We are in that space between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are few active projects so this post will cover some random topics. It has been cold, more snow arrived, and I updated some of the underpinnings of my web and blog pages.
First, a comment on the cold: This morning’s low temperature was -4. Currently it is +1. Tomorrow (Sunday) is forecast to be the coldest morning so far, with a projected temp of -10. It is c-o-l-d! In comparison, temperatures at our Colorado lot (elevation 9,300 feet) are projected to be in the low-to-mid 20s at night and daytime temps in the low-to-mid 40s. Current temperature in Como is above freezing at 33.
Because of the colder temps, the cats have re-discovered that heating vents are the place to park when the furnace is running.
In addition to the cold, we received another 5 inches of snow last week. This is the second storm in about 8 days; I mentioned the first in my last post. While this follow-up storm did not deliver as much snow as the first, 5 inches vs 9 inches, it was still a pain to deal with. The cumulative totals make this one of, if not the snowiest, Decembers we have had here in Iowa.
This time of year brings out some Norwegian treats such as Lefse. An ad for this delicacy appeared in our local shopper.
Our local bank sponsored a Kolachi Day; kolachis are a pastry of Central European origin, primarily Czech / Slavic, and are a sweet pastry filled with (in this case) fruit jams. Other fillings can include cream cheese and walnuts. We tried cherry and blackberry versions; they were quite good.
Warning: Tech Talk Ahead
Web pages are built on a programming language known as HTML, and there have been different versions over the years. I recently began using a programming tool known as BBedit, a Macintosh-specific program. I had been using Adobe Dreamweaver on a monthly subscription but Adobe increased the price, more than doubling the monthly cost. (Old cost = $29.98, new cost = $69.99.) BBedit has both a free version and a licensed version with more features. The licensed version has a one-time price of $59.99.
Using BBedit, I went through my current web pages (Kids, Dogs, Cats, Gallery, and Blog) and brought the code up to the current HTML5 standard. I had to create new entries in my CSS stylesheet and change some code on several pages, a task that took a few hours to complete. To expand my skills I decided to go through my older Galleries, retired some time ago when I scaled back my web site.
These older galleries required more work as many had been created under the older HTML4 standard. Several commands have been “retired” (deprecated) or changed in HTML5, including “align”, “clear”, and changes to the way video formats are coded. While the older code still works, I felt it best to update and stay current and widen my (very basic) coding skills.
Here is a sample of the “head” section used in almost all of my pages:
I change the contents of the <title> tag to reflect what the rest of the page is about. Below the <body> tag comes the code that makes the page unique and determines what you see on your computer. Some pages, particular those with many photos and links, are more complex than others.
Anyway, that is how I spent some of my time these last few days when the cold and snow limited outside time and tasks.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
This winter so far =
⊝ RECOMMEND
✅ DO NOT RECOMMEND
Rock on.
Today’s Humor:
Merry Christmas!!!
Got your card and thank you so much. I wish I had the patients to do something like that!!
All my animal chores are outside so I get plenty of fresh air. This week will melt and then it will be mud. Also Happy New Year.
Thanks, Deb.
The cards are as much an exercise in planning as patience. I started looking for art ideas in September. The Beagle post card on the front is from Zazzle, Etsy had some wrapping paper that supplied bows, and of course online clip art provided graphics galore.
Grayce interrupted me time and again, it seemed she whined to be entertained just when I needed to be cutting and pasting.
Creating the cards is what brings meaning to the holiday season for me.
Finally here for a little catch up while I have some free time! I was loving the snow–it finally felt like Christmas….and now just a gloomy damp melty blah. I would like 25 degree and sunshine to make the snow sparkle! Not all these extremes. The poor animals!
Tab –
You are really ON IT this year. Your cards were all sent out in plenty of time, and you even organized yourself to leave comments on the blog.
I’m impressed!