mattie g

12/5: 2.25”. 2” in the man event and 0.25” later that evening/overnight.

Grabbed another 0.25” yesterday evening/early morning. 2.25” total.

I feel honored…truly, I do. We did get a good draw. Got the best Pot 2 result possible and got a playoff UEFA team. Turkey could be tough, but better than some other options. Paraguay is not a bad CONMEBOL draw at *all*. I’m feeling strangely good about this group. Poch is figuring out what he’s got to work with and has them all pulling in the same direction. If we stay healthy, we can make a real statement.

For any of you considering watching a replay of the World Cup draw…don’t. You can thank me later…

That beer is absolutely amazing. Their 2018 vanilla was also killer! I still have one 2018 left, though having done a tasting with both 2018 and 2024 last year, it had definitely started to fall off a bit. I like the smaller 10 oz bottles for regular BCBS this year. Don’t need to drink a whole 500 ml bottle in one go!

I’m here

Knockout roses DGAF…

Just measured 2” in Burke. Not a bad way to start a season. December 5 kicking things off in the right way!

Really been coming down in Burke for the last 15 minutes or so in this last band. Kids got to play in the snow with friends and the pup, then headed off safely to school two hours late. Just a beautiful morning!

Early-December sun angle is doing a number on the sidewalks and roads here in Burke. They were covered only an hour ago. Now they’re completely clear. 1.5” as of 9:45 am…

11/30: Mix of sleet and light rain for a couple hours before switching to light cold rain. 12/2: Mix early in the morning before flipping to hard, cold rain.

Cold rain is not the best. In fact, it’s the worst. Fairfax county screwed up by somehow announcing the delay, but they quickly backed off. Good thing since it’s just shitty cold rain.

On the board with my first Trace of the season after starting with some light sleet this morning. Nasty out there before the precip slackened. 34 and light rain just blows…

Not everyone will.

BWI: 16.2 DCA: 10.1 IAD: 19.7 RIC: 8.7 ——————— SBY: 7.3

Aunt Balls Uncle

I’m going to Hilton Head from Thursday-Wednesday. Looks kinda bleh most of the time with that tropical system possibly threatening after we’re gone. We were down there last year for Debby, so I don’t really care to do it again.

A guy came to our door yesterday asking if we were interested in meeting with folks from Dominion Energy to see if we qualify for a federally-funded program that helps with reduction in energy use/costs (including a subsidy for solar panels). I mean…I’m happy to have the meeting and am very interested, but couldn’t help but think that subsidy - as beneficial as it is - is gonna get schwacked soon enough. Great timing, Dominion…

Long-range discussion in early March definitely warrants calls of “bring on spring.”

Just took the pup for a walk. It’s cold.

We lost power for 5-6 hours with the last wind event. Really don’t feel like going through that again, but at least we have a generator if it does.

Glorious morning, but this wind…

I’m not particularly interested in snow right now, but if it happens then I’ll enjoy it. That said, can we just let people post analysis in here and not revert to “it’s over” or “what’s the point” posts? Let people analyze, post, and track what they want. If you don’t want to, then steer clear of the thread. Now…off my lawn!

100% on this! I had a tough 2024 because the potting soil I used was utter garbage. All of my seedlings died after potting up from seeding mix and the plants I subsequently bought from the nursery barely grew after replanting in pots. Just pure junk! I recently repotted a lavender plant my daughter started from seed in 2020. The thing was really struggling but it’s taken off now that I’ve switched out the soil. Also…with the new pup loving to chase small animals, I’m hoping he helps keep the squirrels from ravaging our tomatoes again this year!

Getting this started now that March is on the horizon and most folks are ready to move on from a pretty chilly January-February period! Got my victory garden started last weekend with tomatoes, eggplant (wife’s request), jalapeños, and basil under lights and did the same with some parsley today. My wife also wants zucchini this year, so I’ll get that going indoors in a month or so along with cantaloupe. I’ll direct sow lettuce, spinach, and mache in 3-4 weeks with the hopes they do better than they have the last couple years! I also need to rebuild my cedar beds. One is really falling apart - especially the 2x4 supports - and I’m not sure it’ll last the season. I built the first one maybe six years ago and I’m surprised they’ve crapped out so quickly. Bit of a bummer, but I guess it’s a fun (if maybe a little pricey) project!