On Monday, I watched porch furniture, Christmas decorations, shingles, and even a piece of firewood sail through the yard on the strong winds.

Location(s) BridgeGanister, PASee map: Google MapsAs I returned home from voting today, something really unusual happened. Just as a crossed the bridge on Route 866 at Ganister, a large bug went SPLAT!

Several people have commented to me lately that they're missing winter -- where's the snow and cold?  Here in central PA we're enjoying yet another week of above normal temperatures and sunshine.  We had a brief dusting of snow about a month ago, but that's been it so far.  Actually, here near Williamsburg, PA, it's been more than a year since we've had measurable and disrupting snow.  All those snow shovels and snow blowers are standing ready by the back door, along with buckets of sand and salt, but we haven't needed them yet.  Instead, the bikes are still out, and people are enjoying brisk walks along the Lower Trail, a local Rails-to-Trails project.