Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine --- Sunny day

2010-03-22T06:22:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to a new world of hope!

Sure, the health care reform bill that passed the House late Sunday night doesn't go far enough, but at least it's a start.
Now, maybe we can get a handle on the ridiculous cost of health care in this country.
Look, nobody is doubting we have some of the best doctors in the world right here in the U.S. They are doing some things that seem to be right out of Star Trek.
Still, when millions of people can't afford to go to the doctors, let alone get any kind of insurance, the system is broken.
This version of the bill is dumbed down to placate to the loud yellers, but, once again, at least it's a start.
You can't take a step down the right road without moving your feet.
Sure, the public option should have never been a barginning chip and there are still too many loopholes, but it does the heart good to see something being done to help everybody, not just the upper echelon.
There are going to be critics (not the least of which is those on hate radio who are getting their pockets lined by the health care companies), but they can go pound sand.
Two years down the line when we have more affordable insurance and more people have the option to get healthy, maybe we'll see the light.
At least that's a hope.

Rise and Shine --- Bracketology

2010-03-19T06:35:00.004-04:00

Good Morning and wasn't it nice to hear the birds singing this morning!

With all the running around this weekend (or, more specifically, sitting around at a conference), I didn't have a chance to fill out an NCAA Tournament bracket.
Usually, I am able to get around three done myself then have the children pick one and feel really bad by the end when they beat me.
This year, though, time just got away and, really, I forgot.
It's a good thing. I definitely would have picked Notre Dame, Georgetown and Marquette. When all three Big East teams lost (and Villanova nearly lost), my first thought was: 'At least I still have my five bucks!'
Seeing the weather report for the weekend made it even better. Now, when it hits 70 degrees, I won't feel the pull to put on a basketball game.
I might even try to play a basketball game, which will make my knees hate me even more.

Rise and Shine --- New World Order

2010-03-18T06:19:00.002-04:00

Good Morning and welcome, again, the sun!

Everybody tells us the newspaper game is dying, dead, severely under the weather, a victim of H1N1, being attacked from within, being attacked from without, being fired upon by blogs, being taken out by Clone Troopers and going the way of the dinosaur.
Of course, it's all true. The newspaper as a single, paper entity is dying, dead, etc. We do much more now, which, if you are one of the dozens who read this, already know, so, there's no point in going into that.
Yesterday and today the Journal Register Company, our parent company, is holding a conference to discuss where we go from here. How do we survive?
Now, if you know the history of JRC, you might be saying: 'Good Riddence to bad business.'
There is a new management team in place, they've brought in some of the top minds in the country to help convert the company into a new entity, but it's hard.
The previous regime left the company bankrupt and so far behind the technological wheel we might as well be using a stone and chisel.
After moving out of the sports department into the news department several years ago, I contacted an old editor of mine.
We talked about the business, how to approach things, how the family was doing. Then, he asked, who owns the Delaware County Times. When I responded, Well, (pregnant pause), JRC.'
He first chuckled a bit then hummed the Darth Vader theme song.
Will we survive the great Internet upheaval? I, and many around here, think (hope?) we will. At least there's a plan now (just the fact I could write any of the above words without being pulled into the Publisher's office is a testamant to that).
Sure it will be a bumpy ride, but, hey, you only live once.
So, in honor of the former JRC management who probably can't believe employees actually have a voice, I give you this:

Rise and Shine --- The spin

2010-03-16T06:05:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and here's hoping the Miccarelli family is doing OK today!

So, while flipping around the tube the other night, a commercial came on that was so off the wall it took a minute to comprehend the whole thing.
The visual looked innocent enough: A couple was sitting in a park enjoying a picnic. The woman then offered the man an ice pop. He declined, saying it was filled with high fructose corn syrup. She then went into the speech that was the point of the add, saying high fructose corn syrup wasn't bad for you.
Here's the original. Ironically, comments have been disabled on YouTube.
Now, all it takes is a simple Internet search to show how bad high fructose corn syrup really is for you.
Quickly:
Drinking high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the main ingredient in most soft drinks throughout the world, increases your triglyceride levels and your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
HFCS has also been linked to: Diabetes and Obesity
It is also a factor in Metabolic Syndrome, which is characterized as Abdominal obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen), Atherogenic dyslipidemia (blood fat disorders — high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol — that foster plaque buildups in artery walls); Elevated blood pressure; Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (the body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar); Prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor–1 in the blood); and Proinflammatory state (e.g., elevated C-reactive protein in the blood)
So, you can believe the ads. You can keep putting an artificial corn based sweetener in your body, or you can stop. The less of this stuff we put in our bodies, the more healthy we become. It's just the way it is.
By the way, there are more than 100 parody ads to the original HFCS one, here are two good ones:

Rise and Shine --- Just shake your head

2010-03-15T06:01:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to a brand-new week!

After monitoring online comments for a couple of years now, I am able to just shrug off most (even those that are posted just to spew hate). Sunday morning, I stumbled upon the following: "Let's stop the hyperbole! People die from illness, injury or age. They do NOT die from lack of health insurance. While the news media calls the current debate a debate over "health care", it's really about determining who should bear the cost of health care. Our current system would work fine with some changes - tort reform, increased funding for Medicaid, and funding for basic-care clinics that would prevent people with minor ailments from tying up expensive hospital emergency rooms. Instead, President Obama and the leaders in Congress want to remake one-sixth of our economy and pile more burden onto the taxpayers while cutting back-room deals that corrupt the whole process."
Right, let's stop the hyperbole. Yes, people die from illness, injury or age. That's about the only thing correct about this post.
They do in fact die from lack of health insurance. Let's just say you were working for a business owner who, because there wasn't a union there to fight it, didn't take the asbestos out of the office ceiling. Suddenly, you are fired and can't afford health insurance.
The doctors tell you have cancer (thanks for all that good air, boss), it is treatable, but the treatments will cost $1,000 each. Without insurance, you are expected to pay that out of pocket. When you can't pay that, you don't get the treatments. The cancer grows.
Now, lack of affordable insurance just killed you.
That's right, let's cut through the hyperbole.
The only 'backroom deals' being cut are by the insurance companies, funneling money into the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and, yes, your favorite Congressman, to kill any kind of affordability.
Get the facts, then think about health care.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Rise and Shine --- Terrorists from where?

2010-03-11T06:08:00.005-05:00

Good Morning and we're still wondering what is so wrong with everybody having affordable health care!

Meanwhile, having been to Pennsburg, it's kind of amazing it's the hot bed of terrorist activity.
Now, if there would have been stories about burning crosses and such, maybe it would be believable. There are probably more confederate flags gracing license plates in Pennsburg than Atlanta, but that's another story.
For all the bluster about terrorism coming out of the Middle East, maybe we are starting to see it comes from everywhere.
It's becoming more obvious there are terrorists all around us. That guy who was upset because the bread was a dollar more than he thought at the Giant might be a terrorist.
The person who has to drive right on top of your bumper, then hits the horn as soon as the light turns green, might be a terrorist.
Remember that lady at Starbucks who couldn't wait her turn in line? Yep, she might be a terrorist.
Tea party members might be terrorists, but they would probably only yell and scream about things they know nothing about.
There is a reason why your neighbor never cuts his grass. That's right, might be a terrorist.
If you believe everything Rush Limbaugh says ... well, your probably not a terrorist, but there are questions about your head.
So, there are terrorists all around us. Time to head to the bunker.

Rise and Shine -- Yes, it's sunny!

2010-03-10T06:13:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to the middle of the week!

Ever since the first cold air blew into the area, I've gotten the same question over and over, 'Is it going to be sunny out?'
The question, from a precocious 5-year old, was meant to ask if it's warm out.
So, yes, I would say, it's sunny out today, but it's still cold.
'Awwww!' was always the response.
Sunday, it was with great pride I could finally say it was 'sunny out.'
It's really amazing how the mind works. Yes, it looks nice outside during the doldrums of winter, but it's not exactly inviting.
Bundle up, walk outside and the first thing you want to do is run back inside.
The last few days have been a welcome respite. Sure, there was still some melting snow around, but the hope of a warm day can make a lot of things look better. Well, at least for a little bit.
Hey, there were even a few flowers blossoming from the mud.
So, while the rain and chilly air is blowing back in for the next few days, we can finally look forward to sunny days. We all need a little bit of sunshine.

Rise and Shine --- Surprise!

2010-03-09T06:11:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a nice, warm Tuesday!

The oldest boy in the household has always been a little shy. He makes a lot of friends, but doesn't really talk about them.
Monday night, Garrettford Elementary school held it's annual Literacy Night. For a variety of reasons, we've never made it to this event, which is held every year.
It's basically to promote the reading of books, something that can become somewhat lost during these Internet times. While we make everybody in the house read a book once a day, I can understand how it can be pushed aside.
It's good the school was able to put together a fun night of reading with the students.
Well, anyway, when I talk to the boy about his friends it's usually a shrug of the shoulders or something like, 'We played.'
Little did I know he was a social animal.
We walked into the building and the principal took to the time out to pat him on the back and call him by name. Several teachers in the hallway did the same. Students walking past said hello. Those in the classroom looked up to to say 'Hi.'
Now, I like to goof around with him a lot. Most of the time he goofs right back. Sometimes, he's more serious.
I thought the serious side was always on during school hours.
It made me proud to see the other side.

Rise and Shine --- The air is new

2010-03-08T06:18:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to (what feels like) spring!

Hope springs eternal, or so it's been said.
When it feels like spring, things change.
For the past few months, the early-morning requests were exactly the same: 'Can we watch TV? Can we play Wii? Can we play with the DS?'
It was cold outside. More often than not this winter, it was snowing. There are only so many times (even for children) that bundling up and heading out into the snow is fun.
With the temperatures ticking upward, though, the requests changed.
'Can we go outside? Can we go to the baseball field and practice? Can we go to the playground? Can we ride our bikes?'
That's what spring is all about. Rediscover the air. Rediscover what's important.
Sure, the heat of the summer will be upon us and the requests will change, but, now at least, there's a whole world out there to be discovered.

Rise and Shine --- Adventureland

2010-03-05T06:33:00.004-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to another Friday in a long line of Fridays!

Sometimes, you need a little adventure to break up 'normal' life. It doesn't matter if that adventure will cost you sleep or even dinner, you just need one.
Thankfully, there is a major adventure seeker living in the house, so, when the call came Monday, it was something to jump upon.
'Il Barbiere di Siviglia is playing at the Met Thursday night. Let's go!'

Sounds great. Let's do it. Of course, being in the middle of the week there was childcare, but since Grandmom and Grandpop jump at any opportunity to take care of the little ones, that was easy.
The hard part (if that really what it is) would happen Thursday afternoon/evening.
So, Grandpop got to the house by 4 p.m. It was time to hop in the car, pick up the true adventurer and hit the road.
Now, it takes about three hours (give or take) to make it to New York City. Still, it's an easy ride up I-95, then over to the turnpikes.
One quick word on the PA Turnpike. We got off I-95 at Bristol, grabbed the pay ticket, then, less than a 100 yards on the road had to pay $1.30. Kind of ridiculous.
So, despite running through rush hour, the ride to New York was relatively smooth. Well, as smooth as it could be until you hit the exit for the Lincoln Tunnel. It took about a half hour to get into the tunnel, then came a laugh. There was a Mercedes with a Florida license plate driving in front of us. Now, that's probably not unusual, but this one had a bumper sticker that read 'I miss Reagan!' Now, how could you miss Reagan and why would you put a bumper sticker on a Mercedes. It takes all kinds.
If you've never been to Lincoln Center (the home of the Metropolitan Opera), I suggest you take a ride up. It's awe-inspiring.
The tickets were waiting and, with plenty of time to relax, we couldn't wait for the show to begin.
Now, not having really listened to any opera before two years ago, I can't be called a big fan. I've learned to appreciate it immensely (Thanks again, to the adventure-seeker).

The show was fantastic. It's really amazing how the voices and music can meld together to tell a story. It doesn't matter if it's all in Italian and you don't understand a word of Italian, it's easy to get caught up in the story.
About three-and-a-half hours later, it was time to make the return trip.
Sure, we were tired, hungry and bit cranky (hey, I'd been up for nearly 24 hours), but, sometimes, the adventure is worth it all.
Even after pulling into the driveway at 3:30 a.m. (the same time my alarm usually goes off every morning), it was worth everything. It was a fantastic night.
After a winter (and so far, 2010) of absolute darkness, it was a fantastic night.
Thanks, adventure-seeker.

Rise and Shine --- Whatever..

2010-03-04T06:29:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to Thursday!

There have been a lot of cool snow creations this winter. We've seen snowpeople in the shapes of Flyers fans and football players. We've seen sculptures that would rival some in art museums. We've seen children building tunnels. We've seen some light up. We've seen many fall down.
Well, a family in New Jersey decided to create a snow Venus de Milo.
It was pretty well done, although not as good as others around the region.
Of course, since we can't do anything anymore without offending somebody, there was a complaint to the police.
The family was forced to dress the sculpture.
Next snow (hopefully not for another 10 years, but that's another story), we should all build naked snow people. Let's give everybody a run.

Rise and Shine --- Opinions are like...

2010-03-03T06:23:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and wasn't it better to see the rain instead of the snow?

So, in today's Daily Times, columnist Gil Spencer talks to someone who will be trying to get Joe Sestak's old seat in the U.S. House.
Why Sestak is giving it up is another (head scratcher) opinion in itself, today we wonder about the opinion of one Jim Schneller.
Jim Schneller is one of those (birthers?) who claim Barack Obama is an illegal president because he is not a citizen of the U.S.
Uh. Uh. OK.
Well, even though it's been proven over and over and over again Obama is a legal citizen, well, opinions are like noses (or something like that).
So, let's just get to the bottom line.
The reason Barack Obama shouldn't be president of the United States is because he's really from the planet Zoltron. He came down here to steal the American presidency (because, obviously, if you can travel millions of miles to another planet the first thing you want to do is get the most high-profile job).
Apparently, he brought Jeff Goldblum and Jim Carrey to help facilitate the mission.
Those two, of course, were demoralized by Hollywood, so it was up to Obama to go it alone.
Now, he's going to crush us all by making health care more affordable and pull us out of the economic doldrums.
I say, get back on the space ship.

Rise and Shine --- Wonderment

2010-03-02T06:17:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to the Tuesday before the storm!

So, while driving around last night, the tunes coming from the radio had three children (10, 7 and 5) listening intently.
They closed their eyes. They let the sounds invade their head. They smiled. They didn't argue (which, in itself is a miracle).
Most of the time, the radio, if on at all, is tuned to Jazz or something light so as not to get them too fired up.
Last night, it was opera.
For some, it would mean even more yelling. 'Put something else on,' they might say. 'We hate this. Put on real music.'
It does the heart good when that doesn't happen. Instead, they enjoyed the sounds. They even started picking out how some Mozart (who died in 1791) music has been 'stolen' by today's 'artists' and changed.
Hey, when a 10-year old says he wants the prelude to Carmen for a ring tone, well, maybe there's hope for the new generation.

Rise and Shine --- Comments

2010-03-01T06:15:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a new week (and a full moon)!

For the last couple of years, we here at delcotimes.com have allowed readers to post comments on stories.
When it started, every comment was reviewed before it was posted. It became a daunting job (nearly a full-time job in itself) to read all the comments. Then, we went to an unmoderated forum. Everything was posted immediately.
As you can imagine, that only made things worse. Finally, we settled on the way things work now. You have to register with a real e-mail address, then you can post.
While most of those in the community use the comments to spur good conversation, there are those out there who just want to spew hate.
Either they think their comments are somehow funny or they need to feel superior, well, we'll never know.
When a story becomes a hot-button issue, it brings out all kinds. There are well thought out arguments (on both sides) about everything from earthquakes to health care to, most recently, teen suicide.
Unfortunately, when there is a big issue it also brings out the hate. For the past week, we've received nearly 40 'report abuse' notifications a day.
Now, we take every comment seriously. We want the conversation to flow.
What we don't want or need is racist or hurtful comments. Those will be gone immediately and the poster will be banned.
If you don't like it, so be it

Rise and Shine --- Party, Hardly

2010-02-26T06:10:00.003-05:00

Welcome to a new day that's best spent under the covers!

So, forgetting that stuff all over the place outside, there is some interesting controversy brewing in Canada.
Even though these Olympic Games look a lot like a souped-up version of the X-Games, some stodgy old types don't like what's happening.
Last week, U.S. snowboarder Scotty Lago was sent home after partying too hearty.
Then, last night, after the Canadian women won the gold medal in hockey, they had the audacity to drink Molson and smoke cigars on the ice.
Say it isn't so!
Athletes have fun after the pressure's off. What in the name of Tiger Woods is going on here?
Now, the International Olympic Committee is upset. The powers-that-be want an investigation.
Well, I'll save them the money (or they can send a check here): People drink. People have fun. People laugh.
If you don't like it, go back to the offices in Switzerland and watch the snow fall.
Never mind, just come here and do the same thing.

Rise and Shine --- Oh no, Snow!

2010-02-25T06:31:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and is this winter becoming a joke, or what?

So, there's another storm hitting us today. Those who are hooked on the word 'warming' in Global Warming like to put out their half-thought out ideas every time it snows.
Now, if you can actually look out the window and say the climate is not changing in a major way, well, I'm happy for you.
When the Easter Bunny comes by for tea, tell him (or her) I said hello.
Look, no matter what the wackos want to say, there is a significant climate change going on across the earth. These huge storms that seem to hit us every few weeks are only part of it.
Hurricanes have been stronger (remember Katrina?), earthquakes have been more devastating (Haiti?) and tidal waves are knocking out whole communities (Thailand?). So, focus on the word 'warming' if you want and don't be surprised if the Easter Bunny brings his buddy the Tooth Fairy.

Rise and Shine --- Huh?

2010-02-24T06:32:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to the calm before the storm!

Now, maybe it's just me, but I have to think there are more important things for the members of Congress to be doing right now than grilling the head of Toyota.
Yeah, they screwed up their cars, but it'll get fixed. The public will keep buying Toyotas (if we ever start buying new cars again) and Japan will survive.
Sounds more like some are trying to take the focus off more important issues.
Want one, how about health care.
Just look around people, we are being bankrupted by big health care companies. One company in California raised their rates 39 percent. Most of us will see at least a 15 percent price hike. Suddenly, you are paying a quarter of your earnings for insurance.
Sure, we need it, but anybody who says we don't need some kind of reform has their head in, well, the sand (I was going to say Rush Limbaugh, but, this is a family Web site, right?)
Now, Republican leaders are saying they are going to to everything to block any kind of health care reform.
So, as we grow sicker because we can't afford care, think about how some 'leaders' are getting their pockets lined.

Rise and Shine --- Now, that's funny

2010-02-23T06:20:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a wet Tuesday!

So, the first Superman comic book sold for $1 million yesterday.
This kind of thing is always a little strange. First of all, who saves a comic book? You buy it, read it, pass it around and maybe it comes back. Most of the time when it comes back, the pages are torn or cut out.
Somebody, though, saved this comic book since 1938 and apparently it's in perfect condition. It's probably not been in the air for years.
Not only is that strange, but somebody actually had $1 million sitting around and the best they could do was buy a comic book.
Strange days indeed.
I remember back in the day when my grandmother passed along some of my dad's old comic books. At the time, I was just happy to read them. I showed them to my friends. The covers got ripped off. They were drawn on.
Now, I'm thinking I should have taken the books, put them in zip lock bags and stored them in a temperature-controlled room.
Then again, it was more fun to look at them.

Rise and Shine --- Four years later...

2010-02-22T06:13:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to the start of a new week!

Every four years when the Winter Olympics invade our living room, we get to see events we don't see any other time.
Take for instance, curling. Please, take it. Like take it away.
It appears the only real reason curling is part of the Olympics is for viewers to scratch their heads. What the heck is that?
What are they doing with that big thing (rock?) they are are sliding down the ice. If you watched the curling Saturday night, you more likely would be saying, 'What are those guys doing with those brooms?'
OK, there's a skill involved. You have to to sweep (?) the ice to keep the thing moving and try to get it into the circle. Players can also knock off opponent's stones.
Uh, Oh, that one was pushed too fast, it's going to leave the circle.
Whatever?
The only thought while watching the event (and this came from somebody who's never seen it before) is it's borderline obscene. Then again, they probably have a lot of fun at practice.

Rise and Shine --- Hi, it's Tiger...

2010-02-19T06:15:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to end of the week!

So, does anybody really (I mean really beyond the spectacle of the thing) care about what Tiger Woods has to to say today?
By the way, you can watch it BY CLICKING HERE.
He's got a billions in the bank. He's lived a charmed life. He apparently really likes pancakes.
Sure, many will watch it this morning because, well, we like to see stars fall. We like to see those who thought they were somehow better than us scrape their knee (well, in the case of Tiger, something else).
It would probably be more interesting if he stood up today and said: 'Hi, it's Tiger. Uh, I'm available to tape voice mail messages. In fact, I'm going to give up golf to become a dating expert. I really liked that Will Smith movie and it appears to be a lot less stressful than golf. Don't take my number off your phone, in fact, here's the new 800 line."
Maybe he'll come out and say this: "Hi, it's Tiger. Uh, I'm going to become a reality TV star."
Or, he could go the pro wrestling route: "Yeah, I'm Tiger. I can beat you on the dating scene and the golf course. Deal with it."
Here's the music that could be played as he walks to the podium:

Rise and Shine --- What Games?

2010-02-18T05:57:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to another day without new snow!

So, the Winter Olympics are taking place in Vancouver. USA, USA, USA, or something like that.
Having only caught bits and pieces of the Olympics (that curling again is oh so exciting), I still don't get all the National Pride.
There are no 'bad' Russians any more to root against. It's not like Iran is sending a team of skiers to Canada. Even if they did, the story of their struggle to learn skiing in the desert would make them fan favorites.
Over the years, the hope is anyway, that we've evolved out of this 'Us vs. Them' mentality. You don't hope the German skier falls or the Korean skater hits the wall. You want to see some great competition, let the best win and we can all cheer.
We've advanced that far as a group of people, right? Right?
Oh, never mind:

Rise and Shine --- Healing power of music

2010-02-17T06:08:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome to a brand-new day!

Ever notice no matter how bad the day is going, you hear a song (whether it be on the radio, iPod or getting gas at Wawa) that turns the mood.
Sure, there are a lot of depressing songs out there, but sometimes all you need is a good tune to turn things around.
It might be a song you previously didn't like or maybe didn't pay much attention when it was playing.
Then, boom, the song touches your soul.
Maybe we all need a good soundtrack for life.

Rise and Shine -- Shopping?

2010-02-16T06:12:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and who wasn't annoyed by that snow this morning?

When the first calls for big snow come around, the food stores get packed. Everybody fills up the pantry, just in case they can't get out for a week or so.
Most of the time, this is kind of funny. After all, most of our snows last a day, then everybody gets around. You don't really need all those frozen dinners.
Of course, the snow over the last couple of weeks made the run to the supermarket a good idea. We were snowed in. We needed something to eat, especially after shoveling the mess.
When the roads got cleared this past weekend, though, it appears the mall was was the place to be. Anybody who ventured out Sunday found out they weren't alone.
The malls were packed (if anybody was actually buying something, well, that's another story). There were no parking spots to be found. The little stores were wall-to-wall people.
After sitting in the house all those days, it seemed like a good idea. Head over the King of Prussia and move around a bit. If you have children, though, there's one store you need to hit. That's the Lego store.
Sunday, Valentine's Day, there were so many people in the Lego store you couldn't help but bump into somebody. Children couldn't even run around because there was no space. The line stretched out of the store.
All right, five minutes is up, let's move on.
A quick walk out and the promise of chocolate led to the Godiva store. Even though it was a big candy-buying day, Godiva was not nearly as crowded as Lego.
What does that mean? Maybe You Tube has something to do with it:

Rise and Shine --- Cabin Fever

2010-02-15T06:21:00.004-05:00

Good Morning and wasn't it nice to not have to shovel this morning!

So, the biggest offshoot of all this snow is school closings.
You know, it's nice a couple of times a winter (once?), to get that extra snow day. It gives students a chance to regroup and just have some fun in the snow.
When we are stretching into a week off, well, it's way too much.
A Facebook from Lansdale says if there is another snow day tomorrow, she's taking her children and dropping them off on the doorstep of the superintendent.
Now, that might be going too far, but anybody who's been home with school-age children during this epic week, well, you can understand the sentiment.
There are only so many snowmen to be built. There are only so many times you can say 'Read a book' or 'Clean your room!' There are only so many indoor games of tag anybody can take.
It's time to get back to school!
If tonight's snowstorm turns out worse than expected (they are currently calling for about an inch), I forsee a band of parents shoveling a path to school.

Rise and Shine --- Take this snow and shovel it

2010-02-11T06:21:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and welcome back to 'The Day After Tomorrow!'

Here are some huge high fives for those who made it to work, home from work and kept the roads plowed during this epic blizzard.
This morning, after digging out the car, the roads proved to be passable. Much more than around 5 p.m. Wednesday, when cars were getting stuck all over the place and life became very scary.

Now, what exactly do we do with all that snow.
The piles were gigantic before that second round hit yesterday. Heck, there was too much out there Tuesday night. Of course, it's all going to go somewhere, like our basements.
You know, even those who profess to 'love snow' have to be hating things right about now. That is, unless you are a student and are getting an extra-long break.
So, I announced last night, I guess we all hate snow right now.
'I love it,' said Liam.
You love it. How can you love this?
'It looks nice,' was the retort.
Sure, it looks great if you get off from school and don't have to shovel. Then, it looks like the seventh level of Armageddon.