Johnnny's World

Snowflake Of The Week

2012-01-30T20:45:00.000-06:00

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BLOGGER stands for

2012-01-29T11:46:00.002-06:00

Keep on bloggin'

As an acronym, have you ever wondered what BLOGGER stands for? Here is one possibility:
Better Latent Than Never
Life Goes On
Only Live Twice
Geniune Imitation
Gravity Brings Me Down
Endorsed By Millions
Reckless Caution
What do you think BLOGGER means?

Go Green

2012-01-28T08:23:00.003-06:00

Iguana: The other green meat.

One of the great things about the Internet is being able to search for pretty much anything. Here is a recipe for Iguana. We don't have any Iguanas in North Dakota, so this is probably meant for folks down there in South Dakota.

Walk The Walk

2012-01-26T06:54:00.001-06:00

Walk it off

Fred Nietzsche: All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking. Anonymous: Don't let people drive you crazy when you know it's in walking distance. Albanian Proverb: When you have no companion, look to your walking stick. Steve Wright: Anywhere is walking distance, if you've got the time. Tom Jefferson: The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best. Joan Rivers: He who limps is still walking. Hippocrates: Walking is man's best medicine.

Leg Appreciation Day

2012-01-24T06:50:00.000-06:00

Take a moment and give thanks for your legs.

Cribbage Cave

2012-01-22T09:01:00.001-06:00

Playing cribbage in the cave

"Capture as many happy moments as you can." was a saying of Dr. James Miles. Dad pretty much lived his life according to this philosophy. Here is one happy moment that I captured: Kit and I playing cribbage in our cave (our living room in the garage). Note the acorns, which are used to remember what street we're on, in the game. Even during winter months, a few small heaters make our insulated garage a comfortable place (especially since we have real furniture out there).

Carnival Fun Boat

2012-01-16T19:18:00.002-06:00

Experience true panic situations. Adventure like never before.

Are you looking for adventure? Have you gotten bored with normal, perfunctory cruise ships? Carnival Cruise Lines now offers the ultimate in X-treme cruise X-perience. Feel what it must have felt like to be aboard The Titanic. Share an adult beverage with the captain in one of the many bars on-board. Steer the ship yourself while the captain snoozes. As water innundates your cabin, see how quickly you can find a life-jacket. It's all here, in the three-ring circus, we call Carnival!

Eye of the Dog

2012-01-15T21:23:00.000-06:00

In major need of blue eye reduction

This started out as a picture of our best dog friend, Uma. It ended up being a study in dog eye lens experimental colorization.

The New Air Force One

2012-01-13T07:02:00.000-06:00

The new Boeing 797 looks (and flies) like a bird.

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's the newly remodeled Air Force One. Say hello to the new Boeing 797. Instead of jet fuel, it runs completely on fish. Expect to see it in use after the upcoming 2012 presidential election.

Snowflake Of The Week

2012-01-08T12:51:00.000-06:00

Click to zoom in

Leave Up Or Take Down

2012-01-01T09:48:00.002-06:00

Neighborhood Christmas lights

I saw some of our neighbors across the street yesterday taking down their Christmas lights already. That seems a bit early to me. We leave ours up yearound. We have a string of C-7s going around our garage door. By changing the colors of lights, you can look appropriate for any holiday or time of year. Leave them up this year!

Gnome Home

2011-12-30T11:17:00.002-06:00

Mr. Gnome with Golden Bunny

While spending time with family on Christmas Day, we had a surprise visit from Mr. Gnome. He was delivering a special Christmas bunny to show his appreciation for being allowed to live in one of the backyard trees. {Mr. Gnome's home}

Snowflake Of The Week

2011-12-26T10:55:00.001-06:00

Click to zoom in

Our Mountain

2011-12-23T08:37:00.000-06:00

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny
Title: Our Mountain
Date Written: September 19, 2009
(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)
Copyright © 2011. All rights reserved.

Our Mountain

Good neighbors are worth a lot
Count your blessings for what you got
All on a ship together we ride
North to forever, I'm on your side
Strolling together in any direction
Our hands reach each other for protection
Maintain our mountain to keep it safe
Like Vikings with swords, our hero Leif
He married his queen, mother of five
Their love kept the family more than alive
Every weekend was spent in a state park
The sun through the leaves ignited a spark
Fireside chatting in the moonlight til two
What won't we do? What will we do?

Pork Wellington

2011-12-22T21:23:00.004-06:00

A resting pork wellington

Kit tried a pork wellington tonight. It's resting now. It's a pork tenderloin stuffed with semi-pulverized dried apple rings, then wrapped in prosciutto bacon, and then rolled up in a mustard-brushed puff pastry. Brush the outside with egg & cook @ 400 for about 40 minutes. Enjoy!

Snowflake Of The Week

2011-12-20T06:37:00.000-06:00

Click to zoom in

Green Tea Party

2011-12-18T08:10:00.002-06:00

Sitting neath a big green tree
Sipping cup of hot green tea
Warm cool tracks to north daylight
Nicely resolve into neutral night

Originally posted as a comment at
Casey Klahn's: Green Tree

Snowflake Of The Week

2011-12-18T07:16:00.001-06:00

Dartboard Snowflake

Snowflake Haiku:
Three darts in your hand
Thrown at six-sided snow flake
Quick before it melts

Christmas Tree 2011

2011-12-11T18:33:00.001-06:00

Before Decorating (click to zoom in)

After Decorating (click to zoom in)

Self Portrait

2011-12-11T09:53:00.000-06:00

How To Hold A Camera

Snowflake Of The Week

2011-12-10T11:01:00.000-06:00

Click to zoom in

Pattern Of The Week

2011-11-23T09:45:00.000-06:00

Oak Leaf Art

2011-11-18T06:24:00.002-06:00

Click to zoom in

A simple idea to create a quick table decoration is to put some oak leaves into a glass. I first formed the leaves into a cylinder shape in my left hand, and then pushed them down into an empty drinking glass. This is a simple and quick way of creating an attractive piece of art by using things available to you in nature. It helps to gather the leaves before the rain (or snow) moves in.

Pattern Of The Week

2011-10-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

Click to zoom in

Hallowed Eve

2011-10-24T06:36:00.002-05:00

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny

Title: Hallowed Eve

Date Written: October 22, 2011

(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)

Hallowed Eve

Sleeping in a haunted house

I woke to my pulsating blouse

Hallowed eve of ghostly meetings

Blooshot eyes and creaky greetings

Downstairs spiders catching other bugs

Boogey men hiding under rugs

Trick or Treat me with a scary song

Plagued with nightmares all night long

Witchy concoctions bubbling in a pot

Count up your candy and see what you got.

Twilight Zone

2011-10-22T09:47:00.001-05:00

Click to zoom in

October Haiku:
Autumn rainbow sky
Acorn trees rising so high
Glad to have seen it.

Driveway Art

2011-10-21T22:52:00.003-05:00

Click to zoom in

Pattern Of The Week

2011-10-15T20:37:00.001-05:00

Hospital Linoleum

Pattern Haiku:

Pattern of the week

Hospital linoleum

How do you top this?

Apple Pie

2011-09-25T21:25:00.004-05:00

Just add ice cream

Award Winning Recipe for Apple Pie Milk Shake:

Into a clean blender, add one (1) healthy piece of fresh apple pie (can substitute any type of pie here). In addition, into the same blender, generously add three (3) large scoops of vanilla ice cream. Finish by topping the mixture with 1/4 cup whole milk, 2% milk, or even some half and half. Blend well, but not ad infinitum. Spoon out into waiting small chilled bowls. Top with a cherry. Serve with spoon and napkins. Enjoy!

Fall is Falling

2011-09-17T11:16:00.001-05:00

Reflecting back on our summer

Autumn must be around the corner, because Fall is starting to fall. Our neighbors' leaves are beginning to blow into our yard (as our leaves are blowing into the neighboring yards). The Minnesota ViQueens have already lost their opening game to the Chargers. Geese are zipping up their down jackets. Jack Frost has even stopped by for a short early-morn visit, a few daze ago. All these signs are a good indication that just around the corner, it is going to be: Spring (in the southern hemisphere)!

Pattern Of The Week

2011-09-09T08:33:00.001-05:00

Cheek Bone

2011-09-08T22:17:00.001-05:00

Prince Charles' Cheek Bone

Circuit Board

2011-09-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

Click to zoom in

Pattern Of The Week

2011-08-27T15:08:00.001-05:00

Aloe

Open Door Policy

2011-08-27T11:11:00.009-05:00

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
--Joseph Campbell

Pattern Of The Week

2011-07-16T12:17:00.000-05:00

Click on pic to zoom in.

Snowflake Of The Week

2011-07-07T20:50:00.001-05:00

Elvis Aaron Presley

2011-07-04T17:21:00.000-05:00

Looks just like Elvis.

Another Elvis sighting, never fail

Altho the King is looking a bit pale

This here dude's nearly an identical twin

All womanquins fall for this mannequin.

Pattern Of The Week

2011-07-04T13:49:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July

LeeAnn Chin is a Win

2011-06-28T21:50:00.000-05:00

Our New Favorite Chow

A new take-out food store just opened at our local mall on Monday. We now have a LeeAnn Chin in Fargo. I tried it for lunch. Then we both went back for take-out supper. LeeAnn Chin is our new favorite take-out food restaurant. Besides how wonderful the food is, they do not use any MSG. I was not paid to say any of this. Excellent chinese food, for very reasonable prices. Here is their menu: LeeAnn Chin Menu

Fan Club

2011-06-26T21:09:00.000-05:00

Cool Lounge

Pattern Of The Week

2011-06-24T10:30:00.000-05:00

Giraffe Pattern

The Joy Of Six

2011-06-22T20:25:00.001-05:00

Villas For Rent

2011-06-19T21:28:00.001-05:00

City For Sale

Highway Of Life

2011-06-11T07:52:00.001-05:00

To All Graduates:

Congratulations on surviving skool.

As you drive down the highway of life,

watch out for bad drivers,

and pull over whenever you get tired.

End Season Ten

2011-05-22T21:08:00.001-05:00

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina

Season Ten of American Idol is winding down. Pia Toscano is gone. Stefano: gone. Casey Abrams is gone. Haley (and the Jets): gone. James Durbin is gone!? I would have liked to see either Casey and/or James make it 2 The Finale, but neither made it. Either Scotty or Lauren will be the next American Idol. Thoughts? Predictions? Reactions?

GooGoo GaGa

2011-05-22T20:18:00.001-05:00

Lady GaGa is really starting to blossom

American Idol is just two weeks away from the Big Finale. After this week we will be down to our Final Three. Here is how I called their performances on tonight's big show. Round 1 was inspirational songs followed by Round 2 with Lady GaGa dodo mentoring.

Tied for First Place this week: Lauren Alaina and James Durbin.
Third Place: Scotty McCreery
Bottom: Haley Reinhart

Show notes:

James got a pair of #9s for Don't Stop Believing by Journey, and Love Potion #9. Awesome singing with great performances.
Lauren hit a pair of homeruns. She really sounds like she has improved a lot in a short period of time. Seems to be peaking at the perfect time. Her voice on that first song (Martina McBride) just flew away. Loved it.
Scotty "The Cashier" will probably not be going home. He picked two perfect songs that showed his range of comfortability (is that a word?). But on the first song, he did not stand out from the backup singers, and that just ain't gunna cut it, dude.
Haley double dropped the ball and it landed on my ears. Steven Tyler positively proved he is incapable of any negative criticism. Chances are very good Haley will be joining Casey in American Idol statistics. Both of her choices magnified her weakness(es).

Crow Your Boat

2011-05-04T21:03:00.002-05:00

Let me mentor you

Our final five American Idol contestants were mentored by Sheryl Crow. Each singer sang one current song and one from the 1960s. Who do you like? Who should get eliminated this week? Who is going to win?

I have a three-way tie for first place this week: James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, and Haley Reinhart. Scott McCreery is in fourth place. For me, Jacob Lusk is in last place.

James: Sometimes pitchy but like when he sings normally with a softer voice.
Lauren: Always on pitch and picks good songs.
Haley: Started out last song acapella and really nailed it. She can do so many things with her voice.
Scott: Hopefully will not win but certainly is going to get a lot of country music votes.
Jacob: Who votes for this guy? This ain't a High Note Contest. He loses control and repels me.

Queen King

2011-04-27T21:00:00.005-05:00

You've Got A Friend

Our six American Idol finalists faced song of Carole King this week. Here is how I saw it, on a scale of 1-10: James & Casey topped the group, each with a 9. Lauren scored an 8. Haley & Scotty trailed with a pair of 6s. Jacob bottoms out the group with a 5.

James: Incredible acapella start. Nice to see soft side of hard rock turtle.
Casey: Can't get much better. Full package. Good entertainer.
Lauren: Really sold it. Felt like a concert. Still improving.
Haley: Trainwreck of a performance. Bad choice. Done poorly. Nothing worked.
Scotty: Picked a great song and ruined it. Almost terrible.
Jacob: Shrill yelling sounds like crying, whining, complaining. Enough already.

Back To The Future

2011-04-20T21:14:00.005-05:00

American Idol goes to songs of the 21st Century. Seven contestants will soon be down to Six. Here is how Johnnny ranked them this week: #1 Casey Abrams: A+ In it to win it. So frickin good. Matches his best so far. #2 James Durbin: A- Awesome as usual. Not that crazy about it. Bit extreme. Futuristically cool. #3 Haley Reinhart: B+ My favorite of hers so far. Not too growley. Bit of the yodeler. Great choice for her. Nicely confident. #4 Scotty McCreery: B+ Nice medium upbeat performance. On pitch. Safe but boring. #5 Lauren Alaina: B+ Enough to stay in competition. Just OK. Needs to step it up. Enough make-up for a week. #6 Stefano Langone: C+ Tone of voice is shrill. Stopped singing half way thru. Trying to be too sexy man. #7 Jacob Lusk: C+ Don't pick songs that make you start crying. Tired of Mr. Overly Dramatic Scream Fest.

Rewriting History

2011-04-17T09:30:00.004-05:00

A curved flat roof prevents water accumulation

Back when Christopher Columbus first discovered that someone else had already discovered America, all the "experts" thought that all buildings should be flat. But after each heavy rainfall, these flat roofs had chronic leakage (the earliest form of domesticated running water). Then, when the Wright Brothers took their maiden voyage, their maid discovered that all this unwanted roof rain retention might be solved by curving the roof to emulate the earth's horizon. Now, normal flat roof construction has added a curve (or "convexation") thus allowing all the rain run-off to come down in a controlled area and be routed directly into your garden or fish pond.

Depth of Feel

2011-04-16T15:00:00.001-05:00

3-D 4-Shortened Depth of Field

Songs From The Movies

2011-04-13T20:45:00.005-05:00

The countdown continues with songs from movies

American Idol marches on with Songs From The Movies night. There are so many tunes from which to choose. How could you ever pick just one?

My notes in groups from best to non-best:
Top
James: I'm not a heavy metal fan. T'was incredible. He's being true to himself.
Casey: Great jazz version of Nature Boy. Successfully takes chances. True artist.
Lauren: Best woman left in the competition (only one other). Great song for her.
Middle
Paul: Crowd pleasing singalonger. Unique but limited.
Bottom
Stefano: Not pleasing to my ears. Strained. Wouldn't want his CD even if it twas free.
Scotty: Opryland here we come. (He should have sung his first choice.)
Haley: Average performance. Bad choice of song. Nicely dressed.
Jacob: Overly dramatic. Self indulgent. Predictably lusky.
Going Home
Stefano or Haley!

Through The Looking Glass

2011-04-09T09:08:00.002-05:00

Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction. --Alice In Wonderland

Rockin Roll Week

2011-04-06T21:20:00.007-05:00

American Idols rockin the house

Tonight's American Idol show was Rock and Roll night. What a great theme for our nine singers to perform within. Everyone did well but someone will have to be eliminated. Sorry! I really enjoyed seeing Todd Rundgren (my favorite musician) get introduced from the audience, right after Pia had finished her yelling.

My performance notes in grouped order:

Top Group:
James Durbin sang Guitar Gently Weeps. Started a little boring but quickly got great. Very Adam Lambertish. Quite Durbinesque. Love that he takes chances.

Middle Group:
Haley actually did justice to Janis Joplin! Really liked it.
Jacob sang Man in the Mirror. This was the most that I have ever not disliked him.
Lauren did a nice job of Natural Woman, but bad hair and too mucho makeup.
Stefano: Surpri-sing-ly good sounding performance but could he ever open the eyes?
Casey sang Have U Ever Seen The Rain? Mist some due to a DVR pause mishap but saw the final recap. Why does he have to end every line with "eeee-ah" and look intensely evil for a second?

Bottom Group:
Paul McDonald had a farm: E-i, E-i, No! Johnny Cash would have gone thumbs down, but Rod Stewart probably loved it.
Scotty (beam me down) needs to learn how to hold the microphone normally. His Elvis didn't move the Pelvis.
Pia picked a nothing song that I didn't care for and she didn't do anything great with it.

Going Home: Paul. (Really going out on a limb!)

Sun Shade

2011-04-02T10:36:00.001-05:00

Photon Mitigation Device

Here is another addition to my blog's Art Gallery. We're calling this Sun Shade. Any sunlight that makes it into the room, is painted a nice shade of peach. The scientific name for a window shade such as this is a photon mitigation device (PMD), but most folks still just call them curtains. As with any blog picture, you can click on the picture to see it a bit bigger. Happy Saturday!

Eleven 2 Nine

2011-03-30T21:28:00.002-05:00

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

American Idol performance show on March 30 featured songs by Elton Johnny. Singing an Elton John song is a difficult task because he sings them so wonderfully. How do you think everyone did? Here are my notes in order of performance:

1: Scotty with guitar, Country Comfort, my favorite song by him so far. (B-)
2: Naima goes reggae, loved it, made it her own. (A-)
3: Paul tries Rocket Man, OK, but actually not OK. (C)
4: Pia sings yet another ballad, every week seems the same, getting old. (B+)
5: Stefano sings an excellent karaoke version of Tiny Dancer. Not great. (B)
6: Lauren attempted Candle in the Wind, nothing special, didn't do it for me. (B)
7: James leads an OK singalong version of Saturday, not my fav of his. (A-)
8: Thia sang Daniel, just barely OK, nuthin spec, average karaoke, pitchy. (C+)
9: Casey, Your Song, really nice, loved it, nice new look too. (A)
10: Jacob sang Sorry and that's what it was, way too overly dramatic, lusky. (D)
11: Haley with Benny and the Jets, started loungy, weak imitation, jets crashed. (C-)

Bottom Group Wish List: Thia, Haley, Jacob. Sorry!

Eleven 2 Ten

2011-03-23T18:30:00.004-05:00

Ryan John Seacrest: The Next Johnny Carson

Ryan Seacrest will once again play host to American Idol. As a child, young Ryan would always have a little microphone and "do shows" at his home. On his next show, we will go from 11 to 10 finalists. The Top 10 finalists get to go on tour this summer. Who do you think will be eliminated this week? Going out on a limb, I predict Haley Reinhart will not make the Top Ten. Sorry!

A one-of-kind Ryan Seacrest tapestry

Moon Units

2011-03-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Do moon people irrigate their crops?

This is another addition to my blog's Art Gallery (which combines nicely into: Art Bloggery). This picture, called Moon Units, shows the surface of the moon during an eclipse. If you look closely, you can almost make out what look like fields of crops being grown by moon people. The question NASA scientists are pondering: Do these moonfolk use irrigation techniques to water their crops? Seeing is believing.

Top Twelve

2011-03-16T07:11:00.001-05:00

Randy Jackson in his previous life

We are down to our Top Twelve on Season 10 of American Idol. Who do you think will be sent home this week? At this point, which contestants do you think will end up in Final Three? The Top 12 will be singing songs from the year they were born. (Currently the average age is: 21.)
Click on the "Top Twelve" title (above) to log your predictions and comments about this week's action.

Americ Anidol

2011-03-09T18:44:00.001-06:00

There's always room for JLo

It's time 4 the Top Thirteen remaining American Idol contestants 2 once again sing to stay in it. We're now down 2: Ashthon, Casey, Haley, Jacob, James, Karen, Lauren, Naima, Paul, Pia, Scott, Stefano and Thia.

Getting Organized

2011-03-08T07:02:00.000-06:00

It must be that time of year (and our lives) to go through everything in preparation for a garage sale to be held sometime in May. No nook or cranny is immune to a review of questions such as: Do we want it? Do we need it? Do we use it? Does it fit? Instead of thinking of it as getting rid of things, we are viewing this project as freeing up space, in our home, in our minds, and in our lives. Having a garage sale on the horizon really works well for wanting to continue the purging process. As a reward for going through another pile of stuff, I get to do an occasional blog post.

Another Season

2011-03-02T06:58:00.000-06:00

Point Man: Steven Tyler

The American Idol end-game begins again in this first week of March. Twelve guys perform on Tuesday and twelve girls reciprocate on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, we will most likely go from 24 down to the Top 20. Kit and I already have some favorites, and some nicknames, but will leave that for the comment section below. Please feel free to let your initial thoughts be known on this year's competition and judging.

Waiting Game

2011-02-28T06:55:00.000-06:00

Minnesota's 2nd largest ice fishing tournament

11th annual Alexandria Ice Fishing Challenge

2,200 fishermen in a 3 hour contest

Lake Agnes was well-stocked with fish

Good supply of oxygen in the water

Top 100 finishers would each receive at least $100

Top prize of $10,000 for the biggest fish caught

Total number of fish that were caught: ZERO!

Word Morph

2011-02-06T18:53:00.002-06:00

Pink To Blue

PINK

PINT

PENT

PEAT

PLAT

SLAT

SLUT

GLUT

GLUE

BLUE

My wife excels at word problems. (She would do well on Wheel Of Fortune.) My challenge to her was to "word morph" from Pink to Blue. She did it in nine steps. See if you can do it differently and with fewer steps.

Flame Mingos

2011-01-20T20:44:00.000-06:00

Winter Caption Contest

It is January 20 which means time for our first 2011 Caption Contest. Let your creativity flow into any comment that bubbles up when your eyes send this picture to your (right) brain.

Adopt A Cheetah Month

2011-01-09T10:39:00.000-06:00

January is Adopt-A-Cheetah month. If you would be willing (and able) to open your doors to a homeless animal, consider adopting a cheetah. Pictured here is an extremely rare Saharan Ghost Cheetah. If you want others to know that you care (more than they do) about taking animals out of their normal natural environment, contact your local Adopt-A-Cheetah group. Just imagine giving home to the fastest animal on earth. Just imagine having and helping something so rare that Michael Jackson didn't even have one. Just imagine!

Petting Zoo

2010-12-30T16:00:00.005-06:00

Are you looking for a fun neighborhood activity? How about a (temporary) petting zoo? For a few hours on a fun afternoon, bring out any younger (non-biting) members of the animal family. Pets love the attention. Kids love petting the pets. Adults can share favorite recipes while having cocktails. Temporary petting zoos are also a great activity at retirement homes and prisons. If you don't have any pets for a petting zoo, call your local humane society.

Lump Of Coal

2010-12-24T14:00:00.006-06:00

Is there a Baa Humbug type person on your shopping list? Are you looking for a few alternative ideas to giving someone a lump of coal? Here is a Top Twenty list of gift ideas to make someone scratch their head wondering if this gift is for real, or was it intended to say: Baa Humbug?

20. A live vole.

19. Smelling salts.

18. Hockey puck.

17. One automobile gas cap.

16. Dulcolax tablets.

15. Full can of lighter fluid.

14. Two-pack of super glues.

13. A hand mirror.

12. Small bag of Quikset concrete.

11. Roll of duct tape.

10. Map of Wyoming. [+]

9. Coarse sand paper.

8. Bottle of wart remover liquid.

7. Large jar of mayonnaise.

6. Roll of Canadian pennies.

5. Packet of 200 cable binders.

4. One fork.

3. Box of parakeet food. [+]

2. Gift card to a funeral home.

1. Half can of orange paint.

Smash Burger Fargo

2010-12-23T10:00:00.001-06:00

Overpriced. Underwhelming.

Smashburger recently opened its doors in Fargo. We decided to check it out. On the way home, I stopped by to order two sandwiches and two sides "to go". They don't have a drive-up window so you do need to park and go in to order...from their order taker. Let's call him Raymond. My first impression of the place was from Raymond - not good. (Wouldn't you want to put someone with some personality and professionalism on your front line?) He was looking down and yawning more than listening and communicating. I started trying to order but wasn't sure if he was paying attention. In the meantime, there must have been two dozen employees all moving around but none of them were doing anything. My order was supposed to be one classic smashburger without onions and an order of smashfries, plus one classic crispy chicken sandwich without onions with an order of veggie frites: to go. With tax, the order came to $17.08, which did not include any drinks. I was thinking that in order to overcome my bad first impressions of the place, some incredible food would be the only possible redemption. At home, a few minutes later, we opened our to-go containers to find: 1. sandwiches that showed little evidence of any recent heat (even tho the to-go bag was next to the floor heater for the two-minute drive home) and 2. side orders of jokingly small proportion. The classic smashburger ($4.99) and crispy classic chicken ($5.99) both had onions, even tho "no onions" was written on the side of the to-go container. The veggie frites ($2.99) yielded about eight small pieces of flash-fried asparagus and eight small pieces of flash-fried carrots (and no green beans as is mentioned on the menu). Bottom line: If you are in Fargo looking for a bite to eat, take your business to Culver's where the same meal would have been $5 less and twice as good, or McDonald's where you would have spent half as much and gotten twice as much food. We came away from our Smashburger experience with average food, small portions, high prices, and poor service. Any questions?

State Of Emergency

2010-12-22T11:43:00.004-06:00

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon

California should adopt a new state slogan to help attract more tourism. California: The State Of Emergency. For thrill-seekers looking for some major excitement, California seems to be stuck in a cycle of emergencies: fires, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, budget crisis, and mystery missiles. By advertising itself as The State Of Emergency, California could help its economy by 1. bringing in legal tourists, and 2. legalizing its main export crop.

TransGolf

2010-12-18T10:24:00.004-06:00

The Ladies Professional Golf Association recently changed its rules to no longer require members to be "female at birth". This birther movement was spear-headed by Ms. Lana Lawless, a former policeman. Since she can now play on the LPGA as a transexual, Lana can make use of her long driving ability. I submit that a better idea would be to have a separate TGA: Transgender Golf Association. It is here that transexuals from all around the globe could compete in one special league, combining men-to-women and women-to-men into one very unique golf association.

Rhyme With Orange

2010-12-09T06:54:00.000-06:00

Tis quite easy to rhyme with apple:

Snapple, chapel and also grapple.

But who could ever rhyme with Or'ange?

Let's go ask Mr. Julian Ass'ange.

Pop The Bublé

2010-12-08T19:03:00.000-06:00

I knew it was going to be a good day

When I bumped into Michael Steven Bublé

After he knocked off my toupeé

We talked at the Bombay Café

During a healthy game of croquét

We were pecked by a large blue jay

Since this was clearly foul play

T'was time for all-you-can-eat buffét

My favorite was of course the soufflé.

Recycled Rocks

2010-12-04T07:38:00.000-06:00

Recycled Rocks

During a recent drive-about, I saw a sign next to a proud pile of rocks. The sign said: "Recycled Rocks". As opposed to what kind of rocks? Non-recycled rocks? New Rocks? That got me started on a think-about. Wouldn't all the rocks we have today be from the Stone Age? Has someone been making post-Paleolithic rocks? As I recall from my college Rock-n-Roll 101 class, it goes: Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, which are all followed by the Age of McDonalds, the Age of Walmart, and the Rise and Fall of Tiger Woods. I probably just answered my own question. Of course, it must be Walmart that is now producing and selling new rocks, at prices that we have not seen since the Stone Age.

Quoting Whitman

2010-11-28T08:00:00.007-06:00

A conversation with Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

BlogSpot: How do you feel about having an image of yourself on a postage stamp?

Walt Whitman: If you done it, it ain't bragging.

BS: Many consider you one of America's great poets and some call you the Father Of Free Verse. Your thoughts on this, sir?

WW: To have great poets, there must be great audiences.

BS: Your bio indicates you were also a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the Civil War. You seem to have a real connection with the common folk.

WW: I dance with the dancers and drink with the drinkers.

BS: You have obviously written a lot. Do you also like to spend time reading?

WW: A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.

BS: Any thoughts on the current state of world affairs?

WW: Judging from the main portions of the history of the world, so far, justice is always in jeopardy.

BS: What do you think the future holds?

WW: The future is no more uncertain than the present.

BS: How do you deal with life on a daily basis?

WW: To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.

BS: What lessons have you learned?

WW: I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.

BS: What advice would you care to share with our readers?

WW: Be curious, not judgmental. Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.

Magic Bus

2010-11-24T21:52:00.001-06:00

Finding a good bus driver can be as important as finding a good musician. ~Reba McEntire

Brunch For Two

2010-11-21T19:30:00.002-06:00

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny

Title: Brunch For Two

Date Written: November 19, 2010

(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)

Brunch For Two

Absolutely perplexed when you

Presented the group your killebrew

Gestational madness flowing thru the room

I felt like a bride just meeting her groom

Even now as we speak forth our minds

Cocooned in our blanket that warms as it binds

Prism rainbows shine through the blinds

I'll follow this path wherever it winds

Brunch for two and coffee to swallow

Caffeine and eggs, with sunset to follow

Preachin on Sunday, teachin on Monday

Everyone waits for the magical "one day"

Every so often is never enough

Besides real love, the rest is just fluff.

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny
Title: Brunch For Two

Fly The Fiendish Skies

2010-11-20T10:37:00.003-06:00

Transportation Security Administration At Your Service:

If you don't want to be X-ray scanned or undergo a "thorough" manual search, you may want to rethink flying the friendly skies for the Holidaze. The TSA is warning passengers who enter a checkpoint, and then refuse to undergo inspection, won't be allowed to fly, and also will not be permitted to simply leave the airport. Those folks will be detained on the premises to be questioned by the TSA and local law enforcement. Anyone refusing to cooperate is looking at fines up to $11,000 and possible arrest. Would you like some peanuts and perhaps a blanket?

Fish Eyes

2010-11-13T11:46:00.001-06:00

There seems to be an expanding expansion of buildings that span their space with curved lines. To better compliment the humans that dwell in them, buildings are becoming more organic. By curving or softening the edges, a box becomes more humanoid. Unfortunately, this example of curvaceousness was not caused by the architect, but rather by a fisheye lens.

Butterfly Flutter By

2010-11-07T09:11:00.003-06:00

This was one of our fluttering friends during this past summer. T'was a great summer for flowers, bees, gardens, and butterflies. This dude (whom we named Thorax) liked our backyard blend of blossoms. Here he's pictured sitting upon his favorite pincushion. The verbena were also a very popular spot. Then one day, they all just up and left town. I wonder where Thor is now. If you happen to see him, greet him from us.

Firepost

2010-11-03T21:41:00.001-05:00

To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world. ~Charles Dudley Warner.

The most tangible of all visible mysteries - fire. ~Leigh Hunt.

A spark neglected makes a mighty fire. ~Robert Herrick.

If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid seeing yourself in the mirror, because I bet that's what really throws you into a panic. ~Jack Handey.

Playing with fire is bad for those who burn themselves. For the rest of us, it is a very great pleasure. ~Author Unknown.

Happy Friday

2010-10-29T07:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! (unless you live in Australia, where Saturday is the new Friday.) When I think of Fridays (specifically at around 5 PM), I think of beer. It seems like Friday at 5 PM is the perfect time for a cold one. It offers a refreshing liquid combination of Transcendental Meditation and a massage. The only thing better than that first beer after work, is the second. But remember, everything in moderation, including moderation.

You Thought You Thought

2010-10-24T12:22:00.001-05:00

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny

Title: You Thought You Thought

Date Written: October 23, 2010

(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)

You Thought You Thought

All cramped in the corner bundled in twine

A voice in my head said everything's fine

What you thought you thought was anything but

Deciding to move, I built a grass hut

Reduce it all down to a spot on the sand

No TV, no ads, no place for a brand

Wake up tomorrow, enjoy the rest of your days

We're orbiting still, it's only a phase.

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny

Title: You Thought You Thought

Date Written: October 23, 2010

(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)

World of Solutions

2010-10-18T20:20:00.002-05:00

The difference between what we do

and what we are capable of doing

would suffice to solve

most of the world's problems.

--Gandhi

Jail Fail

2010-09-21T20:50:00.001-05:00

Lindsay Lohan is heading back to jail. She failed a mandatory drug test. When her test came up positive she started cheering. Then someone told her that positive is not good. Then she denied she was Lindsay Lohan. She asked for her personal assistant and some coffee. She then wanted to immeditately go to the Hard Rock Hotel. The judge said another failed drug test would mean another 30 days (and nights) in jail. She should have a lot of time to study for her next drug test. Good luck and sweet dreams.

Blowing Wild

2010-09-19T19:31:00.002-05:00

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny

Title: Blowing Wild
Date Written: April 1, 2010
(Line 1: Kit, Line 2: Johnnny, etc.)
Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.

Blowing Wild

A windy gust set my mind blowing wild
Ideas were flying into brainstorms high-styled
It was like Lady Gaga had hijacked the air
Take over control of the whole affair
Expecting to influence the whys and the whats
Inspecting in sequence all the opens and shuts
Quite suddenly I knew I was about to slip
Big waves knocked us to the back of the ship
Where a laughing deckhand offered a strange brew
Now we're well-grounded, all is straight and true
Eyes to the horizon behind rose-colored glasses
Time spent with you seems to flow like molasses
A velvety compound we knead into dough
We need to know how big will it grow.

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny

Title: Blowing Wild
Date Written: April 1, 2010
(Line 1: Kit, Line 2: Johnnny, etc.)
Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.

Plant Plans

2010-09-13T18:23:00.001-05:00

Johnnny: Plan your plants and plant your plans.

Kitz: Plant your work and work your plants.

Johnnny: Love your work and work your love.

Dehydrated Water

2010-09-10T18:40:00.004-05:00

----- Beginning of transmission -----

If things are too dry in your area
consider buying some dehydrated water.
If things are too wet in your area
consider using dehydrated water.
Either way, it's a good idea!
buy dehydrated water

-------- End of transmission --------

Congratulations

2010-08-21T17:25:00.000-05:00

Congratulations!

Today you're the oldest you've ever been,

and the youngest you will ever be.

Clink & Drink.

Honda Headlight

2010-07-13T20:00:00.002-05:00

Honda Haiku:
This is how the world
looked, reflecting through the eye
of our CR-V.

Color Coordination

2010-07-10T10:20:00.003-05:00

Apparently the new fad is having matching flowers and nails. Actually, while photographing some new shade pots under our deck stairs, my wife's foot jumped into the frame. Serendipitously, her new painted toenails were similar in colorization to our coleus and impatiens that we snapped up at the closing-for-the-year sale. It's always sad when the days start getting shorter. It seems like people start getting shorter too.

Legal Alien

2010-07-03T15:30:00.001-05:00

This legal alien was found on our driveway. He put on his glasses so he could really check out our place. We will file this under the category of Temporary Art. After a rainstorm passed thru the area, he was gone. Chalk up another sighting of Legal Aliens.

Wealth For Yourself

2010-07-01T21:20:00.001-05:00

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny
Title: Wealth For Yourself
Date Written: July 1, 2010
(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)
Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.

Wealth For Yourself

What if we did win the big lottery
Our world would explode like an aspen tree
We'd buy a few things but-cha can't buy love
Can't keep it in savings, it hovers above
Buy the Dollar Store and a Wendys too
Investing in futures of me and you
Don't rock the houseboat in Amsterdam
The waves seem real but could be a scam
Trust ye not strangers whom ye know not
Eat only the fishes which you yourself caught
Wealth for yourself can come in numerous ways
No doubt you're a king through another man's gaze
Whether or not Lady Luck taps your shoulder
What matters most is in the eye of the beholder.

An Add-On Poem by Kit & Johnnny
Title: Wealth For Yourself
Date Written: July 1, 2010
(Line 1: Johnnny, Line 2: Kit, etc.)
Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.

Pianophile

2010-06-27T09:45:00.002-05:00

Just as a blogophile loves blogs and blogging, I would consider myself a pianophile. Any time a pianophile walks by a piano, it is hard not to hear what it sounds like and how it plays. My piano motto for a long time has been: I Like To Play. Seeing the inside of a piano (especially while playing it) is always fun, not to mention the increased sound from having opened up an upright piano. This is when it's nice to have some music memorized. You can watch the hammers hit the strings while listening to the giant surround sound of something that doesn't even need to be plugged in. It is never too late to start playing piano, and you can do it for the rest of your life.

Cats and Dogs

2010-06-26T18:00:00.003-05:00

About ten days ago, just a small localized area where we live got four inches of rain in a very short period of time. Our avenue temporarily turned into a river.

In the wake of this early summer storm, we also ended up with a temporary lake in our back yard. Four quick inches of rain is all it took to give us some prime lake-front property.

We never knew that when we were putting in our rock gardens, the rocks would someday be a rampart between land and water.

Needless to say, after it rained Cat & Dogs, we didn't have to do much watering any time soon.

New Vegarden

2010-06-04T06:40:00.001-05:00

This is one of two new vegetable gardens we've built in our backyard this Spring. At this point, all that was left to do on this one was to fill it with dirt, plant the vegetables, and put a fence around it to keep out the rabbits.

To get to this point, we pulled back the sod, put the lower layer of cedar 4x4 deck posts together on a flat surface (in the garage), carried it out, put it in place, and finally attached the second level of deck posts to the lower level with six inch screws.

Kit already has this garden planted, along with the other one which is on the opposite side of our backyard. Both will get full sun all day long (unless it's cloudy). The shorter end pieces are 4 feet and the longer sides are 10 feet. The actual outside length of the ends is 4 feet plus 3.5 inches (the width of the posts). The sides are 10 feet plus 3.5 inches. If you look at the corner, you can see we have the two levels put together differently so that the seams would not line up. (Click on the picture to see it closer up.)

Making gardens using 4x4 cedar deck posts was such a quick and easy way to add vegardens to our yard. We got the cedar at 55% off of its normal price since they said it was a bit old and weathered, which was perfect for building gardens!

Sky Blue Haiku

2010-05-31T11:15:00.001-05:00

Why is the sky blue?

What if it changed to purple?

Let's leave the clouds white.

Final Performances

2010-05-25T17:55:00.000-05:00

2010 May 25/26 Final Shows!

Lee or Crystal

Crystal or Lee

American Idol

Who will it be?

Born Out Of Wenlock

2010-05-22T10:45:00.002-05:00

Meet the two new most famous British Blobs: Wenlock and Mandeville. These are your official mascots for the 2012 London Olympics. Wenlock is the mascot for the Olympics and is obviously named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock where, in the mid-19th century, the Wenlock Games became the inspiration for the modern Olympic movement. Mandeville is the Paralympics mascot and derived its name from Stoke Mandeville, in Buckinghamshire, home to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. I think these blob-like creatures look like a cross between Gumby and a Cyclops.