LET'S MAKE A DEAL!

  MONDAY, APRIL 1., 2019
     LET'S MAKE A DEAL!

   My wife and I have added two
interesting stops to our weekly
travels and you might expect to
find Monty Hall (for those who
remember him) at either.
     One is a weekly auction at
Honesdale. The other a "Flea
Market" in Freeland.
      They've got a lot in common.
Primarily customers, like us,
looking for bargains. They also
attract people, like us, who come
not having the faintest idea what
is being offered for sale at any
particular time!
       Think about it! You go to a
car dealer knowing you want a
car then try to negotiate a
price you're willing to pay.
       At the auction or flea market
you find items you weren't really
looking for or don't necessarily
need. Then you bid or dicker for
the price you're willing to pay.
        We essentially started going
to both just to look around and
watch. We've ended up purchasing
merchandise from both! At great
prices by the way!
        At the auction we'll only bid
a limited amount on something that
catches our eye. If someone wants
to go higher, well, more power to
them.
        At the flea market we usually
ask what the seller is asking for an
item we'd like then offer him or her
a little less and hope they accept.
They often do.
        Reminds me of that TV program
"Let's Make A Deal" since that's
basically what we're playing.  And,
yes, it's fun! We don't even have to
dress funny. Well any funnier than
usual anyway!
        Hope we get some more great
deals that we don't yet know we need
and that all your NEWS is good!

BURNED UP!

  SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST., 2019
                BURNED UP!

    Before we bid farewell to March let's
take just a moment to remember its last
"holiday."  It's Bunsen Burner Day!

  We mark the birthday of inventor,

German chemist Robert Wilhelm

Eberhard von Bunsen!

   My Chemistry set didn't come with a

Bunsen Burner when I was a kid. I had to

use a candle to heat the chemicals I had

mixed together down in the basement.

   I heated it for about 15 minutes before

it blew up and wrecked my set. Fortunately

I didn't burn down the house!

   Years later I found myself in a High

School Chemistry Class.

   Our teacher, Mr. Scarcella, had a Bunsen

Burner to heat the test tube he was using

for the day's experiment.

   I was surprised when it, like mine, blew

up! But it only took him about 30 seconds!

  For years there was a small piece of

glass embedded in the ceiling of that

classroom. I often wondered if the students

that followed  noticed it or wondered

how it got there.

   I learned a lot from that lesson.

   First, Bunsen Burners can create

explosions far faster than candles.

   Second, I was not meant to be a

Chemist!

   I'm sure, however, that many of

today's modern scientific advancements

were born in a basement or classroom

somewhere with the aid of a Bunsen

Burner.

   I wonder if you could cook a steak

on one of them?

   Hope you'll celebrate safely and that

all your NEWS is good!

  

THE LAST WALTZ!

    SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH., 2019
                THE LAST WALTZ!

   My wife and I went to a dance last night
but we didn't dance a lick!
   In reality the event was the annual Spring
Concert presented by the chores at Holy
Redeemer High School. Traditionally the
school's seniors are invited to put on their
gowns and dress suits and take to the stage
for the "Senior Waltz." Participation is
voluntary but our granddaughter was never
reluctant to go on a stage to act, or sing, or
even dance!
     My wife, daughter, and I were seen to
have a handful of tissues in hand as we watched
her and several of her classmates we've come to
know over the years dance to "Annie's Song."
Guess we're all coming down with colds.
     The concert itself proved a wonderful
evening of entertainment that ended with an
invitation to service men and women, veterans
or active, to stand and be recognized as their
branch's theme songs were sung by the
chorus.
      If the young men and women who
preformed are any indication of what our
future has in store we can be very
optimistic!
      By the way the concert will be offered
again at 7 tonight so you've still got a chance
to enjoy the show and watch "The Last Waltz,"
      Hope you do and that all your NEWS is
good!    
     

DISCOVERING THE CLASSICS!

   FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH., 2019
 DISCOVERING THE CLASSICS!

   My grandson is a devoted fan of Thomas
The Tank Engine. He's got a collection of
Thomas trains at home and I have a small
set I keep here for our enjoyment.
    My soon to be 21-year-old grandson
can relate. When he was about 3 he was
also a big Thomas fan.
    Thomas has become a classic.
    But while searching for some Thomas
videos on YouTube I accidentally came
across a couple of much older "classics"
the three-year-old didn't know about.
     Anybody else remember the story of
"The Little Engine That Could?"
     Or how about the Three Billy Goats
that wanted to cross the bridge ruled by
a terrible troll!
      There were a few stories he had
already heard like the three little pigs
and the big bad wolf. But Jack and the
Bean stock was new to him.
       Since I don't have story books on'
all those old classics YouTube offered
a number of videos including several
different versions of some of the stories.
        The little guy was mesmerized and
I have to admit it was kind of neat to
hear some of the same stories I remember
hearing as a kid myself!
         One day he may work his way up
to Shakespeare but, for now, classics
like the "Little Engine That Could" will
do just fine!
           Hope you remembered to build
your house with bricks and that all your
NEWS is good!

WHERE ARE THE CLOWNS?

    THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH., 2019
      WHERE ARE THE CLOWNS?

    Seems to be there ought to be clowns.
 March 28th is "Barnum & Bailey Day!"
 Bet that's not on your calendar!
     It was on March 28th., 1881 that
circus owners P.T. Barnum and James
A. Bailey merged their organizations
creating "The Greatest Show on Earth!"
     I had some ties to the Ringling
Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey Circus
in the 50's and 60's. My Dad used to
run spotlight for the shows in New
York's Madison Square Garden to
keep his ILTSE card active.
      My Mom and I were often seated
in a box reserved for the family of
the circus owners who were almost
never there and Dad would shine his
spotlight on the box before the show
began. People in the audience must
have wondered who we were!
         The smiles and laughter you
heard from people watching each of
the three rings are something I'll
remember forever, just as those
people surely remember the
exciting performers and, yes, the
animals.
         For many the circus was the
only place kids  ever got to see a
real live elephant or a tiger. And
when ever I was back stage I was
impressed with how those animals
were treated like family pets.
         Unfortunately it's all gone
now. Oh there are other circus troops
touring the country and in other
countries as well. But the "Greatest
Show on Earth" is now just a memory.
A good memory for most!
           Seems to me on this "Barnum
and Bailey Day" there ought to be
clowns!
           Hope your circus memories bring
smiles and that all your NEWS is good.
         

DOUBLE SCREACHER!

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH., 2019
              DOUBLE SCREACHER!

   My wife and I visited the weekly auction
in Honesdale on Tuesday. We left too soon!
    It's not that we missed any fantastic
merchandise or great bargains. Although
that may have happened. It was our
alternate plan that went bust!
     After a beautiful drive in the sunshine
we decided to swing by the movies to
see if any features were close to starting
around the time we arrived.
      There were three, none of which we
knew anything about.
      We selected "Cruel Intentions" solely
on the basis that Reese Witherspoon was
one of the actors. We lasted about 15
minutes before deciding we hated the
feature (which we later learned was a
20-year-old movie that's been re-released)
and walked out.
        Even though it was "Bargain Day"
our investment in tickets, a couple
Angus hot dogs, and popcorn seemed
sufficient for us to justify switching
theaters and viewing something else.
       The closest auditorium with a
movie that still hadn't started was the
one showing the feature "Us!"
        Turned out to be a not very
impressive horror movie. But at least
it held your attention as you struggled
to figure out what the heck was
happing, how, and why.
         Well, the popcorn was good.
         Hope you'll miss those two
and that all your NEWS is good!

WASH, WAX, AND WORRY!

    TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH., 2019
     WASH, WAX, AND WORRY!

   I took my grandson to his favorite
train shop Monday then made the mistake
of stopping at a small playground on our
way back home.
    I say "mistake" because the same dirt
lane that leads to the playground also
leads to a Softball field where some guys
were either playing or practicing.
    They wrapped up their activities just
about 10 minutes after we arrived. As my
grandson was testing a sliding board a
steady procession of cars began rolling
up the lane sending thick clouds of dust
into the air and on my car.
     After ending our playground fun I
decided a quick stop at the car wash on
the way home would be a good idea.
      Some high pressure soap then a
rinse was followed by a coating of liquid
wax that restored the car's pre playground
luster!
       I hopped back in and told the grandson
we'd be headed home...….as soon as I
found my keys!
        They didn't seem to be in any of my
pockets and a quick check of the general
area failed to turn them up. Perhaps they
had fallen and were washed under the car.
          I got down on my knees, on the
soaked floor I might add, and glanced
underneath. I didn't see keys. I did see
the largest drain I've seen in a long
time!
          If my high pressure wash had
hit those keys and sent them rushing into
that drain they were probably already
half way to the Delaware Bay and my
grandson and I were stuck in a car wash
bay!
           I was about to send for my wife
and her set of keys when my left hand
discovered a small section in my slacks
apparently designed for magicians to
hide objects they intend to make
appear and disappear and there, inside,
were my keys!
           I thinking getting down on my
knees paid off in an unexpected way!
           Hope the wax lasts for a week or
so and that all your NEWS is good!

DAY ONE, ONE DAY!

   MONDAY, MARCH 25TH., 2019
           DAY ONE, ONE DAY!

   These days March 25th is pretty much
just another Monday. Yes, it is Pecan
and Waffle Day (those are separate
"celebrations" by the way) and it begins
the first full week of Spring but,
otherwise, it's just a sort of normal
Monday.
    But if you were around 2,171 years
ago you'd be putting on your party hats,
getting out the confetti, and heading
for Times Square. Oh. Wait a minute.
There wasn't any Times Square 2,171
years ago. I wonder where they dropped
the ball?
    You see today's March 25th was
that era's New Year's Day!
     Back then folks were using the old
Roman calendar. But that all came to
an end when the Julian calendar came
into use and January 1st became New
Year's Day.
     I guess when they switched it was
kind of a major "Fall Back Day."
     I'm just thinking it might be cool
to "Spring Forward" just for old time's
sake and start our new year all over
again today. What do you think?
     Hope you have a Happy New Year
and that all your NEWS is good!

STILL A GOOD TIME!

   SUNDAY, MARCH 24TH., 2019
          STILL A GOOD TIME!

   It's hard to believe it's been nearly
6 years since I auditioned for my small
part in the movie "All In Time."
    Although the movie has been
around for nearly two years now it
had it's Scranton premier as part of
the NEPA Film festival last night.
     Once again, the audience loved it!
     The story, created by West Hazleton
native Chris Fetchko, is loosely based
on his own experience leaving a good
paying job in New York to manage an
area Rock Band.
     Of course the screenplay takes some
twists and turns worthy of Alfred
Hitchcock.
      Our female lead, Vanessa Ray is
now a regular on the CBS hit series
"Blue Bloods.  
       I haven't advanced quite so much
but Chris tells me I will have a part in
his new production "Blinded By Ed."
        As for "All In Time" if you haven't
seen it you really should. It's available
on Amazon, ITUNES, Vimeo, and
Google play and Joe Nardone's Gallery
of Sound has DVD copies for sale.
        My scene is short so get your
popcorn before you start watching!
        Hope you enjoy it and that all
your NEWS is good!

IT'S GOOD TO BE "OK!"

    SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD., 2019
            IT'S GOOD TO BE "OK!"

   

    It's a common phrase with me.

And probably with you as well! And

it's OK to say "OK." In fact today,

March 23rd., is "OK Day!"

    It started one day in 1839, when

a few newspaper editors in Boston

were joking around. They had a lot

of abbreviations that they were using

and made up on the spot and OK was

an abbreviation for 'All Correct.'

   Soon, OK was being used for the

telegraph, like an early form of the

LOLs and OMGs sent in text messages

today.

    The expression became so popular

they even used it for the name of a

Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Of

course things didn't work out OK

for Clantons when they ran into

the Earps and Doc Holliday there

in 1881. I guess you could say the

Claytons got KO'ed at the OK !.

    "We heard the term A-OK a lot

during the early days of the Space

race. Some sources contend it may

be the most widely used expression

in the world. That's OK with me!

     March 23, 2011, was the first-ever

OK Day. 162 years to the day since

those two little letters were printed

together in the Boston Morning Post.

     Hope everything's OK with you

and that all your NEWS is good!

 

A GOOD DAY TO CELEBRATE!

   FRIDAY, MARCH 22ND., 2019
 A GOOD DAY TO CELEBRATE!

       Many of you reading this have

probably already observed this

Holiday well before this appointed

date! I have certainly done my part!

In fact it may be one of the things

I do best!

    This is "National Goof Off Day!"

    In fact, this is "International Goof

Off Day!"

    Admittedly there's no evidence of

either proclamation or legislation

recognizing this an official holiday.

But if we all participate, who's going

to stop the movement?

    The younger generation has

apparently already joined  A few years

ago, a survey was performed to identify

the most popular activity for goofing off.

   The top activity was playing video

games!

   Of course the survey was conducted

by Ninetendo which, you might argue,

has a vested interest in this unique

holiday.

    If you get good enough you might

consider getting into a profession where

you are expected to be goofing off most

of the time. Something like Politics!

   I, on the other hand, will be working

today!

   I'm planning on doing some personal

lobbying to try to make "Goof Off Day"

an official holiday!

   Hope it works and that all your NEWS

is good!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH OLD HICKORY?

     THURSDAY, MARCH 21ST., 2019
   WHAT'S WRONG WITH OLD HICKORY?

     I had to head to the County Courthouse
Wednesday to pay for a license. It was just
20 dollars and I happen to have one in my
wallet. It's the one with Andrew Jackson
on the front. Or back, depending on how
you're holding it.
      I've spent similar 20's in stores and
the movies so, as far as I know, it's still
legal tender.
       But the county wanted a check.  As
it happens I had 20 dollars in our checking
account which, I believe, represents the
same amount of money as that represented
by my printed bill. Anyway, we wrote a
check.
       A friendly deputy spotted my check
before I got through security and informed
me the county wouldn't accept a personal
check. I was a bit surprised since, as far
as I know, that's how we pay our taxes.
       He suggested a money order or a
certified check.
       I thanked him for saving me some
time and headed to the closest bank.
       There I learned that bank doesn't
issue money orders anymore! I was
being sent to a nearby Turkey Hill
but, before leaving, I realized the
place probably still issued certified
checks. They did.
        So my Andrew Jackson bill
was converted into a certified check
and I was able to conclude my
transaction.
        All the running around made
me think of the Battle of New Orleans
which, you'll remember, Old Hickory
won! Maybe they'll put his picture on
money orders and certified checks!
       Hope I get another 20 in my
wallet soon and that all your NEWS
is good!
       

ROCKS IN HIS HEAD!

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH., 2019
               ROCKS IN HIS HEAD!

    My wife and I had dinner with one of my
former TV photographers and his spouse
last evening.
    It's been awhile since I saw my buddy
and I was a bit surprised to find out that
this brilliant, artistic photo journalist now
has rocks in his head.
    Well, perhaps, "rocks on his mind" would
be more appropriate.
     Seems he's been walking through
Scranton's Nay Aug Park and spotting
rocks that have been painted with colorful
pictures and inspirational messages.
       He gave me one bearing the image of
a sort of "Happy face sun" with the message
"Be Kind."
       Turns out there's a Facebook page
called Scranton Rocks which encourages
it's supporters to paint and drop rocks
locally with the concept of spreading
creativity and happiness around the
community! It has over 2,700 members!!!
        I've heard of similar projects in
other towns. My wife and I found an
entire Rock Garden of painted stones with
encouraging messages in Bloomsburg
last year.
        We're often too quick to throw
stones. It's far more pleasant to find these
artistic treasures and share their messages
with others!
         So, if you happen to see my buddy,
or others, walking around slowly with their
head down, they're not stoned! They're
just looking for some!
          Hope you get the message (s) and
that all your NEWS is good!

.

THE BIRDS!

   TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH., 2019
                 THE BIRDS!

    Today's  blog is for the birds. Well, actually,
about the birds
       First, hats off to the Robins who seem to
be winning the race to spring. You see this is
the day the Swallows return to San Juan
Capistrano. They always return to the old
mission in southern California on Saint
Joseph's Day and their appearance in taken
as a sign that Spring has arrived too.
       Around here though the Robins are
winning. There have been sightings of
Robins throughout our area for the past
week or so. That's also taken by many
to be a sign of Spring.
         Ironically, however, as the Swallows
and Robins return the birds that have been
frequenting my backyard feeder throughout
the Fall and Winter have suddenly vanished!
The feed I put out 3 or 4 days ago looks as
though it hasn't been touched.
         Perhaps they've decided to join their
cousins in Capistrano. Or, more likely, they've
spotted the gray cat that has been roaming
the area for the past few days!  
        It's a visitor they and I can do without!
        By the way there's another return,
not nearly as celebrated, you should know
about. March 19th is also the day the
Vultures return to Hinckley, Ohio!
        Hope my Sparrows and Cardinals
return soon and that all your NEWS is
good!

FIX A LEAK WEEK!

      MONDAY, MARCH 18TH., 2019
             FIX A LEAK WEEK! 

    And I'll bet you thought all the excitement
ended on Saint Patrick's Day! Nope!
    As the title revels, this is "Fix A Leak
Week!" It "runs" through March 24th.
    According to the statistics household
leaks waste about a trillion gallons of
water across the United States annually!
    Of course you're encouraged to fix
them as soon as they happen rather than
just waiting for this week. This is just a
time to remind you to pay attention to
that drip in your house. (The water one!)
      If you haven't done it lately you should
check your faucets, shower heads, and
toilets to make sure they're not leaking.
      Should you find a leak you should
repair the problem or call someone who
knows ho to do it. In my house, for
instance, I'd call my wife!
       Leaky pipes aren't that terribly
difficult to find and repair. There are
other leaks, however, that are much
harder to handle. Most of those leaks
are found in government!
       Unlike water leaks, sometimes
governmental leaks can be good!
They can expose problems far worse
than broken pipes that need more than
a plumber's attention!
        Hope we're all looking for and
fixing any problems related to leaks
this week and that all your NEWS
is good!

A REASON TO CELEBRATE!

   SUNDAY, MARCH 17TH., 2019
   A REASON TO CELEBRATE!

     

    Guess you think you know why this is a

day for celebration!

    Well, chances are, you're HALF right!

    Yes, it is Saint Patrick's Day.

    You don't have to look very far to see

Irish flags or green banners hung out to

mark the occasion.

      There are 4 leaf clovers and images

of leprechauns posted on the windows of

houses and stores wherever you go.

       The Big Saint Patrick's Parade in

Scranton has already marched into history.

But the green lines still mark the route

through the city.

        But how many people have noticed

that today is my HALF Birthday!

       See, here's how it works. My actual

birthday is on September 17th.  So, six

months after that is March 17th, which

happens to be Saint Patrick's Day.

       Ask a little kid how old he or she is

and you'll often get an answer like..."I'm

4 and a half."

       So I'm thinking....why should the kids

have all the fun?  And what's a half year

among friends?

       So while a majority of celebrants

will be "wearing the green" today maybe

I'll have a slice of cake. Or, maybe, a half

a slice!

        After all, I'm 76 and a half today!!!!!!

        Hope you're always looking for a

reason to celebrate.....and that all of your

NEWS is good!                         

(Half a Birthday Cake)