Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Brookvalley's Blog: WARNING: EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND PANIC...
Brookvalley's Blog: WARNING: EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND PANIC...: There's a storm coming! A couple of weeks ago (maybe longer - the days are all melting into one big icicle anymore), there was a cold ...
WARNING: EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND PANIC!
There's a storm coming!
A couple of weeks ago (maybe longer - the days are all melting into one big icicle anymore), there was a cold snap, a sub-zero cold snap that entrenched much of the Northeast. Schools were closed, or at least delayed, pets of all shapes and sizes were brought into houses (did you see the Huffington Post article about the German woman who has been letting her horse live in the house with her since a hurricane last December?), and wind chills of -20 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take, reigned. Everyone panicked. The media flooded the airwaves with wind chill warnings and emergency procedures for frozen pipes or dead car batteries, and general - common sense - ways to keep warm. Social media was inundated with warnings to bring our pets inside and photos of thermometers showing temperatures with the dreaded minus sign before them. Some people were amazed that their vehicle thermometers even registered that low. There was a propane shortage in the Northeast (that was legitimately scary). Milk and bread on the shelves of your favorite grocery store? Forget it. Quick Joe or road salt? No way - even though both are completely ineffective at such temperatures.
But, this morning when I trudged to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee, I saw that same minus sign in front of a double digit number glaring at me from my kitchen thermometer, but heard and saw nothing. No cold warnings from the major networks - not one. No warnings to bring my pets inside (thankfully - I don't know where I'd put ten horses, three goats, a dog, a cat, and my husband). No school delays. No emergency preparedness tips. Nothing. This morning, the cold didn't matter. It didn't matter that once again frostbite could occur in a matter of minutes. It didn't matter that the same children we were afraid to send out into the sub-zero cold a few weeks ago were being sent willingly, even happily, today. No. Today, the cold didn't matter. Reporting about it wouldn't get more viewers or listeners to tune in or give the networks an opportunity to scare the living bejeepers out of anyone. It wouldn't ensue widespread, unnecessary-other-than-to-boost-ratings panic, so why report or worry about it. This morning, instead, there was a snow storm to report (ah, that's how they'll get us!). You heard (or read) me right, a snowstorm in Northeast Pennsylvania. What? You must be kidding? We haven't seen snow in this part of the country since, well, yesterday. Is this a joke? No! Forget the cold people! Get ready for a storm that will bring with it a lot of crystallized precipitation that may accumulate and blanket our region in white - even though it already is.
Bread and milk! Milk and bread! Snow's a comin'! Get the bread and get the milk.
We haven't seen so much as a flake yet, and they - the not-through-any-fault-of-their-own-wrong-much-of-the-time weatherpersons (political correctness) - haven't determined the actual path of the storm. It might stay to the east. It might come further west. We might stay on the edge of the heavy snowfall, or we might get over a foot. It might. We might. They might. Of course, all of this might is much more important than the safety of our beloved pets, let alone any human concerns we may have -the safety of our children, or elderly loved ones, or, have mercy, any family or friends we may have that work outside in these temperatures. Cold is irrelevant, snow matters! Granted, it's a big storm that will likely cripple some of the Southeastern states, but haven't we learned yet that snow is a fairly common occurrence here. Plus, it's not set to arrive here until late tonight or very early tomorrow morning, so what about today?
Today, we shop! Isn't commerce and capitalism fun? Naturally, milk and bread are at the top of the list. Naturally? Is that really what we need? Is that what will sustain us and get us through the storm? Or, is that simply what we've been conditioned to believe we need? Whether or not we have bread in our bread drawer or milk on a shelf in our refrigerator doesn't actually matter. What matters is that we have shelter and enough food, and other supplies, to get us through the storm and safely into the next available shopping day - which, now-a-days amounts to approximately one day, maybe two if the contractor-turned-snow-plow-driver that you've hired has been out all night plowing everyone else's driveways too.
And today, we pretend that the thermometer isn't the largest negative influence in our lives as we send our kids, our pets, and our workers out into the double-digit below zero world. And, then, long before the first flake falls, and long before the excited proclamation, "it's snowing," ever leaves our lips, we wait in dreadful anticipation for the next prediction of how much of the fluffy white stuff we can expect to see, or not to see, tomorrow.
In the meantime, we shop! After all, according to the world of economics and weather, that's what we're supposed to do in such circumstances. But, for the sake of all things holy and just, don't forget the milk! Remember, man cannot live on bread alone (at least that's what the Bible tells us) - he needs milk too!
P.S. There are people out there that are not fortunate enough to have permanent shelter or food. If you know of anyone in these circumstances, please reach out and help. Here is a link to available shelters in the our area: North East Homeless Shelter Directory.
A couple of weeks ago (maybe longer - the days are all melting into one big icicle anymore), there was a cold snap, a sub-zero cold snap that entrenched much of the Northeast. Schools were closed, or at least delayed, pets of all shapes and sizes were brought into houses (did you see the Huffington Post article about the German woman who has been letting her horse live in the house with her since a hurricane last December?), and wind chills of -20 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take, reigned. Everyone panicked. The media flooded the airwaves with wind chill warnings and emergency procedures for frozen pipes or dead car batteries, and general - common sense - ways to keep warm. Social media was inundated with warnings to bring our pets inside and photos of thermometers showing temperatures with the dreaded minus sign before them. Some people were amazed that their vehicle thermometers even registered that low. There was a propane shortage in the Northeast (that was legitimately scary). Milk and bread on the shelves of your favorite grocery store? Forget it. Quick Joe or road salt? No way - even though both are completely ineffective at such temperatures.
But, this morning when I trudged to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee, I saw that same minus sign in front of a double digit number glaring at me from my kitchen thermometer, but heard and saw nothing. No cold warnings from the major networks - not one. No warnings to bring my pets inside (thankfully - I don't know where I'd put ten horses, three goats, a dog, a cat, and my husband). No school delays. No emergency preparedness tips. Nothing. This morning, the cold didn't matter. It didn't matter that once again frostbite could occur in a matter of minutes. It didn't matter that the same children we were afraid to send out into the sub-zero cold a few weeks ago were being sent willingly, even happily, today. No. Today, the cold didn't matter. Reporting about it wouldn't get more viewers or listeners to tune in or give the networks an opportunity to scare the living bejeepers out of anyone. It wouldn't ensue widespread, unnecessary-other-than-to-boost-ratings panic, so why report or worry about it. This morning, instead, there was a snow storm to report (ah, that's how they'll get us!). You heard (or read) me right, a snowstorm in Northeast Pennsylvania. What? You must be kidding? We haven't seen snow in this part of the country since, well, yesterday. Is this a joke? No! Forget the cold people! Get ready for a storm that will bring with it a lot of crystallized precipitation that may accumulate and blanket our region in white - even though it already is.
Bread and milk! Milk and bread! Snow's a comin'! Get the bread and get the milk.
We haven't seen so much as a flake yet, and they - the not-through-any-fault-of-their-own-wrong-much-of-the-time weatherpersons (political correctness) - haven't determined the actual path of the storm. It might stay to the east. It might come further west. We might stay on the edge of the heavy snowfall, or we might get over a foot. It might. We might. They might. Of course, all of this might is much more important than the safety of our beloved pets, let alone any human concerns we may have -the safety of our children, or elderly loved ones, or, have mercy, any family or friends we may have that work outside in these temperatures. Cold is irrelevant, snow matters! Granted, it's a big storm that will likely cripple some of the Southeastern states, but haven't we learned yet that snow is a fairly common occurrence here. Plus, it's not set to arrive here until late tonight or very early tomorrow morning, so what about today?
Today, we shop! Isn't commerce and capitalism fun? Naturally, milk and bread are at the top of the list. Naturally? Is that really what we need? Is that what will sustain us and get us through the storm? Or, is that simply what we've been conditioned to believe we need? Whether or not we have bread in our bread drawer or milk on a shelf in our refrigerator doesn't actually matter. What matters is that we have shelter and enough food, and other supplies, to get us through the storm and safely into the next available shopping day - which, now-a-days amounts to approximately one day, maybe two if the contractor-turned-snow-plow-driver that you've hired has been out all night plowing everyone else's driveways too.
And today, we pretend that the thermometer isn't the largest negative influence in our lives as we send our kids, our pets, and our workers out into the double-digit below zero world. And, then, long before the first flake falls, and long before the excited proclamation, "it's snowing," ever leaves our lips, we wait in dreadful anticipation for the next prediction of how much of the fluffy white stuff we can expect to see, or not to see, tomorrow.
In the meantime, we shop! After all, according to the world of economics and weather, that's what we're supposed to do in such circumstances. But, for the sake of all things holy and just, don't forget the milk! Remember, man cannot live on bread alone (at least that's what the Bible tells us) - he needs milk too!
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
P.S. There are people out there that are not fortunate enough to have permanent shelter or food. If you know of anyone in these circumstances, please reach out and help. Here is a link to available shelters in the our area: North East Homeless Shelter Directory.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Where to Wed: The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
Brookvalley Farm was a part of the show!! Click below to check it out. One note: the website listed for Brookvalley Farm should be www.brookvalleyfarmpa.com (sorry for the confusiont Brook Valley Farm in Montgomery County, Maryland).
The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
Monday, January 6, 2014
Day 6 of 2014
One of these days I'm going to sit down here and write something interesting. I don't mean for this to be like a diary - that's the last thing I want. Who wants to read about what I do everyday? Isn't that what Facebook if for?
We got some new chains for the Rat (the name my husband affectionately gave my Nissan Pathfinder that has now been relegated as the official farm vehicle), and for the tractor (I gave it a name once, but it escapes me right now - something to do with the color green since it's a John Deere - it will come to me). No excuses now for not getting things done around here (snicker)!
I keep thinking that one of these days my life will slow down and I'll actually get my train of thought around something other than what happened five minutes ago, or what I'm doing right now, but for the life of me I'm coming up with nothing. They say (I've read) that when you hit a mental block, you should just write. Anything. Whatever comes to mind. The weather - which is quite unusual these days. Today started out at 50 and has steadily dropped since. The low overnight is expected to be -10 or so and tomorrows high is anticipated to be +3. My aunt and uncle are coming in from Minnesota tomorrow too; I think they're sending this stuff ahead of themselves so they don't feel out of place.
Whatever comes to mind. Family. A peculiar bunch. I don't think I feel like writing about them right now. Nothing wrong, or bad, or anything. Just not the topic I'm searching for.
Work. I should probably leave that one alone for now too. We just went back today after a more than two week hiatus for the holidays. I'm very thankful for the time off, but this time more than any other I really wanted it to last longer. We've got so many plans for the farm and house that I wish I could afford to just stay home and make our dreams a reality. The addition is coming along nicely, and I have so many ideas for the bed and breakfast rooms; I can't wait to start decorating.
Pink line with warning: ERROR. Hmmm. What could that be? Better find out. I'll pick up here tomorrow. Or maybe I'll pick up somewhere else. Maybe I should start setting a time limit for myself. Somehow writing for 10 minutes doesn't seem to be fulfilling. I need more. I need to get my brain off of numbers and back into the land of creativity and creative thinking.
We got some new chains for the Rat (the name my husband affectionately gave my Nissan Pathfinder that has now been relegated as the official farm vehicle), and for the tractor (I gave it a name once, but it escapes me right now - something to do with the color green since it's a John Deere - it will come to me). No excuses now for not getting things done around here (snicker)!
I keep thinking that one of these days my life will slow down and I'll actually get my train of thought around something other than what happened five minutes ago, or what I'm doing right now, but for the life of me I'm coming up with nothing. They say (I've read) that when you hit a mental block, you should just write. Anything. Whatever comes to mind. The weather - which is quite unusual these days. Today started out at 50 and has steadily dropped since. The low overnight is expected to be -10 or so and tomorrows high is anticipated to be +3. My aunt and uncle are coming in from Minnesota tomorrow too; I think they're sending this stuff ahead of themselves so they don't feel out of place.
Whatever comes to mind. Family. A peculiar bunch. I don't think I feel like writing about them right now. Nothing wrong, or bad, or anything. Just not the topic I'm searching for.
Work. I should probably leave that one alone for now too. We just went back today after a more than two week hiatus for the holidays. I'm very thankful for the time off, but this time more than any other I really wanted it to last longer. We've got so many plans for the farm and house that I wish I could afford to just stay home and make our dreams a reality. The addition is coming along nicely, and I have so many ideas for the bed and breakfast rooms; I can't wait to start decorating.
Pink line with warning: ERROR. Hmmm. What could that be? Better find out. I'll pick up here tomorrow. Or maybe I'll pick up somewhere else. Maybe I should start setting a time limit for myself. Somehow writing for 10 minutes doesn't seem to be fulfilling. I need more. I need to get my brain off of numbers and back into the land of creativity and creative thinking.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Day 5 of 2014
Well, it was an interesting drive home - ice, freezing rain, sleet. The ice build-up on the car was unbelievable. Peddler's Village actually shut down today because keeping the ice off of the brick sidewalks was proving impossible. I was looking forward to doing some browsing, if not shopping, in some of the great shops there, but, alas, it was not meant to be. I'm glad to be home though, safe and sound.
Despite still being under construction, I found a temporary home for the new computer, and tomorrow night I will type on a keyboard with a functional 'O'. I can't wait!
As we drove through Bucks County on Route 611 on our way home, I was once again reminded of the incredible buildings and charm of the area. I so wish that I could relocate some of the barns to our property here. The cobblestone rustic charm is something that I wish could be replicated, and I'm sure, at a cost, it could be, but somehow it just wouldn't be the same. By the time I decided that I wanted to start taking pictures of some of the barns, we were pretty much done seeing any. I managed to get one, but next time I'll be more prepared - and, hopefully the weather will cooperate more. Rain and ice don't make for very easy photography!
Despite still being under construction, I found a temporary home for the new computer, and tomorrow night I will type on a keyboard with a functional 'O'. I can't wait!
As we drove through Bucks County on Route 611 on our way home, I was once again reminded of the incredible buildings and charm of the area. I so wish that I could relocate some of the barns to our property here. The cobblestone rustic charm is something that I wish could be replicated, and I'm sure, at a cost, it could be, but somehow it just wouldn't be the same. By the time I decided that I wanted to start taking pictures of some of the barns, we were pretty much done seeing any. I managed to get one, but next time I'll be more prepared - and, hopefully the weather will cooperate more. Rain and ice don't make for very easy photography!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Day 4 of 2014
It was a busy day, and I don't have much to say today. I'll be sure to post more tomorrow when I have time to sit and reflect and get my thoughts in order.
We spent a great day in New Hope and then at Peddler's Village at the Cock 'n Bull Restaurant for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater - I even won a mug for figuring out who the murderer was!
More tomorrow!
We spent a great day in New Hope and then at Peddler's Village at the Cock 'n Bull Restaurant for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater - I even won a mug for figuring out who the murderer was!
More tomorrow!
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