My wife and I both cook, generally rather well with years of experience under our belts. My specialties are fish, liver and onions and last night I made lamb chops. The latter two are acquired tastes as is wild game which we also like having been raised and grown into these diets. I am also good at smoking meat, making jerky and baking breads of all types. I am a meat eater and am proud of it. Cooking on the grill (with charcoal, not propane) is another thing I like to do, I add hickory and apple hardwoods to flavor the meat to perfection.
All men should learn to cook, not only in the microwave but also on the stove, grill and campfires. This looks good on your resume when looking for a good women to marry. In my early years raising the kids we ate a large variety of fresh goods raised on our own land which included fresh vegetables, goats, chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks. My kids were bottle feed on goats milk which has been a staple for centuries.
I used to tell the kids and now my grand-kids all we had to play with when I was a kid were sticks and rocks. I made a walking stick for one of my grand kids for Christmas and wrapped up a rock for him – he got a kick out of it. All of my kids have walking sticks and carvings I have created over the years – most of the carvings are totems and tiki which I also have scattered around my yard and home. I have also made a lot of canes which I have sold or given away.
I guess my point is creating a legacy which can be passed down through the generations and to be self sufficient. These are good things to look at as new years resolutions. It is never to late to learn a new hobby.
On the other end of the spectrum I worked in procurement for a large pharmaceutical company for 36 years mostly in the engineering department to keep the machinery running and technologically advanced to remain competitive. I am self taught in electronics and and hold certifications in computer technology. I can build an electronic circuit as well as a shed or Adirondack furniture. Even in retirement I am learning new things, one shouldn’t let the brain go stagnant.
This said, I am not bragging, I am just trying to say to look at all the things you can achieve if you put your mind to it. Set your goal and work at it, and yes it does take work, moving from sticks and rocks and simple survival to keeping up with the advances in technology.
Winter Weather Advisory
We have a winter weather advisory for Mason-Lake-Osceola-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Muskegon and Ottawa counties from 7am this morning to 10pm this evening for 1 to 3 inches of snow, some areas may see more. The rest of the area may see half an inch or so.
Weather History
December 30
1976: Temperatures fall to record lows across Lower Michigan. At Lansing, the thermometer plunges to 17 below zero. It hits 11 below at Grand Rapids and Muskegon. The low at Muskegon sets the record for the month of December, which will be broken the very next day with a low of 15 below.
2000: Lansing picked up another 2.4 inches of snow, bringing the monthly total to over 33 inches and making December 2000 the snowiest December on record.
December 31
1875: The year ends on a remarkably balmy note. At Lansing, the high temperature of 70 degrees is the highest ever recorded in the month of December.
1976: One of the coldest Decembers on record ends with a second consecutive day of record lows across Lower Michigan. The temperature falls to 15 below zero at Muskegon, a record low for the date and for the entire month of December.
January 1
1876: The year begins during a three day spell of record warmth. Lansing hits 65 degrees, after setting a record of 70 degrees the day before.
1964: Arctic air sets record lows across Lower Michigan on this New Years Day. The temperature falls to 15 below zero at Grand Rapids and Muskegon hits 9 below.
1985: A severe ice storm struck southern Lower Michigan as a layer of ice up to one inch thick downed tree limbs and power lines. There were three deaths and eight injuries directly related to the ice storm. Over 430,000 electrical customers were without power, some for as long as 10 days. Total damage was estimated at nearly $50 million.
January 2
1876: Record highs are set for the third day in a row at Lansing and Detroit as the temperature reaches 62 degrees at both locations.
1999: A powerful winter storm gets underway with heavy snow and high winds shutting down travel for the next several days.
January 3
1897: Warm and wet weather prevails as a cold front approaches. High temperatures in the 50s are followed by heavy rain. This is the wettest January day on record at Muskegon, with nearly 5 inches of rain.
1918: The temperature falls to a record low of 16 below zero at Muskegon during one of the coldest months on record in Lower Michigan.
January 4
1981: Arctic air is firmly entrenched across Lower Michigan with extremely cold temperatures prevailing for the first half of the month. Eight of the first twelve days of the month fall below zero at Lansing. This is the coldest morning with a low of 29 below zero. This is the all-time low for the month of January at Lansing and the coldest temperature of the 20th century there. The temperature falls to 20 below zero at Grand Rapids and 15 below at Mount Pleasant.
1999: West Michigan is digging out from 1 to 2 feet of snow, with drifts of several feet as the Blizzard of 1999 slowly winds down. Lake effect snow will continue the next several days, however.
January 5
1912: Arctic air dominates Lower Michigan during the coldest January on record. Muskegon plunges to 12 below zero for a record low for the date.
1998: Moist southerly flow brings warm and wet weather to Lower Michigan. Highs in the 50s follow morning lows in the 40s as several days of thawing weather are observed during the first week of January.
1946: Record highs are set for a second day in a row across Lower Michigan as temperatures reach the mid and upper 50s.
I’m starting to think the bugs are going to be atrocious this summer. It’s been so warm! 😂
You know we’re in a snow drought when you can only measure the snow in 10ths or 100ths of an inch from a “storm” system. Just came back from Holland and the roads are just wet.
Roads are slippery outside becareful lots of slide offs in the GR area …INDY!
It is a winter wonderland up here in snow country. I sent MV a couple pictures from today! About 9 to 10 inches of fresh snow and temps in the mid 20’s! Absolutely beautiful!
Might as well stay there because there will be nothing here for a long time.
Well ABOVE normal temps for another week and beyond .. I dont miss shoveling, its been well over a months since i have used it.. Lol.
I used the snow blower 1 time in November to try and blow 3 or 4 inches of wet slop, now it sits in the barn again. I added stabil to the gas 2 weeks ago because it looks like it will be sitting a while.
Good idea. I will be up here the rest of this week and I have plans for mid month to return! Incredible!
The best thing about these models is two of the snowiest months will be above normal temperature wise with much less snow!! Mild and below normal snowfall winters ROCK!!
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/610temp.new.gif
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814temp.new.gif
Snowing moderate out at thee YARDofBRICKS everything is covered with snow looks lovely outside… INDY!
Lol .. Enjoy it .. 40s are coming back .. Facts …. Oh and rain . Lol !!!
Wood has 40s right through next Thursday .. Oh were is old man winter. Lol !!!!
Just a dusting here .. Enough to grease the roads up a bit .. Most has melted already ..
Indy said a big cool down was coming January 10th but….
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814temp.new.gif
Keep the facts going .. More ABOVE normal temps BELOW normal snowfall is on the way !!!!
Well we had some fine, grainy like dust/snow a couple hours ago, nothing since. If I had a magnifying glass, we prob have like 5 100ths of an inch of snow. Does that even count?
Kent county has been added to the winter weather advisory in west Michigan! INDY!
It is 29° here with some light snow falling at this time. While there should be some snow today it will be gone in a day or two as it warms back up once again. And even with todays snow fall the snow drought will continue.
Slim
Sitting on about 21 inches of snow for the winter season out at thee YARDofBRICKS yes a little low for this time of year any kind of Snowstorms or Blizzard will bring us up to speed in the snow Dept.. Even know I was a little lad and don’t remember I’m starting to hear a lot of chatter on weather sites about the year 1978 this winter being a carbon copy of what had the famous 78 Blizzard in Michigan later in the winter season, I’m sure Slim remembers that one…A Blizzard would bring snow totals up…INDY!
Hey Indy do you sometimes miss “fixxxer” ????? and does anyone remind you of good old Travis? And what ever happened to Rob Dale? Not that much here more like 17″ for the winter Anyway have a good day Indy
Slim
Sometimes I think them Crazzys are here with us just different names lol ohh the good old days .. I really miss DF both of you have great weather post and a few others.. Snowfall totals are pretty close Slim…Its snowing beautiful outside nother nice Winter day out at the YARDOFBRICKS …INDY!
Fixxxer was always good for a laugh. The last I heard, Rob Dale was still an emergency manager in Ingham county.
Well Bill Steffens chief meteorologist at wood tv 8 says the cold air will be here around January 10th through February one meteorologist I believe!! Short term get ready for some snow today with a southwest wind GR should get some decent lk effect snow this afternoon the evening commute maybe slippery…Have a wonderful Wednesday MV’S best ….INDY!
Of course he says that, he’s been saying that for over a month now. Always a week or two away, then a week or two passes and nothing. Odds are it will get colder at some point, but the time is getting shorter for that to happen. In the meantime, get ready to enjoy the awesome looking “January thaw” coming this weekend. You know the one you told us about a dozen times would never happen this year.
We also know the one that said we need to have on going cold for a January thaw right berry?? Awesome thaw coming lol..INDY!
Yup, and technically it is below freezing this morning, so that means we can have a thaw! Nice call!
LOL The same thing they said about mid to late December and the beginning of January. I’m starting to worry about WOOD’s long-term forecasting lately, especially since they also predicted 90-100″ this year.
One thing for sure Biil forcast’s everyday he don’t go fishing away when it gets warm outside ..lol INDY
Bill takes more vacations than anyone. Granted, he should at his age.
Retirement may be in the near future.. Time for Bill to enjoy time with family and travel around.. He will be missed once that happens.
Lol Bill is not going anywhere anytime soon.. Nice try…INDY..
👍
Warm and quiet continues! I see WOOD raised their temps again. There are now three 40+ degrees in the 8-day forecast. GR is over a foot of snow below average on the season.
11 days ago on Bill’s Blog, he said January would start cooler than average. Yet, yesterday was +6 degrees above average and our 22nd warm day in a row!