HIEROGLYPHS!

  SUNDAY, JANUARY 31ST.
        HIEROGLYPHS!

   I remember when we were told
to do Closed Captions on all our
news scripts so the hearing
impaired could follow our reports.
It showed my writing down a lot
because, all of a sudden, I had to
pay attention to spelling. That's
OK. It was for a good cause.
    You had to depend on sub
titles if you wanted to see a foreign
movie unless, of course, you spoke
the language. I didn't so those sub
titles were great.
     But the Closed Captions and
the sub titles all had one thing in
common. They were done in
English!
     Those it was I found myself
more than just a little confused
when I turned on Facebook
yesterday and found strange
symbols, or letters, or whatever
they were, under all of the posts
sent by my friends. The section
of my page that usually reads
"HOME" was replaced with
similar writing. While my friends
post were still coming through in
English, these "sub titles" were
very distracting! They looked
a little like this อากาศข้างบนหลังคาดีไหมคร้าบ.
     One Facebook friend was
kind enough to steer me to a page
designed to change language
settings. But the page that came up
was totally in hieroglyphics!
      Since he was seeing the same
instructions in English he was able
to tell me where, on the page, I should
put my cursor and hit Enter! Talk about
a Seeing Eye Guide!
       So as of now I am back to a
normal looking page. The set up that
is. Many of the posts are still abnormal!
But they're all in English!
       Hope I spelled hieroglyphs right
and that all your NEWS is good!

      

Let's Get Out Of Here!!!

   SAURDAY, JANUARY 30TH!

    LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!

   If you've been down in the dumps
dealing with those seasonal winter
blues today is your day!
   January 30th is National Escape
Day! Today you're encouraged
to escape from the daily routine
and to pamper yourself.
    It could involve an actual get
away for a weekend. Or perhaps
an outing to a restaurant. Maybe a
movie.
    Of course you don't actually have
to leave home to enjoy an escape.
Those who celebrate regularly
suggest you crank up your favorite
music and get your dance on! Or
grab a few of your favorite flicks,
curl up with a nice blanket, some
sweet treats and delicious snacks, and
make it movie night!
      I do my best to try to escape from
reality most every day. Those who
follow this Blog everyday know I've
had my share of success.
     Paraphrasing the character Elwood
P. Dowd from the movie "Harvey,"
'I've  wrestled with reality for years,
Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally
won out over it.'
     Hope they haven't told area inmates
about this "holiday" and that all your
NEWS is good.

    

PUZZLED!

   FRIDAY, JANUARY 29TH.
            PUZZLED!

     My career in news often had
me putting facts from various
sources together to build a complete
story. But while I had little trouble
assembling story pieces I have no
patience trying to do the same
with little pieces of cardboard!
      I bring this information to your
attention because January 29th is
"National Puzzle Day."
       My wife will undoubtedly be
celebrating! She and a number
other members of her family have
been infected with the Puzzle Virus.
       On our trip to Hawaii last year
she and her sister would often
recite their Crossword puzzle clues
out loud and in my direction, hoping
to trap me into providing answers.
Sometimes caught unaware it
sometimes worked. I'm especially
vulnerable when they ask questions
about baseball players and teams.
       I refuse, however, to be drawn
into the dark realm of the Jig Saw
Puzzle!
       Our Game room table is almost
always covered with a cardboard
base on which my wife and other
willing visitors are constantly
placing colorful odd shaped puzzle
pieces designed to form some sort of
artistic picture. They come in all
sizes. 500 pieces. 1,000 pieces. 2,000
pieces.
       I bought the last one to fill out
my wife's Christmas wish list. It was
one of those 2,000 piece puzzles. My
wife worked on it for days and my
grand daughter pitched in as the final
pieces were being assembled. They
invited me to place the final piece.
I did and then pointed out there was
still one space unfilled. Turns out
the 2,000 piece nightmare was really
a 1,999 piece puzzle!
       I would have gone mad working
on the project and then gone completely
over the edge after spending all that
time and finding one piece completely
missing.
      So, to those of you who enjoy
puzzles, enjoy the day. More power
too you. I will stick with trying to
solve Sherlock Holmes mysteries!
      Hope you've got all your pieces
in place and that all your NEWS is
good!

  

But Seriously Folks......

    THURSDAY, JANUARY 28TH.

       BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS..

     I spend a lot of time in this Blog
writing about nonsense. Unique and
strange "holidays" as well as daily
events in my life that tend to lend
themselves to humor.
      But January 28th brings back
memories that are far too serious.
And I'm thinking, specifically, of
January 28th 1986.
      I was in the Wilkes-Barre
Bureau of WYOU watching CBS
coverage of the launch of the space
shuttle Challenger. It was to be a
unique mission. One that included
Christa McAuliffe, a woman who
would have been the first teacher
in outer space. Because of her
participation an estimated 17% of
Americans were watching the
launch.
      But just 73 seconds after blast
off Challenger broke apart taking
the lives of McAuliffe and her 6
crewmates!
      I turned our Bureau television
set to face our large front window
so people passing by could watch
as the story unfolded. It was bad
news! But it wasn't the only bad
news.That same day I got a call
from my doctor telling me that a
tumor discovered in my back was
malignant! Hard personal news
on a hard news day!
     A month or so later a
successful operation removed
a mass my wife estimated to be
over ten pounds from my back.
I often tell those who don't know
that the large scar on my back is
the result of a shark bite! At least
I got a funny story out of that.
     But seriously folks, today I
remember a story of national
tragedy and a personal scare
I'm glad to say I can tease about
these 30 years later!
      Hope none of us have too
many days like that......and that
all our NEWS is good!

 

THE BEAR FACTS!

   WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27TH.
            THE BEAR FACTS!

    My wife and I went to see the movie
"The Revenant" last evening. I can truly
say I felt connected to this film!
     I don't think there's any secret in the
fact that the main character in this story
is attacked and mauled by a bear. That
alone had me thinking I had seen this
story before. And I was right!
     A similar movie "Man In The
Wilderness", staring Richard Harris,
was produced in 1971.
     What I didn't know then was that
both movies are loosely based on the life
of Hugh Glass, a Pennsylvania born
fur trapper and frontiersman who was
attacked by a bear and was left for dead
by his companions!
     I know another Pennsylvania guy
who was attacked by a bear. In fact, I
saw it!
     Back in the early 60's when I was
working at WTHT in Hazleton the
folks who ran the Hazleton Drive In
Theater brought a gentleman who
trains bears for the movies to our
studios to do an interview about his
appearance at the theater that night.
     He was accompanied by "Rosie"
a 200 plus pound bear that was
jammed into a control room with
2 DJ's. the station and Drive In
Theater Manager, and the
trainer. When claustrophobia got
to the animal it reached by biting
my colleague Frank Merman on
his upper thigh!
     I'll never forget telling the
hospital nurse that I was delivering
the victim of a bear attack. You
will please note I didn't leave him
for dead!
     Nor will I forget my assignment
that night! I was the MC for the
trainer, Rosie, and a second bear
he brought to the drive in! 
     Fortunately Frank survive the
bite and I survived the show
without a scratch!
     Hope any future encounters
and in the movies and that all
your NEWS is good!

(Frank Murman/Post BearAttack)

ANOTHER DAY TO CELEBRATE!

   TUESDAY, JANUARY 26TH.

ANOTHER DAY TO CELEBRATE!
      
   Just a few days ago we celebrated
National Peanut Day. Today we'll
be observing National Peanut Brittle
Day!
    Brittle was one of the first types of
candy ever made. Many ancient
cultures that had access to molasses,
honey, or sugar, produced some form
of it.
    According to one account, peanut
brittle was a Celtic dessert. The Celts
covered peanuts in sugar and baked
them, and this eventually evolved into
a caramel bark.
    One legend says it was all a mistake.
The story goes that a southern woman
was making taffy and instead of using
cream of tartar, she used baking soda
by accident.
     However it was created peanut
brittle is one of the most popular
candies in the United States.
(Especially by dentists!)
     Since it's also National Spouses
Day perhaps you can celebrate
both by giving your significant
other a box of peanut brittle!
     Hope she or he likes it so that
all your NEWS is good!


     

   

A POP QUIZ!

    MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH.

            A POP QUIZ!

        Looking for the perfect gift
for the kid who has everything?
You may find the answer by
joining me in observing today's
unusual "holiday."
        January 25th., for those who
didn't already know, is "Bubble
Wrap Appreciation Day!"
         This protective plastic
based material is, of course,
designed to protect all sorts of
products that are shipped from
one place to another. But who
can resist popping those little
air pockets when you're holding
that wrap in your hands?
        "The kid who has everything?"
Heck, the urge to pop those
bubbles is contagious and it's not
limited to kids. That said, I met a
guy at Walmart in December who
picked up a large roll which he
intended to divide and give as
stocking stuffers. It may be the
ideal gift!
      According to holidayinsights.
com, allegedly, a radio station in
Bloomington, Indiana received a
shipment of microphones wrapped
in bubble wrap. While unwrapping
and setting up the microphones,
the sound of bubble wrap popping
was inadvertently broadcast on the
radio. And so, Bubble Wrap
Appreciation Day was born.
      Some "poppers" say it's a great
stress relief. Of course that may
depend on whether you're the
popper or the popper listener!
      Why not get yourself a sheet
or a roll in honor of the day. See
how long it takes to pop all the
bubbles. Hope you pass your
own Pop Quiz and that all your
NEWS is good!

SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT!

       SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH.
SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT!

    Well for those of you who survived
the Blizzard of 2016, congratulations!
You have made it to National Peanut
Butter Day!
      Peanut Butter has helped many
people survive disasters of one sort
or another. When my Dad's job took
him and my Mom on the road while
I was still in High School, Peanut
Butter and Tuna alternated in providing
the makings for many of my daily
sandwiches.
And I wasn't alone! The average child
will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches before he/she graduates high
school.
     And, as I learned, the old PB&J
sandwich is easy to make (providing
you apply the peanut butter first)!
     You just can't go wrong with
Peanut Butter! Peanuts have more protein
and niacin than any other nut. They are
naturally cholesterol-free.
      And rumor has it there’s enough mental
stimulation in one peanut to produce 30
minutes of serious thinking. That's
probably how I got through High School!
      Perhaps, in order to celebrate this
special day, you might consider replacing
the traditional Sunday roast with some
great Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.
Unless, of course, you suffer from
Archibutyrophobia which is the fear of
getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of
your mouth.
     Hope you're in the Peanut Gallery and
that all your NEWS is good!

     

WRITE ON BROTHER!

  SATURDAY, JANUARY 23RD.
       WRITE ON BROTHER!

   I like to come up with something
new for my Blog everyday. But
every now and then I find one of
my originals that, in my mind,
deserves to be repeated. Today is
such a day! So, write on brother!
    Are you celebrating? After all, this is
"National Handwriting Day!"
    I would have sent you a formal notice
but, chances are, you wouldn't be able to
make out my.....well....my handwriting!
    Seems sort of wrong to be
typing this blog to tell you about it. But
if you've ever seen my handwriting you
know it's better I use my keyboard!
    It's not just that others can't read my
writing. After a couple of hours, when
I begin to forget the original message,
I can't read it either!
    According to the website "Holiday
Insights", National Handwriting Day
was established in 1977 by the Writing
Instruments Manufactures Association.
    The idea was to promote the consumption
of pencils, pens, and writing paper.
    I've never eaten any of them!
    But I still use all of them!
    I think I try to write too fast when
I'm taking notes and, unless I print or type
the message over right away, I forget
what I've written!
     I've been making an effort to improve
my handwriting.
     But just try to be neat even with your
own signature when you're signing you
name on a Walmart check out screen!
     The "pencils" or whatever they call
those things don't have points. You see
your signature as you sign the screen.
    But you're lucky if two or three letters
are actually recognizable.
     Maybe it's because the little
signature screen is on an angle and
you're trying to keep one hand on your
cart while you're holding your credit
card and wallet in the same hand you're
using to sign.
      It doesn't seem to make much
difference. I suspect your card would be
approved even if you scribbled John Wilkes
Booth!
    And you'd still get the bill!
    Hopefully you're signing for your
purchase of new socks or shoes because
January 23rd is also "Measure Your
Feet Day!"
     I'm also hoping this "holiday" survives!
     Some schools have stopped teaching
Cursive all together! I've got to wonder
how those students will react when they
see something like the Declaration
of Independence. Will they even be able
to sign their own name? Or will the old
fashion "X" come back into style?
     I believe we should all be trying to
encourage the continued teaching of
Cursive and trying to improve our own
handwriting!
    Hope you're doing just that and that

THE LINE UP!

   FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND.

         THE LINE UP!

 Hey, we've all been in one at
one time or another. You remember
how it works don't you? When you
go to school you get in line!
    In Grade school we lined up to
go out for recess and at the door
right before dismissal.
     When you got to the upper
grades you still lined up. At the
water fountain. In the cafeteria.
We even lined up to get the
Polio vaccine.
     It was good practice for the
real world. There's always a line.
These days you stand in them
to get tickets at the movies or at
Walmart where the person in
front of you at the 12 Items or
Less aisle has 36 items!
     I guess I shouldn't have
been surprised then when I was
assigned to pick up my grandson
at school on Thursday. Guess
what? Now they've got a
Parent's Pickup Line!
     It's not a line in the old
traditional sense. It's a series
of parking spots assigned to
those people picking up students
who aren't taking a bus home.
You don't have to wait for the
person parked in front of you.
Just for the student you're
picking up. Still, it was nice to
know they still have lines at
school! And I was happy to
wait my turn!
     Hope you're all in line and
that all your NEWS is good!

MY NIGHT IN A BAR!

   THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST.

        MY NIGHT IN A BAR!

     A story on the news Wednesday
brought back a lot of memories.
It was 35 years ago this week that
53 Americans were released by
Islamist militants who had held them
hostage for 444 days in the U.S.
Embassy in Iran.
     I remember their release very
well. It's the only time I spent a
night in a bar! It was Lodeski's Bar
in Edwardsville.
     You see two of those hostages,
Bruce German and Michael Metrinko,
where natives of northeastern PA.
      My cameraman, the late Bob Dennis,
and I were sent to the pub because
Bruce German's Mom owned the place.
     You don't usually get an assignment
in a bar unless it's to catch die hard
football fans watching the Super Bowl.
      But we knew she would be getting
a telephone call as soon as his release
was official and we were waiting
to record that moment!
      She got it!  And so did we!!!!
      You never know where you're going
 to find news! And you can't always
count on it having a happy ending. That
time it did! I gave them all a toast...with
my Diet Coke!
       Hope all your NEWS, like Bruce German's
Mom that night, is good!

MY DAY IN 2ND GRADE

   WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19TH.

        MY DAY IN 2ND GRADE!

    While most of you were busy at
work, checking the weekend weather
forecast, or watching the soap operas
I could be found listening to the likes
of "Father Bear Comes Home" and
"Flossie And The Fox."
     These stories, and many others,
were narrated by various readers on
cassette tapes designed to be played
for second grade students who would
follow along in books.
      When her cassette player finally
died of old age the local teacher who
owned the tapes asked if I might be
able to convert them to CD's. As it
happens I have a machine designed
to do just that.
       Of course you've got to listen
to each story as you record them so
I'm now well aware that Flossie was
able to get the fox to wonder if he
really was a fox. I also know about
the tough decision Ira had to make
about whether or not to bring his teddy
bear to a sleep over at his friend's
house.
       I faced a challenge or two myself.
You see each cassette presented each
story twice. On one side the narrator
just read the story. On the other side
the narration was interrupted by tones
that sounded each time the student was
to turn the page in his or her book.
        The teacher wanted the side with
the tones. But I couldn't hear them on
a couple of tapes so I didn't know if
I was playing the correct side. My wife,
however, could hear the tones so she
assured me I was OK. Luckily I was
able to hear her when she told me!
          Anyhow the job is done so the
classic story of "Amelia Bedelia And
The Surprise Shower," and others, can
be shared with the 2nd graders for years
to come. Later, in History Class, they'll
learn about things like Cassette recorders!
          Hope they're happy endings. and
that all your NEWS is good!
 

IT'S A GAS!

  TUESDAY, JANUARY 19TH.
           IT'S A GAS!

   Well it finally happened! Even though
former Governor Tom Corbett's Gas
Tax.......excuse me...."Gas Fee," is still
being collected, I found a local station
selling a gallon of Regular for under
$2.00!
     There have been stations posting gas
at $1.99 or so. But those have all been
"Cash only prices." I think that means
you have to have actual money and I
usually don't have much of that. I use
a credit card and my wife does some kind
of magic every month that seems to
cover the bills the credit card company
sends. I think.
      On Monday I found the Turkey Hill
Store in Pittston advertising Regular at
$1.93 a gallon. But I've got one of those
company cards that knocks an extra three
cents off the price.
      It's still a lot lower in many other areas,
especially in the south. Of course I still
remember the days when you could fill
your tank (some very big tanks at that) for
five bucks in Hazleton "back in the day."
      Then there was the time my good
buddy and I were driving near the
Delaware Gap and accidentally drove
onto the bridge leading into New Jersey.
Back then there was a toll both ways and
our combined pocket change left us with
less than a buck after paying that tariff.
The gas gauge was low and it was a long
way back home!
     That's the day we learned that my Austin
Healey Sprite could take us over 70 miles
on the two gallons of gas we bought for
about 57 cents!
       It's also the day we learned you can cross
 from NJ to PA. for free in the town of
 Belvidere!
       Hope that price per gallon keeps
falling and that all your NEWS is good!

 
 

ONE STOP SHOPPING!

  MONDAY, JANUARY 18TH.

    ONE STOP SHOPPING!

    Foot problems had me pretty
much immobilized on Sunday.
Still I was at the restaurant,
the arcade, the accountant, the
tailor, and the big game. And
I never left the house!
     My daughter stopped by
with two of my grandkids to
help us file our tax returns.
Another grandson came by as
well to have some alterations
made to his new karate uniform.
The two grandsons spent some
time on legos and a game of
chess. We all enjoyed a dinner
together and watched the NFL
Playoff action on TV after
doing our own instant replay
of some old home videos.
      Being somewhat confined
to the couch I just took it all in.
It reminded me of the days
when the house was typically a
buzz of activity on a Sunday
afternoon on those rare occasions
when we stayed at home for the
day.
      I'm not happy about my
foot ach. But I have to admit it
created an enjoyable excuse to
get a lot of the family to spend
an afternoon together.
      Hope we can do it again
when I can stand up......and that
all your NEWS is good!

      

STILL ON TRACK!

   SUNDAY, JANUARY 17TH
        STILL ON TRACK!

   I'm heading back to Double Dee's

Dusty Dungeon for today Blog because,

after all, it's January 17th and that's
"Cable Car Day!" They're a San

Francisco attraction with a Pennsylvania

connection!
     A guy named Andrew Smith Hallidie
got tired seeing horses falling over, sometimes
dying, while trying to pull trolleys up the
steep streets of the City by the Bay!
    So he got a patent for a moving cable to
pull the cars along. And, by the way, for a
number of years the cables that did the job
were manufactured in Sunbury, Pennsylvania!
    I got a chance to ride the Cable Cars back
in 2007 when my wife and I hosted a train
trip out to San Francisco.
     A guy directing the cars at a turn around
point pulled one aside especially for our tour
group and off we went!
     I got to stand at the right front of the car
which allowed me to get some great video...
but also had me ducking out of the way of
trucks parked along the tracks. Their mirrors
were at just the right height to knock any
inattentive passenger half way to the stars!
     Since we don't have any Cable Cars
around here maybe you can head out to
one of the ski slopes and ride the lift all
day. It's just another version of Hallidie's
idea and no horses are at risk!
     Hopefully that "Golden Sun" will shine
on you and all your NEWS will be good!

 

NOTHING DOING!

   SATURDAY, JANUARY 16TH.

          NOTHING DOING!

    I actually got an early start on this
unofficial holiday. You see January
16th is "National Nothing Day."
    I didn't realize there was a specific
day for doing nothing. I celebrate
the holiday whenever I can. I was
really into it yesterday, spending the
bulk of the day lounging around in
front of the TV. And I celebrated
nearly every day during our visit to
Hawaii last year!
     National Nothing Day was
was created in 1973 by a newspaperman,
Harold Pullman Coffin. When you're in
the media you long for a day when there's
nothing you absolutely have to do.
     It's not really a "National" holiday.
Congress never adopted it and that's
kind of ironic when you figure that a
lot of those legislators are so very good
at doing nothing!
     My wife has not signed on to this
holiday and, apparently, has plans that
will preclude me from observing this
hallowed day.
      Hope you can get away with it
and that all your NEWS is good!

Put A Lid On It!

  FRIDAY, JANUARY 15TH.

      PUT A LID ON IT!

    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!

   

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

 THURSDAY, JANUARY 14TH.

    LET'S GO FLY A KITE!

    It's a great day to join Mr. Banks and

the kids as he gives up work to help them

fly a kite. Or if you'd rather, grab your
kite and pick up a ticket to Jaipur!

(That's in India by the way!)
   Today is "International Fly A Kite Day,'
the last of a three day festival that draws
kite lovers and hobbyists from all over the
world.
    My kite flying experience is very limited.
    I remember taking my daughter to a park
near Tamaqua many years ago where we
attempted to get a kite airborne. We had, as
I recalled, limited success.
    We faired much better at the beach in
Wildwood, New Jersey during more recent
years. The sea breeze there provides a
natural lift for all sorts of fancy kites.
    The last time I tried at the beach some
dark clouds began to appear so I decided to
abort my attempts. The way I figured it, Ben
Franklin had already beat me to discovering
electricity so....why compete?
     Even with those few unimpressive
efforts I apparently developed a reputation
since, over the years, I've been told to go
fly a kite on numerous occasions! I was
beginning to think I should keep one close
at hand!
     I know I won't make it to the International
Festival. But it's nice to know so many people
are taking that often offered piece of advice and
are doing something positive with it!
     It certainly didn't hurt Mary Poppins any!
     Hope you're in for smooth sailing and
that all your NEWS is good!

 

 

 

My Mechanic's Medicine

  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13TH.

    MY MECHANIC'S MEDICINE

    I had two vehicles in need of first
aid when I awoke yesterday. My van,
with a dead battery, was due for inspection
and a bit of body work. My wife's car
would require some new tires if we
expected to actually get around through
our first snow of the new year. My job....
get the work done.
    It wasn't that I minded the challenge.
But my own body needed some work as
well as I've been dealing with a nasty
cough for over a week.
    I used the battery in my wife's car
to jump start the van then drove it to
my favorite neighborhood garage for
the inspection and body work.
    Joe, my mechanic, had some medal
hidden away to eliminate the rusty
spot on the body and an inspection
sticker ready to apply once he was able
to check out the rest of the vehicle.
    But he said there was another
priority. A crock pot was plugged in
on a section of his work bench. From it
he poured a cup full of home made
chicken, vegetable soup which he
handed to me.
     I've been using prescribed
antibiotics, as well as over the counter
decongestants and allergy medications
since just after my cough showed up.
I'm sure they all helped. But I actually
felt physically better once I had the
soup!
     The van has its new sticker and the
rust spot has been repaired. We took
advantage of a discount offer to get
new tires on my wife's car. My cough
has subsided a bit although it's not
completely gone yet. I may have to go
back to the garage! Or the doctor.
Probably the garage!
      Hope there's more soup....and that
all your NEWS is good!

Raising The White Flag!

    TUESDAY, JANUARY 12TH.

    RAISING THE WHITE FLAG!

   It started yesterday when my son-
in-law paid a visit. My wife asked if
he'd mind bringing some boxes from
our shed onto the front porch. He
graciously agreed and got the job
done. It is highly lightly I will spend
the day filling them and carrying them
back to the shed.
    It was bound to happen! My surrender.
   December 25th and "Russian Christmas"
have come and gone. So I got the word.
The Christmas decorations would be
coming come down!
    Regular readers know I try to milk
the holiday for all it's worth. But all good
things must come to an end.
    So today, with unseasonably warm
temperatures gone and our first inch
of snow expected, we will be repacking
and storing the Christmas stockings, the
snowman and Santa heads, and, finally,
the Christmas tree.
    At least I won't have to get on the
ladder to take out the staples and bring
down the front porch lights. I never
got around to putting any up this year.
 My wife rigged the light strings on the
flower bushes in our back yard.
    By tonight our neighborhood will
look strangely dark. That's the sad part.
    Of course there are other "holidays."
January12th, for instance, is "Bean Day"
and "National Poetry At Work Day."
And neither require special lights or
decorations.
     Hope you've got fresh memories of a
"Bright Christmas" and that all your NEWS
is good!

Get Me To The Church On Time!

         MONDAY, JANUARY 11TH.

GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME!

     Actually we showed up at church early
yesterday. We were bringing some supplies
for a reception to be held after my grandson's
Baptism.
      The extended family and friends pretty
much took over the church yesterday to
attend the ceremony. We were so pleased
that many members of the congregation
were there as well to share the day with us!
       His aunt is his Godmother. His cousin
is his Godfather.
      At the reception people, many of whom
didn't know each other, got a chance to spend
time together and see how everyone was
tied to my grandson or his mom or dad.
     Then there was the food! Bar-B-Q
chicken, pulled pork, vegetables, cake and
deserts!
      I don't remember much about my
Baptism. I tend to think I was well beyond
the "baby stage" and yet still pretty young
at the time. I do not remember any Bar-B-Q
chicken, pulled pork or any other food for
that matter after the ceremonies! I think
I may be well overdue for a celebration!
     In fact I wish I had better memories
of my Baptism. For all I know my
Godfather was Don Vito Corleone. That
would be good to know!
     Maybe I can have a "do over" complete
with the food! Hope there's pulled pork.....
and that all your NEWS is good!

    
 

THE FOG!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10TH.

           THE FOG!

     You could see the fog beginning
to form as we left Mountaintop
yesterday. We avoided it.....this time.
      Thoughts of the movie "The Fog"
(both versions) flashed through my mind.
Each involved monsters that come out of
the fog. And, a week or so ago, I saw
them!
       It was in a fog I couldn't avoid
while driving home. It was a thick
fog restricting vision to less than 100
yards. I was in the Hazleton area at the
time. I wanted to document the frightening
apparitions. Since I was behind the wheel
my only chance was to capture them as I
stopped for traffic lights. And I did!
        But these monsters weren't pirate
ghosts like those in the movies. They were
other drivers who apparently haven't heard
about the State's law requiring the use of
headlights in rain or in poor visibility
conditions. I consider Fog to fall in that
category.
        Black vehicles were the worst. By
the time you spotted them they were
going by. Or you'd suddenly come up on
one traveling just ahead of you.
        I would have loved to see more
lights. Maybe a few flashing red ones
might have helped the situation!
        Hope they all made it home...and
that all your NEWS is good!