Pounding out three blog entries a week since early July takes a toll on the old creative juices. I appreciate the discipline it has instilled in my writing, but none the less – all work and no play makes Jack a dull writer, as it were. I’ll be taking a few weeks off until the New Year to recharge my batteries. I hope each of you also has the chance to take some down time during the holidays to spend…
Living in a rural area has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, it’s hard to find fine dining options, but I could probably get you a good deal on a cord of firewood for the winter. One thing that the four-state area has an abundance of; however, is good, old-fashioned Christmas displays and celebrations. One of the best is continuing through this weekend, and you should get out and see it if you can. The Williamsport “Charlie Brown” Christmas at…
While out and about driving recently, the constant barrage of Christmas songs on the radio yielded a version of “My Favorite Things”, made popular from the musical “The Sound of Music”. My youngest chimed in. “How is this a Christmas song?” “Well,” I said, trying to sound knowledgeable and Dad-like, “ – I guess it could remind you of the things you like for the holidays, or an inspiration to think about things you’d want for Christmas.” “Rain drops on…
Not to brag, but I’m often complimented on my cooking. My wife and kids have their favorite dishes that I make, and I warn the young ones that one day they’ll be off at college and pining for some of Dad’s chicken pasta, pork tenderloin, or maple-glaze salmon. It’s gonna happen. My wife (God bless her) gives me free reign in the kitchen (she’s no dummy). Her attitude is that if I love cooking dinner every night, then by all…
I happened to be out and about on Interstate 81 while running errands yesterday (in the rain), and it was once again confirmed to me that I-81 is without a doubt the worst stretch of local highway in the four-state area (and no, I’m not including the I-270 corridor from Frederick to Washington, D.C., which is its own transportation journey into madness). I-81 in Maryland is only a little over 12 miles, but it’s easy to age twelve years behind…