• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Baseball ’19
  • Day Zero 3
  • Earl
  • My list
  • Photo Blogging Challenge

A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

snow

It’s cold. Deal with it.

January 16, 2014

I’m not sure if people in the Northeast got the message recently or not, but it’s cold.

And, at times, it’s been downright frigid.

You know what, though? It’s the winter. Part of being in the Northeast during the winter is dealing with the cold. That includes snow, sleet, freezing rain, bad roads and … yes, cold weather.

Another piece of breaking news — bitter cold doesn’t mean the world stops moving.

The one thing that drives me nuts is this whole thing about wind chill. I get how it works and such, but just because the wind chill is supposedly -25 doesn’t mean that’s the actual temperature. That means, if the wind isn’t howling, it’s not that cold.

When I was a kid, we played outside when it was cold. We walked to school. We did things. It was part of life and growing up.

And, no, I didn’t walk uphill to school — both ways, despite a shirt I have that shows otherwise. But I know what it was like to go outside when it was cold out. We bundled up, went outside and played. Maybe we went sledding. Maybe something else. But we went outside.

This was coming home one early morning from a friend's after a night of games. This is cold. And this isn't wind chill!

This was coming home one early morning from a friend’s after a night of games. This is cold. And this isn’t wind chill!

Recently, we had a wave of cold weather. Really cold. It didn’t get out of single-digits for several days and, at times, the wind chill made it extremely cold out.

Some schools even closed.

That never would have happened when I was younger (though, to be fair, it probably would have made many of us celebrate). Not unless something happened at the school. Many schools stayed open, too. And it seemed — if you watched social media — there was a battle line drawn between parents who thought schools should have been closed and the others who thought differently.

It was quite entertaining, to be honest.

It also got me thinking. What does this necessarily say about the direction society is going. In a day and age when many more people get participation ribbons than ever before, are we softening things? It’s one thing to close school with snow … but cold? What’s next?

Let us remember that once the kids are at school, they are going to be taken care of and, hopefully, be warm. There’s also lunch and, in many places, breakfast. As for them getting to school, buses work other days, so why not when it’s cold? If kids walk, bundle up. Or, hopefully parents or others can give kids rides.

That being said, I respect a parent’s decision when it comes to keeping their child home. Though I don’t fully agree with keeping a student away from school because of obvious ramifications, I fully respect a parent making a decision they think is best for their child when it comes to elements such as weather.

Beyond the obvious, this can also set a bad precedent for the kids as they grow. What will they think when they go off to college or join the work force when it’s that cold out and they can’t skip work or classes? Part of school is being taught real-life things.

In the end, though, it’s cold weather. We’ve had it before, we’ll have it again. I do what I’ve always done — warm up my car a bit longer, dress a bit warmer and head off to work or wherever I am going.

And look forward to warmer weather, of course.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: brrrr, cold, northeast, snow, temperature, weather, wind chill, winter

18 Comments

It’s not Dec. 21 yet!

November 26, 2013

Brrrr!

As I got ready for work Monday morning (still cool to say that), I could see the fresh snow that dropped overnight. It wasn’t anything major and mostly a light, fluffy snow.

But it’s still November!

The next three days…

Now, I realize I live in the Northeast, which is a place where the weather can come and go quickly. But still…

When I got into my car Monday morning (it was about 7:20 a.m. or so), after letting it warm up for about 20 minutes, the temperature read 5 degrees. Yes, you read that right. FIVE DEGREES!

If this is going to be a cold winter, then it’s probably not a bad thing where I’ll be working. At least it should be warm!

This also lends to the crazy weather patterns we’ve been getting in recent years. I remember a couple of years ago when it stayed quite warm through the end of December. In fact, it was about 50 degrees or so a few days before Christmas. We hold an annual geocaching event and that year we had a record turnout because it was so nice to travel.

Last year, the weather was more like winter, thus a drop in numbers.

It’s not like we’ve never had snow or cold weather this early. Quite the contrary, actually. It still doesn’t mean I have to like it, does it?

Several years ago, I used to truly like the colder weather. This is also when I hated really hot weather (still do) and had no use for beaches (not true, anymore). I’d go out for a winter geocaching expedition in 20 degree weather wearing nothing more than a sweatshirt.

Now?

Way more than that!

The rest of the next seven days…

It’s all in the aging process, I imagine.

Anyway, back to my point. December 21 is the “official” start of winter. It makes me wonder why things are so late as it seems like weather patterns are really switching. The confusing part, for some people, is when people start calling it winter out.

It’s not.

So are these dates for seasons still even needed? Has it become a thing of the past and now the weather actually dictates when a season has arrived? It seems so to me, especially in my neck of the woods.

And I’ll get to see winter the next few days.

Snow is supposed to be in the area later this afternoon. In fact, there’s a winter weather advisory in place. See, there’s that winter usage again, this time by the National Weather Service.

Should it be altered? Winter weather during fall advisory? Fall weather advisory?

Probably not.

But it makes you wonder a little. At least it does me. All I know is the temps aren’t going to be great the next few days.

It appears winter has arrived, no matter what the calendar says.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: cold, northeast weather, snow, weather, winter

3 Comments

Hey Mother Nature — get away from the bottle!

May 14, 2013

Apparently Mother Nature has a sick sense of humor?

After dousing our area with nice to hot weather for a week or two, she showed her teeth once again. On Mother’s Day, it was extremely cold and windy. That made any attempt at the annual golf outing that day tough. Nine holes was all that was accomplished. The sun was starting to pop out at the end and it was warming up, but still way too windy.

Monday comes and it’s quite cold again. I went out for a few things and saw a few flurries. I laughed it off.

Flurries on Monday may have not looked like this, but it sure felt like it!

Driving back a couple of hours later, I went through stronger flurries. Boy, that was fun.

A couple of people in the neighborhood covered plants last night.

Why, you may ask?

A freeze warning! Seriously. Something in the 20s was possible. Oh joy. I saw frost on my car last night before turning in for the night. That’s always nice.

Especially in May.

Apparently, according to the local news last night, our area set a record because we got a trace of snow. That hadn’t been done on May 13 before.

The latest we’ve (well, Binghamton area) has seen snow?

May 18.

Hopefully that record won’t be broken this year.

Today is slightly blue skies with some clouds spread out. The sun is shining. But it’s only supposed to reach the mid-50s.

That’s a start.

Maybe Mother Nature will get off the bottle yet. It’s obviously clouding her seasons.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: cold, life, mother nature, my world, snow, spring, spring snow, weather, winter

2 Comments

Soundless Sunday: March 10

March 10, 2013

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

— Rogers Hornsby

Waiting for spring…

Soundless Sunday is a weekly feature where I’ll try and feature a favorite quote and a photo that I’ve taken. Enjoy life — it’s the only way to go!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Photography, Soundless Sunday Tagged With: baseball, blue, quotes, sky, snow, Soundless Sunday, spring, winter

6 Comments

It is possible to take photos without having an agenda

January 28, 2013

Apparently taking photos of things like this draws attention.

I’m in two bigger photo challenges this year — both are weekly things.

So, each week, there’s a theme. You take the theme, interpret it and go out and take your photos. When done, post to the Flickr group.

Seems simple, right?

I’ve been a bit of a photographer my whole life. I started early and have kept it up throughout my days. I’ve often read stories about people being questioned or told they couldn’t take photos in a particular spot. Sometimes it seemed legit, others not so much. I think people see cameras and decide they need to be big and start questioning things.

In all my years, I don’t recall truly being questioned. Sure, somebody might ask me what I was up to, but I always made sure to ask about taking pictures where I wasn’t sure if it was allowed.

That all changed Sunday.

One of the themes this week was “close up.” Being I don’t have a macro lens, I was looking for different things to be able to get close up on and get a good shot. I settled on a local car wash. It’s one of two in town and this one has a really beat-up, old look to it. In fact, one of the two bays is blocked off and looks like it doesn’t work as the hose and all is gone.

Could this be the secret?

It’s a perfect place for photos, especially considering how frigid temperatures have been. Ice builds up and it looks quite interesting.

Being it was cold, I wasn’t going to be there long. So I started with the blocked-off bay (there was only a barrel on one side), then went to the active bay.

Midway through, a pickup truck pulls up. But not that close. Maybe 150 feet away or so? The guy rolls down his window and when he knew he somewhat had my attention, it started.

Him: “What are you doing?”

Me: “Taking photos.”

Him: “For what?”

Me: “No particular reason. Just taking photos.”

Him: “Of what?”

Me: “The ice formations.”

Him: “Oh. What for?”

Me: “Just to take photos.”

There are great photo opportunities everywhere, just sometimes people feel the need to question you.

Him: “Oh. Well be careful.”

Me: “I’m watching my footing” (There’s ice all over the ground)

Him: “So why are you taking these photos?”

Me: “Just for the photos.”

At that point, I thought that was it. The truck started to move, then stopped. Now I was annoyed. He was kind of staring at me. I don’t know if he owned the place, worked nearby or was just nosy. But he didn’t identify himself.

So, I peeked back over. The questions started again.

Him: “Who are you take the photos for?”

Me: “Myself.”

Him: “Do you work for a newspaper?”

Me: “No.”

I think there may be been one more quick exchange before he finally left. First, if I worked for a newspaper, I probably wouldn’t be taking photos of that car wash. But that’s just me.

Look, if he owned the joint and wanted to make sure I wasn’t up to something bad, that’s fine. But identify yourself. And heck, if that’s the fact, I may have offered to send a photo if he wanted it. Heck, if you didn’t want me there, let me know and I’d leave.

But that was one of the most bizarre thing I’ve ever had happen. It’s not like I was taking photos inside a top-secret bunker or anything. It’s a freakin’ car wash!

Anybody else have any interesting stories involving being questioned when taking photos?

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Photography Tagged With: car wash, getting questioned taking photos, ice, photography, photography issues, photos, questioned, snow, winter

6 Comments

  • Newer Posts
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Go to page 6
  • Older Posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to A 'lil HooHaa!

This is a personal website covering many topics! We host a monthly photo blogging challenge, and then every January hold a fun writing challenge.

Thank you for stopping by and hope this becomes a stop for you!

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 867 other subscribers

Instagram

hoohaa29

Sometimes you just have to lay down on the ground Sometimes you just have to lay down on the ground and stare at the sky… 

#clouds #sky #outside #blue
First mow and the start of trying the @scottslawn First mow and the start of trying the @scottslawn program. Hoping for a sharp lawn! #lawn #mow #water #spring #lawncare #scottslawn
Sooooo haaaaps! #dog #dogsofinstagram #goldenretr Sooooo haaaaps!

#dog #dogsofinstagram #goldenretriever #tongueouttuesday
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Twitter

P.J.Follow

Today is a great day to be amazing. Be happy, smile, and say hi to people. Blogger. Photographer. Explorer. #isles #ringthebell

P.J.
softball29P.J.@softball29·
4 May

For those who like to be outside … give a read!

Michelle Marine@SimpLiveLove

Tick season is coming!! If you are bitten by a tick, here's how to remove the tick properly & clean the bite; where to send the tick for testing; signs of tick borne illness; and how to find a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor if you get sick!
https://simplifylivelove.com/what-to-do-if-you-are-bitten-by-a-tick/

Reply on Twitter 1521933286133702656Retweet on Twitter 1521933286133702656Like on Twitter 15219332861337026561Twitter 1521933286133702656
softball29P.J.@softball29·
3 May

New blog post: Photo Blogging Challenge (April 2022): Enjoy life #photoblogchal #photography https://hoohaa.com/?p=15638

Reply on Twitter 1521318907319095298Retweet on Twitter 1521318907319095298Like on Twitter 1521318907319095298Twitter 1521318907319095298
softball29P.J.@softball29·
1 May

Baseball Sunday and bark in the park at @RumblePoniesBB ! Great day! Harper is loving some ball and a hot dog!

#baseball #barkinthepark #goldenretriever #dogsoftwitter #dog #outside #happydog

4
Reply on Twitter 1520830212572917763Retweet on Twitter 1520830212572917763Like on Twitter 15208302125729177633Twitter 1520830212572917763
Load More...

YouTube

P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week5 #weeklychallenge

Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
Unboxing: 5/52
YouTube Video VVVaaDlySXg4aGFrRlJzWVVwZlNYcXNnLnhfZ3NXRWY3QTJF
I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
All about me: Week 4/52
YouTube Video VVVaaDlySXg4aGFrRlJzWVVwZlNYcXNnLmhGbjVMYURXWG9n
The theme for Week 3 of the 52-week video challenge was "Show your process of making something." Alas, I didn't get the time to do what I wanted to do, so I attacked something I filmed over the summer that I kept putting off. 

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
Show your process: Week 3/52
YouTube Video VVVaaDlySXg4aGFrRlJzWVVwZlNYcXNnLmxRbDMyUjVhRzdN
Load More... Subscribe

Archives

Categories

Calendar

May 2022
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Apr    

Search The Site

Site Information

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

A 'lil HooHaa © 2022 · Created By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2022 · Ava Mae on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...