This isn’t a car you see in southern Ohio everyday. I liked it well enough to go around the block for this snapshot. Google says that it’s a 1969 Austin America. It reminds me of the Mini Cooper which my little nerd heart adores.
Friends, go around the block when you see something worth a second look! It’s worth the trip.
One of the things that surprised me most about the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the vast array of items they have on display. They have so many interesting things that it’s difficult to know where to start but the thing that surprised me most was their collection of pop art.
To be clear, pop art isn’t what I would call my thing but there’s a lot to be said for the talent and creativity that goes into this style and I want to show you some of my favorite pieces from.an exhibit called Pop Goes The West.
First there’s this oil painting called Fall Scene which Robert Seabeck created in 1979. It shows a red Ford truck pulling a blue and white travel trailer in a scene that is absolutely striking. The artist called it a contemporary representation of the covered wagons that early pioneers used to access the American West. It is as fresh and relevant today as it must have been almost fifty years ago.
I also liked this one called Fool’s Gold by Rachel Mosely. The man, in traditional western garb, looks like he could step off the canvas and launch into a story about the stick horse that he’s holding. I don’t know if it was intentional but this 2020 piece reminds me of James Dean’s character Jett Rink in the movie Giant.
Then there was this piece from Jane Deschner’s Silhouette Series that’s a collage of vintage photos. She uses snapshots of strangers to tell stories that explore our shared human experience. I found this one especially interesting because these snapshots remind me of the ones I collect. Old black and white photos are easily found in junk shops and antique stores, long abandoned by descendents of their subjects. She has hand stitched these photos together, a symbolic reminder of how we are all connected by the human experience.
Here’s a closer look.
I perhaps liked this one best of all.
So, the next time you’re about to go marching by something because it’s not your thing, I urge you to stop for a quick look and maybe you’ll see something that makes you want to linger.
Learn more about this museum here.
As you’re planning your shopping this season, consider supporting small businesses that provide a special experience while you shop for things you won’t find anywhere else.
I stopped by Stella’s Mercantile after my hike Saturday and was delighted to see they are decorated for Christmas. Life sized nutcrackers flank the front door that’s always painted a festive red.
Step through those red doors and warm greetings abound in a space that feels like something out of a Hallmark movie. This building operated as Fout’s Store for generations until I was a kid and I have fond memories of the old wood floors and fixtures. They’ve done a great job of holding onto the historic charm of the space while shifting their focus to local artists, candy makers and others who make things.
Here you’ll find paintings, plants, quilts, jewelry, and so much more. There’s fudge and candy, bread and cinnamon rolls. Don’t forget the cinnamon rolls.
There are so many goodies to enjoy and gifts to take home for yourself and for folks on your list.
One of my favorite memories from this place when I was a kid was going there for bulk Christmas candy. They currently have bulk candy in jars on the counter so you can take home a few pieces or a whole bag!
Check out the vintage tinsel tree that belonged to the grandparents of one of the owners.
I like a place that gives me an experience rather than just a thing. You feel something when you walk into a place like Stella’s. You feel the history, the community and charm that have made it what it is today and I think that’s way better than a big box store where no one thinks to greet you and no one cares that you get that special thing that makes you smile.
I bought myself a Christmas gift Saturday and the owner remembered that I had missed out on getting something similar earlier this year. That’s pretty impressive, if you ask me.
They’ll have Santa on Saturday, December 13. What a fun environment it would be to meet Santa!
I have written about Stella’s before. I hope you’ll take a minute to read that story. Also, I wrote about the old Fout’s Store at Christmas. I hope you’ll read that one too.
It’s a special place. Go visit. Support their efforts to give local people a venue to sell their things and to breathe new life into a historic space. I think you’ll like it!
However, if you’re not in Vinton County, Ohio this Christmas, be sure to support local businesses near you!
Waffle House has been an American institution since 1955. That’s when two friends decided to create a restaurant that focused on good food and friendly service available at any time of the day or night. That one restaurant down in Georgia has since grown into 1,900 locations in 25 US States. Somehow, despite the Waffle House being open 24-hours a day, seven days a week for literally my entire lifetime, I had never found the time to step foot inside one.
That was remedied yesterday.
We stopped by the Waffle House in Sharonville, Ohio and were delighted by the friendly banter among coworkers and customers. Our waitress was a sweet older lady who took good care of us and our breakfast came to the table almost before we had a chance to order it. We both got scrambled eggs and pecan waffles.
For some reason, I didn’t think to ask how big the waffles are.
Rookie mistake.
Most restaurants bring you a small waffle that’s maybe the size of a compact disc. The double stack of waffles required a dinner platter and had plenty of pecans cooked right into the batter with a sprinkling of more pecans on top.
The eggs were buttery and light. Best of all, they didn’t taste like meat grease – a problem I find at many breakfast establishments that don’t think twice about contaminating eggs by cooking them on the griddle with sizzling bacon and sausage.
It was delicious, fast and reasonably priced. Not to mention, every last bite was served with a side of hospitality and good humor.
It is commonly known that Waffle House stays open even when times are tough such as during natural disasters. It has been reported that FEMA partially gauges how badly an area is hit by hurricane or tornado using the Waffle House Index. Essentially, if the local Waffle House is closed, the town is in dire straits and needs help ASAP. Code Green means it’s business as usual with a full menu served while Code Yellow indicates a limited menu and that the electricity may be off. Code Red means the place is closed and it’s time to call in the National Guard.
People laugh at this but I think it’s brilliant. Also, if I had to weather a storm, there’s perhaps no place better to do it.
Want to know more about the Waffle House menu or their history? Find it all at their website. Want to taste those waffles for yourself? Stop on by and see for yourself what the fuss is about!
Frank Lloyd Wright owned a number of cars in his lifetime and most of them seem kind of flashy and unique to me.
Imagine my surprise when we walked into the Hagen History Center in Erie, Pa to find a car that was once owned by the renowned architect. Not only that, the car is a Crosley!
Crosley was a Cincinnati business first known for radios and then household appliances, cars and other items. I have a couple of their radios in my vintage radio collection and squeal like a little girl every time I see one of their products out in the world.
So, meet Frank’s (yes, I call him Frank) 1950 Crosley Hotshot roadster
Isn’t it fabulous?
Here’s a look at that Crosley logo.
And another look.
Headlights!!!
And just one more….
I somehow missed any signage describing this car but I think it speaks for itself. Want to see it for yourself? Visit the Hagen Center in Erie, PA. Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s story about Frank’s office which you can tour here as well.