End of Year Snow Storm

We experienced our first real snow storm of the season yesterday and this morning.  The media is calling it a blizzard but I'm not sure it technically meets the definition. The National Weather Service reported wind gusting to 60 mph were reported.

It started snowing Sunday (12/26) morning and continued through this morning (M12/27).  The NWS is reporting about 12-20 inches of snow was recorded.  I'm not convinced that is accurate because there is a tremendous amount of blowing snow (that has drifted).

Sunday 12/26/10 ~3:45 p.m.

Whatever the amount of snow that fell, driving looks challenging (I can see the main road - US RT 1 [Barnum Avenue] - from my LR window).  The storm is supposed to be over by noon but the wind will continue (gusts of 35-50 mph could still occur).

Monday 12/27/10 ~7:15 a.m.

Fortunately, I did not have to leave home this morning because I am taking vacation days this week.  But when I woke up this morning, I spotted a car stuck in the snow trying to get out of the parking lot. Silly person - sad that she felt she had to travel when conditions where so bad.

She put her life on the line.  Eventually, a few other people who were braving the roads stopped to dig her car out. She drove about a hundred feet and got stuck again at the intersection of the main road.

Because of the bad weather, we decided not to attend yesterday afternoon's AHL hockey game in Bridgeport between the Sound Tigers and the (Hartford) Connecticut Whale. I listened to it over the internet. The Tigers lost 4-0; only about 2200 people showed up.

More bizarre was the NHL hockey game last evening (7 p.m.) on Long Island.  Although the storm was really going at that point, the game was not called off because both teams were already at the arena and the government had not officially declared a state of emergency (although they had requested everyone to stay off the roads unless it was absolutely necessary). Just under 4,000 lunatics showed up and saw the Islanders win 4-1(an Islander's win is something of a miracle the way they've been playing lately).

Parking lot for my apartment Monday 12/27/10 at ~9 a.m.

It has stopped snowing and I see people emerging to dig out their cars. Cars on Rt. 1 appear to be moving well but our side street at the parking lot entrance is still not plowed.  No place for me to go anyway. I've got a lot of work to do around the house anyway.

The Nativity

The birth of a baby initiates great hope, excitement, and joy.  Likewise, the birth of the "Savior/Messiah/Christ/Anointed" is connected with tremendous hope. I think people like Christmas (more than Easter) because the hopefulness of a successful birth is something everyone can appreciate. Christmas gifts also tend to be better than Easter candy too.

For a long time I have struggled with the "celebration" of Christmas.  It is because I believe that the "true" meaning (i.e., birth of Christ) has been overshadowed by increasingly widespread secular materialism. So my dilemma has been how to mark the season without coming across as "The Grinch." This challenge has become even greater since I no longer believe in the literal story of Jesus.

However, it is because the nativity story has meaning that it is still important and worth remembering and pondering.  Emmanuel means "God is with us" [Mt 1:23]. I think we overlook that too often, that God is with us. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it but it's usually because we are not paying attention. God's presence is all around us in things like sunrises and sky and clouds and ....

Most Christians have a cross or crucifix hung on a wall in their house.  I'm not sure many people really understand the nuances of the Resurrection. Especially since there are not many resurrected people walking around to remind us.  Perhaps it would make more sense to also hang a creche or a nativity picture to remind us of God being with us and the goal of being "born again."

I have the nativity pictured above hanging on my Living Room wall to remind me of the hope for our salvation.

A merry and blessed Christmas to you and yours.

Good Morning Christmas!

I like to get up early and read the Bible. I can see the sun rise from my living room window. I think that helps me ponder the scriptures because I am amazed at the glory of the creation/birth of a new day. "To God be the Glory, great things he has done."

This is what I saw this morning:


Beginning Today



Star at Upper Right



Sunrise C



Sunrise D



Sunrise E



"Here Comes The Sun (and I say it's alright)"



Here is the Sun!

 "Here comes the Sun King....everybody's happy, everybody's fine!"

"Good morning, good morning, good morning"

Merry Christmas!