Main and Maple Coffee in Nicholasville

I thought I should take a minute to mention some of my favorite coffee shops in Kentucky!

I love Main and Maple in Nicholasville. It is just outside of Lexington, and it is in a very pleasant area.

The coffee shop itself feels calm and cozy, and the staff is always friendly.

This place has really good, quality sandwiches too, I like planning not just a coffee break but a nice lunch dinner when I go out to the area.

http://www.mainandmaplecoffeehouse.com/

UPDATE:

Right after I posted this, a pal let me know that the place had closed down a couple of weeks earlier!!! NO!!! Oh well, it WAS a very nice place.

Postcard: US Post Office, Cincinnati, Ohio

Lincoln Mall- Owensboro

Lincoln Mall has been mentioned by me on my other blog before. I really loved going to this mall when I was growing up. The phrase "dead mall" would have been an appropriate description for the mall probably for its last 10 or more years in operation as a mall. In fact, deadmalls.com mentions that it was still being used as a mall (barely) up through 2005. In the early 90s, me and my pals would go here a lot because it was the anti-hang out. No one else ever went to Lincoln Mall. We sort of felt like we had the place to ourselves. Plus, they had the second run movie theater. You could see a movie on one of the two screens for $1, or $1.50. There were a few stores that seemed to have been there forever (Arnold's Jewelers and Olan Mills). There was a thrift store or two, and a couple of other shops that came and went. I always loved this place. Several years ago, Owensboro Christian Church took it over. A friend is involved there, and they let me take a look inside recently. I was surprised at how much of the mall still looked the same! In fact, there were a couple of benches and trash cans that I recognized from its mall days. It looks like the church is doing a good job of keeping the place up and looking good. I was glad to see that. They are making good use of the space.

I would love to see some pictures of the mall when it was a mall! I might have some somewhere myself, as I have always taken lots of pictures. Here is a link to the deadmalls.com entry on Lincoln Mall:

http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/lincoln_mall_ky.html

Postcards: Terrace Plaza Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio

"400 outside rooms, each with tub, shower, circulating ice water, 6-station radio. Four restaurants. Entire hotel completely air-conditioned. Television in all public rooms. R.C. Kroger, Resident Manager, Max Schulman, General Manager."

Postcard: Mammoth Cave Visitor Center

"Cave tickets, Information Lobby, Adio-Visual Auditorium and exhibits of Geology, History and Archeology are located in the new Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center. A building wing also houses the National Park Service Administrative Offices. The concrete bridge leads to the Mammoth Cave Hotel."

I thought this was a bit of a unique Mammoth Cave postcard as the cave itself is not shown.

I remember my first couple of visits to the cave. The cave is the main attraction, but as a little kid, I thought this bridge was pretty cool too.

Postcard: Sixth Street Bridge, Pittsburgh Skyline

Postmarked 1950, this postcard describes:

"The Sixth Street Bridge spanning the Allegheny River is one of Pittsburgh's many bridges unifying the industrial city."

I have spent a lot of time in this area of Pittsburgh myself and I do miss the skyline. Great sports town, and a very much improved city.

Elizabethtown Christmas Tree

Most people in the E-Town area have probably noticed this, especially if they drive east much. I am not sure of the purpose, but I sure appreciate the novelty of it! Someone has decorated a pine tree with Christmas ornaments! This particular tree is a bit closer to the road than the others, and it stands out! It looks like someone stopped and opened the presents recently. I hope they are replaced. I tip my hat to the person(s) that took the time to do this! Not sure when they did, but I have noticed it there for some time!

Postcard: Liberty Bell. Philadelphia, PA

This postcard was sent in 1941!

"Liberty Bell, in Independence Hall on Chestnut and Fifth Streets, proclaimed liberty throughout the country after the Declaration of Independence signed July 4, 1776. Silent since 1843."

There is a little history for you young guys out there that think the Liberty Bell is just some design on the stamp.

On a personal note, I stopped by to see the Bell several years ago, late on a Sunday night. It wasn't "open" but you could still see it from a distance, over some ropes. There was security around, and even on an off night like late Sunday, Philadelphia is a very lively city!

Owensboro at Night

Postcard: High Level Bridge, Cleveland Ohio

This great postcard was sent through the mail in 1932! It still looks amazing, even with the postal marks on the front.

Random Thoughts On Friday

Hey, don't forget that there are 2 (TWO!) indoor football teams playing in the state at this time! Check out my links on the right. In fact, what might be the first ever all Kentucky pro football match occurred recently!

The weather is good, and baseball season is almost here! Bowling Green, Lexington, and Florence all have pro teams. If you live in the far eastern part of the state you can enjoy a West Virginia Power game in the Charleston West Virginia area. To the south, you can dip down into Tennessee for a game, as the entire state has several teams! Again, check out my pro sports team links on the right!

Postcard: Paradise, Kentucky

"Here is the world's largest mobile land machine, a huge stripping shovel built by Bucyrus-Erie Company, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a local mine near Paradise, Kentucky."

It is VERY hard to find anything relating to the old town of Paradise now. I was very happy to find this great postcard. Check out the two small people in the lower right corner!

I really love the fact that the Peabody Coal Company name is shown, and the town of Paradise is mentioned on the back.

Postcard: St. Francis De Sales Church, Cincinnati

Postcard: Natural Bridge

Book: Steve and Me by Terri Irwin

I remember driving down a road in rural Ohio one day in 2006 listening to a news program on the radio. They broke the news that Steve Irwin had died. I remember the moment very well.

I hadn't thought much about him recently. I think everyone was watching the show and all, but he wasn't quit as much in the public eye at that time.

Still, the news was shocking, and it seemed so wrong. He was tough as nails and so likable. How could he be dead?

I think there are some people that come along in pop culture that are just amazing. They do whats right, and they try to promote a good cause. They devote their entire life to a cause. Fred Rogers comes to mind. John Walsh is another. Steve is in that group.

Anyway, the world just didn't feel the same. A great person was no longer with us.

Terri Irwin put a very nice book together about Steve's life, their meeting each other, and their work together. I don't want to sound sappy, but this is a very sweet book.

Terri talks about her work with cougars in Oregon, and how that influenced her eventually meeting Steve. They pretty much fall for each other immediately, even though they live in different countries. I don't want to give anything away, but there is a very sweet photo taken of the two together on the first day they meet!

The book talks about Steve's ability to catch crocs like no one else. And, make no mistake, he was wrestling and catching them to help save them.

As he would catch them, he would sometimes set up a camera to tape the almost supernatural encounter. Some TV people saw the amateur video and knew they had a potential star!

In fact, Steve and Terri work on an early Crocodile Hunter episode on their honeymoon!

Steve Irwin, I think is frozen in many of our memories as a good guy who was tough. A bit of a Superman. An honest chap, fighting for a good cause. His death still seems so flukish that we can remember him as somewhat of an undefeated champion. He was a loyal husband, a caring father, he was concerned about conservation, and he could wrestle a crocodile.

Still, in the end of the book, Terri talks about her getting the news that Steve had died. She talks honestly about her dealing with those emotions, and her last moments with Steve.

I absolutely love this book.

Random Thoughts On Friday

hey! Did you catch the video from Land Between the Lakes at the closing of Sunday Morning (the TV show) last Sunday? There were just a few shots, but it was pretty cool!

Don't forget that there are 2 (TWO!) arena football teams starting up in the state! The one in Pikeville has played some, and the one in northern Kentucky is about to play their first home game!

PLUS, there are 3 professional baseball teams that will be playing soon! Check out my links to all of the teams on this site!

Book: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead- Zevon

Warren Zevon is one of those musicians that you might not be familiar with, but you know about him.

A buddy took me to see Zevon with him some time ago and it was great. The guy kept putting out great tunes. His later album, "Life'll Kill Ya" is almost perfect in this bloggers opinion.

I was fortunate enough to actually catch his last 2 concerts in Cleveland. Both nights were great for me. Jill Sobule was the opening act, and I remember her coming out to sing with Zevon later. I remember the two doing "You Were On My Mind" - an all time oldies favorite of mine. That is one of my favorite concert memories.

I picked up "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" a few weeks ago. To be honest, I didn't want to read it when it came out. You sort of watched Zevon as he died on Letterman and MTV.

I finally got around to reading this volume. You know there are some books that you read, and you get goose bumps, and feel all good about life by the end? This is not one of those books. The book is too real and honest.

In fact, the books author/ex-wife of Warren says that Warren asked her to write it as honestly as possible.

Crystal Zevon talks very openly about her former husband's problems, including his many excesses.

There is a lot of fun info in here too. I have always loved the music of fellow Kentuckians Phil and Don Everly. I REALLY enjoyed reading about Warren's work with those guys. Later Lindsey Buckingham also gets involved! I would love to hear some collaborations with those four!

jackson Browne is another all time favorite of mine. It was great reading about Jackson helping Warren's career along.

I really admire this book for the simple fact that it does not try to make Warren look like a hero. It makes him look like a jerk at times (especially to his family).

After reading the book, I still feel an admiration for Zevon, and for his music. I think that Warren and author Crystal Zevon wanted it that way. He was a guy with good and bad qualities that made some great music.

Postcard: Hazard

"1981 Black Gold Festival Parade in front of new city hall building with 'Boss Hogg' as Grand Marshal. Hazard, Kentucky."

I know what you are thinking, and I agree. This might be the coolest postcard in the history of ever.

Wood Art in Daviess County

I won't say exactly where I saw this, but this was some cool wood art I spotted while driving around Daviess County! Looks like an Eagle statue, and a tree man or Green Man in the tree! I was told that both carvings were part of one Indian carving damaged by weather. The local artist salvaged the art this way.
VERY NICE!

Random Thoughts On Friday

If you have read this blog in the past (that would be you mom) you know that I hate to hear about a book store closing. It just doesn't get any more sad than that.

I recently read about the Borders store closing in downtown Indianapolis.

I know that many Borders stores are going out of business right now. I was in Louisville the other day and traffic was busy in the area, as people were crowding the place because of the sales.

BUT, the store in downtown Indy is really nice. I find myself there at least a couple of times a year, and I always stop at this store.

They had a nice postcard selection and a great local interest section. I love that stuff! And I love the coffee shop in there. That store was 2 stories, and stretched out over a couple of rooms.

Traditional bookstores are struggling right now, and I accept that, but I hate to see it.

Postcard: Crystal Lake, Mammoth Cave

"Crystal Lake, one of the unique features of Mammoth Cave, is 270 feet underground. A short boat trip on the emerald colored waters is a thrilling and memorable experience."

Postcard: The Square, Cleveland Ohio

This postcard is postmarked June of 1921.

I love these great night scenes on old linen postcards! The moon and the clouds are just perfect.

I recognizes many of the buildings in this picture, though more were to come.

Postcard: Lincoln Marriage Temple, Harrodsburg

"The Cabin in which the parents of Abraham Lincoln were married was removed from Washington County by the Harrodsburg Historical Society. Here a temple, copied from the old Ludbegrud Church of Clark County, was built to house the original cabin."

As most Kentuckians know, the Harrodsburg are is full of great history! Unlike some other historical areas, the place has really preserved a lot of great relics.

Postcard: Akron Bowl, Akron, Ohio

"The Corsair, a single- seater navy fighter, is built in Akron by Goodyear Aircraft Corp. It is used as a carrier-based or land based plane. The speed is over 400 miles per hour."