Now that your unpacked and got to test drive the area for a bit, encountered some locals and yokels, and hopefully some actual people that moved to the area from your home town or state its time to list the likes you have of your new or semi-new, or heck if the area is your native home than by all means and ways list what you like! Y'all got it? Well here goes!
Weather! You like or not!
Year round flowers!
Long springs!
Longer Autumns!
Shorts year round! For the hearty ones that is.
Variety of sub divisions to chose from!
Snow is a neat event versus a ho-hum not again event!
No rust on older cars! Amazing if your from the Northeast!
Can fish year round without cutting holes in the water (ice) for us North Easterners!
Pretty country side is usually only 5 minutes or less from where you live anywhere in the triangle.
People R People. No matter what they say!
Day trip to Mountains!
Day trip to Ocean!
And in a lot cases no trip at all to the many lakes, ponds, river, and streams that spot the area!
Good food can be had by all and more is always welcome irregardless if they are called viddles or pickins!
Out away from the city lights the sky at night explodes with the many stars that fill the emptiness of space with the occasional flying star to catch a dream or two on!
Groceries can be cheaper but we all have to eat!
Sure it takes time to get use to this place, remember the place you came from was called home and that is never a easy place to replace! But give it time, explore the area and get involved and this place too will be your new home not only in name but in feeling!
May the triangle, RDU, RTP, Crossroads, the Quay, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Apex, Raleigh, Durham, Zebulon, Oxford, Mossisville, Franklinton, Youngsville, Chapel Hill, Henderson, ...seems like I am forgetting somewhere.
...????......Oh yea! and Cary, be with you!
Oh Tarheels! I forgot to number the above as I did say I would count thy ways!
Weather! You like or not!
Year round flowers!
Long springs!
Longer Autumns!
Shorts year round! For the hearty ones that is.
Variety of sub divisions to chose from!
Snow is a neat event versus a ho-hum not again event!
No rust on older cars! Amazing if your from the Northeast!
Can fish year round without cutting holes in the water (ice) for us North Easterners!
Pretty country side is usually only 5 minutes or less from where you live anywhere in the triangle.
People R People. No matter what they say!
Day trip to Mountains!
Day trip to Ocean!
And in a lot cases no trip at all to the many lakes, ponds, river, and streams that spot the area!
Good food can be had by all and more is always welcome irregardless if they are called viddles or pickins!
Out away from the city lights the sky at night explodes with the many stars that fill the emptiness of space with the occasional flying star to catch a dream or two on!
Groceries can be cheaper but we all have to eat!
Sure it takes time to get use to this place, remember the place you came from was called home and that is never a easy place to replace! But give it time, explore the area and get involved and this place too will be your new home not only in name but in feeling!
May the triangle, RDU, RTP, Crossroads, the Quay, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Apex, Raleigh, Durham, Zebulon, Oxford, Mossisville, Franklinton, Youngsville, Chapel Hill, Henderson, ...seems like I am forgetting somewhere.
...????......Oh yea! and Cary, be with you! Oh Tarheels! I forgot to number the above as I did say I would count thy ways!
Wake Forest, Gosh its a pretty nive place to live!
Posted 03-09-2009 at 08:59 PM by dansdrive
Wake Forest, NC. located in Wake County NC. Some call it Wake's Forest of the Triangle....Ok maybe that's just me. But if you come from the North East, Wake Forest seems to fit. It has some rolling hills and many farming areas.
It has a small town feel but close to Raleigh, you could be down town Raleigh, depending on time of day in about 15 to 30 minutes. You can be at the Virginia border in less than an hour.
It has old Historical homes and some new subdivisions. It certainly worth a look see if your looking and seeing the area. It has transplants from New Jersey, New York, and many other NE State and Mid West and California and....well you get the idea people from all over this great country now calls Wake Forest home!
C'mon down, over, left, or right and check it out you may just like what you see.
It has a small town feel but close to Raleigh, you could be down town Raleigh, depending on time of day in about 15 to 30 minutes. You can be at the Virginia border in less than an hour.
It has old Historical homes and some new subdivisions. It certainly worth a look see if your looking and seeing the area. It has transplants from New Jersey, New York, and many other NE State and Mid West and California and....well you get the idea people from all over this great country now calls Wake Forest home!
C'mon down, over, left, or right and check it out you may just like what you see.
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Tuesday January 21, 2014 and its 32.8 degrees outside heading up to 50 and than starts dropping off rapidly so that it may even snow a bit this evening and during the overnight hours. Gee-gads! But its winter time.
Just back from the upper mid-west where it was a whole lot colder and snowy. Got out yesterday before the real cold and snow came back to pay them a visit. Had a great time this weekend. Forgot about work and the like and just enjoyed family and friends. Time flew by but that is what the good times do. Living in the south spoils us not having to deal with snow fall that just covers the road ways and makes them virtual ice rinks. Was thankful I did not have to drive in it. Had my share of that living in Pa. and upstate NY for years.
Bat as they say great to get away and nothing like coming home......now to catch up being I am back!
Quote of the day from Benjamin Franklin:
"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body."
Happy Tuesday and Mr. Franklin had a way with words and actions that were unequal in his day as well as ours. How would you say your place of residence is? ...make it a home my friends.
Song of the day...enjoy and get those feet tapping...Madonna - "Celebration" (OFFICIAL) - YouTubePosted 01-21-2014 at 05:47 AM by dansdrive
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Thursday January 23, 2014 and its 15.9 degrees outside heading on up to 35 degrees. Plenty of sun but plenty of cool air in place as well. The sun will be working hard today but I'm afraid the cold air will win out but we will be one day closer to spring! Got to like that thought!
Speaking of thoughts....have you ever remembered something your grand parents or parents or one of your teachers had said. At the time it made no sense or you thought that will never be me, no way! Than years later what they told you way back then came true? Things you said you would never do, you are now doing. Like being exactly like your parents were when you were growing up. Like eating things your hated as a child or young adult and now you like it. Like telling your children and grandchildren life lessons you learned that may not mean much to them the day your tell them but 10, 20, 30 years later will make perfect sense.
Today we are so busy we forget those special moments we get to pass on our wisdom and knowledge with the ones we love or with perfect strangers. These are important and life changing experiences to miss for both you and the ones you pass the information onto. Some of these things are simple common sense proclamations that go un-said. Like use your manors all the time. Hold the door for someone behind you especially women, children, elderly for sure. When you say hello to someone look them in the eye and smile when you say that hello. Stand up straight don't slouch while standing or sitting. Respect everyone including yourself. If you can't respect yourself you won't respect anyone else. Be sincere and honest in all you do. When you work for someone work as if you are working for yourself. Give your employer an honest days work. Give praise each and every day to the one above from your heart. He does listen and he does answer you in more ways than you will ever know. Promote peace not gossip or hate.
So many little things we all can do to make our world a better place.
Quote of the day by John Ruskin:
“Education...is painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning,... by praise, but above all -- by example.”
Happy Thursday and my thought for you today is peace, tranquility, and blessing from the one above. Its that simple.
Song of the day.....enjoy!..... Gloria Estefan;N Sync - Music Of My Heart - YouTubePosted 01-23-2014 at 07:11 AM by dansdrive
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Friday January 24, 2014 and its a cold, let me type that once more, c-o-l-d wind chilled 7 degrees out there....actual temp is 13 degrees and heading all the way up to 27 degrees. Sweet ice cubes!
Yesterday....well let me back up to Wednesday evening to start this very dry story. The alarm came in at about 8PM from the second floor precinct....NO WATER! NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Yes! I dashed into actions. Checked all the possible suspects. Frozen pipes - Check.
Breaker trip - check. Broken pipe in the crawl space - check. Blocked filtration system - check. Trudge up to the well head, remove large concrete top, take top off electrical box, test voltage with meter - check. Dry as a bone river beds, what can it be.
Either have a bad well pump well over 150 feet into the ground or a bad wire leading to the well pump. This would have to wait till the morning. Thursday morning came with cold cold temperature. Called well guy who confirmed my deduction that something was wrong below the surface. He and a coworker pulled up and out of the ground a whole lot of pipe, I mean a whole lot of pipe until the well pump came out of the ground. A thorough inspection found a broken wire about 10 feet up from the well pump. Over the years it fatigued and broke! YIKES! So after 200 feet of brand new wire, a new well pump, some new pipes, and some other adjustments in went the pump back into the well and got all buttoned up and a flip of the circuit breaker and a turn of the facet in the house and wala...water! From the ground that is! Cool, clear, pressurized H2O! That my friends was Thursday! Started with no run, no drips, no water and ended with streams and streams of water from every spigot in the home. The sweet sound of running water......now to check out the 'Check Engine' light that came on in my car!
Quote of the day Nelson Mandela:
"Let there be work, bread, WATER, and salt for all"
Happy Friday and wishing all that Mr. Mandela asked for above along with a sprinkle of smiles and happiness!!!!
Song of the day....you remember this one.... Juice Newton - Angel of the morning - YouTubePosted 01-24-2014 at 05:13 AM by dansdrive
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Monday January 27, 2014 and its 45.1 degrees outside heading on up to 61 degrees. Nice for today as I scan my phone messages and saw a Winter Storm Watch until Wednesday for our area. Well crank out the sleighs and buy up all the available milk, bread, and eggs from the grocery stores shelves...say it is not so. Oh well its only a watch and they are saying it will be east of the triangle.
This forecast reminds me of a wacky weather day when I was growing up and it was in February. The day started out cold as a normal February day, I can't remember the day of the week it was but certainly remember it and I had previously written about it in an earlier entry. But it is worth repeating. I think it actually was a Friday as I remember staying out longer than we could on a school night.
The day started as any other winters day, cold, cloudy, but no precipitation. School was the normal ho-hum let get down so we can run! Got home, changed, ate something and headed out to the corner by by cousin's house. Hung out with the normal cast of characters talking, playing tag, and just hanging out. But this was one of those days where the temperature keep rising throughout the day and into the night. In fact, by the time it was nearly time to head home for the night the temperature hit 65 degrees. Let me tell you 65 Degrees in February was very rare in northeastern Pennsylvania. just didn't happen. I can remember walking in the house without my winters coat on and Dad saying why did you have your coat off! I said Dad its warm outside. he didn't believe me until the next morning and he say in the local newspaper that a warm front passed through the area and raised the temperature into the mid 60's.
On that February evening we got a taste of late spring and we loved it. Hide-N-seek was just a little bit better, tossing the winter coats onto the fence was just a little bit better, watching the clouds up in the sky zoom by was just a little bit cooler, and most of all was having it in the mid 60's in February was just to cool!....well maybe down right HOT!
Quote of the day by Anthony J. D'Angelo:
"Where ever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
Happy Monday and I pass my sunshine onto you on this fine January day. Even with the temperatures still cool I send warmth, happiness, and sunshine your way, no matter what. From the one above.
Song of the day.....its okay to head bob!!....The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer In The City (1966) - YouTubePosted 01-27-2014 at 06:46 AM by dansdrive
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Tuesday January 28, 2014 and its a cloudy steady as she goes 28.8 degrees. In fact there will be little temperature change throughout the day, just dropping a few degrees as the snow is ushered in. How much snow you may ask...its anyone's guess. For the weather man its 3 to 6 inch for our neck of the woods. East of here plenty more and west of here a dusting to 3 inches. Snow has come to the south lands!
I can remember the days sitting in the classroom in school and watching the snow fall outside the window. Our classroom has large windows pretty much from floor to ceilings. The ceiling were really high but then again we were pretty low to the ground being it was grade school. I can't remember a day when school as let out early due to snow. All of us at the school walked to school, the teachers had to drive in it. All waited for that dismissal bell to ring to head for home. Slippng a sliding down the hill and giving and taking showers of snowballs raining down from everywhere. Those were the days as a kid that were special! Fresh fallen white snow two, four or more inches deep. Usually no boots just our winter shoes. Gloves, hats, and coats that were really buttoned up. Scarfs on the cold cold days...Brrrr! Than the fun would begin.
Snowballs from the left, snowball from the right! Snowballs in the legs, arms, shoulders, head, and sometimes just whiz on by! Kids yelling, screaming, laughing, and most of all running!!! We all got home a little quicker those snow laden days but the memories lasted oh so much longer............
Quote of the day from Proverbs 3:6 NIV;
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths"
Happy Tuesday and if snow is not in your forecast let it fall all day long in your memories of days gone past. And for those fond old memories thank the one above he is listening all the days of your life.
Song of the day....sit back relax and enjoy..... Enya - Amid The Falling Snow - YouTubePosted 01-28-2014 at 06:51 AM by dansdrive
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Wednesday January 29, 2014 and its a snow white 24.8 heading up to 29 degrees. Mostly overcast skies. Driveway is cleared road out front is still snow covered and the triangle is at a standstill. But it sure is pretty outside. Speaking of pretty it will be pretty cold outside tonight!
Single digits, not often I can count the temperature on my fingers and have one or more left over! So, enjoy the day and the gift of snow from the one above to remind us that he is in control and not us.
Quote of the day from 1 John 3:18 NIV:
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth."
Happy Wednesday and are your deeds up to the challenge of truth and goodness? I for one have to try harder in both cases.........Out thoughts and deeds should be as pure as the new fallen snow.
Song of the day.....fitting......Dean Martin - Baby It's Cold Outside - YouTubePosted 01-29-2014 at 10:38 AM by dansdrive
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Friday January 31, 2014 and its the last day of the month, oh my! And its 25.5 sunny degrees outside heading on up to 52 degrees to melt the remaining ice from the roads. Good deal!
Speaking of good deals, another winters month will be in the rear view mirror after today! On comes February, ground hogs day, Presidents birthdays, and Valentines Day. Lot's of things in a short month. Our shortest month of the year no less. February was also the months we watched those fishing shows and thinking of the upcoming fishing and camping season. We would get out our BassPro and Cabela catalogs. Pick out those special lures that they were using on the fishing shows.
On those cold February Sunday's after the Sunday meal and watching those shows the stories of the years past fishing fun and the yet to be stories to the fishing days ahead. I remember one year in particular when my one cousin found a catalog that had a page on it that showed a advertisement for a fishing lure deal. 25 lures plus 5 secret extra ones for $5 plus shipping and Handling. Well he bought one and I bought one. Several weeks later we got the packages in our mail. There was no online ordering in those days. It was clip out the order form from the catalog. Fill it out, have our parents write out a check, place it in an envelope and mail it to the company and hope for the best.
I bet if I go into one of my tackle boxes I still have a lure or two from that deal of a lifetime. Several of the lures actually did catch fish. Most never did and few were never used. But one in particular was a best lure I had ever owned. That lure which resembled a small sun fish caught fish. All kinds of species of fresh water fish. I had that lure for several years until I lost it. I had tried to find one just like it but never did. Sometimes I wonder if it was the lure that was so good or just the confidence I had when I used that lure to catch fish that I actually did catch fish.
Just one of those things that I can look back upon on a cold February weekend and remember the fishing days gone past with that special one of a kind fishing lure!
Quote of the day from Galatians 6:10 NIV:
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those that are of the household of faith."
Happy Friday, Happy almost February, Happy to all those that have the faith and those that will get the faith but just don't know it yet. He from above is waiting on you....ask and ye shall receive!
Song of the day......sometimes words are not needed....when you say nothing at all- Ronan Keating - YouTubePosted 01-31-2014 at 08:14 AM by dansdrive
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Monday February 3, 2014 and its a drizzle 55.5 degrees outside and it may crank up to a high of 55 before it falls back down again. For Seattle fans it was truly super Sunday! For Denver fans it was a stunned Sunday!
I have to admit by the mid second quarter we switched over to the puppy bowl on the Animal Channel. It was far more entertaining. This Super Bowl will go down as a dud. But as they say in sports and stocks, there is always next year!
Quote of the day by Thomas Jefferson:
"...Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Happy Monday, happy day after Super Sunday, Happy about Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness each and everyday!
Song of the day.....enjoy!.......My Wish - YouTubePosted 02-03-2014 at 05:06 AM by dansdrive
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Tuesday February 4, 2014 and its 39.9 degrees outside heading on up to 48 degrees with some afternoon sprinkles. For early February its a keeper! The Oxygen sensor from my car with the Check Engine light came in now to find the time to install it. If that's not it than its the big one, its the catalytic converter. Suppose that will be this weekends task. But between than and now there are many more task to concur.
Speaking of con curing, that is exactly what we did to a old steep hill near my cousins growing up. This hill was man made during the stripe mining days in N.E. Pennsylvania. We had a lot of those around, mostly they were black from the col-um rock they use to take out of the ground that was around the coal they were after. It was not quite coal yet so it became waste and waste a lot of it they did! Anyway, this hill was not that. It was just a steep bank of lose dirt, stone, and cliffs. It was very hard to traverse up it. How high was it, if I had to guess I would say it was 50 or 60 feet high.
It was the perfect challenge for us. We tried a many a time to climb it and to think about climbing it. But one day, it was time. We each started up from different parts at the bottom. No rope no safety nets, jsut a couple of kids looking for a challenge. I remember getting about 10 feet or so off the ground and slipping off a rock that was under my foot and I came sliding down only to start over. My cousin was continuing his ascent up that hill. But he to slipped and slid to the bottom. Time after time we crawled up that hill only to come sliding and stumbling down. But on this day we did not give up. Again and again we tried and failed. Different spots were tried, following each others paths up only to fail. Dang this hill was a challenge.
But we were not ready to quit. SO off we went again, this time we seemed to have found the right path. Up and up we went, only about 5 foot apart from each other. We were not half way up and climbing. Let me tell you 30 feet or so off the ground was like clinging off the top of the empire state building...well at least that is what it felt like. Step by step we climbed and slipped only to catch ourselves on a rock ledge. Up and up we climbed. Stopping only to look down and catch our breath and to see where the other was on this hill. The race was truly on now. As we crossed the three quarter mark our hearts were racing, at least I knew mine was, I felt it! My cousin was about a full body length ahead on my on his climb. I remember no words were spoken as we were both focused on the goal of reaching the top first. We were coming up the the toughest part right near the top it was mostly large stone cliffs. From the ground it always looked each. But being within feet of the summit and the stone cliffs inches from ones face, I can tell you first hand it was not! But there was no going back. Somehow and someway we were making it to the top this day. Hand over hand we pulled ourselves up, ledge by ledge we grasp the stone and hung on as gravity was working really hard to bring us down.
I remember grabbing for a rock ledge only to have it slip from from finger tips and the shift in weight caused my feet to lose grip of the stone beneath it and down I started to fall and slide. I was at the bottom of this hill before I could do anything. Fortunately with only a few scraped and bumps but my hill climbing was done this day. As I sat at the bottom, I seen my cousin make it to the top and stand up and look down and say simply and clearly; 'What happened to you?'. In the great words of Charlie Brown all I could mummer to myself was, UGH!
I never did concur that hill but it was not from the lack of trying. That hill and the surrounding area was replaced by a large apartment complex years later, but for us in our day it was a challenge to concurred!
Quote of the day from Richard M. Nixon:
"Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain."
Happy Tuesday and what mountain will you attempt to climb today? One will never get to the top without starting at the bottom and trying and failing, and trying and failing, and trying yet again. One may never reach the top but it sure feels good to know that you tried!
Song of the day.....its okay to sing it.... John Denver - Rocky Mountain High - Lyrics/HQ Bit Rate 2.06 Mbps - YouTube
P.S. The one above is always with you in your journey to the top or as you fall to the bottom to pick you up to try again......Posted 02-04-2014 at 05:19 AM by dansdrive
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Friday February 7, 2014 and its a sunny 35.2 degrees heading on up to 48 degrees. Good deal for a Friday! Friday.......oh man this week has slipped away faster than a Snowman in the Caribbean.
Been a busy week indeed. What's on tap for the weekend. Finally got my O2 sensor in for my car so I will replace than and hope the check engine light goes dark again. If not onto the more expensive part. Oh the fun of older vehicles! Upside of older cars, have not had a car payment since 2010 and growing!!!
My dad is the one that got me interested in car repairs. He use to do all his own as well. I remember always watching him change the brakes, change belts, bulbs, power steering units, ball joints, batteries, alternators, radios, and a whole hose of other car parts. He could of just showed me how to take the car to the garage to get repaired and I would of learned how to pay someone to repair my cars. He did show me the difference between what I could repair versus what a garage should repair. All I know it was a lifetime of savings in car repairs by him showing how to do perform them. Pretty cool....Thanks Dad! He is with the one above as I guess they needed another home made mechanic up there!
Quote of the day from Chinese Proverb:
'give a man to fish he eats for a day, teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime.'
Happy Friday and what have you passed on to your children, grand kids, or the neighbors kids? Will it worth a lifetime or just a few seconds or minutes? It only takes minutes to pass knowledge and wisdom on to them that will last a lifetime!
Song of the day.....enjoy!.........He Knows my name (Tommy Walker) with Lyrics - YouTubePosted 02-07-2014 at 07:27 AM by dansdrive
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Monday, February 10, 2014 and its 38.2 degrees heading on up to 43 degrees with afternoon showers. Peering a little further into the week and rain, sleet, and snow, yes snow in the forecast! But that is the future, today is plenty enough to take care of.
We O2 sensor in car replaced and still 'Check Engine' light is on. So, down to the Catalytic Converter. Will wait a bit before I dive into that one or better said shimmy under the car for that one! The weekend was great! Got to slow down a bit, rest up a bit, catch my breath a bit, worked on taxes a bit, and caught a bit of some college hoops. Other than working on the car I spent some time outside picking up some downed limbs and branches from the last storm. Also, did a walk though some of the woods on the property and pushed over a bunch of dead trees that were either falling over already of were ready to fall. Unlike the TV commercial I did not hear a one yell for a little help!
Which leads me to Monday, today, back at work, back in the routine, back awaiting Tuesday. My scripture reading for today was clear, concise, and meaningful. It was Ephesians 4:32; And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Now that is saying a whole lot with a few words. The real hard part to that reading is 'forgive'. How many times we are presented with an opportunity to forgive someone that wronged us and we fail to take it. We live with pent up anger towards that person when we can let it go. Simply saying to oneself or to the person directly you forgive them. Easy right........not always. So it takes work as all things in life. So, what a great day to work at it, again and again and again. You will get it right, that I know.
Quote of the day...See above, its in there!
Happy Monday, forgive.....simply, patiently, and personally.
Song of the day.......Sir Elton....Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word Lyrics - YouTubePosted 02-10-2014 at 05:49 AM by dansdrive
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Tuesday February 11, 2014 and its a overcast 30.9 degrees heading up to 41 degrees with a whole host of participation forecast-ed starting today into Thursday morning. Some rain, some sleet, and some snow...oh say it is not so!
Each winter weather event makes one appreciate spring all the more. Winter this season seems to be colder than normal and last longer than normal. Certainly ready for spring. Growing up in the north it was always a great time when that first warm day hit after a long winter. When the jackets came off and were tied to our waist as we bolted down the hill from school! Typically the ground was muddy from the winters freeze and melting snow banks. These were the days that ignited that flame in us to think about the end of the school year! February was the height of winter! We knew after February spring was getting close! Must be why February is the shortest month of the year....the powers to be at the time of calendar making sat around in early February and said, Hey! Can't wait any longer for spring, let's cut this month short and move on!......Hmmmm!
Anyway, enjoy today for the day of the month it is and the promise of the spring days ahead of you!!!
Quote of the day from 1 Corinthians 14:1 ;
"Follow the way of love."
Happy Tuesday, Happy February, Happy Winter's day and Happy to follow the way of love!
Song of the day......sing along you know it.... Firefall Just remember I love you - YouTubePosted 02-11-2014 at 05:41 AM by dansdrive
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Thursday February 13, 2014 and its 33.3 degrees outside with snow and slush and heading up to 35 degrees. With some more snow this afternoon. The snow really came down yesterday afternoon and evening. I was glad I got the driveway cleared before the change over to sleet and than rain. Now there is just an inch or two of slush and ice to move on out! All in all not to bad could have been much worse.
Growing up in the northeast we did not get many icing events. It either snowed or it didn't! Sometime the snow was up to two feet or more and as a kid that was utopia. Those were the rare occasions they cancelled school. It was up, dressed, breakfast, boots, sweaters, coats, gloves, hat, scarf and out the door! Shovel first. Sidewalks out in front of the house and than our driveway. The driveway created large piles at the end of the driveway into the backyard. These piles were the basis for the igloos. Depending on the snow amount and if there was already a snow pile from a previous snow storm, we could have a pile approaching 10 feet high!
We use to tunnel into the snow bank and make a nice igloo. That was until someone would climb the snow back and cave in the igloo. They made great hideouts and ambush places for snowball fights. My one friend lived caddy corner to my back yard and his backyard was higher so he had control of the high ground. We would have some cool snowball fights between yards. Being he controlled the high grounds he could ambush me with a barrage of snowballs from hos yard. One after one they would come in and pelt my backyard and me! I would loft a few out but rarely would hit him. Now that was fun in the snow.
After a time of that it was up to his house than up another block to my cousins and other neighborhood friend. From there we would canvass the neighborhood for sheets of plastic and cardboard boxes and head up to the abandoned park a block up from from cousins. The days we would get a foot or more of snow we could slide down the steps that were in the center of the old park. This made for great sliding! Some of the best times was when in the evening when the only light shining was from the street lights at the lower end of the park. The park was on a steep hill so sliding was a breeze once the snow got padded down on the steps.
Time after time we slid down those snow covered steps, solo, dual, all of us on a giant piece of cardboard. Laughing and falling off before we hit the bottom, having a real blast! This would go on until our clothes were soaked out gloves were frozen and our fingers were numb. Than it was time to go home, thaw out, eat something and do it all again in a few hours. Now that's the snowy days I remember growing up.
Quote of the day by John Ruskin:
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braes us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."
Happy snowy Thursday and if this snow and ice did one great thing today which is remind you of a time when you were a child and had an absolute blast in the snow and ice than it did its job! Go have some fun in the snow with the ones you love!
Song of the day....sit back, gab that coffee and enjoy.. Enya - Amid The Falling Snow - YouTubePosted 02-13-2014 at 07:34 AM by dansdrive
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Wednesday February 19, 2014 and its 24.6 degrees heading on up to a mild 40 degrees. Oh the upper Midwest weather! Good news its not zero or below, bad new lots of wind, snow, sleet, on the way! Yowsers!
So today's Blog is short, sweet, and I already mentioned the snow part!
Happy Wednesday and enjoy the day and nice Raleigh weather.Posted 02-19-2014 at 05:14 AM by dansdrive
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Any way we can, we want to connect you with important information from Stan!Posted 02-20-2014 at 12:52 PM by StanMillerDisasterExpert
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Monday February 24, 2014 and its warmer than where I have been and it sunnier than where I have been and it good to be home from where I have been! But for those that like the numbers, its 40.2 degrees heading on up to 57 degrees today. I am back from the snowy tundra of the upper mid-west. Flew in to a snow storm and left there with over a foot of snow on the ground and the temps in the single digits. Flew back into Raleigh and the temperature was in the low 70's!
So, what did I miss while I was away on business. Well lots of things but one was warm sunny days! I missed my family above all. I missed going to the office and my office friends. I didn't miss Greg Fishel's weather app. Several times during the week it went off on my phone at 5 AM C.T. To warm of impending Blizzard and winter storm watches and warnings. He was right on from right here in Raleigh to where I was staying. if you don't have the app for your smart phone I suggest you get it, it works no matter where you are in your travels. He knows.....he always knows!!!!
Anyway it is great to be back and great to be busier than when I left. It was great to meet all the people in the upper Midwest. One word comes to mind when you meet those great folks. Friendly. Its that simple, they just are! So no stories today, no quote, no song of the day, as no time too! Its busy, busy busy my friends and most of all thanking the one above for the safe travels and to be back home again.
The kingdom the Power and the Glory are his now and forever......please never forget that in your lives!Posted 02-24-2014 at 04:57 AM by dansdrive
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Tuesday February 25, 2014 and its 38.8 degrees outside heading on up to 52 degrees give or take a degree or three. Was a beautiful morning drive in, the bit of the moon that was visible was bright and curved into the dark sky. A bright light shown brightly that was positioned southwest of the moon. I have not looked it up to see if it was a planet or a star yet. Doesn't really matter after all as it was bright and shinning in the dark sky. Here we are in late February, March is on the horizon along with spring time.
I know spring is drawing near as on my ride home last evening before the sun set I seen some daffodil's out and some crocus. I also see the buds starting on the trees. They will as they say spring out of the tree limbs. That is just wonderful. Spring is such as wonderful time of the year. Everything becomes a new. Nature awakes from her slumber and paints the countryside with colors that are finer than the ones ever put on an artist palette. When they are out they are magnificent. They put the beholder in awe over their beauty. They also help to remind us that as with all things they are only here temporarily and fade into the leaves and fruits of the summer months.
There is a great lesson in here for each of us. No matter how perfect things are they too will pass. Its how one handles the passage from good to bad and bad to good that determines the character of the person. One that handles it with compassion and grace and thankfulness are the ones that have a special place far from this world. Even the moon cast high in the sky on this fine Tuesday morning has a friend near to it to help cast light onto us below. How cool is that?
Quote of the day from James 3:18 NIV :
"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Happy Tuesday, Happy almost springtime, Happy for the righteous, and Happy for the one above who knows all and sees all and provides grace and comfort to all of us no matter if we are in the spring, summer, fall, or winter of our own personal life. Sweet!
Song of the day......Grace......Matt Redman - Your Grace Finds Me (Lyrics And Chords) - YouTubePosted 02-25-2014 at 05:50 AM by dansdrive
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Wednesday February 26, 2014 and was 37.3 degrees when I started this entry but now has climbed to 43 degrees in route to 47 degrees. Even had a flurry or two hit the windshield on the way in. Goodness gracious how could it be lunch time already? I blinked when I woke up and blinked again and its lunch.....I am sure glad I took time between the blinks to thank the one above for another day on this great planet he alone created.
Without his guidance, help, and understanding I could not do what it is I do. I could not have made it to the age that I have made it to. I could not smile in a day let a week. I could not reflect on days gone by and all the important people that I encountered in my journey. Sometimes its no more than a smile from someone that was struggling along on a busy day that just needed a friendly hello, or lift up. Sometimes it getting cut off by that over charged driver and looking back at them and to oneself saying simply, thank you I'll have another. Sometimes its that memory that racing through your mind to remind you of a special time or place one had in their life. Sometimes its no more than a snow flake falling from the sky and landing on the bridge of your nose to know life is good!
It is great to know that no matter what you did, no matter how far you may have fallen in your earthly matters, no matter who you offended or hurt, the one above is always smiling down upon you. His love is unconditional, endless, encompassing, deep, clear, and forever real. All we have to be is smart enough to know that fact. We just need to say; Hello Lord how are you? Amazing things will happen to your spirit by spending a moment with the one above. He is a great listener, no matter what at the end....he truly LOVES each and everyone of us.
So, no quote from anyone today nor any Biblical quotes, just simply will yield the time back to each and everyone of you to pause and thank the one above and say, here I am Lord.
Happy Wednesday!
Song of the day....Peace........"A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN" Tranquil beautiful peaceful music-Cello and Piano RELAXATION MEDITATION - YouTubePosted 02-26-2014 at 10:50 AM by dansdrive
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Thursday February 27, 2014 and its a crisp, clear, and 22.2 degrees outside heading on up 49 sunny degrees. Once again the moon is awesome in the early morning light. The bright crescent is holding the shadow of the dark moon hidden from the suns rays. Spectacular!
Speaking of spectacular. We are almost through February, we will be flipping the calendar on Saturday to enter March. The month spring officially comes a calling. These were the days we races down the hill from school still with our winter coats and hats but they too would soon fade into the closets for another year. These were the days that were getting longer and the snow piles were getting smaller. These were the days where the school days seemingly raced by in anticipation to all the things to do after school. There were trees to be climbed, there were races to be won, there were bike races to be won. There were still a snowfall or two left but we knew it would be short lived. This was the time of the year our old abandoned park would be soggy and wet and mostly off limits. In the spring our paths that lead down the hills of the park were like small streams created by the melting snow and frost in the ground.
These were also the days where Valentine cards and candy were behind us. St. Patty's Day was approaching fast. Art class consisted of making leprechaun hats cut outs from green construction paper and lucky charms. EAch of our school windows got these decorations. We also learned about Saint Patrick and we were a Public School. How amazing was that? Not much as in those days it was never given a second thought. Priority was given to morals, respect, and lessons based on history. Somehow we turned out just fine. Credit our PARENTS, our teachers, our society in teaching right from wrong. In teaching us history was it had unfolded not edited.
So yes spring is right around the corner, natures new beginning starts its cycle again. Time for us to start a new. If you have school age children or grandchildren get involved. Teach them! Get involved in the schools they belong! Get to know their second level teachers, you are their first level. Teachers do an amazing job given the constraints they are given and yes the children that walk through the classroom doors everyday. If you don't think so, spend a day in a classroom and see for yourself. You will be amazed!
Quote of the day from Albert Einstein:
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creativity expression and knowledge."
Happy Thursday and Mr Einstein knew a thing or two about a lot of things and certainly the job of the teacher.
Song of the day....its a repeat but of so worth it....Jesus Christ Superstar ('73) I don't know how to love him - YouTube
What will you learn today?Posted 02-27-2014 at 05:17 AM by dansdrive
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Friday February 28, 2014 and its 27.7 sunny degrees raising on up to a high of 43 degrees. As February draws to an end and March is but a flip of the calendar away I can't help to think about the shortest month of the year. I think that the great calendar maker of ancient time might have lived in the northern hemisphere and was going through a long hard winter similar to the one in 2014 and said heck, I am going to shave a few days off February to shorten the long winter! Hey it could of happened.
That is my Friday funny! C'mon your smilin I know you are. Back to a more serious point. March. That is serious. Extremely serious to Julius Ceasar and the whole, 'Ides of March' gang in 44 B.C. If you are not familiar Google it and read history. I first read about it in 10th grade advanced English class. I do not remember the author but certainly the story. It is also a serious month to watch the weather reports as March is a dangerous weather month on the middle of this great nation. For us Christians nearly the whole month of March is dedicated to observing Lent. Where we reflect on the life, times, and death of our Lord and Savior. How important was his life? Well all the time before him is referred to as Before Christ (B.C.) and all the time after his death is referred Anno Domini (After Christ). Can't think of another person that defined a time marker like Jesus.
Growing up March and Lent always meant getting out of class a half hour early every Friday to attend the Stations of the cross at our local churches. We went to the Italian Church. All the kids would sit in the front of the Church and the adults would sit in the back of the Church. No one ever skipped out as there were plenty of adults that attended and would tell our parents if they did not see us and if we acted up....oh boy! I know that if I grew up today that we would not be allowed to be released early to attend a religious event, so I am sure glad I grew up when I did and lived where I did.
March was also the month we would rake up the yard on those nice March days and empty it from the falls leaves. It was also the month we would get our fishing equipment ready for the spring and summer fishing season. Trout season which kicked off the fishing season in Pennsylvania was always the second Saturday of April. So, the store would have big fishing gear sales leading up to that date. The good sales always had 5 pack of snell hooks of various sizes at 10 packs per $1.00. Dad would buy a box of those packs of hooks which help 20 packs. We would mix and match the hook sizes. We had hooks for pond and lake fishing as well as river fishing where we would lose most of those hooks. Dad would buy new bobbers in the traditional Red and White and the New Orange and Yellow colors.....cool!
March was typically the time of the year they would show The Wizard of Oz and they only showed it once per year. I remember lining up in front of the blank & White TV and watching it. It was funny, scary, and serious all in the same movie. Lions, Tigers, and Bears....Oh My!
Quote of the day form Charles Dickens:
" It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."
Happy Friday and Happy to be almost March as I reflect on February and all the past 27 days. As busy, crazy, and never ending each one of them seemed to be, I can only smile and say thank you to the one above for each and every one of them!
Song of the day......speaking of black & white...February Brings The Rain / September In The Rain - Julie London - YouTubePosted 02-28-2014 at 06:50 AM by dansdrive
