Random Thoughts (Now in Color!)

Some of you may remember when color television was a new thing, and shows boasted that they were broadcast IN COLOR (!!). Series that started out in black and white made the switch to NOW IN COLOR (!!!). By the time I was a regular viewer of television, everything was in color, so it wasn't a big deal. My generation saw the birth of NOW IN HIGH DEFINITION (!!!!). I don't know what the next innovation will be, but you can bet it'll have at least 5 exclamation points.

Did you know that at one time, one of the selling points of Crisco shortening was that it was digestible? The can on which I observed this bit of marketing genius was old, but it couldn't have been more than 30 years old, and shortening has been around much longer than that. Remarkably, however, the can had remained unopened until 2009, and the product was still good! The (now-empty) can has been saved for posterity.

Anyone who has seen an infomercial has witnessed the hilarious (but often head-scratching) difficulties using such items as jars of mixed fruit, small appliances that have an evil agenda, and even the humble blanket. When the original Perfect Pancake pan came out, my family and I sat in awe as footage (in black and white, of course) rolled showing a glop of pancake batter being dropped in about an inch of grease in an ordinary skillet. The voiceover lamented that everyone loves pancakes, but "ALL that added FAT!!!" The scene switches to a pair of hands breaking open an egg into a stainless steel skillet. The voiceover complains that eggs stick and make a mess as a spatula-wielding hand attempts to flip the egg cooking in a skillet with no oil whatsoever. Enter (IN COLOR!!) the Perfect Pancake pan! After seeing that infomercial, any time an ad comes on TV showing morons trying to do simple tasks (and failing miserably), we look at each other and say, "Deep fried pancakes, dry-fried eggs!" 

There are a few infomercial products that fill a niche, and they perform as advertised. A great many, however, are "variations on a theme", and the tasks the products are meant to make easier really aren't all that difficult to begin with. As an old neighbor told my dad one day, "That's for selling, not for buying." 

I have to give props to the infomercial actors, though. I can't imagine how hard it must be to not only act as though they haven't a brain in their head, but go out into the public knowing that everyone thinks they're an idiot. 

The first cool front of the season pushed through today! :-D The cooler temperatures won't last long, but it's a welcome respite from the humid heat. Come on, Fall! :-D 

Have a blessed day! :-) 

Today's the Day! (Seize It!)

The best time, for me, is just before the sun peeks over the horizon. The countryside is still quiet, still in its slumber, and the air is cool and fresh. 

There's a feeling of anticipation, of possibility. A new day is dawning, and with the rising sun come hopes and dreams, that today will be the best day ever. Yesterday's disappointments are but a memory, gone with the darkness. Today is here! 

I don't often get the opportunity to greet the dawn, and when I do, it's usually because I didn't sleep the night before. It's still my favorite time of day, though. It's wonderful to sit on the front steps with a cup of coffee in hand and watch and listen to the world waking up. Birds sing their morning music, the dog stretches and shakes off the night (and then does her "feed me" dance), and people get ready to start their day. 

I realize the irony of a post about early morning written late at night. Like a square wheel, that's how I roll - ironically. ;-)

Take the time to have some quiet contemplation. Spend some time with God. Pray a prayer and dream some dreams. Dare to hope, and love your neighbor! And for goodness' sake, LAUGH! :-D 

Have a blessed day!

Write What You Know (Or, You Know, Write)

Another summer is drawing to a close. I'm not expecting cooler weather for another month or so, though. I've survived my second summer without air conditioning, and this one was easier than the last. Fans make a HUGE difference! 

Insomnia has been my faithful companion for the past couple weeks. I don't think it would be so bad if I were able to get things done around here, but there are some things that have to be done during daylight hours, and not being able to sleep doesn't necessarily mean I'm not tired.

Everyday living has pushed blogging past the back burner and into that drawer everyone has that collects bits and pieces of future projects or things that will be useful one day (so don't throw it out!). At one time, I blogged on myspace just about every day. The writing was cathartic. I got away from writing shortly after hurricane Ike (2008), because I had no regular internet access. After that, well, let's just say I had more pressing matters to attend. The pressing matters are still there (and there are always pressing matters). I find, however, that the old noggin is getting lazy, and I need the mental exercise.

It's time to open the drawer and pull out some of those bits and pieces and see if I can make something nice. :-) 

Have a blessed day! :-)