martinmurray

[martinmurray]

Bears destroy feeder - We’ve been seeing these four (Mama and 3 kids...) since 2022. We had brought in the feeders each night until a few weeks ago when it got colder and we thought the bears were napping til spring. Not so...

[martinmurray]

Good thing I put the feeders away for the night...

[martinmurray]

I’ve read all the Hillerman books, Tony and Anne.

This is not among my favorites… but, I so appreciate that the characters created by the late Tony Hillerman live on.

[martinmurray]

BOOKS READ, in order…

2023:

Fall Guy - Archer Mayor

Racing the Light - Robert Crais (1.16.23)

A Dangerous Man - Robert Crais (1.24.23)

The Naming of the Dead - Ian Rankin (2.7.23)

Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi (2.9.23)

Unnatural History- Jonathan Kellerman (2.27.23)

Breathless - Amy McCulloch (3.14.23)

Fleshmarket Alley - Ian Rankin (4.10.23)

Red Winter - Tom Clancy/ Marc Cameron (5.5.23)

Desert Star - Michael Connelly (5.20.23)

Dark Angel - John Sandford (6.2.23)

No Plan B - Lee Child (6.8.23)

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (6.16.23)

The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman (6.26.23)

Newcomer - Keigo Higashino (7.7.23)

A Death in Tokyo - Keigo Higashino (7.13.23)

City of Dreams - Don Winslow (7.20.23)

A Song for the Dark Times - Ian Rankin (8.6.23)

Standing in Another Man’s Grave - Ian Rankin (8.15.23)

The Devotion of Suspect X - Keigo Higashino (8.20.23)

Saints of the Shadow Bible - Ian Rankin (9.1.23)

The Lockup - John Banville (9.3.23)

Rather Be The Devil - Ian Rankin (9.11.23)

The Best Strangers in the World - Ari Shapiro (9.21.23)

Killers of the Flower Moon - David Grann (10.4.23)

Judgment Day - John Sandford (10.15.23)

The Complaints - Ian Rankin (10.30.23)

In A House of Lies - Ian Rankin (11.19.23)

Holly - Stephen King (11.20.23)

The Impossible Dead - Ian Rankin (12.6.23)

Knots and Crosses - Ian Rankin (12.11.23)

The Secret - Lee Child (12.22.23)

[martinmurray]

Use this link to check on current prices/offers from independent suppliers.

[martinmurray]

Making Sense of the Cents/kWh - Or, Why I Switched my Energy Supplier

For the first time ever, I have chosen to purchase my electric “energy” from an independent supplier, instead of relying on my electric utility, Unitil. The reason: The price of natural gas determines the cost of energy in our region, and it is going up significantly. In December, Unitil’s price for the energy portion of its Residential electric bills in New Hampshire will increase more than 140 percent (!) from about 7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to about 17.5 cents/kWh. I have switched to a plan that will cost about 9.6 cents/kWh that will begin the next time my meter is read.

The amount of energy I use varies from month to month. (I use the most electricity in the summer months when I fire up a couple of window air conditioning units.) But, if I calculate an average demand of 600 kWh/month for six months, I will save more than $285.00 compared to what I would pay if I had not switched to an independent supplier.

To be clear, “energy” is just one portion of my total electric bill. It covers about one-half of the total monthly bill, with the various costs associated with “delivery” of that energy covering the rest.

Is there a risk in switching? Yes, some. I have chosen the option of a “fixed” rate that will not change, but I am locked in for 14 months. (I can pay a $50 cancellation fee to quit the supplier, if I wish.) Unitil’s energy rate changes every six months. The new Unitil energy rate next summer might be less than the 9.6 cents/kWh I’ll still be paying my independent supplier, but, overall, I expect I will have net savings over the 14 month period.

Another risk comes if one chooses a plan with a “variable” rate. That rate may initially be cheaper than the fixed 9.6 cents I am paying, but it comes with the risk of an increase with little notice due to market conditions. (Pro Tip: always read your monthly bill!)

New Hampshire’s residential electric customers for years have had the right to switch from the default energy rate offered by their electric delivery company, but until now I didn’t believe it was worth the hassle. The upcoming Unitil increase has changed my mind.

I have included several links, below, that may be helpful to better understand the issue and how to move forward if considering a switch.

The NH Office of Consumer Advocate has written several columns about the upcoming energy rate increases. I found this one especially helpful:

http://indepthnh.org/2021/10/03/coming-soon-drastic-rate-increases-for-electricity-and-natural-gas/

The NH Public Utilities Commission has plenty of official language on choosing an energy supplier. You’ll find background on the issue, and a link to a listing of suppliers, at the link below.

https://www.puc.nh.gov/consumer/Choosing%20an%20Energy%20Supplier.html

The NHPUC also has a page comparing some of the various plans offered to Residential customers of Unitil. I’m not certain it lists every supplier currently registered to sell energy, and their plans, but it’s a good starting point. You’ll want to then visit the actual website of one of the suppliers to understand what is being offered; the terms and conditions.

https://www.puc.nh.gov/ceps/ResidentialCompare.aspx?choice=Unitil

[martinmurray]

Prepped for the game! A fire pit and tv on the deck. About five layers on my person. Go Pats! Errrr, I mean #bucs (at Bow, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKcaA-eF2BG/?igshid=kznpr5d0esyy

[martinmurray]

Just shy of 2 feet of snow fell on Dec. 16-17.

Took me two days to clear the driveway and truck ❄️❗️

[martinmurray]

I haven’t id’d this one yet. A newcomer to the feeder area.

[martinmurray]

Big snow today! Around the feeder: cardinals, titmouse, chickadee, junco, downy woodpecker, red bellied woodpecker and a single redpoll.

[martinmurray]

Bears in the front yard! Our trail camera captured some visitors - just after midnight on Thanksgiving Day 2020.

[martinmurray]

Thank You @rvlstk for the #veteransday coffee! (at Revelstoke Coffee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdO2-BF1iU/?igshid=162v1ikb3xwsl

[martinmurray]

Happy Birthday to my dear Ann-Marie Murray who was born 59 years ago today. In life, she was a force. It was rare to see her without a smile on her face. She loved her family and friends. She loved life and taught us to embrace it. Tonight we’ll raise a glass and toast to you, Annie! https://www.instagram.com/p/CHX9XmBl92o/?igshid=p2zsmshivj6f

[martinmurray]

Butterfly on the 4th of July! from Martin Murray on Vimeo.

[martinmurray]

Westward Ho! Such a mix of feelings saying “So long!” to @shemurray and @mrwordsmith Heading west, toward further adventures and success. Not surprisingly, their itinerary includes a series of stops to visit friends along the way. Thank goodness, they left @eemurr with the skill and recipe to keep us in fresh healthy bread! An Irish blessing for my travelers: May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours! (at Bow, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/B71GPAPFYnD/?igshid=l4jncafbg8mz

[martinmurray]

Oh man, this turned out very nice! Pasta with Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce (plus broccoli and chicken). We subbed Almond Milk vs dairy Milk. Highly recommend! @jessica_gavin (at Bow, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JdxFPF86_/?igshid=cw4ty1mp9pl7