Scrumptious-DelyOcious Mac-N-Cheesey...

My wonderful wife had a terrific fixin', hot out of the oven. MMmmmmm, good!!!
Thanxs Mom for the pretty pink, casserole dish!!! Lovin' the fact Kate loves the color, means more yummy for my tummmy!!!
Some secret cheesey ingredients.

Adobe Lightroom vs Google's Picassa?

The Beta release is now available from Adobe, going to download it tonight. Will be interesting to see how easily it integrates with Photoshop and if Google will upgrade Picassa to try to compete. Both are really catering to two unique niches. - Scotty B
Adobe Lightroom : All-New Digital Imaging Solution for Professional Photographers
Adobe today introduced the public beta of Adobe Lightroom, an all-new digital imaging solution for professional photographers.

With its modular, task-based and streamlined environment, Lightroom's goal is to deliver a complete photography workflow.

As Adobe collects more feedback from photographers, modules and feature sets will likely change, as customers decide on their popularity and priority within digital photography workflows.

Initially available as a beta for Macintosh, Lightroom will later support both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.

"We first showed an early version of Lightroom at the Adobe Ideas Conference in April 2005 to demonstrate a new streamlined digital photography experience, from capture to print," said Shantanu Narayen, president and chief operating officer of Adobe.

"Today's Lightroom Beta leverages Adobe's renowned digital imaging innovation, in areas such as raw image processing, so that even in beta form photographers will find world class technology that complements Photoshop.

We look forward to the feedback from the photography community as we refine the product over the next few months."

Adding some color to life...

When was the last time you added some color to your life? 

Zamboni® Ice Resurfacers for John Deere Garden Tractor

Thanks to brother KJW for this find, need to takeup a collection for one Zamboni® Ice Resurfacers:

The “baby brother” to the full sized machine designed for hockey rinks. This miniature unit, approximately 1/10th the size of the standard unit, adapts to the popular John Deere® Model X475 garden tractor, and is ideally suited for small rinks with surfaces of 1000 to 3000 square feet.
A major feature of the Model 100 is its revolutionary Duralite disposable blade with superior ice shaving qualities. Like its “big brother”, this compact unit shaves the ice, picks up the shavings and spreads water all in one operation.

Storage room facilities: The storage room should be heated and should have a floor drain grill measuring 1 foot (.3m) square. The room should be located close to the rink and preferably on the same level to eliminate the need for a ramp. The minimum suggested door opening is 6 feet (1.8m) wide. The storage room should not be less than 12 feet (3.6m) in length.

Skatin' Fun on the Pond...

KJW kickin' it with Robber Dogger, teachin' him some new hockey tricks...
Aren't they such a cute couple, see if you can tell who it is?!?
Burnin' dawgs on the fire, where's the Samores?!? Next time...

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns ------ All three missed it --- This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance Very fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.
3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about faceand moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up th e wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform s ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

Dubbah, Dubber, Dubba or W?

Had heard someone called Dubbah in Ohio, but never quite heard someone say "You're a Dubbah" until I came to New England, think Uncle Kev was the 1st one I heard say it. Remember in grade school calling someone "Num Nuts" or "Nimrod".

Here's an article that describes the history of Dubbah.

Excerpt from The New Hampshire Gazette, The Nation's Oldest Newspaper. Vol 248, No 12, March 12, 2004

“W”? Or “Dubbah?”
To the Editor:
It occurred to me recently that Bush’s nickname, ‘W’, sounds a lot like what the kids in town used to call each other derogatively back in the late 50’s when I first moved up here. ‘Dubbah’ used to mean what now might be ‘dufus’ [for ‘somewhat cerebrally challenged’]. So I propose to you that, in keeping with the New Hampshire tradition, we change the pronunciation of ‘W’ to ‘Dubbah.’ I certainly think it fits, phonetically and literally.
Ed Batjer
Chester, NH


Ed,
Your etymological excursion into the dustbin of history reminds us of Paul Scruton. Who wrote a column for the Hillsboro (NH) Messenger. “On the Street,” it was called. We seem to remember it ran for thirty years or more. His tenure and the editor’s overlapped by a year or so, a disturbing thought when you realize that Paul served in the US Army in France during the Great War, tending steam locomotives.

Paul was of the old school, quite literally. He went to school with Jack P.H. Chandler, who used to cut a significant figure in New Hampshire politics. Paul said that in school, the kids said the “P.H.” stood for ‘Pecker Head.’ Paul, who was almost translucent in the right light, and smelled faintly of lavender, always colored up a little when someone used the expression ‘dubbah.’ He was too much the gentleman to approve of language that carried an implication of onanism.

Yours in hopes of an eventual democracy,
The Ed.

Three Wise Men...

Snow has finally fallen in the granite state, putting an end to the January thaw. Good solid 4-6" yahhhh, but still no fresh powder up in the slopes?!? 

January Thaw means Fence Building Time...

Couldn't just sit around and absorb the sunlight, instead took advantage of the awesome weather to finish working on the upper field fencing. Got 3/4" of the posts mounted to the trees and most importantly fiberglass rods driven into the thawed ground. A lot more cleaning up the fenceline was needed from tons of saplings that have grown up where the old fence once was. So far no signs of Poison Ivy, can't wait for the critters to mow it down all spring/summer long, FAREWELL Mr. Derma Inflamata!!! Should be able to finish up this weekend, keep your fingers crossed for us. 

Cabby Added to the Flock at Northern Acres...

Kate was on the fence for awhile as to take the offer from Karen to bring Cabby to Northern Acres. My babe is certainly happy having a horse she can ride in the barn while CeeCee gets trained the next couple of years. The offer is open to all friends/family interesting in learning to ride, at least stop by for the awesome view and see "...old MacKatie had a Farm, eieiohhhhhhh, and on this farm she had a ..."

Delicious Doobie Delites...

Wonderful time at the Nowlan's abode this weekend, celebrating Uncle D's bday at
Burdick's Chocolates what a treat!!! Thanxs again Heath & Doob for a nice relaxing weekend. Look forward to the next Cornish adventures!!!

Environmental Smog Chamber Installed at Harvard

 Yesterday Seth, David & myself (Welch Fluorocarbon install boys) drove down to Boston to install a Teflon Environmental Smog Chamber. These chambers serve as a way to simulate the environment in a small area and the need for Teflon for chemical inertness to eliminate contamination yet Teflon film is clear to provide great UV light transmittance. We build quite a few of these, but it was great to finally see one deployed in the field. Got some great pictures for our upcoming Marketing CD, and of course to add to the website. 

Skatin' Away Again in Longpondville

Lovely January Sunday, time to build the skatin' rink??? If you build it, they will come.

Playin' with the new snow thrower, the real reason we got it!!! Invitation to all friends and family to come by and join us for a skate, we'll turn the lights on for you!!!

Whistle while you snowthrow, fewedhfasdhsdkfsadfk...

Feels great to throw the skates on for the 1st time this winter, looking forward to getting out every night. As long as mother nature doesn't have a different plan?!?

Rob catch that UFO, go Rob, go Rob, GO!!!

UFO sited on Long Pond...

I love playin' in the snow too, mom & dad!!!

January BreighBeque...

Breakfast at the Behner's

 Woke up this morning after a day at the slopes yesterday, YAHHHH!!! Was great to get back out for the 1st time this year. Headed up to Killington where the conditions were great!!! My lovely wife put together this scrumptious breakfast treat this morning. MENU: green/red pepper with onion and apple chicken sausage omellette smothered in montery jack cheese; homemade Jiffy cornbread; hot coffee/chocolate delite.
 

Happy New Year!!!

 Junkins, Andersen, Welch, Behner hanging out at the new Nowlan abode!!! What a great time, thanks for the hospitality!!!