Kay's Daily Journal
March 2009

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2009 Old Farmer's Almanac Predictions for the Mid-Atlantic Region

March 2009
Temp. 41° (2° below avg)
Precip. 3.5" (0.5" below avg)
1-5: Rain to snow, turning cold.
6-8: Rain, seasonable.
9-14: Sunny, then snow, cold.
15-17: Sunny, seasonable.
18-22: Rain north, cloudy south, cool.
23-26: Rain & snow, cool.
27-31: Sunny then rain, cool.

Historic Records For This Month
Historic Record High Temp: 87° Date - March 29, 1998
Historic Record Low Temp: 16° Date - March 5, 2002
Historic Record Rainfall: 0.0" Date -

Note: The Record Temperatures are for my area in Virginia over the period 1996 - 2008.
I will add more inclusive records over a larger geographic area at a later date as well as my own records at my own house started during this year, 2008.



Important March Dates

Holidays Etc: Anniversaries: Birthdays: Miscellaneous:
March 8 - Daylight Savings Time Begins March 19 - Earl & Gail March 5- Alana Birthstone - Aquamarine, Bloodstone
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day March 19 - Ed & Linda March 6 - Kay Flower - Jonquil, Daffodil
March 20 - First Day of Spring March 8 - Joyce Color - Pale Blue
Full Moon - Worm Moon, Maple Sugar Moon - March 11
Meteor Showers - None we can see


Earthquake Note:
The statistics used for the Daily Worldwide Earthquake Totals includes the latest Earthquakes Magnitude 2.5 or Greater in the United States and Adjacent Areas and Magnitude 4.5 or Greater in the Rest of the World.

Daily PHA Note:
Potentially Hazard Asteroids (PHA's)are space rocks larger than approximately 100m (size) that can come closer to Earth than 0.05 AU. None of the known PHAs is on a collision course with our planet, although astronomers are finding new ones all the time. 1 AU is the distance of earth to the sun, so 0.05 AU is basically about 1/20th the distance from earth to sun. So the numbers I will be displaying, hopefully daily, will represent asteroids that are passing closer to earth than 1/20th the distance between the earth and sun and could be potentially hazardous to life on earth.

One Meter = 39.37 inches (just over a yard!).
AU = Distance from earth to sun.
LD (Lunar Distance) = The distance from earth to the moon,
384,401 km or 234,484.61 miles (a km, kilometer is .61 of a mile).

Volcanoes Note:
How many active volcanoes known?
Erupting now: perhaps 20
Each year: 50-70
Each decade: about 160
Historical eruptions: about 550

These figures do not include the large number of eruptions (and undescribed volcanoes) on the deep sea floor. Estimates of global magma budgets suggest that roughly 3/4 of the lava reaching Earth's surface does so unnoticed at submarine mid-ocean ridges.



March 31, 2009 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 64° Lo - 38° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):**
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1049

In like a lion, out like a lamb!

It is a gorgeous day, north breeze, making the air feel cooler than the 64° that we had on the thermometer. My kind of weather. Well, if there wasn't any tree pollen.....

MT. REDOUBT: Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has erupted at least 19 times since March 22nd, and several of the most powerful blasts have spewed clouds of ash and sulfurous gas into the lower stratosphere. The last time an Alaskan volcano blew its top (Kasatochi in August 2008), similar clouds caused fantastic sunsets around the Northern Hemisphere. Today's edition of Spaceweather features satellite maps of Mt. Redoubt's sulfur dioxide emissions. Using these maps, we can track the volcanic clouds as they drift around the globe and be alert for unusual sunsets and other phenomena when they pass nearby.

And the latest, just before bedtime here: There was a small explosion at Redout at 16:07 AKDT (00:07 UTC). There was a pilot report that put the ash cloud to 25,000 ft. At this time, continuous low level emissions of steam, volcanic gases, and ash continue at Redoubt Volcano. Seismicity consists of volcanic tremor and occasional discrete earthquakes. Satellite images from this morning show a broad layer of volcanic haze extending east of the volcano over the Kenai Peninsula, the Anchorage Bowl, and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

Accomplishments for March 2009:

Bible Read (CW-The Clear Word - 1425 pages):
     Judges
     Ruth
     1st Samuel
     2nd Samuel
     1st Kings

Home Studies:
     Online SS Lessons: 2009 - 1st Quarter:
          03/06 - 10. The Message of the Prophets
          03/13 - 11. Interpreting the Prophetic Writings
          03/20 - 12. The Blessings of the Prophetic Gift
          03/27 - 13. Confidence in the Prophetic Gift

Note: Current Online SS Lessons are available at: Current SS Lessons

Daily Devotionals:
     My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, March 1- 31
     Guidepost Daily Devotional 2008 - March 1 - 31
     Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today - March 1 - 31

Audio Books Listened to:
     Seaswept - Nora Roberts
     Inner Harbor - Nora Roberts
     Rising Tides - Nora Roberts
     Chesapeake - Nora Roberts
     Love Me Forever - Johanna Lindsey

TV Specials:
     Global Warning!
     Earth Series: San Andreas Fault
     Seconds from Disaster: Tornado Outbreak

TV Movies:
     Tora, Tora, Tora
     Outlaw Josey Wales
     Northern Lights
     Live Once, Die Twice
     Midnight on the Bayou

Contests:
     Total Contest Entries for the Month: 35

Weather/Skywarn/NWS/KG:
     Reports: March 1, 2009, Snowfall, 8.0" (sleet & heavy wet snow, 2-3" )
     Reports: March 2, 2009, Snowfall, 4.0"
     Reports: March 13, 2009, Snowfall, 0.5"
     Reports: March 14, 2009, Rainfall, 0.T"
     Reports: March 15, 2009, Rainfall, 0.2"
     Reports: March 16, 2009, Rainfall, 0.2"
     Reports: March 19, 2009, Rainfall, 0.1"
     Reports: March 26, 2009, Rainfall, 0.1"
     Reports: March 28, 2009, Rainfall, 1.0"

     Monthly High Temp: 84° - 03-08-09
     Monthly Low Temp: 11° - 03-03-09
     Monthly Total Rainfall: 1.6"
     Monthly Total Snowfall: 12.5"

Disaster Reports:
     Total Earthquakes: 840

Computer Projects:
     Scanning:approx 10 photos

Webpage Facebook Activities:
     Active

Webpage MySpace Activities:
     In progress

Holidays:
     March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
     March 19 - St. Joseph's Day

     Birthdays: 3
     Anniversaries: 2
     Funerals: 1

Places Visited & Things Done:
     Family

Note:
If you are interested in reading or listening or watching any of the listed items above, please check with your local library. Most of these books, audiobooks, CD's, cassettes or DVD's can be found on their shelves. The household, craft and hobby projects are mostly my own and many can be found on these webpages under the same category. If not my original ideas, then credit is given, if known, where due. For instructions, corrections, criticisms, additions or comments, please email me at the address listed at the bottom of this webpage. Hope you have enjoyed my entries.

March 30, 2009 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 66° Lo - 44° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):27
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1049

Notice that we've added another PHA. The month started with 1033, so you can see they are continually finding more. Interesting, huh?

I called Dad this afternoon and he is suffering from some pain. He has some doctor appointments this week so hopefully they will be able to resolve the problems! Also, Jimmy went thru the procedure today with no problems. Keep them both in your prayers.

March 29, 2009 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 80° Lo - 50° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):11
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1048

Radar suggests that Redoubt may have produced a steam-rich/ash-poor plume to 25,000 feet above sea level at approximately 11:20 AKDT (19:20 UTC). Seismicity increased at that time, but has decreased over approximately the last 15 minutes. Seismicity still remains above background levels. The last significant explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 19:23 AKDT (03:23 UTC).

Seismicity at Redoubt remains well above background. Following last night's explosive event at 7:23 pm, we have had no evidence of additional significant explosions.

I'm finding that Facebook is a very time consuming thing. I try to check it out every night or so, but this last week I didn't get on there hardly at all!

March 28, 2009 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 54° Lo - 48° Rainfall Amounts: 1.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):23
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1048

Another explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 15:29 AKDT (23:29 UTC). NWS reports a radar cloud top above 35,000 ft above sea level. Seismicity is still quite elevated.

And then again later, another explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 19:23 AKDT (03:23 UTC). NWS reports a radar cloud top above 45,000 ft above sea level. Seismicity is still quite elevated. Ashfall from the explosion at 3:29 ADT has been reported in locations from Anchorage to Valdez.

If this keeps up, we'll have a colder, snowy-er winter next year....

My Dad was released from the hospital this afternoon and we're grateful that he is feeling a little better. He is still having pain and may possibly need some surgery before feeling better! Keep him and our family in your prayers!

March 27, 2009 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 58° Lo - 43° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):35
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1048

An explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 23:20 AKDT (07:20 UTC). National Weather Service reports the cloud height to be approximately 40,000 ft above sea level based on radar.

An explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 19:25 AKDT (03:25 UTC). National Weather Service reports the cloud height to be approximately 51,000 ft above sea level based on radar.

An explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 17:35 AKDT (1:35 UTC). National Weather Service reports the cloud height to be approximately 40,000 ft above sea level based on radar.

March 26, 2009 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 55° Lo - 42° Rainfall Amounts: 0.1"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):33
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1048

A major explosive event occurred at 09:24 AKDT. National Weather Service reports the cloud height to be at least 65,000 ft above sea level. So Mt. Redoubt has still some venting to do apparently.

There was an earthquake today measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale NORTHWEST OF THE RYUKYU ISLANDS.

Dad was admitted to the hospital early this morning. Please keep him in your prayers.

March 25, 2009 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 55° Lo - 28° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):24
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1048

Busy day, went to town for a prescription and to pick up a few items for us and a neighbor. Jim took the day off to catch up on some stuff and went to town with me, so we had a good day.

I went back and entered the PHA's from March 1st of 2009 so you can see how they are finding more almost daily....

Dad's in the emergency room tonight....

March 24, 2009 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 52° Lo - 28° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):23
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1048

Redoubt remains at Aviation Color Code RED and Alert Level WARNING. Seismic activity at the volcano is currently relatively low, and no activity is observed in partly cloudy web camera images. Pilot reports and satellite images indicate that a steam plume is currently rising to at least 20,000 ft asl and drifting at least 40 miles to the northwest. We have no indication that the volcano is currently emitting ash, though explosive activity could resume with little or no warning.

The last explosive event occurred last night (March 23) at 7:41 pm (AKDT) and lasted for roughly seventeen minutes. The top of the ash cloud was estimated to have reached at least 50,000 ft above sea level based on National Weather Service radar. Winds in the vicinity of the volcano carried the ash cloud primarily to the west and north. Pyroclastic flows were visible traveling down the volcano's north flank in web camera images. Last night's explosive event was the sixth thus far since explosive activity began Sunday, March 22 at 10:38 PM AKDT.

Yesterday, AVO staff visited the area around Redoubt by helicopter to assess conditions and repair equipment damaged by Sunday night's eruptions. They fixed the telemetry link at AVO's observation hut, which is once again transmitting images from the web camera and data from a GPS and two seismic instruments. Clouds obscured the summit, but observers reported very large lahar and flood deposits in the Drift River Valley that likely occurred during and/or following the first five explosions. These flows, which contained ice, water, mud, and other debris, inundated the Drift River Valley and traveled more than 35 km, reaching Cook Inlet. In the middle to upper Drift River Valley, high-water marks reached 6-8 meters above the valley floor. At the AVO hut (roughly 7 miles NNW of the summit), a 6-cm thick fall deposit was observed.

A gas-measurement flight is currently en route to the volcano. AVO remains staffed 24 hours per day will issue further information as it becomes available.


There was an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale today at NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

March 23, 2009 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 55° Lo - 35° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):27
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1046

Beginning last night (Sunday March 22, 2009) at approximately 22:38 AKDT, Redoubt Volcano produced a series of five explosive eruptions that each lasted from four to thirty minutes. The last one ended at 5:00 AM AKDT this morning (March 23). National Weather Service radar, pilot reports, and AVO analysis of satellite imagery suggest that these events produced ash clouds that reached 60,000 ft above sea level (asl), with the bulk of the ash volume between 25 - 30,000 ft asl. Traces of ash fall have been reported in Skwentna, Talkeetna, Wasilla, and Trapper Creek.

AVO remains at Avation Color Code RED and Alert Level WARNING. Seismic unrest continues at Redoubt in the form of elevated volcanic tremor. NEXRAD radar data show that the last significant ash emission was concurrent with the final explosive event at 5:00 AM AKDT. Since that time, no ash has been visible in radar, suggesting that if ash emission is occurring, it is below approximately 13,000 ft asl and/or too fine to be detected. Poor weather at the volcano currently hinders visual observations.

Last night's explosive eruptions caused melting of the Drift glacier and greatly increased discharge down the Drift River. AVO plans a helicopter overflight to the area today to assess conditions at the volcano and along the Drift River. The explosions also destroyed one seismic station near the volcano's summit (RSO), and disrupted telemetry from AVO's obsveration hut. This telemetry outage affects the web camera, a continuous GPS station, and two broadband seismic stations. Repairs to this data link will be undertaken as conditions permit. Seven telemetered seismic stations surrounding Redoubt remain in operation.

The eruptions were preceded by approximately 60 hours of elevated seismicity in the form of discrete earthquakes under the volcano. AVO raised the Aviation Color Code/Alert Level from YELLOW/ADVISORY to ORANGE/WATCH on Saturday, March 21 at 22:09 AKDT. This increase in seismicity likely reflected the upward movement of magma towards the surface. Prior to this weekend, Redoubt had exhibited signs of volcanic unrest beginning in the Fall of 2008 which then escalated in late January, 2009. Last night's explosions were the first significant ash-producing eruptions of the unrest.

Further explosive activity could occur with little or no warning, and could occur intermittently for weeks or months. AVO remains staffed 24 hours per day will issue further information as it becomes available.


March 22, 2009 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 64° Lo - 29° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):33
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1046

Warms up pretty good during the day, but nights are cold. I like that.

March 21, 2009 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 54° Lo - 28° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):29
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1046

Happy 1st Day of SPRING !!!!

ASTEROID FLYBY: On March 20th, asteroid 2009 DO111 flew past Earth about 288,000 miles away--just beyond the orbit of the Moon. About the size of a football field, the dangerous space rock was visible in backyard telescopes as it raced through the constellation Cassiopeia shining like a 13th magnitude star. March has been a busy month for flybys with at least nine asteroids passing within a million miles of Earth.

I think that I'm going to add a new feature in my daily stuff above. PHA's. Potentially Hazard Asteroids (PHA's)are space rocks larger than approximately 100m that can come closer to Earth than 0.05 AU. None of the known PHAs is on a collision course with our planet, although astronomers are finding new ones all the time. The 100m refers to the size of the asteroid, I believe in meters which is 39.37 inches or just over a yard. Lunar Distance which equals 384,401km. Now, I had Jim's help with this as I was raised with miles and yards and inches. He explained to me that a km or kilometer is 0.61 of a mile. So to convert the Lunar Distance, 1 LD = 234,484.61 miles or the distance between the earth and the moon. Now 1 AU is the distance of earth to the sun, so 0.05 AU is basically about 1/20th the distance from earth to sun. So the numbers I will be displaying, hopefully daily, will represent asteroids that are passing closer to earth than 1/20th the distance between the earth and sun and could be potentially hazardous to life on earth. Understand? If not you can visit Space Weather, which goes into a really good explanation about these things!

March 20, 2009 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 54° Lo - 33° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):23
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1043

Did some grocery shopping today, a little housework and just routine stuff. Nothing much new on the home front....

March 19, 2009 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 67° Lo - 38° Rainfall Amounts: 0.1"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):33
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1043

Happy Anniversary, Earl & Gail!!!!
Happy Anniversary, Ed & Linda!!!!

There was an earthquake today measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale near the TONGA REGION. I even heard about this one on the news! Apparently there is NO Tsunami watch for the West Coast of the US or Alaska at this time. Initially there were some watches and warnings issued in parts of the Pacific as the earthquake did generate a tsunami. But the latest and "final" statement has cancelled it, at least for Hawaii and the US West Coast, including Alaska. See NOAA for the Tsunami statements.

The other good news of the day is that the Ground-based Volcano Alert Level on Mt. Redoubt in Alaska has been lowered from ORANGE (Watch) to YELLOW (Advisory) and therefore is once again not manned on a 24/7 basis.

Now, on the home front, I worked on laundry and more sorting and picking up of miscellaneous stuff around my house. Slow, tedious and seemingly endless, but I'm working on it!!! Had better energy today so felt like I got a couple things accomplished. Course there's always more and there's always tomorrow.....

March 18, 2009 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 65° Lo - 35° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):27
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1043

Worked on stuff around the house and Facebook. That's really all I got done yesterday... Real productive!

March 17, 2009 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 53° Lo - 39° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):21
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1043

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

Rained early morning then slowed to a drizzle for most of the afternoon. By evening, things were drying out, though the sky was still completely overcast.

Nothing new on the Volcano, activity appears to be low today.

Space shuttle Discovery launched Sunday, March 15th, on a construction mission to the International Space Station. Perfect timing for sky watchers! The mission coincides with a series of ISS flybys over North American towns and cities. People who go outside after sunset can see the shuttle-station combo with their naked eyes and view the changing outlines of the ISS through backyard telescopes, provided that your skies are clear.

ASTEROID BUZZES EARTH: Newly-discovered asteroid 2009 FH is flying past Earth tonight only 85,000 km (0.00057 AU) away. That's a little more than twice the height of a geosynchronous communications satellite. Experienced amateur astronomers in North America can photograph the 20-meter-wide space rock racing through the constellation Gemini after sunset on March 17th. It should be about as bright as a 14th magnitude star.

This is the second time in March that an asteroid has flown so close to Earth. On March 2nd, 2009 DD45 passed by only 72,000 km away. Measuring some tens of meters in diameter, 2009 DD45 and 2009 FH are approximately Tunguska-class objects, meaning they pose no global threat but could cause local damage if they actually hit Earth. In years past, asteroids of this size often passed unnoticed, but recent improvements in asteroid surveys have resulted in growing numbers of space rocks caught in the act of near-Earth flybys.

March 16, 2009 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 48° Lo - 40° Rainfall Amounts: 0.2"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):22
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1041

There was an earthquake measuring 6.3 at KEPULAUAN TALAUD, INDONESIA today.

Still raining and a little harder today, at least this evening! Well, we've truly needed the rain badly, so I won't complain yet.

Well, apparently Mt. Redoubt in Alaska is not done yet. They have raised the Alert Level back to ORANGE and here is the latest statement:

Seismic activity at Mount Redoubt increased at about 1:05 AKDT Sunday afternoon (March 15, 2009) and approximately 4 hours of continuous volcanic tremor ensued. The onset of the tremor was associated with a small explosion that produced a plume of gas and ash that rose to about 15,000 feet above sea level and deposited a trace amount of ash over the summit-crater floor and down the south flank of the volcano to about 3,000 feet. AVO responded to this increase in activity by raising the color code and alert level to ORANGE/WATCH at 2:50 PM AKDT. At this time it does not appear that the increase in activity heralds a significant eruption in the short term, but conditions may evolve rapidly.

This is a busy week, but I'll try to keep check on the volcano somewhat. I remember Mount St. Helens when she blew and it was quite a news event.

March 15, 2009 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 45° Lo - 38° Rainfall Amounts: 0.2"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):21
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1041

Went to visit family today and also was able to get into the cemetery today to visit the grave. It was raining but the road in was very passable.

We had a very nice visit with Jim's mom and his brother as well as my parents. And we are tired so calling it a night!!!

March 14, 2009 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 44° Lo - 36° Rainfall Amounts: 0.T"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):25
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1041

Quiet day, again, so nice to have Jim back home again. So many little things for him to take care of for me, I really learn to appreciate him even more after he has been gone for a few weeks!!! I'm sure he doesn't appreciate all the "little things" that I "save up" for him to do when he returns from a trip like this, but, such is life. I'm not able to do as much as I used to do!

March 13, 2009 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 41° Lo - 33° Snowfall Amounts: 0.5"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):24
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1037

Friday the 13th !!!!

NASA and U.S. Air Force test pilots have dropped a 50,000-pound "dummy" rocket booster on the Arizona desert--and stopped it before it crashed. It's all part of NASA's plan to return to the Moon. To read the full story and see photos visit this website: NASA Science News.

But be sure to hit your "back" button to return to this journal!

What's with the temps and weather? Today we woke up to have a ½" of snow on the ground and it flurried all morning. Then it rained a drizzly cold type rain, then around 5 pm it mixed with sleet and actually had a layer on the deck and steps. Cool.

March 12, 2009 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 53° Lo - 40° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):65
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1037

There was an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale today SOUTH OF PANAMA. Also of the 65 earthquakes today, 40 of them were near the PUERTO RICO REGION ranging from 2.5 to 5.0 on the Richter Scale. Here's the map of the approximate location and size of the various earthquakes....

Earthquakes near Puerto Rico on March 12, 2009

We had some excitement today ending with me taking a little 4+ hour drive, but all's well that ends well! Life is never just a trip. It's always, ALWAYS an adventure!!! And that's all I'm going to say about it!!!

And Jim is HOME!!!! Hallelujah!!! It's been a long, hard 3 weeks and I'm so glad to have him back home!!!

March 11, 2009 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 82° Lo - 40° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):21
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1037

Another hot, humid day but I still got some work done anyway. Cleaned the house, worked on some photos and laundry etc. Jim comes home tomorrow night after over three weeks of being out in the desert!
March 10, 2009 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 51° Lo - 35° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):27
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1037

So today was another day of some light housework. You know, laundry and ironing, dishes and just general pick-up and put away type cleaning. Nothing dramatic or taxing.

As of Mar 10, 2009 09:56 ADT: The Alaska Volcano Observatory is lowering the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Alert Level to Advisory for Mount Redoubt. The new magma beneath the volcano does not show any signs of upward movement at this time. The volcano remains restless with abnormally high gas emission rates and melting of the summit glacier still evident. It is still quite possible, though far from certain, that the current volcanic unrest at Mount Redoubt could result in an eruption. Also, this unrest could persist for many months to a year or more and not lead to an eruption. During this unrest, it is possible for unrest at the volcano to change rapidly, advancing from relatively low levels to eruption in time periods as short as 24 hours or less. AVO will continue to monitor Redoubt closely, but will no longer be formally staffed 24 hours per day nor provide 2 hour updates.

WORM MOON: Tonight's full Moon has a special name--the Worm Moon. It signals the coming of northern spring, a thawing of the soil, and the first stirrings of earthworms in long-dormant gardens. Step outside tonight and behold the wakening landscape. "Worm moonlight" is prettier than it sounds. Another common name for this month's full moon is Maple Sugar Moon.

SATELLITE DEBRIS UPDATE: The first catalogued fragments of shattered satellite Cosmos 2251 are about to reenter Earth's atmosphere. According to US Strategic Command tracking data, reentries will occur on March 12th, 28th and 30th, followed by more in April. Radar cross sections are not available for all of the reentering pieces; they are probably centimeter-class fragments that pose no threat to people on the ground.

March 9, 2009 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 80° Lo - 48° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):34
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1037

Busy day just doing laundry and such. It was kinda hot today, but thankfully temps have dropped this evening somewhat! I'm really not a hot-weather person....

March 8, 2009 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 84° Lo - 59° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):19
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1037

Happy Birthday Joyce!!!!

Went to town once again and developed the rest of the photos from the funeral service. Walked around a couple stores and basically just enjoyed the day. It was kinda warm for me, I'm ready for AC when temps get above 70°. And it's not as much the temperatures as it is the humidity.

Hope you remembered to set your clocks to the correct "Daylight Savings Time". You know, "SPRING Ahead, FALL back"? So we lose an hour in the spring because you're setting your clocks forward an hour. At least here in Virginia. There are some areas that don't do this, like Arizona.

Jonquils bloomed at the end of the house and the ones in the front yard will bloom in the next day or two. It is, despite the humidity and allergens in the air, a beautiful time of year....

March 7, 2009 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 77° Lo - 48° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):26
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1035

Quiet day. Nothing new.

March 6, 2009 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 65° Lo - 37° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):27
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1035

Happy Birthday Kay!!!!

A bright sunny day, warm temperatures and a light south wind. That's all it takes to melt 98% of the snow. Only in the shadows is there any hint of snow left. March in Virginia.....

There was an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter Scale located NORTH OF SVALBARD. For those of you (me included!) who have to look this up on a map or atlas, its about 200 miles ESE of Nord, Greenland, kinda looks like it's in the Artic Ocean almost!

Status remains the same on the volcano. Snow obscured the cameras today of the mountain, but it's still being monitored electronically etc 24/7.

Got some photos printed today of the snow and flowers at the funeral service. That's about all I worked on today. Yep, Kay is me. My day!

March 5, 2009 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 50° Lo - 21° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):36
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1035

Happy Birthday Alana!!!!

Well, started the day out pretty good, but tired so spent time on the computer and just kicking back today. The service yesterday was very nice but I still see it every time I stop to catch my breath. It was a tough day, sad day for all the Price family and for everyone who knew Jim's father. He was a good man. I'll do a Memorial webpage on him eventually, like I've done for other family members and am still working on for those who passed this last year. It's just hard to do right now.

Nothing new on the Volcano, seems to have small quakes, but nothing significant. Still at Status Orange and being monitored 24-7.

Bright sunny day, temperature got to 50° so the snow is melting pretty good. Otherwise a quiet day. Nothing new to speak of.

March 4, 2009 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 41° Lo - 12° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):27
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1033

Funeral services today for Jim's father. And thanks to the kindness of a couple neighbors I was able to make the trip.

Very stressful, tiring and emotional day. Tired, going to bed.

March 3, 2009 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 32° Lo - 11° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):21
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1033

No melting today. Some shrinkage however.

March 2, 2009 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 32° Lo - 14° Snowfall Amounts: 6.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):26
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1033

The 32° temperature was actually at midnight last night. The temperatures continued to fall with the snow throughout the night into early morning. Total snowfall for this late winter Nor'easter was about 10-12" for us. After I reported 8" to the bureau, I realized that my ruler wasn't going all the way thru the snow, there's over 3" of compacted sleet, ice, snow under the fluffier stuff. So in reality we probably got about 10-12" but since I officially reported it as 8" to the bureau, I'll hold with that number.

No change in the volcano status. And for those of us who couldn't see the Comet Lulin last week, here's a trio of photos by Alessandro Dimai from Italy that are spectacular.

Photos by Alessandro Dimai from Italy

Power is back, internet is on and the kindness of a neighbor who plowed the snow from my lane is so greatly appreciated and to the friend who arranged it. I'm overwhelmed!

That's all for today.

March 1, 2009 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 35° Lo - 32° Snowfall Amounts: 5.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):19
Daily PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) Count: 1033

The background is an old weather legend. Well, it's meant to REPRESENT the old weather legend. If March comes in like a LION, it will go out as a LAMB. If March comes in like a LAMB, it will go out like a LION. So what's it doing at your house today? Looks like it's coming in as a Lion here in the Mid-Atlantic.

Nothing else to say. Sad days here right now.





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