Existing In BFE

Readers of this blog know that I get my marching orders from Princess Norah.  Those orders usually revolve around getting her ice cream (I introduced it to her at a local McDonald's 4 years ago), giving her horsey rides (not so much now that she is getting bigger), seeing the bees (our spot we check where bees have a nest),  and most recently: "I want an army of cicadas".    We found one down here before I went to Northlandia and she was at first appalled, then fascinated.  Once she discovered it was merely a shell rather than a creepy crawly bug, she  became smitten and wanted more.  And so it became something of a mission to find as many as possible and send them back to an anxiously awaiting little girl.    I walked along the north road by my place in Emerald City and then the East-West road after that.  I walked the cemetery and gathered quite a few.  I found a lot at the Bushnell Car show park.  I...

We all have pet peeves.  Some of mine may be because I'm just out of touch on some things.  But those Star Trek type phones people attach to their ears look goofy and self-important.  I understand Illinois' zero tolerance for phone usage when driving, but dang if I understand why you have to have one dangling from your ear when you get gas like this guy filling up at Casey's.   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Mets won the East Division last Saturday and will be in the post-season for the first time in 9 years.  I have a bottle of champagne in the fridge that I will uncork at some point to celebrate.  I need to get a nice cigar for the occasion as well.  By the way, those T's are pretty cool, too.  (The East Is Ours) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This beautiful creature was on my front step in Emerald City one morning.  Lovely, lovely beast.  Slugs are snails without a shell and while ...

Last Thursday I discussed some things at car shows I don't particularly like.  Today I will list a few things I do like.  Like most things, this is a subjective view and not universal by any means.   First, I made a special point to go to the Bushnell Car show with Miss Frump.  Bushnell holds a show each year in conjunction with their Fall Festival celebration.  It was always one of my favorite shows back when I was living in Northlandia and showing my old cars.  The Bushnell show was always a little different than the other participant judged shows.  This one is judged by car people who examine each vehicle with a list that includes such topics as Interior, Stainless, Chrome, Engine Bay, Undercarriage and others.  There are 10 categories with a possible 10 points for each totaling 100 points for a perfect car.     This was my vantage point for the day.  Kind of like sitting behind a pretty lad...

During summers in high school and college I worked for my uncle on a farm south of Seaton.  It was a small one, only 320 some acres, but we also shelled corn and baled hay for neighboring farmers.  Today's flashback is a bibbed, hatted college kid in the summer after work.  We had a fantastic back porch and this is where most of the family congregated in the summer months. With me is Magic, the family boxer who in the first picture looks at the picture taker, then deciding that all is well, or simply overcome by a desire to show affection starts licking the college kid.      If you slide down Magic's back to her tail you will notice that the camera wasn't quick enough to capture her tail, it's a blur.   Usually it was going a mile a minute.  If she hadn't had it cropped like most dogs it could have done real damage.     In a side note, last week's Flashback showed a party in the g-Burg Boxcar which featu...

I've been to scores of car shows, maybe even hundreds.  For a few years there I attended one every weekend all summer long.  Some people golf, others fish.  I went to show off my Plymouth or Imperial.  Did I want a trophy?  Of course.  Did I often win? Yes.  Don't let anyone fool you: people will say they aren't in it for the trophies, but they lie.  We are all proud of our cars and want to gain recognition for them.   I used to know a guy who I have forgotten his name who was terribly obnoxious at shows.  He had a late 50's Chrysler 300 which was perfect in every way and when he didn't win he would bitch to anyone and everyone.  He died of cancer shortly after I started going to shows.  I didn't like him at all.   There are other things I have grown to dislike at car shows.  Not everyone,m thank God feels the same way - these are strictly my feelings.   I don't like guys bringing their...

For a month prior to heading North the monsoon season down here was as intense as I've ever seen.  It was a daily event and not one of those weak-willed 10 minute rains we get so often.  No, these were full-throated blasts of driving rain that lasted all day.  Actually since I'm one of those that enjoys storms, I was loving it.  But not when stuck on the road like I was in the last videos.  I was at the Causeway taking pics.  That storm came up slowly but when it did hit was awesome.    

I have returned to Floriduh.  My stay in Emerald City was superb.  I did lots of things, saw lots of people, and miss it already.  But I am with Norah and if there is anything to assuage an old man's heart it is the tearful plea from a 4 year-old, "I need you."  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The wonder of young eyes discovering something new. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This is an apple-laden tree in Seaton.      This is Mark after peeling many of those apples and making a pie.  This is the end result.  I can attest to its deliciousness.  In all the possibilities life affords, I never once imagined I'd eat an apple pie that my brother made.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The simple magic of a lonely Northlandia country road.    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I stopped at Hi-Lo while in G-Burg early in my Northlandic stay.  A guy in...

Our third and final sunset pictures from the Causeway.  Because Mondays seem a good day to not put too much effort into a blog. See how easy that was?  A lazy post to start the week.