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Author: James Snyder

The Holiday Decoration Game – It’s All a Matter of Timing

The Holiday Decoration Game – It’s All a Matter of Timing

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Thanksgiving has come and gone, so now – yes – you’re allowed to go “whole hog” on your Christmas holiday celebrations.  Listen to the 24 x 7 Christmas songs on the radio, get your fill of schlocky movies on “The Hallmark Channel”, and decorate your home (inside and out) to your heart’s content. This brings up the age-old question on timing. When, exactly, is one supposed to decorate for the holidays? Just like people, there are a lot of answers…

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The Cooler Weather is Here – Is That a Bad Thing?

The Cooler Weather is Here – Is That a Bad Thing?

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Recent cooler temperatures have had me listening to the usual seasonal complaints from friends and family. “I hate the cold weather.” “I can’t wait until the summer temperatures are here again.” “There’s snow in the forecast?  God, I hate snow – I just hate it.” Let me take a moment and throw my “two cents” into the ring and answer some of these detractors. First off, one of the reasons all of us like living in this area is the…

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Local Breweries:  The More the Merrier

Local Breweries:  The More the Merrier

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Ahhhh, beer. These days, brew masters are always finding new ways to ferment ingredients into an elixir enjoyed by humans since the dawn of time.  Whether it be lagers, ales, stouts, sours, or ciders – if it can be brewed into a beverage, someone local is doing it.  With the weather turning colder, it’s a great time to get out and sample some of the concoctions these local artisans have to offer.  Listed below are some of the places I…

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Thanksgiving – The Forgotten Holiday

Thanksgiving – The Forgotten Holiday

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Well, Halloween has come and gone, so now we can all get amped up for the Christmas holiday season, right? Christmas songs have already started playing on the radio, Walt Disney World has their holiday decorations up, Mariah Carey announced that she is ready for the Christmas season (as if anyone cared), and retailers are touting their holiday deals. Hang on – how about we pump the brakes on all the “holly-jolly” there for a minute. Aren’t we forgetting something? …

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This Is Halloween!

This Is Halloween!

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A very, scary Halloween to you!  Yes, this is the day to celebrate ghouls, goblins, and all things dark and terrifying.  Not my favorite holiday, I must say.  If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I am not a big fan of “things that go bump in the night” – or for that matter – things that go bump in the day.  Imagine ‘Barney Fife’ from ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ when he’s scared or nervous.  Yeah, that’s basically…

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Cruise Ships:  New, Bigger – Better?

Cruise Ships:  New, Bigger – Better?

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While I don’t really understand how the cruise industry survived the recent pandemic (and their consistent bouts in recent years with the Norwalk virus – washy! washy!), there seems to be no stopping the ongoing drive to offer bigger ships, more activities, and just more of everything. Every major line seems to be adding new ships, more amenities (private islands with multiple activities are becoming the norm on Caribbean itineraries), and just “plus-ing” every aspect of their travel offerings. Just…

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Christmas Shopping:  Is It Ever Too Early?

Christmas Shopping:  Is It Ever Too Early?

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Ahhhh, fall.  Being out and about, I love the sights and sounds of autumn.  The crunching leaves, the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg, a hearty casserole, the Christmas shopping. Wait – what?  The Christmas shopping? No doubt you’ve already seen some Christmas displays up at your local box stores or favorite department stores.  Every year, retailers just can’t seem to get this stuff out fast enough.  They’ve got Halloween decorations out in July, Thanksgiving never gets any love whatsoever, and…

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Trucks:  The Bigger the Better?

Trucks:  The Bigger the Better?

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After being blasted in my rear-view mirror by the headlights of a gargantuan behemoth that was so wide it barely fit in its lane yesterday, I’d like to take a moment to talk about trucks. I’m not talking about 18-wheelers, mind you.  I’m talking about all of these Dodge Ram, Chevy Tundra, Ford – whatevers I see more and more of on the road each year. It used to be that a man (or woman) wanted a small truck to…

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Hurricanes – Not For The Faint of Heart

Hurricanes – Not For The Faint of Heart

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Hurricanes are back in the news again, as Ian rumbled across the Florida peninsula this past week and we’re smack dab in the middle of the 2022 storm season (hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th).  Many folks in the four-state region may think they know what it’s like to “ride out” a storm.  This area sometimes gets the remnants of a hurricane that rumbles its way up the Eastern seaboard and into the Chesapeake Bay, or maybe…

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Autumn is Here – Let Us Rejoice!

Autumn is Here – Let Us Rejoice!

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At last!  As of this past Thursday, we have officially entered my favorite season of the year – fall! Do I write a blog about autumn every year?  Yes – and why?  Because it is the perfect season.  Living in the mid-Atlantic region allows me to enjoy each and every part of the annual cycle.  It is cold and snowy in the winter, spring brings life-giving rain as new growth bursts across the landscape, while even summer has its pleasures,…

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