I had no green beer this St. Patty's weekend, though plenty around me did, but I did have my adult son here. And I don't know how it happened. I mean, I KNOW how I had a son. It's the adult part that's baffling. Phil, the little boy named after my Dad, is twenty one. I haven't seen him since he became "legal." It's only been a couple of months, but a lot has changed. A lot more than he no longer has to sneak beer out of the fridge.

The little guy who I used to call Philbo Baggins is now two inches taller than me. The wee one who I used to tickle until he said the secret password--Uncle Tennuci--could now hold me down with one hand and make me as helpless as a turtle flipped on his back. The midget be-bopper who used to make me pick him up by the hands and feet and flail him around in what he called the DADDY SWING is now a little too dignified to do anything but shake my hand in public. Not that if he asked for the DADDY SWING could I do anything about it. If I tried to pick him up and swing him around now I'd break a hip. The other one!

I see a lot of me in Phil. First of all he loves baseball. Especially the Yankees. I might have influenced that when I told him his namesake used to sit the bleachers in the 1920's and watch the man who saved baseball play right field for the Yanks. I brought Phil and his sister Ericka to the big ballpark in the Bronx a few years ago before the knuckleheads tore down the House That Ruth Built, and he loved every second of it. He was hooked from then on.

Phil is also a bit opinionated. A bit. Like me. Case in point, look at the knuckleheads comment above. We concur on that issue and have even used stronger words. Not unlike my father would. Phil also has strong opinions on cars, women, work, school, music, marriage, religion, politics, TV, food, family, friends, movies, technology, doctors, lawyers and the big cosmic question--Why Are We Here? What's interesting is we agree on most of those issues. It's also interesting that he is absolutely sure his views are correct on all those issues. I am not absolutely sure I'm correct on ANY of those issues. Especially women, religion, politics, marriage and the big cosmic question. I guess at twenty one it's important to know you're correct about everything.

What a year already. My daughter is making me a grandfather in May, my son has grown into a man, and I got a new hip. With all this happening in the first six months of 2010 I better get some rest because if this pace continues, the second six months may leave me breathless. Hopefully, not permanently.

It's Friday!!! Time to TAKE IT EASY...to quote a great Eagles song. And if you don't remember that song you are probably too young and tender to enjoy this blog anyway. FFF is your mellow-out minute of unconnected thoughts, occasional rants, off-the-wall observations and quotes from the rich and famous and from you and I. If you want to join in, send your goodies to "rdefranco@wwnytv.net" or leave a comment on this web page. Now it's time to dive in feet first.

Our 7NEWS crew will party a bit this weekend and I can still keep up pretty well. I've found that even at my age I can still paint the town red, but I need to rest awhile before I give it a second coat.

My favorite poem is the one that starts "Thirty days hath September" because it actually tells you something--Groucho Marx

Near 60 degree temps have pumped me up like a big dog! It's probably a case of premature emancipation, but I freed my lawnmower from the confines of winter storage in the basement and released it to the man cave. And in the spirit of "Out of sight--out of mind," I threw a tarp over the snowblower.

I'm always relieved when someone is delivering a eulogy and I realize I'm listening to it--George Carlin

I tried to watch American Idol this week. I was told I should watch because if I didn't, I was an old fart. Well, I'm ready to embrace my old fartedness. I've had more fun at embalmings. The AI judges act like sorority girls after drinking three wine coolers...that includes Simon. And the contestants? I've heard better singing on karoke night in Herrings, New York. I know I'm in the minority. American Idol is on our own Fox 28 station and the ratings say people love it. I'm just not one of them because, apparently, I'm an old fart. And a curmudgeonly old fart at that.

Life is just a tire swing
Jambalaya was the only song I could sing
Blackberry pickin', eatin' fried chicken
And I never knew a thing about pain
Life was just a tire swing
--Jimmy Buffett, "Life Is Just A Tire Swing"

The Irish Festival is this weekend in Watertown and it's always a good time. It's a "coming out" of sorts for North Country folk after the long winter. The Irish music is always fun, the corned beef is to die for and the beer is cold. And I always feel like I'm getting away with something by consuming alcohol in the public State Office Building.

The fascinating and sometimes sexy world of weather seems to generate a lot of questions from viewers and readers. I am happy to answer them. Whether you want to know about those dirty highs or the wet adiabatic lapse rate, I'm your guy. If you have a weather-related question, e-mail it to "rdefranco@wwnytv.net" or send it as a comment to this web page. Now dim the lights, pour a glass of vino and let's begin...

QUESTION ONE: You were talking on the 6pm news about a gauge used to measure sunshine. You were joking about it, but it wasn't clear if there actually is a sunshine gauge. Is there?

ANSWER ONE: Yes. Although it's not widely used. A pyrheliometer measures direct solar radiation and is used primarily by climatologists.

QUESTION TWO: Who decides what things you show during your weather forecast? Like the weather picture and weather class questions.

ANSWER TWO: I do.

QUESTION THREE: Weather usually comes from the west, but hurricanes come from the east. I don't understand how that's possible.

ANSWER THREE: OUR weather usually comes from the west here in the mid-latitudes. But in the lower latitudes, weather usually comes from the east. That includes hurricanes which are born just north of the equator. It's all part of the general circulation of the atmosphere.

QUESTION FOUR: Do you have any say in picking out the prizes for the weather word contest? I have some suggestions.

ANSWER FOUR: No, I have no say in picking out the prizes. In fact, my only involvement is to choose the actual weather words. There is a reason for my limited involvement. If I personally know the winner of the weather word contest, by staying out of the administration of the contest, there can be no question of fairness. If you have suggestions or comments about any of our contests, send a letter to:
WWNY TV
120 Arcade Street
Watertown, NY 13601
Attn: Promotions Manager

QUESTION FIVE: You and Brian and Mel are often color coordinated with each other in your shirts and ties. Is this planned?

ANSWER FIVE: Yes. We usually call each other at night and plan what to wear the next day. I'M KIDDING! It's all purely coincidental if we match. The truth is I just grab a tie that matches whatever clean shirt I've got.

It's always exciting when you plan to bring a new addition into the home. And the anticipation and excitement the day you finally do bring home that new little package is palpable. Where will it spend its time? How will it fit in with the others? How long will it stay sharp?

On Sunday my new Skill band saw took up residence between my scroll saw and drill press and it's fitting in perfectly. And what a fine looking little tool it is. Fire engine red with black trim and silver accents. It looks a lot like its brother, my battery-powered Skill circular saw. It actually looks nicer than the circular saw because that little fella has been beaten up a little over the years. But I'd never say that in front of him. They act all tough and steel-like, but they have feelings.

I can't wait to put "Little Red" to work. He will help me build bookcases for my den. Badly needed bookcases. Right now I have six storage bins in the corner of my basement chock full of books. They've been there since I moved into my house in June of last year. And that's no way to treat a good book. Or even a bad book. Or even a tattered old dog-eared magazine for that matter.

It's amazing how a simple thing like a tool can perk-up your day. Long before that new arrival becomes a useful addition to the workshop, it's fun to just look at. And that's what I did Sunday afternoon after assembling "Little Red." Just admired it. And like with any new family addition, I took pictures. Pictures of "Little Red" alone and some with the rest of the tool family. Except my biscuit cutter. He was spending the night at the neighbors helping him build a picture frame. It's true what people say. It's hard to get a picture of the WHOLE family anymore!

It's been awhile, but it's back. FFF is a number of unconnected thoughts, comments and quotes from me and you and a famous person or two. If you'd like to jump into the fray, send your contribution to "rdefranco@wwnytv.net" or leave it as a comment on this web page. Okay fellow cyberspacers...let's free associate!

Even though I lobbied my daughter hard, my granddaughter's name is not going to be Olivia. It's going to be Maizey. I don't know why Ericka thinks she should pick the name for MY granddaughter, but she does. Either way, I can't wait for Maizey to make her debut in May. I've already got her first Yankee uniform.

Jerry Seinfeld has a new show on TV. It's been quite awhile since his last series ended and he's pulled a Houdini ever since. Even with all the down time, he's still very funny. Jerry is kind of like Spam. He never goes bad.

Latest headline: Coffee cuts chance of irregular hearbeat.
Last year headline: Coffee causes irregular hearbeat.
Rick's headline: Bourbon helps sort out the B.S.

If a hurricane doesn't leave you dead
It will make you strong
Don't try to explain it, just nod your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on
--Jimmy Buffett, "Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On"

According to a magazine article I read in my doctor's office: What women most want in a man today--A guy who can make a committment and love her plants. Translation: Will you love me and my CHLOROPHYTUM COMOSUM exclusively?

"One good thing about being a frog...you get to kiss a lot of women who think you might be a prince"--Kermit

Even though I'm told I can't play until July, I've oiled up my softball glove and shoe-polished my spikes. No sense wating until the last minute. Besides, July sometimes comes in April. At least in my daytimer.

Headline today: Albany At A Standstill
Headline 2009: Albany At A Standstill
Headline 2000: Albany At A Standstill
Headline 1995: Albany At A Standstill
Headline 1990: Albany At A Standstill

"Whenever I hear about a peace-keeping force, I wonder: If they're so interested in peace, why do they use force?"--George Carlin

Someone complained to me the other day that the sun is too bright!!! it makes it hard to drive!!! Is there such a thing as too much sunshine? Isn't that like too much love, too much baseball and too much happiness?

By late winter each year I wait patiently for one particular sign that springs zephyr winds will soon blow happiness in my general direction. That's not true. I don't wait PATIENTLY. Patience isn't one of my strong suits. In fact, I often find myself standing over my microwave yelling, "Why isn't my food ready, it's been cooking for 14 seconds!" No, it's not a patient wait, but that first spring training baseball game picks me up quicker than finding a ten spot in the pants pocket of my jeans. For me, that first game is the quicker-picker-upper.

It was Tuesday, March 2nd at 12:30PM when by accident I saw the pre-game show for the very first grapefruit league game in Major League Baseball. It wasn't a game between two teams I cared much about. The poor, poor Mets and the distant also-ran Braves. And the players were mostly guys that weren't going to make the team, but it WAS baseball set in the Florida sun with a stand of lovely palm trees over the outfield fence.

I didn't know the game was going to be on so I was unprepared, however, I got it together quickly. Before first pitch I got my Yankee cap, trusty Rawlings glove, spikes and a cigar and ran to watch the game in my favorite place on the planet...my man cave. That heaven-on-earth spot of sports memorabilia intermingled with a snowblower, wrenches, sockets and a hot tub. There I was sitting on the multi-stained man cave futon in 38 degree weather smoking a stogie and wearing a winter coat, baseball cap, fielder's glove and spiked shoes. I felt silly. So I took off the spiked shoes.

Unless you're me, you probably don't get how good that afternoon was. But if you notice a little more spring in my step, twinkle in my eye and broader smile on my face, you'll know why. Baseball and I have returned to the man cave. Can beer pong be far behind?

A few more of your questions in todays blog because I couldn't get to them all Friday. So here's Part Deux.

QUESTION ONE: On a recent flight to Florida our plane bounced and shook like crazy for about five minutes. The weird thing is there was no storm anywhere to be seen. In fact, the skies above and below were cloudless. What causes this?

ANSWER ONE: Unless your pilot had too much pre-flight coffee, the bouncing and shaking of your plane was probably the result of clear air turbulence (CAT). CAT is caused by rapid changes in wind speed and/or direction. Jetstreams are the usual culprit, but air riding up and over mountain ranges can also contribute to a rough plane ride.

QUESTION TWO: The nature of all science is it changes based on latest studies and research, so do you keep up with new information in the field of meteorology?

ANSWER TWO: I do. In fact, to keep my AMS Seal I am required to. Every five years I have to show I have taken courses, seminars and workshops on the latest research in meteorology and atmospheric science.

QUESTION THREE: I'm interested in your trip to New England this coming fall. How do I get more information?

ANSWER THREE: The info number for our New England trip is 1-800-826-2266. That's Holiday Vacations toll free line. Also this Thursday, March 4th there will be three travel shows at the Ramada Inn in Watertown. The shows are at 10am, 2pm and 7pm and will provide detailed information about our cruise. I hope you can join us. It should be a fantastic trip. And if you do come, I promise not to bore you with talk of the 500 millibar upper level low vertically stacked over Quebec.

QUESTION FOUR: Do you think we will get a bunch more lake effect snow this winter?

ANSWER FOUR: No. The air is warming up and the lake has cooled down. We need just the opposite for strong lake snow development. That's not to say we couldn't get an anomalously cold air mass sweep across the lake and dump a big old pile of snow on us, but it gets less likely with each passing day.

Lots of questions this week about weather including some very pointed, dare I say, angry letters and e-mails about the latest storm to ride up the eastern seaboard. Quick reminder: I am happy to answer any questions about the science of meteorology, the art of forecasting and the presentation of our news casts. However, questions about our anchors and reporters personal lives is strictly out-of-bounds. Unless your bribe is big enough. You can e-mail your questions to "rdefranco@wwnytv.net" or send a comment to this web page. Now...off we go!

QUESTION ONE: Allright, what gives? This storm was called a monster, a snownado and a hurricane-like snow storm. It turned out to be no big deal. How can you guys blow it so bad?

ANSWER ONE: Whoa, polo pony! Please do not lump all weather people together. I never once thought this storm was going to be a big deal for us. Even early in the week it looked to me like two things would keep our snow totals down. One: The low, as with most Nor'easters, was far enough east to keep us on the outer edge of heavy snow. Two: Unlike most Nor'easters, the low riding up from the south wouldn't plow in to very cold air as it moved north. In fact, I believed the low would meet with relatively mild temperatures, so that would mean snow totals would be held in check with a fair amount of rain and/or melting wet snow. That is pretty much how it played out for us. Keep in mind, national forecasting companies have a big city bias. 5-10 inches of snow in New York is a big deal. 5-10 inches of snow in Northern New York is ho-hum. And never forget that national forecasting companies are businesses looking to grab national headlines and attention. Your local forecasters are just trying to get it right for you, because we see you in the store and you aren't afraid to yell if we get it wrong! And that's enough about that.


QUESTION TWO: When did snow flurries change to snow showers, and why?

ANSWER TWO: They didn't. Snow flurries are different from snow showers and snow squalls and snow. Let's define all four.
--Snow Furries: Very light snowflakes falling over a period of time with little or no accumulation.
--Snow Showers: Non-continuous snowfall over a period of time that can be heavy in short bursts. Accumulation is possible.
--Snow Squalls: Non-continuous snowfall over a period of time that can be very heavy. Accumulation is likely.
--Snow: Continuous snowfall over a period of time. This type of snowfall can have sub-categories of heavy snow and light snow. Accumulation is likely.

Old (De)Frankenstein hip is doing pretty well. Thanks to the many people who have asked. I'm walking better everyday and pain is mostly non-existent. I owe a lot of my improvement to my physical therapists. Those men and women know their stuff. And my stuff, apparently.

That's not to say physical therapy isn't like Chinese water torture at times. Whatever Chinese water torture is I'm not sure, but it sounds bad. The physical therapists give you exercises designed to twist and turn your affected parts just to the point of slight discomfort. And those exercises have names like Supine External Rotation, Side-lying Hip Abduction and Sitting Carpet Drags. Sitting Carpet Drags? Yup. I bet the last time you heard that was when the dog had to be de-wormed.

Physical therapy also involves a colorful and stylish selection of five inch wide by five feet long rubber bands. These rubber bands are used to wrap around your affected appendage and provide resistance as you exercise. I started with "Wimp" orange...little resistance as you exercise. I have now graduated to "Lady Gaga" green...loud and proud and a tough yank. Next step? "_ _ _ _ _ To The Wall" blue...harder than trying to kick start an F-16 Jet Fighter.

At the end of your physical therapy session comes your reward. A big honkin' ice pack applied directly to the affected area. And it feels good. It reduces swelling, it reduces aching and for hours after, I can chill a six pack of Diet Pepsi just by pressing it up against my hip.

All-in-all my physical therapy sessions have been great. I always feel better after. And I do exactly what they tell me to do at home. Whatever it takes to get back to my favorite intimate physical activity. Softball!

March is almost here and it's a tough month. The high temps average a little above freezing so it doesn't exactly feel like winter. But the high temps average only a LITTLE above freezing so it sure as heck doesn't feel like spring either. It's truly the Tweener Time...'tween winter and spring. In sports, it's like ending a game in a tie. In life, it's like kissing your sister. Someone once described March as almost a thrill. Thank goodness March does have one of the greatest celebrations of the year in St. Patrick's Day. So we got that going for us.

Usually by the second half of March the weather does start to look and feel spring-like. USUALLY. But sometimes late March brings us some tremendous snowstorms. It's almost as if mama nature says, "Not so fast you silly, silly little creatures!" Case in point...1993. I was already in spring mode that March. The snow was shrinking faster than a bank account at Christmas. Our radio softball team even snuck out for a little practice on the bare pavement of the parking lot. Then the organic fertilizer hit the spinning cooling device. 3 1/2 feet of snow in three days.

So let's get ready to say goodbye to February and hello to March, but keep in mind it's the Tweener Time. And the pendulum of weather can swing wide in one direction or the other almost without warning. So in that spirit I'll leave you with this old poem of unknown origin that must've been written about March.

IT IS HERE, THE TWEENER TIME
THE SADDEST TIME OF YEAR
TOO WARM NOW FOR WHISKEY HOT
BUT TOO DAMN COLD FOR BEER

While on the mend over the last month I received a few questions from viewers. As always I am happy to answer your questions as long as they involve weather, forecasting or our newscasts. Personal questions about the anchors and reporters are out of bounds. That includes, "Hey Rick, why don't you get rid of all the gray in your temples?" So without further adieu...

QUESTION ONE: What conditions create black ice?
ANSWER ONE: Black ice is simply a thin coating of ice on pavement. It occurs when the temperature drops after a period of time with above freezing temps. Wet roads become icy roads with no additional falling precipitation. That's why it can surprise drivers when they slide through that first stop sign in the morning.

QUESTION TWO: What is ice fog?
ANSWER TWO: Ice fog is a type of fog consisting of ice crystals suspended just above the surface of the earth. Plain fog is water droplets suspended just above the earths surface. Ice fog only occurs on very cold mornings when the temperature falls to the dewpoint.

QUESTION THREE: With the sun shining and the sky blue, I've seen snow fall at Fort Drum. How is this possible?
ANSWER THREE: This phenomenon is called DIAMOND DUST. It happens when the air is so cold, water vapor condenses directly from the air. No Clouds needed! Heavy snow will not result from this, but flurries will.

QUESTION FOUR: With cold air coming from the northwest, how come Kingston's temperature is warmer than ours?
ANSWER FOUR: The Kingston temperature is taken downtown in the city. Cities create URBAN HEAT ISLANDS because of pavement, buildings, lights, auto exhaust and people. This effect can easily make the Kingston temp 5-10 degrees warmer than surrounding areas.

It hasn't been one of those North Country winters that the seniors will be talking about 20 years from now. We haven't had so much snow that my snowblower inexplicably rolls away from me in exhaustion and disgust when I walk toward it for the tenth time in five days. It hasn't been so cold my outdoor talking thermometer when queried says, "You don't even want to know." But...it's still winter in Northern New York. And even a mild one is still pretty long and wearing.

"When's it over?" That's what I was asked while buying my evening coffee the other night. Wow, I just got back to work and already THE PRESSURE IS ON!!! Okay, I know a weather forecaster is like being a financial advisor, store owner, U.S. President or streetwalker. It's all about, "What have you done for me lately?" So weather boy, what's it gonna be?

Here's what I think. There's still a fairly strong El Nino along the Equatorial Pacific. Projections suggest it won't change much through spring. That should mean most storm tracks will continue to plow through the Mid-Atlantic region rather than the typical track through the St. Lawrence Valley. Based on that, synoptic scale snowstorms--the larger systems--should continue to miss us. And meso scale snowstorms--the smaller lake effect systems--should start to be less likely with the warmer nocturnal temps and the higher daytime sun angle.

Did I answer the question, "When's it over?" Sort of. A better answer comes from the great pinstriped pretzel philosopher Lawrence Peter Berra who said, "It ain't over 'till it's over!" Who am I to argue with Yogi?

BTW, MLB pitchers and catchers report for spring training today. For me, that's the best sign of spring ever!

Well it's over and I'm back. I've got a brand new wheel. Sort of. Actually a hip replacement is probably more like a brand new axle. Whatever you wish to call it, I now can set off metal detectors just by sashaying through the security lane at airports. I can just see it in my mind's eye. Tackled and thrown to the tarmac for smuggling a quantity of titanium in my body. Before the rubber glove brigade descends on me, I will have to make sure they know the titanium is in my hip and not, umm, somewhere else.

This is the second time I awoke in a hospital to tubes inserted where they shouldn't be. Why is it medical science sticks plastic and sharp metal in places where stuff is only supposed to come out? Isn't that like trying to run down an escalator? Isn't that like trying to force your way in the out door at K-Mart? Forget political correctness, I'm a fan of anatomical correctness.

And a word about hospital gowns. What sick little schmuck thought it would be a good idea to display a patient's human peace sign at a time when he is feeling bad to begin with? Getting up to go to the bathroom in that thing is like taking a trip down the catwalk at a Paris fashion show when you've had no shower, no shave and your hair looks like a drunken clown's wig. All eyes are on you! Of course it's likely no one is watching, but you believe they are. Plus with the boatload of morphine pumped in your veins you aren't sure what may come out where. It's frightening because in a world with YouTube and picture and video taking cellphones, you aren't sure where your backside might show up.

Let's talk about morphine. Heavenly when you are in lots of pain and are stationary in bed. But then like a trip over the river Styx when you lift your carcass out of bed for the first time after 48 hours of continuous sipping (dripping) of that top shelf cocktail. The nurse who helped me up that first time said I looked whiter than a polar bear in a snowstorm. I think she was looking at my face and not the back of my hospital gown, but I'll never know.

Before I wrap up this little re-entry blog, I would be remiss if I did not mention Dr. Van and his staff. Top notch. No one better. I was so impressed I will have him do hip number two. You do know hips come, and go, in pairs? Yeah, the sequel will come up in a while.

The nurses and staff at Samaritan were also fabulous. Always professional and friendly, always available and very kind.

I would also like to thank my family, my 7NEWS family, my incredible friends, and the viewers for all the cards I received over the past few weeks. It is truly gratifying to know I have connected to people while on TV talking for 3 1/2 minutes a night about something as mundane as weather.

So now with my 9 inch scar...Here comes Old Frankenstein Hip!

We await the return of Mr. DeFranco, who is progressing by leaps and bounds (well, small careful steps) after surgery.

Meantime, the weather blog is being ghost written, the ghost being news director Scott Atkinson.

From the Associated Press, Thursday morning:

 Ice is consolidating over Lake Erie like a lid on a pot, which should calm down the lake-effect snowstorms.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Bill Hibbert says the lake has been freezing up over the past week and is now about 90
percent covered by ice. That means there should be far less lake-effect snow blowing into western New York.

The winds off the lake will still bring some lake-effect snow to the region, though. Hibbert says that's because the ice, which is about 32 degrees, is warmer than the cold air blowing across it.

I have no idea how - or if - this affects us. Will talk to Mr. Kubis.