What would a month make? More stoners, bean bag league players, and cops foregoing warm doughnuts and hot coffee for things such as ice cream:
— The 4-20 observance (hey I know its been over well a month ago, but am I being a typical stoner?) was, unfortunately, understaffed at the Hideaway since a number of their Twin Cities workers quit right beforehand. That would never happen at a Wisconsin smoke shop, would it? Does their degree of reliability surprise you? However, who was indeed there may have used some of their inventory to soldier through (just kidding). Usually its a great big promotion date, for them and their Hudson branch, and also their competitors at Smokedale, which can also be found in Oakdale, hence the (relatively coherent for a stoner) rhyming. And by contrast, word has it that the local Smokedale has been adding staff, because when you need that smoke you want service.
— Also over a month ago, what with the relatively warm weather first showing, my neighbor foresook his classic, loomingly large man cave and got his bright-red sports car out, which because the windows are no higher than his waist looks like the proverbial low-rider. But as there was a more recent showing of the first really hot, not just warm, weather, topped off by the hosting of local car shows, such classic cars were to be seen all over the place — not to mention other things like crotch rockets and cars abundant with glowing designs of Flower Power rather than just straight paint, being followed at some times by the police.
— And again, almost a month ago, I witnessed the first-of-the-season bean bag toss being played in someone’s yard, as its been warm and cool, by turns. They oddly enough, in what you would expect to be changed up, had the same number of boards — two games going — as that down the road at Kozy Korner in their tournament a week earlier. What did they have going, which was topped off by the young kids throwing hither and yon at a family members recent birthday party for a youngster? Four score …
— But now to get more current, at the expense of The Father. This savings for frugal dad on his day might seem cool on its face, but in this case it actually involves the armpits, although the $4 that is leftover could avail him to have a beer at his favorite haunt, and even leave a good tip, (but again not sure, as dad indeed might be frugal with his sheckles). The topic: Get your fresh on through deoderant, and sorry dad, but sometimes you need it, although that is a matter of Degree. Especially when entertaining this claim, that it dries instantly (dad might appreciate since he can be a bit OCD), and gives 48 hour protection (in case it becomes dad’s 24-day times two, if he tries to get out there with a basketball in the driveway with the youngsters and prove he can still hit that medium-range jumper, which actually at his age might be a set-shot like back in the day, and this gets him a bit too sweaty for his wife and daughters).
Another bad idea for a Father’s Day gift, although with a similar cost savings via coupon, will you get some adult diapers. OK, this one might be more for Grandfather’s Day. But I guess that all Depends. And Old Granddad wasn’t always known for his Poise!
On the better side, The Coldstone Creamery says that dads can get a treat that’s “dark, tall and delicious.” Does he need to get out Viagra or heart or cholesterol medication?
— The other night two State Patrol troopers took their break at Freedom and bought up sugary snacks of all varieties, but get this, no doughnuts! This right on the cusp of National Doughnut Day. Can you get written up a citation for (not) doing that? Or, as a newspaper colleague of mine was fond of saying, for not buying the right treat as an act of misconduct, “Bad Cop, No Doughnut!” I guess that explains their buying pattern or the lack of now, doesn’t it.
— While on the topic of what is legal, a bar patron the other night queried of all people, me, about the intricacies of libel law. And for my advice, he didn’t even adjourn and buy me a beer, the bastard (or should I say barrister). I guess I wasn’t supposed to get any further into the realm of the law by venturing into what could be OWI territory. I must say that back in college, professors didn’t get on my case as they knew I was a wiz at press law, and even told me so off the record, and I’d actually got a C in a course where it was a rite of passage to be flunked the first time through. Although that was so many years ago that I doubt more than 10 percent of precedents had been written.
— Something else that should be written is that David Wright was doing a reading session from what he had written as a book, at the Hudson Public Library. It said so, right on that sign that was almost as big as, and right next to, the front door. Another author was listed on the back of the sign, which faced the bushes. I guess the former wordsmith had sold a bunch more books than the one that was close to being right up against the wall.
— I was trapped inside the four walls when taking part in our neighborhood garage sale, which didn’t produce too many dimes. So I told my bartender friend Matt, that he could buy my entire estate for all of a buck. Alas, he only had 99 cents on him, as the terms were cash. So I dug deeper into my pockets and said I could loan him a rare $2 bill, which being in mint condition was probably worth $3. I then thought I could indeed make the sale, which was a good deal, I thought …
— Moving to the topic of the NBA Finals, an injury to Kevin Durant drew boos and he limped off the court, and all kinds of Canadians were appalled at the conduct of their countrymen concerning the Toronto-Golden State match-up. Musician Drake was one of those supporting Durant. I’m told that joining the love fest was a former model from Brazil who despite the geographical distance knows Drake and for a while hung out at The Village Inn in North Hudson.
— Alas (old) Packer Backers, Bart Starr has passed on. Perhaps the best place to offer your “memorial” would be Starr’s Bar. Word has it that this venue, also in North Hudson, “threw” an observation that was (Jim) Taylor-made for the occasion.
— On the night of the 75 Anniversary of D-Day, I exited Dick’s Bar and heard on the car radio as I was driving away, the same fitting song as I had inside — The Trooper by Iron Maiden. I also had heard a lot of Megadeth, which is decidedly anti-war, being played in recent days (the name is a measurement of how many millions would have to have died in a nuclear Holocaust to produce that tally. As in two million deaths would be called two megadeaths). Alas, saw a lot of War Pigs compilations described on old cover jackets, and an old friend turned quickly and gave me a high five for my past singing of the old Black Sabbath standard.