Then there's Really Puzzling News.

[ChrisGreaves]

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So here I am, minding my own business, trying to make sense of the search engine on Home Hardware's web site and I got as far as components for my proof-of-concept mechanical plough. The pulley blocks were not a problem, because I don't have any, so whatever I order by mistake will be better than nothing.
But what am I to make of aircraft cable that must not be used on/in etc aircraft?
(signed) "Puzzled" of Bonavista

[BobH]

Now all you need are clear skies, eclipse glasses, or a pinhole device.

[John Gray]

The Really Good News is that my westward line of sight will no longer be blocked by the redneck's house.
Or any other building for that matter.

You've been out with the explosives, then?

[GeoffW]

You've been out with the explosives, then?

It's all to do with the big bang.

[ChrisGreaves]

Now all you need are clear skies, eclipse glasses, or a pinhole device.

Right.
I am hoping to get that pinhole device working before next Christmas!
Cheers, Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

You've been out with the explosives, then?

tempting, tempting!

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I took this photo an hour ago showing where the sun sets right now. South is to the left, so the eclipse will probably occur behind the Redneck's house.
Cheers, Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

It's all to do with the big bang.

Now stop that!
Else Graeme will join in
Cheers, Chris

[Graeme]

The Really Good News is that my westward line of sight will no longer be blocked by the redneck's house.

Then, during totality, you'll be able to see Venus and Jupiter as well as the eclipse.

Unless it's cloudy, then you won't see anything.

Graeme

[ChrisGreaves]

And then this morning, after seeing twelve inches of snow in my driveway and more sneakily drifting down from the sky, I find Young David from across the street on his little two-by-two plough piling snow and ice FROM my driveway ONTO my daffodil beds. Now when the growing season is but four months, the last thing you need are piles of ice and snow atop the daffodil beds shortening THEIR growing season by 25%. My voice is coming back, after an hour or so.

Then to Arkansas which broadcasts Gloom, Alarum, and Despondency over Bonavista.
Woe be unto Bonavista, Newfoundland, for one, whose April 8 is summed up thusly: “Sadly, widespread clouds probably will hide views of the totally eclipsed Sun for Newfoundland. Rain and wet snow.” Not only are we predicted not to get an eclipse, we are predicted to get more snow (see 'Young David" above)

Are any of Eileen's Lounge members based in Arkansas?

I thought not.
I'd be ashamed, too.

On a slightly pedantic note (well, what else is there left to do?) I point out that "widespread clouds" are never a problem on Solar Eclipse days. All we ask is that less than one-tenth of one percent of the sky NOT be occupied by cloud.

Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

Then, during totality, you'll be able to see Venus and Jupiter as well as the eclipse.

Graeme, about a year ago you cleared up a p;oint about the visibility of The Wanderers, and i must say I have had fun watching Jupiter in the night sky. The Stellarium view reminded me that Jupiter is about to set, and that little diagram I made, helped me to see Jupiter from above its orbit. More clearly now I see that at night time, when I am facing (rotation) away from the sun, I won't see Jupiter because it is on the far side of the sun, from my point of view; that is "behind my back".

It's nice to get a better view of what's going on.

Unless it's cloudy, then you won't see anything.

Oh Graeme. Go back home to Arkansas!
Cheers, Chris

[BobH]

Chris, I'm sorry about the newly found 12 inches of white stuff. At just past noon here, it is 71°F with partly cloudy skies and intermittent sunshine. Shall I package some of it and ship it to Bonavista? Will you help with shipping costs?

[ChrisGreaves]

Chris, I'm sorry about the newly found 12 inches of white stuff.

No you're not.

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You just like bragging about your 71F and stuff.
Just so's you know, when they say "reduced visibility" that means that the trench I dug to the street at lunchtime has since been filled in and I can't see it any more.

You actually enjoy that I know what it's like in Yuma right now

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I have been submitting feedback for weeks now, but obviously they have not had time to respond to my suggestion that they send you a cease-and-desist order.

Shall I package some of it and ship it to Bonavista? Will you help with shipping costs?

No Bob; don't bother. The previous two batches you promised you'd send haven't arrived yet; no sense messing up what weather we already have.
And "NO!", the stuff arrives free by air-freight.
I already get rain delivered for free from that lady in Ohio!

We used to be such good friends ...
Cheers, Chris

[BobH]

That's awfully cold for Yuma this time of year. I know those can't be those communist celsius degrees 'cause Yuma uses the red-blooded Fahrenheit kind.

[GeoffW]

Nah, I. An see from the screen shot that Chris chose the 'Cold' setting to display rather than 'Freezing'. I'm sure that was done as a provocation to residents of one of only three countries of the world who use imperialist measurements.

[BobH]

Ahem, Mr. Greaves. I have a bone (avista) to pick with you.

Apparently my humble jibe at you yesterday aroused your anger causing you to hurl some of that North wind my way. It arrived about 5:45pm local time yesterday Our temperatures plummeted and now sit at 41°F at 11:15 CST with a North wind persisting at about 15 mph making us sympathize with you in NL. :brrr:

[Graeme]

Temperature is largely irrelevant. This is the important bit:

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Here's mine:

Screenshot 2024-03-10 074320.png

Graeme

[ChrisGreaves]

Temperature is largely irrelevant. This is the important bit:
Here's mine:

Spoken like a true astrological sky-gazer.
The first image shows the sun and moon, indicating clear skies, the escape of heat from Earth, and hence bitterly cold nights.
The second image shows rain, that's the stuff that hits the ground and keeps running.
Away.

Now, if you don't have a foot or so of snow on the ground, who cares?
But with a foot or so of snow on the ground, sunny skies and torrents of rain are what is needed.

What is going on here.
Why am I agreeing with Graeme?
Dang! It's that daylight saving again, lack of sleep, coffee not brewed, ...

Cheers, Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

Ahem, Mr. Greaves. I have a bone (avista) to pick with you.
Apparently my humble jibe at you yesterday aroused your anger causing you to hurl some of that North wind my way.

Vent not your avuncular anger on me, old man.
Jibe away at your neighbour, that irascible woman in Ohio from whence your Northerlies do blow.
As Jack Nicholson said back in 1997 "Sell Northerlies someplace else; we're all stocked up here".
Your loving nephew
Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

... Chris chose the 'Cold' setting to display rather than 'Freezing'.

Well done! that man.
Cheers, Chris

[Skitterbug]

Hello Chris!

And "NO!", the stuff arrives free by air-freight.
I already get rain delivered for free from that lady in Ohio!

Such a lucky person you are!!!

Vent not your avuncular anger on me, old man.
Jibe away at your neighbour, that irascible woman in Ohio from whence your Northerlies do blow.
As Jack Nicholson said back in 1997 "Sell Northerlies someplace else; we're all stocked up here".

And woe to you since we woke to a cold wind howling 30mph+, blowing snow every which way! Enjoy it when it arrives "on" your doorsteps! It will be much better than me arriving at your door!!!

ps: My internet service has finally been restored..........