Thursday, January 21, 2016

Thursday Thirteen 402:

01. While much of the country braces for a major winter storm, my area is breathing a sigh of relief that the system is giving us a miss — fifteen states and more than 50 million people are in the storm’s path, with some areas expected to see two feet of snow by week’s end.

02. We were rather spoiled by Mother Nature with a mild December that saw above normal temperatures that included a new high of 60 F one day. Alas, since NYE, we have had more "seasonable" temps, with below freezing and even sub-zero temps this past week.

03. That does not mean the ice on the lakes is one hundred percent safe. While some areas are thick enough to support people, the ice is not thick enough for ATV's or snowmobiles, as one ice fisherman found out the hard way early Wednesday morning. Luckily, his ATV had flotation devices, he was seen going into the water, and was rescued in a timely manner. He is recovering at home from hypothermia.

04. Sadly, you don't need to fall into a lake to suffer hypothermia, as there were at least two incidents in this week's news of people freezing outside homes. One person was found in time and survived; one young woman was not so lucky. In below freezing temps with extreme windchills, frostbite begins to set in within minutes.

05. Speaking of weather, Groundhog Day is fast approaching, and the nearby city of Sun Prairie is still searching for a new groundhog, as well as an "understudy," should they not be able to obtain a new Jimmy in time. Last year's groundhog was released from his duties after he bit the ear of the former SP mayor.

06. And speaking of holidays, while the extra money was appreciated, I am so glad "holiday" hours are over. I have actually had time to make cards and do some stitching this month, and have already completed several ornaments and pieces for another small project in the works.

07. I have also had more time for books, and have already read more than 800 pages this month. Of course, 610 of that was from the same book.

08. As I'm sure you've heard, this year's Oscar nominations were announced last week. As you may have also heard, there is quite the hullabaloo over the lack of "diversity" and claims of racism among members of the Academy, with many actors and other performers declaring they will boycott the awards. The Academy has announced coming changes that may expand the nominees for acting categories from five to eight or ten.

09. Personally, I do not feel that this is a reflection on the Academy or a lack of opportunity, so much as the type of movies being made. I am constantly amazed by the tripe that ranks among top movies each week, but as long as people continue to patronize these low-brow offerings, they will continue to be made. The same applies with television. Stop watching garbage and they'll stop making it.

10. On a higher-caliber note, the century old Al Ringling Theater in Baraboo, WI is scheduled to reopen in February after major refurbishments. The historic marquee was relit this week.

11. Scientists believe they have found a new planet to replace the demoted Pluto at the edge of our solar system. Nicknamed Planet Nine, it is 10 times the size of Earth.

12. The next presidential election is ten months off and I am already tired of it all. I especially wish Trump (and his new best friend Sarah Palin) would go away. Why can't we pass laws in this country as they have in others to shorten the election cycle? Imagine how much good all those millions of campaign dollars could be put to were it not for years of running!

13. A "final jeopardy" clue on this week's Jeopardy! has been making headlines for the simple fact that all contestants bet everything they had, and every one of them guessed the same wrong answer. I can honestly report that I got it right. The clue: "A 1957 event led to the creation of a national historic site in this city, signed into law by a president whose library is now there too." Can you guess the correct city?





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12 comments:

Lea said...

A very interesting list!
Maybe they should have kept the groundhog and replaced the mayor - there are a lot more politicians than groundhogs out there!
Glad you are missing this winter storm. They are predicting snow for us way down here in Mississippi!
Lea

Heather said...

Lea: They did replace the mayor -- note the word "former"? *G* I've actually seen a lot more groundhogs on my summer walks along my local bike trail than I used to, and even had one come loping down a hill towards me at a local park -- he veered off the path before I could get a picture, but he was adorable.

colleen said...

I thought the same about the Academy Awards nominations until I learned that the Academy is made up of 90% whites and mostly older men. That groundhog bite was funny. I got a bit by a dog recently and the owner shot it!

Heather said...

Colleen: Will Smith was on GMA this morning talking about the issue (Spike Lee was there yesterday), and admitted that both times he has been nominated for best actor, he did NOT lose to a white actor (Jamie Foxx won in 2005 and Forest Whitaker in 2007), so there is diversity, just maybe not as much this year as some would like.

Alice Audrey said...

I have no idea which city. You aren't going to leave me guessing, are you?

Shelley Munro said...

I can't imagine that much snow! Surely the awards should be chosen on talent and an actor/actress doing an outstanding job? What they're essentially saying is they need help because they can't compete on a level playing field. They're admitting they're not good enough. At least that's the way I see it.

Mia Celeste said...

Good post. I like your list. I'm thinking about how cold it's been lately and wondering if we have it better or worse than Planet Nine. Grin. I know we're fortunate. I love that Wisconsin weather changes frequently. I'm hoping it'll change for the better. :)

CountryDew said...

I'm in the two feet of snow area - I think we have about 6 inches so far and it's still snowing. Lucky me.

Planet Nine is really the Death Star, you know.

And people will never stop watching drivel. We've come too far down intellectually for that to happen.

Forgetfulone said...

No snow here in Texas near the gulf coast. The coldest it's been so far this year is in the upper 30's. I really want to know the answer to that final jeopardy question! You've got me really curious.

Unknown said...

It's great to see the news pass.
I wonder about the weather . December was here far too warm too. The past days have been cold, bit tomorrow it'll be 13 degrees celcius again. I can't remember those temps just before my birthday.

My 13:
http://www.heartoflaane.com/2016/01/thursday-13-1.html

Heather said...

Shelley: One location measured 42 inches of snow from this weekend's storm. Here? Nothing but flurries. I'm with you -- you'd think someone would rather be nominated on merit rather than be a token minority.

Anita: I hope you and hubby have come through the storm okay. Sadly true about the drivel, and LOL at your Death Star comment.

Mia: Looks like temps are to be around 40 in our area for next weekend. Looks like we'll be above freezing today, too. Alas, it will be snowing by the time I catch the bus home this evening. :-\

Heather said...

Laane: The weather seems quite confused this year due to el nino. California is being hammered by rain (which they need, but not quite so much at one time), southern states that don't usually see snow are seeing both it and/or colder than normal temps, while we here in the north had a mild December and are below normal on snow. And then there are the eastern states, which will be digging out for some time from this weekend's storm.

Alice and Forgetfulone: The Jeopardy! answer was Little Rock.

Forgetfulone: Hope you're keeping warm in those unusually cold temps.