A Broad Perspective on Winter Weather

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019 ~ Jim Flanigan

We had delightful weather in December here in greater Chicagoland. The first half of January was okay, too. My 10 year old daughter was able to ride the bike she got for Christmas several times. We made it halfway through the winter months without much pain and suffering. I didn’t feel the need to use my magic sunshine light to counteract my Seasonal Affective Disorder.

I laughed. I made climate change jokes. I rejoiced … too soon. The fun is definitely over. Here’s where we are at now … Continue reading “A Broad Perspective on Winter Weather” →

Bad Sign

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019 ~ Jim Flanigan

After a relatively mild December and first half of January, winter has arrived with a vengeance normally not seen unless I catch that I have been overcharged 20 cents for a can of soup at the grocery store. We got pounded last night with freezing rain that then turned into wet, heavy snow commonly referred to ’round these parts as The Widowmaker.

Is it a bad sign if my family encourages me to shovel fast to see if I can beat my record time?

Weather or Not to March

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 ~ Jim Flanigan

I have been on weather-watch all week. Saturday is the day of the Women’s March, but this year there is not going to be a march in Chicago. Leave it to the local progressive women to organize one in the town next to mine.

Crowds of 500 to 5,000 are expected. How do you plan for that wide of a range? Will there be enough hot chocolate? I was tagged as being an able-bodied male who could act as a march marshal. They obviously haven’t seen my body. And shouldn’t we call a march marshal a marchal?

I was not thrilled when I saw early in the week a Saturday forecast of temperatures in the low twenties (F) plus a blizzard. Predicted temps are now in the high twenties and the blizzard may be Friday night. We may wake up to this Saturday morning.

Continue reading “Weather or Not to March” →

Mite Be Funny #99

January 6, 2019January 5, 2019 ~ Jim Flanigan ~ 1 Comment

Continue reading “Mite Be Funny #99” →

Summer Planning in Winter

December 11, 2018December 10, 2018 ~ Jim Flanigan

The weather is cold. There are patches of snow and ice on the ground. More snow is on the way. The coldest part of winter is still to come in January. However, I am so happy to see our neighborhood already planning for next summer. Looks like our neighbors across the street are putting in a pool and changing cabana.

Continue reading “Summer Planning in Winter” →

Nothing Works in Winter

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018 ~ Jim Flanigan

I hate winter weather.

Nothing works as it is supposed to work. I already shared with you how my tree is not working.

Isn’t that branch supposed to be reaching up toward the sky with birds sitting on the branches and chirping?

OK, so maybe not that many birds.

And now another thing with the house is not working …

Continue reading “Nothing Works in Winter” →

There’s No Business Like Snow Business

November 26, 2018 ~ Jim Flanigan ~ 1 Comment

We got hit by a blizzard last night. It did not result in a Norman Rockwellesque view like this …

I mean, we got rid of our oxen in 2017.

It did result in a scene like this …

Continue reading “There’s No Business Like Snow Business” →

Mite Be Funny #91

November 11, 2018 ~ Jim Flanigan

Mite Be Funny #56

February 25, 2018February 24, 2018 ~ Jim Flanigan

Flies On Washington Walls #88 – Special ‘Mike Pence Goes to the Olympics’ Multi-Panel Edition

February 14, 2018February 13, 2018 ~ Jim Flanigan

Continue reading “Flies On Washington Walls #88 – Special ‘Mike Pence Goes to the Olympics’ Multi-Panel Edition” →

A Winter Poem

December 20, 2017 ~ Jim Flanigan ~ 3 Comments

This is the worst day of the year for me. It is because of how short the amount of daylight is today. I know, tomorrow on the Winter Solstice is actually shorter when it comes to daylight, but that is a day when I can celebrate that henceforth the days will start to lengthen until that damn Summer Solstice. So today I weep, gnash my teeth, rend my garments asunder (really a bad idea when it is cold out), and am generally a sullen mess. The bottom line is that nobody can tell the difference in me from a typical day. However, it has been sunny today, so that has helped my mood. Before the sun got off its lazy ass and rose this morning, I was already out briskly walking while I wrote this poem about the dearth of daylight today.

Continue reading “A Winter Poem” →

Mite Be Funny #45

December 17, 2017December 16, 2017 ~ Jim Flanigan

Cold Man Walking

December 16, 2017December 16, 2017 ~ Jim Flanigan

I have lost weight this past year, about 10 pounds. Who knew that a combination of exercise and a sensible diet would result in weight loss? I still have 10 pounds to go, but they will have to wait until Spring as I prepare to face the upcoming gauntlet of holiday tables of gluttony with less exercise.

We are all fatter just from looking at that picture. I should just increase my exercise, but it looks like it may decrease. Here’s why.

Continue reading “Cold Man Walking” →

Hey Winter, Whither Thou Goest?

February 20, 2016February 21, 2016 ~ Jim Flanigan

Winter is slowly easing its icy grip upon my neighborhood. The local sled hill has reverted to being a giant green tumor on Earth’s flat back. The skating rink in the park has turned into a chilly splash pool. The dog turds in my yard are thawing into lovely gelatinous chocolate pudding piles of poo that will leak out between the teeth of my pooper scooper if I don’t get them early enough today while a chill is still in the air.

Continue reading “Hey Winter, Whither Thou Goest?” →