Newest "Stranger Things" Season...And Its Delicious Details

There's a well-known phrase that's been around for a long time, "The Devil's in the Details." I think that's an apt saying to describe the latest season on Netflix's Stranger Things. 

The details...they're fantastic.

Of course, for the viewers in my geographical area, the details surrounding Salt Lake City and our predominant religion have been wonderful. Unlike other major media series shown recently that highlight the ideosyncrasies of the religion, it feels like the creators at least tried to get the people right. I'd say they did a pretty good job...so far. I haven't finished the series--I've got two episodes to go. 

I've enjoyed this--and the previous three--seasons for the same reasons. The creators seem to have an understanding what the show means to its fans. They nailed the D&D culture of that time. They nailed those of us who played D&D during that time. The music, all the little things. 

Watching Episode 7, something caught my eye...the closed captioning of a scene. If you're familiar with the show, you know what a Demogorgon is, and if you know what it is, you can imagine (if you haven't seen the show, yet...) the scene is not for the faint of heart. It was grizzly, violent, flat-out gross. And the closed caption conveyed that gore in three little words.

Before I watched the series, I read a lot of critiques. Season 4, for many, was dark...very dark. They were right. It is. And as long as they keep nailing the small things, there's more than the devil in those details.

 

When You Find A Radio Stations Entire Album Collection...At A Thrift Store

We don't visit the thrift stores as much as we would like (you may think that's incorrect by the number of thrift store posts I write...). Where we used to live, I tried to visit the local thrift store at least a couple of times a month. I noticed several people who were there every time I was. I concluded they must visit the store every day.

And, if you're thrift store shopping, that's a good strategy. Because if you go every day, you won't miss out on some of those gems that come along every once in a while.

Since we don't go every day, we occasionally find one or two of those gems. A few months ago, we came across something I thought was amazing. In the back of the Logan Deseret Industries, sitting on a cart were box after box of classic albums and 45s. Apparently, it was the inventory of a radio station, I can't think it being anything else.

If I had time, I would have search each box, trying to find some of those classic records from stars long since gone. I looked through a couple of boxes and ended up buying four Bing Crosby Christmas albums, a Nat King Cole, and one from the Four Knights because I recognized, Walkin' on Sunshine.

I doubt the records are worth anything. Maybe the "Non-Distribution" status might make them more valuable, but considering in the 1950s and 1960s, thousands of those records were produced and distributed to stations across the country and world. No, I chose them because I remember putting on Christmas LPs on my dad's HiFi as a kid.

No, I probably left a few gems in the boxes, gems found by others who did some searching through the many many boxes. It's okay. I found some good ones.

 

Oh...The Places You Won't Go

You may have seen this question posted on the internet. It's been making the rounds of social media and many of my friends have responded. I usually let those things go and don't participate, but something about this one made me respond.

Looks like I'm average.

Social media is a perfect place to show you all the places you won't go. It's summer and people are doing something they haven't done for a couple of years--go on vacation. I have friends who are right now in Europe, Switzerland and England. A few months ago another friend posted pictures of their family having fun in Spain, and another in Hawaii. Then there's the hundreds and hundreds of pictures of friends on the coasts, west coast, east coast, southern coast. 

And I'm happy for them. I really am.

Then, something comes along like the above question that makes me think. I might get to a few more of the places on that list in my lifetime. Then again, six is all I might see. I'm okay with that. I've learned long ago to acknowledge what is really important and focus on those things. Of course, if travel were important to me and my family, we would make that a priority and go. It's not, so we don't. Also, when I think of going somewhere/anywhere, the thought of spending money would most likely overwhelm all the great things about travel.

Before I was married, I traveled quite a bit. Thanks to university choir tours (and some student loans...) I was fortunate enough to visit Europe, Washington D.C., and England. I enjoyed the trips--loved them, actually. 

Now, we stay home. Home is wonderful. Home is really all I need. Some people can't imagine going on only three vacations in twenty years, but that's how we choose to live. Would I like to go to Walt Disney World, or see the Empire State Building? Sure. If I never make it, however, I'm not losing sleep over it. Life's too short to be miserable because of the things you don't have.

Time To Introduce My Daughter To...The Classics

 Recently, we've been introducing our daughter to some of the classic movies my wife and I grew up with. We feel it's part of being a good parent. I saw this meme and it made me laugh because Poltergeist was one of the classic shows we just watched.

We've watched classic shows with her in the past. My wife and I would think about a show from our youth, then we'd ask our daughter if she'd seen it. If not, we do a little searching and if the show was free for us to watch, we'd all sit down and enjoy the entertainment that was, in its day, considered the high mark of the medium. I think this past week was the first time my wife and I sought out films we enjoyed for my daughter to experience the same thing as we did when we were her age.

The first show we watched was, Raiders of the Lost Ark. I was sort of surprised she hadn't seen it before. She knew of the show, of course, but never watched it. 

Next, came Poltergeist. I remember that show scared the crap out of me. As I re-watched, I remember the scenes that freaked me out. They're still powerful, but not as much. We live in an era where movie effects are unsurpassed in their realistic depictions of everything. It's tough for a movie from the 1980s to compete with what can be done today.

We have more movies we want to show. Thankfully, our daughter enjoys watching "golden oldies" with her parents. I wonder if she'll do the same thing with her children in twenty or thirty years. And if so, what will they all watch?

Give Thanks...For Restoration

 Sometime, between last week and Memorial Day, our parent's headstone was damaged. My niece noticed the damage. My brother, as the family's spokesperson, contacted the city and thankfully, the damage will be repaired.

Us kids did not know this for years, but our mother did not care for the headstone. In the mid-1970s the city cemetery had a policy--no raised headstones. So, when my father passed away, we abided by the city's rules. I'm not sure when, but afterword the city changed their policy. Raised headstones were once agin allowed. Our mother talked about getting a new headstone for years, perhaps when she passed away.

After my mother was diagnosed with cancer and that cancer progressed, she knew her time was short. Just like the city, she also changed her mind as to the headstone. She just wanted us to keep it--no need spending more money on something she didn't like, especially since she won't be around to see it. We ended up honoring her wishes.

My parents adopted three children...I'm the middle one. My father passed away when I was young so my mother ended up raising three children under ten as a single mother. They're both gone now and the headstone is a symbol of their lives. If I had the means, I would build a mausoleum at the site to their memory. This, of course, would be something of which my mother would not approve.

The stone will be replaced. I wish we could bring back our parents just as easy. But one day, they'll be restored, as will we all. It's a promise given and one I believe will become a promise made. I'm so incredibly grateful for those two people who made the choice to bring three babies into their lives and become a family. I know my life was forever changed by their selfless act. Miss you, mom and dad. Glad the stone that marks your graves will be restored, too.

Found Some Old-Man Glasses...

 The reason I went to our local thrift store was to buy a couple of pairs of glasses. The reason I needed the glasses is because I lost the screw on my current pair of glasses the held one of the temples (I just learned this term...) to the rest of the glasses. If you wear glasses--and even if you don't--you know the screws that hold glasses together are very small. Since I couldn't find the tiny screw, I decided the next best thing would be to go buy a few pairs of old glasses and use them for parts.

Part one of my plan--find old pairs of glasses.

Part two of my plan--buy the old pairs of glasses.

Part three of my plan--take them home and tear them apart.

Part four of my plan--fix my old glasses.

I'm proud to say all four parts of my plan worked perfectly. But, something happened that I didn't expect. One of the pairs of glasses I bought has almost the same optical prescription as my current pair. I think that's amazing. I mean, what are the odds? To be funny, I put on the glasses and showed them to my family. Their reactions were predictable.

"You have old-man glasses."

Predictable because it's true. They do look like glasses someone older might wear. I did not tear apart this pair. No, I placed them with other items I've collected through the years, items I wear on stage, items to help me create a new personality. I figure, if I'm every called upon to play a part of someone older than I am, I might dig out the glasses and see if they'll work.

You know, either older, or...

An accountant.

I Made A Thing...!

I think many have seen the photo. It's been making its way across the internet. It's easy to understand the popularity...in a single photo presenting pure genius, and I'm sure more than a few, "why didn't I think of that?" thoughts have been generated.

I think that's where I got my inspiration.

We use child gates to close off sections in home where we don't want the dog to go. We use it most when someone knocks on our front door. We tell the dog to go down, he does, and we place the gate across the top of the stairs and there he stays. We didn't want the gate to scratch up the floor or the posts so, up until recently, we took some wrap used to go around dinner plates when moving and placed them on the sides and bottom of the gate.

That was over a year and a half ago.

Since then, the polyurethane packaging we used on the gate was starting to disintegrate. The other day, while at the Dollar Store (or Dollar and a Quarter Store...), I spotted the noodles. It reminded me of the photo. When I got home I spotted the gate and put 2 and 2 and 2 together. On a return trip to the store, we picked up a couple of noodles and with the help of duct tape and scissors, our gate was transformed into floor and post-safe barrier. 

Interesting tidbit on that driver photo, it's a photo of an Australian trucker in 2019. You can read more about it by clicking: HERE.

Took The Youngest For His First Driving Lesson...In A Manual

 For the other kids, we had a spunky little Pontiac on which they learned to drive. The car was small, maneuverable, and perhaps most importantly, kind of dinged up so if the kids hit a light post or a curb a little too fast, the result would not be a big deal.

We still have the Pontiac Vibe. It sits in our driveway unused. It's almost a 20 year-old car and it has some issues, to the point where we need to put some money in it for me to feel safe to have it back on the road. My youngest has reached the age where he needs to get his license.

The Pontiac is not available...

Turns out, my Subaru is.

This wouldn't be a big deal, but unlike the Pontiac, the Subaru does not have an automatic transmission...it's a manual.

Time to sound like an old man now...In my day, when I learned to drive, there were many more vehicles with manual transmissions. My first car--Greenie, the 1965 VW bug--was a manual. It's what I drove as I learned to drive. My son wanted to drive the Subaru instead of our minivan. Makes sense--the van is bigger. We drove down to the place that had the largest parking lot (our local church...). I parked the car. My son and I switched places. Then the fun began.

I've helped teach my other children, so I've done it before. This, however, was unlike the others. To my son's credit, he handled the experience with more composure than I might have at his age. It was frustrating, but he wanted to keep going, wanted to learn. And, the car made it though the ordeal pretty much unscathed.

For those who have driven or currently drive manual transmission vehicles, you know it's a different experience. Personally, I'm glad I still have a vanishing breed of car. I'm glad my son wants to learn how to drive one, too.

Time To Learn A Children's Song...From Denmark

 

Sometimes, I can't remember the names of my children. No, that's not technically correct--I remember their names, I just--at times--use the wrong name when calling them. As I get older, my memory is starting to fade. I suppose it's only natural.

And yet, there's a song I learned in 1985 that I haven't forgotten...it's a children's song from Denmark. I thought you might like to learn it, too.

It's called, Der Bor en Bager, or, There Lives A Baker, in English.

Back when 1985 started, I was living in Provo, Utah, with thousands of other young people (and some older couples...) preparing to spend the next two years away from home telling people about the Gospel. My assignment--Denmark, and a group of us were trying very hard to learn the language of the Danes.

Our days were made up of (if I remember correctly...), gospel studying, language studying, eating, exercising, and taking in the experience. In one of our language classes, we were taught this little song, and for some strange reason, I still remember it. A quick internet search and I found the song, both in Danish and English (you can access the site: HERE...). Here is the song, in Danish:

DER BOR EN BAGER

Der bor en bager

på Nørregade,

han bager kringler

og julekage;

han bager store,

han bager små,

han bager nogle

med sukker på.

Og i hans vindu’

er sukkersager

og heste, grise

og peberkager.

Og har du penge,

så kan du få,

men har du ingen,

så kan du gå!

And again, in English:

THERE IS A BAKER

There is a baker

on Nørregade,

he bakes pretzels

and Christmas cake;

he bakes big,

he bakes small,

he bakes some

with sugar on.

And in his window '

are candies

and horses, pigs

and gingerbread.

And if you have money,

then you can get,

but if you have none,

then you can go!

On the website, there's also a little Wurlitzer audio clip so you too can sing along with this classic Danish children's song. Check it out--it's catchy!

Memories are valuable so I don't know how long I'll remember this song or other things. I hope I can say that I'll remember the song--both verses--in another forty years.

Juneteenth 2022...

Yesterday, we flew the flag in observance of Juneteenth. Because I work for a government entity, I had the day off. I believe the official Juneteenth fell on Sunday, the 19th, so they gave us the next day off. I'll be the first to admit I do not know much about the holiday. My understanding is the term Juneteenth comes from an event that took place in Texas when troops notified the state that all slaves were made free when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

That document was signed two and a half years before the troops arrived.

We celebrate and honor many events. Remembering the anniversary when humans were acknowledged to have the same rights as everyone else is certainly a reason to take time to remember.

Because it was a day off, I stayed off of social media (for the most part...) throughout the day. I'm glad I did. You see, for me, putting out the flag and remembering that even though our country has many scares from past mistakes, there was a time when incredible news changed the lives of generations of Americans. If I had spent a lot of time on social media, I would have been inundated by options, both for and against, the holiday, opinions not to persuade, but for expression. 

I'm glad there are outlets for people to express their opinions, and I'm glad I didn't allow those to opinions to taint the day for me. I wanted to keep and honor the day my own way. I was happy to celebrate for me an incredible event in our nation's history...one of many.

Learning New Stuff...

Last week I posted a picture of a beautiful flower I spotted at a local nursery. I snapped a photo, but I failed to notice the name of the flower on the little plastic thingy that usually accompanies a plant so you know what it is you bought.

I used the flower picture as my Pic Of The Day and I included a quip that I didn't know what it was. I hoped someone with more flora experience would comment on my little photo so I would find out what type of flower it was. If you know my friends, then you have probably guessed that almost all the comments were some like...

"It's a flower."

My fault for stating I didn't know what it was. Shame on me.

But one friend, Anne, she gave me a way to find out what flower it was, and I didn't even have to drive to the nursery and look at the little plastic thingy.

If you have an iPhone (I do...), after you've taken a picture of a plant or flower, open your Photos App and if you see a plant icon or a star by the "I" at the bottom, it means there is additional information about that plant. I went back into my photos and found the flower. I also found out it's a Gazania Regens. There might be other names by which is known as well.

Thanks, Anne for the info! Learning new stuff is fun.

A Time To Wear Ties...A Time To Not

Today, I wore a tie. The tie in the picture was not a Father's Day present (it was a gift form a friend...). I can't remember the last time I got a tie as a gift for Father's Day. It's been many years. There was a time when I owned dozens and dozens of ties, many were my father's. The last time he wore a tie was in 1974. Most of his ties were skinny ones, from the 1960s.

There was a time when wearing skinny ties was considered, "cool."

When I started working for my current employer, the dress code for men was ties. I had many different ties back then. I thought about which ones to wear, which ones I liked, which ones I didn't wear very much.

Times sure have changed.

Now, I wear a tie approximately four times a month, once a week and that's when I go to church. Other than that, I'm in sweats, shorts, jeans, t-shirts, but rarely ties.

I suppose Ecclesiastes is right...there's a time for just about everything.

 

All Those Little Brilliant Ideas...

Yeah, so my great idea didn't work. Oh, I had visions that I would not only work but I would be called a genius by my wife and children. And, if I marketed it well, by others, too.

But, no...

The dog had other plans.

We have grown children living with us. It is a sign of the times, but we also love having them close. The oldest has a room directly under the kitchen. When we gather as a family, sometimes our oldest does not hear us.. Being a media content producer he is, many times, involved in a project and is wearing headphones. Sure, we could go downstairs and ask him to come up, but I had another idea.

In our house, we also have a poodle. The dog is very intelligent. We'll tell him to go get our son. The dog will look at us, then down the stairs, then back at us, then he'll run down the stairs to our son's room. He might even do this a couple of times. The problem is, my son sometimes doesn't see the dog when he goes into his room.

Thus, my idea.

I took a piece of paper, wrote a message to my son, and attached it to the dog's collar. I'm thinking this great idea can't miss. Turns out, it can. The dog has pretty much the run of the house, except for the bathrooms, some bedrooms, and where the cat lives. The problem was he doesn't go into my son's room that much so even though the message stayed attached to the collar, my son never saw it. I suppose we could train the dog to not only go into the room, but go up to my son so the collared message would be seen and acknowledged. 

We could train him to do that, but we're too lazy. And laziness was the main reason I came up with the idea in the first place. Maybe a lot of "great" ideas could be overcome by just not being lazy. If only I could come up with a great idea for that.

History Is Cool...And Sometimes Wet

 

I came across a bit of history the other day. Personally, I found it interesting--you might, too. Box Elder County in Utah is the state's northwestern-most county. It's large and by comparison, not highly populated. It's where we call home.

Because we live in a desert, water can be scarce. We first drove to the county two years ago. One thing I remember seeing were canals full of water. Since it's an agrarian community, that didn't surprise me. There appears to be a lot of water in this valley. Last year, like most of the west, we were put on restrictions for watering our lawns and yards. I think because of the water in this valley, our restrictions were not as severe as other places in the state and/or country. This year, we expect more restrictions. 

I'm including the county's Instagram information. If it interests you, check it out. If not, no worries...historical and current water management information isn't for everyone.

You Can Catch More Bees With Honey Than With Vinegar--You Can Catch More People With Food Than With...No Food

 Before the world-changing events of the past couple of years, my employer held summer parties for their employees. Many times I've attended these events. Many times the schedule for these events remains the same...

Food and games.

Since it's summer and "recommendations" from experts have changed, my employer has resumed these parties. This past week, it was our turn. The location--an incredibly beautiful public park in Logan, Utah. The purpose--to gather as co-workers, eat food, and enjoy the break.

Like years before, I attended (as the photographs prove...). The event began with introductions. Of the fifty or sixty people attending, I knew about 10%. Next, came the food. Good food! It was catered and I filled my plate. 

A question came to me...

Would we have gathered if there was no food?

The idiom came to me, "You can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar." I'm no biologist or apiologist. I have no idea if this phrase is literally true, but I am pretty sure if this gathering had no food (or pre-meal snacks...), attendance would have been down. Of course, if this were a mandatory party, we'd show up, food or not.

Next year, God willing, the e-mails will be sent a month or two before the summer party takes place. If things remain the same, we'll have the option to attend or decline. Also, if things remain the same, food will be served. There should be a new idiom...

If you serve food, they will come.

Man...A Truck With "Extras"

So, every once in awhile you'll be browsing the classifieds, you know...to see what's out there, whether you're in the market or not. I like to see what things costs now, check out trends, stuff like that. And because I browse the ads, every now and then, I come across a gem.

I like this truck.

Sure, it's beat down, it's seen some miles, hard-driven as some say. But, the best part of the ad is the write-up. It's classic!

I love the honesty. This guy has nothing to lose by hitting for the bleachers. He's telling it like it is. He wants whomever is looking at the truck to know exactly what they're getting. This truck has issues, and I love the way they're brought to light.

Starting the truck with a screwdriver or knife...wonderful. Missing back window...fantastic. But, the best part and my personal favorite is not just the window crank is missing, not that it requires vice grips to lower and raise the window, but to include the vice grips IN THE COST OF THE TRUCK...that's pure brilliance.

If I had unlimited funds, I'd buy that truck immediately. I wouldn't even care about all the problems that come with it. I'd buy it for the window crank system (and I love you can see the actual vice grip in the photo...). I hope whoever ends up with it appreciates the ad. It makes the whole experience that much better.

Everything Eventually Goes Away...

 The other day we drove by a pile of scraps that used to be a home, a place where someone once lived. I've thought about the remains of someone's dreams several times lately. Because, in the end--either the end of a particular home or the planet itself--all things will eventually go away.

I'm not the oldest person on the planet, but I've been around long enough to see once usable buildings be torn down and replaced by something else. Where we used to live, the land is so valuable, almost any home no matter how old/new is secondary in value to the land on which it sits. When we sold a few years ago, the home itself was valued at the price it took to build it seventeen years earlier. What went up in value was the land. 

Lets fast forward another fifty years. Will the home we built twenty years ago still exist? I still love that house, even though it's not too practical in many ways. I can see someone coming in, bulldozing it, hauling away the debris, and starting over.

The home in which we now live in two years old. How long will it stand? Twenty years? Fifty? A hundred? I have no idea. One thing that gives me hope is those who wish to preserve homes, buildings, anything from the past. They prevent, at least for a while, a home becoming a pile of wood, plastics, wires, and other materials.

When we drove away from our little cul-de-sac for the last time, we bid farewell to a house we designed and help build. We gave up all future decisions about the land and especially, the house. I'd hate to see it go, even though I can see why someone would want to replace it. I'd also hate to to see it fall into ruin.

Then again, if we lived forever, we'd see everything, every home, vehicle, tree, and rock change and devolve into dust. We can't stop it, only delay the inevitable. 

I Was Today-Years-Old When I Found Out...Where Tar Heel Came From

Funny, all the things we learn from podcasts.

Today, I learned the origin of the term Tar Heel from a podcast. Which podcast? I'm not sure...I probably listened to six or seven today. It was from one of them.

Perhaps many of you already know how the term came to be. A simple internet search yields the answer. To save you some time, I'll explain briefly. Back in the day (meaning, before the invention of the internet...), one of the industries established in North Carolina was shipbuilding. One way to make ships last longer is to slap tar on the bottom of those boats. Tar helps preserve the material used to build ships back the...wood. Preserved wood is preferred when it comes to ships.

The podcast explained that many who worked in ship building, and specifically, worked with tar used to go without shoes so if you had tar on your feet/heels, you were involved in that industry. The term was not given the same respect back then as it does for residences of the state today, especially fans of the University of North Carolina sports teams. If you'd like a more "educated" story of the term's origin, it can be found by accessing the school's website. You can reach the information by clicking: HERE.

No, I never questioned where the term came from. Maybe because there's almost an entire country between where I live and North Carolina. I always thought the term had something to do with the university's mascot, Rameses the Ram. I imagined perhaps the ram's hooves had tar on them (for what reason, I have no idea...). And maybe the hooves are covered with tar, but I doubt it.

Tar heel...part of the country's history I learned about this very day.

Give Thanks...Honoring Those Who Flew

I saw the ad weeks ago, an ever-increasingly rare opportunity to see up close a vintage aircraft, but not just any planes, symbols of war and the quest to end a war.

No, I did not go. 

The planes, a B-17 and a B-25 were on display at the Logan Airport for a week. I had seven days to drive the twenty or so miles east (and a little north...) to see the planes. For several hundred dollars, I could have flown in one. Since we moved, traveling over the mountain into the next county has been an almost weekly event. Since gas prices have exploded and will likely go higher, like many of us, we've begun analyzing these casual trips...wondering if we really need to go.

On Friday, while out, I spotted the B-17 flying almost directly overhead. I heard the prop engines first, a sound you don't hear everyday. I snapped a short video of the plane thinking I might get to see it close up in a matter of hours.

Then, I thought about why I was going, and decided against it.

I'm not shy about telling whoever is interested (and even if they're not...) about my dad, that he was part of a B-17 crew during WWII over Germany. Thinking about going to see the plane, I could imagine myself looking up, taking picture after picture, and casually telling people, "That's my dad's plane." I might even get to talk to those in charge, those responsible for keeping the flying museums airborne and let them know as well.

I've had the opportunity of seeing one of these incredible machines up close. Years ago my friend and I drove to the Salt Lake Airport when one was parked there for the same reason...giving people rides. My friend and I actually got to climb inside. I still remember the feelings I had looking at that small space, the minimal surroundings, what horrors those brave men went through thousands of feet in the air.

No, I didn't need to go to get more pictures, to tell people my dad survived the war as a tail gunner in a B-17. I didn't need to go to somehow raise my status in the eyes of strangers. No, I stayed home and thought about the plane and the men who flew, their families who support them, and the people who still fly so that we may never forget. I'm grateful to those men, those families, those planes...

And I pray as few people as possible will ever do it again.

Ever Played Klask...?

 I posed the question, a question that I have to answer...

No.

I have not played an epic magnetic battle,

Otherwise known as Klask.

I saw something about the game a year or so ago. There was a video of the Klask world championships. That's when I learned the game originated from Denmark, just like Husker Du. I like things from Denmark. Since I lack information on the game, almost everything you need to know can be found on the game's website. You can access it by clicking: HERE.

I spotted the game for sale at Smith & Edwards. I would have loved to snap it up but that price...just a bit too much. Maybe one day.

I saw the game for sale, thought it was interesting. Perhaps, if you see the game and think your family would enjoy it, you should buy it and try it. If you do, let me know what you think.

Did You Know You Can Grow Violin Bows In Your Garden...?

 I came across an Instagram post a couple of weeks ago. It was very informative. Years ago, I used to hang out with the star of the Instagram post, hung out quite a bit. I have many wonderful memories of those times.

It's good to see my friend again, albeit on a screen. It's good to see him continuing in the family business. It's good to see him sharing a sliver of his wealth of knowledge with the world.

If you're on Instagram, you can see this incredible video by clicking the link: HERE. I wish I could download the video on this blog, but you'll have to click the link to see it. I recommend you do just that. My friend Paul lets us in on a little secret--you can plant and grow bows for violins and other stringed instruments in your own back yard! 

That's amazing!

Yes, it's true. I know its because I've seen the proof with my own eyes. It's one of the many things most, if not all, of us did knot know. In the past couple of weeks, my wife has been busy planting vegetables, flowers, trees...neither of us ever considered the planting of bows.

If you're in the mood for something fun, give the above link a click. Even if you've never heard of my friend Paul or his family business, the short video is funny, and it will make you smile.

The world needs more videos like this one.

Interesting Fact About St Peter's Basilica...At Least, To Me

 The year was 1992, around this exact time of year, thirty years ago. I and around forty other students from  the University of Utah traveled to Italy as part of an a'cappella choir tour. I saw many cool things on that trip...

One of the coolest things I saw was St Peter's Basilica.

So many amazing things inside.

I took several pictures, but I did not have time to find them, so I accessed a website about visiting what was at one time the world's biggest church. You can access the site where I got the above picture by clicking: HERE.

It's hard to express--even in pictures--the enormity of the building, but I'll give it a try. It you look at the lettering in gold placed high on the walls, those letters are each six-feet tall. Imagine a six-foot tall man standing by one of those letters and they are the same length. I remember hearing that factoid from our tour guide and it blew me away.

Last night I blogged about, well...blogging. Since we moved and since we don't do a lot of things away from the house, I've been blogging so much about the house and yard work and other boring stuff. So, I thought I'd write about something I found interesting that maybe you--good reader--might find interesting, too. 

Oh, and a side-interesting factoid. The tour guide told me something else that blew my mind--in that entire building, there is not one drop of paint. Everything inside is mosaic...tiles.

Oh, and our choir got to sing a Catholic mass in the Basilica, too.

Like I said...amazing.

The Toughest $126.33 I've Ever Earned...

 In the last decade or so, I've taken to my computer in the evenings--sometimes afternoons, but never after midnight--and cranked out something on this little blog. I'm doing that again right now. I find a photo (many times the picture inspires the blog...), add it, write three or more paragraphs of varying length, try to make the photo and words look/sound interesting, then hit "Publish" for all the world to see.

As of today, I have hit "Publish" 4,155 times.

And I've earned $126.33 for all that work.

Clearly, it's the toughest $126.33 I've ever earned.

I use Blogger as my blog host. It's Google's blogging service. I use it because it's simple, as are almost all of my posts. I've also enable ads to be posted on my blog. Having ads on my blog means the more  views I receive directly translates to cold hard cash. If you do the math, it means I've earned 3¢ for each blog post I've written and published.

Three cents.

I hope this doesn't come across as complaining. I truly do not mean to give this impression. I understand it's my responsibility to write and post things people want to see and read. I can't blame the public if I don't give them interesting things. And it's not like I put in a lot of time/effort/research into these posts, either. If you read them, you know this to be true. Basically, I'm giving an opinion on things, on my life, our home, our yard, my work, my family. I'm not a famous person. I don't have the biggest family--not a lot of people to draw upon for views. And, to be honest, I'm sure many of my friends/family are tired and/or bored of these daily offerings.

This is post #4156. If the numbers stand, I'll earn an additional three pennies. If you click on this and have stuck with me to this point, hopefully it's been worth your time. Since I like writing and sharing these posts, it's been worth mine, and if you've stuck with me today or any time in the past, I want to give you a sincere, thank you.

Bringing Back The Memories...

 I saw the poster hanging at a local pizza joint. It was flashy and bright and had an attention-grabbing photo. The sole purpose (or main purpose...) of the poster is to get you excited to the point that you will go out and order tickets to the event.

To me, the poster transported me back about fifty or so years.

I doubt those creating the poster thought it would have that affect on anyone.

In the early 1970s, my father worked as a civilian contractor at Hill Air Force Base. Unfortunately, he passed away before I could get to know all the things he did, but I do know one of the perks of his job was scoring tickets to the local rodeos and demolition derbies that took place a few miles from our home.

Yes, I remember going to those events at the grandstand at Lagoon Amusement Park.

Many of the "old timers" remember it, too.

If I remember (and it's been a while...), Friday night was demolition derby night and the rodeos were on Saturdays. If you look in the photo of the field, the grandstand is visible in the lower right-hand corner. They tore out the rodeo fence and fairground buildings before this photo was taken. Going to the fair each summer was a lot of fun as well.

In a few days, people will gather including families, to watch and enjoy people climb into vehicles and crash the crap out of them. I wonder if those kids will see a poster advertising an event and remember back when they were young and they went to a demolition derby at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton, Utah.

I hope so. Those will most likely be great memories.