Random Thoughts on Friday: Alice

 I have mentioned here before that I love old TV shows that I remember from my younger days that give me that warm, fuzzy nostalgic feeling.  My two all-time favorites are Newhart from the 80s and Northern Exposure.

I would often watch those shows on a small black and white TV in my parents' kitchen.  I would  see them, in reruns, after getting home from work late at night.  I loved the fact that they both happened in places a bit foreign to me at the time.  Newhart was in Vermont, and Northern Exposure was in Alaska.

Another TV show that I enjoyed was Alice.  I remember watching Alice when I was a REALLY little kid.  It is one of those shows that just was always there, my parents must have liked it a lot.  Like my two favorite shows, it also took place somewhere exotic that I have now come to love- Phoenix Arizona.

There was something sweet and dreamy about all of the shows, and their characters relationships to the places.  All involved an outsider moving to a new place.  Newhart moved to Vermont to run a B&B.  NE featured a New York doctor moving to a small cold Alaskan town to treat people.  Alice's car broke down in Phoenix, causing her to quickly have to set up her life in a new location.

I grew up in the 80s, and the thought that your car could break down causing a massive life change, and move, does seem logical to me, from a 40 years ago mentality.  Cell phones, the internet, and general instant help wasn't what it is now.  There was a time not too long ago that a car break down literally could cause a person to relocate.

It might be hard for audiences to "get" Alice now.  I don't think I would tell my friends kids, "how watch this, you'll love it".  It doesn't translate to "now."  I enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I remembered.  The jokes, the punchlines are very dated.  But I enjoyed it, because I watched it as a kid.

Panoramic View of Niagara Falls Old Postcard

 This wonderful postcard of Niagara Falls is unused and undated.  I am guessing that it is, or is close to, a century old.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 We took a little road trip recently, as we often do...  And I realized at several moments, someone gave me something just to be nice.  It really made me feel special, and made me appreciate people, and the world a bit more again.

On our trip, we stopped by a museum.  It was a nice visit, and I talked to a nice lady there a bit about the museum and our travels.  I bought a couple of books, and I noticed she put a really nice museum pin in my bag too!  I love that sort of thing!

We stopped at a great BBQ restaurant and ordered a couple of meals.  A nice young lady working there was pleasant, and told us all about the meats, sides etc.  I asked about a couple of sides I wasn't familiar with and she answered our questions.  When we got our food, I realized that she included several sides I had asked about for free.  Maybe they made a lot, and she knew they wouldn't sell all of it, but I sure thought the gesture of the free sides was very kind.

Then, when we got home, I received a package from legendary Vermont author Joseph Citro.  I have mentioned Joe on this blog before, but if you enjoy ghost stories and folklore, especially relating to New England, Joe is the guy.  A couple of his books are absolute classics.  Anyway, I have ordered books directly from him before, and I ordered one from him again before leaving on our trip.  When I got home, I had a package from him with the book I ordered, AND a bonus book, just because Joe is a nice guy.

It was just a nice feeling experiencing such generosity.

Gothic and Strange True Tales of the Civil War by Keven McQueen

 I have read a LOT of books on the Civil War.  I do enjoy picking up a book or two about a particular battle before visiting a battlefield.  I've read a lot of biographies too, and other books.

Honestly, it does get hard at times, finding something that is interesting and original.  Seriously, what more can be written about it?

Well, Keven McQueen has put out a great book- "Gothic and Strange True Tales of the Civil War."

McQueen puts books out a LOT.  His releases are more frequent than some magazines (I have thought about asking him if I can subscribe to his books).  

His books are mostly collections of short stories relating to a topic; true crime being a specialty.

This one is an impressive collection of strange, dark, and just fascinating stories from the Civil War.

He does cover a few handfuls of stories we all know, but, for the most part, the collection is very obscure.  You will find a nice selection of stories relating to death, burial, amputation and all of the other dark subjects.  

I was most impressed with his exceptionally big (and well sourced) section on Confederate soldiers who were black.  The topic is controversial, but he digs up some interesting, and often ignored accounts.

This is easily one of my favorite Civil War books to have come out in some time.

Matchbook Covers from Niagara Falls, 1970s.

 I found a nice set of Niagara Falls Matchbook Covers from the 1970s!  One of my favorite places around!

1970s Matchbook from the Skyon Tower, Niagara Falls Ontario

Here is a nice, simple matchbook cover showing Canada's Skylon Tower from the 1970s, located at Niagara Falls!  We've been there!

Random Thoughts on Friday: Rereading a book from my youth

I briefly brought this up the other day.  Back during my elementary school years, I remember my teacher, Mr. Tanner giving everyone in the class a book.  I remember thinking that was such a kind gesture.  He didn't have to do that.  A book was perfect though.

That was years (oh heck, multiple decades) ago.  I remembered reading the book, and a couple of small details, but I could never really remember the book.

I had tried to google the book before, with the detail or two I sort of remembered, but I could never get it.

I am not a fan of AI, BUT, AI WAS very helpful figuring this one out, and for that I am grateful.

Anyway, I tracked down a (signed!) copy of William Sleator's "Into the Dream" which I had not read in a very long time.  I did this some years ago with another book I read as a kid, "The Indian in the Cupboard" AND I found and read all of the sequels to that one too.

Characters and scenes I had forgotten came back into my mind.  It is still a good book that holds up!

Reading it again was a nice link back to my old (now gone) school and my childhood.

 

Portland Head Light by Night, Portland Maine

 I have been there many times myself.... I found this old postcard of the "Portland Head Light by Night, Casco Bay, Portland, Maine" and I think it is just perfect.  The postcard is unused and undated.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 I mentioned the other day that we have come very far with technology.  Cell phones, social media, etc have given us a certain security that even a few decades ago would have been inconceivable.

I appreciate that, but I also miss the basic mystery and danger of the years of my youth.

Growing up in rural western Kentucky, my cousins, grandparents and many friends lived close.  By close, I mean within a few miles.  I could walk through a field, to my grandparents' house in 20 minutes.  I could walk on the road too, but that would be longer.

These days a kid making a walk like that could call their parents on a cell phone and talk the entire way on their walk to feel safe.  Back then, there was a horrific thrill about walking or running through that field, late at night.  hearing various animals (or whatever my imagination thought about) stalking me.

The mysteries of the world were still a mystery.  Books at your school library about ghosts and bigfoot were such a fun treat.  It was pure joy reading about so much of the unknown.

Now, you can google about those topics or ask AI and get answers and explanations instantly- including the skeptics perspectives.

I miss the thrill of the unknown from the 80s and 90s.

General View of Falls from Canadian Side, Niagara Falls Old Postcard

 This postcard went through the mail to a mother from her children in 1924!

Random Thoughts on Friday

 When the weather changes drastically, as it has recently, its not uncommon for me to get sick.  I found myself in that situation resting and watching TV recently.

I found that there is a channel that just plays the old "Unsolved Mysteries"!  I watched a lot of that over those couple of days.  I forgot how interesting the shows were.

There were several segments of people looking for others in their life that they had lost- mostly lost loves, or people that had helped them in the past.

There were several missing people segments too.

Its so strange how now, with cameras everywhere and social media, its nearly impossible to lose track of someone....  not like before anyway.

I'm not pointing anything out new, but we have really come very far, very fast.

Niagara Falls Old Postcard

 Another great unused postcard showing Niagara Falls.  I am guessing this one was bought sometime in the 1950s.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 I was reading a clickbait article recently (I have to quit doing that).  It was a list put together of the most disappointing signature foods by state (I was surprised the Hot Brown didn't make the list).  Anyway, Nebraska's Runza was number 4.

Have you had a Runza?  They ARE big in Nebraska.  Its ground beef, onions, cabbage, and kraut baked inside of bread.  

I can't remember if I ever mentioned the story of spending my 21st birthday in Nebraska....  I probably have mentioned it, and I will likely mention it again....  but I spent a cold January in Nebraska during my college days.  That month a pretty big deal to the timeline of my life, and I enjoyed it very much.

Anyway, there was a Runza restaurant about half a mile from the dorm where I was staying (Midland Lutheran College, now Midland Lutheran University).  I walked there a few evenings for dinner.  They had a special where if you bought fries and a drink, you got a Runza for the price of the temperature at noon.  I don't think I ever paid more than a quarter for the Runza at that time.

Being away from home (at the time, it was the farthest away from home I had ever been by a lot), somewhat isolated, and in a cold environment- well its easy to get inside of your own mind and think about things.

On a couple of our trips out west we have stopped by that Runza.  I look forward to it.

We occasionally make Runzas at our house now and then...  but I think of Runza very fondly.

Runza deserves more love.

Greetings from Niagara Falls, Canada Old Postcard

 This is a fun postcard from many decades ago (any guesses, judging by those old cars?).  It was unsent and undated.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 I have mentioned the old elementary school I went to when I was little before- Utica Elementary in Utica Kentucky.  It folded back in 2009.  My time there was...  well, a few decades before that.

You can still see part of it from the road.  It was mostly demolished but the huge section that housed the gym is still there.  Farming equipment is usually around it; the property now being utilized for farming.

A couple of years before it closed, I got to go inside with a friend whose daughter was at that time a student.  The school that was massive in my memory wasn't as big as I remembered.  I notice small chairs and low to the ground sinks.  I remembered hundreds of kids in the cafeteria.  Looking at it years later I realized it couldn't have ever been that crowded.

My memories there are mostly of pure joy.  Sure, there were frustrating moments and all, but I always felt lucky to have come up in such a nice, small, community school.

One memory that sticks out involved leaving before Christmas break one year.  Our teacher, Mr. Tanner had gotten all of the students a copy of a book.  I do remember a few moans from the class, but I remember feeling very moved by the kind gesture.  I also remember making a point to read the book, since I really enjoyed reading then, like I do now.

I hunted down a copy of that book and plan to read it again.

Robert Shields, Sedona, Arizona

 

Before I leave Arizona (mentally and on the blog) I wanted to mention Robert Shields.

If you were born...  really in the 80s or later, that name might not mean anything to you.  I BARELY remember Roberts Shields, from Shields and Yarnell, but I do remember that the name was pretty big at one time.  I remember seeing them on variety shows as a kid.

On our first visit to Arizona, I stopped by a jewelry shop in Sedona.  I saw several framed pictures and posters of the mime team on the wall.

I asked the lady there who the Shields and Yarnell fan was and she informed me that Robert Shields owned the shop!

I thought that was pretty cool and made a few purchases.

A few years later, on our second trip, we stopped by the same shop.  I asked a lady there is Robert still owned the business, but he did not.

He is still making art, and I checked his website.  He has some really interesting pieces reasonably priced.

Mothman.... in Berea Kentucky

You know I love Berea Kentucky....  and Mothman.

Not too long ago we were walking our dogs in Berea, and I saw this sign- featuring the Mothman statue in Point Pleasant West Virginia.
 

Random Thoughts on Friday

Oh Canada!  I have never been ashamed of my patriotism.....  I love America....  But, I am a huge fan of Canada too.

I think it started in the early 90s.  Growing up in very rural Kentucky, we couldn't get cable.  It wasn't available in our area.  Well, we found out we could get a satellite dish that would offer more channels!

The dishes were huge.  It reminded me of the big dishes seen in Empire Strike Back on Hoth.  Also, if people were in our backyard, we would check before changing channels- the dish moving around COULD hurt someone.

We couldn't get MTV, BUT we COULD get MuchMusic out of Canada.  Close enough.  Of course, Canadian Music is SLIGHTLY different from what Americans are used to.

Big rock and pop stars in the US are pretty much always big in Canada too, but the reverse isn't always true.  

The Guess Who, Rush, and the Barenaked Ladies found success in the US, among others.  Some great bands, however, never could get that same momentum.

You could maybe assume that some bands are just too Canadian.  Excessive references to hockey, and towns totally unfamiliar to Americans might explain some of that.

Watching MuchMusic back in the 90s...  well, I thought The Northern Pikes and Jane Siberry (two of my favorite Canadian artists) would take over America.  I thought Barenaked Ladies were too goofy for their southern neighbors and would never make it.  A Paula Abdul knock off singer in Canada going by "Alanis" repackaged her act and Alanis Morissette would be one of the biggest acts in the world.

Quick, without thinking- name the greatest band from Canada.  I can almost guarantee you, that Canadians and Americans will have different answers.

Americans will likely answer Rush, thought the Band, or one of the other bands I mentioned earlier might come up.

If you are Canadian, there is really only one answer- The Tragically Hip.  If you are American, you likely are totally unfamiliar with that one.

I'm not even going to try to explain that here, but the Tragically Hip are very important to Canada and the death of their irreplaceable lead singer in 2017 was a national tragedy.  Their last concert, broadcast on many platforms, we estimated to have been watched by a third of the population of the country.  The Prime Minister had a press conference on the day he died.

I have told people that I feel like Canadians put more into their music.  The lyrics are more poetic and emotional, in my opinion.

I have found that I love Canadian TV shows a lot too.  Heartland (a show about a family and horses, in a very brief nutshell) has a big following worldwide.  The scenery on the show is always beautiful.  The Murdoch Mysteries is a detective show set in the 1890s that is crafty and smart.  I love their vintage postcard like settings.  Co-star of the Murdoch Files, Jonny Harris has his own show, Still Standing, which showcases the wonderful small communities of Canada.

Those are about my three most favorite shows, all Canadian.

6 miles to go

 On our road trips, my wife and I disagree on when to stop for gas.  She starts thinking about it when she gets down to half a tank.  I like to wait until the last minute.

On a recent rural trip.....  I almost cut it too close.

This was a new record for me.  My previous record was 11 miles.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 I was reminded of a funny (and weird) story by a friend recently....

Many years ago, I was working for a company that had about 200 employees.  It was a nice job, and I am still friends with a lot of people from that time.  Other details of the job are unimportant for this story.

SO, a new guy started at this job.  He seemed very nice and pleasant.  Normal, for the most part.

I should say here though, he was...  well, nerdy, but that was OK.  Most of us at this job were that way.  This guy kind of dressed like Pee Wee Herman though.  He kind of went out of his way to be conspicuously nerdy.

Some of my coworkers kind of approached me and said there was something off about the guy.  At first, I thought maybe they were being mean, and just didn't like the guy (they weren't like that though).  A couple of coworkers said he gave them "the creeps."

Maybe those coworkers were just messing with me about the new guy.  I would defend the guy each time- telling them that he seemed pleasant and professional.

WELL...

Something happened as things tend to do at companies.  Someone made a formal sexual harassment complaint.

The complaint did not involve anyone I knew, and the new guy was not involved either.  Still, there was a big company meeting featuring an expected and appropriate lecture from the company's president.

The president made it very clear that there would be zero tolerance for any jokes, innuendoes, or other comments that could be offensive.

If you have ever been through one of these meetings in your career, you know that the best thing to do is just to sit there and listen.  No need for questions or commentary.

Well, during the president's speech the Pee Wee Herman lookalike aggressively raised his hand.  The president tried to ignore him for a minute or two, but the guy was waving his hand like a 2nd grader needing to go to the bathroom.

Raising his hand was strange on its own.  My coworkers literally looked over at me.  One silently mouthed "WE TOLD YOU!"

The president finally asked the guy what was so important.

The new coworker then asked a strange question, making it clear that he thought a zero-tolerance policy was harsh.  He said something like, "well what if it is just a little joke?  I have been at other places where someone gets all bent out of shape about a dirty joke and I don't think that's right...."

The guy would have gone on longer, but the president firmly cut him off.

I had to admit to my friends that they were obviously correct about the guy.  Literally trying to make an argument that dirty jokes should be tolerated during a companywide meeting like that did not go well for the new hire.

I did distance myself from the guy after that.  I don't know exactly what happened, but he was out of the company shortly after.

"Strange Kentucky Travels: The Haunted and Unexplained" by James Ambs

I guess it isn't too vain to let you know that I have written a book.  It has been out for a few months now, and I want to be humble....  but I am very proud of it.

I will tell you a little about why I wrote the book, and the book itself.

I have read a ton of weird and strange books.  The more obscure, the more regional and local- the better.  I get so excited when I travel, and I find some odd book about that place's legends.  The more DIY, the better.

I have a nice collection of such books.  If you have ever seen my bookshelves (and various bookstacks throughout my house) you know.
 

I organize them by state too.  All states are represented, even the few I haven't visited yet.  Sure, I have an impressive collection of Civil War books, and biographies of politicians....  but most of my books are about bigfoot, ghosts, haunted houses and just strange stories.

There are some regional authors I love (Vermont's Joseph Citro, Troy Taylor from Illinois, and Kentucky's own Keven McQueen are well represented in my collection).  There are also many self-published books.  Some are full of misspellings and have some errors- but thats OK- it gives them character.

I treasure some of those unedited self-publications...  some of them held together by staples.

Some are better than others.  I have been frustrated by some books that have mostly reprinted Wikipedia articles while utilizing Wikicommons and other public domain photos.

I was born in Owensboro.  I have lived most of my life in Kentucky.  I am constantly taking road trips throughout the state.....  I kind of felt like I was uniquely qualified to write a very authentic book on some of the strange stories in Kentucky.

So, I started writing about my favorite "weird" spots in Kentucky.  I started organizing my pictures (I have tens of thousands).  I started work on putting my book together.

It became a bit of an obsession.  There are literally hundreds of interesting and strange places, and stories.  The book I wanted to write would be thousands of pages.  Even edited down, I was looking at hundreds.

I have tried to be selective too.  A friend of a friend's story about a shadow person their grandma saw was not what I wanted to include.  I wanted to only include the well-known, and well documented stories.

Also, I wanted this to be a bit of a travel guide.  So, I give a brief retelling of the legend, then I try to give addresses of places associated with the legends.  I tell about my own experiences at each site (I have been to all of them- most of them many times).  If there is a cool shop or coffee shop there, well, I will mention it too!

AND, I have included photos, all taken by me (or someone in my party during a visit).  Again, I wanted this to be real, authentic, and very DIY.  No wiki sources here.  Pictures are in color too.

"Strange Kentucky Travels:  The Haunted and Unexplained" has info on the hauntings at Carter Caves, Waverly Hills, The Seelbach Hotel, Leah Smock, Pearl Bryan and Bobby Mackey's Music World, Caver Floyd Collins, and Portal 31.  I have a chapter on the last legal public hanging in the US, which happened in Owensboro....  a story I grew up with.  There is a chapter on the legends of the Red River Gorge.  I also included a chapter on Adams Tennessee's Bell Witch.  Yes, that legend is generally not associated with Kentucky, but it is only a few miles out of the state.  Most Kentuckians can visit Adams in a day or weekend trip easily.

I am working on more volumes.

Check it out and let me know what you think.  Thanks!

Random Thoughts on Friday

 Well, I honestly don't have a lot to say at the moment.  It has been a crazy week here in Kentucky, and in much of the country.  Snow around my car turned to ice, and my car was literally frozen to my driveway for several days!

That's OK though, since I pretty much work from home all the time now.  Still, it was nice getting out the last couple of days, now that the snow is melting.

It was getting to me though.

On a different note- for some reason I can't upload my youtube videos to blogger the same way anymore.  I can add the link, but not visual like before.

AND, if you have watched my videos (thank you!) I HAVE picked up some nicer equipment, including a GoPro!  

I am experimenting with audio again, after many years too.  I picked up a Tascam recorder which is going to be fun.  It can tape for hours with no problem, and the quality is great.  I used to record on minidiscs years ago.  I still have old recording that I haven't transferred.  Any other audio fans out there?

Bad Ass Coffee in Lexington Kentucky- being festive for February!

 https://youtu.be/Px52Aku9AOQ

I stopped by Bad Ass Coffee in Lexington.  They were doing some sweet things for the Valentine's season!

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Franklin Tennessee 2025

https://youtu.be/LjD2I5PHJmc

 We stopped by the always fun, unique and delicious Mellow Mushroom in Franklin Tennessee!

Mariam Turkish Coffee Fishers Indiana

 Check out Mariam Coffee, a great Turkish Coffee place in Fishers Indiana!

https://youtu.be/3tjMbKUnuCk