Cheers to the new header. Following my fascination with images from deep space, NASA released this Hubble image in 2018 featuring a monster young star in the Lagoon Nebula within the Constellation Sagittarius – 4,000 light-years away. To see my past headers, visit the Past Headers page or click here.
I was surprised to learn these facts about recycling in the US: 1) Cardboard recycling is down while online sales are up, and 2) About 40% of Americans either don’t have access to a recycling program or don’t sign up for the one available. For those interested, here’s an interesting article on the topic.
I never realized that Chicago’s Midway Airport is named after WW II’s Battle of Midway.
As one who continues to believe the majority of the world is good, Anthony Bourdain’s death saddens me because he acknowledged the same good through the culinary delights of different cultures.
A major milestone happened while I was on my recent vacation. My feet have successfully stood in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. For the record, Montpelier, Idaho completed the journey.
The people have spoken regarding Fiona’s mural, which will be downtown and completed later this summer. If you want a sneak peek, click here.
After two+ weeks away from ballroom and golf, getting back into ballroom is much harder because it requires so much knowledge. The first weekend back to dancing was horribly difficult.
Golf’s US Open (my favorite golf tournament) is this weekend. While two of the past three US Opens have been questionable at best, I look forward to the challenge Shinnecock Hills should provide.
My Cincinnati Reds continue their predictable, pathetic path. However, they did surprise me. By the time they won their 20th game, the Red Sox and Yankees were the only two teams shy of 20 losses.
Cheers to the New York Times for recently including Cincinnati in their 52 places to visit. Here’s the article.
To my Canadian readers. President Trump may represent Americans, does not speak for the majority of us.
For me, the report that President Trump told Lesley Stahl (CBS News) that he intentionally demeans and discredits the media for the purpose of convincing people not to believe the negative stories in the media about him sums up much of his time in office.
Although the recent Supreme Court ruling of the cake baker case bothered me, I listened to an analysis that mentioned the narrow view of the majority opinion.
My Congressman wrote this op-ed (Washington Times), to which I responded to him by email (below).
As per your newsletter, I read you recent op-ed in the Washington Times. I respectfully submit the following as a rebuttal.
1) Blaming the Democrats, the media, and Hillary Clinton is not only tiresome, it’s down right negligent. By the way, you forgot to mention Barack Obama.
2) There are two problems in Washington – and it’s the same two problems that have been there for years – the Democrats & Republicans as they subscribed to their self-servient, party-first mentality.
Meanwhile, to continue discord, stagnancy, and avoiding progress, I encourage you to stay the course. After all, you stated the following: “When those shared values crumble or the system is weaponized to benefit one party over the other, both parties lose. We the people lose. Our nation stagnates and becomes steeped in dysfunction. That is because the heart and soul of our constitutional republic has always been an ultimate allegiance to the overarching ideals of our democratic system and the institutions carefully constructed to uphold it — regardless of political party.”Yes, Congressman Wenstrup, you are part of the problem – not the solution – but relax – the majority of your colleagues are just like you.
I love this Canadian response to President Trump’s trade policy. (Thanks, Dale!)
“As a retaliation in an escalating trade war between the US and the rest of the world, Canada is considering placing a 25% tariff on all American canned and glass bottled water including Budweiser, Coors, and Busch. The carbonated drinks sometimes referred to as “beer” in America are sold throughout Canada and purchased by at least one lonely person with no concept of taste.” The Beaverton
To lead you into this week’s dose of satirical headlines, The Onion provides tips for getting the most out of life.
Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)
Tarantula rushing to shave legs before meeting up with mate
Himalayan goat dies following failed Everest Climb
Dad spends entire vacation 8 steps ahead of family
Woman bids farewell to former self before beginning new skin care regiment
Trick candles just making birthday boy cry harder
Botanic garden forced to euthanize rose bush that pricked child
Interesting Reads
A view about the future and artificial intelligence
The role of mini-golf in desegregation
Icelandic philosophy
Urban, suburban, and rural: What unites and divides them
Transforming sound waves into sound
Everyone’s neighbor: Mr. Rogers
(Photos) D-Day bunkers
To send you into the weekend, enjoy blast from the past by Dan Fogelberg. In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
Congrats on having at the very least placed your feet in all 50 of your states plus DC. I can happily report having placed my feet in two states plus DC. There’s also a far flung plan to maybe put my feet onto Hawaii at some stage in the future……. The new header is pretty amazing!
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Pauline,
LOL … your two is better than none! 🙂 … Actually, I didn’t expect this moment! Hope you make it to Hawaii – a beautiful state! Glad you enjoy the new header.
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Lovely trip, thanks for taking us along. Love the header!!
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Holly,
Thank you! 🙂
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Thank you!
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I read that about the recycling too. It seems cardboard is still in demand for recycling, while it’s getting more difficult to find places that recycle plastics. China will be doing less of it for us.
How cool that you’ve touched down in all 50 states and DC! Now you’ll have to head to Puerto Rico. And yes, that Canadian response was perfect!
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Carrie,
I’m convinced that recycling is more complex than most of us realize. I actually have an idea for a post about the economics of recycling – but time will tell if I get that together. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is in the books! … but my wife and I have only been to 42 together.
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That’ll have to be your next quest: polishing off the last eight together!
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yep … and more countries and Canadian provinces.
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Congratulations on standing in all 50 states plus D.C. Quite an accomplishment. Very cool header, too. Great remark shared by Dale. I’ve seen a few other excellent Canadian responses. A blogger friend, Ken added this to a comment on my space-themed haiku. You might like it.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap180424.html
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Merril,
Great photo of Saturn’s rings by Cassini. I think I used a Cassini photo (not this one) as a past header. Thanks for sharing.
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Congrats. I have that very feat (50 states) on my bucket list. Pleasure to read about it.
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Drew,
Thanks. The stop in Idaho was an unexpected treat. Good luck on your quest. My wife used to work with a guy whose goal was to urinate in every state.
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Congratulations on making it to all 50 states! You seem to fit right in with the boys in Idaho. Being POTUS has certainly not changed Trump expect to give him a louder voice.
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Jo,
Thank you. That’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as the robbed a bank in this town! Meanwhile, President Trump can yell all he wants because some of us actually pay attention.
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Congrats on your Reds reaching 20 before either of the East Coast ‘elite’ reached that milestone and stepping a foot in all 50 states. With the current state of politics, I think I personally will shoot for all the provinces to the north instead. Once China drops the hammer on Midwest agricultural products, I suspect many of the farmers who voted to the abomination otherwise known as the sad, bloated Mango may reconsider their support. And rightfully so. 🇨🇦🇲🇽
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Monika,
Many thanks for the congrats. I have several lists ongoing, and one is all the Canadian provinces. I’m confident that I’ve done more than half.
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These days I wish I could go visit our northern neighbors but might be nervous they might try to split up my family. Oh wait, that’s us.
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Monika,
No kidding … then again, don’t they have mosquitoes the size of B52s?
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LOL, Hummer sized ‘skeeters are no fun. At all!
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Get those dancing shoes 👞 out. Time for a good polish. Your steps will come back. No worries!!!
I’m getting shots in both knees right now for a cruise we hope I can be well for. 🚢
Joke for you: the injections are from the same solutions they use for breast implants. 😂
May need a bra for my knees. LOLOL
Happy weekend 👌😀
Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
The timing in dance comes back easy for me … It’s all the steps that I have to lead and navigate that is the problem. But I have to stay after it! Good luck with the shot. Be sure to wrap your knees in Playtex.
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LOLOL …. Thanks for the belly chuckle. : )
BTW … I do think it’s much more difficult for men in dancing. After all, they do have to lead the lady. have FUN !!!!
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Congratulations on standing in all states!!!🍷🍷
I did take a peek at the mural to be! Looking forward to the finished piece.
Did you ever watch Rocky and Bullwinkle?
Boris and Natasha worked for the Supreme Leader. They shook in fear in his shadow’s wake. There was an episode where R & B discover the SL was no taller than Rocky. His shadow loomed large, because he angled the light just right.
Sound familiar? 😀 😀 LOL!
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Resa,
50 States in the books … Canadian Provinces are also on my list! Moose and Squirrel are cartoon icons, and yes … of course I have posts on them! Probably from the PR days … Pre-Resa … Nonetheless, here’s a clip with Fearless Leader. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WGFV3xptok
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Heading over to watch it!
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Funny! So, it was Fearless leader, not Supreme Leader.Guess I’m confusing him with someone else. TY!!
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Glad you liked it. Moose & Squirrel was actually a cartoon for adults.
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Lol!! believe it! So was Bugs Bunny… I think.
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More so with Rocky and Bullwinkle. By the way, in the pre-Resa days I featured posts about classic cartoon characters – actually 71 posts! Here’s the Category link. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/entertainment/classic-cartoons-entertainment/ … Enjoy!
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Will do!
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Hmmm … given the conversation, individual posts on Bullwinkle, Rocky, Boris & Natasha, Bugs Bunny, Peabody & Sherman, and many more.
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Congratulations to your feet, and the dude attached to them! I am many states short of that fifty mark . . I want to say twenty short? And no longer a ‘traveler’ in my advanced age. I know . . I sound like I’m eighty.
And to the Reds! Maybe they’re taking this whole “Slow and steady wins the race” thing a tad too seriously . . .
And to Cincy on being so popular!
As for recycling . . you means . . that’s still a thing? 🙂
I loves me some Dan Fogelberg!
Happy weekend!
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Marc,
Thanks on the congrats. A fun feat! My wife has been to 44 while we have been to 42 together – so we track our travels. Meanwhile, the Reds still suck.
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The Reds have been in this mode for too many years. They need something to happen some time soon!
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Well that is just too bad…
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Congrats on making it to all 50 states! I’m a long way from that honor.
Your response to your congressman had the perfect amount of snark. Alas, I’m not sure he’ll get it. Stuff like that seems to go right over their heads.
Recycling — they no longer accept most cardboard at our recycling station (we do not have any kind of trash pickup here in the Middle of Nowhere — we have to transport it to the landfill and recycling station ourselves). Only corrugated cardboard is allowed.
I gravitated right to the Mini-Golf story. A long time ago, and a land far away, I was the day manager for a miniature golf course. Best job ever in terms of the job itself (the owner, on the other hand, was the worst boss ever, a drunken lech). I spent most of my days playing the course since the owner of the place wanted someone out on the course at all times to make it look as though there was always someone playing.
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Robin,
Love your Mini-Golf story. It seems you were up to the difficult assignment. Thanks for sharing …. as well as you situation regarding recycling. The stats I mentioned surprised me! Meanwhile, thanks for the congrats!
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So cool that you’ve hit all 50 states. My husband just needs HI and AK. I’m at about 45. We’ll get those last two for him eventually. The Butch Cassidy thing is really cool too! I loved that movie.
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Betsy,
The two remaining are biggies and excellent vacation spots. You both will accomplish the 50! Which are the ones you are missing?
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WA, OR, ID, WI, HI, and AK. To help me add to my list, the hubs drove us into Maine, got off on the first exit, turned around, and got back out of Maine. I just had to be in it. 🙂 It would be nice to go back and spend a little more time, however. WI is sort of a tricky one. I’ve hit all around it, but…
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Great point about Wisconsin for you. On the plus side, you are on the right side of the country for multiple states. … and Oregon and Idaho are border states!
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True. Too bad I’m on the bottom of CA, not the top, but I’ll get there eventually. I’m also better positioned to get those outliers off our western coast. 🙂 The thought is to some day drive up to WA, with a brief foray across the border to ID, then take a cruise to AK. Ideally, HI will just be our stop-over on the way to Australia! A girl can dream, can’t she? 🙂
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Cheers to dreams. Yes, being in SoCal lengthens the trek, but you’ll get them!
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Thanks, Frank! What’s next on your travel itinerary?
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Well … I seldom discuss travel here in advance. But I will say that we already have 12 weeks booked in 2019. 🙂
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Good grief! What a life!
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We call it “front loaded retirement” … Odds are health is better before age 75 than after. So our plan is to try to do as much as possible while we can!
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That’s an excellent idea. My parents tool around the country in an RV. (My mom wrote a book about their adventures, Heading South: Tales from the RV Trail. I highly recommend it.) Anyway, I’m hoping we can have their RV when they’re done with it. I’d like to do the same.
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Your hands are full with little ones now, so your time will come! Don’t forget the front-loading plan!
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We were all set(ish) to go to AU next summer b/c our older ones are old enough to be left behind with relatives, but then we had to go and hit the reset button by having another one. :O
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Resets happen …. so it will happen as long as you don’t forget it!
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Right. So before dementia sets in. 🙂 Better not wait too long!
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LOL … yep … we are counting on that holding off until after 75.
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You’re making me eager for retirement. And, of course, saving up for it!
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Saving for it is an important ingredient!
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On it!
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That a way!
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🙂
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Loved reading Frank.. And great photo of you with Butch and Sundance.. 🙂 So pleased we got the doggy picture instead of Mr T.. And I can imagine how much of an embarrassment he is much like many of our own Politicians..
Glad you are getting back into the Swing of Dance and GOLF… Enjoy your NOW moments Frank
Enjoy your Sunday 🙂
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Sue,
Glad you enjoyed the post and the images. I carefully pick the three images to separate the sections. To the best of my recollection, I have used very few images of President Trump on this entire site! Meanwhile, glad you enjoyed my gathering with Butch and Sundance.
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I often wonder will he end up following in their footstep?
Have a Super Day..
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I have put East Potomac Park Mini Golf on my Top 25 Bucket List, which has recently been revised in case you’re interested.
Thanks for the recycling article. You’re advocacy on that goes way back.
Thanks for your Trump directed comments. They help pull me out of my default emotion of bitterness associated with his election and the frightening place he’s taking our democracy. By the way, should I still hold out hope for him to “pivot”?
Special thanks for including in your post Congressman Brad Wenstrup’s boiler plate column in the Washington Times. Your response was a jewel!
Thumbs Up on your new header – It’s got abstract expressionist possibilities as a vertical.
A splat from “Tarantula rushing to shave legs before meeting up with mate.”
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Tim,
Regarding President Trump. Chances of a pivot are slim. Even if the Dems won control of at least one chamber, he’s locked into the base – which would not like him cooperating with the Dems. Then again, we live in strange times.
This morning on Meet the Press, Chuck Todd discussed a recent poll about the portion of the electorate that is unhappy with both parties. Meanwhile, Rep Wenstrup has received other messages from me with a similar theme.
Glad to know the tarantula carried a splat.
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Had to chime in and with all due respect – sometimes I wanted people abroad to know that Anthony bourdain did not speak for all in the US and to mention him after saying something about goodness – even though Bourdain was a celebrity and his show was stellar – he partied like a deprived teenager (and RIP to him) and was noted for making fun or slandering others – like Rachel Ray – and my point is that as great as his show was – I sensed many character deficits and stopped my tween children from watching his show because I did not like the way he modeled alcohol consumption – and just had to mention it.
Also – interesting how cardboard sales are down but it does not really bother me cos the cardboard breaks down and the ones used in shipping is cheaper every year – and seems to fall apart in the bin-
And have you heard of the plastic straws boycotting?
My sis n law and her three young ones are on the wagon and I guess a 2015 video went viral with a turtle who had a straw embedded in the sinus and in the brain area.
Anyhow – guess they are advocating to only use straws for medical needs if needed – and want eateries to have them
On request
😊
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Prior,
Welcome first-time commenter. Yes – I am aware of the plastic straws boycott and that some chains are switching to paper. Regarding Anthony Bourdain, my response to your comment is simple – I didn’t say anything about him as a person, his past, or his troubles.
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Hi – I have left comments here before (long time ago and different email – think I was surprised that your last name was really angle – something like that)
And like your response about my note on bourdain and you sure did not.-
And on that note – I have a lot of nerve to speak up over tidbits I read via scrappy news stories and have no way to know the person or the misery and pressure of being in the limelight – and so I would not write that right now – I read your post quickly (nice and dense w topics) and might have spoke too soon.
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Before I respond I thought – hmmm … the name Prior sounded familiar – but I wasn’t sure. So hey – welcome back!
My Opinions in the Shorts (OITS) are just that – a variety of short thoughts. A nice way to wrap-up the week. I’ve been doing them a long time, but I may have been posting 5-6 days a week back then … usually only three now – (Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings) … sometimes on Saturday.
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Ahhh – sounds like you evolve with your blog and the OITS is a good and I have skim your posts in my reader off and on – I follow certain tags and so I think that brought some posts up –
But I have also taken a few longer breaks lately –
Anyhow – looking forward to being in right now and summer is upon us.
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Evolved to scale back. I did the 5-6 per week for years … amazingly so. I saw those posts as a weekly magazine. (A story in itself). But the time right is good for me.
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Wow – that is amazing and I seem to recall that you ran a writing challenge ? Oh I am not sure – but glad to connect again
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I’ve done only a handful of challenges … so not a regular thing. Besides, as I like to say, fiction is not my thing … a struggle to do. See the sidebar Categories … Fiction is listed and the number is single digit!
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Well that is truly not your thing then – and seems you found your groove (at least for this season )
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Blog breaks have helped the process. Even did a post about blog breaks that led to other posts. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/on-the-blogging-blues/
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🙂
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And side note – last weekend saw a rerun of bourdain’s Espisode covering the opioid epidemic and it was brilliant and so was he! And I am sorry for his pain and for the loved ones and his friends who ache with his exit from this world
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I didn’t see that one … not a regular viewer – but catch him at times. I have to go back to find when he came to Cincinnati for our unique version of chili.
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Oh I hope that episode with the chili is a good one – and is this sky line chili you refer to? My hubs lovelvvvvvves it –
I once was on a layover and bought airport skyline chili and made the entire plane smell of it – but was a cool thing to bring home
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Cheers to hubs!!!!! Here’s a primer for you. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/on-chili/
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Ok – thx and wishing you a good week
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Thanks … and a good week ahead for you, too.
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Followed by the real deal. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/on-a-skyline/
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Just watched the Bourdain segment … he liked it … but he had it in Cleveland.
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Right on…
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all 50 states, that’s quite a feet, er um feat! congratulations!
i’m not sure i can comment on the trump stuff, my blood pressure rises and the heartburn swirls, but i will say the onion makes an awesome mix! great shares, love the dog photos and your new header. Any chance we can all climb aboard that starship?
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Roxie,
Thank you for the congrats. The feat was an unexpected treat of our recent trip. The Onion is a wonderful resource – and they have many great ones about various personnel in our government. I generally don’t use them here because of the international audience – so I stick to more generic headlines. Saw Solo movie in the theaters this past weekend. One scene reminded me of Hubble’s deep space images!
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Very nice, glad you are sharing it. Hubble has been pure gold for researchers and artists!
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The world around us offers the best colors and designs that motivate artists.
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Just to note, Chicago’s other airport, O’Hare, also has a naval origin. It is named for the first naval combatant to be awarded the Medal of Honor in WW II.
Your reading topic of Mr. Rogers gave me a little shiver. Imagine what that kind man would have thought of our country’s recent policy on handling immigrant children. Talk about contrast!
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Jim,
Wow … another surprise regarding Chicago airports. Many thanks. Meanwhile, comparing Mr. Rogers and Donald Trump would be a contrast on many levels.
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I love this Fogelberg song, Frank. I play his music quite often. And I really liked your response to your Congressman. The blame game is getting really, really old! I’ve heard more “Pinocchios” this week than I could count. It’s interesting about the recycling. We have mandated recycling, and have had that for years. It’s not an option at all. I sometimes forget that it isn’t everywhere. I still think our overuse of packaging materials, cardboard included, is just ridiculous. Some of our Amazon purchases arrive in cardboard boxes within another cardboard box. We have a long way to go by my expectations!
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Debra,
Cheers to your love for Fogelberg! In terms of the Pinocchios, I’ve settled into the reality of them being part of my typical day. I actually look forward to them while continually being astonished by the many who believe/accept them. In terms of packaging materials, here’s one for you. https://youtu.be/L0jlfKXClm8
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I know this is crazy late…
LOVE me some Dan Fogelburp (Bloom County)
Thankfully, I know too many fabulous Americans (of course, including you) to know that, sans that fool at the top, relations are good…
I loved our retaliation 😉 Was funny, for sure.
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Dale,
The retaliation was priceless … so many thanks for providing it! Glad that Fogelberg was a good choice for you. Meanwhile, late is better than not at all. 🙂 At least you haven’t abandoned me like someone else we know.
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That retaliation had me in stitches, I cannot lie… Yes… excellent choice. And yes, I lose control of my inbox sometimes and then try to catch up…
I dunno what is up with our friend. She likes most of my posts but no more chitchat. Must be into other stuff right now. She is painting a lot – which I see through Instagram
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