Five Things Friday: Celebrating Summer

Sep 15, 2017 | 2 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday

Forty-eight hours ago our weather shifted. The California desert went from 93 and sunny to overcast and windy. Thursday brought winds and cooler temps and, now don’t quote me, but I’m almost certain I heard that midnight carnival train in the distance.

Yup. Autumn is almost upon us.

But wait!, you say. It’s technically still summer! And so it is. At least for one more week.

Here are few ways to celebrate the end of the season:

  1. Host a BBQ potluck. Have your friends, family, and neighbors over. They bring the meat, you bring the grill. After all, food is the answer to almost everything.
  2. Stay out late. Okay, in my neck of the we-don’t-have-trees woods, being out after dark isn’t always a barrel of fun. But getting a carload of peeps to go cruising to the local park, sit on a picnic bench and watch the evening stars shoot overhead? That’s some magic right there.
  3. Clean the house. What?! you say. How can that be fun?! Oh, come on. You know that awesome I-can-breathe-better feeling when the clutter is gone. Am I right? So grab a few boxes and bags and organize those closets. Do it now before the holidays fill your schedule and you’re pulling out flip flops where the scarves should be.
  4. Go somewhere fun. Take a short drive to the beach. Walk the sidewalk. Make a day out of running errands. Find a reason to enjoy the sunshine, before there’s less of it to enjoy.
  5. Buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte. ‘Nuff said.

And now I want to hear from you. What are some of the things you do to wind down summer?

TWEET THIS: Five ways to #celebrate #summer before it’s over. @RealMojo68 #FiveThingsFriday

With a shooting star and Venti coffee,
Happy Seasoning.
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

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Photoblogger William Kendall: Ottawa Welcomes the World

Jul 12, 2017 | 12 comments

by William Kendall @WilliamKendall1

One of my early memories in childhood was going with my parents to an event held somewhere in the greater Toronto area. It was held in something like a convention center or other large space, where booths were set up to showcase different countries around the world, with a good many people spending time exploring the area. I don’t know why that memory sticks with me, but it’s left a curiosity about the world at large in me- even if I have yet to get out of North America.

This year is the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, and the city of Ottawa is holding several events throughout the year as well. One of those events is Ottawa Welcomes The World, a collaborative event between the city, numerous embassies here, and various organizations with ties to the countries involved. Different countries are showcased throughout the year in an event held in the Horticulture Building, at Lansdowne Park. It started in March and will run through to the beginning of December.

Horticulture Building, Ottawa Welcomes the World [photo credit: W. Kendall]

Horticulture Building, Ottawa Welcomes the World [photo credit: W. Kendall]

I have already attended several of these events, which have typically been one or two days, including events for Spain, South Korea, Ireland, Rwanda, Taiwan, and the European Union. Other events I have not been able to attend. Embassies participating come from all corners of the world- Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The only part of the world not accounted for is Australia and Oceania, but perhaps that’s because there’s only so much time in the year. Right now, during the summer, is the peak time of the year, with two or three events in a week, concentrated around the weekend.

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Ireland Showcase [photo credit: W. Kendall]

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Ireland Showcase [photo credit: W. Kendall]

It’s interesting to drop in and see these. The showcases include music and documentary films at the central stage in the building, the work of artisans, information on the countries at hand, tourism maps, photography of various landmarks and landscapes of those countries. It also includes food- Danish cookies at the EU event, on the one hand, or a pancake baked around spiced cabbage during the Korean event.

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Rwanda [photo credit: W. Kendall]

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Rwanda [photo credit: W. Kendall]

It’s also educational in its tone. You drop in at an event of this nature and it piques your interest. You learn new things about places you haven’t visited, or may not have even thought of visiting. From showing children the games played in a given nation to giving adults insight about the way of life in another country across the world, the concept is proving thus far to be a compelling way to mark the anniversary year- getting everyday Canadians engaged with learning more about the world around them. Whoever came up with the idea knew what they were doing.

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Taiwan [photo credit: W. Kendall]

Ottawa Welcomes the World: Taiwan [photo credit: W. Kendall]

TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: #Photoblogger William Kendall: #Ottawa Welcomes the World @RealMojo68 @WilliamKendall1

William Kendall

William Kendall

 

William Kendall is a photoblogger who finds the unique perspective in everyday life. You can follow him on his writing blog, Speak Of The Devil, his photoblog Ottawa Daily Posts, and Twitter @WilliamKendall1.

 

 

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

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I Like Driving at Twilight

Jan 29, 2013 | 4 comments

I love driving at Twilight. I’d forgotten that until I started working again. Driving home in the near-dark with Sinatra playing through the speakers is a nightly experience I consistently relish.

In the Winter rains, the fresh air and delicate winds bring a certain feel with them.

There’s something quite magical about the mix of neon and starlight, of headlights and stoplights reflecting off the hard pavement and sidewalks.

When I was otherwise unemployed, my driving was nearly confined to only the sandy desert roads less maintained by the City. Now I traverse Main Street each day. With Winter on its way out and Spring starting to show (at least trying to nudge an appearance now and then), the sky isn’t as dark as early.

Winter Sunset

Winter Sunset

Just a few minutes can make all the difference in the world. Soon I’ll be staying at work just a few moments longer to avoid blindly driving into the Western Sun. In a matter of weeks my Twilight excursions will be a memory for nearly another year.

It’s a bit ironic that my favorite music is “New York, New York” which I blast while driving between single story buildings surrounded by Joshua Trees and the occasional Coyote.

Someday I’ll get to New York. Until then, in the Twilight and even in the summer, Sinatra sings me home.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

You may also enjoy reading:
When I Get To New York
Writing Prompt: Songs

Help me to reach my funding goal before February 1st!
Just click on the photo below and click “BACK THIS PROJECT” to pre-order YOUR copy of The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition!
The Unemployment Cookbook

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WINNER of the Route 66 Gift Pack Giveaway

Jul 18, 2012 | 0 comments

Thank you to everyone who entered the Route 66 Gift Pack Giveaway. I enjoyed reading all your vacation comments!

The winner is Veronica G., who stated “The best summer trip I ever had was our highschool trip to Myrtle Beach.”

I look forward to doing another giveaway soon, so stay tuned… and Happy Summer!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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SUMMER VACATION TIME: Get Your Kicks and A Route 66 Gift Pack Giveaway!

Jul 4, 2012 | 76 comments

It’s summer! Time to bring out the sunscreen and road maps and take a drive.

One of the most favorite drives in America is “The Mother Road”.

From Los Angeles to Chicago. And it runs right through the middle of my town.

Nearly 17 years ago, the Route 66 Museum opened in Old Town Victorville, CA. Run purely by volunteers, this great little place has a plethora of displays that send you back into an era of carefree travels, bobby-socks and malteds, and adventure.

I fell in love with this TearDrop Trailer. It’s the original RV!

Just past this display is a Diner booth and a refurbished jukebox. For a quarter, we picked three songs! Dot loves Brenda Lee so we heard “I Want to Be Wanted”. I picked Dinah Washington’s “What A Difference A Day Makes”. I don’t remember the third song we chose; but later I was bopping to Elvis and Sinatra. I was just thrilled to use the Ol’ Jukebox. What great tones old 45’s have!

I’ve recently rediscovered reruns of the the old TV Show as well. What great drama. ROUTE 66 was the first and only television fiction series that was filmed all over North America. There was this great display dedicated to the show. The photos were provided by someone associated with the show. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the details, so I neglected to get the personal information.

Of course, I was thrilled with the old communications “technology”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other great displays include the Hula Ville display, the Model-T Ford, and other various blasts from the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tucked into the Gift Shop Corner is this great selection of books and media that range from the simple and inexpensive to collectors’ editions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While at the Museum, I put together this collection of Route 66 Memorabilia.

Would you like to win it? You would? I was hoping you’d say that! Well, then. Here’s what you need to do:

1. MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post: What was the best summer trip you had? This entry is mandatory. If you don’t answer this question, all other entries are void. [Canadian entries only: Since I’m opening this giveaway to my Canadian friends as well, if you live in Canada your rules state you must answer a skills test in order to enter. So if you live in Canada and want to enter, you must correctly answer this question in your mandatory comment/entry: If I start the day with ten apples and eat three, then later buy seven at the store, and the next day eat half, how many apples do I have at the end of the second day?]

2. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: You can earn up to four additional entries (for five entries total) by doing each of the following then leaving a comment here telling me you’ve done so. If you already do any of these things, that counts as an entry only if you post it in the comments. (Additional entries will be verified):
a. Follow me on Facebook and share this giveaway.
b. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway.
c. Follow me on Pinterest and pin this giveaway.
d. Share this giveaway on your own blog and leave the link in the comments below.
If you earn any additional entries, please leave a comment so I can verify.

Here’s the fine print:

SUMMER VACATION TIME: Get Your Kicks and A Route 66 Gift Pack Giveaway!

  1. This giveaway is solely through Molly Jo and the blog Frankly, My Dear…. There are no corporate sponsors and is in no way endorsed by any other person, business or entity.
  2. Persons affiliated with New Inklings Press, Frankly, My Dear…, or the Route 66 Museum in Victorville are ineligible.
  3. Only legal citizens of the United States and Canada aged 18 years and older are eligible to win.
  4. This giveaway begins at 5:30 a.m. PST on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, July 17, 2012.
  5. Winner will be selected from all eligible comments on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 through Random.org.
  6. One prize pack [$20.00 value] consisting of an historic map of US Route 66, a 2013 Calendar, three postcards, a coin purse, deck of cards, and pen, plus a pamphlet and brochures about Route 66 and Hula Ville will be given. No substitutions or transfers allowed.
  7. Molly Jo and Frankly, My Dear… are not responsible for any damages that may occur during shipping.
  8. You may comment as much as you like, but any comment that does not meet the requirements will not be considered for this Giveaway.
  9. By leaving your comment on this post, you agree to be bound by the rules of this giveaway in their entirety.

Ready to get YOUR kicks? Enter to win with Route 66!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

 

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