Tastee Freez and A&W Root Beer

I miss Tastee Freez and A&W Root Beer stands.

My earliest recollection of hamburgers were ground beef patties that my mom fried in a cast iron skillet and placed between two pieces of white bread that were coated in Miracle Whip.

I’m sure that the burgers were fried in bacon drippings that had been saved from breakfast, because virtually everything we ate back then was fried in bacon drippings that had been saved from breakfast.

As I got older, and my parents felt ...

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Valentine’s Day Should Be Every Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here. Again.

According to history.com, approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.

There are a number of theories as to the origin of this now-commercialized holiday, but most have to do with the birth or death of a sainted fellow named Valentine. Leave it to American commerce to turn that into an expensive show of affection.

Valentine’s Day has to be one of the most ...

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Out To The Outhouse

Raise your hand if you’ve ever used an outhouse.

During a recent discussion with friends, the topic of outhouses came up. I honestly don’t remember why it made its way into the conversation, but boy, did it ever.

So, I posed the question on my Facebook page, yes or no, have you ever used an outhouse? I was shocked at not only the number of people who said yes, but also at the number of people who responded with comments about their ...

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The Gold and Green 70’s

I grew up in the land of harvest gold and avocado green. I can withstand anything.

As a kid of the 70’s, I was surrounded by strong colors and shag carpet. Most kids probably didn’t notice or care how garish our surroundings were, but I did.

What were we thinking?

As a child, I would look at photos from the previous decades and admire the choices people made when they decorated their homes and businesses. Specifically, I was drawn to the Art Deco ...

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Slow Down, Will Ya?

I used to think that technological advancements were amazing. I couldn’t wait to see what was next. Now, I just want to keep using what I’ve already figured out.

I used to make fun of folks who shunned new technology. “Why wouldn’t you want to learn new and better ways to do things?” I thought.

Not anymore. I’ve become that person.

I realize that things change and improve, but do they have to change so darn fast?

Just when I figured out how to ...

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Pappaws and Grannies

When I was a kid, I didn’t appreciate my grandparents as much as I should have. It’s a mistake I think most of us make.

Grandparents and grandchildren share a bond. Innately, grandchildren know that there’s a special love between them and their parent’s parents.

Your mom and dad had your back, but your grandparents had your mom and dad’s back. You always knew that.

I can remember my grandmother helping me on a school project for history class. I have fond memories ...

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Channeling Your Inner Self

Quality TV is still available.

With my work and family commitments I have very little extra time, so I try to spend it wisely. That’s why I watch cable shows about ancient aliens, digging for buried treasure, and how to survive in the wild with just a piece of string.

Considering the History Channel just ran a marathon of The Curse of Oak Island over the holidays, I’m obviously not the only guy who likes to watch this stuff. Women? Not so ...

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Marriage Is A Funny Thing

Married folks always have great stories. Some stories are more amusing to one spouse than the other.

Over the Christmas holiday, we went home to Arkansas to visit family. Christmas seems to be the time when everyone whips out their favorite story on another family member, but the stories spouses tell on each other normally are the best.

My mom’s friend is like many women when it comes to automobiles. She knows how to operate one, but isn’t too keen on any ...

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May All Your Christmases Be Bright

Christmas is what you make it.

Some people look forward to Christmas. Others just try and find ways to get through it.

When you’re a kid, you think about yourself. Christmas is about you and Santa. When you grow up, reality sets in.

If you’re a young parent, you want your kids to have the best Christmas ever. If you’re a grandparent, you simply want to see your children and grandchildren. If only for a short time during the holidays.

What I remember most ...

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Thanks, Billy Joel

We got into my friend’s car and Billy Joel came on the satellite radio.

I began to sing along. It was an album cut. Not one that had been played much on the radio almost 40 years ago.

I knew all of the words. My friend pointed that out.

For Christmas in 1977, I wanted Billy Joel’s new album, “The Stranger”. Specifically, I wanted it on 8-track. I’d been driving for about a year, and no self-respecting teen left home without his or ...

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