But Does it Make Coffee?

In another life, I suspect the hubster Paul was a meteorologist.  Or a carpenter.  Or a combo of the two.  Proof?  Our modest little indoor/outdoor thermometer bit the dust last week which meant Paul needed to go sleuthing for a suitable replacement.  I think it’s one of his seasonal shifts, becoming more aware of the changes in our garden beds, hurrying to planting grass seed – one last time – before the growing season is kaput for good.

Our old thermometer was the epitome of “basic” with a simple sensor affixed to the house to capture the outside temp and humidity.  Our new ultra-deluxe model?  I wonder if it makes coffee.  I mean…there are so many bells and whistles (for a price, of course) and I nearly choked when Paul told me what he paid for the new swanky “tool” (his word – any time I balk at a new gadget in the house, he reminds me it’s a “tool”…hmmmm). 

According to Amazon, the new model DOES do a lot but alas, it won’t make a cappuccino:

Plan your days with confidence that the weather won’t conflict with your activities, and your home and belongings are under desirable conditions with La Crosse Technology’s newest Wi-Fi Professional Weather Station. This state-of-the-art weather station with rain gauge and Breeze Pro sensor provides accurate readings for all of your indoor and outdoor information. It can track temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, barometric pressure, and more. Accurate weather data from your own backyard! Set your own wind, rain, and temperature custom alerts to warn you about extreme conditions. A colorful easy to read display gives you the information you need at a glance, either as a Standalone station or Wi-Fi connectable unit for added features. Track data from your mobile device via the WIFI enabled La Crosse View app and set alerts for data readings of concern. This connected weather station is a unique device, sure to offer increased peace of mind and be a welcomed addition to any home.

Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology 328-69357-INT Wi-Fi Professional Weather Station, Black : Patio, Lawn & Garden

After two mysterious trips to Home Depot and a good bit of sweat equity on a hot, late summer day, Paul said, “Come see what I’ve done”.  Prideful, sure, but he was cute about it.  He ushered me into the side yard and pointed to a new pole – just a little south of the basketball hoop and the driveway:

Clicking into dutiful wife mode, I said, “Oh…look at that”, trying to squeak out some enthusiasm, pointing at the little whirly doo-dad on top.  “Does this new thing pick up wind speed, too?”  That teensy bit of interest was all Paul required to give me a tour of all the functions.  “Impressive“, I said.  In my head I wondered if his new ‘weather station’ might detect the latest rumble in the Atlantic…thousands of miles away as Hurricane-No-Name-Yet approaches.  Maybe!

Paul was pleased as punch by my semblance of interest, not entirely performative. I’m relenting to the reality that winter will come, and with our new device, we’ll be more informed in our house/bunker about weather fronts and atmospheric changes.  Safety first, right?  And if the local TV station loses power for some reason and they need a hearty, gung-ho weather spotter, Paul will be at the ready.

Less impressed by the whole shebang were mama and baby.  They’ve been around all summer as our backyard companions, and I’m surprised they’ve stuck around for all of the Paul and Vicki antics. As the season winds down they’re enjoying the bounty – still – on the apple tree and they stood nearby as Paul was assembling his new toy (err…tool) along the brush and bramble that’s their path.  Generously, they gave way as he worked, watching but unafraid.  I love their gazes. Cautious and curious at the same time. 

I hope you’re enjoying whatever nature has to offer you – weather, flora, fauna, wildlife. And for those in the path of stormy weather, be safe! If you have a minute more, my Heart of the Matter post is about a trip around two favorite gardens. You’ll see…

Vicki 😊

First photo courtesy of Pexels…the remainder? All mine!



68 responses to “But Does it Make Coffee?”

  1. Oh geez. Sometimes I yearn for the good old days when all I had to do was turn a knob and the volume increased. All of these new-fangled tools (err toys) make my head explode. But hey— I don’t have to vacate the lazy girl to change a channel on the TV. There’s that, at least. 😳

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    1. I’m with you, Jules, all the way. Every day I feel like I’m fighting my way through a tech jungle, longing for knobs and simple “on/off” switches. 😜❤️😜 Cheers to lounging in our lazy girl chairs and surrendering! 🥰

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      1. I drive a senior-mobile with bells and whistles that help keep me safe, but all I know how to do is put my foot on the gas pedal and steer. As for the rest? Heaven help me, I’m driving a computer with wheels. It speaks a language of its own and I don’t have the patience or fortitude to figure out if it’s Greek or Chinese. 😟

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        1. Oh gosh. Yes – I can picture that! Too many bells and whistles and it’s enough if you can steer…stop…and go. Beyond that? Maybe it makes coffee, too, but I’m with you. Don’t tempt fate by exploring too much! 🥰

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          1. No kidding! Woe unto me if I try to change a radio station while driving. Scary! Haven’t found the coffee button yet, dagnabit!

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            1. Let me know if you discover it…as a surprise! I’ll take mine with two sugars and a touch of cream, okay? 🤣

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    2. I agree. I don’t even know how to turn on the downstairs stereo, so I stick to my simple CD player upstairs. And I was probably the last person on the planet to get a smart phone; I was fine with a basic flip phone. Texting irks me to no end. And with all these new ways of contacting each other, we’re still all out of touch.

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      1. You two are giving me life this morning, Maryanne and Jules. Hugs to both of you! 🥰

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        1. It’s so good to know that we are in good company with our techie woes!

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          1. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! 🥰

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  2. Aw, we have deer by us too. They are so precious! And we have a similar thermometer, which we got about 7 years ago. It’s great because you can know the humidity too, which is a deciding factor on whether or not to take an evening walk in the summer.

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    1. You’re right! The deer ARE so sweet….and our gadget? Yep – handy for knowing humidity levels…and for me, LOL, an indicator of whether I fight with my hair or pull it up in a wacky top knot! 😘

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      1. AH, you’re so lucky humidity changes your hair!
        I had that pleasure almost my entire life, but nowadays it just stays more straight than wavy/curly. If I go three days without washing, then it gets more curly, but then it gets so thick and out of control — total bed head! LOL!

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        1. Oh…humidity changes it…but doesn’t give it more life. It becomes limp and heaven help me if I’ve used too much “product”. Wowza. Crunchy hair. 🤣

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          1. Ha-ha, you’re too cute Victoria! xo

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  3. My husband has been in the grass-seed mode as well.

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    1. It’s “that time”, isn’t it? Give him a hearty hello from us! 🥰

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  4. love seeing wildlife. We encounter deer some days while out running in south Fl.

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    1. I bet that’s fun — deer encounters while running. They prob give you a funny look, too! 😉😎😉

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      1. yeah… if they escape the wildlife fencing, which happens quite often, it can be very dangerous for them, especially at night. But they are delightful creatures.

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        1. Yes…that literal ‘deer in headlights’ experience when we see them driving…scary. Hope you have a great day!

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  5. Wow. I wonder if that backyard weather station would have held up under Tropical Storm Lee, which spent its day (and night) with us yesterday!

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    1. Oh my, yes. Reading your post this morning was a good reminder of how turbulent the weather’s been for those dealing with Lee. I was glad to read you didn’t lose power…all the better for you to put together such an informative post today, Jane. Stay safe! 🥰

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  6. Oh wow, love the pics of mama and baby. I’m with Paul, you always need a new tool! The swankier the better!

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    1. Enabler = You! LOL! 😉

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      1. No, actually you gave me an idea: I have to start positioning my house gadget purchases as “tools.” I might be more successful. Great idea by Paul! 🎉🎉🎉

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        1. Oh geez…in THIS instance I want ZERO credit for inspiring you. Nope, not me…not Paul…you got there all on your own. That’s my story! 🤣

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          1. By the way, the more I look at the thermometer, the more I’m liking it. Looks really cool. Might have to get one. Ha ha ha

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            1. Oh no! See — that will teach me, won’t it? Don’t provide as many specifics! LOL! 🤣

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  7. Yay for the deer still hanging out! And I must say, as a bit of a weather junkie myself-that new weather station seems pretty cool!!😎😎

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    1. Yah…I have to admit it’s pretty neat. Check-in anytime for a weather report! I can tell you the windspeed and Paul just reported we received .75 inches of rain overnight! And yes…cheers to the deer still hanging out. “Baby” is looking more and more like a little sister, I think! 🥰

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  8. Haha!! I laughed out loud “trying to squeak out some enthusiasm”!! Haven’t we all been there?! I’m related to long-time Chicago weatherman Andy Avalos. Maybe we need to set Paul up with a meet-and-greet to discuss the latest and greatest gadgets. 🤣🤣

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    1. Oh good grief! Really!!?? We were so sad when he retired! Our favorite weather dude! 🥰😉🥰

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      1. Yes, small world, huh? Whenever we go out to Chicago for family reunions, people are always starstruck. it’s so funny!

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        1. You are part of a talented family – in so many ways (yourself included!). 🥰

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          1. Thank you! As are you, my dear friend. 🥰 This whole little pocket of the internet is just fabulous. 💕

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            1. Agree! Agree! Grateful for wonderful friends like you. Xo! 🥰

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  9. […] But wait…don’t go! You need to read about Paul’s fascination with his latest toy/tool…a fancy weather station. Inspired by HIS love of the outdoors…waiting for you to read over on Victoria Ponders. […]

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  10. My family and I have all been stricken by some kind of plague, so enjoying your pictures is the closest I’ll get to nature today! Enjoy them I do. That picture of the new thermometer display, however, is beyond my capacity to gaze at for more than a quarter-second at a time–good luck!!! 😀

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    1. Ohh…sorry to hear you and the family aren’t feeling well. Take care! And avoid looking at that photo — I have the same reaction. Too much info in one display. Yikes! 😎

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Best title for a post AND a gadget…tool! And I love “Paul was pleased as punch by my semblance of interest, not entirely performative.” I’m still giggling.

    Glad you are getting all set for weather – and that mama and baby stay near. Of course they do – they smell your goodness!

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    1. I’m so glad I made you giggle. Yay! And let’s keep the secret between us — I think my “performance” was pretty good. He keeps giving me weather updates…ask me anything! I know it all, thanks to him…and the new “not quite a coffee maker” gadget. LOL! 🤣🤣🤣

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  12. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Modern gadgets? I usually can see their value, but I’m one of those people who is often content with what I have rather than “upgrading.” I don’t watch that much television, but more than once I have inadvertently hit one of the numerous buttons on the remote and do some funky thing to the picture. I spend the next half-hour trying to figure out which one it was so I can enjoy whatever I’m watching.

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    1. Oh…were you around our house last night? I think we have five “clickers” on the coffee table in the family room and I actually had to ask hubster Paul which one “just turns the TV on”. I think the little family of remote-control devices grew overnight. Glad I’ve got good company – thanks for letting me know I’m not alone! 🤣😉🤣

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  13. Wow! That sounds too complicated for me. I love your deer photos.

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  14. La Crosse Technology’s – we have used their products for years and they really are the best! Weather is a fascinating adventure, and this ‘tool’ will have you exploring for years!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh hey — I’ll be sure to tell Paul. He’ll get a chuckle out of that…but honestly, good to know it’s a solid investment if you’ve had positive experiences, Mary! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Oh my goodness. Do NOT let my husband find out about that new contraption. He has indoor/outdoor thermometers in several rooms in our house. Why do we need so many? It’s not like the living room is the North Pole and the bedroom is Florida. When the battery died on the one in my daughter’s room she said “Don’t tell him. I really don’t care and, if I really want to know the outdoor temperature, I’ll look at one of the others.”

    And thanks for the update on mama and baby. So cute!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh…thanks for the chuckle about your hubby, Michelle! Too funny! And I’ll say hi to mama and baby from you.
      Xo! ❤️

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      1. He grew up on a farm and his father was a little obsessed with weather. I think that’s where he gets it from. LOL Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

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        1. My dad was that way, too. There was a time when we needed to be more aware of weather by watching the sky …I get that. Farmers were SMART! 😎😉😎

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  16. My Mr. is a meteorologist who now works for NOAA as an IT project manager…and we have one of these too! And we lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin for years so I am familiar with that business. Love the pics of those precious deer Vicky!

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    1. Oh my!! Connections with you times two! Hubby who is an ACTUAL meteorologist AND you’ve got a LaCrosse connection, too. Love it! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Pretty cool! Now I know what the neighbor down the street thing-a-ma-bob is! Lol!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hilarious! Yes — it looks kinda ‘space-agey’ doesn’t it? 😎🤣😎

      Liked by 1 person

  18. I have a less deluxe version of your weather station. That said, the most profound comment I ever heard about weather forecasting came from a member of the National Weather Service. When asked how he and his cohorts determined the likelihood of rain in percent, he answered this way: “Well, there are 10 of us at the office, and when it comes time to predict the precipitation, we ask for a show of hands. If seven of us say it is more likely than not to rain, then we know the chance of rain is 70%!”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Too funny! Meteorologists are comics, too?!? 🤣🥰🤣

      Like

  19. We don’t have a gadget like this one and I admit I’m intrigued. However I don’t know if I could ever overcome my nature reluctance to bring yet another techie thing into our lives. Yet… 🤔

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LOL…love your honesty there, Ally! The good news is that the display screen is pretty inconspicuous, and I can ignore it…but you’re right. More than once I’ve secretly taken a peek b/c it DOES provide good info. Shh…don’t tell on me. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

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