Here's an interesting article sent to me today...

Earth welcomes economic meltdown to stop global warming? – ‘May give the planet a breather from the excessively high CO2’

Excerpt: (Reuters) - A slowdown in the world economy may give the planet a breather from the excessively high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions responsible for climate change, a Nobel Prize winning scientist said on Tuesday.  Atmospheric scientist Paul J Crutzen, who has in the past floated the possibility of blitzing the stratosphere with sulfur particles to cool the earth, said clouds gathering over the world economy could ease the earth's environmental burden. Slower economic growth worldwide could help slow growth of carbon dioxide emissions and trigger more careful use of energy resources, though the global economic turmoil may also divert focus from efforts to counter climate change, said Crutzen, winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the depletion of the ozone layer. "It's a cruel thing to say ... but if we are looking at a slowdown in the economy, there will be less fossil fuels burning, so for the climate it could be an advantage," Crutzen told Reuters in an interview. m"We could have a much slower increase of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere ... people will start saving (on energy use) ... but things may get worse if there is less money available for research and that would be serious."

http://www.reuters.com/article/GlobalEnvironment08/id
USTRE4966A220081007

Yep, after some frosty mornings out in metro west this week, I'm now officially "done" with my garden this year. I've picked the last of the green beans, snap peas and will still enjoy the mini pumpkins on the vine for a while. I've harvested the green tomatoes and placed them with apples (a trick I learned courtesy of Russell's Garden Center) and now just wait for them to ripen.

Even though I love this time of year, this process always make me sad. I will miss spending time in the garden, and especially miss fresh tomatoes. I dread having to purchase my first "grocery store" tomato again- is there such a thing as a 'tomato snob'? Maybe I've become one.

Anyone out there still gardening? There are lots of cold crops you can do this time of year... it's just not my thing.

Enjoy the sunshine!

-Cindy

We talked about the difference between frosts and freezes in my last blog. Tonight, then, is just an update.

Frost Advisories are now out for areas closer to Boston and the coast. In fact areas up to 128 are now threatened, as well as much of the south shore up to the water. Martha's Vineyard is also under a frost advisory Wednesday morning. Cape Cod and the south coast around Buzzards Bay are not in the advisory, as well as most towns inside 128, but if there is something you have growing outside that you don't want to be killed by frost, you should take precautions anyway. After all, frost won't just stop right at 128.

Areas that have already had a frost or freeze are not in the advisory areas, but they will still have frost. Once you have frost, you don't get another advisory.

Once again, bundle up for the morning. Temperatures will rebound nicely in the afternoon with bright sunshine.

kpl

A couple different advisories in place through Tuesday morning.  Much of New Hampshire and northern Worcester county are in a frost advisory.  Southwest New Hampshire, eastern Vermont, and much of western Massachusetts are in a freeze warning area.  Either way, it sounds cold, but there is a difference.

A frost advisory means that there is the strong possibility of a widespread frost.  A frost can kill tender vegetation, so you are advised to protect those plants by covering them or, if possible, bring them inside.  Keep in mind, temperatures are typically observed at eye level, or about 5-6 feet off the ground.  The temperature at the ground can actually be a few degrees colder.  That means the observed temperature does not have to drop to freezing, 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius, for frost to form on the ground.  That would be where a freeze warning comes in.

A freeze warning means that a widespread killing frost is likely.  Here, temperatures will drop below freezing.  This effectively brings an end to the growing season. 

Even if you are not in a frost advisory area Tuesday morning, you should take care of anything you absolutely don't want to take a chance with growing outside.  There can still be spots of frost, even if there is no advisory, as it is going to be a cold night. 

Stay warm.

kpl

Does this happen at your house? ... please tell me I'm not the only one!

So after several days in the 50s and and even cooler nights, we finally gave in and turned the heat on at our house. Every year, my husband protests this ceremonial moment and typically there is frost on my nose by the the time it happens! Usually, there is a large battle if it is attempted before the 15th of October -- sometimes even the 1st of November! (My husband is all about the calendar... I'm all about the thermometer, call me crazy.)

Not this year! I'd like to think it was because it was my birthday and he took pity on me... or perhaps because of our 9-month-old (I'm still not comfortable putting a blanket in his crib). But alas, I'm pretty sure it's because my parents were visiting and he didn't want THEM to freeze.

The beauty of this time of year though is the variability, not only from morning to night, but also from day to day. Heaters ON tonight- in the 30s. Heaters OFF Wed/Thu 70 degrees. Got to love those automatic thermostats!

Happy Fall All,
Cindy

Maria already took "Thank You" as her title, so I had to go international.

This past weekend is one of the most important of the year for FOX 25.  For several years, we've had a partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, more commonly known as JDRF.  I remember the first meeting in our "old" building in a conference room on the second floor.  It is there I first met Heidi Daniels, the fireball in charge of all of this.  She is tireless, and she and her staff deserve so much of our thanks for all they have done.  It was soon after that meeting that the station decided that there was no doubt that JDRF and FOX 25 would be a perfect match.  We haven't stopped since.  The big event is the walk that was held this past Saturday at the Hatch Shell and around the Charles River.  It was a pleasure to meet many new faces, and to see many of the same faces we see every year.  Of course, this is just one event we participate in with JDRF, but it is the most public.  The generosity of those involved is overwhelming, and the collective heart shown by those with this disease, thier families and friends, is beyond words. 

Congratulations on a successful event, and thank you for letting us be a part of it all.

So you all know, A.J. did indeed get married Saturday afternoon.  The wedding was a blast.  I'll leave it for him to blog about further. 

Make sure you check out the JDRF pictures... I'm the gut with the FOX 25 Hat on.

kpl

Temperatures were a bit below average for the date, Friday.  It felt even cooler with all the clouds and a brisk wind.  However, I didn't feel like it was terribly cold.  Then, I came to work and saw several pictures and one video like this...

Yes, that is snow on Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire.  Franconia Notch recorded snow.  An inch fell at the summit of Cannon Mountain.  In Vermont, Killington had a dusting.  Farther north, Sugarbush had 2"!  JJ Toland at Sugarbush says that they aren't starting normal winter operations for about another 50 days.  This early snow, though, is giving them hope for a great season ahead.

I love to ski, but I'd like to get to Thanksgiving first.  Are you ready for the snow?  Hope to see you at the JDRF Walk For A Cure Saturday morning.  We will be at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston at 10 a.m.

kpl

Apparently parts of Vermont got a dusting....and Mt. Washington has a nice little thin layer of the white stuff, and you know what that means.  It's coming!   I love the colors in autumn....but I gotta tell ya their beauty is short lived because of the looming Winter which hides behind those leaf-peeping wonders.   If you look up autumn in the dictionary it reads something like this: "Autumn: it marks the transition from Summer into Winter."  It's 3 months of our lives stuffed into one word little word......"transition."  It's like the Fall-Season doesn't even exist because we are all thinking about what lies ahead.   You can throw Spring in their too.  Nothing more than a "transition" into Summer.  Maybe that's why we are all in a hurry in New England.  Because we only have 2 Seasons each year.   Winter and Summer.  One we dread the other we LOVE.

So happy Fall everybody..........it'll be Winter before ya know it!

Alright... this is more like it! After non-stop rain last weekend... this weekend will be a refreshing change- just a little on the cool side. Average high this time of year is still in the mid 60s- we'll be closer to 60 degrees.

The weekend though will be bright- with lots of sunshine and dry weather! That will be good weather to get out and enjoy all that the fall has to offer locally. I'm guessing local farms will be busy with people picking apples and picking out their pumpkins. BTW ... I understand each crop faired differently as a result of all the wet weather we had over the summer. Pumpkins- not so good... too much rain can cause what's called 'blossom end rot'. (thanks Tim Skeehan from Russell's Garden Center) Apples- a bumper crop from what I understand... benefited from all the rain.

I haven't been able to get out to my local farm yet (Lookout Farm in Natick) and won't be able to make it this weekend- as Kevin mentioned... A.J. is getting married this weekend and we'll be there to cheer him on. Congrats A.J.!!

Happy dry weekend all- what are you up to?
Cindy

Well, it was better than the weekend.  That's the best I can say about Monday's weather.  The front cleared the area, but the disturbance in the upper levels of our atmosphere did not.  That kept the clouds and sprinkles around all day.  Sure, you may have seen a litte sun, but we have to do better.

Tuesday will be better.  Althought there will likely be some fog to burn off, the sun should win out.  Problem is, another front is already on the way.  Worse, another upper-level low will be spinning into New England.  Much like we saw a lot of during the summer, this system comes with cold air aloft.  That allows more lift, more clouds, and more showers.  It will lift out of here this weekend, but the cool air will work its way to our doorsteps. 

Keep the umbrellas handy Wednesday and Thursday, just in case.  No washouts, but always a chance.  By Friday, make sure that sweatshirt is ready.  Good thing the Sox start in California.

Get rid of the rain and I actually really enjoy the first crisp autumn weather.  How about you?  I've posted some pictures from my visit to a cranberry bog.  Check them out and feel free to comment.

kpl

Morning all....

Apparently I'm quoting New Kids on the Block today! Jim Armstrong (filling in for Doug Meehan) pointed that out to me earlier this morning.

I was referring to the clouds- they will be tough to break totally- but look for a few bright spots and breaks of blue over the course of the day. At least the rain has stopped! 'Step by Step'.... right! :)

Speaking of NKOTB... I'm dating myself here- BUT I will admit to being a fan back in the day. I actually won tickets off the radio (one of the few things I've ever won in my life) and dragged one of the 'cool' neighborhood boys (he was in a 'rock band' at the time) with me- much to his embarrassment! I was in Junior High and 'New Kids' were relatively new at the time- it was one of the first concerts I ever went to.

Funny how life changes. This Friday night when NKOTB were in town... I had a quiet night at home with the hubby and my boys... and then fell asleep during the presidential debate. I'd been up since 2am- it wasn't about content- really!

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Have a great day!
Cindy

With all apologies to Barry Manilow... in fact, if you were expecting to see a link to me singing the song, forgetaboutit.

I awakened to rain Friday morning, as expected, and my car is still wet outside as I write this late Sunday night.  This weekend defines "washout".  I hope you found things to do.  Here are some observations from this gully-washer weekend.

Soccer practice apparently isn't important enough to go on (Friday evening), but nothing stops the games (Saturday morning).  I love my son, but he isn't going to play for the Revs.  This was just miserable.  Come on!  These kids don't even keep score, yet they MUST play in the rain?

Birthday parties have to be flexible on the fly.  This wasn't directly my issue, but the Wendells up the street.  My little guy reported there Saturday afternoon for fun and a sleepover.  I dropped him off, only to see him change into his swimming shirt and shorts.  This wasn't to swim, though they would later do that, but to go outside to play football in the rain and mud.  I almost wish I could have stayed.  Well done Wendells!

The Capital Grille makes the best steak in the universe (I think) with that Kona steak.  If you know of a different one, please let me know as I MUST try it.

Except for Pesky's number retirement Sunday afternoon, I would have been angry if I had bought Sox tickets for the season-ending Yankee series for gobs of money thinking they would be playing for something a month ago.  Anybody want to sell me playoff tickets?  No, we don't get any from FOX. 

Does anyone else just want to stay in bed on days like these?  Perhaps I'm just lazy.  Although, the wrestling matches with the boys this weekend indoors would rival the WWE. 

Finally, I closed the pool on Thursday.  That always makes me sad, as it is then that I truly say goodbye to summer.  This weekend made me feel better about it. 

On to apple picking.  Can anyone recommend a favorite orchard with some activities perhaps.  I've found bushels on line, but hard to tell from that.

kpl

Morning...

If you caught our picture of the day this morning at 8:15 a.m., then you saw that Paula from Hudson, New Hampshire, had sent in a picture of a (small) squirrel with a (large) walnut. She captured the picture in her driveway up in New Hampshire.

At my house in Natick over the past few days, I've noticed several squirrels scurrying around gathering food for the winter. Maybe it's me, but it seems sooner this year... and the squirrels seem more visible and brazen than usual. My oldest son, Caleb, (he'll be 3 next week) even noticed when a squirrel kept running back and forth on our deck.

Has anyone else noticed this? I know temperatures have been a little below average for the past week or so, but it seems early for them to be this aggressive. Maybe I'm 'nuts'?

-Cindy

Hi Cindy,

That was a squirrel in the picture with a walnut.  We have 9 walnut trees in our yard.

That is how they look before you take the shell off of them.

NO, IT WAS NOT A TENNIS BALL.

I wanted to clear up any confusion.

Paula, Hudson

Or Steam Fog...

We got this picture from a family in Norfolk and used it for our picture of the day this morning at 6:45am:

Sarah, Patrick and Hayley sent in this picture of steam fog, also called evaporation fog over Kingsbury Pond. Beautiful, isn't it?!

This type of fog is pretty common in the fall and early winter as cooler air temperatures over the warmer water bodies begin to mix together just after sunrise.

In the spring time... doesn't work that way as the much cooler water bodies don't produce fog as easily.

Now you know!
-Cindy