For many school children here in Northeast Ohio, Wednesday is a calamity day. It's technically not a snow day since the closures are due to the extreme cold from windchills beyond negative ten degrees in the morning time, but I'll call it one anyways. It's all in the name of safety, as we just cannot have kids freezing solid as they wait for the bus or walk to class. It's a good call, in my opinion, and if you'd like to see a list of closures you can check that out here. 

Going off this, I don't think I'm alone in missing these types of days back as a kid. It was like the greatest thing ever! My brother and I would sleep-in and wouldn't have to wake up before the sunrise like normal. We'd loaf around in pajamas playing video games and watching DVDs. Hours upon hours were spent in our side yard sledding down the hill, hitting homemade jumps and all. Oftentimes we were tasked with shoveling the driveway too, which really meant that I would casually push around a small pile of snow as my older brother broke his back doing the brunt of the work. 

Ah... the good ole' days! 

I savored every free moment of my snow day whenever we were so lucky to have one, and I appreciate that the schools are putting the wellbeing of their students at the forefront for our Wednesday, with these crazy windchill temps. I do see both sides of the decision considering students need to be behind the desks for them to learn, but I don't think a day is going to make or break anybody and it is dangerously cold. 

Stay safe and warm out there, and take whatever positives you can from our January weather. It's not all bad. Maybe you're a snowboarder who's stoked to hit the powder or a fisherman ready to set up an ice shanty. Maybe you make money spreading salt or simply enjoy the beauty of the morning sun glistening off a fresh white blanket. Or... maybe you've got the day off now, as student or faculty- enjoy it!

It is just so cold outside. Despite my constant desire to be out participating in one of the many outdoor activities I enjoy, like riding my four-wheeler or playing disc golf, I've sought refuge from the bitter temperatures and cutting winds inside the house. I was out riding when it was in the 30's and can surely tolerate colder, but this is just a little too extreme for me. Normal winter weather hardly puts a stop to my recreation, but this is the type of week that us Midwesterners pull out the big coat for. 

Since I'm stuck indoors, all I really want to do is cozy up on the couch with some snacks, a blanket, a kitty cat, and a TV show to binge. Luckily, I've got all those things! For munching-on, we've got Pringles, string-cheese, meat sticks, popcorn, donuts, Cheez-It crackers, fruit snacks, snow cones, and more. I'm not picky about my blanket, but the bigger the better. Either Freddy or Fiona works just the same for me when it comes to the cats, too. As for what's on the TV, I've got plenty of options. 

Whether or not we pay for them all, my fiancée and I have access to most of the major streaming services alongside a light collection of physical media. There's always something to watch, it's just a matter of deciding. My favorite app is Hulu, followed by Pluto, then Paramount. I've exhausted my go-to comfort shows enough and have been looking for something new to get into, and lo and behold, an old sit-com I used to keep up with on Fox caught my attention. 

I've yet to make a Top Ten: TV Shows list, but if I did, the show My Name is Earl would absolutely claim a spot. Now I've seen that series time and time again, and sadly, it was suddenly cancelled on a cliffhanger after a few short seasons. The show I've rediscovered was the creator of My Name is Earl, Greg Garcia's, follow-up project called Raising Hope. Just like Earl, it also ran for four seasons with mild success, and the shows share some other similarities between them such as multiple mutual actors. They're both a lot of fun to watch. 

I've binged probably seven or eight episodes in about two days now, and I'm locked in! I fondly remember watching Raising Hope as a youngster when the new episodes were airing from 2010-2014, and it's really bringing me back. I remember the show but not any of the specific episodes, so it's familiar but also new, which is really cool. I'll skip the synopsis here for this blog, but if you're a fan of shows like New Girl, The Middle, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and/or Scrubs; I'd recommend checking it out! 

So, what's been on your television? Are there any new shows you keep up on or are you staying in your comfort zone with the reruns like me? Also, do you and your partner watch the same things, or are there certain shows you only watch by yourself? For example, I can't seem to get Mackenzie to come around on South Park, and she knows I'd rather stare at a blank wall than watch The Kardashians. We do share some common series and ultimately, it is to each their own when it comes to what's on the tube. 

When it comes to what's on the radio, thank you for choosing 94.9 WQMX! 

Cold is an understatement when discussing the temperature outside as I write this. Windchill aside, it is about five degrees out there; the real feel is close to negative five degrees! Frigid is a more appropriate term, and it's the first week of this winter season in which we'll see some steady single-digit temperatures. 

With that, I'm so excited for the possibility of a deep freeze with solid ice on the lakes. Riding the ice on my go kart or four-wheeler is the single best part of winter, in my eyes. I'll certainly have more to say on this activity I favorite with a story about a huge mistake I made to serve as a reminder for you to stay safe and make smart decisions. For now, don't even think about going out on any ice! I'll keep you updated, but just remember: no ice is safe ice. 

Touching back on this extreme cold, I do have a few quick reminders I'd like to pass along your way. First is to be sure that your vehicle is in good shape. You want to check your tires, both tread and pressure. It's so important to test your antifreeze and battery health. Ensure you have a phone charger, blankets, and whatever other emergency items the conditions may call for. Click here for more on this! 

Next, it is crucial that we protect the vulnerable during a chill as such. I'm talking about outdoor pets, children, the elderly, the unhoused, or really just about anybody who's not a polar bear. A simple check-in can make all the difference, whether it's ensuring your kid has a pair of mittens on while they're out sledding or knocking on the door of a neighbor's with concerns that their pup may need to be brought in to warm up. This should go without saying, but some dogs are happy to be out in these Artic conditions, so be sure to know the difference between a Chihuahua and a Husky before you rush to conclusions. 

Another thing to keep in mind is your home overall. If you use space heaters, make sure they are safely placed far from anything flammable and only plugged directly into the wall. Keep your furnace set to a normal level. If there is a fire hydrant in your yard, make sure it is accessible through the snow and do your best to keep the walkway up to your door clear of ice and snow for deliveries and emergencies. You should have already unhooked any exterior hoses and turned off the water to the taps. Don't park on the street if the plow trucks might come. I could go on, but you know the drill! 

Stay safe and warm this week, as this cold is no joke. It wouldn't be so bad if not for the wind, and if you must go out, then cover up! The less skin you show, the better; so don't forget your scarf, hat, and gloves at the house when you set out for the day. It's all about them layers. 

For now, just hang in there.... Spring begins in just 64 days! 

Since buying my Blazer, I've been wanting to change a few things with it aesthetically. One of those things that had long displeased me was the look of the front end. Someone at some point rattle-canned the entire grille flat black. It didn't look terrible, but it just didn't work for me. I was hoping to find a grille from the local scrap yard and would certainly still welcome a pristine one, but none of them were very nice on my last walkthrough. Interestingly enough, after removal and upon inspection, I discovered that my current grille was already a replacement with markings from the same salvage lot. Shopping online for a grille is also an option, but we're ballin' on a budget with this ride for now. I'll save the big money for my El Camino. 

Anyhow, I knew something needed done and made a deal with myself that once my previous car was sold, I could put some funds from that into my new vehicle. From an oil change to some touch up painting, it was time to give the Blazer all sorts of TLC, so I hit up the AutoZone for supplies. I was especially excited to look through the exterior accessories aisle and was perusing the store for inspiration when I came across a product sold as an SUV/truck chrome side-strip, which I guess runs along the bottom of the doors. Regardless of whatever it was meant for, I figured it would be a cheap way for me to do something different with my front emblem, since the original gold bowtie is unfortunately long gone and the alternative chrome spray paint looks gross. 

Well, what do you know? It was actually the perfect size for me to do the entire center band of the grille instead of the emblem itself. It took a lot of patience and I'm no professional, but going down the road I think it looks mint! I also used some of the touch up paint I bought to paint the center of the emblem. With a touch of black left around it to break up the chrome band, I think it all works. For just $6, I'm stoked! 

Up next is the installation of the black and chrome new old stock Blazer mudflaps I was so lucky to find, and then it's on to some wheels and tires that will go with the theme. The subtle little touches will add up to something great eventually. It's all in due time! 

Potatoes are a buried treasure of the food world and the single best thing that grows underground, in my opinion. Not only are they delicious, but they are so versatile. From vodka to hashbrowns, these spuds are a staple of American cuisine, and you'd be hard pressed to find any traditional restaurant without them in some shape or form. There's the petite red and yellow varieties, those robust standard Idaho potatoes, sweet potatoes, and a wide variety of others to savor! Off the top of my head, potato salad is probably the only potato food I dislike. 

So... here's my top ten potato foods! 

10. Potato Bread

9. Cheesy Potatoes

8. Potato Chips

7. Mini Tator Tots

6. Hash Browns

5. Twice-Baked Potato

4. Mashed Potatoes

3. Smiley-Face Potatoes

2. Loaded Potato Soup

1. French Fries

To rank my order of fries real quick, it goes as follows.

8. Steak Fries

7. Curly Fries

6. Crinkle-Cut Fries

5. Normal French Fries

4. Waffle Fries

3. Nacho Fries

2. Fair Fries

1. Shoestring Fries

As always, thank you for reading this and for tuning into 94.9 WQMX! 

I'm not a sports analyst. I couldn't tell you what the odds are on Sunday's games or who all the players are in the Lakers' starting line-up. I know all the rules to our major leagues and thouroughly understand/enjoy the gameplay, but I generally just don't care to keep up with the who's who and what's new with it all. Fantasy leagues and sports betting are certainly both compelling ideas, but as such a casually detatched fan I don't see either going well for me. If I miss the game, it's not a big deal. 

Regardless of my inexpertise on the subject, I thought it might be cool to throw out my playoff predictions bracket for the National Football League. Do not take this seriously, as I am not. Unless of course this is somehow how it goes down. In that case, you saw it here first! Can you guess which team is my favorite? LOL

Image: 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC

If you'd like to create your own bracket, here's the link: Super Bowl Challenge (nfl.com)

Not much makes me want to be outside during the month of January. It's cold and grey outdoors, whereas inside I've got pajamas, snacks, cats, and multiple streaming services/video game consoles. Despite these reasons to seclude from the winter weather, I can't resist the urge to do the activity I love the most and ride my four-wheeler. Lately, I've really been tearing it up out there! 

I have been riding with so much frequency and intensity that the quad keeps breaking. From mechanical failures to getting stuck deep in the mud, there's hardly a dull day out on that bike! Nothing else I own would put up with half the abuse the old Honda goes through, though; so I'm definitely not complaining. Any twenty-three-year-old, irregularly serviced four-wheeler will have some hiccups, and I really have been fortunate dodging major repairs thus far. She just keeps chugging along! 

I seriously need to figure out what's up with my winch before any heavy snowfall, so that I can plow with the quad. I suppose we need some real snow in the forecast before that's a pressing issue, though. I'm personally unhappy with how mild it has been this winter so far, and although I may be in the minority, I know I'm not alone. Children want to go sledding, fisherman want to ice fish, plow truck owners want to make an income, teachers want a day off, snowmobile owners want to run their machines, etc. 

That's a separate topic for another time, however. Here now, I just wanted to give you an update on how I've been staying active and spending some of my time away from the studio. I don't always have a lot of free time, but if I do, I'm the type to go stir crazy with cabin fever quickly. I stay busy riding, wrenching, and repeating! 

Coming off the weekend, I've had a little bit of an earworm. The official release for this track came towards the end of last week, and since Friday I've listened to it countless times. It's one of those tunes you could leave on repeat and enjoy just the same the fifth time over as the first time around. 

It's every-so-often I find a song like this, and I'm sure it won't take long for me to over-listen to it and lose my infatuation. For now, though, I'm hooked! Originally penned and recorded by Chris Stapleton, What Are You Listening To? was described by Megan Moroney in an interview as a "criminally underrated" song of his. Here's her version of it for you to check out! 

We are about one week into January and nearly two-weeks removed from Christmas. So, if you haven't already, it's about that time to deal with the Christmas Tree. This is especially true if you've got a live tree like me. Natural Christmas Trees bring with them a lot of great things, like the piney scents that fill the home and the experience of picking out that perfect one with the family, but they bring with them some downsides as well. They're thirsty all the time, they drop needles everywhere, they're sometimes a little pricey, you need a way to haul them, they are a fire risk, and... what are you supposed to do with them when you're done? 

As much fun as it is to burn your dead Tannenbaum, consider maybe doing something better with it by helping the local parks! Summit Metro Parks is running a Christmas Tree recycling program where you can drop off your tree to be turned into mulch and then landscaping compost. They have six locations throughout the county where you can do this through the end of January. Just be sure to have all decorations cleared off beforehand.

Here's the link for locations and more information: Summit County Christmas Tree Recycling | Summit Metro Parks 

Is it doughnuts or donuts? Either way, they're one of our favorite and best tasting morning-time treats. Unlike muffins, bagels, or even cookies, I've never heard of a healthy doughnut- and that's just how it should be! Couple that sugary confection with a strong cup of Joe, and you're set up to have a great start to your day. 

My favorite doughnut place is tied between Jubilee and Mary Ann's. When my brother and I were younger and on our long commutes to school with our parents, every so often, on Fridays we would stop by this one Mary Ann's in Canton. That occasional special treat was always the peak of my week. Unfortunately after years of going there, they closed the building due to numerous break-ins and unsafe conditions for their employees. (That's what I was told, at least.) What a shame! 

It actually wasn't until college that I recall enjoying my first doughnut from Jubilee. I would stop by the Speedway on Waterloo and South Main every morning back when they had the good coffee made fresh in the pots, and I would get a big cup to take to class with me. (Boy, do I miss that coffee they made there.) If I had the time afterwards, I would pop in across the street for a tasty pastry from Jubilee. Those were good times.

As Homer Simpson would say, "Mmm.... donuts." There's hardly a bad one, and here's my Top Ten: Doughnuts! 

10. Cruller

9. Bear Claw

8. Jelly Filled 

7. Cake 

6. Donut Holes

5. Glazed

4. Yeast 

3. Apple Fritter

2. Maple Cream Stick

1. Vanilla Cream Stick

Thanks for checking this out. We always appreciate you tuning in to WQMX, and I hope you have a sweet day!