PC Woes – Humbug!

After my last blog post of December 14, the PC started acting up.  I was able to use it for a couple of days.  But then a near digital disaster made its ugly debut when the warning of an imminent hard disk failure unexpectedly popped up on the screen. 

I immediately called into action the diagnostic power of Norton 360 to check out the entire PC. Not good!  The analytic software kicked out the following message:  “The disk hardware is predicting the hard drive will eventually fail.  Backup your data and replace your hard drive.”

That’s a warning message of impending computer death and the loss of all files.  It’s not what any PC user wants to see.  But it definitely is one that a PC user can ignore only at his or her peril.

Nature’s Own Icy Christmas Tree

A Wintry Freeze. (Credit/Dick Bergeron)

After the last snow storm which showered the Bridgewater area with about 5 inches of snow less than a week ago, I looked out of the dining room window.

There, I discovered that ice had decorated the entirety of the white pine that stands at the back corner of the house.

Overnight, the tree’s soft branches stood drooping in a suspension of pine needles individually frozen in a thick coating of ice, yet one not heavy enough to cause the boughs to break and fall to the ground.

Individually transformed into icicles, pine needles sported a drop of frozen water hanging from their tips.

All by itself, nature’s wintry mix had created a work of beauty.

Thanks for reading.  Be safe in the snowstorm now upon us.

(Click on the image for an enhanced view.)

New Food Emporium to Anchor Pluckemin Center

Tomorrow, December 11^th, at 8:00 a.m., The Fresh Market plans to welcome food lovers on the occasion of its grand opening at the Somerset Hills Shopping Center. 

The Fresh Market takes over the Former A&P
operation at a totally renovated Somerset Hills
Shopping Center.  (Credit/Dick Bergeron)

This new food store is in the historic Pluckemin section of Bedminster, NJ, at the spot where Route 202/206 connects with Burnt Mills Road to the west and Washington Valley Road to the east.  It is one of the busiest little intersections in Somerset County.

According to a press release, The Fresh Market is a specialty store of over 22,100 square feet.  It boasts an on-site bakery that offers 30 varieties of bread and 14 different pie selections each day.  It also features a full service meat counter, fresh seafood delivered twice a week, a huge selection of cheeses, and a produce department with over 400 items and a large organic selection.

Although this company has 149 stores in 26 states, the one is Pluckemin is only the second in New Jersey.

After the A&P decided to close down its operations at the same location, it became clear that it would not be too long before another business moved in.

Helping Moms-to-be

Bridgewater Councilman Matthew Moench, pictured
here at a Township meeting on July 1, 2013.
(Credit/Dick Bergeron)

This month marks the second year that Councilman Matthew Moench is sponsoring a “holiday drive to benefit the Raritan Pregnancy Aid Center.” 

According to Moench, the Center is an “all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping pregnant women and new mothers in time of need.”

The full explanatory text of this highly beneficial outreach can be seen on the Bridgewater Township web site by clicking here.  It is only a couple of paragraphs long, and it is well worth your time and response during this especially busy holiday season.

The women who are helped by the services of this center are truly in need. 

For example,

A Few Thanksgiving Day Side Dishes

Priscille's homemade cranberry sauce.  Like nothing
from the can.  (Photo credit/Bergeron Image)

Every family has its preferred list of side dishes to accompany the traditional turkey meal in celebration of America’s Thanksgiving Day.  There are many which accompany our own family choices, but at least two have been popular accompaniments on our table:  Cranberry Sauce and Butternut Squash.

Both should be prepared at least a day earlier.  Sorry about the late recommendation.  Think Christmas.

Cranberry Sauce:   This one is a true winner, a new recipe which Priscille tried out this year.  I tasted it this afternoon after I had finished preparing the squash.  All I have to say about the result is “C’èst magnifique!” (It’s magnificent!).

I no longer care for the canned variety, whether whole or jellied, mainly because both are too sugary, a practice which kills the tart flavor of the berries.  Neither of the canned product tastes like cranberries should.