Groundhog Day - Feb 2

Farmers in the German (Pa. Dutch) parts of Pennsylvania and the east would get some hope if the groundhog did not see his shadow. But. This year we are not getting a break... the varmint saw his shadow in single digit temps. So below are some 100-150 year old writings on the tradition. 1880 was also a very cold year, and a reporter wrote that the groundhog "saw his shadow today; we shall see."

Winter scenes with Beatty's Steam Cracker Factory of Baltimore

Three snowy scenes on the trade cards for Beatty steam bakery, since many parts of the US are dealing with a large amont of snow and sleet. Talks: Vanilla (2), Philippines & bananas, Women & cheese, Food adulteration...

Storing flour in the US Capitol 1861

Flour barrels everywhere - “I shall have no visitors.”
Jan 6 - Five years. Never forget the horrific attack on the police and the Capitol building in 2021. I never will. Staff included the teenage pages - one of my sons was a page during the summer some years ago. I spent several years researching the Civil War bake ovens in the Capitol and wrote a booklet in 2014.