whether they will continue to rise forever or not I have no idea.
As far as Halloween is concerned, we don't celebrate it here in any spectacular way. Children may hear about it and get all excited but, to tell the truth, trick or treating is definitely not safe here anymore. Oh well.
Blessings to Susan and yourself, Geoff.
Geoff, so good to hear from you.
DeleteI usually see snow somewhere along the way if I travel back east for Christmas. We never got much snow when I lived in TN and I don't think the amount has changed much in the past decades.
Trick or Treat as I knew it as a child I think has become a relic of the past to be forgotten by future generations. Kind of sad.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI'm not ready for winter. It's been really cool the past few mornings, too. I went with the loser in this BoTB round. I think I'm a loosing streak in nearly everyone's battles so far. lol We have Halloween candy but we discourage Trick or Treaters. I don't think it's safe for kids to be out after dark like that and I don't see the point in taking kids to a strangers home. It's not worth the risk in my opinion. Just call me Paranoid! ;)Well...I'm sorta ready for holiday meals. I have most items bought. The preparation always takes time but I enjoy that. I haven't begun thinking about gift giving yet, though. That's going to be difficult but we'll put our heads together to come up with something for each of our kids and my parents. I reckon bears hibernate in a cave. That seems like the most logical place but here in the southeast black bears will go in and out of hibernation mode I'm told. I guess they wake up hungry and need to get a snack. lol
Cathy, I think life for kids was better when I was young. We had a great time and didn't worry about much of anything.
DeleteI've always pictured bears hibernating in caves, but are there enough caves like that for all the bears? How does one find a hibernating bear anyway?
Lee
Lee,
DeleteI agree life for kids was better when we were young. The world has gotten more dangerous since that time. I also picture hibernating bears in caves but I'm sure they all can't find such nice accommodations. I read that they sleep in dens or caves. Dens could even be underground. I'm not sure how you find a hibernating bear but I'd be too afraid to do it even if they are sleeping. :)
For the past couple of years, our house hasn't gotten any trick-or-treaters, so we're not buying candy this year. But I'm still planning to take the kids through the closest subdivision to let them get candy!
ReplyDeleteLoni, a subdivision or a neighborhood where houses are close together makes for the most efficient trick-or-treating.
DeleteLee
Glad that you are enjoying the time of this year fully my friend:)
ReplyDeleteyea winter days make us sleepy but i don't take naps so may be i will try to wake you up to write such exciting post for us lol
Baili, I'm in a sleepy age of my life.
DeleteLee
I don't seem to be ready for anything! But then again... Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteLisa, ready or not life keeps on coming!
DeleteLee
I loved that photo of the snow. I wish I were going to see snow. That's highly unlikely (although I did hear that they are calling for an exceptionally cold winter here in Austin. I am thrilled about that and hope it's true!)
ReplyDeleteI voted for the loser. I'm glad you included them because I'd like to check out more of their music. It was a good battle.
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, "exceptionally cold" in Austin is probably not all that cold. I hope we have a cool winter here in L.A.
DeleteFairport Convention did some excellent music with a folkish flavor.
Lee
I will not think about snow. I will not think about snow. Now you've made me think about snow. I only live in Missouri because my family is here and I like being in the Bible belt--sort of. Not because of any of its weather types.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Theresa, snow is pretty to look at. I like to look at it through a window while being in a cozy place.
DeleteGetting around in it is not always something I like, but sometimes it isn't too bad.
Lee
We are sliding through and passing by Halloween and T-giving. Last year we were on the run with our kids and theirs. So when Christmas came, we hardly noticed. Our gr-daughters are now tweens and life is different.
ReplyDeleteSo, we are taking down Christmas stuff, dusting it all off, and making plans. Our Christmas will be done up big.
Snow? I wish I could play in it and walk through it a few times. Like to sit inside and drink tea, eat cookies.
But Illinois is far away, farm is gone, and we live in S. Calif, where it was 90 deg. last friday.
Susan, now it's been cooling down again and it feels good. I'm wavering about Christmas. I'm thinking about just staying home since my wife doesn't get enough vacation time to go back east without flying and I don't really want to fly.
DeleteGotta ponder this, but time to ponder is aplenty these days.
Lee
Had the winner but it was close Lee.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late comment.......been off line.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, I haven't been very consistently on line either. Apology accepted and empathized with.
DeleteLee