Saturday, January 24, 2009

Fancy News - Signs of Life at the old movie theater building!


It's true, a crane was observed working along the side of the burned-out hulk of the old movie theater here in Springfield, Vermont, Official Home of the Simpsons. The surviving bits of original gingerbread trim that once graced the cornice of this victorian building were left to rot in the snow on the sidewalk, instead of being housed (anywhere) out of the weather - this a real reminder of the lack of interest in conservation. However, something is finally being done to fix or repair this once handsome building!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Fancy News - snow removal tips - snow joke!


If you have a neighbor cheerily recommend that you blow the snow from your drive into the roadway, beware, that neighbor is having a joke at the expense of the hard working road crews who have to then stop and explain the game plan. Here is the snow removal policy in Vermont in general, and in Springfield, Vermont, Official Home of the Simpsons, in particular.

Fancy News - Deep freeze freezes everything with arctic efficiency

I hope everyone who still lets their pets loose ever (they are domesticated animals, not wild creatures), keeps them in these days, it is painfully obvious that some pets are forced to stay out even in this sub-zero weather.

Here is a view of the frozen cliff-side trees above the Black River that provide cover for many local wild birds along the Palisades of Springfield, Vermont, seen from the bridge over Comptu Falls on the sixteenth of January, 2009.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Fancy News - Ambulance loses traction, dances into tractor trailer, entrancing tripped-out townies, trapping traffic.

This parking spot offers a fine view of fully one third of the controlled intersections (there are three) in Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons, on most days, and it did not fail to amuse and astound today.
At around three o'clock PM, at around five minutes before the hour, traffic was just pulling into the shoulders to clear a path for the approaching ambulance - it's yeowl plainly heard by all even though most drivers would be motoring with windows shut on a day like today.
Indeed, most drivers managed to yield a few feet, but the driver of the truck hauling heavy equipment had nowhere to move to, and he wisely stayed still as the soon-to-be-airborne ambulance approached, at high speed and apparently at high enough speed.
The ambulance approached and made a failed attempt at a Hollywood move at the last moment, and instead of a neat sideswipe about the truck through the ample path made available by compliant drivers, the ambulance neatly shmooshed into the side of the unmoving dead weight of the loaded tractor trailer - no bounce from the ambulance as it connected, no recoil, nothing but a gentle and firm stop, that ambulance was as nailed to the Earth as if it was welded in place.
After considerable moments, the driver began to show signs of recovering from the shock of the moment, then a bystander approached to see if any of this was real, then the driver finally alighted to inspect also and see if it really happened.


Finally, there arrived adequate police officers inspecting and directing traffic, even though it was observed that at least one old bat with a sensible haircut driving a pale colored Subaru wagon ignored the officer's direction and yelling, (she even slowed down to turn and look at him, then turned back to her mission and continued driving ahead without stopping for any of the other police officers who gaver her stern looks with hints of rebuke in their eyes, yes Agnes Knowles Benedergrafft, you know who you are).
And finally, the victim was carried out of the arena, with damage on display for all of us to see, proof that there is plenty of excitement in Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Fancy News - The Special Occurance of what is being referred to as the Biggest Full Moon of 2009


It was a spectacular Moon rise on Saturday night. It would be hard for any photo to capture the presence of the fast-moving silver orb flying 'cross the pinky sunset skies of Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Ice and Snow, Sun and Fun - A Fine Day for a Walk in Springfield, Vermont.


What could be more fun than a walk along the Black River in a nice light shower of ice and snow, in shorts! Yes, here in Vermont, especially in Springfield, Vermont (Official Home of the Simpsons), nothing says Spring like Short Pants in January. The days are getting longer, so why not give Spring a little push? Here are a couple of local people who know how to have fun.

Mientras me ocupava afuera haciendo recados hoy a mediodia, di una vuelta con camara por el poble a ver que veia de interés universál para subir a mi blog este, springfieldvermont.org, y vaya locura - vi una pareja vestidos para playa (casi). La verdad es que no es tan raro ver a gente asi en pleno Invierno - pero es que el joven llevava pantalon corto! Se ve tal moda de vestir en el Invierno de vez en cuando - con los que se creen bravos, con los que buscan adelantar la Primavera, o con los que sienten deprimidos por el Invierno (¡jolin, q se tomen una pildora de vitamina D!).

¡Que divertido es el Invierno!

Here is the resident flock of pigeons of Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons.


And here a slice of the local watershed.