Hailstoned

Of course, Mr. Galileo among others, demonstrated to the sobbing masses that all movements of the sun as perceived in casual observation from earth, are an illusion!

Hmmm....and what of the all knowing proclamations that climate change is non-existent, and we're just going through "cycles?"

With solar panels, able to "sell" electricity back to National Grid, meaning in the warm months, our bill has a negative balance. In addition $120/month, year round, back to me for all the sun power we generate. Also, able to fuel electric truck for "free" during the warm months with home charger. The caveat: heating in part with mini-splits (the rest wood) is expensive during the cold months. On the other hand, using the mini-split in our main room on the dehumidifier setting which is energy efficient, keeps this room tolerable in the dews and heat we've been getting. We also have ceiling fans, so nights for sleeping are tolerable as well. We desperately miss the sacred ritual, at least to some on here, of "installs," but as a recovering Catholic, I can deal.

Swear I came across Noah in Belchertown-- from Quabbin on down the Swift to Palmer about 200 feet visibility-- must have gotten several inches in spots. An absolute deluge, gusty winds bringing down branches, and plenty of flash/bang.

Just got back from a little chase there, and to get my Lightning washed. Torrential torrents and a few lively bolts. Truck washed. Not a drop yet here in Monson.

Kiss of death.

Same with ours-- from few last year to riotous blue this.

Lightning blasted birch in the intense storm of this past Wednesday, on Springfield College's East Campus. Though a slim tree dwarfed by towering oaks and white pine, it took the strike instead of one of them.

Add Ludlow onto that. Pea sized hail torrential rain. Blasts of lightning/thunder. I don’t think I’ve ever seen radar fill so quick and so fast with such extreme consequences. Burst of hail just happened here in Monson also.

And the old man is snoring?

NOPE.

Then Winter must be having digestive issues. Been out a lot in the outhouse in recent years.

March, yes, but not so much February. Also telling is sap season has "migrated" to February in recent years, as opposed to its traditional timing in March.

Birds are also stirring. This weekend despite the chill, there was lots of what might be labeled, "spring anticipatory activity" along with accompanying bird calls.

Feb. 88 featured a good one out here in the B-Town/Amherst area.

1. Emojis haven't the ability to get "confused" unless AI has advanced in leaps and bounds I am not aware of. 2. "Confused" being used three times in one sentence points precisely to the source of the confusion.

10.5" final, Monson, MA.

What's different is I remember on Christmas night 1969, walking out on a pond near Boston to observe conditions in advent of this major tempest. Back then it would have been shocking to have open waters so late in December... but now...

And apples and oranges, apparently.

Yup. And so will the Passenger Pigeon.

"Stick to your long-johns until your long-johns stick to you"

And of course, Thanksgiving, 1989 with about 4" of powder falling day of, followed by 3-4 weeks of epic cold to where I jogged on ice on a section of the Chicopee River. But with the New Year, the winter more or less fizzled out.

Correct-- "machine gun" is a misrepresentation but the legality of auto/semi-auto weapons and the large magazines allowed produces more or less the same horrific results in mass shootings.

The "Wild West" when it was just 6 shooters wasn't nearly so wild as now...