HOW DO THEY KNOW?

    WEDNESDAY, MAY 1ST., 2019
          HOW DO THEY KNOW?

   A funny thing happened on our way to
the auction Tuesday. And last Tuesday.
And the Tuesday before that.
    Two weeks ago our attempt to arrive
at the bidding early to look everything
over was interrupted by construction
work on the Interstate. We were late!
     So, being an intelligent guy, I
selected a different route last week.
I completely avoided the Interstate
work. But the highway workers
found me and stopped me at a one
lane only section of road along Route
590. Late again!
     On Tuesday I round still another
way to get to our destination. And,
just in case, we left early!
      How the heck did they know I
was going that way? There they
were again. About 3 separate crews
in all, working on sections of my
alternate, alternate route!
       Good thing I left early this
time!
        Too bad the auction moved
up its starting time by an hour!
We were late!
         Hope I didn't miss too many
great deals and that all your NEWS
is good.
       
     

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUGS!

   TUESDAY, APRIL 30TH., 2019
       HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUGS!

    The Easter Bunny got a lot of press this

month. But, before we bid farewell to April

let's raise a toast, make it carrot juice, to

another equally famous rabbit.

    April 30th is Bugs Bunny Day!

    Bugs made his debut as “Happy Rabbit”

in a short theater cartoon called  Porky's Hare

Hunt on this date in 1938!

    That would make Bugs 81-years-old today!

    We all remember Bugs from the cartoons

in which he stared for Warner Brothers

over all those years.

     Many of us remember them from the time

we spent in Movie Theaters "back in the day."

Some of us looked forward to the cartoons

more than the feature1

     To the younger folks Bugs may be better

know from television. He's never left a screen

somewhere in all those years!

     I have still another memory.

     Through all of my pre teen years I can

clearly remember the picture of Bugs and his

buddy Porky Pig that hung on the wall of my

bedroom.

     Their images were outlined in some sort

of luminous paint that made them glow in the

dark after the lights were turned off!

      I suppose it's one of this "childhood" items

my mother decided had outlived it's welcome

somewhere along the line. She probably

tossed it!

    Now I'm kind of wondering what a classic

like that might be worth these days?! It could

have been a "24 CAROT picture!" Get it?

    Here's hoping that "Wascally Wabbit"

keeps besting Elmer Fudd for another

81 years, and that all your NEWS is good!

    

      

AFTER MY HAIR CUT.

 MONDAY, APRIL 29TH., 2019
       AFTER MY HAIR CUT!

    On Tuesday morning, April 29th.,
1969 I got up early to head to Wilkes-
Barre. I was off that day but I had a
couple important appointments.
     The first was with my barber.
I got a nice styled cut and enjoyed
a hot towel treatment, then had my
shoes shined
       A couple hours later I met up
with three good friends at an area
motel where we all changed into
tuxedoes!
       And that brings me to my
most important appointment!
        It was at a church in Mountaintop
where the love of my life met me for
our marriage ceremony!
        In case you haven't been keeping
track that was 50 years ago today!
        I have been blessed with a
wonderful wife who has been the
rock of my life. She was just 19 when
she said "I do" and could have been a
success in anything she choose to do
in life. Instead she became the best
wife, mother, and grandmother
anyone could ever imagine.
        So while it's vital I tell her,
again, how much I love here, I
believe it's equally important to
tell her "thank you!"
         I thank her for her love, her
devotion to me and our family, her
daily labors, her support, and for
all her sacrifices over these 50
years!
         By the way, she now cuts my
hair!
          All my love, my love, and
may all your NEWS be good!

A WING AND A PRAYER!

  SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH., 2019
     A WING AND A PRAYER!

    It's a bitter sweet Sunday for my
wife and me as well as for the folks
we worship with each week.
     The pastor at our little church in
Mountaintop and his wife are
retiring and moving to their new
home in South Carolina.
      Dave Elick has been the pastor
at New Life Community Church
since the day that church was formed
20-years-ago. His wife Kathy has
been at his side through all
those years playing the organ and
cooking for an untold number of
events at the church and elsewhere.
       If pastors, like soldiers, got
medals for going above and beyond
the call of duty Dave and Kathy
would be covered with them!
        I remember a day years
back when I was stuck at work
and my wife was recovering from
an operation. A heavy snowstorm
threatened to collapse our roof.
When I was finally able to get home
I found pastor Dave on a ladder
clearing the snow away.
         I recall another day when
our pastor learned the daughter
of a woman from our church was
facing a very serious and immediate
health problem.
It was minutes before the service was
to begin. He knew his place was at
that sick bed so he went. It was the
only time I got an opportunity to
ad lib a sermon! Fortunately both
the young woman and our church
survived!
         Others in and out of our
congregation could easily come up
with other stories reflecting Dave
and Kathy commitment to their
fellow man that went far beyond
Sundays.
           They leave a void that
cannot be completely replaced.
And they  leave deep friendships
that will remain even though those
friends will now be separated by distance.
           If their success is measured
in lives they've touched in a positive
way they leave millionaires!
            As they "wing" to their
new home the rest of us will say
a "prayer" for a happy and healthy
retirement with our most sincere
thanks for all they have done.
            Dave and Kathy.....may
all your NEWS be good!

READY, AIM, FIRE!

    SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH., 2019
               READY, AIM, FIRE!

    If you're reading this anytime after
10 Saturday morning you're too late!
I'm already at the Firing Squad!
     Most grandpa's take their grandkids
to the playground or the amusement
park. I've done that. But on this Saturday
I'm taking a grandson and his buddy to
a shooting range!
       Both have already taken the Hunter
Safety Course and both are hoping to do
some hunting this year.
        I'm not the person who should train
them for hunting. I never hunted in spite
of my love for venison and similar "wild
meats."
        As it happens, one of my close
friends hosts a shoot at his own range each
year as part of an ongoing ministry program
he conducts through a church in the Poconos.
        The gentlemen who attend this event
will shoot together, lunch together, and pray
together as well.
         I suspect they will lend their experience
and expertise to help my grandson and his
friend learn some valuable life lessons!
         I'm afraid my experience with cap and
water guns isn't very useful in this case so
I'll find a safe place to watch, take pictures,
and see what's for lunch!
          Hope no one offers me a blindfold and
that all your NEWS is good.
           

TIPPING THE SCALE!

     FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH., 2019

         TIPPING THE SCALE!

         

   The way I heard it there was an earthquake

somewhere around here the other day. I didn't

feel anything. But it must have happened about

the time I was weighing myself because the

numbers suddenly went up!

    I point this out because this is Richter Scale

Day. I don't actually know what brand of scale

we have. But I suppose it could be a Richter!

    Oh. Wait a minute! My wife tells me Richter

is the guy who came up with the way we

measure earthquakes. And this is his Birthday!

I'll bet his parties really rocked the place!

     So I guess it has nothing to do with the

scale in my bathroom.

     Perhaps there's another explanation for its

sudden surge. You see it's also national

Pretzel Day. And that could have an impact

on my scale! I like pretzels! 

      I'd rather believe it was an earthquake!

      Hope you're celebrating one or the

other and that all your NEWS IS GOOD!

 

TALKING TURKEY. HILL THAT IS!

     THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH., 2019
 TALKING TURKEY. HILL THAT IS!      

     I was gad we were able to get the
Miata back on the road Wednesday!
It's perfect for sunny days, warm
temperatures and rising gas prices!
       The Miata doesn't use a lot of
fuel but it doesn't hold a lot either
so we've still got to stop for gas now
and then.
        If you're like us you do your best
to shop around for the best price.
        When it first opened we would
have found it at the Sheetz station not
far from our house. These days, however,
the operators seem to be getting every
penny they can for customers who
come from the near by Mohegan Sun
Casino. Guess they figure they're all
coming out winners!
          Our next choice was often a
Turkey Hill store. There are several
nearby and if you have one of their
loyalty cards you could get an extra
3 cents off each gallon.
          About two weeks ago, however,
my loyalty card failed to produce the
discount I had expected. I was told
the company's on line system had
crashed and there was nothing they,
in the store, could do.
          Fast forward a week. Another
Turkey Hill station and another lost
chance for a discount.
           On Wednesday we stopped
at a Turkey Hill store near Hometown
where there's a notice posted on all
the gas pumps advising customers to
hit the "No button" when asked if they
have a loyalty card. It further explains
that the company's system is down.
             So now I'm wondering if the
giant Turkey Hill chain has been
hacked by the Russians or, perhaps,
no longer has an Technical Department
on the farm?
             Guess I'll just keep shopping for
 the lowest price I can find and give
someone else my loyalty! Just thought
I'd better get my 2 (or in this case 3)
cents in!
              Hope somebody fixes the
system and that all your NEWS is good!

MY WIFE HAS A SCREW LOOSE!

  WEDNESDAY APRIL 23TH., 2019
  MY WIFE HAS A SCREW LOOSE!

   Before any of you come to the conclusion
my wife is suddenly questioning her sanity
for agreeing to marry me some 50 years ago
this blog is not about that!
    It concerns a long standing controversy
about whether area residents should have
surgical procedures done locally or go
outside the region.
    Two years ago, on the advice of her
local doctor, she had open heart surgery
done in Philadelphia. I'm happy to say the
experts there did an excellent job.
    Several years earlier, however, we
decided to abandoned our local foot
doctor to have her bunion surgery done
out of the area.
     A couple weeks after her operation,
she called me to the shower where she
seemed to be acting out Janet Lee's
scene from "Psycho!"
     Some hardware in her recently
"repaired" foot had cut into an artery
and I suddenly realized what the term
"blood bath" meant!
      An ambulance took her to a near
by hospital where emergency repairs
were made. We were then advised to
return to the facility where the operation
was done to have everything re-checked.
       That experience convinced her to
have her second bunion operation done
locally by her regular foot doctor.
        That, by the way, worked out very
well!
         She returned to that physician to
have what turned out to be an inflammation
(not related to the bunion surgery) treated
this week.
         It was in the foot on which the first
bunion surgery was done. An X-ray
reveled a broken screw originally
implanted during that operation. Hence,
my wife has a screw loose.
(Technically not actually loose but just
sort of sitting there.)
          Fortunately it's not a health
concern! Just thought I'd let you know!
          Hope there are no more bunions
and that all your NEWS is good!
         

TRACK & FIELD

    TUESDAY, APRIL 23RD., 2019
             TRACK & FIELD

   I had a busy schedule Monday! The
3-year-old grandson spent most of the
day since his pre school was closed for
Easter Monday.
    It was still a bit on the cool side when
he came so we enjoyed watching a
couple YouTube versions of  "The Little
Engine That Could."
     As the day warmed up a bit we
decided to do some track and field events.
There was a method to my madness. My
little buddy was scheduled for an evening
visit to the circus so I had to make sure
he exercised enough to warrant an
afternoon nap.
     Our venue was an area playground
set up close to a walking path that circles
two baseball fields.
      After some time on the swings
and a bit of hid and seek we pulled out
his scooter and protective gear to head
up to the walking track.
       I stayed as close as I could as he
pushed the scooter around the trail.
After about a half a lap he tired a bit.
He walked back to where we started as
did I....carrying his scooter!
      The baseball field attracted his
attention so we did a bit of training.
       I'd help him hit the ball then
tried to direct him to 1st, then 2nd,
then 3rd base, then home!
       I'd chase him with the ball from
base to base then he'd chase me. He
was a little faster!
       After a few "innings" we
headed back, downhill, to the car.
He rode the scooter and I carried
the baseball gear.
        He fell asleep in the car after
a short visit to Walter's Hardware
to play with the Thomas trains set
up there.
        I carried him into the house
to the back bedroom where he got
a good two hour nap.
        Guess I wore him out.
        Just noticed my legs and
back are aching a bit now. And, for
some reason, I seem a little sleepy!
         Hope I can get a nap and that
all your NEWS is good!
         

MY BLOG & US, STILL HERE!

   MONDAY, APRIL 22ND., 2019
   MY BLOG & US, STILL HERE!

       You need a license for

all kinds of things these days.

       I have a Driver's License,

a Fishing License and what you

might call an "Artistic License!"

       On April 22nd., 2011,

in a moment of insanity, I

decided to begin this Blog!

       I had officially

retired from the main stream

media. But I still had a desire

to write and had seen others

fulfill that ambition with a

blog. I wasn't sure if it would

be a weekly or a monthly

effort. But before I could give

it a second thought I was

authoring an essay every day!

     Most have been based on

personal events in my day to

day life. Some are prompted

by web sites where I have

found some very unusual

holidays that few people

know about.

     Occasionally over these

past 8 years I've repeated a

couple of my posts. That's

either because I find they are

well worth revisiting or

because my mind has gone

blank. Of course some would

say many of my original

writings suggest a blank mind

anyway!

      So here we are, six years

later with Blog number 2991!

       I got another License on

April 22nd. But that one came

50 years ago!

     It was my Marriage License!

My wife (then my fiancée), her

mom and I, showed up at the Luzerne

County Courthouse with the

required fee to get our license.

We needed her mom too because,

back then, you had to have a

parent's signature if you were

under 21. That didn't effect me.

I didn't even get carded!

      Fortunately my mother-in-

law to be agreed to sign and we

got our license.

      Hope it hasn't expired....and

that all your NEWS is good!

THE EGGS AND I

    SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST., 2019
            THE EGGS AND I

   Happy Easter everybody!
   I managed to find myself at two
Easter egg hunts Saturday. There
were more to be sure but two was
all I could handle.
    The Plains Lions Club has been
conducting an egg hunt for area
kids for many years as has the
Borough Of Wyoming.
     They've pretty much got it down
to a science and thanks to their many
volunteers hundreds of youngsters
get a big thrill connected to the
holiday.
      I was dressed for the occasion,
although I suspect not too many
people noticed. I was wearing my
T-shirt from "Harvey's," a bar/
restaurant from Saratoga Springs
New York. There's a big rabbit on
my shirt!
      For those who remember the
classic movie "Harvey" the
principal character. is a 6 foot tall
"Pooka," a giant rabbit who's only
seen by Jimmy Stewart in the film.
I think I've seen him a few times
myself!      
       The egg hunt operators divide
their fields into separate sections
depending on the child's age. That
way the 3-year-olds don't have to
compete with the 6-year-olds as
they rush onto the field searching
for their eggs and the prizes inside,
        I've got to give a lot of credit
to the folks who organize these egg
hunts. It's a lot of work!
        My only complaint is one I've
expressed before. Hard as I looked
I couldn't find the egg field set aside
for 76-year-olds!
         Hope I find one next year and
that all your NEWS is good!

PRODUCT PLACEMENT!

   SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH., 2019
        PRODUCT PLACEMENT!

   It was a tough shock awhile back when
Walmart redesigned the store. I used to
know where to find everything. Well,
everything I usually come to buy.
    About the time I figured out where
everything is now I found myself on an
unexpected errand to a store where I
don't usually shop.
     My wife was in need of some baking
bags and turkey gravy in preparation for
our Easter gathering.
      A lot of markets actually place items
related to holiday meals in very convenient
spots to increase their sales. This market
did not.
       I did find a display featuring gravy
right near the meat counter. There was
Chicken, pork, and beef. But no turkey
gravy!
       I finally found it on the bottom shelf
of another aisle several rows away.
       I had hoped to find the turkey baking
bags somewhere close to the turkeys but
that would have been far to easy.
       They turned up at the other side of
the market close to some other types of
packing type bags and containers.
         Hope I got enough and the right
size cause I'll never find that stuff again!
Hope I don't have to and that all your
NEWS is good.
     

SOMETHINGS IN THE AIR!

  FRIDAY APRIL 19TH., 2019!
  SOMETHINGS IN THE AIR!

   I'm hoping my wife doesn't see
this blog today. That's all she needs!
A good excuse!
   April 19th is "National Garlic Day!"
    If garlic growers were looking for
a spokesperson m wife would certainly
be in the running.
     My wife welcomes garlic on just
about anything. When we go for pizza
she favors the places that put cloves
of garlic right in there with the cheese!
Then she'll likely sprinkle some garlic
powder on top of that!
       I can tolerate some garlic but only
a limited amount. I much prefer sausage
and such on my pizza and that usually
already includes some garlic in the fixings.
        To be totally fair garlic is know for
some health benefits.
          Phytochemicals in garlic are believed
to provide protection against heart disease
and cancer. Specifically, stomach and colorectal
cancers.
         It helps to fight off colds and flu.
         It lowers blood cholesterol levels.
         And it reduces the buildup of plaque in
arteries.
          I always thought you ate it to keep
vampires away, And, indeed, we've seen
very few of those around our house.
         So enjoy the day and some good
health with a bit of garlic in whatever
you're eating!
          Hope you've got some breath mints
around too and that all your NEWS is
good!

INTERNATIONAL JUGGLER'S DAY!

    THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH., 2019
INTERNATIONAL JUGGLER'S DAY!

   Welcome to April 17th everybody!

"International Jugglers Day!"

   It is a day, according to

holidayinsights.com. to celebrate

the skill of juggling, and those talented

people who can juggle many balls and

objects at a time. Common objects

include: balls, clubs, swords, plates,

rings, and flaming sticks.

    I have juggled schedules, and

paychecks over the years. But I

don't believe that qualifies me as

a juggler.

    I think my son can juggle.

    I've tried. But I can only handle

two softballs at a time and only if'

I don't toss them too high.

      The best jugglers can juggle up

to ten balls at a time!

       You might want to give it a try

in honor of the day. I would suggest,

however, sticking with rubber balls

as opposed to things like fire sticks,

knives, and chainsaws.

        I will watch Facebook for photos

of your success or notices of your

hospitalization.

        Hope all your NEWS is good!

      

   

MY PART OF THE HERD!

    WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17TH., 2019
            MY PART OF THE HERD!

   April 17th, for those who didn't already
know, is "Ford Mustang Day!"
    It's the date, back in 1964, when the
first Mustangs first showed up in Ford's
showrooms across the country.
    I had a Mustang in 1968. It was a red
two door hardtop.
    It wasn't exactly the car I was looking
for. I was trading in a used Chevy Impala
convertible with a Corvette engine and a
4-speed Hurst shifter. I probably would
have kept it but my wife-to-be was not
fond of the color. It was lavender.
    I wanted another convertible but I
couldn't afford it and the hardtop was
the next best option with windows that
opened the front and back to the fresh
air.
    It was a pretty good car. The only
problem I had was a break in the
driver's seat after awhile but a welder
fixed it good as new.
    I saw a new Mustang today, I heard
it too! It roared by me several times.
(I kept catching up with it at traffic
lights).
     The straight 6 in my 68 didn't make
that much noise. I'm pretty sure it didn't
burn as much gas either! It wasn't near
as fast as the new one although those
traffic lights seemed to even us out!
      There's another factor. My Mustang
cost about one tenth of what the new
ones are selling for!
       I still like Mustangs and I'd love
to have a new one if someone decides
to make it a gift. If someone does, I'm
ready to saddle up!
       Hope it's a convertible and that
all your NEWS is good!

MY CONSPIRACY THEORY!

   TUESDAY, APRIL 16TH., 2019
     MY CONSPIRACY THEORY!

   I believe there's a conspiracy out
there right now and we're all the
targets! Think about it!
   It's spring. Some of us are anxious
to resume outdoor exercises, It's Lent.
Many folks swear off sweets for the
season.
    But several of my grandkids are
selling donuts as a school fundraiser.
Another is selling Girl Scout cookies.
I even found those candy bars selling
for a buck at an area service station.
I'm not sure which civic organization
benefits from that sale.
     Some area churches are making
and selling Easter candy. Of course
the idea is to buy it and put is aside
for Easter morning. Good luck with
that plan!
      I believe it's all part of a plan
to keep me and others from losing
weight!
      I have no idea who's behind
this brilliant plan. Maybe it's the
Big & Tall shops. Perhaps area
dentists cooked up the plot!
       I just wanted to let all of you
know about this April conspiracy.
And that it's working!
       Hope the donuts last longer
than the cookies did and that all
your NEWS is good!