Step Up Saturday (044/365)

TIME: 2:29 pm

PLACE: Signature Tap House
SUBJECT: Floor

*~*~*

HH and I did a Mardi Crawl & Taste of New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

5 bars. 5 foods. 5 drinks.

He drove and didn't drink much. 

On our way out to Triple Lakes, we spotted a coyote.

I zoomed in - a bit blurry.




We ended at Ott's and brought the food home with us.  

I was stuffed.

On the Way Home Yesterday (024/365)

TIME: 3:16 pm
PLACE: MO-79, Louisiana, Missouri
SUBJECT: Abandoned house


TIME: 4:09 pm
PLACE: Elsberry, Missouri
SUBJECT: Rexall Drugs sign

*~*~*

HH took the scenic route home from Hannibal yesterday...driving down Missouri Route 79 which follows the Mississippi River.

There were several towns along the way with interesting things to see.

The Airport (363/366)

TIME: 7:27 am
PLACE: MidAmerica Airport
SUBJECT: Sign

*~*~*

I drew the short straw and had to pick up my DQ and her boyfriend from the airport this morning.

The plane was on time - In fact, it flew over me as I was driving up Illinois State Route 4 to the entrance.

I didn't have to wait long and made it back home in time to start work at 8:30am.

2020 Tree (348/366)

TIME: 7:25 pm

PLACE: Living room

SUBJECT: Christmas Tree

*~*~*

I REALLY am not/was not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. Besides the COVID that affects everyone, we had the loss of HH's mother; we had to make the hard decision to end Oreo's pain and say goodbye to our sweet girl; MB was deployed to Afghanistan, DQ and SD are dealing with health issues that I can't fix...the list goes on.

I didn't want to put a tree up.

I didn't see the point.

But I did it anyway.

It's not the traditional tree we usually put up, but 2020 has not been a traditional year either.

It is what we call the "Ugly Ornament Tree" - all the strange, unusual and unique ornaments we've found and obtained over the years, displayed on a "feather tree" with a gum wrapper garland.

There are a couple of other little decorations in the living room. And I did put lights on the porch. But I did not decorate anywhere close to the Christmas explosions I've had in past years.

Minimal, but meaningful.

This also means there is less to put away after the holidays - another plus!

Sticks, Sides & Wires (305/366)

TIME: 11:50 am
PLACE: Yard
SUBJECT: Scully and stick

*~*~*

Scully tried to help me out a bit as I moved a large branch that had fallen, from the front part into the fenced-in area of the yard. 



She was determined to carry that branch for me.

It didn't happen.

*~*~*

TIME: 4:24 pm

PLACE: Local tavern
SUBJECT: Side of the building

*~*~*

We decided not to hand out candy at home this Halloween - we figured with all that is going on, we wouldn't get many trick-or-treaters.  As an alternative, HH and I sat in the parking lot of a local bar and participated in a "Trunk or Treat" from 3 pm to 6pm.

There was actually a large turnout. We went through 4 large bags of candy! (about 500 pieces total)  It was nice that the kids were able to collect a lot of treats despite the stupid COVID.

*~*~*

TIME: 4:36 pm

*~*~*

And, just because I liked the pattern made by these power line wires, I am including this photo today as well.

Consider it a bonus!

Marlboro Neon (297/366)

TIME: 9:42 pm
PLACE Living room
SUBJECT: Sign

*~*~*

Big Friday night for me.

Watching "The Life of Brian" while working on my cross stitch.

I turned on the neon sign to try to make it feel a little bit like I'm hanging out in bar

- just like in the old days.

Light Stripes (270/366)

TIME: 6:17 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Light on wall

*~*~*

Late afternoon light in the fall is the best.

Drewes and Dry Ice (259/366)

TIME: 7:36 pm
PLACE: St Louis, MO
SUBJECT: Ted Drewes sign

*~*~*

The husband had a desire for some frozen custard after dinner. 

He and I went and had a prime parking spot under the sign.

I brought StellaDella a Twisted Caramel concrete (salted caramel and crumbled pretzels).  They packed it in a bag with dry ice to keep it from melting on the way home.

Once we returned home, of course I had to place it in a bowl and add warm water.

Always fun to see the clouds of white fog.

I even made a video!

 

Ice Cold (247/366)

TIME: 6:17 PM
PLACE: 12th & W Main
SUBJECT: M & L Mart side window

*~*~*

I've always liked the "ICE COLD" lettering on this window.

The red background used to be a silhouette of a bottle.  When they installed the electronic sign, it cut off the top of the bottle. 

I still like it.

Charlie's Drive-In (195/366)

TIME: 7:29 pm

PLACE: Wood River, IL
SUBJECT: Drive-in sign

*~*~*

HH and I drove the Miata to Wood River for some burgers this evening.

A nice night for having the top down and eating at the drive-in. 

ER Visit (180/366)

TIME: 7:31 pm
PLACE: Emergency room
SUBJECT: Sign

*~*~*

My ear was killing me today; by dinner time, I couldn't chew without major pain.

HH drove me to urgent care, only to find out that they didn't take the new insurance my employer just switched to!

Grrrrrr - fine, the insurance can pay for an ER visit instead.

Luckily, there was only one other person there.

I was in and out in about an hour and 1/2 along with a prescription for amoxicillin and ear drops. 

The Cottage (177/366)

TIME: 8:25 pm
PLACE: The White Cottage
SUBJECT: Sign

*~*~*

HH had a hankering for a M&M concrete from our local ice cream place.

Guess who was sent to retrieve it for him?

Seen on “Walks with Mulder” (200/365)

TIME: 7:53 PM
PLACE: St. Mary School
SUBJECT: Door

This entrance is no longer utilized. 

I remember picking up my niece from this door in the mid 1990’s when they had a pre-school here.

Fallout Shelter (198/365)

TIME: 7:56 PM
PLACE: St. Mary’s School
SUBJECT: Fallout Shelter sign

A public service message from tonight’s walk with Mulder…

There is a Fallout Shelter nearby in case of emergency.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Heed the Sign (178/365)

TIME: 3:21 PM
PLACE: Annie’s Frozen Custard
SUBJECT: Broken stool

Time for our yearly ice-cream social at work.

We obeyed the sign and sat outside instead.

I think it would have been slightly uncomfortable.

Dinner Late Nite (138/365)

TIME: 11:55 PM
PLACE: Denny’s
SUBJECT: Window

Stella had her 8th grade dance tonight.

After it was over, she and a group went to Denny’s to eat.

Italian Foods, Steaks & Cocktails (125/365)

TIME: 8:01 PM
PLACE: Collinsville, IL
SUBJECT: Sign

We didn’t eat here, but I love the sign.

Goodwill (124/365)

TIME: 6:59 PM
PLACE: Goodwill
SUBJECT: Sign

Stella and I hit up a book sale and made a side trip to the Goodwill store.

She and I both love searching for “treasures” at the thrift store.

Goose Island (079/365)

TIME: 7:15 PM
PLACE: Otts Tavern
SUBJECT: Sign & ductwork

Yep, back here again for supper.

Tuesday’s are becoming a habit.

Table Number (055/365)

TIME: 10:35 PM
PLACE: Event Center
SUBJECT: Table marker

This was our table number for a trivia night.

It also happens to be the jersey number for Jackie Robinson.

Jackie Robinson was an answer for one of the trivia questions….

“Name 3 of the 4 Robinsons who are members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackie, Wilbert, Frank and Brooks.

Now you know.