CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

 FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

   Welcome to March my friends. And

this first week of March is also

"Hearing Awareness Week!" Millions

of people around the world suffer

from hearing loss problems! In

Australia 1 out of every 6 people

has a hearing problem. In my house

it's one out of two. And I'm the one!

Toi compound the problem, my wife

speaks softly. The phrase most often

uttered here, by me, is..."What!?"

I purchased some inexpensive

hearing aids a year or two ago. The

best ones are super expensive so I

went the cheap route. And mine are

worth every penny! They bring up

the background sounds. So if I'm

in church trying to listen to the

pastor I hear the motor noise of the

fan just above me at about the same

level as he's coming in! When I first

got my hearing aids they actually

impeded my hearing! The little

rubber tip got stuck in my ear

and I heard less than usual. Fortunately

that happened on a day my wife was

telling me what she wanted me to do

so I never heard the instructions! I

cam up with a solution! I told my

wife to write down what she's saying.

Sort of like having Closed Caption on

your television show. Here's a copy

of her first note........"YOU ARE A

NUT."  Maybe I can try turning up

the volume on my hearing aids?!

Hope you "hear" what I'm saying

and that all your NEWS is good! 

  

OUR EXTRA DAY!

   THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024

               OUR EXTRA DAY!

    Well it's February 29th my friends. Leap

Year Day. A day that only comes around once

every four years. Hence, there are a couple

unofficial :holidays" that also show  up once

every four years. February 29th is "International

Underlings Day." Most of us are underlings to

someone else (our bosses). So today is a day to

appreciate all those underlings who do most of

the work! It's also "National Time Refund Day."

That's a day when we're given an extra 24 hours

during which we're not expected to do anything!

Our "refund of time!" That's a day most of us

should be able to celebrate by doing nothing.

It my case this "holiday" is not limited to

February 29th!

Hope all your NEWS

is good!   

A FEW ZZZs!

   WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

                   A FEW ZZZs!

   Fir those of you who don't already know,

February 28th is "National Sleeping Day!"

No. That is not a mis print. It's not Public

Speaking Day. It's Public Sleeping Day.

It dates back to 1817 and Robert Owens,

a social reformer who was fighting for

the 8-hour work day so that laborers

could get enough sleep each day. When

you stop to think about t most of us have

done some "public sleeping." Certainly

on an airplane, train, or bus. Maybe

even in church on occasion! I know I

celebrated a few times during my years

in school. And there's no time like the 

present to begin your observance of this

unique "holiday." So where ever you may

be (except behind the wheel) go ahead

and enjoy a quick cap nap and celebrate.

Hope you do and that all your NEWS

is good!

GIVE IT A REST!

     TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024

                GIVE IT A REST!                     

   February 27th marks one of those unusual

"holidays" that should be extremely easy to

observe! This is "No Brainer Day!" A day when

you should just do whatever is easy and simple.

If the task involves thinking.....let it go! 

The day is the brainstorm of Adrienne Sioux

Koopersmith, identified by Insight magazine

as America's Premier Eventologist!" My wife

suggests this is a day perfectly suited to my

talents and abilities. I'm not sure if that's a

compliment or not! Hope you're well and

that all of your NEWS is good!

 

NUTS!

        MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 2024

                   NUTS!

   The title of this essay has nothing to do

with my mental status, although many might

question that conclusion. I selected it to make

you aware February 26th is "National Pistachio

Day!" Pistachios are native to the middle east

although many are grown in California these 

days. If you're thinking about growing your

own don't plan on a quick harvest. The tress

take between 7 and 10 years to mature. The nuts

are harvested in September. A machine is used to

shake the trees and make the nuts fall to the ground.

Their open hull is unique. The nut is ripe when the

shell splits open. No one is quite sure why this

date of observed in February because this month

seems to have nothing to do with the trees, harvest

time, or the nuts themselves. Still it's a nice

reminder that Pistachios are available and provide

a very tasty snack just about any time of the year.

Hope you'll enjoy some and that all your NEWS

is good!

AWFULLY FOND OF YOU!

    

      SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH., 2024
          I'M AWFULLY FOND OF YOU!

    It's February 25th everybody.
    Just so you're all aware today is
"Rubber Ducky Day!"
    It was on this date in 1970 that Sesame.
Street's Muppet character "Ernie" (voiced
by Jim Henson) first sang the tune
dedicated to his favorite bath time toy!
    It was so popular they recorded a
45rpm record which actually hit number.
16 on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 Hits!
    I happen to be the proud owner of a
Rubber Ducky. In fact I may even have
two! My 8-year-old grandson has
discovered one of those Crane machines.
where a dollar lets you play until you
win. And the prize bin is filled with, you.
guessed it, Rubber Duckies! He's given.
me a couple of his prizes!
      I must admit, since he's the one who.
gifted me, I'm awfully fond of my
Rubber Duckies!
      I think I'll put them in a place of
honor today. Right in front of me on the
table while I eat a couple eggs!
      I just love these special days! Hope
you do too and that all your NEWS is
good!


 

TORTILLA CHIP DAY!

      SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 24, 2024

          TORTILLA CHIP DAY!

    February 24th is National; Tortilla Chip

Day! Wasn't all that long ago few people

in the U.S. had ever heard of a tortilla chip.

But that changed over the past 10 to 20 years

and these chips, coupled with salsa. have

become a very popular snack! They came

from Mexico and were introduced in the

United States by a businessman named

Elmer Doolin. Personally, I think they're

kind of corny! But enjoy them if you will

and may all your NEWS be good. 

'TWAS A BIG DAY!!!!

    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2024

      'TWAS A BIG DAY!

      It's not a holiday. Only another date

in our shortest month. But don't write off

February 23rd. It's got some great history!

It's the day, in 1455 when Gutenberg put

the Bible into print for the first time. 

In 1792 the Massachusetts Humane

Society was formed. Not an organization to

protect animals but, rather, an organization

to offer help to seamen in distress! It evolved

into the United States Coast Guard! In 1836

Charles Hill came up with a was to manufacture

a new medal. Aluminum! In 1873 the game of

Lawn Tennis received a patent. 1940 saw the

release of the Walt Disney movie Pinocchio.

In 1945 on February 23rd., the U.S. Marines

raised the flag on Mount Suribachi during the

battle of Iwo Jima!  In 1954 children at a school

in Pittsburgh became the first group to receive

the Salk Polio vaccine. And let's not forget

what happened on February 23rd of 1895. That's

the day Leo Hirshfield introduced America to

the Tootsie Roll! Seems February 23rd was a

very big day, historically. You've just got to

take a look back! Hope you do from time to

time and that all your NEWS is good! 

JUST SOME THOUGHTS!

          THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

                JUST AOMWE THOUGHTS! 

  OK! It's a great day to celebrate! And you know
why. Right?
  Washington's Birthday? Well, yes, that's one
good reason. It is, after all, the actual birthday
of the father of our country.
   The Feds decided to move it so we'd all have
a three day weekend every February.
    But Washington's birthday is only one of
the so-called "holidays" we're noting this
February 22nd!
    This is also World Thinking Day, National
Margarita Day, Open That Bottle Day, and
International Tongue Twister Day!
    If George saw the competition perhaps he
wouldn't mind having his birthday moved!
    And, as they say on television, "But wait!
There's more!"
    Even though the chain is long since gone
February 22nd is also Woolworth's Day.
    Maybe we can combine these festive
occasions!
    If we think about it, we can open a bottle,
make a Margarita, and come up with a tongue
twister while toasting Woolworths!
    It's probably just as well we forget the day's
other "holiday." By the way, there's more

great "holidays" soon to come!
    The last Saturday in February is 
"International Sword Swallowers Day!"
    Frankly I think the whole list is a little
hard to swallow. But they're all noted on
brownielicks.com list of Strange Holidays!
    Hope you'll find a good reason to celebrate
and that all your NEWS is good!
  

TAKE CARE OF YOUR PET!

    WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

         TAKE CARE OF YOUR PET!

   For those who don't already know February

is "Responsible Pet Owners Month." When

I picked up our grandson Anthony on

Tuesday I found him walking his dog Cruiser.

Earlier he had walked his other dog Rocco.

That's being a responsible pet owner. My

wife keeps fish. She feeds them each

morning first thing. That's a responsible

pet owner. I don't have any pet myself

so I suggested to Anthony that I set a trap

in the backyard and capture a pet so I

too could be a responsible pert owner.

Then Anthony reminded me I was using

a skunk trap. That's when I suggested

I might be able to turn a skunk into a

pet. Anthony said "That idea stinks!"\

I suppose he could be right so I'll just

enjoy his dogs and my wife's fish. Hope

you're a responsible pet owner and that

all your NEWS is good!

GET OUT THERE AND YELL!!!!

 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024

GET OUT THERE AND YELL!!!!

      

The groundhog predicted an early

Spring and today's the day we can 

help his prediction come true! It hasn't been

a terrible winter. But why take

any chances?
     February 20th is "Northern Hemisphere
Hoodie Hoo Day!"
     The creators, at Wellcat.com, encourage
everyone to go outside at Noon today, wave
your hands over your heads, and chant
"Hoodie Hoo!"
      The whole idea is to chase away any
winter blues and bring in Spring.
       I'm not sure if there's any data to
measure the effect of these actions but,
perhaps, it's worth a try.
       Since this truly is a little know
"holiday" you might want to pick a quiet
area away from others to participate. I'd
hate to see any body hauled away for
disorderly conduct just for trying to
do something about the weather.
        Hope it works and that all your

NEWS is good!

HOW MANY STAMPS?

      MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2024

           HOW MANY STAMPS?

           

   Seems there's been a lot of controversy

lately about the operations of the U.S.

Postal service! Complaints that mail is

taking too long to go through. The rates

have certainly gone up! I'm old enough to

remember the two penny post card. These days

out stamps don't even carry their monetary

denomination because it changes so often!

Still some hold that the post office has

always been the most cost effective way\

to send mail. That was certainly the case

on this date in 1914. That's the day 4-year-

old Charlotte May Pierstorff was mailed

73 miles from her parents to her grandparents!

Seems if you were under the 50 pound weight

limit that was the cheapest way to travel!

Wonder how many stamps the kid needed?

We get other people's mail from time to time

and I was beginning to get worried somebody

else's kid would show up at our mailbox! 

Seems I have nothing to worry about. The

Postmaster changed the rules not long after

Charlotte got shipped and kids can no longer

be mailed! Hope your "regular mail" is coming 

through OK and that all your NEWS is good!

WHINING AWAY THE DAY!

         SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

         WHINING AWAY THE DAY!   

   This is "National Drink Wine Day."

As if I needed an excuse! It was the

Greeks who called wine the "nectar of

the Gods."  It simply means that it tastes

ver good! But I already knew that! Wine

can be a confusing subject. There are so

many varities. There's also sweet and

'dry' wines. How can a liquid be "dry/'

I prefer the sweet wines. They're made from

grapes and other fruits and we all know fruits

are good for us. Experts tell us some wines

can help us improve our health and live longer

lives.! I'm all for that too! Jesus' first miracle

was to turn water into wine. I've already got

the wine so I won't need the water. I do,

sometimes, need a miracle...getting the

cork out of the bottle!! Here's a toast to you

on this Drink wine Day! Hope you're well

and that all your NEWS is good! 

MY WAY!

  

       SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024

                    MY WAY!

     Fall in everybody! February 17th is
"My Way Day!" Yep. My way or the
highway.
     It's not just because I said so, it's
one of those unofficial holidays I like
to tell you  about.
      There's almost no information
about who came up with the idea. It's
thought to have been created and
shared via social media by someone
who felt it was time to make a loud
pubic cry about all the nonsense that's
forced upon us daily.
        When I first read it I was convinced
it was my day and I really didn't have
any big ideas. Then I figured the
creator of the day meant it for all of
us. So, in a sense, it's "Your Way or
the highway today.
       The idea is simple.  You're
encouraged to do whatever you want,
however you want.
        So go to it people. Be like Frank
Sinatra and do it your way today! Hope
it works....my wife told me I had to take

out the garbage.... so........I did it her way!

         Hope all your NEWS is good!

THIS ONE'S FOR THE BIRDS!

   FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

   THIS ONE'S FOR THE BIRDS!

   It's February 16th and today begins

the great "Backyard Bird Count!" People

around the world are being enouraged

to go outside over the next few days

and do some bird watching. They'll

be trying to identify birds and, of course,

count them as well. Scientists use the

information gathered to study the 

migration habits and health of our

fine feathered friends. I've been trying

to get a head start on this three day project

but thus far the only bird I've spotted is

the Turkey decoy my wife set up in

the back yard a couple years ago.

I'm not sure if that counts but I'll

report it just in case! Have fun

counting birds. Hope you find a few

and that all your NEWS is good!    

REMEMBERING SUSAN!

     THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

         REMEMBERING SUSAN

   February 15th is "Susan B. Anthony Day!"

She was born on this date in 1820. She was

a strong advocate for Women's rights, especially

the right for women to be allowed to vote.

Susan spent 40 years lobbying for those rights

and, though it took a long time, most of what

she found for came to pass. Keep the image

of Susan B. Anthony in your mind...and her

silver dollar in your pocket! Hope you've got

a few and that all your NEWS is good!

CUPID'S ARROW GOT THE AX!

     WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14th, 2024

      CUPID'S ARROW GOT THE AX!

  It's February 14th! It's Valentine's Day/

A day when we present our loved one with

candy or flowers or, perhaps, both. The day

brings back many memories for me, from \

my grade school days. I remember filling

out names on those paper valentines for

everyone in my class then passing then

around. I, in turn, ended up with valentines

from everyone in the class. Then there were

those tiny candy hearts with the inscriptions.

"Be my love ." You are my Valentine.:"I

always wondered how they got all those

words on those small candy hearts? Well

have your valentines ready but be sure

your're giving them to the right recipient!

Saint Valentine, for whom the day was named,

was doing his best to get Roman men to marry

their sweethearts at a time the Emperor wanted

them to enlist in the army. Valentine lost his

head, not his heart, because of his romantic

ideals! Just so you know! Hope you're well

and that all your NEWS is good.

TURN YOUR RADIO ON!

     TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 2024

           TURN YOUR RADIO ON!

   This is World Radio Day! So proclaimed by

the United Nations in 2011. It recognizes the

ability of radio to reach people all over the

world, even in places unreachable by other

media. I started my long broadcasting career in

radio in 1959. But back then radio was very local.

The first station I worked for broadcast the local

mine working schedules and even area birth

announcements. The DJ's were all local talking

around local events and local people. These

days most DJ's come into your home via

satellite broadcasting from a studio somewhere

far away. I have found one station that's not

only local but pretty darn dependable/ It's the

Weather radio station that gives me the forecast

24/7.  Glad there's still one "local" station left

on my dial! Hope you tune in from time to time

and that all your NEWS is good!

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!

      MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024

      A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!   

      February 12th is "National Lost

Penny Day!" It was created by Adrienne
Sioux Coopersmith in 1995.
        They may be a tie to the fact it's
Abraham Lincoln's birthday and it's
Lincoln's head that adorns the penny.
         Of course Honest Abe wasn't
always there. Ben Franklin designed
the first penny in 1787 and Lincoln
wasn't born until 1809!
         It's easy to lose a penny. Since
they're the least valued of our coins
they're often tossed aside. Who wants
to have a pocket full of pennies?
Especially when you're searching you
pockets for quarters at the car wash!
          But pennies do add up! A lot
of charities ask folks to donate pennies
after they've saved a jar full.
           I just checked my pockets and
found 4 scattered in among the nickels,
dimes, and quarters.
           One of them fell to the floor as
I was checking. But, as they say, "Find
a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll
have good luck."  But it's already 9 pm as
I write. Does that mean I only get 3 hours
of luck or does it extend into tomorrow?
            Hope I get the full 24 and that
all your NEWS is good!

THE DAY AFTER!

     SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2024

               THE DAY AFTER!

   It's Superbowl Sunday and a lot of

people, me included, will be having a

party. Ironically, for many, that party

will actually end before the big game

does! By the time the halftime show 

starts, much of the food will be eaten

and people with kids will be thinking of

heading home. Many of those who stay at

those parties across the land will not be

going to work (or school) tomorrow!

It's estimated that over 17 million Americans

will be off the job! Nearly half will be 

taking personal days. The rest will

"suddenly" come down with a cold or

some other illness. It's been suggested,

certainly by me, that Superbowl be moved

to a Saturday. But there's another option.

The day after the game could be made a

national holiday. And that would be easy

simply by moving President's Day (which,

by the way is legally designated as Washington's

Birthday) to the day after Superbowl! After all

the intent of that holiday was to celebrate

Washington ( and Lincoln's) birthday and

doesn't have to fall on their actual birth dates

anyway! Makes sense to me! Maybe we should

all lobby for the change! Hope you're well, 

truly well. tomorrow and that all your NEWS

is good.

A GOOD COVER UP!

        SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th, 2024

                 A GOOD COVER UP!

     I won't keep you in the shade on this. It's

"National Umbrella Day." Umbrellas are 

hought to be one of the most important

inventions of all time. They keep us dry 

during rainstorms, or other forms of 

precipitation, and safe from the strong

rays of the sun when it's all bright

outside. So treasure your umbrella.

But remember, don't open it in the

house! That superstition stems

from the Egyptians. They believed

opening an umbrella inside was an

insult to the sun god who would then

rain bad fortune upon your household!

So keep it closed till you're outside...

just in case!  Of course while everyone

can use an umbrella they are especially

good for detectives! Helps keep them

"undercover! Hope you're well, staying

dry, and that all your NEWS is good!

 

TIME FOR A SLICE OR TWO!

   FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH., 2024

   TIME FOR A SLICE OR TWO!  

         Welcome to February 9th. "National
Pizza Day!"  It's always on February 9th! 

       Pizza is actually a favorite dish of people
around the world. Although it could be
argued that it's consumed most by people
here in the United States. The average
 American consumes over 23 pounds
of pizza each year! I'm probably half way
there already and it's only February!
       If you live in Northeastern Pennsylvania
you'll likely find a pizza place every couple
blocks in most every main street shopping
area. Indeed the community of Old Forge
lays claim to being the Pizza Capitol of the
world! Several establishments there even
send their "half baked" pizzas around the
country where customers finish the
baking process and enjoy their meal.
       My brother-in-law once packed one
in a suitcase he bought at Goodwill and
checked it in his baggage for his flight
back to California. He ate it that same
evening!
        While most everyone likes pizza the
debate that frequently develops when it's
ordered involves the toppings that are to
be added.  
          I'm a pepperoni guy which puts me
in the most popular group. 36% of people
favor pepperoni. My wife is in the
"mushroom group."   
          In a sense the Pizza season, just
peaked. More pizzas are sold on Super
Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the
year. But as much as we eat here in the U.S.,

Norway leads the world in pizza consumption

on a per capita basis! I'm not sure what

topping the prefer.
         It's pretty clear how to celebrate this
unofficial holiday. Have a pizza...with or
without pepperoni. Hope you enjoy the
day and your pizza and that all your NEWS
is good!   

     

ON MY HONOR!

    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, 2024

               ON MY HONOR!

     Happy Birthday to the Boy Scouts!

On February 8, 1910, Chicago publisher William
Dickson Boyce filed incorporation papers in the
District of Columbia to create the Boy Scouts of
America.
   Of course the Boy  Scouts, as an organization, 
was actually formed in England several years
earlier.
    I never made it to Boy Scouts here or in England
but I was a Cub Scout, a Lion as I recall and our

grandson Anthony is a Cub Scout himself now.
    I remember going to meetings at the home of
one of my friends. His mom was our Den Mother.
We did all kinds of crafts and worked on badges.
I wanted one that would make me a policeman
but that wasn't one of the options.
    I even remember making my first trip to New
York City, on a train, by myself, in my Cub Scout
uniform! My Dad met me at Penn Station in New
York. All the attendants on the train watched out
for me. I guess they all liked a guy in uniform!
    We didn't have any girls in Cub Scouts back
then. That may have played a role in my short
scouting career!
    I don't remember a heck of a lot more about my
Cub Scouting days except that I learned the salute,
and our motto, "Be Prepared."
    I always figured that was good advice for
anyone whether they be a scout or not.
    Hope you're always prepared and that all
your NEWS is good!
 

A FRIENDLY SALUTE!

   WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024

            A FRIENDLY SALUTE!

   The folks at Wellcat.com have come up

with their pown list of unusual "holidays"

and February 7th is one of them. According

to their website this is "Wave All Your Fingers

At You Neighbor Day!" These days our

neighbors, and others, sometimes anger us

over something they do, or don't do, that

really isn't all that important in the total

scheme of life. And some of us often tend

to reply with what has become know as

a "one finge salute."  Of course that doesn't

really solve anything and, in fact, it sometimes

makes things even worse. So today, if your

are annoyed by your neighbor or anyone

else, you are encouraged to reply by just

smiling and waving, with all your fingers,

at the offender. You'll feel better in the

long run and, who knows, you just might

affect a change! Hope you'll give it a

try and that all your NEWS is good! 

SEEKING THE BIG STORY!!!

  

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6th, 2024

    SEEKING THE BIG STORY!

  I was a news reporter for most of my 60

plus years in broadcasting. And I'm proud

to say I broke some pretty big stories over

that time period. But breaking stories

isn't easy. Some times you've got to take

some chances! I'm reminded of that fact

because on this date, February 6th, of 1951

a young radio reporter took some very big

changes to test a tip that security was lax at

a top secret nuclear facility just outside Chicago.

The reporter, Paul Aurandt, drove to the

place that night and climbed a ten foot fence.

Unfortunately for him security was not very

lax that night and a security guard caught and   

arrested him. The Korean War was in progress 

and there was a big concern abut atomic spies.

Officials determined, however, that Aurandt

was not a spy but, rather, a reporter out to get

a big story and they released him without filing

charges. Oh, by the way. Aurandt was the name

on his Driver's license. His radio name was....

Paul Harvey. And now you know the rest of his

story! Hope you're well and that all your NEWS

is good. 

100% CHANCE OF A HOLIDAY!

        MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024

       100% CHANCE OF A HOLIDAY!

  It's February 5th and I'd say there's a
90% chance most of you don't know what
unofficial holiday is on the calendar!
  Even if you do I'd guess, based on
recent developments, there's a 95%
chance you might not join in the
celebration!
  This is "National Weatherman's Day!"
  It's got nothing to do with that radical
1970's underground group that wanted
to overthrow the government.
   In this case we're referring to those
weathermen, and women, who predict
our daily weather, often overthrowing
everybody's schedule........including
government!
    It may surprise you to know that
most of our local forecasters have a
very high accuracy percentage when
it comes to their predictions.
    Problem is, getting it wrong once
is a little like saying you didn't think
the gun was loaded!
    If the storm they call for doesn't
come you've closed schools, halted
transportation, and lost work.....all
for noting.
    If they don't call for the storm and
you get clobbered everybody wants to
lynch them after being caught,
unprepared, in the mess!
    So have a little sympathy today for
the folks that go out on a limb, or the
backyard, or the roof, throughout the year
to tell us what our day may be like.
   Remember......this is their day.....and
there's 100% chance we'll have weather..
of some sort!
    Hope it doesn't include a storm
with some stupid name....and that
all your NEWS is good!

      

KID'S STORIES!

    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

             KID'S STORIES!

   This is "Children's Author's and

Illustrator's Day." However it's not

about kids who write and draw their

own stories. It's a day to honor those

who write and illustrate stories you've

probably read to your children a hundred

times. Stories like "The Little Engine

That Could." In all modesty, however,

I must tell you that I have written a

number of children's stories based on

my mythical character "Prince Claude."

He's a not especially bright prince who

gets into trouble with almost everything

he does. He was born many years ago

when our granddaughter Jenna asked

me to tell her a story while we were

sitting in my car. I came up with a

tarn about a princess who falls into a

well. Prince Claude happens by and

tries to offer assistance, such as throwing

rocks into the well so she can use them to

climb out. Unfortunately he neglects to

tell her he's throwing the rocks which

now leaves her stuck in the well with a

sore toe. His other efforts end in similar

results. When Jenna asked me to tell the

story again a couple weeks later I had

forgotten  some of it. She filled in the

missing pieces and I began writing the

stories on paper. By the way she provided

the first illustration all those years ago.

Many more "Prince Claude stories"

have followed. My says I come by

them easy. She says the character is

based on me! I'll have to think about

that. So a salute today to those who

write and illustrate children's stories.

Hope all their NEWS is good.

TUPPENCE A BAG?

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024

       TUPPENCE A BAG?

 Saturday February 3rd is "Feed The

Birds Day!" We had a rescued

Cockatiel at our house for several

years and we fed him well. When 

he passed away we put his cage

outside the house with the gate

open and put bird feed inside. What

an amazing sight to see so many birds

using the old cage as a restaurant!

Unfortunately we are, at least for

the moment, out of the bird feeding

business. Our decision was out of

respect for out nearest neighbor.

Seems the birds feasting at our

house took a rest afterwards on

the wires directly above his parked

car. Their "calling cards" caused

him a bit of concern. Maybe we'll

break out the Humming Bird

Feeder." Hope your birds are

well fed and that all your NEWS

is good!

TALLY THE BANANAS!

(Presenting a "Classic" from just a year ago!)   

 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

       TALLY THE BANANAS!

  It all started with a visit to the Hometown Market 

 Only a few produce stands were open and it was getting towards  the end of their day. I spotted some Hugh boxes of Bananas and noticed they were marked 5$. My wife balked at the thought assuming they were all past their prime. But when the market guy say 40 pounds for three bucks even she rethought the prospect. As close as we could tell from a general examination of the bananas we could see in the box most looked pretty good! So I did the deal and plugged the 40 pounds box to the trunk of our car. Upon arrival at home we were pleasantly surprised to find most of our product was in pretty good shape. The few that were aging a little too much were mashed for banana bread. I peeled bunch after bunch and my wife wrapped them for storage in our freezer. I didn't use to eat bananas. I figured after you took off the skin and threw away the bone there was nothing left. But guess what? It's not a bone!!!! And it taste great. Fresh or frozen. Lesson learned. Hope you're getting your share of bananas and that all your NEWS is good!!!