Sunset In The Brick City

Sunset at the Pilot Travel Center in Ocala, Florida.


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2014: The King Of Light
2013: The End Of WiFi???
2012: Through A Canopy Of Oaks
2011: Clap Your Hands
2010: Wishing For A Blizzard But Will Settle For Flakes
2009: A Hideous Thief Exposed
2008: Southwest Sunset
2007: Subtlety Is SO Not His Middle Name
2006: Bridging Chicago
2005: Oxymoronic Holiday

The Eternal Voice

Francis Albert Sinatra, Hoboken, New Jersey's gift to the world, is one of my favorite singers. Today marks what would have been his 100th birthday.

I don't remember a time in my life when Frank Sinatra wasn't present. As a kid, his music was played in our house, along with Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis.  When my parents divorced and my mother remarried, my step-father Frank is the one who really amped up the Sinatra for me. Sinatra was (and still is) an icon. There wasn't a night at our family restaurant in the Catskills that Frank Sinatra wasn't playing.

Every waitress in the place knew the words to the songs drifting through the dining room and every once in a while someone would say, "Jesus Christ! Can someone change that tape??" They were referring to the 8-track tapes, all Sinatra, stacked in piles next to the player in the bar. If you didn't change the tape, it would play over and over and over again.  And after you've heard High Hopes or French Foreign Legion four times in the course of an evening, you know it's time to slip in another 8-track.

Sinatra songs were so embedded in my life and mind, that my cousin and I once did "High Hopes" on Karaoke Night at a bar. A bar where no one was over the age of 25, yet everyone knew the words because we were in New York. I have tons of Sinatra on my iPhone and Ed and I used to listen to a channel on SiriusXM Radio called Siriusly Sinatra. It's great driving music.

It's really hard for me to pick a favorite Sinatra song, but some of my top choices are:

Fly Me to the Moon

That's Life - performed live, 1966

All of Nothing at All

Come Fly With Me

I've Got a Crush on You - one of my favorite versions is the one he does with Barbra Streisand from the Duets album

Summer Wind

My Way - Live at Madison Square Garden, 1974. Sinatra's national anthem.

What Now, My Love? (crappy video but okay audio on this one)

You Make Me Feel So Young

Where of When

You Will Be My Music

I've Got You Under My Skin

Luck Be A Lady - "A lady doesn't wander all over the room and blow on some other guy's dice..."

and of course, the iconic anthem known all over the world...

New York, New York

Sinatra at the Sands is one of my favorite albums. Arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones, recorded live at the Copa Room of the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Sinatra sings, accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra.  It's been called the "best live album anyone has made of any kind of music."

Frank Sinatra is the coolest "dude" ever. The shit.  The man. The Voice.  If you're a man and you don't want to be him, I don't want to know you. And if you're a woman and don't think that Sinatra is the smoothest guy that ever existed, I don't think I want to know you either. I kid.  But not really.

He's loved by millions.  And entertainment powerhouses sing his praises to this day.

"He was the epitome of what singing is all about, beautiful sounds, smooth as silk, effortless, impeccable phrasing, stylish, intelligent and full of heart." ~ Barbra Streisand

"Frank Sinatra's voice expresses more eloquence than I can ever say in mere words." ~ Billy Joel

"There will never be another Frank Sinatra." ~ Michael Buble

"Frank Sinatra took me to a whole new planet." ~ Quincy Jones
"To sing with Frank Sinatra in any capacity at all is overwhelming." ~ Linda Ronstadt

"Frank Sinatra represents a style that is the utmost of professionalism." ~ Phil Ramone

"He's just a gorgeous singer, understood the art of intimate singing." ~ Tony Bennett
If you can't get enough of Frank Sinatra on this day of his birth, or any day for that matter, check out some of these links.

TIME magazine's photo slideshow from Frank's life.

If you didn't catch this tribute on CBS, you should find it online and watch it.  Worth it.

Sid Mark's radio show, The Sounds of Sinatra.

Frank Sinatra's family shares these photos.

Playboy magazine's February 1963 interview with Frank Sinatra.

Hoboken remembers Frank.

And to hear Frank's best known and loved songs performed as duets with the likes of Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Willie Nelson, Chrissie Hynde, Luis Miguel, Anita Baker, Gloria Estefan, and more, check out Duets and Duets II.  I own both of these albums and I love them!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Crack O' Dawn
2013: Oh No You Didn't
2012: Nothing Is More Memorable Than A Day At The Lake
2011: The Champion Of Our Cause, The Protector Of Our Dreams
2010: Shuttin’ Down The Operation
2009: Rolling Out The Holiday Films
2008: No Rig Too Big
2007: Go Dasher, Go Dancer, Go Prancer, Go Vixen
2006: Untitled
2005: Unawarrior

Off Season Surf Shop

Their website said they were open, so Ed and I walked down to the beach to check out the windsurfing shop. When we got there we found the remnants of the rental shack they set up. Only during the season.

I had a feeling people weren't windsurfing in Virginia in December.  It's been unseasonably warm during the day, but I'm betting that water is pretty cold.

And I didn't see anyone prancing around the beach in wetsuits.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Two Full Weeks Of Shopping Left
2013: Team Daily Rant Makes A Pitstop In Florida
2012: An Apple A Day
2011: California Sunshine
2010: A Star (Or Two) Is Born
2009: Modern Road Warriors And Their Weapons 
2008: Holsteins On Display
2007: Listening And LOVING
2006: Unfortunately Synonymous
2005: The Gays Are The Ritziest

The Waffle King Of Ozark

We scored a prime parking spot in front of the Waffle King in Ozark, Alabama.  


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2014: Chocolate Covered Memory
2013: I Found A Few Gifts To Flip For
2012: Barely Surviving
2011: In And Out In A Peachy Keen Flash
2010: Yo, I’m All Over The Place!
2009: Morning On The Willamette
2008: Stupidity Threat Level: Orange*
2007: It’s Like Playing A Record Backwards To Hear The “Real” Meaning
2006: In The Desert, The Clouds Look Like Cotton Candy
2005: Chinky By The Ramada

Happy Little Machinery

This is a piece of machinery used at a paper mill.  The driver said he was taking it to have it repaired.  New, the piece is $600,000.00.  The repair was only going to cost $240,00.00.

What a deal.

The piece of machinery looks pretty happy about being fixed and not discarded.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Yo, Brooklyn!
2013: ALL Weather Is Tarping Weather Now
2012: 132" Of Christmas

2011: Breakdown = Extra Nap Time
2010: Dr. Lettera Said The Very Same Thing, She Just Wasn’t Qualified To Write The Prescription
2009: The First Snow I’ve Seen This Season
2008: Not That There’s Any Reason To Park Here
2007: A Game You Wouldn’t Want To Play If You Were Say, IN The Witness Protection Program
2006: Companionship Is Just A Phone Call Away. Beauty Is Another Story.
2005: Who Stole My Cheese?

Joy Delivery

Christmas has come to our home on the road!  This year, I've made a few additions to the exterior decor - a Santa hat and stocking adorns the stack heat shields.

 And a little red bow sits atop each mirror...

Inside, window clings are always fun.  A snowman on the passenger side...

And Santa on the driver's side.  Red garland and shiny green ornaments across the windshield, a a shimmery red North Star dangling from the center.

Another new addition to the exterior - garland on the grab bars near the back door of the sleeper.

 Inside, there's shimmery silver garland, Santa, reindeer, and a teeny red tree..

 Santa with his sleigh and reindeer fly above the entrance to the cab...

 My tissue box wrapped like a present...

Santa hangin' out by the thermostat (he always keeps the room below 55 degrees - I love him for that).

 A Christmas tree on the back door...

 Wrapped "presents" on the bookshelf above the bed...

 A few more window clings keeping Ed's polar bear ornament company...

And again, another shot of the grill ornaments...

It's definitely cheery in here and we get tons of looks rolling down the road.  People wave, honk their horns, smile, and comment.

It's as if we're delivering a little holiday joy.  I'm cool with that.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: All Huddled Together
2013: Me And My Shadow
2012: Weekend Update
2011: Midway To A Haven Of Triple X Activity
2010: The Cowboy And I
2009: Christmas In OKC
2008: Ain’t Nuthin’ But A Lizard Pimp
2007: After The Storm
2006: Border Town
2005: Easily Amused

Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore of the Potomac River in Newburg, Maryland.



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2014: Sunday Elixirs
2013: Getting Robbed On The Way OUT Of New York
2012: Not Everyone Learns In The Same Manner
2011: Just Another Day In New York
2010: Practicing For The Retirement Home
2009: United Parcel Servant
2008: Whizzing Through Dallas
2007: Eddie With The Luscious Kisser Friday
2006: ’Tis The Season To Be Tweety
2005: Cat Fiiiiiight!!!

Rollin' With A Little Christmas

The first peek at the Christmas decorations on the truck.

Every year I hit Big Lots, and the dollar stores to look for stuff to adorn the inside and outside of the truck for Christmas.  By the end of the season, everything on the exterior - usually minus the hearty plastic candy canes - get thrown out.  They're covered in road schmutz and I'm not interested in cleaning off twenty dollars' worth of plastic decorations.  I already have stuff from years past in my storage shed at the house - I'm never there at the time I need them to decorate.

I've finished the inside, nothing as elaborate this year, and will post pictures in a few days.

Does anyone else out there decorate their truck? If so, send me a link to photos!



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2014: Waterfront Biz
2013: My Boy And I Love Us Some Cheese
2012: A Visit To The Island Plantation of Hibernia
2011: Now They Are Heard And Not Just Seen
2010: By Request
2009: The Reason My Ass Is Not Getting Any Smaller
2008: Out Of This World Outport Life
2007: Max Says To Go Placidly, As It Is Still A Beautiful World
2006: Dangerous Beauty
2005: Big Bad Cherry Peppers

Ten Transcendent Tannenbaums

Yesterday's Christmas post led me to looking at Christmas trees - interesting, beautiful, unique trees - surrounded by phenomenal rooms.

I think this lavender-themed room is my favorite, I don't think I've ever seen purple incorporated into Christmas this way.  You can see more of it HERE, it's truly amazing.

Enjoy the rest of these tree-adorned rooms. Starting with this simple one.

And moving on to black, white, silver, and gold.  This place is gorgeous. Stunning. Elegant. Wow.

This home in Toronto, Canada is breathtaking.   

These soothing rooms, punched up with color that extends to the tiny tree.

Not really a tree, but I love this decorating idea. Modern meets woodsy.

This one is kinda country and kid-friendly:

Just when you think you can't take another gorgeous room, in comes the snow-flocked tree. I absolutely LOVE white-on-white and this place takes the giant white cake!

Rustic and unadorned.

And last but not least, a tree that's a little Charlie Brown-ish.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Cascade Of Reading Material
2013: Easy Money
2012: Keeping Tabs On The Industry
2011: Trucker Love Notes
2010: We Need A Little Christmas Right This Very Minute
2009: Sorting Out The Details
2008: Eddie On A Cliff Friday
2007: Christmas Meme!
2006: ”O” My God
2005: Five Already???

Getting In The Holiday Mood

via

I'm decorating the truck this weekend, like I have in years past, and it's getting me in a holiday mood.  In 2012 I had a poinsettia theme, in 2013 I had a reindeer welcome mat and a foil Christmas tree on the dinette backdrop.  This year I've accumulated a few stockings, some lights, garland, and stuff for the truck exterior.  I haven't decided on a "theme" yet, but I bought colored lights, so I think I have to go old school rather than all-white-light-chic.

And I've been browsing websites.  Here are a few things I've found:

22 little Christmas crafts.

Christmas organizing like only Martha Stewart can do.

Glittering Christmas projects, again courtesy of Miss Martha.

Edible gifts for your favorite people - this kind of gift is a labor of love.

35 Real Simple, easy, and elegant recipes for Christmas Dinner.

Or Hanukkah - I am really considering the Coriander Dusted Roast Beef.

Here are some table setting ideas to make your food look its best.

And you'll need a stunning centerpiece for the middle of it all.

Desserts you can make ahead.

And more desserts.

And what the hell, let's even throw in a Bûche de Noël.  I haven't made one of these in over 25 years, so I think this Christmas I'm going to attempt this to top of our meal.

Or, if you're not going to be home for the holidays, here are some vacation ideas, foreign (mostly) and domestic.

And if you like snow like I do, here are some winter festivals to attend, and snowy vacation deals that guarantee the white stuff.

Happy Holiday Clicking!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: A Door To Another World
2013: Beaver Exploitation In Texas
2012: Perfected And Built By Italians
2011: So THIS Is What We Look Like!
2010: Just Because
2009: Plastic Is A Sure Thing
2008: The All Purpose Swab
2007: Jump The Weeds
2006: Forty Dollars A Gallon
2005: Off With Their Heads!

A Tony In The Making

First Fantasia, now Jennifer Hudson, in "The Color Purple" on Broadway.  Now there's a show I'd love to see.

    

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2014: Collecting America
2013: Approaching Flag
2012: He Didn't Even Need Duct Tape
2011: The Epitome Of Desolation
2010: Eddie Lobster On The Brain, Listening Skills Disengaged Friday
2009: Privacy Issues
2008: It’s Crazy That I’m Crazy For Keanu
2007: Gifts That Keep On Giving
2006: Classic Las Vegas
2005: Off With Their Heads!

The Incredible Portable Egg

Last week Ed and I tried Scotch Eggs for the first time. I've never heard of Scotch Eggs in my entire life. I learned about them sometime this year, I don't remember when, but it wasn't too long ago. I don't even remember where I heard about them - something I read, a podcast I was listening to, online - suddenly I just knew about them.

They're hard-boiled eggs, wrapped in in sausage, rolled in breadcrumbs, and deep fried. I read that sometimes people bake them, but I think fried is probably the way to go. We liked them, although something was missing.  I thought they might be salty because of the sausage, but they weren't, they just weren't as flavorful as I thought they'd be. I added a sprinkle of salt and they perked up.  

I don't know that I'd eat these on a picnic, or packed in a lunchbox. I think they're probably best freshly cooked like we had them at this restaurant. Although, it is like a fried meatball in a way, so maybe they wouldn't be that bad. And they are definitely portable.

Who else has tried Scotch Eggs and what did you think?


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~2014: Bric-à-brac
2013: Bidding Adieu
2012: Rushing To The Mine 
2011: Ari-Snowna
2010: It’s In The Air
2009: Wish List
2008: He Must Have Learned It From TV
2007: When Pizza Is Involved, Jesus Is Always In Charge
2006: Sexier Than The Rockettes
2005: $3.99 A Minute

Practically A Cardinal Red Sin

Earlier this month, the country was in an uproar about a red paper cup. It was anti-Jesus, anti-Christian, and anti-Christmas. Some people felt is was the last straw, the deliberate way for a large company to overtake the country, turning it into a den of iniquity.

I finally got my hands on one of the controversial, heathen cups. I drank a Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte out of it.  And it didn't make me want to sacrifice a baby, or a goat, and I wasn't swarmed by a horde of priests condemning my very existence.

I just enjoyed a hot latte while shopping.

Sometimes, that's the only thing that happens in this trucker's day.



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2014: Drink And A Movie?
2013: Leaving The Blue Skies Behind
2012: One Special Request
2011: Body Language
2010: Move Along, Not Much To Read Here
2009: My Favorite Geek Scores Two Bargains In One Day
2008: Your Beating Heart
2007: All I Want For Christmas Are My Two Front Teeth
2006: Eddie Opens An Eye In Vegas Friday
2005: You’re Giving Me Agida

My Counter Floweth Over

We've spent the last five days in a hotel.  We delivered a load the day before Thanksgiving and with the slow freight and the holiday, we knew we wouldn't be working so we decided to rent a car and get a room.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Golden Corral - which was just eh, with no leftovers, which is the worst part about Thanksgiving on the road - then on Black Friday avoided the stores like the plague, because, well, that's just crazy, but the next day we did hit Best Buy to look at a new laptop and iPad for me.  I saw the iPad Pro, which is huge, I actually think it's too big, then we went to Big Lots to get Christmas decorations for the truck, did some laundry, had dinner out, then headed back to the hotel.

Yesterday morning we checked out, went for lunch, returned the rental car, then hit the grocery store to restock the truck for the week. You can see part of our bounty above. I have lot of pantry space in the truck, but the fridge and freezer space is more limited than I'd like. I always have to get real creative when I shove stuff in there. I don't even let Ed touch anything because it's my own personal Jenga, one wrong move and everything will come tumbling out.

We will be looking for a load this week, although freight has been pretty slow so I'm not sure what the outcome will be.  We also need to get a 10,000 hour service on our generator so hopefully we'll find a place along the way to do that, too.

Tomorrow is the first of December, can you believe it?? That means it's a little over three weeks until Christmas. Man, where has the year gone?

Well, it's a good thing we stocked up on food because I'm going to need the nourishment to start Christmas shopping!



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2014: Breakfast Served All Day
2013: A Peek At Mission Learning
2012: Pretty Yung Ting
2011: How To Get Kids To Eat Vegetables
2010: Back In The Saddle
2009: Logging Lots Of Miles
2008: Apples, Fudge And Homemade Jam
2007: Eddie Hick Runs Deep Friday
2006: If You Can’t Make It To France
2005: I’m Sleeping With Someone New