THINKIN' 'BOUT THINGS!

       THURSDAY, JANUARY 31ST., 2019
              THINKIN' 'BOUT THINGS!

      I'm wondering if Bobby Darin was holed up
  in a room somewhere out of the cold and snow
  when he wrote "Things" back in 1962?
      I think you think about a lot of strange things
  when you've got cabin fever. I do. Of course in
  my case I don't require cold or snow to let my
  mind wonder.
      I first noticed that there are 22 stars around
  the mountain on the Paramount Pictures logo
  many years ago. I've often wondered why?
      I think I may be one of the only people
  who noticed a change in the 20th Century Fox
  theme way back in the 50's I think. Have any
  of you wondered if it's just a coincidence that
  the last musical notes in that famous movie
  intro are the same as the "Make it mine. Make
  it mine. Make it mine" melody in "Three Coins
  In The Fountain?"  The movie, after all, was a
  20th Century Fox production that grossed five
  million dollars!
       I've asked, on previous occasions, about
  all that money that Mr. Potter virtually stole
  from Uncle Billy in "It's A Wonderful Life."
  Did they run out of time? Shouldn't the bad
  guy have been held accountable for his deed?
        So many trivial facts and questions. Guess
I'm spending way too much time inside!
        Hope you're more productive and that all
your NEWS is good!

CHECKING THE NEIGHBORS!

    WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30TH., 2019
          CHECKING THE NEIGHBORS!

     Snow! Now bitter cold winds! It's the
kind of weather during which we're all
suppose to check on our neighbors.
Especially the elderly!
      I went out as the snow was piling
up and surveyed the situation. We had
about 3 inches on the ground and there
was no sign of any plow anywhere.
      Next, to check on the neighbors.
      The gentleman next door and his
significant other had made it home from
their work OK and were inside their place,
      The house directly across the street
has been vacant for several months. Lots
of snow piled up there but no one in need.
       Kids down the street were out in
their yard enjoying the snowfall. I believe
they'd be helping their Dad dig out.
       There was only one elderly resident
nearby so I took my shovel and cleared
as much snow as possible from in front
of .……….my house!
        Hope you're all safe and warm
and that all your NEWS is good!

ICE CAPADES!

   TUESDAY, JANUARY 29TH., 2019
                  ICE CAPADES!

     I've never been very good on ice skates!
I've always been impressed with those people
who can dance, go backward, speed, and even
compete on ice! Other than watching them I tend
to stay off the ice.
     Until the last couple days!
     Water runoff coupled with freezing temperatures
have combined to form a small "ice lake" in my
development. Unfortunately it's formed at our
mailboxes!
      Although I'm not especially anxious to pick
up all the bills and advertisements that the mailman
brings each day I have developed the habit of
checking our mail on a daily basis.
      The ice jam has turned that habit into an
Olympic challenge.
      On Saturday, being a quick thinker, I pulled
the car as close to my mailbox as possible then
leaned on the vehicle as I slid myself into position.
I used the same technique to get back into the car.
       I was pretty proud of myself until I tried to
drive away from the boxes. Since the car had
nothing to lean on it simply sat there, wheels
spinning! I finally surrendered and backed away
until I hit some solid ground.
       Having learned my lesson I crept onto the
icy surface from "uphill" on Monday, braced
myself on the car till I retrieved my junk mail
then slip away "downhill" till the rubber met
the road!
        Can't wait for the snow to cover all that
ice. It may actually provide traction for me and
the car!
        Hope I get some mail worth reading and
that all your NEWS is good!

THE RAILROAD BED!

   MONDAY, JANUARY 28TH., 2019
             THE RAILROAD BED!

    I think it's safe to believe that most of
you envision that packed earth and rocks
supporting train tracks as your typical
railroad bed.
    I've got a railroad bed right in my
house but it's a little different. It is, in
fact, a bed on which sits a railroad! Well
actually it's a Trolley track. In fact it's an
ho gauge track on which runs a little
model trolley car.
    My grandson likes to see it run when
he visits so I let it there. It's the only space
I've got for it.
     This past weekend, however, we had
a house guest. My best friend was visiting
to attend a family reunion in the area.
     We only have one spare bed and guess
what? It's the one with the trolley track!
      I gave some thought to running the
line right around my friend but he's near
6 feet tall and I don't have that much track.
Besides the constant hum of a tiny trolley
circling one's head could make in tough
to sleep.
      So if you happen to have passed my
place and hear the familiar tune of "I've
been working on the railroad," that was
just me clearing the way for my old
buddy.
      Of course as soon as he left Sunday
I went back to work and set up the line
so the trolley could resume its schedule.
Good thing too because my grandson
paid a surprise visit Sunday afternoon
and never ever knew his favorite rail
line had been put on a siding for a
couple days!
       It's back now, safely sitting on
its railroad bed!
       Hope it's running on time and that
all your NEWS is good!

BARBER SHOPPING!

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 27TH., 2019
              BARBER SHOPPING!

    No quartet involved folks. This was
all me!
     My wife, the one who's been ordered
to stay off her feet for a couple of weeks
following foot surgery, also happens to
be my barber.
      While she's recuperating my hair has
continued to grow. I believe it has turned
a bit grayer too!
       On Saturday I decided I'd better break
away for a trim while I was still able to
see. I made a quick trip to an old fashion
barber shop I had visited one before
(probably after my wife's previous foot
surgery). I had some concerns about him
having a waiting line of customers on a
Saturday but that didn't prove to be a
problem. He was closed! Seems he quits
early on Saturdays so he can get home to
listen to opera from the Met.
        There was another shop I had visited
a couple years ago but. as I remembered,
the barber usually only saw people by
appointment. Still I managed to get in
last time. Could I do it again without
an appointment? No problem. He was
closed!
        I had just about given up when I
passed a nice shop on my way home and
decided to take a chance. No problem.
They were open and had time for me!
        The young lady who got me for
a customer asked how I would like my
hair. My wife never asked that. So the
only thing I could think of to say was
"Cut."  Turned out well although I
did notice the place was a little more
expensive than our kitchen!
        Hope my wife is on her feet
before my hair is in my eyes and that
all your NEWS is good!

THE FRUITCAKES IN COLORADO SPRINGS!

     SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH., 2019
THE FRUITCAKES IN COLORADO SPRINGS!

   No disrespect intended for anyone living in or
visiting Colorado Springs on this important day.
I am merely calling your attention to the fact that
January 26th is the date for the annual Fruitcake
Toss in that community!
    I've written about fruitcakes before. Usually
around Christmas when they are traditionally
given then often re-gifted to others.
    Some people like them, my wife for instance,
and some people hate them, like Iris, one of my
regular readers.
     I suspect Iris would enjoy the competition
today as contestants throw and toss fruitcakes
for accuracy, speed, and distance. There's even
a separate category involving teams using huge
sling shots to cast the cakes as far as possible!
     The event has been a highlight attraction in
the community's Manitou Park for 22 years!
And it's not beyond the realm of possibility to
believe some of the fruitcakes could be that
old!
      If you happen to ne one of those who
appreciates a good fruitcake it should be
noted the day's activities include a fruitcake
bake off! I suspect the winners will be
consumed and the losers will provide
ammunition!
      We need more exciting events like this
in today's world. Hope this competition
spreads our way and that all your NEWS is
good!

HOUSE CALLS!

   FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH., 2019
                 HOUSE CALLS!

   Thursday marked one week since my
wife's foot surgery. The recovery orders
are pretty specific. Stay off the foot as
much as possible and keep it elevated.
    Have your husband provide the meals
and handle anything else you want. (I'm
not sure if that's actually written in the
orders but it works out that way.)
    I'm sure my wife liked the attention
she received with a house call Thursday.
And I was pretty surprised how much
was packed into that little bag!
     A blood pressure cuff and meter, a
stethoscope, an otoscope, and a
syringe to administer whatever
medicine is required.
     I never actually saw the blood
pressure reading or heard any comments
after her heartbeat and ear canals were
checked. All of those tests, however,
were followed by what looked to me
like three separate injections.
      The "Doctor", our three-year-old
grandson, then packed up his medical
kit, pronounced his Grannie to be
"OK", then left her with one of his
stuffed animal friends to help her
sleep.
      I think he makes a good
physician!
      Hope he comes back for a follow
up visit and that all your NEWS is
good!

CAN YOU READ THIS NOW?

   THURSDAY, JANUARY 24TH., 2019
         CAN YOU READ THIS NOW?

   I am happy to report that as of 10:21pm
Wednesday night 171 of my friends reported
seeing my message about my messages that
didn't seem to be being seen!
   I've been doing daily blogs since sometime
in 2012. Some get a lot of "Likes" and some
get some very interesting comments from my
readers,  I love to read them all.
   I was surprised that a blog I did this week
on the anniversary of the Knox Mine Disaster
got neither "Likes" or comments. For some
unknown reason that essay seems to have
fallen into a shaft somewhere!
    I first noticed the problem when my sister-
in-law contacted my daughter to see if
everything was all right at our house. She
got worried when she didn't see my blog!
My daughter didn't see it either!
    I checked my own Facebook page and
it was there. But I reposted it just in case.
Again, my daughter couldn't find it!
    I'm told that all our internet postings are
out there in space somewhere. I guess the
one I wrote for Tuesday went into a worm
hole!
    So I'm hoping those of you who check
in with my blog will let me know you read
this one by offering a "Like" or, better yet
a comment with your thoughts.
     I will remind you that those blogs
can always be found, and reviewed, on
the site on which I actually write them.
      That's http://no-news-is.blogspot.com
      Once they're written I copy and past
them on Facebook for those who don't
want to leave one site to go to another.
        Maybe the paste was too thick
Tuesday and the blog got stuck inside
my laptop.
         Hope you're all reading this one,
will let me know, and that all your NEWS
is good!

POST OP UPDATES!

  WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23RD., 2019
                POST OP UPDATES!

       My wife and I visited the Podiatrist Tuesday.
It was her first checkup since having bunion
surgery last week.
        All in all the doctor was pleased with her
recovery but ordered continued bed rest with
her foot elevated as much as possible to aid
the healing process. He rejected, however, my
suggestion to turn her upside down to keep
her foot above her heart. Just a thought.
        Coincidentally her remaining
convalescence time exactly equals my
sentence on KP.
          It's actually working out pretty well.
          Our "Smart TV" is in the living room
so I get to watch all the Netflix movies I
want while she's stuck in the bedroom with
just the local stations.
            The meals have not been a big
problem especially since our pastor's wife
has supplied a very generous amount of
dinner fixings. Jesus used 5 loaves of bread
and two fish to feed the crowd. Kathy's supply
of sausage and peppers and meatloaf could
easily handle a crowd that size!
             Between the handouts and the stock
on hand my wife should be able to rest for
at least three weeks! And the only thing
I've burned is my thumb.....so far.
              We're both missing our weekly
trip to either the auction or movies but
stepping outside for the visit to the doctor
quickly convinced us the warmth of our
house is the best place to put her, and my,
feet up!
               Hope the eggs aren't runny and
that all your NEWS is good!
             
         

     

A MAJOR MINER!

  TUESDAY, JANUARY 22ND., 2019
               A MAJOR MINER!

     I was just a part time errand boy at
my hometown radio station in 1959 when
the Susquehanna River broke into the
Knox Coal Mine in Port Griffin. I read
the headlines and saw the television news
reports but didn't really comprehend the
impact of the disaster which claimed a
dozen lines and virtually ended underground
coal mining in our area.
      Many years later, during my television
news career, I met the man many consider
the hero of that tragic day.
       Pacifico Joe Stella was a mining
surveyor who happen to be in the tunnels
making up the Knox Mine. His knowledge
o the underground passage ways and a old
air shaft enabled him to lead 33 miners to
safety.
        I interviewed Joe several times over
many years, almost always on the
anniversary or eve of the anniversary of
the disaster. His story was always the
same. Very detailed and offered in a very
"matter of fact manner," never portraying
himself as the hero everyone else said he
was.
        He wasn't the only hero that day.
In fact one of his colleagues, Amaadeo
Pancotti of Pittston received the Carnegie
Medal for his efforts to help clear debris
from the airshaft that provided the escape
route and for personally climbing the last
50 feet to reach the top! Joe stayed
behind to make sure some of the older
miners would make it out OK.
        The story is being retold today,
another anniversary. And thankfully
a new documentary has been produced
to preserve that story for those who
believe our history is vitally important
to our future.
         Joe Stella isn't with us anymore.
He passed on in 2010.
         Hope he's remembered for many
years and that all your NEWS is good!

WEATHERING THE STORM!

    MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST., 2019
        WEATHERING THE STORM!

    Well the storm showed up on Saturday
just as I expected. It wasn't all bad though.
My wife and I were both delighted that our
eldest grandson used his common sense and
came straight from his job in Wilkes-Barre
to our house instead of trying to make it
over the mountain to his home outside of
Hazleton.
       It was good to have a sleepover
just like we did when we was about 4 or 5.
At 20 though he was able to do some initial
shoveling for us as the snow began to pile
up.
        For some reason he declined to have
me cook anything for him. Maybe he's been
reading my blogs about the meals I've been
preparing for my wife while her foot heals
from surgery.
         He got called back to work early in
the morning so Sunday was up to me! I
made some serious manly decisions!
         First I ignored my wife's wishes
and went outside to clean both cars and
do move shoveling! I vowed to myself
not to complain (out loud) about my back
when I came in.
        Next I selected the menu for the day.
Leftovers! It's much harder to burn your
thumb if you're using a microwave oven!
        Finally I spent the better part of the
day watching Football! I'm not an
especially big football fan but I'm told
this is how many men spend their Sundays.
         Now I'm all set to observe the
holiday (except my back hurts a little bit.)
Hope the supply of leftovers holds out and
that all your NEWS is good!
 

YOUR REACH AND GRASP!

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 20TH., 2019
        YOUR REACH AND GRASP!

   Saturday was day two for  my role as
"Chef Boy Our Dave."
   My wife is recovering well from her
foot surgery but I can't be sure what
part, if any, my meal preparations are
playing in her efforts.
    I hit WalMart prior to the snow storm
to acquire one of its rotisserie chickens
for our dinner. The grill rack was empty.
Sold out I suspect. But I did find one
in the display case and one was all I
needed.
     I put together a menu of the
chicken, corn. and some left over
sweet potatoes.
      The corn and the potatoes were
easily handled in the microwave.
I decided to heat the chicken in the
oven.
       An ambitious project for a guy
whose kitchen expertise is usually
limited to making microwave popcorn.
But Poet Robert Browning once
wrote "A man's reach should exceed
his grasp."
       I found that inspiring …..until
the reach of my thumb exceeded the
dimensions of my hot pad! Seems a
roasting pan in a 325 degree oven
retains that temperature when initially
removed from said oven!
        No problem! The chicken was
delicious and I have another thumb
on my other hand!
         Hope the pizza delivery man
can get through and that all your
NEWS is good!      
   
 

STORM SECRETS

  SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH., 2019
                  STORM SECRETS!

    According to all the reports I've read or
watched the world as we know it will come
to an end today!
     Oh we did get a taste of snow before
2018 bowed out but that was insignificant
compared to today's storm.
      We got warnings to be ready with a
good supply of groceries. We've been
warned to stay off the roads.
       The road alert won't be a problem.
My only four when drive vehicle won't
start! I'm not sure what's wrong. Maybe
my vehicle doesn't like bad weather!
       I should be OK with meals. Our
pastor's wife hand delivered a home
made sausage and pepper dish with a
supply of instant sweet potatoes that
will keep us for a few days. And I still
have the Spam in reserve!
       Then there's breakfast. My wife
decided she wanted granola cereal. That,
I thought, would be a problem. I was
about to tell her we didn't have any
granola when she told me where she
had some hidden! Yes. I said hidden!
        Long ago my wife learned if
there's something I like to eat, I eat
it. Sometimes I'll finish a supply
before she's had a chance to sample
it.
       So she finds hiding places for
things like granola. Of course since
she's recovering from foot surgery
and can't get around very much right
now she had to "give up the granola!"
        I don't know how long we'll be
snowed in but I'm now wondering
how many other epicurean delights
are awaiting my discovery?!
        Hope there's some chocolates
and that all your NEWS is good!  

OUR SAILING LIST!

  FRIDAY, JANUARY 18TH., 2019
             OUR SAILING LIST!

     My grandson and I went sailing
the other day. Sort of!
      He found, among our collection
of toys that have been enjoyed by
both our kids and grandkids, a
Fisher-Price Play Family Camper.
It's got a small boat on top so, naturally,
he wanted to see it float. And he knew
just the place! The bathtub!
       Now sailing toy boats in a bathtub
with a three-year-old requires some
preparations. First, of course, shirt
sleeves have to be rolled up as high
as possible to keep them as dry.
Because of our close proximity my
sleeves must be adjusted as well.
        The rug must be moved from
the area and towels, other than those
required for cleanup, put aside.
          The drain plug is inserted
and a quantity of luke warm water
is run to create an artificial lake
or ocean depending on his game
scenario. Judging from the waves
he created I'd say we were at sea.
            As the small plastic craft
begins to float he realizes there
are seats inside for Fisher-Price
characters. We have a few so he
heads back to the playroom to
retrieve a few "sailors."
             For some reason kids, I
assume others are like my little
guy, like to sink the boats they're
sailing. This phase of the game is
crucial to cleanup because each
piece that goes into the tub must
be carefully dried before leaving
the bathroom lest a trail and perhaps
a puddle of water, finds its way
elsewhere in the house.
              Little and big hands and
arms must be dried as well before
this nautical adventure comes to an
end. We did have a lot of fun though!
              I thought of our game
the next day as I stepped into the same
tub for my morning shower!
              In spite of all our planning
we had neglected to pull the plug!
Cold water on bear feet really makes
for an exciting start to one's day! No
Pirate ever screamed louder!!!!
              Hope I remember to include
that on my check list next time. and
that all your NEWS is good!


         

NOTHING TO DO!

  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16TH., 2019
               NOTHING TO DO!

   Wait just a minute! Don't get me wrong! My
agenda is full!
   I am simply writing to tell you about another
one of those crazy "holidays" that don't get a
lot of attention.
   You see January 16th is "National Nothing
Day!" It's the one day your teen's complaints
about having nothing to do may be legitimate!
   It was created in 1973 by newspaperman
Harold Pullman Coffin.  Why? I really have
no idea!
   It is generally assumed one observes or
celebrates the day by, well, doing nothing!
Of course if you're still on the job this could
present a problem.
   In the interest of full discloser there are
those (my wife included) who insist I
celebrate this day several times each week,
   Fortunately you do have an option. I'm
guessing Mr. Coffin did not know Donita K.
Paul. Mr. Paul selected January 16th as
"Appreciate A Dragon Day."
    So if you can't get away with doing
nothing  (anything that is) you can spend
the day celebrating "Puff" or any other
dragon you happen to know.
    Being a veteran newsman myself I plan
to follow Mr. Coffin's suggestion and do
nothing! (Again)
    Hope you'll find something to celebrate
even if it's nothing, and that all your NEWS
is good.

TOP OFF YOUR DAY!

     TUESDAY, JANUARY 15TH., 2019
              TOP OFF YOUR DAY!

    Now that we have evidence

that Winter really does exist, it's

time to put a lid on it! And today

is the perfect day! You see January

15th is "National Hat Day!"

     Hats have been making a comeback

in recent years. They nearly vanished

back in 1960 because of the public's

fascination with President John Kennedy

who seldom wore one.

      I always liked them and still have

an interesting collection. Most of mine

are "baseball hats" with logos of the

teams I've played for, the stations I've

worked for, the places I've visited or

the firms that handed them out for

free! Free was always a nice feature.

You'll probably be able to spot me in

a baseball cap. I'll be the one wearing

it with the brim facing forward!

      I've got a couple Western style hats

that I really like but can't always wear.

I've found, on my summertime top down

rides, that hats with large brims tend to

catch the wind and threaten to leave my

head with little notice. I would hate to

think I had caused somebody traveling

behind me to have an accident because

his or her vision was suddenly blocked

by a flying Stetson!

       Fedoras are pretty much in the

same boat or, in this case, car. I do have

an Ivy cap that works well in the wind.

Generally though I tend to favor my

Greek Fishing cap for my open air

cruising. Even if I'm not going fishing!

       Even with the sports car

covered for winter you'll still probably

see me sporting a hat....and not just on

National Hat Day. More body heat is

lost from your head than other parts of

the body. So, wearing a hat goes a long

way towards staying warm on a cold

winter's day (or night).

        Hope you'll put a lit on it, and

least through the winter, and that all

your NEWS is good!

   

THE AGE OF AQUARIUM!

   MONDAY, JANUARY 14TH., 2019
      THE AGE OF AQUARIUM!

   This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarium!
My wife, son, daughter-in-law, two grandkids,
and one of their friends paid a visit to the new
Electric City Aquarium in Scranton over the
weekend!
    It's a great new attraction to bring people
to the city along with the Lackawanna Coal
Mine tour, the County Trolley Museum,
Skiing on Montage Mountain and the
Steamtown National Historical Site (once
the Government shutdown ends!).
     Of course unlike the existing attractions
the aquarium offers local area residents a
chance to see some things not associated
with our mining history or topography.
      I'm thinking very few Stingrays have
been found in the Lackawanna or
Susquehanna rivers. And I've never heard
of coral turning up in any of our coal mines!
      We were extremely impressed with the
facility and the knowledge of the staff as
demonstrated in the programs they offer
nearly every hour.
       That's not to say I was pleased with
everything. The aquarium's exhibits
include reptiles and reptiles include
snakes. I don't like snakes! It's nothing
personal. It's in the Bible! Thou shall
not like snakes. It may not be phrased
exactly like that but you get the idea.
        I never got to see them feed the
man eating sharks!  I was wondering
who they'd throw in?
        There were a couple species of
Gecko. My son asked if any could help
him save money on his car insurance
but no one seemed to have the answer.
         Overall though you've got to
hand it to the folks who have enhanced
the Electric City with an attraction
truly worth seeing!
        Hope you do and that all your
NEWS is good!

THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST!

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 13TH., 2019
       THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST!

   The holiday bills began showing up
pretty much as soon as January 2nd
around our place.
     Most were expected since, in
addition to it being the start of a new
year it was also the end of the old
month and accounts were payable.
      But one envelope looked strangely
out of place when we checked the mail
Saturday. It didn't have one of those
see through shots so common to the
ones sent by the insurance and utility
companies.
       To my very great delight it was a
Christmas card from some old friends!
        I've shared my thoughts many
time about extending the Christmas
celebration, And here we had another
chance to enjoy it again!
         I'm not sure if our friends just
got their cards out late, perhaps just
realized they hadn't sent ours, or if
the card just made one of those
unusual postal journeys that go to
strange places, perhaps many, before
reaching their destination.
           We once got one many months
after Christmas. It was one we had
sent that stopped a lot of places before
somebody decided to return it to our
return address.
           I was happy to see this Christmas
card, whatever the reason for its
tardiness. I'm not upset by its delay.
In fact I've decided to treat it as our
first Christmas card for 2019 which
means the celebration is just getting
started!
           Hope I get a couple more
by spring and that all your NEWS is
good!

BEAUTIES AND THE BEASTS!

    SATURDAY, JANUARY 12TH., 2019
       BEAUTIES AND THE BEASTS!

    The deer and the antelope weren't playing
Friday evening. They were part of the menu!
And they were just a few of the "beasts"
included at the annual game dinner hosted
by our church.
     In the interest of full disclosure there
was some "regular food" available for
those who are reluctant to consume game.
     The "beauties" in this story include

family and friends who turned out to share

a dinner and an evening of fellowship

together.

      In fact more than 70 people turned out
to enjoy the bill of fare provided by the hunters
in our congregation who wanted to share their
harvest with fellow Christians.
      It's common to think of church "missions"
as programs to send missionaries to far off
lands. Efforts like that remain important. But
anyone who isn't living in a cave must
recognize the need to minister to people in
our own community as well. And a big part
of that ministry is finding ways to bring
people together. On this night our hunters
tracked us down!
        By the way you don't have to be a
church to make that effort! Hope you go
hunting for "togetherness" and that all your
NEWS is good!

GOT MILK?

   FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH., 2019
                  GOT MILK?

    That phrase, "Got Milk?," was part of
an advertising campaign to promote the
consumption of that healthy beverage
throughout the United States.
      It comes to mind today because
January 11th., is National Milk Day.
A New York Dairy company claims it
made the first home delivery of milk in
a glass container on this date in 1878.
      We used to have milk delivered
to our door in Hazleton in a horse
drawn wagon. And that was much later
that 1878! In fact at least one Dairy in
my old home town was using its fleet
of horse and wagons to deliver milk as
late as 1970 as far as I know.
       I've always liked milk. I've been
drinking it since I was a baby. I find
it especially useful as a chaser for
chocolate chip cookies!
        I don't get milk delivered anymore.
I usually just buy a half gallon or so
when I buy my groceries. But that's
getting harder!
         My choice used to be limited
to quart, gallon or half gallon and
white or chocolate.
         Next came Skim milk, and 1
or 2% choices.
         Now the shelf is stocked with
about a half dozen types of Almond
Milk in addition to the regular cartons.
         My Grandson seems to like the
new choice although I still have no
idea how your milk an almond!
          I'll give it further thought
over a cold glass of 100% whole
milk as I dunk a couple Oreos!
          Hope you've Got Milk and
that all your NEWS is good!

     
       

TWO HOT CHICKS!

  THURSDAY, JANUARY 10TH., 2019
             TWO HOT CHICKS!

    I ran into a gentleman with two hot chicks
in Walmart Wednesday evening. Specifically
he had two hot rotisserie chickens from the
store's Deli. fully cooked and ready to serve,
IF he could get them home!
      He was hand holding the hot packages
when he stepped up behind me in the Self Serve
Line.
      There was a time when a customer with
less than a dozen items could step up for
quicker service. Unless, of course, someone
was cheating!
       Somebody in the corporation decided
those with fewer items could be best served
if they served themselves. It must be working
because the line for that self service check
out was just as long as the three other open
lines waiting to check out some 50 or more
customers.
          I suggested the gentleman should step
ahead of me since his two chickens were less
than the 11 items I had selected. It didn't move
him much farther since the line was so long.
But I did offer a spot in my cart on which to
place the chickens which, by that time, were
nearly burning his hands!
          He had driven from the back mountain
to Pittston township because the market near
his home had sold all its rotisserie chickens.
          Of course there was no way to know
his check out time would be as long as his
drive! The guy must really like chicken!
          I wonder if he knows there's a KFC
between his home and Walmart?
          Hope rotisserie is just as good
reheated...and that all your NEWS is good! 

BABY STEPS!

     WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9TH., 2019
                        BABY STEPS!

    In my on going quest to find unusual
"holidays" I've stumbled upon this one for
January 9th. It's National Take the Stairs
Day!
     Stairs and I don't get along very well.
Oh I can take them. But it becomes a
choice between the stairs and breathing.
I tend to favor the breathing.
      Still I don't generally use the
elevator when one is available. I prefer
the escalator! I guess it's the illusion
of using stairs that just happen to be
moving!
      For most folks, however, the stairs
can lead to better health!
      Three minutes of stair climbing for
someone weighing 160 pounds can burn
up 30 calories! Steps offer a non impact
exercise that can improve muscle tone.
       There are even competitions involving
walking or running a staircase. Some
smartphones even have an app that counts
stairs!
        So in honor of the day, should I come
across any stairs I will definitely use them!
As long as they're going down!
        Hope the escalator doesn't stall...and
that all your NEWS is good!

ODE AT THE OFFICE!

  TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH., 2019
           ODE AT THE OFFICE!

    January 8th is National Poetry At
Work Day! It brings back great
memories for me.
     Seldom, if ever, were any of my
news scripts set to verse. But there
were days when a rhyme or two made
work a lot more pleasant!
       Covering murders, fires, crashes
and Politics could make any day a
challenge.
        And while I was doing that I
had two friends that faced daily challenges
of their own. One was a security guard at
the Social Security Office where lines of
people formed with questions and a need
to see somebody "right away" everyday.
         The other was the building
maintenance man who labored trying to
keep up with everybody's trash and keep
the floors and rest rooms clean.
           We all usually came together for
at least 5 minutes or so during the Noon
hour and one day, for no particular reason,
I challenged each of them to come up with
a humorous pome of three or four lines to
match one I'd write. We quickly read off
or verses then vote on the best of the day!
Even the worst of them, in fact usually
the worst of them, left us roaring with
laughter!
           In the midst of those news stories,
long lines, and waste baskets we each
looked forward to those few minutes we
spent sharing rhymes!
            So for those of you who go to work,
It's time to show your writing quirk.
            Bring a rhyme to work today.
Perhaps you'll get a raise in pay!
            Hope it works the way it should,
and that all your NEWS is good!


   

HAIL CEASAR!

   MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH., 2019
                HAIL CEASAR!

    Julius Caesar was a pretty important guy

in Rome back in the day. How many other

people lived over 2000 years ago and still

have a salad named after them?

    He's remembered on coins and even in

famous works of literature.

    But what's important today is the fact

that this guy had his own calendar! It was

used by everybody up until 1582 when this

other guy, Pope Gregory XIII decided to

change things around!

     But Caesar's calendar wasn't complete

discarded. The Eastern Orthodox Church

still uses it and, in it's book, that makes

today CHRISTMAS! Many refer to the

day as "Russian Christmas." At least I do!

     Now most of us have already observed

the big day back in December. But my

take on the whole thing is....what's wrong

with celebrating twice?!

      So, although my closest connection to

Russia is an occasional visit to Moscow

in Lackawanna County and an old James

Bond movie, my wife and I welcomed

Santa once again Sunday night with some

small gifts for immediate members of our

family none of whom are Russian!

     And I heard him exclaim as he drove

out of sight, Merry Christmas to all, and

may all your NEWS be good!

SIX GUN MATINEE MEMORIES!

  SUNDAY JANUARY 6TH., 2019
 SIX GUN MATINEE MEMORIES!

   My wife and I passed an historic
movie theater in the small Schuylkill
County community of Pine Grove on
Saturday. The place has been around
since 1910 and I was pleased to see a
listing for a current feature on the
marque!
     Most towns, even small ones, had
at least one neighborhood theater back
in the 40's and 50's when I was a little
kid. And many of my Saturdays were
spent in theaters like those watching
the heroes of those years on the huge
silver screen. Most of those heroes
were Cowboys!
       Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Johnny
Mac Brown, Lash La Rue, and a host
of others.
        When we got home we played
cowboys! And most of the boys I knew
had a trusty six gun! Of course much
like the guns we saw on screen our
six guns fired a lot more than six shots!
         Our ammunition was provided by
a roll of caps which provided, probably,
30 or 30 shots before we had to reload.
         Those were the days before
Red caps! Not the Red caps who carry
your luggage to the cab from the bus
station or cruise docks. I'm referring
to the Red caps that are now placed on
the tip of the barrel of cap guns to show
they are toys!
         Society hadn't reached the
point where we needed them in those
days! Thankfully!
         It was more than the sight of
that old theater that revived my
memories. We visited an Antique
Market in Strasburg where several
"shooting irons: like the ones I played
with were on display.
        One looked especially like one
I owned. It was selling for $40. Back
in the day $40 would have purchased
the gun and about 6 months worth of
caps! Guess I should have held on to
mine!
        Hope you kept yours and that
all your NEWS is good!

     

SEEING JESUS!!!!

    SATURDAY, JANUARY 5TH., 2019
               SEEING JESUS!!!

     I saw Jesus on Friday! It wasn't a near
death experience although it was so real
I almost thought I had died!
     It happened at the Sight and Sound
Theater near Lancaster which is wrapping
up its presentation of the drama "Jesus" with
its Saturday performances.
     Our son-in-law thrilled my wife with
tickets as a Christmas present and it may
be near the very best she's ever received.
As her driver I got to attend as well!
     The theater is amazing! It features a huge
stage which is necessary for sets that include
three story structures and small stages just
off to the right and left of the audience where
portions of the production are presented.
     Live animals, including camels and horses
run right through the aisles past your seats
going to and coming from the stage.
     Add to that visual effects projected on
the giant screen to the rear of the stage and
you truly feel you're in the story yourself!
      We took a couple shots outside the
building and a few more prior to the start
of the show. Unfortunately photography
during the performance is not allowed
because of copywrite restrictions.
       This particular production has been
so successful the theater is bringing it
back later this year. It's the first time that's
been done for one of its shows.
        If you get the chance do yourself a
very big favor and make the trip to catch
Sight and Sound's production "Jesus."
        If you can't for any reason you can
at least read the story. It's also featured in
a popular book called the Bible!
       Hope you'll catch the story somewhere
so that all of your NEWS will, undoubtedly,
be good!