Give Me Liberty

 

Flag Plaza at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.

From this park, you'll have one of the best views of the skyline in Lower Manhattan, New York City.

See the Statue of Liberty there on the left?  She's very visible once you get to the path on the water's edge.

Cool place to hang out.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Love In A Slot Canyon
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Between The Swell
2017: Don't Monkey With The Meat
2016: The Image Character Of Poop
2015: Buckeye Affluence
2014: Snaking Through Idaho
2013: Fun Funky Freaky Friday The 13th
2012: Scooting Around Town
2011: Eureka! Sand For The Golden State
2010: Eddie Lounging In Black And White
2009: Not Quick Enough For A Sunset
2008: We’ve Got Onions, Cream Cheese, And Choppers!
2007: Just Steps Away From The River
2006: The Anything But Itty Bitty Co-Op City
2005: What The Hell Are You Looking At? 

Serving Columbus For 85 Years

 

Plank's Cafe in Columbus, Ohio.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: It's Really All About The Chee
2017: Passed
2016: Ed Is The Estrella In This Scenario
2015: The Haus Of Cream Puffs
2014: Five Guys Fries Cap Off The Week
2013: Give It A Try
2012: The House I Live In
2011: Through Chicago To Cheese Country
2010: Ghost Rider
2009: I Only Think I Know A Lot Of Things…Here Are Ten Of Them
2008: Texas Love Bugs And Hurricanes
2007: Pimping For The Presidency
2006: Demographics Of A Lifetime
2005: Glacial Impact

Corner Store

 A liquor store is on the corner of the state line town of Florala, Alabama.





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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: The Apple In The Eye Of The Beholder
2017: Geometric Perfection
2016: Getting Ready To Hit The Friendly Skies
2015: A Community Of Makers
2014: He Can't Be Trusted Around Electronics
2013: Light As Air
2012: Remember The Living
2011: In The Pink While Manning The Wheel Of A Big Rig
2010: Still Standing
2009: Eddie Dumps It Friday
2008: Vicki Goes Hollywood
2007: Market Flora
2006: Now Where The Hell Did She Park My Truck???
2005: Channeling Angelina Jolie

After The Rain In Amish Country

 

A rainbow in Shipshewana, Indiana.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Touring South Of The Border
2017: The Wind Whistles Through
2016: On The Way To Bras, Shoes, And Eileen Fisher
2015: Truck Repairs Don't Sound So Bad When Bullets Are The Alternative
2014: Giant Three-Armed Spiny Monster
2013: Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'
2012: A Beautiful Iranian Mind
2011: Clowning Around
2010: Smolder
2009: Comrades In Driving
2008: Black, White, And Tan
2007: If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Fart At The Speed Of Light
2006: Draped In Sarcasm
2005: Feast Your Eyes

One Of The Boys

 

A throwback to one of my nephews riding his dirt bike on the desert track my brother built on his property.  Can't quite make out which one it is with the helmet and all the gear on!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: A Little Bit Of Emotion
2017: Rainy Arezzo
2016: Snippet Of Texas
2015: Half The Size, Twice The Violence!
2014: Wildly Fierce Candy Cactus
2013: How I Spent The Day
2012: From Farm To Table
2011: Ups And Downs
2010: Three Men, Two Generations, One Passion
2009: Miss Tooth Reigns Supreme
2008: And This Is Why She Will Always Be A Maid At A Hotel
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Family Reunion Rules
2005: Chillin’ In Anchorage

Behind The Blue Door

 

Blue doors in the Barrio Viejo in Tucson, Arizona.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Crème De La Crème
2020: Fire And Brimstone In The West
2019: Bird Of Prey
2018: Down The River
2017: Valion Pride
2016: Be Virtually Anywhere
2015: This Is Not 100% Natural Spring Water
2014: Rain Day Delay
2013: That Sunday, That Summer
2012: Heading To The Mountains
2011: End Of Summer Rainbow
2010: UGG, What A Surprise!
2009: Under The El
2008: We Escaped With Our Teeth Intact
2007: Praying In The Jewel Of The South For Over 250 Years
2006: Drive Time Champion
2005: Yukon Bet We're Far Away

Corn Protection

 

Just in case there's a fire in the cornfield.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Red Stronghold
2017: On The Way To St. George
2016: Modern Vintage
2015: Happy Labor Day!
2014: Teamwork
2013: Pecan Bacon Syrup. Need I Say More?
2012: That’s Right, The Entire Web
2011: And We Have A Winner!!
2010: So What’s Wrong With A Good Idea?
2009: Where Is A Palm Reader When I Need One?
2008: Fred’s Plan Appears To Have Backfired
2007: Eddie Plays A Round Friday
2006: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
2005: 50 Little Facts About Alaska

Beware The Cactus Patch

 

A blooming patch of prickly pear cactus in our front yard.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Morning In The Panhandle
2017: When Things Were Still Normal
2016: Cake In The Morning
2015: Even More Beauty Is On Its Way
2014: Light, Bright, And Airy
2013: How To Get Rid Of A Pain In The Ass
2012: Working Together, The Democratic Way
2011: Teams Take A Day Off
2010: The King And Queen Of Sun And Sand
2009: Popeye Would Love This Stuff
2008: From The Confines Of The Hampton Inn
2007: When I Grow Up, I Want To Be…
2006: Fire Water
2005: Ed Having Fun With Photoshop

Hot And Sweet

Ed and I have been eating a lot of salads for lunch lately.  They're filling, light, and perfect for the hot weather we are still enduring out here in Tucson.

My favorite dressing for months has been this one.  It's absolutely amazing. 

Although it has apple cider vinegar, I add lemon juice, too.  And, I add the tahini, garlic powder (sometimes fresh), onion powder, and salt and pepper.  It's soooo good.  And it thickens in the fridge so it's also perfect for dipping vegetables.  If it's too thick the next day, I just add more lemon juice and shake it up before drizzling.   

But today I made a sweet and spicy mango dressing because Ed bought enough mangoes for us to open a fruit stand.  This is the one I went with. 

I followed the recipe almost to the letter - I left out the olive oil because I'm trying to lower our daily fats, and I used a jalapeño because that's what I had on hand.  It was very, very good. 


I'm definitely adding it to the salad dressing rotation.

  

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Art At The Arroyo
2017: Natural Endorphins
2016: The Road That's Actually Less Traveled
2015: The Glowing Red Triangle
2014: I Prefer IPY To DIY
2013: Heading To Primm
2012: Fashion (And Country) Forward
2011: Slowly Meandering Through Farm Country
2010: Long Beach Lights
2009: 4423 Humboldt Avenue
2008: Eddie Tourist Friday
2007: Ripe For A Dognapping
2006: What Lies Beneath
2005: Big Sky Country

Two Generations Of Hands

 

This photo was taken about eight years ago.  The top hand is my mother's, the bottom one is mine. She is 25 years older than me.

I noticed three things in this photo.

1.  I think I like an oval-shaped nail better than my lifelong square nails.

2.  This was before my pinky and ring finger got all jacked up with arthritis.  My fingers started to noticeably change after I turned fifty.

3.  I have an idea of what my 75-year-old hands might look like.

And at 82, my mother's hands are still working so that's a good thing, too. 

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Exploring The American Southwest
2017: Celebrate Like A Cat
2016: Cargnegiea Gigantea
2015: Celebrating Labor Day By Not Laboring
2014: A Taco Garage Worth Pulling Into
2013: Who?
2012: You Can’t Ask For A More Convenient Setup
2011: The Thoughts In My Mind About This Guy, Are Criminal
2010: The Queen Of High Society
2009: An Icy Glare For The Heat Miser
2008: Jazz Funeral On Decatur
2007: Keeping The Homeland Secure One Dog At A Time
2006: Reputation Is Everything
2005: ”_________________”

Remnant Of The Past

The Spanish Trail Motel in Tucson, Arizona has been around for years.  It's also been abandoned for years. 

Earlier this year a fire damaged much of what was left of the building and the sign is one of the last identifiable pieces left.

I've always liked this building. I've written about it in the past. It was colorful, unique, retro.  It's a shame it wasn't restored and used for something else rather than left to deteriorate.  

More photos here.




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2023: Sorry no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Labor Day Of Love
2017: Powering Moab
2016: Friday Night Lights
2015: From Here To There
2014: Delicious Demolished Tamal
2013: Scenic Route?? Please.
2012: My Handsome Melon Headed Angel
2011: It’s My Turn
2010: Bird Traffic Waiting For The Light
2009: The Lady And The American Pro Driver
2008: The Signs Don’t Scare Me
2007: Pocket Full Of Min Pin
2006: Less Is More
2005: Sleep Deprived

Cultural Diversity

This store can be found at 5910 Fort Hamilton Parkway in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.  The store isn't special, it's just like any dollar store you've been in, except this is in the Asian section of this area.

Years ago we delivered a load to this neighborhood - a tight squeeze with an 18-wheeler! - and while we were waiting for the job site to be ready for us, we walked to a nearby Chinese restaurant for lunch.

Borough Park is "home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities outside Israel, with one of the largest concentrations of Jews in the United States" and like many neighborhoods in New York City, it's very diverse.  

And a place where you can always find a decent spot for lunch.

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2023: Sorry no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Amazing In One Pot
2017: Note To Self: Shut Phone Off Before Bed
2016: Where You Live When You Love What You Do
2015: The Best Snark On Screen
2014: The Only One Working Today
2013: Only The Lonely
2012: Tunnel Of Love
2011: A Stinking Welcome
2010: The Star Of The Spinning Centerpiece
2009: My Nizzl Fa Shizzl
2008: When You’re Smiling
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Decision Dilemma
2005: Alaska Later!

Unlimited Soakings

 

Last week I bought an unlimited pass at Mister Car Wash.  I've been there four times already in the last week.  The unlimited pass cost is the same as two economy washes.  It's a smokin' deal.

It's very dusty here in Tucson.  And during monsoon season, which ends at the end of this month, it rains daily, kicking up must and leaving rain spots on our vehicle.  So, why not?  

I feel like a kid going through the car wash.  I love it.  It feels so private.  Cozy, even.  I wish the cycle was longer.  

So while I'm home, every time I leave the house I will get a car wash.  Maybe two.

Try and stop me.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Leaving Summer Behind
2017: Missing Cabbage
2016: Primary Refraction
2015: But I Love It
2014: Imaginative Perspective
2013: Somewhere Out West
2012: All You Have To Do Is Feed Them
2011: Homeward Bound!
2010: Foreign Invasion
2009: Downtown Detroit: Occupied And Vacant
2008: Barracks And Decatur
2007: Dicks In Tennessee
2006: Canoe The Blue
2005: Minalicious

Determined Little Maple

This little sprig was growing in the remains of a burned-out building in Detroit, Michigan.  I loved the contrast of the colors of the tiny sapling against the pieces of burnt wood. 

This tiny tree was determined to grow.  It's a Box Elder, "a tree that refuses to be killed even when everything around it is paved.  We need box elder like we need air to breathe.  We need everything it gives us, and we need everything it gives to our ecosystem as a whole."

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: A Word
2017: The Chief Over All Winged Creatures
2016: Remembering The Old Spanish Trail
2015: Rain Frog
2014: Wanted: Traveling Maid
2013: Flippin' Fantastic Finds
2012: There’s Room At This Inn – For Dancing And Gambling
2011: Later, Fishies!
2010: It’s In The Details
2009: Plenty Of Places To Roam, No Place To Park It
2008: E Vac You A She Own!!
2007: Eddie Steals A Bite Friday
2006: Steal-A-Meme
2005: The Day In Pictures

There's A New Treat In Town

I'm into a new treat these days.  They're healthy, homemade, and delicious.

Made with dates, nuts, oats, vanilla, and cocoa powder.  When the mixture is done, I typically just roll them in cocoa powder, but this time I rolled some in cocoa, some in chopped nuts, and some in coconut flakes.  

Here's the recipe:

10-12 pitted Medjool dates. (I soak them in hot water to soften them and then I chop them in small pieces)
1 cup nuts (use any kind you like)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons of cocoa powder

Put everything in a food processor, pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped, and start to look thick and stick together.  Once combined, roll them into balls and place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  

Put them in the fridge until they're chilled.  Store in a Tupperware in the fridge.  

I will tell you that they're not going to last long.  They're delicious!



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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Pork Chop Express

2017: Full-Blown Wonder
2016: Saguaro Nest
2015: I Do Laundry And Bring Strawberries
2014: A Match Made In Trucking Heaven
2013: Shiny Ride Home
2012: Chow Fun And Coconut Bliss
2011: Beautiful By Nature. Dirty By Choice.
2010: Let’s Go Shopping!!!
2009: A Magnificent Place To Wait For A Train
2008: Old Blue Eyes Was Right When He Said It Was A Very Good Year
2007: The Hills Are Alive…Or Are They?
2006: Nostalgia
2005: 37 Going On 20

A Meeting Place For Veterans Of The American Civil War

This is the Grand Army of the Republic building in Detroit, Michigan. Construction on the building started in 1898 and was finished in 1900.

See detailed photos and photos of the inside here. 

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: I Like the Light
2017: In The Stacks
2016: Isn't He A-Moose-Ing?
2015: Ten Saturday Links
2014: Farm And Garden Since 1936
2013: Waiting In The Waiting Room
2012: Waiting Out Our Mistake
2011: A Brilliant Island Adventure
2010: It’s Getting So Much Easier These Days To Spot Idiots
2009: Scenes From Motor City
2008: Eddie Mad Hatter Friday
2007: What A Grape Idea!
2006: You Couldn’t Pay Me Enough
2005: Due Amici Designs

Sexy In The Sunshine State

A sexy sculpture in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami, Florida.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Displacing Large Volumes Of Water
2017: My Brain Loves Order
2016: A Good Atmosphere Doesn't Always Equal Good Food
2015: Will Walk For Coffee
2014: The Real Challenge Was Getting In And Out Of It
2013: Stormy Wyoming
2012: Entertaining The Masses
2011: A Very Expensive Day Of Laze
2010: A Little River On A Big Lake In The Middle Of A Floating Stage
2009: Eddie The Cicada Whisperer Friday
2008: Maybe We Should Sell Our Truck And Buy An Airboat
2007: Me And My Man
2006: If You’re Going To Rescue Me, Bring Sandwiches
2005: Hurricane Equality

Protect The Flowers Of The Sun

A field of Prairie Sunflowers somewhere in Kansas.

 

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.

2018: Just Hangin' Out

2017: As The Crow Flies
2016: Mall Princess
2015: Oklahoma Wind
2014: All Along The Shining Sea
2013: Waterfront Wedding
2012: Crossing The Mighty Hudson For Our Radio Debut
2011: All-Inclusive Social Butterflies
2010: The $7 Date Night
2009: Them’s Fighting Words!
2008: Skulls And Hot Chocolate In The French Quarter
2007: Once As High As An Elephant’s Eye
2006: Trouser Snakes On A Plane
2005: Big Honkin’ Truck Makeover