No Foolin': Johnny's Cafe, Fox Lake American Legion, 3 Aces, Old Friends, NCAA Tournament, Stucky's, McHenry American Legion

FRIDAY,   APRIL 1, 2022

We met Kevin and Kelly at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake and had a great egg plant parmesan with angel hair spaghetti.  e then went to the American Legion in Fox Lake for 50-50.  Kelly and Kevin won for the second week in a row.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of one of my favorite comic strips, Pickles."  I can sure relate to Earl.  I guess it has to do with an age thing.

Met Glen and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion at 3 in the afternoon and we enjoyed one of our favorite bands, 3 Aces.  Because of the you-know-what, we hadn't seen them in over two years.  They play great oldies music.  Where else you going to get a band on an April Saturday afternoon with $2 drafts?

We also hadn't seen Barb and Glen since November as they live in Chicago, but have a place on the Chain o' Lakes.

An old buddy, Rick, came in and we had a nice talk about the old days.  I hadn't seen him since before the you-know-what hit as well.

Afterwards, we went to Stucky's and had the $1 draft special and watched the NCAA Elite 8 games.  Both, sadly, were blowouts.  Boring.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

We went to the McHenry American Legion and then to Stucky's on the way home.

--RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!!! Nov. 12-18: Thursday Is Clean Out the Fridge Day

**  I'd celebrate that.

NOVEMBER 12,  MONDAY--  Pizza With the Works Day**   Garbage pizza, that's for me.  I have to wonder about people who just like pizza with cheese and maybe one topping.

NOVEMBER 13, TUESDAY--  World Kindness Day**  I wonder if Bill Murray would drink to that even if it is not "World Peace?"  Hey, kindness leads to peace.

NOVEMBER 14, WEDNESDAY--  Pickle Day**  And, as we all know, Mt. Olive Pickles are the best.   Guacamole Day**  Mighty good dippin' stuff.

NOVEMBER 15, THURSDAY--  Clean Out the Fridge Day**  We've got things back there that frighten me.   Smoke Out Day**  Think of how much money you could save.

NOVEMBER 16, FRIDAY--  Fast Food Day**  Me, eat fast food?  Yep!!

NOVEMBER 17, SATURDAY--  Baklava Day**  Take A Hike Day*8  Figuratively or Really?   Adoption Day**  Be it a kid or pet.

NOVEMBER 18, SUNDAY--    Mickey Mouse's Birthday    How old is he?  M-I-C-K-E-Y MOUSE.

Donald Duck.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Steam shovel operator's name:  Doug

Poor Earl

From the Jan. 15, 2011 Chicago Tribune.

I am really starting to like the comic strip Pickles a whole lot. For some reason, I now can really relate to Earl.

FIRST FRAME: His wife is looking at the cat sound asleep on top of the sofa and says, "Is there anything lazier than a cat?"

SECOND FRAME: Earl is lying on the couch and asks his wife, "Opal, would you hand me the remote? It's just out of my reach." (It's on the coffee table about six inches away from his outstretched hand.)

THIRD FRAME: Opal says, "Well. I guess that answers THAT question."

I Am Not!!! --RoadDog


QUOTES: I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. --Groucho Marx

It's a Pickle Thing- Mississippi-Style

The July 7th Northwest Herald had an Associated Press article about strange pickles in the state of Mississippi. I mean, some of these are marinated in Kool-Aid and some are battered and deep-fried. They really love their pickles in that state, and the whole south for that matter.

An overly large number of them are consumed south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The South "has always been a pickling culture. Pickled okra. Pickled watermelon rind. Pickled peaches and fruits," says William Ferris, professor of Southern Culture and folklore at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Double Quick chain of convenience stores has begun selling these pickles after they noticed independent grocers having brisk sales and often kids would sell them at fundraisers. The Kool-Aid marinated ones are called Koolickles. Their 30 stores each sell about 25 a day at 50 cents a pop.

In case you're wondering how to make a Koolicle:

Take a 46-ounce jar of whole pickles, a cup of sugar, 2 cups of water, and two packets of red Kool-Aid. Drain and discard the juice from the jar. Remove the pickles and cut each in half lengthwise.

Mix the water, sugar, and Kool-Aid until the sugar has completely dissolved. Pour enough into the jar so that the pickles are covered. Cover the jar and refrigerate at least 24 hours.

Easy enought to make even for a non-cook such as I. I guess I'll have to try one if I ever come across a Koolickle. Hey, I'll try anything once.

"Mississippi's culture finds itself in a pickle" by Kathy Hanrahan.

Would You Like a Koolickle with that Steak? --RoadDog