We went into Madison over the weekend to cash in the $50 World Market gift card we won in the Holiday Market church raffle in December. I hadn’t been to a World Market in ages, didn’t even realize they’d removed Cost Plus from their name, so I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to spend that $50.

Ha. I had nothing to worry about; we maxed out the gift card and then, just for fun, added another $120 out of pocket to our total. WUOTWSO, we bought stroopwafel! Turns out World Market is a pretty cool store. Good thing it’s so far from home; lead us not into temptation and all that jazz. The closest one is in Middleton, almost an hour away.

Since we were out yonder, we decided to make a day of it in Madison. We really wanted to hang out at Memorial Union Terrace, but the weather was iffy: mid-50s, slightly chilly. We debated for a bit and decided to take a chance, since it was sunny without much of a breeze, so we hoofed it down State Street. Grabbed a table, ordered a couple of apps and beers, and enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air. It was just warm enough to be comfortable, so: good call.

Afterward, we hit up B-Side Records, found a bunch of albums we had to have, dropped all our stuff off in the car, then headed for Great Dane Brewing. I’m a Loyalty Club member and had a $15 birthday reward to cash in, plus an additional $15.34 from points earned on purchases. We spent a couple of hours in the basement bar and accidentally caught the Kentucky Derby (nice come-from-behind victory, Golden Tempo!). Fun evening with good food, good drinks, and good conversation—though at one point, “mud shark” was the topic. If you don’t immediately get the reference, don’t look it up. If you do get the reference, congratulations and please don’t ask me how that even came up. I DON’T KNOW.

Darkness was just falling when we got back home, so we decided to build a fire and hang out for awhile. Tara texted Neighbor Brian, cordially inviting him to join us around the fire if he were so inclined. Turns out he was, which meant suddenly two hours had gone by because the man does love to spin some yarns. But he’s a good guy and we enjoy both his company and his stories. We learned Dick is in assisted living now, so it’s doubtful he’ll ever stop by and wheelchair his way across our yard again. Which is kinda sad. Thankfully, we have already gained tons of knowledge from the man.

Nothing nearly as exciting happened today. Oh, except, I BROKE OUT JD FOR HIS MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE SEASON. Be still, my lawn tractor-loving heart. (We’ll see if this still feels fun and novel come August, but I’m guessing yes.)

Speaking of JD—John Dorian (Zach Braff) from Scrubs, not the idiot who’s a heartbeat away from replacing the other idiot (it’s so hard to keep track these days!)—I must’ve accidentally left my manifesting powers on, because the very day I wrote, I hope like crazy they bring it back again for another season, the network announced they’re bringing it back again for another season.

Yes! Renewal high five!


53 responses to “Ope, did I just manifest The Todd?”

  1. We’re several episodes into the new season of Scrubs. Enjoying it but have some things to gripe about, which I won’t spoil here for the uninitiated.

    Also pleased to see the return of Ted Lasso come August.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m real curious for your gripes. As a diehard fan, I loved pretty much everything about the new season.

      No Apple TV for me, so no Ted Lasso. But I know it’s another Bill Lawrence joint, so I’m sure it’s great.

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      1. We got Apple for a month, binged, then canceled. We may have to do that again.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I used to do that with Showtime for Dexter back in the day!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Oh dang it. Missed opportunity: First!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I noticed right away. Score!

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  3. I.looked into the kinkiness of Mud Shark..what a conversation that would be..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I actually stayed at the Edgewater Hotel many years ago. All the rooms are right over Elliott Bay, so I could easily see this happening. Especially with early ’70s rock ‘n roll bands.

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  4. B-Side Records—cool name for a record store. I was always fascinated by the B side of 45s back in the day. Sometimes they were better than the main hit on the flip side.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Agreed! I have a decent collection of 45s still, and you’re right; some of the B sides are superior to the A sides!

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    1. It’s really good. I get the appeal!

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  5. What an excellent day! There used to be a fascinating World Market near John; I need to have him take me back. I bought my favorite flannel PJs there; they have French landmarks on them. I don’t follow horse racing, but I do love Dick Francis books in spite of my fear and dislike of actual horses.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Horse racing is sort of in my blood. My dad grew up going to the track and betting on the ponies, and my uncle is part owner of several racing thoroughbreds—a couple of which have had decent success.

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  6. “Not the idiot” lol…I wonder who you mean?

    P.S. That idiot’s best friend (?) is a Canadian with a seat in the opposition party but periodically he moseys on down to hang with that administration and then returns with a lot of BS in his backpack. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Eww, gross. I was hoping you guys were immune to that BS.

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  7. So Neighbor Brian is a good guy. Um hello? Think about it? Have you ever met a bad Brian? We police this thing pretty closely. Bad Brian’s are kicked out instantly from the club. Think the mob is tough. The Brian club is tougher! A guy who likes to tell stories, check. A guy who likes to chat over fires, check. Is friends and amenable, check. Ha ha! 🤣🤣🤣😎😎😎

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    1. LOL! I didn’t realize you Brians were so thoroughly vetted. I’ve been racking my brain trying to come up with a bad Brian, but…umm…I got nothin’. I guess you’re right!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh yes, thoroughly vetted. Tougher than getting a Top Secret Security Clearance. The only bad Brian I can think of is Brian from Family Guy. Too narcissistic for the name. There’s a few others but … we make sure they get looked at closely! It’s tough being a Brian! Ha ha. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😎

        Liked by 1 person

  8. love world market and there is one 10 minutes from my house, just saying!! i was in madison once for a michigan game and visited that very terrace, great terrace and fun tailgates for the game – loved the city. lucky you have neighbor brian, he sounds like a good keeper!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The Terrace is such a fun place to hang out, and the sunburst chairs are iconic. Even when it’s mostly students, I’ve never felt out of place. In fact, I daresay I fit in better at UW-Madison, a school I have zero affiliation with, than I ever did at San Jose State, my alma mater.

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  9. There’s just something magical about vine covered buildings that makes me happy. The tables and chairs don’t hurt the mood either!
    Sad to read about Dick however…

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    1. I love the vines! They just scream college, you know? And the sunburst chairs are so iconic and popular, they sell mini versions in their gift shop.

      Dick was barely able to get around the last time he was out here, two summers ago. Can’t say I’m surprised.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. That sounds like a perfect weekend excursion. You can’t go wrong with beer and vinyl.
    My spouse broke out the BB a few days ago as well. (Bad Boy). It’s so big and heavy it was sinking in the soggy grass, but nothing was going to derail the first mow of the season. He was a few weeks late this year and the stress level was high. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The grass could have used cutting a week earlier, but I was too busy hacking up the fallen tree. The life of a property owner, amirite?!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It never ends…

        Liked by 1 person

  11. It took me a moment to realize JD was John Deere. Love it!

    Also I used to watch Scrubs but haven’t seen this latest reboot – is it good?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You haven’t read me for long, so you’ve missed my many eloquent posts in which I wax rhapsodically over my John Deere. I’ve been a city boy most of my life, so this country livin’ still feels novel to me.

      Scrubs was fantastic IMO. It’s like no time at all has passed.

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      1. We have a lot in common! I lived in Calgary until summer 2023, now I live in the sticks! I do love it, honestly. And my husband also loves his John Deere stuff.

        Also, my older son is named Mark!

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      2. And my daughter’s middle name is Nicole! 🙂

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  12. It was a brutally cold for our weekend getaway, but we made the most of it. Our only World Market closed years ago. It was a neat store! Glad you were easily able to use up your gift cards.

    Those tables and chairs on the terrace are so whimsical! Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The weather this time of year can certainly be tricky. Glad you had a good time despite that. The sunburst chairs and tables are so popular, they sell mini versions in the campus market. And yes, I have one!

      Like

  13. What a great weekend! And, I’m with Deb, the vibrant chairs and creeping vines are spectacular!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Not pictured: the view of Lake Mendota. It really is a great little spot to while away a couple of hours!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I love World Market too and am glad the closest one to us is 45 minutes away because of the danger 😄 PS I called it Cost Plus World Market for years.

    I felt sad hearing Dick is in assisted living. 😔

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was still calling it Cost Plus World Market when I was shopping there two days ago. My bad!

      Given his deteriorating health, I’m not surprised Dick needs additional help now. He just turned 90 in January, so he’s certainly led a full life. Still, that lack of mobility now must be hard to process.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. World Market is the best! I made the mistake of going there for stocking stuffers last Christmas. My wallet did not approve.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Probably not…but I’m guessing the stocking recipients did!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. You have the power, don’tcha!?! I know precious little about Scrubs and feel I’d better catch up. More than anything tho….your confession here:
    “…accidentally caught the Kentucky Derby…”
    was giggle-worthy. Can’t say why, exactly. It just felt sooooo Mark.
    Cheers to manifesting…go, go, go! 😁😁😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I mean, I like the Kentucky Derby. Horse racing is in my blood. My dad grew up going to the track, my uncle is part-owner/investor of several racing thoroughbreds. I just didn’t go out of my way to watch it. Didn’t even know what time it was on, so catching it was a happy accident.

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      1. Ohhhh…sorta in your DNA, then! 🤪

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  17. Shopping, drinking, shopping, drinking . . . what a weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. JD – to JD. What a great segue! Sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday. Nice job manifesting some fun!! Keep flexing those manifesting muscles – they really are working for you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve never met a segue I didn’t like!

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  19. We haven’t watched Scrubs yet, but we loved it back in the day. And I was just thinking about how unfortunate it was that the main character shared initials with our grifter idiot VP.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope you get a chance to catch the reboot. Unfortunate initials aside, it’s really good!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Another Stroopwaffel fan here! Haven’t seen Scrubs the reboot appear on any advertising here yet. May have to point the VPN to the US to see what we can find!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LA (Waking Up on the Wrong Side of 50) mentioned it in a recent blog post and I’d never heard of it before, so I was super jazzed to find it. And yes, it’s really good!

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I didn’t get to experience them on my visit to Holland, but Himself is a fan and introduced me. We have to ration them, otherwise they’d be an indulgence instead of a treat!

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  22. Wow! Your post brought back memories! I grew up in Madison and worked at The Peacock (retail womens’ clothing store, not a strip club 🤣) on State Street! Spent a lot of time at the Union. Haven’t seen the new Scrubs, but I’ll add it to my list!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ha! My first thought was a strip club!

      Liked by 1 person

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