February 2025 Gathering Ground Report

 GATHERING GROUND REPORT - February 12, 2025

Bill & Jo-Ann in Windsor Locks; Chris, John, Jerry & Diane in Quebec; Tim in NH

Jo-Ann and Bill were the only live participants Wednesday. We had very enjoyable conversations.

First off, Jo-Ann has planned a trip to Patagonia Chili with her family, leaving the last week of February. She showed me pictures of the places she planned to visit. They were outstanding. You remember, Jo and her husband Jim walked the entire AP (Appalachian Trail) last year. It's fair to say she is a big time hiker. The mountains in Patagonia are breath taking.  She will also visit Buenos Aires in Argentina (it's so close, why not!).

Next, Jerry Kimble and I, along with three other guys, are leaving for California and Nevada for a week of skiing at Heavenly Valley. (Actually, we're here as I write these notes). The weather here is outrageous. Bright sun all day, and reasonable temperatures. I only wish I had brought a second set of legs.

Jo and I talked about politics for a few minutes. All I'll say is we are on the same page.  No need to elaborate. 

Finally, the highlight of the day was a Zoom meeting with Jerry Kimble, John Lussier, Chris Lesinski, and Diane Lototski. That crew (along with Jerry’s wife Laura and John’s brother Jay & wife Andrea) were skiing at Mount Tremblant, Canada. We were also honored to have Tim O’Connor sign in.    

The skiers were  having a great time, as expected. Tim reported in, saying he's well and happy. Tim did report that there are no fish in NH lately. Wait till spring. 

The Gathering Ground does not have WIFI, so we had to rely on a hot spot from my phone. It worked, but there were transmission problems which caused the occasional freezing. But it all worked out.

That's it for now, until next month.

~ Your scribe, Bill Wills

January 2025 Gathering Ground Report; Jo-Ann's New Adventure

 GATHERING GROUND REPORT - January 9, 2025

With the cold temps and gusts over 40MPH this morning, the road through Granby was littered with litter from the blown down garage cans.   Most of the cans were lying on the ground empty and the litter trail followed me halfway to Windsor Locks.

Jo, Bill and Jerry shared a table together along with a few other customers in various spots in the restaurant, for all who ventured out on this Most January of a day.   

Jo was making this her first  Breakfast stop today as the Town of Granby was having a breakfast with speakers from the town manager, the town planner and the Chief of Police.   Get to meet the town crew and catch up on the lastest town goings on.   Big deal right now with another solar farm in Ct. that is going to be on the soil of Granby.   Something a little different, there is also a planned battery storage facility adjacent to the farm that will have a large footprint of lithium batteries to store the solar generated energy during peak generation time that will push the voltage back into the grid after the sun goes down.   Seems some concerns about the volume of batteries and the towns inability to manage this type of fire, if it happens.

Bill brought up that one of his nieces (one of many) just received her RN degree and was out looking for a job.  Then he counted that several other Nurse career men and women in his family that are in various health facilities working to make our population better from whatever ails them.

Jerry reported that a new car was added to his garage replacing a 2004 Honda Accord.  The Accord was still in good shape but one of the family will take over the steering of that wheel while Laura gets to sit in the new vehicle in the garage.   This model just happened to come with a heated steering wheel.  Not the biggest selling point when looking at a new car but now that this colder weather is here, there won't be another car purchase in this family without that option.   Sorry to all Florida residents, you might find that one a little "so what" but up here, VERY important.  The Hybrid system is pretty interesting with it's mileage results but under the covers it's an example of an improved hybrid system that Toyota started with back in the 90's.  Here's a video on what you get with the Toyota hybrid system  HERE.

Just after the holiday, our comparison of what was served at dinner turned out to be common, Prime Rib.   Although there were different outcomes insofar a rare, medium rare, medium and I'll take the end cut, it was all consumed and enjoyed.  Sous-vide came up as the most reliable way to get the desired color of the beef once served at the table.  Just hide the look of the beef between the Sous-vide step and the searing step, only show after it has been browned and looking gorgeously seared, then pink or whatever color you dialed in with the Sous-vide step on the inside.

Jerry shared an event that he and the family enjoyed over the holiday, glass blowing!!   Each person got to select the outcome of a Christmas ornament and actually, for the most part, create that ornament with a little help from the host of the event.  Couple of pictures are attached of the process.

Building three parking lot is now at the stage where it appears to be the foundation for a very large building.  It has the appearance of being a city block by a city block right now as a slab of concrete.  Equipment is still around the site and with the colder weather the next steps could take a few months but I'll be watching and taking a few more status photos.

Your Scribe

Jerry

                                                          ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

JO-ANN'S NEW ADVENTURE

Got this nice note from Jo-Ann Smith a few weeks ago.  Appalachian Trail behind them, Jo-Ann and Jim took their first RV trip to Florida right after Christmas:

"Happy New Year !

I just read every word of the Newsletter- phenomenal job. Such interesting stories.

We took our camper on a crazy spur of the moment trip 'South' on 12/27. We just got back from Florida Sat night [Jan 4], ahead of this monumental storm.

It was a true shakedown of the van. We drove but because of time constraints- didn't stop and 'smell the Roses' enough.
We did have a great time at Vilano beach near St Augustine, FL.

Then we shot southwest to have a quick overnight visit with my brother/sister in law in Punta Gorda .

Harper isn't a fan yet- but we worked hard to focus on his needs also. Plenty of stops and walks. He really wanted to drive, but we had to draw the line somewhere.

We finally found a place in the back with the side window shades down - that appeased him. He never slept a wink when we drove.

Wishing you and John a wonderful 2025! Stay safe and Healthy 💖"

Harper the tail-gunner