Our nor’easter made the national news, and so did Kelly’s video of it

Over the last couple of days, we had our first nor’easter since we moved to Winthrop.  The storm caused wind speeds here near the coast to pick up quite a bit, and as  result there was a pretty heavy surf along the beaches here too.

That is all seawater that came over the wall.
That is all seawater that came over the wall.

Continue reading “Our nor’easter made the national news, and so did Kelly’s video of it”

“Do you miss the South now?”

That’s a question I am often asked in winter here in Boston by people who know me, especially on particularly cold days.  My answer is always no, no matter how snowy and miserable and cold it is.  And the reason for that is because while I don’t mind cold winters, I really, really don’t like hot summers.  Plenty of people don’t feel the same way, which is probably why so many people from the Northeast retire to Florida.  But I would always rather put up with nasty Boston winters than brutal Alabama summers.  And it’s why on days like today (when it’s supposed to get over 90 degrees) I long for winter to return.

Being the weather geek I am, let me break it down for you with some data.

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Happy Earth Day, Have Some Flowers

On Wednesday on my way home from work I missed my bus.  I didn’t actually see my bus so I can only assume that it was early as I was on time.  This meant that I took the other bus that drops me off about 5 or 6 blocks from home.  As it was a gorgeous day I had the opportunity to walk, pick up a (losing) lottery ticket, and take some photos of flowers along my way home.

While Spring always makes me a little sad, Spring flowers are my absolute favorite.  I think it has something to do with the fact that Spring flowers come in a riot of colors, but SO many of them are purple.  Purple is my favorite color, always has been.  So, enjoy some photos of the spring flowers that are still out.  It may have been in the upper 70’s yesterday and we may have had a wacky mild winter, but it’s Spring in New England.

cam00870.jpg

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I’m in Dallas. On purpose.

Most of you know that I stay out of warm climates whenever possible.  Therefore it seems utterly insane that I left Boston today, in the middle of a snowstorm (Ursula was her name) to fly to Dallas.  Intentionally.  Where it was 80 degrees.

This is what I missed out on.  Photo credit @jaaabeee

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So we got some snow this morning

Not much, but some.  When I got out to Basil this morning, there was a couple of inches of snow on everything, so I had to clean off the car a bit before I drove to work.  The roads weren’t that bad, all things considered.  Not much of a storm really.  The snow continued for a while, and was still coming down in heavy flakes after I had been at work for a few hours.

By the time I get home, I imagine much of it will be melted.  Hopefully shoveling will be minimal.  Ah, spring in New England.

-Geoff

And I almost put away all the winter stuff, too

The weather recently has been a lot warmer, for the most part.  It feels like spring is already here.  I have been able to wear shorts a few times.  Already we are seeing blooms all over.

Just this past weekend, I was thinking about how I should probably go ahead and put away all of my snow shovels, ice melter, windshield scrapers, and other winter paraphernalia.  I was also thinking about how I did not use the snowblower once this winter, after using it so much last winter.

Well.  I should have realized that the weather in New England always has the last laugh, especially when it comes to winter.

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Dear universe – I want New England weather back

So tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and the temperature is going to be soaring up to a record-breaking 25 to 35 degrees above normal.

No.  Just no.  In fact, hell no.

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Spring finally arrives… and so does Game of Thrones

Well, the weather has finally warmed up enough that I can reasonably wear shorts outside.  Most of the snow piles have disappeared.  This nasty winter seems to have claimed what I hope is its last casualty: my truck.

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Basil and the pothole from hell

Poor Basil.  He has suffered immensely this winter.  Still, our Mini Cooper has, like us, managed to survive this record-breaking winter and has been buried in snow more times than I can recall.  At least digging him out isn’t so bad most of the time since he is so small.  And it certainly makes it easier to park in narrow spots nestled between snow piles.

But getting through this winter unscathed was not meant to be, I guess.  Last night, on Route 99 where it goes under Rutherford Ave in Charlestown, we hit what was probably the biggest pothole I have ever seen, at least on a road that wasn’t being washed out underneath.

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