Flashback Friday...Halloween Previewed

Last Sunday we got the
Halloween preview.

Hosted by:

and:

Thought I might give you a heads up as to who may be knocking on your door tonight.

The Crew (minus Dora)

Dora the explorer: pre melt-down

The Brother's Grimm

Hello Kitty

Drew came as a Dragon, but once he sat in his chair ended up channeling Grandpa Bob

Jeremy channeling Drew

Drew modeling the Masonic Chapeau

Dave and the Chapeau
White Fairy and the M& M sugar Buzz

And myself as Wonder Pirate along with The Mummy

Directions to here:
Don't be afraid...give them the chocolate and no one will get hurt.

Happy Birthday to Joe, the farmer.

Directions to here:
No relation to Joe, the plumber.
But is related to Dave, the Homer.

Flashback Friday...Go climb a tree

The tree climb on Sunday was a wake up call as to how serious I need to take this year's biggest loser. (I'll spare you the big butt shot).

Jamie and Ryan have an excellent tree to climb in their back yard, but I was stunned at how hard it was to get 44 year old limbs out on a limb compared to what I had in memory (probably 14 year old limbs).

Anyway it got me thinking of favorite trees.

I think this tree was already taken out by a tornado by the time I was old enough to climb trees.

My favorite one was in the side yard between Uncle Ralphs and our house.

It had smooth branches and in the fall it had prickly balls fall off it to the ground.

Where was your favorite tree?
Maybe Florida?
Or one that you just couldn't leave without bringing it home?
And kids don't try this at home...even if you still have 14 year old limbs.

Directions to here:
Is the black and white tree actually tied to something? I thought Dad only tied the Christmas tree to the wall, but apparently he tied outside trees too.

Tourist of the Oddities...Day 7

Well...really Day 6 1/2
since I found my favorite shot of the day just after midnight.
After much discussion among the Happy Campers, it was determined that the Big Indian was in downtown Toto.

So I just had to check it out and behold:

a midnight rendezvous:

Later in the day, the oddest thing I found out is, if you gain 100 pounds and add 30 years to your age, it's not as easy to climb trees.
Directions to here:
That's it...tourist of the oddities week is over. Now it's time to go back to all the regular small oddities like customers, books and my daily entourage.

Tourist of the Oddities...Day 6

An all time Indiana Favorite.

I've known this place since my Ball State days and everytime I come up to the intersection, I hold my breath, wondering if the sign will still be there. Thank God, no one has messed with it.

Directions to here:
Hey Happy Campers! Thanks for supper! And Rachel, you DID see a giant Indian. He's up the road in Toto (too).

Flashback Friday...The Roots of Roadside Americana

It was 8 or 9 or maybe even 10 years ago.

I really even remember who I was talking to.

But, I was telling them about growing up behind the Log Cabin and how it was a gas station and a "convenience" store before there were convenience stores. I told them about the fruit market and fruit night and about all the cast of characters that stopped and shopped on a daily basis. I told them about the cokes and penny candy and filling the pop machines and the tin coke signs.

The person listened attentively and then said, "so that must be where you got your love for signs and Roadside Americana?"

Now, I know that it is hard to believe and that the connection is extremely obvious, but up to that point, I had honestly never made the connection.

Really. I'm not kidding.

I don't know why or how I missed it, but it was like a light bulb went on.

"Yeah, I guess so," is all I could say as I shook my head hiding the oh so obvious, "ah hah" moment.

And to this day, it remains my favorite
Roadside Americana Spot:

Tourist of the Oddities...Day 4

Oddities and Roadside Kitsch are my speciality,
but for today's favorite shot, Roadside Nature wins.

Tourist of the Oddities Trip...Day 3

Took Patty on a tour of her own town...
dance with nance style.
She may never ride in the car with me again.

Patty and me reflected in a polished Airstream trailer
(at the RV Museum and Hall of Fame)

Favorite find of the day
(well not really, but hard to choose just one)

and a couple more just for fun!

Bobble Me caught up with Mr. Big Ace.
Two can play at this game, Mister.

me, peeking into the living room of the Airstream.

I'm pretty sure I peed my pants (just a little) from laughing so hard...more than once!
Thanks Patty for taking the day off and doing not one thing productive with me.

Tourist of the oddities trip...Day 2

One mile from Patty

Favorite shot of the day!

Directions to here:
Only choosing one shot a day...but will share more later. Stay tuned to vote for your favorite Muffler Man.
Tomorrow: 2 sisters on the loose on the open road...Towanda!
p.s. I didn't mean that Patty or any of the Hoshaws are oddities.
(well, maybe their dog, Cooper).

Tourist of the oddities trip...Day 1

Directions to here:
Wait til you see the rest of the story!

Yes, she can!

She did it!

Congratulations Sandy!

Directions to here:
Stay tuned for a birthday update (HAPPY BELATED TO ADAM!!) Thunder Stealer update and Vacation posts...as I'm on the road to search for a Big Man...

She's STILL walking!

And I'm sure she's needing to hunker down and focus her eye on the prize.

So say it loud one more time!

WALK, SANDY, WALK!!
You can make it!

Directions to here:
Next stop the winner's circle at Sunday Dinner.

She's still walking!

If you are wondering what it's like to walk 26.2 miles, here's a visual:
If you're driving south on 41 from up north, hit your trip odometer around Cedar Lake road, I think it's route 8 and keep going south and turn left on to route 2 and go thru town and turn right at Wilco and go to Dave and Sandy's house and pull in the driveway and back out of the drive way and go to 55 and turn left on 55 and then turn right on route 2 and go past mom and dad's and go left on Colorado and go right on 173rd (you're almost done) and pull into Susie and Jerry's and if you think you're done you're wrong. Turn around and go out the driveway and take a right and then take a right on Range Line and about half way to the church you can stop.

Now that was an incredibly bad run on sentence, but THAT is the point...to run on, or in Sandy's case:

Say it with me:

Sandy, walk!
You can do it!

Sandy and the Chicago Marathon

I looked up at the calender at work and noticed that the Chicago Marathon falls on the "Day of the Race"...which is the South American version of "Columbus Day."
What it all meant in 1492 is another story, but what it means today...is that Sandy is walking

26.2 miles.

Here's the Dick and Jane style flashcard for you all to cheer:
Starting at 8 AM..
Every 30 minutes say:
Sandy,
!!!!!!

Directions to here:
Check back often today..
there will be more instructions, but unfortunately no live footage, since I'm stuck at work.

Flashback Friday...Grandparents Day

This past Monday morning, it was my privilege to be "Granny Nanny" and accompany "Gramma Susie" to Zach's kindergarten program and classroom.

Made me think of another Grandma:Janet, Susie, Verna and Steph, you are doing a great job being and becoming the next generation of beloved Grandmas!
Zach and Gramma Susie

October 7...Mom's Birthday

A favorite picture....of a favorite person.

Ring around Chicago...

a pocket full of ball games...

The Cubbies...the White Sox...
we all fall down!

Oh well....

No fairweather here...

I still believe.