Remember Your Reusable Bags

If we all work at it, we can reduce plastic bag usage by 98% (or more).

Holiday Shopping on the Road

I was headed through Mexico and thinking of gifts for Ali at a boutique in the Houston Airport.

They were no longer available.  Too bad I passed on a new favorite purse for her when I was in Chicago.

I guess I just need to buy something she will wear.

Seriously, who buys these items at an airport of all places?  Or these?

Beginnings

No one uses horns anymore in songs.  This song still says so much 50 years later.

Linus and Lucy

Now that Black Friday is here sit back and enjoy one of the happiest songs ever.

Cemetery Markers

As geocachers we often stop for finds in cemeteries.  Our visits take us to places where veterans are at rest and past presidents are buried.  The locations are a window into our past.  We recently visited a cemetery where there were some very unusual names marking the passing of...

and

It was an odd gathering of unusual names with meanings beyond surnames.

Speed Camera

This is an older video, but new to me and quite funny.

A Different Way of Organizing Books

I was killing an evening in the Niagara Falls area and stopped at the old Macy's store in the nearly dead Eastern Hills Mall.  The old department store is now home to Niagara Emporium which is a cooperative of multiple resale shops.  Besides some interesting old furniture which seemed to be a reasonable deal if you desire vintage furniture, the location seems to be the place where all leftover estate items not wanted by the family gather.  It may hold the world's largest collection of used VHS tapes for resale.

I stopped by one shop that seemed to have a large collection of used books.  I was surprised to see the shop owner organized books by the author's sex.

It seemed to me to be an odd way to arrange books.

Early Flights

Tulsa's terminal is a really lonely place to be at 3 a.m.

Good Times

It's Saturday... time to remember Cleveland's disco scene and Dixie Light and Electric. If you were only interested in the great song by Chic, there was always Peaches next door.

Everybody Hurts

Songs Too Close To Life...

She said a good day
Ain't got no pain
She said a bad day's when I lie in bed
And think of things that might have been

It has been a rough three weeks....

Heart at Lincoln Center

I listened to Led Zepplin when friends played it. I knew most of their songs from the endless airplay. It was okay, but not something I ever bought. Now, Heart was a different story. The Wilson sisters were amazing when they first broke out. We're all older now, especially me, but this version rocks. It is shocking to see the former long haired, loud rockers of Led Zepplin looking so old. Enjoy.

Paper Straws

Paper straws have been common in my business visits to Mexico for over a year now.  We were in a Thai restaurant in Winchester, Virginia and were happy to see this newly opened restaurant bypassed plastic and went directly to paper.  There are so many places where plastic could disappear from use with no change in our lives.  One straw at a time....

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Nine days and two weekends for me to save this one.  So far, I don't think it will be fondly remembered.

Hello Kitty Pasta?

Visits to World Market are always a little unusual.  A recent stop found the local store stocking Hello Kitty pasta sauce.  I never knew pasta sauce was a Japanese cuisine.

If there is no World Market near you, you can always order from their web site.

Maybe instead you could make a better homemade sauce at home for a fraction of the cost. ;)

Ice Cream Stand Philosophy

I can only wish to be the person who deserves all the happiness they give.

Steppin' Out

Serious words.  We met not long after this song was released.  We both were fans of Joe Jackson.

We are young but getting old before our time...

The truth comes back to haunt. In the last two weeks, I have been offered senior discounts three times. I'm not there yet folks, but getting uncomfortably close.

We'll leave the tv cell phone and the radio computer behind 

Don't you wonder what we'll find

Updated those lyrics a bit.  It's time to go out and play.  Geocaches in parks are calling.

It's LABOR Day

We stopped at an older historical cemetery yesterday and noticed someone dutifully ran around placing fresh flags to celebrate LABOR Day.

This isn't that hard...

Memorial Day is in May.  It is a day to honor all service members who have died while serving their country.  They made the ultimate sacrifice.

Veteran's Day is in November.  It is a day to honor all who served.

Labor Day is in September.  It is a day to honor the contributions of workers.  Like me...  Like you...

We have become internet stupid.

Stock Up Now... I Guess

The Halloween candy has been on the shelves of a local chain since August 1st.  It seems a little early and a little warm outside to be stocking candy for three months.

Itchycoo Park

Take some time to enjoy the holiday weekend and make a visit to Itchycoo Park or any of the amazing parks this planet has to offer.

I Nearly Lost You

The early 90's had some great music. This one has been in my head for hours. The interesting thing about Seattle grunge was every band proclaimed every song was about drugs. At least you didn't need drugs to enjoy them. Enjoy a little head banging...

How's the USA Manufacturing Plan Going?

My local office had a social event for raising school supplies for students whose families needed a hand.  There was a list of items published of supplies a local school needed.  I took the list to a local store with the intention of helping out so the children have supplies.  While there I made an effort to buy products made in the USA whenever possible.  Let's see how that worked out.

All items were on the list and will hopefully be valuable in helping our area's children learn.  As for made in the USA...

Plastic folders at the top of the image?

Nope... China

Bic pens?

Uh uh...  Mexico

Avery glue sticks?

No...  Mexico

Crayola colored pencils?

Not these either...   Vietnam

I was desperate.  Crayola Crayons?

Yes, one win of the batch.  Made in USA!

Feels better doesn't it?  We can't make colored pencils, glue sticks, pens, or plastic folders cost effectively, but we can still make crayons and make enough ridiculous profit to justify manufacturing in the states.  Or can we?

I'm fairly sure if a whole bunch of tourists weren't throwing money down to visit the factory, the crayons would be another manufacturing line in Vietnam alongside the pencils.

Ever wonder what the children receiving these supplies will do for a living?

Other Side

My Saturday earworms started at the restaurant last night.  It's funny how restaurants always play music from the past no matter how young their target customer base.  Even in Mexico, they play mostly 80's videos of US bands.

RHCP were a mixed bag for me.  This was one of their best.

27 July 2019 Hotel Soaps

For the ten years I have travelled to Washington and stayed at Oxford Suites, they have used refill containers for soap, shampoo, and conditioner.  I was happy to see at least one Courtyard has adopted the same practice of reducing plastic use through this process.

The little, plastic-bottle onslaught is one of the things that we do because we can.  This is one small way to turn the tide.  It is even more concerning to see companies are now bringing the little hotel bottles in by boat rather than using U.S. products and adding the diesel fuel emmisions to our climate change mix.  A typical hotel can probably eliminate a couple hundred plastic bottles a night.  A big congratulations to at least one Courtyard.  Now if every hotel would just add a proactive, visible recycling program...

Jud Strunk

It has been thirty years since my mom told me to shake out the seeds from some daisies in their yard and plant them in the back of our home.  It's been almost sixteen years that she has been gone.  I think of her each summer when these bloom.  I hope we have many more years together to see these daisies each summer.

Rough Week in California

Hopin' the shakin' stops soon.

Fine Wines?

Ah, there's nothing like a bottle of fine wine? from an esteemed? local vinyard.

Available from fine establisments everywhere.

I don't drink anymore, but remember a few tastes of local wines.  They aren't memories of my palate being treated.  Here's to you Debonne Vineyards.  Your plonk is now available for discerning wine connoisseurs at a nearby Flying J truck stop.

Close Call?

I know they are at different elevations, but am I the only person  who thinks this was a close call?

Tuba Skinny

If I were to visit New Orleans (never have) and if I were to visit the French Quarter, I would search out Tuba Skinny if they were playing.  For now, enjoy a little old time music.  Playing a kazoo with a street band in Crocs is kind of priceless.  You don't often see someone video bomb with a kazoo.  The band shines best with the vocals of Erika Lewis.

Come On Eileen

I wouldn't count either of these acts as ones on my listening list or two I would expect together in a concert venue, but they pull off a well done live cover of this early 80's hit by Dexys Midnight Runners.  It's a level of animation by Sara Bareilles I wasn't sure was possible.  Enjoy!



In case you want to hear the original...

Days Gone

In a different life, for a few short, happy years, I would spend every free, non-working day between Memorial Day weekend and the middle of June at the western end of Lake Erie.  We would either fish at Marblehead or off the shore of Kellys Island or spend the day at the beach at East Harbor State Park.  At that time, you could anchor your boat and wade into shore for an afternoon of volleyball on the beach.  It was a happy, carefree place where people managed to all get along and have fun.  We spent our time listening to pop music old and new and grabbing those last few free moments before adulthood.  Beach Baby was a 60's song packaged in the mid 70's with horns and layers.  The band First Class never really existed as it was a made-up, English studio band. The lead singer of the "band" was Tony Burrows.  He is notable for also being a part of the made up studio band Edison Lighthouse which recorded the one hit Love Grows and other one hit recordings with other studio bands.  Relax and remember sand between your toes on a hot day at the beach.

Pull Down

I hadn't stayed in a hotel that included instructions for the shower with the room keys before this week.  I guess I can cross this off my bucket list. :)

Socially Reponsible Marketing

Heinens, our local premium grocery store uses Cavalier Distributing to supply alcoholic beverages for sale.  

Yes, they are legal beverages, but...

• About 88,000 people die in the US each year from alcohol related deaths.
• 29 people die each day in the US from alcohol related car accidents.
• The number of 25- to 34-year-olds who died annually from alcohol-related liver disease nearly tripled between 1999 and 2016.

Fear Wagon

This Toyota Sienna didn't raise fear in us as it passed on the highway, but it is the best vanity plate I have seen in a while.

A Night At the Opera

This week I listened to Queen's A Night At The Opera on my work commute.  This has always been one of my favorite albums.  Everyone knows Bohemian Rhapsody.  If they don't know the rest of the disk, they are unfortunate.  The tune I'm In Love With My Car has been an ongoing earworm since the listen.  I am fortunate to be able to own two wonderful toys to offset the worries and stress of what amounts at times to a 24/7 career.

The album also contains a great song for the person who puts up with the toys. 

Saturday Thoughts on Going to Allegany State Park with Ali

Mismatched

You know it's a bad day when....

Jackson

The song Jackson has been done and redone a few times.  As a youth, I remember my brother's copy of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood's rendition.  It was years later before I realized the Johnny Carter and June Cash had also recorded the song.  Nancy Sinatra never had the vocal skills to hold on to her dad's coattails and Lee Hazelwood never was, but their version of the song hit the flavor nearly perfectly.  Carter and Cash seemed to be hamming their way through the song.

The Swiss rockabilly band give a whole new view of Jackson.  Between the vocals of Emanuela (who can sing) and Sparky (who makes some sort of noise) and the old manual pinsetting alley, it just seems to capture the song.

Cemetery Quotes

Do You Wanna Dance

As a youth I spent a lot of my free time along the Lake Erie shore near Marblehead and East Harbor State Park.  The Beach Boys were from a prior generation, but they were always a part of our spring adventures and still a part of my memories of my youth.  The Fendertones did a great job recreating so many of those early Beach Boys tunes.  Enjoy one from them.

Time To Plant

We have ties to a local land conservancy and received a holiday card with wildflower seeds imbedded.  I guess it is time to plant.  I liked the idea.  I hope they grow.

It's a Beautiful Morning

For the last few days glimpses of spring have been fleeting and interrupted by grey skies, rain, and cold weather.  Don't get grumpy.  Enjoy the Little Rascals instead.  Today spring was everywhere in our really wet yard.

Because The Night

Patti Smith wrote this with Bruce Springsteen and released it on her Easter Album.  It was a concert staple for Springsteen for years and eventually released as a studio recording.  It was also a covered in memorable fashion by Natalie Merchant with 10,000 Maniacs during their MTV unplugged concert (remember those?).  In 2013 Garbage and Screaming Females teamed up to once again record this great song.  Enjoy....

Air B&B

It's not quite a rental app, but our home is once again being used for and Air Bird and Brood.  For years we have hosted phoebes and their nest.  This year is no exception.  The hard working couple was busy with nest building through the weekend.  There may not be rental money involved, but we are happy to be hosts.

Mexico's Smoking Warnings

My trips to Mexico have given me hours to spend in the small Monterrey airport while waiting for my departure.  This morning I spent time in the Dufry store.  The country's smoking warnings are much more visible and direct than those in the states.

1X, 2X Devastated

Enjoy a past blast from a 90's pop band downunder.

Southwest Tug Slogans

Air travel is usually stressful.  Missed flights, TSA delays, and cramped planes are only a few of the pains of traveling by air.  The airlines contain an assortment of staff that crosses the spectrum from friendly and helpful to uncaring and nasty.  For the most part, the staff at Southwest appear to enjoy their work and spread good feelings with their passengers.  Silly things like painting slogans on the Tugs help keep it light.

I'm a little pushy.

I go out with runway models.