“Snowball” from 2002

[spud]

Hi! Long time lurker here. I have a snowball that has been in my freezer since 12/25/2002. My daughter made it and it seemed like a great thing to save at the time. She is all grown up with her own kids and surprisingly doesn’t want it, lol. Sooo, is there any science or other reason to save this? It was a great looking snowball one time.

[dailylurker]

Put it back in the freezer and forget about it for another 20 years lol

[JB Fins]

[Kay]

Save it and stipulate that your heirs must also save it

[TSG]

4 hours ago, spud said:

Hi! Long time lurker here. I have a snowball that has been in my freezer since 12/25/2002. My daughter made it and it seemed like a great thing to save at the time. She is all grown up with her own kids and surprisingly doesn’t want it, lol. Sooo, is there any science or other reason to save this? It was a great looking snowball one time.

From the science perspective, that likely contains very high NOx and SO2 particulates compared to current levels. Peak poor air quality (from those two offenders) was around 97/98. NOx dropped off quickly after 2000 and SO2 was only a few years behind. We're down about 90% on those emissions since 1995.

Some environmental researcher may be mildly interested.

[IronTy]

Wow I saved some of the huge hailstones from those intense storms in SoMD a couple summers back the same way you did - in a ziplock bag in my freezer.  You've inspired me to keep them as long as I can, maybe 30yrs from now I'll be able to pull them out as a party trick.  

I think the most impressive thing from your post is that you've actually gone that long without a fridge/freezer equipment failure causing it to melt!

[spud]

Thanks Gang! I will just keep it there! I like the idea of leaving it to my heirs! Or maybe when my Grandsons grow up they can do a science experiment with it.  I think I have some frozen Brood X cicadas too from 2004 and 2021!! And, this is not my main freezer ( mostly lots of ice packs which is why I guess it is still there). Back to weather and politics! I will lurk.

[Fozz]

On 2/21/2025 at 1:48 PM, spud said:

Hi! Long time lurker here. I have a snowball that has been in my freezer since 12/25/2002. My daughter made it and it seemed like a great thing to save at the time. She is all grown up with her own kids and surprisingly doesn’t want it, lol. Sooo, is there any science or other reason to save this? It was a great looking snowball one time.

You might be the only person alive who still has a piece of winter 2002-03 in your possession. Hold on to it as long as you can.

[Stormchaserchuck1]

Good info, thanks for posting. I can tell how the ice looks different from now. 

[CAPE]

Break it up a bit, put it in a glass, and pour some bourbon over it.