A LOT TO CELEBRATE!

  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST., 2019
        A LOT TO CELEBRATE!

   Well will you look at what showed up
today! It's November! Sort of the beginning
of the end of 2019.
    But before we close the books on this
fast moving year consider the fact we've
got a lot to celebrate. And I'm not even
thinking of Thanksgiving!
     November is Adopt a senior pet month,
adopt a turkey month (I suppose you could
combine those two by adopting an old
turkey), Banana pudding lover's month,
Historic bridge awareness month, Manatee
awareness month, National peanut butter
lover's month, and National Pomegranate
month!
      There are about 20 more but all of those
are a bit more serious than those I've listed.
        And in the midst of all those observances
most of us will be getting ready for Christmas!
        There's just not enough time! Even with
that extra hour we get this weekend!
         I believe the time has come to add an
extra month to the year!
         You already have two different calendars,
the Julian and Gregorian, Why not another that
gives us more time?
          And how about that "Leap Year" thing?
It's  one day every four years! Why not an
actual Leap Year? One full year to catch up on
things! You could even keep your age on hold
that period! Who could argue with that idea?
           Let's get Congress to........... Oh, wait
a minute. If this concept requires governmental
action we're going to need more than an extra
year!
           Hope I didn't get your hopes up too much
and that all your NEWS is good/

         

THE GOOD OLD HALLOWEENS!

  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31ST., 2019
   THE GOOD OLD HALLOWEENS!

   Stormy skies have postponed many
Halloween activities today but back in
"my day" Halloween was observed on
October 31st no matter what!
     The postponements may be very
justified but I can't help remembering
the way it used to be. It always took
place on October 31st!
      My Mom loved Halloween so  a
party at our house was a must when I
was a kid.
       After that we all went out
"Halloweenng!" I can't honestly remember
when people began saying they were
going out "Trick or Treating" but,
somehow,  that phrase took over.
        We general hit the neighborhood
right around our homes and we were
almost always required to have a joke,
pome, or song ready to entertain our
hosts!
         The neighbors who knew you,
mask or not, often dropped money in
your bag! Anything from a quarter to
a dollar! I had some nice neighbors
so, for a time, I thought about making
Halloweening a profession!
          Back then many of my costumes
included a rifle or a 6 gun. These days
they'd shoot you for that!
           Nobody put anything bad in your
candy and the worst "tricks" any kids
preformed  involved a bar of soap and
car windows.
           As I look back I realize
Halloween these days is a lot more
scary than it used to be and that's a
shame!
            Hope all the kids get to enjoy
their holiday ands that all your NEWS
is good!
                                                                                                                                                                                                               

DOES THE LIGHT GO OUT WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR?

                  WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 30TH., 2019
 DOES THE LIGHT GO OUT WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR?

     Halloween is a day away. But

in many ways this night could make your

blood run cold!

     You see October 30th is "Haunted

Refrigerator Night!"

      Those of you who are brave souls

and encouraged to head to the "fridge"

tonight, best be with a friend, and search

the rear and lower shelves to see what

horror may be lurking there! You know,

those Tupperware containers in which

you saved a leftover from some meal

long ago and far away! Perhaps there

are items put away with good

intentions then forgotten over time.

       You should prepare yourself for

whatever you may find! Perhaps a

medical mask and a couple garbage

bags.

        You're not likely to find this

"holiday" on your Hallmark calendar.

It's one of many created by Thomas

and Ruth Roy and copywritten as

"Wellcat Holidays and Herbs."

      Still the whole idea of busting

any ghosts in your refrigerator is

probably a smart move anyway!

       Hope you're not frozen in fear,

and that all your NEWS is good!

     

     

     

         

AFTER THE LIGHTS WENT OUT!

     TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH., 2019
     AFTER THE LIGHTS WENT OUT!

     It was an "interesting" day!
     It began when my wife tried a power
washer we bought cheap. The washer
didn't work and, after she tried it, neither
did the lights in  our spare room.
      That's the room that houses my Wifi
modem so my laptop shut down too.
      We had the wiring updated years
ago but the spare room is on its own line
powered by those old fashion fuses.
       My wife allowed me to make my way
into the closet and the fuse box to replace
the blown out unit. Somehow I was successful
without either setting the place on fire or
getting electrocuted!
        I was about to relax and celebrate my
victory when I noticed we had no water!
        My wife explained that she had crawled
under the house and thrown the lever that
shuts off the outside hose. But it's a spigot,
not a lever, that controls that line!
        So my wife let me crawl underneath,
ducking wood and steel just above my head,
to close the proper valve.
        We decided to give up on any housework
and go for a ride. The ride became a walk
along the beautiful Lehigh Gorge trail.  The
setting, with colored leaves and a clear
sunny sky was most romantic.
        As we sat at a picnic table along the
trail I felt a kiss was in order. It probably
would have been lovely had my wife first
removed her Penn State baseball cap.
          Instead, the peak of the cap hit my
forehead. A second attempt nearly got my
eye!
         That evening my wife was kind
enough to trim my hair. One particular
grey hair in my moustache must have
annoyed her so she yanked it out.
          Women apparently don't know
that moustache hairs are directly connected
to that part of a man's nervous system that
produces screams!
           Minutes later the razor cut a bit
more than the hair near my ear. Fortunately
it was an electric razor and the "wound"
was not severe!
           Today I plan to take a careful look
at my life insurance policy! I want to make
sure I'm not worth too much!!!
           Hope all your NEWS is good!    

A VOTE FOR MY COUCH!

    MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH., 2019
          A VOTE OR MY COUCH!

     While most of you guys were sitting
back watching Sunday football on TV I
was exercising my civic duty and casting
my votes in the General Election!
      I know. The election is still over a
week away. But I'll be out of town that
day so I requested an absentee ballot!
      Voting from home is really neat! It's
a lot like the old days of the paper ballot.
       There's all kinds of instructions some
of which I actually read. Basically though,
you have to color in a small circle next to
the name of the candidate or issue you're
voting for.
        I've always been pretty good at
coloring, that is staying in the lines, so I
looked at this challenge somewhat like an
art project.
        As usual I did not know anything
about some of the candidates running for
election. I considered casting a vote along
straight party lines but the Bull Moose
Party is no longer listed as an option.
        Rather than let a circled uncolored
I picked candidates I did not know based
on knowing someone "above them" in the
chain of command. That way I can go over
their head to complain if they do something
I don't like.
        Of course there's also an option to
write in a candidate of your own choice if
you don't know or like a name listed on
the ballot.
        I resisted the temptation to write my
own name in for something for fear I might
win and have to go to work!
        That said, if you're really stuck in 2020
my name is spelled David DeCosmo. I'm the
guy who wants to see a caboose back at the
end of every train!
         Hope you'll remember that and that
all your NEWS is good!
       
   

 

KEEPING TRACK (s)!

     SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27TH., 2019
               KEEPING TRACK (s)!

    Facebook followers who follow my album
posts will know my son, grandson, my wife,
and I made a two hour drive to Strasburg
on Saturday to see Thomas the Tank Engine,
a TV cartoon train that's been brought to life
for public appearances.
     Thousands of other people did too! So
many in was hard to keep "track" of them!
(Get it?)
     It was the same story the last two times
we visited "Thomas and his Friends." Once
a year ago and once about 17 years ago.
      Passenger rail service vanished from
our area many years ago. But not before I,
as a kid, had a chance to ride the rails many
times between my home in Hazleton and
places like New York City, Philadelphia, and
Chicago.
       Excursion train runs are still available
here and there and it is not unusual to see
them sold out when they run!
       A tax dispute currently threatens a
tourist passenger train that has been based
in Jim Thrope for the past 15 years or so.
But the owners are already considering
other base locations because their coaches
are usually packed.
        It makes me think that someone is
missing the boat. Or, in this case, the
train, by not bringing more railroad
excursions to the area.
        I remember doing a TV story about
a proposed run along the Susquehanna
River that never really developed as a
regular attraction.
         Steamtown lost out on what was
its most popular tourist run when the
railroad owning the line that runs over
the Nicholson Viaduct refused to allow
excursions.
          There are also complications
involving freight trains, that literally
own the rails, and tracks here and
there that have been ripped out over
the years. That's just one of the
problems holding up the proposed
restoration of passenger rail service
from New York to Scranton.
             Having seen what I've just
seen I'm convinced somebody should
ffnd a way to bring Thomas to the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.
              There's money to be made
and fun to be had. I know. I saw a lot
of people spending it Saturday and
everybody, me included, was having
a lot of fun!  
               Hope we'll hear "All Aboard"
a little more often and that all your
NEWS is good!

TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE!

     SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH., 2019
             TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE!

   I was minding my own business watching
the Wyoming Area/Pittston Football game
when my wife called the next play.
   We're going to be hosting a tour for
Travelworld in just over a week and she
wanted to get a head start on packing.
    I'd handle packing myself but my wife
believes two suitcases are better than six
and prefers knowing where everything is.
She has also nixed my alternative plan of
wearing the same two sets of clothes for
an entire week.
      I expected her call would require me
to try on the few sets of slacks she had
selected for the trip. But that's not what I
found!
      She had pulled every pair I own from
the closet and that included a large box
filled with some from an earlier time in my
life. My assignment.....try them all!
       I believe an entire quarter of the game
passed as I modeled all those slacks and
jeans. Jeans, by the way,  are known to
shrink after washing. Ironically several of
mine somehow shrunk just sitting there in
the closet!
        I should have guessed what I was
facing when her call to me included the
words "I know you hate to do this."
        I have had so many weight changes,
up and down, over the years that I hate
to have anything thrown out for fear I'll
have to buy something new and use one of
those  department store dressing rooms to
"try something on for size." 
         I completed the task but warned my
wife the penalty for this football interference
would be her inclusion in my daily blog!
So there!
        Hope she picks three good pair and
that all your NEWS is good!

GOOD OLD FRANKY!

    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27TH., 2019

              GOOD OLD FRANKY!

    Welcome to "Frankenstein Friday!"

One of several separate "holidays"

dedicated to the famous Frankenstein

monster! "

      August 30th is Frankenstein Day,

so named for the birthday of Mary

Shelley who wrote the horror story in

1818. At least there's some logic to

that date.

      There's also National Frankenstein

Day which is observed on October 29th.

       Frankenstein Friday doesn't have

any connection to Mary's novel.

    Apparently somebody connected with

Frankenberry Cereal came up with this

special day.

      And, when you stop to think about it,

it was the scientist who was named

Frankenstein. The monster never did have

a name other than...."The Frankenstein Monster."

    You'd think Mary could have named the

guy!
     I had the change, just before my teens,
to appear on stage eith the big guy (or at
least the guy playing him at the time) on
stage at the Capitol Theater in Hazleton.
My Dad was the Chief Projectionist and the
Manager asked me to go out on stage let
the monster grab me, then make my legs
look like I was trying to run while he held
me tight. Having seen all the Frankenstein
movies, I ran....from the offer!  

    Anyway you've got three separate days in

which to "celebrate" Frankie! Hope you'll

take advantage of one of them and that

all your NEWS is good.

LET ME POINT THIS OUT.

    THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24TH., 2019
             LET ME POINT THIS OUT.

    Fortunately the cut I sustained on my trigger
finger last week was not near as bad as first
suspected. What I thought was a long slash
was actually a small cut. More like a tiny hole.
    That was great because it was rather
embarrassing to sign off my weekly TV show
by pointing at the camera with a white
band aid wrap that covered the digit!
     I now sport a "normal size" regular band
aid just behind the finger nail and at the start
of the first joint.
      I figured that would make everything
fine till I wouldn't need one at all. Wrong!!!!
      I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up a
prescription for my wife. Using my credit
card required me to "sign" a computer-like
screen.
       But there was no stylus! You sign, it
seems, with your finger!
           "Pointer" seemed the obvious choice
but I'm not sure the signature they got from
that bandaged finger tip would hold up in
any court!
           They say you can't make out famous
people's signatures so, at least, I felt like a
star!
              Then it was o to the Post Office
to mail a package to a friend.
              I paid cash there so no signature
on their computer was necessary. However,
I was  required to "tap" the screen to assure
the address was correct and to assure them
I wasn't sending a bomb or any such thing.
              Again my bandaged pointer went
to work and hit the correct blocks on the
computer screen. Well, the second time
anyway!
                I tried to write a note to my
friend as well. But the pen just didn't feel
right partly cradled by that finger.
                I typed the note instead using,
"Middle" as I am with this blog! That should
prove there are actually several uses for that
finger!
                 Hope I don't have to sign any
checks this week and that all your NEWS
is good!  
                                           

JOHNNY CARSON AND ME!

     WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD., 2019
           JOHNNY CARSON AND ME!

      This is "TV Talk Show Host Day!"
      It's always observed on Johnny
Carson's Birthday. Some of you may
remember him hosting a Talk Show on
NBC a few years back! Guess he did
pretty well!
      While most of my 60-year broadcast
career was spent as a reporter I began
hosting and producing a Talk Show for
Electric City Television not long after
I left the news beat.
       My show is a bit different than the
ones that followed in Johnny Carson's
footsteps!
         I concentrate on promoting
upcoming public events or public
service agencies that offer help to
the community.
          I don't offer a lot of comedy
although I suspect my description
of the big band aid on my finger
last week as being the result of a
"Boo boo" may have prompted a
smile or two.
          Those big network shows
are very scripted. Mine is a lot
more ad lib. Like dealing with
the fire alarm that sounded 5 minutes
into our recording session this week!
           I'm glad we didn't have to
evacuate! Our mic and camera cords
won't stretch out into the street!
           Anyhow I am, in my own
very small way, a part of that unique
group entitles to observe TV Talk Show
Host Day.
           Maybe I should find an announcer
to open my show with..."And now,
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeer's David!"
             Hope you'll watch mine
sometime and that all your NEWS
is good!
 

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY!

    TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND., 2019
            GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

     Our two oldest granddaughters had a short
break from their college classes this week and
it was such a pleasure to have them spend some
of that time with my wife and I.
      Somewhere along the line though someone
suggested we should play a game.
      Now let me be clear about this."Games" I
recognize would include baseball and football
both of which I now enjoy watching others play.
       Board games are stored away in the room
where my wife hides away to do those puzzles
that drive me crazy. But all the grandkids know
where and what they are.
       Thankfully, I was not asked to play a card
game. I haven't yet met a card game I enjoy.
       The women's choice was Password.
       You're given a little card with a word
showing and you've got to get your partner
to say that word by offering one word hints.
       I think I'm a pretty good hint giver. But
my ability to come up with the "password"
while I'm on the receiving end was hampered
by a number of problems.
       First, of course, is my poor hearing which
made it difficult to recognize the hint word my
partner was offering.
       I tried using mental telepathy in the hope
I'd pick up the correct password that way. But
we didn't seem to be on the same wave length.
       Short term memory loss also seemed to be
a problem as I offered the same guess a number
of times.
        But, even with those problems, my
partner and I managed to pull out a win by a couple
points. I'm not certain I contributed to the victory
all that much.
        The girls will be back home again near
Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll get a football out!
         Hope all your information is positive.
         {Those are passwords for hope all your
NEWS is good!

LIKE A BROOK!

   MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST., 2019
                 LIKE A BROOK!

   My wife would likely tell you this
unusual "holiday" was made for me. Or
I for it!
    According to holidayinsights.com
October 21st is "Babbling Day!"
      It's a day for those who talk
gibberish. And go on and on! It is not
a day to sit back and be quiet!
     I have taken babbling to new
heights. I make up stories and even
silly songs all the time. And almost
always when no one has asked for
them.
      Hating to waste my breath I
have even turned yawns into
words. Sort of. They're not exactly
real words. But I think they do
quality as gibberish. I've even got
a term for it. I call it Yawnatalk!
       I honestly believed my
babbling was among the best.
Then I saw several political
commercials on television
this week.
       I'm still a amateur!
       Hope you'll talk the day
away and that all your NEWS
is good.
   
   

DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

        SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH., 2019
               DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

      My wife and I had a lot of options
Saturday. A look out the window early in
the morning offered our first.
       The fog and frost offered the option
of staying in bed or  "looking on the bright
side" and getting up.
        We choose getting up.
         I then faced the option of beginning
work on a video editing project I need to
get done or shooting some new video of
my grandkids in a Halloween Parade.
         I picked the kids. (Of course!)
         By the time their march was over
the sun was shining.. But our outside
thermometer read about 55 degrees.
          My wife and I both knew we'd
enjoy a ride. But that left us the option
of going in her sedan or putting the
top down in the Miata.
            We choose the Miata so we
pulled our a couple sweaters and heavy
jackets and enjoyed our cruise in the
sunshine.
             We made our way to a church
rummage and bake sale near Hazleton
where we faced another major decision!
             Their baked goods area offered
a great selection including apple
dumplings and bread pudding.
              A lot of people wouldn't even
have bothered with a decision. A lot of
people would have just bought both
treats. So that's what we did !
              Hope we can decide which to
eat first and that all your NEWS is
good!

WINTER READY!

   SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH., 2019
                  WINTER READY!

       It's gotten colder over the past few
days. Hints of things to come. But
we're ready! Boy are we ready!
       The plastic sheets now cover the
screens on our front porch. There's
even a little fireplace-like electric
heater to make the space usable on
cold but not freezing days when the
sun still creates a greenhouse effect
there.
        And in the corner, a small
electric snow blower awaiting its call
to action.
        My wife acquired the snow
blower at our favorite auction this
week. She did so while I was eyeing
up some other potential treasures in
another room so I was a bit surprised
when she pointed it out and told me
to load it in our SUV.
          I unloaded it and a few other
purchases when we got home and
the next thing I knew my wife was
making a space for the blower on
the porch.
           She told me it would be
easier to grab it there rather than
trying to reach the shed when the
snow shows up.
            I told her I thought it was
a good idea then asked "what about
the other one?"
           "What other one" she asked?
           I was referring to the other
small electric snow blower we bought
at a flea market a couple months ago.
            Seems she complete forgot
about that bargain!
            Always ready to make the
best of things she suggested we now
had a "his" and "her's" set so we both
had one to use.
             I prefer to think we have a
second one she can use when the
firsts runs out of electricity!
              Oh! They don't work that
way?
              Hope she doesn't know that,
and that all your NEWS is good!

THE FUNNIES!

    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH., 2019
                 THE FUNNIES!

      October 18th is "Newspaper Comic
Strip Appreciation Day."
       A lot of people don't get the daily
paper everyday and they're missing a
lot more than local news! They're
missing the funnies!
        I was a devoted reader of the
comic strips back in the day.
        Comics like Blondie, Donald
Duck, The Little King, Ally Opp,
Superman, and the Phantom got me
more into reading that any course
in Literature I ever took in school.
         That could account for my
writings these days.
         Sunday papers were especially
appreciated with at least one full
page of color comics.
           I must admit I'm a bit bias
on the subject since I actually
appeared in the comics!
            I, and my colleagues on
a committee to restore the Joe
Palooka Monument along Route
309, found ourselves included in
that character's comic strip back
in the 1970's.
           We were pictured as judges
in a beauty contest since that was
the subject of the strip's storyline
at the time.
            It's one of my favorite
claims to fame although many
people were not surprised to
find me in the "funnies."  There
are those that think the comic
strip is a perfect place for me!
           Many of my old favorite
comic strips, including Joe Palooka,
and gone now although a few, like
Blondie and the Phantom have
survived.
           They're still fun and, in
many cases, better reading than
the news headlines!
           Hope you enjoy them too
and that all your NEWS is good!

DERAILED!

   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17TH., 2019
                      DERAILED!

     Somebody here is on the wrong track!
     I don't get involved in political
controversy so I'll let you decide who's
engineering this wreck.
     According to news reports the
railroad that's been oaring scenic
excursions in Jim Thorpe for some 15
years is pulling out! In fact it's already
offering refunds to prospective riders
who booked the annual Santa Train ride!
       The problem, it seems, is an
amusement tax. But I don't find the
issue very amusing.
        The borough o Jim Thorpe has
filed a lawsuit against the Lehigh
Gorge Scenic Railroad seeking to
recover what it claims is over
$100,000 in back taxes!
           Personally, I wondering
how much the community stands
to lose if it wins the lawsuit but loses
the railroad!
           I, and members of my family,
have been pleased to be among the
million or so riders that have boarded
that train in the past 10 years. If we're
any example our financial contribution
to the borough didn't end with the
our purchase of our tickets.
          Parking fees alone must have
paid for somebody's salary. And there's
almost always been a dinner. Often
some downtown shopping as well.
          My personal disappointment
in this issue goes well beyond the
controversy.
           I used to ride a train into and
out of  Jim Thorpe long before
passenger service was limited to a
scenic ride. The station that has been
serving tourists was my boarding
platform to New York City!
             Unless there's a last minute
change in schedule "The Last Train
To Clarksville"....I mean Jim Thorpe,
runs on Sunday, November 24th.
             Hope someone heads off
this derailment and that all your
NEWS is good!

     

GUN VIOLENCE!

   WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH., 2019
                  GUN VIOLENCE!

     This is a serious topic everywhere these
days and I guess it's my turn to comment.
      You could say I became the latest victim
the other evening!
       Now don't panic! I have not been shot
or even threatened. Here's the story.
        I recently acquired an antique pistol
at a local auction. It's a 1909 Savage. The
gun that came in second to the Colt 45
during the military's 1907 trials to come
up with a new army pistol.
        I fired the gun at an unofficial range
not far from my hole and was delighted
at how well something that old worked.
        There was one problem. The "slide"
which must be pulled to get the gun ready
to fire was extremely hard to pull! I
managed to get it but not until after many
tries!
         When I saw YouTube videos of
similar guns it became clear their slides
were much easier to pull then mine.
           I figured a visit to a nearby
gunsmith was in order to clean and
lubricate my new antique.
           Being a responsible owner I
wanted to make doubly sure the chamber
was empty before I took it to the shop.
           Of course to do that I had to pull
the slide back again. I had it just back
far enough to see the clear chamber when
it slipped and sliced my pointer finger!
             I learned an important lesson.
             Guns don't cut people! People
who aren't strong enough to hold the
slide open cut people!
             So the gun's in the shop and
the finger's in a bandage. My "trigger
finger" by the way!
             I do expect complete recovery
in a couple days.
              Back in the day the famous
lawman Bat Matheson promoted this
gun in advertisements lauding its
ease of operation. Guess they made
stronger men and easier slides back
then!
              Hope I'm back on the range
soon (with gloves) and that all of
your NEWS is good.
             
       

BET WE ALL KNOW ONE!

  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH., 2019
   BET YOU KNOW ONE OR TWO!
   

    It's October 15th. A day set aside
to honor......well maybe not honor,
but at least take note of an individual
or individuals we all know and.........
well......we all know.
   This is National Grouch Day!
   Judging from the posts I see on
Facebook every day a lot of people
will be celebrating!
    A Grouch's mission in life is to be
as miserable and grouchy as possible,
and pass that feeling on to everyone else!
     I'm not sure if the trait has to be learned
or just comes natural to some folks. I do
know a few people who seem to work very
hard to maintain their "Grouch status!"

     I know one who works at a convenience

store close to my house. I have stopped

asking how she's doing. Her gloom and

doom answers are not only grouchy,

they hold up the line!  

     According to one website the day was
created for and inspired by Alan Miller, a
retired teacher and chairman of the board
of NAG, (National Association of Grouches).

I was unaware this organization actually

existed. But, since it does, some of those

Facebook posters I mentioned, as well as

that clerk, might want to apply for membership!
     I don't know how we're suppose
to celebrate this day. Maybe we just
congratulate the grouches we know?
    Of course you'll want to be careful if
one happens to be your boss!
     Hope no one congratulates you....and
that all your NEWS is good!

 

ERIKSON OHIO?

     MONDAY, OCTOBER 14TH., 2019
               ERIKSON OHIO?

     Back in "my day," before Political
correctness, Columbus Day always
fell on October 12th.
    It's a national holiday in many countries
in the Americas and elsewhere which
officially celebrates the anniversary of
Christopher Columbus's arrival in the
Americas on October 12, 1492.
    It's been celebrated unofficially since
the late 18th century and officially in
various countries since the early 20th century.
    Somewhere along the line we, the U.S.,
moved it to the Monday closest to the 12th.,
which is generally OK since it gives many
people a three-day weekend.
    But whenever the date it was always
dedicated to Christopher Columbus.
     Up till now that is!
     October 12th is also listed as Leif
Erikson Day. I'm not sure if that falls
under the Monday holiday law though.
     Many claim Erikson came to
the shores of America long before
Columbus. He just never bothered to
tell anybody about it.
       Had he been more publicity
conscious it might be Erikson, rather
than Columbus, Ohio!
       But given the likelihood that
either guy found people here when
they came ashore the date is also
listed as "Native American Day!"
        For years they were called
Indians because that's where
Columbus thought he was, India, when
he "discovered" America.
        I have no idea who the first
native American was who showed
up or where he or she came from.
        Personally, I'm sticking with
Chris. We're both Italian!
         Hope you're celebrating
something and that all your NEWS is
good!

I KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN!

   SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13TH., 2019
  I KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN!

   My wife and I went to a Drive In Theater
Saturday night! But we didn't see a movie!
    The Circle Drive In at Dickson City was
showing the Penn State-Iowa football game.
     The same game was available in my
living room on WNEP TV. But my living
room TV screen is 30 some inches wide.
The Drive In screen is bigger than the side
of a barn! Plus, the Drive In sells popcorn!
      I enjoyed seeing all the Penn State fans
who showed up and held their own tail gate
parties.
      I probably don't know half as much
about the game or the players as most of
those tailgaters. But if they listened to me
I could have told them exactly what was
about to happen!
      You see the audio for the game was
being transmitted through an FM radio
system. As you entered you were told to
tune your radio to 89.3FM.
       But when I set my car radio to that
frequency all I got was static! Everybody
else seemed to be getting the play by play.
But not me!
       In order to save the day, or in this case
the night, I tuned in to WILK radio which
was also carrying the game.
       In just about a minute I realized that
the action on the screen was about 2 to 3
seconds behind the description I was
hearing on the radio.
        By the time the tailgaters saw a
player tackled I already knew he was
down. I started my cheer for Penn State's
scores a full three seconds ahead of all
the others!
        If only I had played some bets!!!!!
        Hope they all got "caught up" and
that all their, and your, NEWS is good!

A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

   SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH., 2019
           A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

   Friday's sunny skies prompted my wife
and I to put the top down in the Miata and
head for parts unknown. A little more
"unknown" than we had planned as it
happens.
    We enjoy traveling the back roads. A
lot less traffic and scenery most people
miss.
     On Friday we took that plan to a new
level.
      We turned off of our selected back
road just to cross a small bridge over a
stream leading to a nearby river.
       The leaves were nearing their peak
fall colors so we didn't mind the dirt road
we had chosen. That small road
took us to a beautiful spot in the deep
woods where we found autumn in full
swing.
        We also saw another sign listing
the weight limit for still another bridge
down another dirt lane. It looked
interesting so we took it.
         That may not have been the
best decision!
         On this particular road the
potholes were filled with potholes!
With a ground clearance slightly
higher than my shoes I was forced
to drive slower that most snails can
crawl!
         I'm not sure how far I was from
that second bridge and the further we
drove the more we wondered if it
actually existed!
         We eventually pulled my
GPS unit from the glove compartment
just to make sure the road we were
on was really there too! Thankfully,
it was.
         Eventually we reached the second
bridge which was surrounded by
property on both sides of the stream
marked with Private Property and
No Trespassing signs. I suppose that
proved we were back in civilization!
          Got some nice pictures anyway!
          Hope all your roads lead home
and that all your NEWS is good!

     

THE EGG AND I

    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11TH., 2019
                THE EGG AND I

     October 11th is "World Egg Day."
     I like eggs but admit I don't have them
very often.
     When I do have them I like them fried
"over easy." But that style doesn't seem very
"easy" to cook! The yoke is usually hard
or the white is very runny.
      I'd fry my own but my history along
those lines is not very impressive.
      I find it difficult to break at egg
without finding tiny pieces of the shell
in the white. They do not add to the
favor.
      I haven't done too badly with scrambled
eggs and an occasional "crunch" in that mix
is hardly noticeable
     Which brings me to the subject of hard
boiled eggs. They're pretty good if you're
able to peel all the shell off and add a
sprinkle of salt. One caution. Be sure you've
selected the hard boiled eggs from the fridge
before you break them open.
      Smashing a raw one on your plate or
the counter can leave you with egg on your
face! And your fingers and hands and the
floor and....well you get the picture.
        Eggs are good for you. They're a good
source of protein and contain choline which
is essential for memory and brain development!
Maybe I'd better have a few more omelets!
        Hope you'll celebrate but remember,
don't put all your eggs in one basket, especially
if they're "over easy!"
         Hope all your NEWS is good!

HOLDING THE BAG!

   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10TH., 2019
              HOLDING THE BAG!

     I've sometimes been accused of not
knowing what I'm talking about. Today I
intend to prove it!
     This is "National Handbag Day."
     I don't usually carry a handbag. A
wallet is more my thing. But I have, on
occasion, been asked to hold my wife's
purse or to move it from one spot to
another. Men sometimes do this but
always at great risk!
       I don't know if my wife's is typical
of most handbags or purses. I do know it's
heavy! I guess it has to be. She seems
to have everything anyone would need
for survival! She frequently uses a
fold away scissors to open packages
for others or in concert with her
portable sewing kit used to make
"repairs" on the run.
      I know there's a small flashlight
attached and I believe there's an
energy bar in there as well.
      I'm reminded of a 1964 rock
song by Paul Peterson called "She
Can't find Her Keys."
      His girl in the melody finds
everything from a monkey wrench
to a garbage can, "but she can't find
her keys."
       I will admit that, while the
contents of her bag are not totally
known, she seems to know where
everything is!
        And I can't say the same for
my wallet!
        I know there have to be a
million or so types of bags or
purses. Women even go to special
Bingo games trying to win one!
         So let's hear it for the bag,
or purse. The women's version of
a tool chest!
         Hope I don't get left holding
the bag on this one and that all your
NEWS is good!

 

YOU CAN'T GET THERE ROM HERE!

    WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH., 2019
  YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE!

    One of my wife's many medical team
members set aside some sample medication
for her to take.
     On Monday we stopped by to pick it up
only to find the office closed and locked.
We figured they were closed on Mondays
so made a note to come by again on Tuesday.
     That Tuesday stop became my job as my
wife was busy at home.
     Once again I came by and found the
office closed. Here's where being a "trained
observer" comes in handy.
      Since it was only 2:30 I thought it
unlikely they'd close up that early. Then I
noticed one of those unusually large locks
on the door. The kind a realtor hangs out
for a prospective buyer or renter! This
place, I figured, was empty!
       I called my wife who, in turn called
the office and found, sure enough, they
had moved.
       Of course no one had bothered to
mention that to my wife during her last
appointment or on any of the two calls
she made to arrange to pick up the
medication!
        They gave my wife their new address
which she passed along to me.
        They were careful to note they were
"in suite B." My wife told me that was
"B" like in butter.
         Except when I arrived the only
signs on the building refereed to
"Suites 1 or 2." Letter were not among
the choices.
         Believing the receptionist had
converted the number 2 to a letter B
I tried that office.
         It worked!
         Hope I can find it again next time
and that all your NEWS is good!

THE PRIDE OF POLAND!

  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH., 2019
THE PRIDE OF POLAND!

It's October 8th and that means it's
National Pierogi Day
Just in case there's anybody out
there that doesn't know the about
pierogies they are a sort of Polish
dumpling. They're made with unleavened
dough, boiled and baked then fried in
butter. They're usually filled with ingredients
such as potatoes and cheese.
Pierogies were originally considered
peasant food but eventually became
accepted by all classes. More than that
you don't have to be Polish to enjoy them.
Just ask me. I'm Italian!
Our area might well be considered
the Pierogi Capital of the nation!
Ted Twardzik decided to uses his
mom's receipt to make and sell pierogies!
Mrs T's Pierogies in Shenandoah is now
the largest supplier of them in the country.
I toured the plant several times
while on the news beat. I was so impressed
with the sophisticated equipment set up in
this small town factory!
There was one section , however, that
was closed to visitors. Sealed off with a sort
of huge blanket. The story was it was an
area containing proprietary equipment.
I still believe it hides a group of little
old Polish ladies forming and stuffing the
dumplings!
Whether you make your own or
use store bought, I hope you'll enjoy some
pierogies today anad that all your NEWS
is good!