The Blaisdell Blog

   Did you know that Santa Claus does not come down the chimney?  Nope.  Not required.  Doesn’t happen.  Never a factor in my childhood.              Perhaps a little explanation is in order.  Both of my grandmothers were immigrants from Norway, and like most mothers, they controlled the culture in the family.  That means I was raised Lutheran, love to eat a carb-heavy potato dumpling called “krub,” and know, without a doubt, that Santa Claus does not come down the chimney.  Santa comes through the front door, and he isn’t even the most important person there.  The key figure is the Julenisse, a Christmas elf.  All Nisse are short and wear red caps.  They are not attractive creatures but have magical powers and a wicked sense of humor.  Every farm has its own Nisse, who takes special care over the animals.  If you do not treat your livestock well the Nisse will not treat you well.  Remember that when you make your Christmas list.  On Christmas Eve the Julenisse knocks

  As it turns out, it isn’t Nuclear Winter or Global Warming that we need to worry about.   It isn’t alligators in the sewer, monsters under the bed or even the dreaded twi-night doubleheader that should rob us of sleep.   Mother Nature appears to be warming up something brand new in her bullpen of unanticipated worldwide changes.   The world’s magnetic field is weakening at rapidly accelerating rates.   The Earth is preparing to reverse its magnetic poles. I was put in mind of this after reading an article in the Washington Post which began:   Last year, scientist announced they had discovered cyclone-like auroras near the North Pole. Over 600 miles in diameter with multiple arms that rotate counterclockwise, they contain a calm center, or eye, and “rain” electrons into the upper atmosphere. The team dubbed them “space hurricanes” for their 3D funnel shape.   These hurricanes are not related to the usual magnetic auroras that produce the Northern lights.   They are not related