This is it .................

The last day of 2009.

It's Garbage Day.
Overcast and 23.5 degrees F. / -4.7 C.

The moon was bright last night! Unfortunately, we probably won't be able to see it tonight because of clouds, but if we could, we'd be looking at a "Blue Moon!" - the first "blue moon" to shine on a New Year's Eve in nearly 20 years.


The WKTV forecast, however, is for snow: "A chilly but quiet start to the day with a few light snow showers. Snow showers will continue for the morning and become more steady during the afternoon, especially for Utica and points south. Snow will be relatively light, so little accumulation throughout the day with highs in the low 30's.

Light snow will continue, off and on, throughout our Thursday. High in the low 30's.
Steady snow winds down tonight to a few flurries as the low pressure system stays to our south and out of the region. Temperatures will hold steady in the mid to upper 20s.

A storm will intensify in the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day. Though we aren't expected to take the brunt of the storm, it will be close enough to give us a few snow showers on New Year's Day as a cold front passes through, bringing in colder air. With the large storm system intensifying off the Coast of Maine and cold air in place, winds will shift, creating lake effect snow into the weekend.

LOOKING AHEAD

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A year ago, this field next to Osborn Avenue was bare. There's a little bit of snow, now, but it's still rough sledding, I'm afraid!

In Bob Buschor's corn field, next to Route 315, there were dozens and dozens of wild turkeys, but they didn't stay around to have their pictures taken.

It still surprises me to see them take to the air and land, gracefully, in trees!

Best sighting of the day were these two strange birds: first, Jody Hildreth, l., flagged me down on Shanley Road and as we were talking along came another birder-friend, Gene Huggins, who grew up in Waterville, but who lives in Tully, now. What are the chances of the three of us running into each other like that?

My photo? Two strange birds grinning, of course, at an odd old duck!

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When Jody left, he headed for Turkey Falls.




"The Greeter!"



The Falls, in black & white.

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Spotted in the Park, a few days ago: new railings on the Bandstand that were installed the day before Christmas by metalworker Mr. August Raulli of Raulli’s Iron Works, Inc.

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It's a Tradition, and it starts Tomorrow!

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FOR THE RECORD


JUST ONE MORE THING:

Auld Lang Syne - the history.

Sing along, if you feel like it!

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

See you next year!