Month: November 2021

Downtown is a Norman Rockwell Painting

A lot of people complain about the early darkness this time of year, but I kind of like it. Because quite often, around 4:30, I'll glance outside my office window and see a sight like this. That was Friday's sunset. It made up for the fact that I was the only person in my department … Continue reading Downtown is a Norman Rockwell Painting

Green Bean Casserole for the Super Bowl

Twice today, I came across blog posts dissing that timeless American holiday classic, the green bean casserole. One person called it “an abomination” and another gave it a big, fat NOPE. Bolded and italicized, just like that. Oh, the humanity! Clearly, these naysayers and I disagree on the definition of haute cuisine (a French phrase … Continue reading Green Bean Casserole for the Super Bowl

I Can Do Funny

You ever have one of those days when you’re so engrossed in what you’re doing at work, you glance at the clock—are surprised to see it’s only a few minutes before quittin’ time—and grumble a little bit, because by god, you’re on a roll and having so much fun you don’t want to go home just yet? … Continue reading I Can Do Funny

Shootout at the XM Corral

Tara texted me this morning about an automatic bank withdrawal. SiriusXM just charged $22. Is that monthly?? Because there were two question marks, I knew this displeased my wife. And honestly, it displeased me, too. For the past year, the monthly charge had been $7 and some odd change. I figured my one-year promotional period … Continue reading Shootout at the XM Corral

Fat Squirrels Forecast Falling Snow

I have a feeling this is going to be a cold winter. Sure, there’s a La Niña, which historically means a higher likelihood of colder weather for the northern plains. But I’m not basing this on any official predictions, whether the source is reputable (NOAA) or not (Farmer’s Almanac). I’m just looking at the squirrels … Continue reading Fat Squirrels Forecast Falling Snow

Seven Across the 605

Yesterday, I was driving home from a three-day work conference in Sioux Falls, and thought, damn...I've made a LOT of trips across South Dakota this year. A quick bit of mental arithmetic later, I realized this was the seventh time I've made the 693-mile roundtrip drive between Rapid City and Sioux Falls in a little … Continue reading Seven Across the 605

Six-Pack of Giant Spiders

If you were reading me over the holidays last year, you probably recall a friendly little competition with Kelly, the overzealous neighbor across the street. She took so much pleasure in taunting me with her holiday display I started referring to her as Christmas Light Kelly. Gauntlets were thrown as we each tried to out-illuminate … Continue reading Six-Pack of Giant Spiders