well.....so much for that idea! get down south early this year to find some warmth and get out of the nh cold. so far, since before xmas until now i think i've seen 4 warm days and a couple of those were just barely. it is cold on the gulf coast...venice!! nights getting down in the 30's, day's high 40's/low 50's nw & ne winds 8-10 mph. keeps a guy pretty much indoors since after twice getting very cold after fishing for an hour i've given that up until warmer weather.
strange sight to see at the grocery store - people in their ll bean parkas, earmuffs, gloves. and, of course, the occasional show-off with shorts on.

well...tiger woods replaced michael jackson as the biggest dope on the planet, but (right now) at least he's still alive and can be kicked around for a while. isn't it great that some celebrity always steps into the spotlight with some stupid action so that the newspapers can get that revenue they need.
one guy who always is good for buffonery is, of course, the pope. midnight mass at 10 o'clock?! does this mean jesus was really born on the 24th? or did his papalness just want to be in bed when santa came? or was he just trying to get "out of town" before the barrier jumping girlfriend caught up with him. hmmmm...do i sense a tiger thing with old benny baby? maybe a different chickie in each confessional? stayed tuned...those newspapers may stop bleeding red ink if this keeps up!

for anyone traveling up I 93 to the lakes region the 104 diner on rt 104 in meredith is worth the stop for lunch or breakfast. it's about 2 miles off 93, and is the former bobby's girl. part of the common man family, the menu is familiar, and the decor, while maintaining a diner "feel," has the same comfortable manner as all the C-Man restaurants. prices are moderate, lunch specials every day and the best burgers cooked to order. iced tea comes in a very big glass, the chips are the rustic, crunchy kind and all the ice cream comes topped with a dollop of whipped cream. for more reviews on the 104 diner go to yelp.com and "search".

since the windmill went up there is nothing new to say with regard to it except that it could be classified as the most expensive "lawn ornament" in bradford. this year has not been especially windy so it sits idle frequently. during 2 exceptionally windy days last week it recorded 30kwh which is great. our electric bill last month showed a decrease averaging 3 kwh a day over the billiung period. this month should be even better.
re: the pope ....has taken none of my suggestions and has said nothing really ridiculos (that i have read about), michael jackson is still dead...although people are still making money off of his image/name, etc., the weather here is warm for nov./dec.....so little to write (rant) about.
i'm thinking of turning my attention to my Yelp site: http://www.yelp.com/?user_details?userid=_QAcYLklSLZJbCtyT5T7kq ( then click on "my profile" to find me) and review restaurants, brew pubs, etc. and...maybe i'll throw in a couple on this blog also.

The "Bird" in Repose

since i've received a couple of requests to show the finished product in its entirety here 'tis.

The Bradford Windmill Team

Will and Jim from Atlantic Air in Lebanon, Erich from Lake Crane in Webster, and Bradford neighbor and electrician Mike. All did a great job and showed lots of know-how. highly recommended group!

Up and Spinning!

bradford's first windmill was up and spinning in a stiff westward breeze at about 3 o'clck on july 22nd. hooking up the turbine and placing the pole went smoothly with on a couple of minor adjustments to the bolts. town bldg. inspector Trudy Willette was quick to arrive and give us final approval and a cert/occup.


looking at the pole before it went up gives some idea of its 45' length.




Mike wiring up the turbine and Will getting the bolts ready.

Erich Lake, Webster NH crane operator skillfully (and carefully) lifts the pole and turbine to "swing" it into position to be affixed to the base.