Around Here: Good Things About Eliminations, Flu Shot, Raking Pine Straw and Lawn Tractor Problems

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

Well, one good thing about the Sox being eliminated from the playoffs (and the Brewers were also eliminated last night), I no longer have to make a special effort to watch any of the playoff games anymore.  I will watch parts of them as I get a chance to, but not all the games.  Plus, had the Sox gone to the World Series and won, there is a considerable savings on souvenirs of the event.

I got my regular flu shot for the second straight year,  I didn't get them for many years as I taught school and was around so many kids that I had built up quite an immunity, but the last several years I had been really sick with the flu for a couple weeks at a shot, so, hey, I'll take the shot.

Put up some more Halloween lights.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

I did a lot of pine straw raking (free mulch) around the east and west pine islands and picked up a whole lot of limbs and sticks in the arboretum area in preparation of cutting the grass.  Sadly, I couldn't get the lawn tractor started and will have to have it worked on again.  It is now 28years old and perhaps even a John Deere doesn't run forever.  This is the third problem this year so it may be time to get another one.

--RoadDog

Slim Pickings Yesterday As Far As Blackhawk Stanley Cup Souvenirs

I went to Wal-Mart, Meijer's and Dick's yesterday in McHenry, Illinois, in search of Blackhawk gear to celebrate this third Cup in six years.  I even stopped for breakfast at Steak 'N Shake and made it back home in time to see the parade and rally on TV.

I came back with very little.  Just a shot glass, pint glass and a tee shirt for Liz and all that swag at Wal-Mart.  I'm sure in the next week I will have more opportunity to spend money.

Sure glad I didn't go downtown to Chicago for the rally and parade.  I am not a big fan of huge crowds.

After the concert by Alex and the All-Stars at Antioch's It's Thursday Concert Series, we stopped at the Antioch Wal-Mart, but came up with no Hawk gear again.

I Know I'll Have a Chance to Spend My Money, Though.  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  Don't squat with your spurs on.

And Here's Where the Blackhawks Winning the Stanley Cup Starts Costing Me

In an hour, I'll be heading over to McHenry for breakfast at Steak 'N Shake and then I go to Meijer's, Wal-Mart and Dick's in pursuit of Blackhawk Stanley Cup attire.  This is where I really start paying for their win.

I need tee shirts and hats.  Not that I really need them as I have a huge number of tee shirts and hats already, but, still I need something with 2015 Stanley Cup Champions on them. Plus, there is the necessary car flag, puck, shot glass and car tag.

I'm even thinking of getting a framed team picture to add to my Wall of Fame in the basement to go along with the '85 Bears, '96 Packers and 2005 White Sox.  I actually am guilty of jumping on the bandwagon back in 2010 when the Hawks started this remarkable run of three Stanley Cups in six years.

Great victory, but if they'd lost I could have saved money.  Oh well, it sure was fun watching the Hawks all these weeks.

A friend of mine went over to Dick's in McHenry right after the Hawks clinched the Cup this past Monday night and had to wait in a real long line.  The pl;ace was packed at 10:30 p.m..

I was thinking about going to Chicago this morning for the Blackhawk Championship parade, but it sounds like the planning is going to cause a real mess, so will just watch it on TV when I get back.

--RoadDog

Great Things to Do At Panama Beach, Florida-- Souvenirs

They have some really great places to buy souvenirs, but no Wings which are so prevalent along the east coast. The one Alvin's Island, which looks like an island from the outside is probably one of the biggest souvenir places I've ever seen. It just goes on and and on. Then, there are those noisy and energetic parrots that provide entertainment. They also have a very sleepy live shark.

At Sharky's on the beach, you can get a live lobster as a souvenir, if you can catch it. I think they'll even cook it for you. But you have to catch it with a claw like you see for the plush animals...and these can move.

There are several "Everything's a Dollar" stores which have a lot of junk, but some really nice things as well if you take the time to look. And, like they say, everything's a buck and a few even less.

Shipwreck Shirts is more of an upscale souvenir place.

The Wal Mart is huge, and being replaced by an even larger one later this year. They also have a huge souvenir selection and more Mardi Gras beads and stuff than I've ever seen outside of New Orleans.

The liquor store attached to Donovan's Reef sells some really tropical looking Donovan's Reef shirts.

Spending Mo Money. --RoadDog