Behold...Pretty Much Our Entire Harvest

 A few weeks ago, I took a picture of a singular nectarine. Then I posted the picture on social media with some snarky comment about it being our pre-windstorm harvest.

I guess nature got the last laugh.

Right now, on the ground underneath the tree lie several fallen nectarines. 

We live in an area with clean air, it's a major reason we moved here. Clean air, however, comes with a price. The price is wind. It's darn windy at the top of the valley. Previously, we lived in an area famous for winds. It was not uncommon to have 100 m.p.h. plus winds from time to time. When those hit, trees--usually tall pine trees--would fall, shingles lost, fences and trampolines destroyed. 

Here, it's different. The winds are not as severe, but they're more constant. I think we could power our entire house just by wind power. We knew the winds were coming, we just didn't pick the fruit in time.

This was the first year our nectarine bore fruit. To be honest, it looked a little strange...not fuzzy as nectarines usually are. Maybe it's a first-fruiting thing. I don't know.

Yes, I made a lame joke about the single piece of fruit being  our harvest. Turns out, that was pretty much it.

I Was Shocked...SHOCKED, I Say, At Sam's Club

 My wife and I traveled the next county over to run some errands. We found ourselves at Sam's Club right around lunchtime. We weren't sure when we'd be traveling home, so we decided to grab a bite to eat.

I came away, shocked.

Shocked, I say!

For those who already know, what shocked me is nothing new--you already know. You know that the food they serve at the front of the store, namely, pizzas, pretzels, pizza pretzels, ice cream, drinks, is some of the cheapest food around. 

The increase in food has come around slowly, so much so, you don't notice it like you would if you fell asleep and woke up two years later to find everything--EVERYTHING--costs so much more. Food, gasoline, clothes, cars and car parts, it's all out of control. I'm old enough to remember when I could feed dinner to my family of six people (granted, the kids were young...) for between $10 and $15. In the fifteen years since, it now costs between $40 and $50. Just for my wife and I to eat used to cost us about $3 per person. Now it's $5 to $6.

Yes, I know I'm coming off as "Old Man Screams at Clouds," but it's true. We just accept the risen costs and move on. Today at Sam's Club, I stood in line, ordered two pieces (big pieces, mind you...) of pizza, a soft pretzel, and a large drink (large drink, mind you...). The worker told me the amount and I laughed...laughed out loud.

$5.91.

I understand Sam's Club is a membership establishment. We pay for the opportunity to step inside, even if we buy something or not. Because of that, we subsidize the cost of everything, even their deli food. Still, on a quiet Friday afternoon, I was hit with news for food reminiscent of days gone by, of a time when you can get lunch for two for less than $3 per person.

Shocking, I know...

Happy (Belated...) Birthday, US Air Force!

 Last week, on September 17th, the United States Air Force celebrated a birthday.

I've always had a fasciation with the air force. I credit a few things for this. First, I grew up a few miles from an air force base, Hill AFB, specifically. I remember seeing, then hearing fighter jets scream overhead...F-4s, then F-16s, now F-35s. Though I never seriously considered enlisting, if I did I think I would have tied joining the Air Force.

The second reason the Air Force interests me is because for years--decades, even--I thought my father served in the US Air Force during World War II. This was perhaps the greatest reason why the Air Force fascinates me. Now, if you know anything about the United States involvement in WWII, you know that the US Air Force did not exist during the war. Before the Air Force existed, air corps belonged to the Army, Navy, and Marines. My father was assigned to the Army Air Corp.

For a child growing up without a father, I think I was drawn to things associated with him. Whenever I see WWII footage or see a picture of a B-17, I think of him.

Happy birthday, US Air Force. The world has entirely changed since you were born. I wonder what you'll see in the next seventy-six years.

If You Want To Feel Old...Ask Gen Z If They've Ever Seen A Wind-Up Watch

 I have a side gig where I work with people of all ages. Part of my job is to speak to visitors and guests, make conversation, find out about them. Sometimes, you discover some surprising things.

Like finding out how old you are.

Case in point...I was chatting with some high school students. Part of my job is to wear a nice three-piece suit. It's a pain in the hot weeks of September, but great when things get cold in October. The teenagers commented on how dapper I looked. I then pulled out my pocket watch to see how much time was left until the show (where I work...) started.

"Wow--you even have a cool watch," one of the youngsters said.

"Thanks," I said. "It's even a wind-up watch."

Crickets.

They looked at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears (classic film quote reference...). 

"What?"

"You know, a watch that doesn't have a battery."

More crickets.

The next couple of minutes I explained that before battery-powered watches were invented, watches were wound up in order to keep running and they even came in wrist watches. I didn't go into detail that this is how humanity kept time for centuries.

I know as I get older, all the things from my youth are turning into antiques. I also understand that many kids have no reason to own a watch in the first place. I've seen videos where teenagers try to figure out  rotary phones, Sony Walkmans, even being surprised when they see a car without an automatic transmission, but not having them know about or understand a wind-up watch...

That made me feel really old.

The Hotel Was Great...Just Can Never Sleep Well

I thought about something today. I've stayed in a hotel room three times in the past fifteen, twenty years. I don't stay in the rooms much, but there's something I know...

I can't get a good night's sleep in a hotel/motel room.

It just doesn't work for me.

The room was great. They put on us on the eighth floor and everything was new and shiny. The staff was great and the food (when I had breakfast...) was delicious. But sleeping, well...can't blame that on the hotel.

I think if I traveled for work and had to stay in hotels as part of the gig, I'd get used to sleeping in beds not my own. At least, I hope so, especially if I had to drive as part of the job. Because I needed rest for FanX, I was worried as I lay in bed in the middle of the night not being able to go back to sleep. Eventually, I did get some rest and was ready for three days of being on my feet.

Because I stayed in the room for more than one night, things did get better and I was able to sleep a little more each night. Like I said, I think if I did it more, things would improve, but because I don't see my lifestyle changing any time soon, I doubt that's going to happen.

I guess it's just one of those things for me. 

Marcanum X...The Dude Worked It At FanX

I have had the unique opportunity to book/see some of the most unusual acts available in our area at our local comics convention. I oversee the vendor floor stage acts at FanX and have done so for years. It's an honor and I love getting to know the performers and I will never tire of seeing the reactions from the crowds. 

It's so much fun,

This year, my responsibilities changed a little. Usually, I know, or have spoken to, every act before they take the stage. This time, there were some newbies. One in particular stood out to me...

Marcanum X.

I'd never heard of Marcanum X, and had he not performed on our stage, there's a good chance I never would. You see, Marcanum X is a hip-hop artist. I know as much about hip-hop as I do about the engineering it takes to reach the moon. Sure, I've heard a famous hip-hop artist name or two, mostly because they make the news (often not because of their music...). 

Marcanum X was our con's first hip-hop artist. When you're the first at anything, you're a trailblazer. I've seen it before, people in the seats not quite sure of what to make of this new act. I love our audiences--they are respectful and I believe, they recognize passion. Marcanum X definitely has passion.

He stood on our stage for almost an hour and sang song after song, all originals. I was at a disadvantage for several reasons. First, I don't know his music, either his specifically or the genre in general. Plus, I was sitting behind the speakers so I wasn't able to catch many of his lyrics. 

But I did see how hard the man worked. He rocked the stage, he didn't let up, and he sang his songs. Even though I'm not a fan, I can definitely appreciate that. If you want to know more about Marcanum X, you can learn more about him by clicking: HERE.

I don't know if he'll be back--it's sort of out of my control. But, if he does, I hope others get to see what I saw...a genuine performer. 

Give Thanks...Changes Are Coming

 It's interesting how people connect with one of the four seasons. People will say they're either winter, spring, summer, or fall people. I can understand the draw for each part of the year. Without doing any research, I'd conclude winter has the fewest fans, and maybe summer has the most. I'm highly suspect of those who claim summer as their favorite...those with the ability to enjoy all that summer provides.

For me, it's fall, autumn...

And it's not even close.

For as long as I can remember, I've loved when the days shorten, the temperatures fall, clothes shelved months earlier now reappear. Shorter days means leaves turn and eventually fall, and those darn mosquitoes die.

There's also an energy in the air, the holidays coming, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years...each holiday has a different purpose, each has a different spirit. Yes, the season brings challenges, but everything of value does. Many hate the cold, the snow, the lack of sunlight...those that hate the fall never tire of reasons for that hate. 

Because it's my favorite time of year, it seems to take forever to arrive. That first college football game comes slower than Santa Clause to a child. Eventually, however, the wait is over and the fall equinox passes. 

When I see leaves turn, I celebrate. It's one of the first signs of change. I'm thankful for the change. I'm thankful to see the start of an another autumn. I pray for the opportunity for many more to come.