Music Deaths: Dallas Frazier, Country (Wrote 'Elvira' and 'Alley Oop')

DALLAS FRAZIER, 82

Died 14 January 2022

From Oklahoma.  Had eight country songs that rose  to  between #28 and #63 between 1967 and 1972.  But really hit it big writing "Alley Oop" for the Hollywood Argyles (#1-1957), "There Goes My Everything" for Jack Green, "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)" for Charley Pride and especially, "Elvira" for the Oak Ridge Boys.

I remember my sister Julie and brother Bob having a great time playing and singing along with his last country hit "North Carolina" on the jukebox at Silver Dollar Saloon at Carolina Beach, North Carolina, in 1976.  We sure had a great time with that song.

NCAA Final Four, 2020 Tournament (And You Thought You Weren't Going to Get It This Year

Two weekends, they would have played the 4 games to break the Elite 8 down to the Final Four.

The Tribune's picks:

MIDWEST WINNER

#1  Kansas

EAST  WINNER

#2  Florida State

*************************

WEST WINNER

#3  Seton Hall

SOUTH WINNER

#3  Michigan State

**************************************

These are particularly hard as I like all four teams.  If I go with Little Guys, I'd pull for Dayton and Gonzaga.  If I go with the Big Guys, it would be Kansas and Michigan State.

Decisions, decisions.

MY FINAL FOUR

*************************

MIDWEST WINNER

#1  Kansas

EAST WINNER

#1  Dayton

***********************

WEST WINNER

#1  Gonzaga

SOUTH WINNER

#3  Michigan State

I'll split the difference.

At least Kentucky is not in there.  I have never liked Kentucky.  And now, I also would have been pulling against UNC and Duke, two teams I've always liked in the Big Guys.  But Duke now is one of those one-and-done schools (like Kentucky) where they get all new starters every year.  I don't like UNC because of what they did to the Silent Sam statue.

So, who would your Final Four be?

--B-BallDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  To the tune of Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways to
Leave Your Lover":

"Sneeze Into Your Sleeve, Steve
To Keep Virus Free."

Man on the Moon Tomorrow, Fifty Years Ago

Fifty years ago it was all everyone seemed to be talking about.  Something that I never figured would happen.  Man on the Moon.

I was on vacation in North Carolina and staying over at Ronnie Creel's house for the night.  We stayed up watching it on his black and white TV.  And we, being eighteen-year-olds, were not talking about girls that night, but the space program.  If I remember correctly, Keith Hood was also there.

The day before, Keith had gotten in big trouble with his dad when the three of us sank a boat  in a local swamp.  We were puling it over some logs and tree stumps and one  of them yelled, "Snake!!."

This caused all three of us to jump into the boat and send a branch through its bottom.  We had quite some time getting the boat out of that swamp, waterlogged as it was.

Anyway, that event had been forgotten as we watched that flickering reception from the moon.

That Was Quite A Day.  --RoadDog

Whose Baby Appeared On the Cover of the First Issue of TV Guide?   Answer below.


Lucille Ball's

Sitting Here Drinking My Cheerwine, Doing Professor Moptop's Homework and Typing These Blogs

Right now I am doing the homework assigned me last night at McHenry Library (Illinois).  And that was having to listen to the entire "Abbey Road" album" by you-know-who.  We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of this album's release this year.

And, what better way to find out about it than by having the "Fessa tell you about each and every song on it. He went into great detail and did it with plenty of video.  I doubt that anyone, even Terri Hemmert (and she REALLY KNOWS A LOT) knows more about the Beatles than Professor Moptop.

Plus, I am greatly enjoying my 12 ounce bottle of Cheerwine, the taste of North Carolina.  Yesterday, while shopping at our Spring Grove (Illinois) Jewel store I was fairly shocked to see a four pack of bottles for sale ($4).  That is much more than the usual $2.50 I like to spend for a 12-pack of pop.  But, the fact you can only rarely find it here in northern Illinois made me pay that price.  (I really stock up on the stuff when I'm in N.C..)

Sure made my day.

So, here I sit, typing away with my own two little fingers, drinking the good stuff and doing my homework.  I figured I had left homework behind when I got out of college, but evidently not so.

How 'Bout Dat?  --RoadDog

State Capital Test

Earlier today, I took a test over naming the 50 state capitals.  Supposedly I missed two of them, but only remember one that I missed, the capital of Massachusetts.  However, I must admit that had we not had four choices for each capital I would have been hard pressed on these state capitals:  Maine, Montana, Kansas, New Hampshire, Washington, Delaware, Wyoming, North and South Dakota and Oregon.

Hey, 48 out of 50 isn't bad.  Thanks to my fifth grade teacher in Greenville, North Carolina, for making an impression.  It was pass  the test or get spanked.

You can take the test at Warped Speed:  Can You Name Every State Capital?  Go test yourself.

Made An Impression on Me.  --RoadPain

By the way, how do you pronounce the capital of Kentucky:  Louieville or Lewisville?


I pronounce it Frankfort.

JSS-- Sorry For the Patriots?-- Christmas Decs-- Snow in N.C.

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SORRY FOR THE PATRIOTS?--   We loved the end of that Patriots-Dolphins game Sunday.  Somehow no one around here feels sorry for New England. As a matter of fact there was much cheering.  Let's see that again.

2.  CHRISTMAS DECS--  Just now getting the outside Christmas decorations up as between the cold and snow, but especially the C-O-L-D I haven't had much opportunity.

3.  SNOW IN N.C.--  Sorry to hear about all that snow in North Carolina.  I know even a ten-inch snowfall fouls us up here in northern Illinois, but twenty inches there?  Good luck with that one.

Anybody But the Patriots!!!  --RoadDog

Hurricane Florence Hit Special Areas To Me

The last two weeks have been hard on me to the extent that this hurricane/storm hit a part of the United states that is very special to me.

That would be the North Carolina coastal area ab well as into South Carolina.

Plus, I have relatives living there still, including cousins, nephews, nieces and my brother.  Goldsboro was hard hit and that is where my brother and I were born and we spent many times at both grandparents homes (in Goldsboro and Mt. Olive, N.C.) and then my parents bought my mom's house and lived in it until their deaths.

Plus, my mom had a condo on the second row of Topsail Beach, North Carolina.  In addition, Carolina Beach was the vacation spot we went to for so many years as we grew up.  (Mom's parents even owned a cottage on the ocean there until Hurricane Hazel came through in 1954.)

And, Liz and I used to spend a lot of vacations in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

I tell you, that storm really hit home.

--RoadDog

Legendary and Landmark N.C. Pies-- Part 6: Lemon Milk and Atlantic Beach Pies

LEMON MILK PIE

Harkers Island

Also called "Down East Lemon Pie."  Ritz Crackers, lemony custard made with sweetend condensed milk.

ATLANTIC BEACH PIE

Crook's Corner, Chapel Hill

Developed bu accident but on menu for good now.  A lemon pie.  Instead of meringue, use whipped cream.  Use saltines instead of Ritz Crackers

Sure Gl;ad These Entries Are Over.  Getting Too Hungry.  --RoadDog

LOVEMAKING TIPS FOR SENIORS:  Write partner's name on your hand in case you can't remember their name.

Legendary and Landmark N.C. Pies-- Part 5: Chocolate Chess and Vinegar Pies

CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE

Angus Barn, Raleigh

They make at least 100 of them a day and serves them warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

VINEGAR PIE

Jarrett House, Dillsboro

Most famous offering.  Using apple cider vinegar and lots of melted butter.  I don't know about this one.  The article has a recipe in case you want to try it.

Pie Me.  --RoadDog

LOVEMAKING TIPS FOR SENIORS:  Make sure you put 911 on your speed dial before you begin.

Legendary and Landmark Pies of N.C.-- Part 4: Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Pie

SWEET POTATO PIE--  Mama Dip's, Chapel Hill

A Chapel fixture for over 40 years.  The pie has a custardy filling made with milk, eggs, melted butter and, of course, you-know-what.

PUMPKIN PIE--  Aboard the USS North Carolina

On Thanksgiving 1943, sailors on board the battleship USS North Carolina, stationed off the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific had a feast.  Baked ham, giblet gravy, shipped potatoes, Waldorf salad, Grench peas, Parker House rolls, pumpkin pie and ice cream.

For the pumpkin pie crust, baker Donald Ayer's recipe required 200 pounds of flour, 96 pounds of shortening and 6 pounds of salt.  The custardy filling included evaporated milk, sugar and eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

Pumpkin Pie For 2,339.  --RoadPie

LOVEMAKING TIPS FOR SENIORS:  Set the mood with lighting.  (Turn them ALL OFF!)

Legendary and Landmark Pies From N.C.-- Part 3: Blueberry, Tomato and Pecan Pies

BLUEBERRY PIE--  Olde Carolina Eatery, Burgaw

In a converted 100+ year-old drug store.  Pender County is home for the annual  N.C. Blueberry Festival, so, yep, they do grow famous blueberries.  And lots of them.

TOMATO PIE--  Smokey Shadows Lodge, Maggie Valley

A family-run lodge features a cheesy tomato pie.

PECAN PIE--  Creedmore

About the richest pie you'll ever eat.  But, for best, I'd have to go with Grandma Ebie's and Aunt Louise's pecan pies.

--RoadPie

LOVEMAKING TIPS FOR SENIORS (From Wassup Magazine):  Wear your glasses to make sure your partner is actually in the bed.

Legendary and Landmark Pies of N.C.-- Part 2: Applejacks and Grape Hull Pie

APPLEJACKS--  Wayne Couny Fair at fair time.  (Nope, not a cereal.)

Last year, a church folded, fried and sold more than 8,000 of 'em.  In case you're wondering, they are a crispy, just-fried apple hand pie, meaning you eat it without a fork... your hands.  I had one once at the Fremont Daffodil Festival.  Good eating anytime, anywhere.

GRAPE HULL PIE--  Duplin Winery, Rose Hill

N.C.'s oldest winery and largest by volume.  These are muscadine grapes and some don't become wine.  They become pies.

Pie Me.  --RoadPie

SOME OBSERVATIONS:  The word "swims" upside-down is still "swims."  try it.

Legendary and Landmark Pies of North Carolina-- Part 1: Peanut and Coconut Pies

From the March Our State Magazine by Emma Laperruque.

Since yesterday was National Cherry Pie Day (see the previous entry in this blog).  This seemed appropriate.

When it comes to desserts, pies are always at the top of my list.

Here are some legendary and landmark pies in N.C:

PEANUT PIE--  Lumberton  Originally at the long-closed Blanchard's Restaurant.

COCONUT PIE--  Blake's in Condor

Wait!!  There's More!!  --RoadPie

SOME OBSERVATIONS:    Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty.

What Exactly Is a Tarheel?-- Part 3: A Civil War Connection

Another story as to how the name Tarheel came about comes to us from the Civil War.

At a battle during the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers were getting on the case of some soldiers from another Confederate state for rapidly leaving (running) a battlefield when things got rough.  They threatened to put tar on the heels of the soldiers from the other state to help them "stick" better in battle.

General Robert E. Lee. when he heard about it is supposed to have said "God bless the Tarheel boys."

So perhaps the name comes from Robert E. Lee.

Now, I Suppose, There Will be Some Offended By the Idea That the Name Came From the Confederacy So the Name Might have to Be Changed So As Not to Hurt Their Feelings.  --RoadDog

What Exactly Is a Tarheel?-- Part 2: A Revolutionary Story

According to the UNC Athletic Department, there are two explanations to how the term Tarheel came into usage.

The first one takes us back to the American Revolution.  The story goes that British troops under General Lord Cornwallis were fording a river in eastern North Carolina on their march to Yorktown.  They discovered that their feet were covered with tar, a product of the state's abundant pine trees.

Some say that North Carolinians had dumped tar in the river to slow down the British advance.

The British were said to have observed that if you wade into a North Carolina river you'd get tar on your heels.

Hence, Tarheels.  Get It!!  --RoadDog

Congrats to the UNC Tarheels!!

Sure had a great time watching this whole NCAA Tournament.  As usual, they did a good job matching teams up.  Lots of good games.

And, the Championship game last night sure lived up to its hype.  We had two really good teams.  I am a UNC-Chapel Hill fan first, but was also pulling for Gonzaga.  And, it was much closer than the final score would make it look.  With just under a minute left, Carolina led by just one point and then the Zags went cold.

Makes up for last year's Championship loss to Villanova for Carolina.

I paid particular attention to the Carolina introductions.  Lots of juniors and seniors.  That is the way to build a team, not like Kentucky which usually has just freshman playing for one year before jumping to the NBA.

Great Game.  Great Tournament.  Great Time.  --RoadDog

Last Weekend, January 20-22, 2017: 1050 Miles, Chili, and Packers

JANUARY 20, FRIDAY

A day spent on the road.  Left Goldsboro and encountered rain all the way through North Carolina.  Stopped in Mt. Airy (Mayberry) for my porkchop sandwich fix at Snappy Lunch and was smart enough not to try to eat the whole thing.  Then Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.  Unbelievably warm for January, with temps in the 60s the whole way.  Spent the night at the Motel 6 in Richmond, Indiana.

JANUARY 21,  SATURDAY

Drove 415 miles through Indiana and Illinois to home.  Temps in the 50s the whole way.  Then went to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion for the chili cookoff and there was an entertainer.  Later went to Sunnyside Tap.

JANUARY 22,  SUNDAY

Spent the afternoon at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg and saw the Green Bay Packers closely resemble Da Bears in their ineptness.  Was that Aaron Rodgers or Jay Cutler out there?  But, we had a great time with the crowd, which included quite a few Packer fans.

Drivin' and Cryin'.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You spend every vacation visiting "Maxwell House."

Beware of Mattrephobia and Mattrecide

One thing I can surely tell  you about dealing with used mattresses in the state of North Carolina.  DON'T!!!!

There is a severe case of Mattrephobia permeating the state.  That would be fear of all things pertaining to used mattresses.  That is illegal.  That is no organization like Goodwill or Salvation Army that will take them.

And, then there is the clear threat of Mattrecide, the perceived belief that even touching a used mattress could lead to a sudden and painful death.

Perhaps some people have over reacted to the bedbug crisis?

I Know I Don't Want The Critters, But Gee Whiz, Don't Go Overboard.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  The only time you're standing still is during an earthquake.

Just Got Back

I arrived back home yesterday, January 21st, after a ten day trip to North Carolina to clean out Mom's condo at Topsail Beach.  I tell you, at age 65, I am getting too old to do that much moving.

Picked up my nephew Andy at RDU Airport and drove to the beach where I met my brother Bob and later my sister Julie and Ed met us.  We spent Friday night and all day Saturday clearing the place out and took two loads of stuff to the consignment shop in Holly Ridge.

Monday and Tuesday I spent at Carolina Beach and enjoyed Fort Fisher for a good long while on Tuesday.  I then spent Wednesday and Thursday at Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

N.C. Fall 2016-- Part 5: Not As Much Damage As I Thought

SEPTEMBER 23, FRIDAY

I was very happy to see nothing but a few puddles in the lower level of the condo when I opened it.  I got a shop vac and sucked up the puddles in both Mom's and Vicki's place next door to us.

Went to the Jolly Roger Pier for a really good breakfast with Anthony and his granddaughter and friend.  Much less work on the lower level than I had anticipated, so I got to enjoy the beach today.  Did my usual wading and collecting shells and "lima bean" stones.

Went to the Topsail Town hall to pay the water and garbage bill and then Godwin's, one of the earliest businesses in Topsail Beach and still operating and looking like it did in the late 1940s when the area was opened to the public.  Before that it had been used for the U.S. missile and rocket testing program.

Towers from it and the Assembly Building still stand.

--RoadDog

MALE POINT SYSTEM:  You make the bed (+1)
You make the bed, but forget to add the decorative pillows (0)
You throw the bedspread over rumpled sheets (-1)