Saturday, December 31, 2011

Top 10: The Dietrich

And finally, my favorite picture of the year.  I took this one on the morning of September 12, shortly after the Susquehanna River receded.  Tunkhannock's Dietrich theater took on a lot of water.  Volunteers pitched in before and after the flood to make sure the Dietrich survived.

I hope you and your family have a happy and safe 2012.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Top 10: McDade Park

Today's offering is the coal miner's statue at McDade Park in Scranton.  It was taken January 5.

Here's why I like it, in addition to the cool statue.  The flag jumps out against the menacing, grey winter clouds.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Top 10: Wilkes University

Today's top ten offering is a little reminder of spring time on a cold, winter day.

I took this one the afternoon of April 27th at Wilkes University.

John Wilkes is keeping an eye on the green space and the clock tower behind the library.  As you can see, the leaves were just starting to appear on the trees.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Top 10: Flash Flood

I've been doing this broadcasting thing for more than thirty years now, and the July 4 flash flooding in Plymouth and Plymouth Township was among the worst I've ever seen.

Above is what happened when Coal Creek came roaring down Coal Street.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Top 10: The Watres Armory

I love this building, and I'm worried about it.

The National Guard moved out of the ancient Watres Armory in Scranton, into a new building on Olyphant Avenue in the city.  The cornerstone on the Watres says "1877."

What do you do with an old, massive armory?  Even though it's on the National Register of Historic Places, I fear this story will not have a happy ending.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Top 10: Tunkhannock

Regular blog readers know that I like history, and this is among my favorite courthouses in the area.  This is the Wyoming County Courthouse in Tunkhannock.

The picture was taken on the spectacular, unseasonably warm, and clear afternoon of March 17.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

I was doing some aimless wandering last week, looking for a Christmas blog item.  I decided to use this-- the nativity scene across from Carbondale City Hall.  You don't see many nativity scenes these days, so I thought it could use a little exposure.

It happens every year.  There are complaints about the season losing its meaning and political correctness being involved.  Apologies in advance for the lecture, but I look at it like this.  If you hear someone say "Happy Holidays," it's to include everyone-- not exclude.  If you think someone's taking the Christ out of Christmas, too bad.  That's their problem.  Holidays and religion are personal matters.  Celebrate the day the way you want it celebrated, and by doing that, Christmas traditions remain alive.
By the way, Carbondale has a lot of holiday charm.  It's small town America.  I hope your Christmas is a great one.

The Top Ten Photos of 2011 continues tomorrow.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Top 10: Dushore

I thought this picture would be a good Top Ten offering for Christmas Eve-- two churches, on a hill, in Dushore.

This one was taken on the morning of July 26.

Dushore and much of Sullivan County got whacked by flooding in September, and I hope the joy of the season brings some comfort to those who suffered losses.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Top 10: Mellow Park

I learned a long time ago that one of the keys to surviving winter is to go out and do something fun in the cold.  Bad photography falls in to that category.

This picture was taken the morning of February 5.  It is a shot of the snow covered and abandoned basketball court at Mellow Park in Peckville, just waiting for spring time.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Top 10: Tamaqua

There are parts of our area that have a bad reputation.  When a lot of people hear "Tamaqua" they think "old coal town."

Think again.  It's actually a very nice little town, and proof of that is this photo from the morning of July 5.  A fountain, train station, park and gazebo really brighten up the center of the borough.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Top 10: The Susquehanna River

A lot of organizations select a "Newsmaker of the Year."  My pick for 2011 is the Susquehanna River.

This is a shot of the Water Street Bridge in Pittston, looking west.  It was taken the morning of September 8, as the rain from Tropical Storm Lee was sending the Susquehanna to record levels.

It's amazing how a beautiful recreational asset one day can be a devastating menace the next.  As hard as we try, the best we can do is an attempt to contain it and minimize the damage.  The river always wins.  Nature is undefeated.

No one believed there could be another Agnes.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Top 10 Preview

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Get ready for the third annual "Top 10 Photographs of the Year" series of blogs.

As always, these are not necessarilly the best and most beautiful shots of the year, but they are my favorites-- even though some depict diffucult days here in our area.

It almost didn't happen.  I nearly lost my files due to a computer issue back in October, but a talented techie saved my butt.  He also saved my database of the times, places, and subjects of my photographs.

I learned my lesson.  The database is now a Google document, immune from local hardware issues.  I also promise to be a bit better at backing up my work.

Going through a year's worth of photos is always a lot of fun.  I now spend a lot of my professional time behind a desk, but I do get out once in a while.  It was an interesting year, and there was never a shortage of subjects to photograph.  Reviewing the shots is a nice way to remember the places I've been and the things I've seen.

The Top Ten starts tomorrow.  You have been warned.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Working Christmas

I was doing some math the other day, and I figured out that I worked my first Christmas 30 years ago.

More math:  I've worked between 20 and 25 Christmasses over the years.

Don't cry for me.  When you take a job in broadcasting, you have to understand that working holidays is part of the package.  I'm continually amazed at the number of kids entering the business who just don't get it.  What are they teaching them in college?

Anyway, back to my first "professional" Christmas.  It was at WARM 590 in December of 1981.  The work wasn't difficult-- putting on a tape of Handel's Messiah at midnight, followed by hours and hours of pre recorded Christmas music on reel-to-reel tapes.  It was torture for someone who doesn't like Christmas music, but it was a job, and I was happy to have it.

Now, remember this was the time before massive broadcasting conglomerates.  The ownership cap was seven AM and seven FM stations-- total.  There are companies that now have close to those totals in one city.  I was locked in the WARM Building in Avoca, all night, all alone-- just me and the Carpenters singing every Christmas song known to man, with an occasional Feliz Navidad thrown in.

We had a Christmas tree in the lobby.  The office staff had a habit of unplugging it at 5 PM, the end of their day.  I had a habit of plugging the tree in again.  It gave the place some needed warmth, and it needed it badly.

The hours dragged, but finally, at 6 AM Christmas morning, my shift came to an end.  If memory serves, Vince Sweeney was my relief.  I stayed for a few minutes to chat with Vince, and then, I was on my way home, to sleep through Christmas.

Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, so I'll be working and that's not a problem.  As I mentioned in previous blogs, I'm not a holiday guy.

Remember, if you are working on Christmas this year, you are not alone.  Happy Holidays!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Bad Photography Sunday: Back at the Park

More reasons to like South Abington Park...  the path is paved and lit.  It's lined with benches, and there is shelter, including bathrooms, adjacent.

The one drawback-- the path isn't very long, but this is a place where the plusses far outweigh the minuses.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Bad Photography Saturday: The Park

It's called South Abington Park, and it runs along Leggett's Creek in Lackawanna County.  It was always on my list of places to visit, and Thanksgiving morning was my day.

Covered bridges over a pretty creek-- can't go wrong.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday Scrapple

A look at the calendar shows 2011 is almost over, to it's time for a little scrapple and to tie up some loose ends...

The last days of the year will be dedicated to some of my favorite photos from the past twelve months.  I'll toss in a thought or two if and when something enormous happens.

I usually find December flies by, but it seems to be dragging this year, and I just can't figure it out.

My number of Twitter followers increases every few days, and once again, I thank you for that.  I feel obligated to Tweet more, but let's face it-- my life isn't that interesting.  Also, I pick up new Linked In contacts every few days.  I'm flattered.

Accused child molester Jerry Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning.  Despite the comments of the defense, you can't help but think a plea deal is in the works.  90 per cent of the time, the end result of a preliminary hearing is the charges being forwarded to trial, but it does give the defense a good look at the proseuction's case, and a chance to see how witnesses react on the stand.  If there's no plea deal, waiving the hearing is a huge mistake.  You can't say precedence has been set.  The defense has made a lot of mistakes the last couple months-- including allowing Sandusky to open his yap.

By the way, please tell Mr. Sandusky's legal team that I've never required a lesson in how to shower.

The NFL has its shortcomings, but the big networks really like it.  It's simple-- big ratings.  There's a new TV contract.  CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN will pay a combined $ 2 billion a season.  There are some tweaks and changes, but things will essentially stay as-is, but with the NFL getting a 60 per cent bigger pay day.

I blew through one of the shopping malls yesterday afternoon, and it was extremely busy.  Every year, we hear dire predictions on consumer spending, and every year, people blow through a lot of cash and rack up credit card debt.

I can complain about anything-- except this year's November and December weather.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sunday Morning

Thank you, Roone Arledge.

Sunday mornings used to be a public affairs wasteland.  ABC used to have something called "Issues and Answers," a totally forgettable program.  When Arledge took over ABC News, he decided to change things.  David Brinkley was hired in the early 80's, "This Week" was born, and things started to move.

The increased competition caused NBC and CBS to up their games.  CBS had "Sunday Morning" in 1979.  Eventually, weekend editions of "Today" and "Good Morning America" were born. WNEP has been doing weekend morning news for around 20 years.  As someone who's been there for the last 13 and a half, thank you for watching.  Weekends are important.

Now that I've built the foundation...  ABC announced Tuesday that Christiane Amanpour will leave "This Week" to become ABC's global affairs correspondent, and she will also report for CNN.  Great move!

I thought Amanpour was okay on Sunday mornings, but Washington politics clearly isn't her thing.  ABC tried to make the broadcast more internationally focused, but after all these years, viewers are accustomed to a Washington centered broadcast.  It wasn't bad, but it really didn't work.  On top of that, we're headed in to a presidential election year.  Politics will be huge.

I smelled something wrong Saturday night.  Amanpour was MIA at the Republican presidential candidates' debate in Iowa.  Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos handled it.  You would think the anchor of your Sunday morning Washington broadcast would play a role.  It didn't happen.

In an admirable display of common sense, ABC announced "Good Morning America" anchor Stephanopoulos is headed back to "This Week."  He'll continue to anchor GMA, but only four days a week.  Stephanopoulos had TW for eight years, and he grew as a broadcaster during that time.  I thought he'd bomb on GMA, but I was wrong.  The ratings are up.  While Stephanopoulos seems uncomfortable with the fluff, the rest of the broadcast is strong.  I'm sure TW will be a better broadcast because of Stephanopoulos' GMA experience.

CBS announced on Sunday that "Face the Nation" with Bob Schieffer will go to an hour for 20 weeks beginning in April, and possibly even longer.  You can't help but like anything Bob Schieffer does.

Throughout all of this, one thing is abundantly clear-- competition makes everyone stronger.  See you this weekend.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Power

It is perhaps my favorite line in politics and one of my favorite lines of all time.  It came from Governor Robert Casey.  "What did you do when you had the power?"

Casey knew politicians had the juice to get things done, and he hated to see that ability wasted.  Whether or not you agreed with his politics and policies, Casey's line is a great one.

Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo, who did not seek reelection this year, now has some questions about the deal essentially turning over the local AAA baseball franchise to Mandalay Entertainment and the New York Yankees.  Washo went public with his questions just weeks before leaving office, and just days before control of the team passes out of local hands.

Mandalay is the organization that presided over huge drops in attendance, and anti-fan attitudes.

What did you do when you had the power?

Washo was one of the architects of the plan he now questions.  Admittedly, the Washo plan is better than one first drafted by then-commissioner Bob Cordaro.  It still leaves a lot to be desired, and lacks some essential guarantees.

Too little, too late.

What did you do when you had the power?

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

LCCC Trees II

Photographing Christmas trees presents a challenge.  If you use the flash, you wash out the lights.  If you turn off the flash, the lights can be overwhelming, and the tree itself is too dark.

Be that as it may, here are "my" favorites at this year's Luzerne County Community Festival of Trees.


Above is first runner up.  It's the entry from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

And below is my personal favorite.  It was done by the Cross Valley Federal Credit Union.
The pictures don't do justice to the trees, so I should explain my selections.  It's rather simple.  I went for the traditional look.

I know it's early, but Merry Christmas, and if you're in the Nanticoke area, stop by to see the trees in the Educational Conference Center at LCCC.

Monday, December 12, 2011

LCCC Trees I

I found myself with a little extra time off last week, and an itch to play with the camera.

A weekend newspaper story about a Festival of Trees tweaked my curiosity, so I drove down to take a look.

There are several trees on display inside LCCC's Educational Conference Center, each decorated by a different organization.  The trees will be on display until the 21st.  You can vote for your favorite.  Votes cost $1 each, and all the money raised goes to the American Red Cross.
I have absolutely no decorating skill, so I love looking at the work of others.  There are some really nice trees on display here, and it's even better because the money raised goes to charity.  Tomorrow, I'll show you my favorites.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Bad Photography Sunday: Diesels

A check of the list shows it's been a while since I've inflicted some train photos on you.

This one was taken shortly after sunrise on Thanksgiving morning.  The sun is low in the sky behind me, and that's my shadow in the foreground.

One of the engines was fired up.  The freight moves, even on a holiday.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Bad Photography Saturday: Freight Station

This is one of our area's treasures.  It's the old railroad freight station on West Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton.

It's also one of our area's tragedies.  The building has been empty for decades.  Plans to put something in it have repeatedly fallen through.

The building is in private hands.  Unlike Wilkes-Barre's Hotel Sterling and train station, this one is buttoned up and doesn't appear to be deteriorating.

Let's hope the old freight station gets developed into something spectacular one of these days.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Marywood & Me Again

It is my greatest yearly challenge as a bad amateur photographer-- the Marywood Christmas tree.

The rotunda of the Liberal Arts Building is relatively dark.  A flash washes out the LED tree lights.  The tree lights overwhelm the photo without the flash.  I always try a shot or two on every setting my camera has, and I usually get something barely passable.

The photo above was taken late Tuesday afternoon.  To quickly review, the Christmas spirit does not come to me easily.  The Marywood tree lighting gives me a nice little kick.  And, thank you Marywood for continuing to have the tree lighting AFTER Thanksgiving, as it should be.

For years, I wondered why I never attended the rotunda tree lighting as a student.  The answer finally appeared on Marywood's web site.  The tree lighting was an outdoor thing until 1982-- mid-way through my senior year.  I took an excess number of credits during my freshman and sophomore years.  I took at least one class every summer.  By the time my senior year rolled around, I wasn't spending much time on campus.  In fact, I wasn't even considered a full time student in the second semester of my senior year.

This year's tree lighting took place just three days after I chided Marywood, via blog, for a few things.  Several people spoke to me about it when I was on campus Tuesday.  Some agreed with what I wrote.  Some disagreed.  All were civil, and I can thank Marywood's culture for that.  I tracked a spike in blog hits on Friday, so I knew I was going to hear about it.

Part of Friday's blog dealt with the operation of the radio station.  I remarked on the lack of local content on a recent morning.  I was informed that the station is staffed with real live bodies beginning in the late morning, and continuing all afternoon and in to the night.  While I was relieved to hear that, it is still disappointing that all I heard was an endless stream of music.  Please, do something that reflects your city and your university community, even if it's recorded, and even if it lasts one minute out of every hour.  The station never sounded better, and in a lot of ways, that's a step backward.  Remember, owning a broadcasting license carries responsibility.

A few people encouraged me to visit more than once a year, and get involved in some alumni activities.  I'm not sure it will happen, but it was nice to be asked.  I'm not what you would call a "joiner."

I could tell there was some hurt and resentment over the Princeton Review "unhappy student" survey.  In some ways, it should be a wake up call to the Marywood community, even though the Princeton Review process appeared flawed.  Coming from one who doesn't bleed Marywood green, it even bothered me a bit.  It's been said many times, many ways.  A higher education is what you make of it.  My four years wasn't a barrel of laughs, but I was grateful my parents afforded me the opportunity.    I kept myself busy, on and off campus.  The time flew by, and I didn't regret choosing Marywood.  You wouldn't know it by reading the quarterly alumni magazine, but I've done okay.

In retrospect, Marywood was a good choice.  I'm from a small town, and I went to a small high school.  A relatively small college made sense.  Location and expense were the big issues at the time.  More things became clear after I received my diploma.

I won't pick apart last week's blog and Tuesday's visit issue-by-issue.  I do understand the blog was discussed and distributed in some Marywood offices.  It's possible absolutely nothing will change, but at least the university listened, and I thank the people there for that.

Same time, next year.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Long Ranger

With apologies to my friends in the weather office, I put very little stock in long range winter forecasts.  Weather patterns change every few weeks.  You might be able to spot a trend or two.  Accuracy?  It's just not happening.  I don't blame the meteorologists.  That's just the nature of the beast.  Seven days is about as far as it goes, and those last couple days are just a rough guide.

I noted earlier how the squirrels seemed more active this fall, how their fur was thick and it turned whiter earlier than normal.  That would seem to indicate a harsh winter is ahead.  The squirrels.  They know.

On the other hand, there's a big indicator this winter will be milder than normal.  I bought a new pair of boots a couple weeks ago.  The boots are in a box, in a closet.  They weren't cheap.  People who spend time outside in the winter know the value of a good pair of boots.  With my luck, my investment will remain in the box, and it won't pay off this winter.

I'm okay with that.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Best Laid Plans

Okay, I was wrong about this one.

Last month, I wrote that Coke's plan to put its flagship brand in white cans for Christmas was genius.  A lot of people collect Coke items, and the cans really stood out on supermarket shelves.  I could see people buying the white cans to drink the contents, and to collect something unusual.  Coke has never appeared in a white can.

Well, things didn't go quite as planned.  Coke is pulling the white cans.  The problem?  Too many people were confusing the white with the silver Diet Coke cans.

I didn't buy the white cans, but I did look at them in stores.  I didn't confuse them for Diet Coke cans, but I can understand how that can happen.

Coke is the top selling soft drink in the USA.  You would have thought Coke understood not to screw with the brand after the "new Coke" debacle of the 80's.   We've now learned it applies to what's inside the can, and what's on the outside.

But then again, conspiracy theorists think this was just a plan by Coke to limit shelf time, and make the white cans even more valuable.

Live, learn, and drink.

By the way, I'm proud that one of my photos has been chosen "header of the week" at www.nepablogs.org.  Thank you.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Bowling

I wouldn't have complained if Penn State declined bowl invitations, but I'm okay with the Nittany Lions going to the January 2 TicketCity Bowl in Dallas.

Staying home would have shown some respect to the alleged victims of the sexual abuse scandal.

On the other hand, I didn't want to see team members punished for the bungling of the coaching staff and PSU administration.

Penn State is giving $1.5 million from the bowl to charities that benefit abused children-- also a good idea.

The following is a train of thought I borrowed from Steve Czaban at Yahoo Sports Radio.  The people who run the TicketCity Bowl have to be praying that there are no new revelations in the sex abuse scandal between now and game time.  I'm sure they'll have to deal with some scandal related distractions.  Another shoe dropping, something new, could send the distraction meter off the charts.

The bowl will be on ESPN U.  I had to check my cable system line-up.  It's there, on channel 272.

The battle with the University of Houston could be a really good game, and I'm sure the TicketCity Bowl people will be very relieved when Penn State gets on the jet to go home, right after the final gun sounds.

Monday, December 5, 2011

?

What's the deal with Herman Cain?

When you toss your hat in to the presidential ring, you have to know that every aspect of your life, past and present will be under the microscope.  Your opponents are looking for black marks.  The media will be digging.

Cain pulled out of the race Saturday, dogged by allegations of sexual harrassment and an extra marital affair.  Either he was arrogant to believe he'd get away with it-- or he didn't do it.

Can someone please explain Jerry Sandusky to me?

Sandusky gave another interview.  The latest was to the New York Times.  I really don't understand what he has to gain.  Like the NBC interview a few weeks ago, Sandusky comes off as just plain creepy.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Bad Photography Sunday: Pergola

Today, another one of my patented ill fated attempts at being artsy.  This is the pergola at South Abington Park in Lackawanna County.  It was empty on a recent November morning.  The greenery is dormant.  There's no need for shade on a cold day.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Bad Photography Saturday: River Street

Today, more proof of why I call it "Bad Photography."

I was in downtown Wilkes-Barre, at the Market Bridge, in late October, when this scene caught my eye-- a cluster of colorful trees, with the courthouse rotunda in the distance.

So, on this cold December day-- a recent memory of a sunny fall morning.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Marywood & Me

Consider this the definitive blog entry on Marywood University.  I am a 1983 graduate, back when it was Marywood College.

The Princeton Review says its survey shows Marywood students are among the unhappiest in the nation.  If a Marywood student is unhappy, it is because he or she didn't do their research before deciding to attend.  Marywood is a conservative and sleepy community.  You will never hear "fun" and "Marywood" in the same sentence, and that's okay.  You're there to learn.  If you want to party, go somewhere else.  I will say that there are more than enough activities at Marywood and in the Scranton area to keep you busy.  You can also do what I did when I was a sophomore-- find a job.  Quit your whining.

Why did I go there?  It was close and it was cheap.  End of story.

My education was adequate.  I knew I wanted to be a broadcaster, so I made sure I was active at the radio and television stations.  More about those later.

Marywood has done some things that have angered me.  High on the list was taking Congressman Joe McDade's porkbarrel money for something called the "military family institute."  Thousands of your tax dollars was spent to produce a few paragraphs.  I was ashamed of my college.  While the military family institute is long gone, my disgust remains.  Marywood, you're better than that.  You never should have taken that money.

Marywood and I have been estranged for some time.  I've never attended a reunion, and I've never given it a dime, other than tuition.  If Maryood likes you, it really loves you.  In a fit of childish pique, I made the university take me off its mailing list several years ago.  I grew weary of reading about the same six graduates in every edition of the quarterly alumni magazine.  I had enough.  The university gives the distinct and unmistakeable impression there is an elite class, and the rest of us are chattel.

I try to go back every year for the Christmas tree lighting.  I will give Marywood a lot of credit for holding off on most of the Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving.  The campus remains a thing of beauty.  Most of the new construction has been on the edge of the campus.  The heart remains as-is, and as it should be.  Marywood bought the Scranton State School for the Deaf property for a song, and I'm okay with that, too.  Marywood will be a great care taker of the land and buildings.  You won't see a Turkey Hill built there.

Now, let's talk about broadcasting.  I listened to the college radio station for more than an hour the other morning.  In that time, I didn't hear one live voice, and the university should add that one to the "ashamed" list.  No disc jockey.  No weather.  No news.  Nothing to reflect the university and the community.  The radio station should be a tool to train tomorrow's broadcasters.  It should be a place to make mistakes, and learn the craft.  I was lucky to have done my time there.  Now, it's just a computerized, automated music machine, and that's plain wrong.

I vividly remember my first broadcast, in December 1979, and my last one, in January of 1983.  My first song was also my last song-- "The Stranger" by Billy Joel.  I treasured the opportunity.

Marywood has a channel on my cable company's line up.  Pardon a "geezer" moment.  Back in my day, we did four news broadcasts a week.  Now?  No news.  All I see is an occasional basketball game and a scrolling list of public service announcements.  A few of those on a recent evening were outdated.  Again, shame on you.  The university has a marvelous resource, and it's being wasted.

Yes, there is more to broadcasting than being a disc jockey and doing news.  DJ work hones your timing and adlib skills.  If you can handle the discipline of news, you can do just about everything else in the industry.

Way deep down, I wonder if the choice of an institute of higher education really makes a difference.  I've seen kids from obscure schools who were fantastic journalists and broadcasters, and I've seen students from allegedly great broadcasting/journalism universities who couldn't write a succinct and clear news story to save their lives.  They might have excelled in the college world.  The real world is an entirely different story.  I've discovered that colleges might not be places to learn, but rather develop what you already have in you.

If you're unhappy at Marywood, transfer out.  Last time I checked, there isn't a wall around the campus.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

About the Cover

Since I've been chainging blog headers, monthly, for the past couple years, December has always been the hardest.

I want to do something with a holiday theme.  The big Christmas displays aren't up and running until later in the month, and I'm not complaining.  I refer you to an earlier blog post about Christmas decorations going up far too early.

Anyway, this one almost fell right in to my lap.  As you will remember, there was a big snow storm Halloween weekend.  The Saturday night WNEP production crew built a massive snow man in the back yard, and I snapped off a photo before he melted.

What I really should do is take some extra Christmas photos this month, and save some for next year.

Regardless, have a great December.