We have a pet chinchilla, Chewy. He bathes himself by rolling in a container of a finely powered volcanic ash - a dust bath. The special dust I buy at the pet store sports a vanilla scent. The chinchilla's lush grey fur is beautiful, and my notes say this rodent has 60 hairs sprouting from a single hair follicle - you have to touch it to believe its softness.
Chinchillas were nearly hunted to extinction in the Andes mountains in south America by the end of the 1800s. A miner from California helped to find and trap a few surviving animals that eventually led to the pet and fur trade there is today all over the world.
Sometimes, it's all about the hair, or the nails. I was looking for a way to help some girls add a streak of their basketball team color to their hair, and I wasn't having any luck finding the temporary product in the purple I needed. Then, at Sally's Beauty Supply in the corner of the 'L' at Northcrest Shopping Center, I found the perfect 1" wide clip-in extensions. These were only $3 each, so I also chose some 'Colts blue' hair clip-ins. The extensions are synthetic and are long, meant to be cut to the length of the person's hair.
The store has all the shades of nail polish and beauty supplies that one would expect - I think the essential hair tool of the moment is a good flat iron, but that's a topic unto itself. What I couldn't resist picking up here was a large bottle of nail oil for $6.
We all need our products for pampering, be it aloe lotion, pedicure supplies or whatever - one of my favorite treats is a soothing nail oil to help with dry cuticles and irritated skin. Take the brush attached to the cap and sweep a little across the nail bed - a drop goes a long way - the evening primrose and sweet almond oil work a bit of aromatherapy. Massage it in around the skin by the fingernails and toenails. A little massaged in across the back of the hands and feet is good too.
There is make-up here, hair treatments, and my register receipt announces that beauty questions can be answered online at www.SallyBeauty.com. The basketball team will be on the road Saturday at Hamilton, a beautiful lake town to the north. Adios!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Castle Gallery
The fire-fly gives light to its pursuer. -Oemaru
A pair of Eastern Bluebirds flew into a red bud tree in my snow-covered yard this morning, and the male was breathtakingly stunning - the texture of his brilliant blue coat of feathers slightly tousled, his ruddy breast the perfect compliment. To see him out the picture window in the backdrop of the light fluffy snow from yesterday was really a treat. The week after Valentine's Day in northern Indiana -
The pair of birds appeared to be a couple of sweethearts, and what better place to take your better half than to the Castle Gallery at the northwest corner of Wayne and College Streets in Fort Wayne. This lovely art gallery, built as a home in 1905, became the municipal art museum for a time. In 1983, when the city museum took residence downtown, the turreted 'castle' was restored to residential use.
The home is inviting and charming, and is filled with cherry, oak, maple, walnut and mahogany woodwork. There are beautiful antiques, rugs, Tiffany lamps and art glass everywhere. It's a warm and comfortable environment in which to view the all the splendid art for sale. One explores many rooms and bedrooms on three stories, climbing up and down surprising stairways to view new discoveries.
Artist in residence, Jody Hemphill Smith, has works prominently displayed and her colors are so wonderful for this time of year - bright romantic flowers, organics. For some local nostalgia and color, look for works by Fred Doloresco. One of my favorite featured artist is Leo native April Knox, who strikes me as having an Impressionistic style, shows careful brush work, and mastery of light and color that just stands out.
Rebecca J Schaab shows us familiar Indiana landscapes in warm tones and pastels, and there are more works by artists to numerous to name. If you'd rather look at jewelry, you won't be disappointed by the unique things - look for the case featuring stunners by jeweler Rich Pacula.
The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Their Valentine show will continue through February 27. You can tour the inside of the house and many of the paintings on their website at www.castlegallery.com. The staff can also let you know the dates of any upcoming events, such as cocktail mixers and artist receptions. It's a fun place to take a date and hang out and socialize. A lovely piece of original artwork is a purchase that can bring pleasure and dear memories for years to come.
A pair of Eastern Bluebirds flew into a red bud tree in my snow-covered yard this morning, and the male was breathtakingly stunning - the texture of his brilliant blue coat of feathers slightly tousled, his ruddy breast the perfect compliment. To see him out the picture window in the backdrop of the light fluffy snow from yesterday was really a treat. The week after Valentine's Day in northern Indiana -
The pair of birds appeared to be a couple of sweethearts, and what better place to take your better half than to the Castle Gallery at the northwest corner of Wayne and College Streets in Fort Wayne. This lovely art gallery, built as a home in 1905, became the municipal art museum for a time. In 1983, when the city museum took residence downtown, the turreted 'castle' was restored to residential use.
The home is inviting and charming, and is filled with cherry, oak, maple, walnut and mahogany woodwork. There are beautiful antiques, rugs, Tiffany lamps and art glass everywhere. It's a warm and comfortable environment in which to view the all the splendid art for sale. One explores many rooms and bedrooms on three stories, climbing up and down surprising stairways to view new discoveries.
Artist in residence, Jody Hemphill Smith, has works prominently displayed and her colors are so wonderful for this time of year - bright romantic flowers, organics. For some local nostalgia and color, look for works by Fred Doloresco. One of my favorite featured artist is Leo native April Knox, who strikes me as having an Impressionistic style, shows careful brush work, and mastery of light and color that just stands out.
Rebecca J Schaab shows us familiar Indiana landscapes in warm tones and pastels, and there are more works by artists to numerous to name. If you'd rather look at jewelry, you won't be disappointed by the unique things - look for the case featuring stunners by jeweler Rich Pacula.
The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Their Valentine show will continue through February 27. You can tour the inside of the house and many of the paintings on their website at www.castlegallery.com. The staff can also let you know the dates of any upcoming events, such as cocktail mixers and artist receptions. It's a fun place to take a date and hang out and socialize. A lovely piece of original artwork is a purchase that can bring pleasure and dear memories for years to come.
Monday, February 15, 2010
amazon kindle
On snowy nights in Indiana it's nice to own an amazon kindle, even though I do not really like viewing periodicals on one. I just can't see the cartoons and pictures as well. But I have enjoyed downloading the free classic novels from amazon, and of course, one can purchase any hot bestseller one wants from the kindle store.
I have had so much fun picking up some of the old classics I have missed or forgotten - such as The Man in the Iron Mask, by Alexandre Dumas. Forget any bad 'Three Musketeers' movie you have seen and read the original; you're drawn into some intriguing moral challenges quickly into the story. I don't want to give anything away other than a couple of the characters in the story are Aramis and King Louis XIV of France.
I'm loving Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, although I have not finished it yet. That is a convenient thing about a device such as the kindle - you can have a number of books at your fingertips and can switch back and forth between them, arriving back at the place you left off. It's great for airline travel and has cut down somewhat on my magazine recycling.
Lady Susan was an interesting Jane Austen story I hadn't read. It featured a beautiful and conniving widow, who kept busy scheming and laying flirtatious traps. It was a little darker of a Jane Austen, but it was good and I was surprised I hadn't known of it before.
The War of the Worlds is a somber and gripping tale, worthy of a read instead of just a movie memory. Treasure Island - Long John Silver should come out of his literary grave to haunt the scalawags who named a chain of restaurants after him. Become a boy or a child again and sail to sea to find the buried treasure - forget 'The Best of Survivor'.
One of my new favorite stories of all time I found free on kindle - Bram Stoker's Dracula. You know Twilight and all those vampire stories the teenagers and everyone is reading these days - They can't compare to the original. You can see the roots of where all that came from - bats, wolves, and all in Transylvania and London. It's an exciting, mesmerizing read. I look at a photograph of myself and a group of friends volunteering to scare the Eerie Express Train at Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo (early 1990s) and I see a couple of vampires, skeletons, and Betelgeuse (me). But that's another story -for another day.
I have had so much fun picking up some of the old classics I have missed or forgotten - such as The Man in the Iron Mask, by Alexandre Dumas. Forget any bad 'Three Musketeers' movie you have seen and read the original; you're drawn into some intriguing moral challenges quickly into the story. I don't want to give anything away other than a couple of the characters in the story are Aramis and King Louis XIV of France.
I'm loving Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, although I have not finished it yet. That is a convenient thing about a device such as the kindle - you can have a number of books at your fingertips and can switch back and forth between them, arriving back at the place you left off. It's great for airline travel and has cut down somewhat on my magazine recycling.
Lady Susan was an interesting Jane Austen story I hadn't read. It featured a beautiful and conniving widow, who kept busy scheming and laying flirtatious traps. It was a little darker of a Jane Austen, but it was good and I was surprised I hadn't known of it before.
The War of the Worlds is a somber and gripping tale, worthy of a read instead of just a movie memory. Treasure Island - Long John Silver should come out of his literary grave to haunt the scalawags who named a chain of restaurants after him. Become a boy or a child again and sail to sea to find the buried treasure - forget 'The Best of Survivor'.
One of my new favorite stories of all time I found free on kindle - Bram Stoker's Dracula. You know Twilight and all those vampire stories the teenagers and everyone is reading these days - They can't compare to the original. You can see the roots of where all that came from - bats, wolves, and all in Transylvania and London. It's an exciting, mesmerizing read. I look at a photograph of myself and a group of friends volunteering to scare the Eerie Express Train at Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo (early 1990s) and I see a couple of vampires, skeletons, and Betelgeuse (me). But that's another story -for another day.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Von Maur
Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment. -Rumi
When I muse on poetry about love, somewhere high in my memory are works by the 13th century mystic poet Rumi. What visceral, spiritual love - one can see why Sufism sprang from his sometimes ecstatic thought. I think of this Muslim writer in the days before Valentine's Day - a holiday celebrating a more romantic European era of love - and I realize that's a different topic.
If a person wanted find a memorable gift or simply have a comforting shopping experience on February 11th or so, I would highly recommend Von Maur at Jefferson Pointe in Ft. Wayne. At the intersection of Illinois Road and West Jefferson, Von Maur is a place to take your wife, daughter, mother, mother-in-law or grandmother. It's old-school department store with plush chairs and luxurious bathrooms, never crowded, and just very nice. Seated at the grand piano under the escalator, a polished young man was passionately playing, and there was hardly a lull while I was there as he transitioned from classical sonatas to Seal and back.
Flowers and candy are wonderful for Valentine's Day, but letting her pick out something nice from Von Maur that would last for years - not bad either. I do not have a collection, but I have a personal weakness for browsing through the designer hand bags - and here lies the best collection I've seen in Ft. Wayne, with the possible exception of Macy's. They are just better laid out at Von Maur, somehow. A good bag in a soft-to-the-touch leather or fabric, clean bold lines and streamlined designs - that's real luxury. You look rich and put-together with a nice bag like that. I love the spring bright colors, but I can't carry off something like that seasonally yet, so I move on to accessories.
Here I pick out this year's Valentine to myself - A very wide yet simple, designer leather belt that I can wear to cinch a sweater dress I have - I've been looking for one of these, it's the accessory of the year and I don't have one. To do this right, avoid large buttons or other funkiness that would draw unnecessary attention to that area. I'm happy, I've been wanting something like this.
It's a great store - beautiful shoes, men's clothing, jewelry, well-made bathing suits that are sold not just seasonally - and high-end casual stuff for women. I do splurge here today on a couple of cosmetics items - Clinique black mascara and their 'dramatically different' moisturizing lotion. This is not the only brand of cosmetics I use, but I'll talk about others later, and it's all I'm buying today.
When I leave, I complete this trip to Jefferson Pointe with a stop by Starbucks. I have a personal rule to always make coffee at home and not buy it out. However, I have an empty bag of ground Starbucks we buy in the grocery store to make at home - and when the bag is empty you can take it to Starbucks for a free coffee. Thus, a free caffeine splurge for me on a cold day. La Dulce vita, baby!
When I muse on poetry about love, somewhere high in my memory are works by the 13th century mystic poet Rumi. What visceral, spiritual love - one can see why Sufism sprang from his sometimes ecstatic thought. I think of this Muslim writer in the days before Valentine's Day - a holiday celebrating a more romantic European era of love - and I realize that's a different topic.
If a person wanted find a memorable gift or simply have a comforting shopping experience on February 11th or so, I would highly recommend Von Maur at Jefferson Pointe in Ft. Wayne. At the intersection of Illinois Road and West Jefferson, Von Maur is a place to take your wife, daughter, mother, mother-in-law or grandmother. It's old-school department store with plush chairs and luxurious bathrooms, never crowded, and just very nice. Seated at the grand piano under the escalator, a polished young man was passionately playing, and there was hardly a lull while I was there as he transitioned from classical sonatas to Seal and back.
Flowers and candy are wonderful for Valentine's Day, but letting her pick out something nice from Von Maur that would last for years - not bad either. I do not have a collection, but I have a personal weakness for browsing through the designer hand bags - and here lies the best collection I've seen in Ft. Wayne, with the possible exception of Macy's. They are just better laid out at Von Maur, somehow. A good bag in a soft-to-the-touch leather or fabric, clean bold lines and streamlined designs - that's real luxury. You look rich and put-together with a nice bag like that. I love the spring bright colors, but I can't carry off something like that seasonally yet, so I move on to accessories.
Here I pick out this year's Valentine to myself - A very wide yet simple, designer leather belt that I can wear to cinch a sweater dress I have - I've been looking for one of these, it's the accessory of the year and I don't have one. To do this right, avoid large buttons or other funkiness that would draw unnecessary attention to that area. I'm happy, I've been wanting something like this.
It's a great store - beautiful shoes, men's clothing, jewelry, well-made bathing suits that are sold not just seasonally - and high-end casual stuff for women. I do splurge here today on a couple of cosmetics items - Clinique black mascara and their 'dramatically different' moisturizing lotion. This is not the only brand of cosmetics I use, but I'll talk about others later, and it's all I'm buying today.
When I leave, I complete this trip to Jefferson Pointe with a stop by Starbucks. I have a personal rule to always make coffee at home and not buy it out. However, I have an empty bag of ground Starbucks we buy in the grocery store to make at home - and when the bag is empty you can take it to Starbucks for a free coffee. Thus, a free caffeine splurge for me on a cold day. La Dulce vita, baby!
Monday, February 8, 2010
CARE recycling
We don't have curbside recycling. So way too often, one of us loads up a load of spent bottles, jugs and cans and heads to the recycling center.
There's one behind Scott's Grocery Store on North Clinton - you have to drive in through a gated chain-link fence. I enjoyed the newer generation-Xish attendant, who was very hands-on about helping me sort my recycle-ables. This is a welcome and fresh change, since one is usually left mostly to fend for oneself with some verbal prompts. She was enthusiastic, as if she was actually enjoying this gig. A little sunny attitude can really go a long way in a menial job.
I also like to use the one on Maplecrest near Stellhorn Road in Ft. Wayne. The worker there has been around for a while, and seems to recognize me - he's pleasant enough and has good energy, and helps toss my glass bottles for me. I appreciate because there is some loud clinking and crashing involved which can be grating to my ears, and I'm glad for someone else to help. He also never hesitates to educate a person - this time it was "we can't take the Styrofoam, but I'll take the egg cartons because I have someone that will re-use them". I thought that was good stewardship of the environment.
Once recycled, stop by Dollar General on Amstutz Road in Leo for those odd-and-ends: poster board, shampoo and conditioner, trash bags. Grab a bottle of milk while you are at it, it's supposed to snow tomorrow.
After living and traveling elsewhere, I have found the people of northern Indiana to often be friendly and open in public places such as this. Here today it's true - There's no formality of "Hi, how are you?" It's just a free-flow rant with the cashier about impending weather, possible cancellations, and therapy-in-30-seconds at the checkout counter. Strangers passing in the YMCA parking lot will exchange random comments and vent feelings without ever looking back, simpatico, never to see each other again.
And the exemplary four-way stop. The one that comes to mind is State Route Highway 1 in Leo and Leo-Grabill Road, adjoining the gas station, insurance business, cemetery and car lot. This is one's quintessential small town main drag, a couple of blocks from the local school. The most polite corner in the Midwest, where 50% of the time someone waves someone else on, the classic "You, no, please, you go first" kind of place. I'd like to take people in warring countries around the world and show them this example of peace and soliloquy. It wouldn't be the same to them, they'd just be admiring our fortunate American cars and the point would be lost. But there's a picture for you. Watch out, still, for the occasional teenager who blows the timing and nearly take out a high school cross-country runner.
There's no good parking along here, but the adjacent cemetery is one worth walking in good weather, as there are many very old stones. A snowstorm is coming and preparations must be made, your tour guide must end this there - Adieu.
There's one behind Scott's Grocery Store on North Clinton - you have to drive in through a gated chain-link fence. I enjoyed the newer generation-Xish attendant, who was very hands-on about helping me sort my recycle-ables. This is a welcome and fresh change, since one is usually left mostly to fend for oneself with some verbal prompts. She was enthusiastic, as if she was actually enjoying this gig. A little sunny attitude can really go a long way in a menial job.
I also like to use the one on Maplecrest near Stellhorn Road in Ft. Wayne. The worker there has been around for a while, and seems to recognize me - he's pleasant enough and has good energy, and helps toss my glass bottles for me. I appreciate because there is some loud clinking and crashing involved which can be grating to my ears, and I'm glad for someone else to help. He also never hesitates to educate a person - this time it was "we can't take the Styrofoam, but I'll take the egg cartons because I have someone that will re-use them". I thought that was good stewardship of the environment.
Once recycled, stop by Dollar General on Amstutz Road in Leo for those odd-and-ends: poster board, shampoo and conditioner, trash bags. Grab a bottle of milk while you are at it, it's supposed to snow tomorrow.
After living and traveling elsewhere, I have found the people of northern Indiana to often be friendly and open in public places such as this. Here today it's true - There's no formality of "Hi, how are you?" It's just a free-flow rant with the cashier about impending weather, possible cancellations, and therapy-in-30-seconds at the checkout counter. Strangers passing in the YMCA parking lot will exchange random comments and vent feelings without ever looking back, simpatico, never to see each other again.
And the exemplary four-way stop. The one that comes to mind is State Route Highway 1 in Leo and Leo-Grabill Road, adjoining the gas station, insurance business, cemetery and car lot. This is one's quintessential small town main drag, a couple of blocks from the local school. The most polite corner in the Midwest, where 50% of the time someone waves someone else on, the classic "You, no, please, you go first" kind of place. I'd like to take people in warring countries around the world and show them this example of peace and soliloquy. It wouldn't be the same to them, they'd just be admiring our fortunate American cars and the point would be lost. But there's a picture for you. Watch out, still, for the occasional teenager who blows the timing and nearly take out a high school cross-country runner.
There's no good parking along here, but the adjacent cemetery is one worth walking in good weather, as there are many very old stones. A snowstorm is coming and preparations must be made, your tour guide must end this there - Adieu.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Lucky Moose - 622 E. DuPont Road
I have to admit, I was intrigued by the decor and then decided I was unsure about the theme of the place. There are lots of framed, cheeky posters - cartoons, celebrities and the like - in which the people have been adorned with Moose antlers. I guess this is whimsical, but I don't know what I think about eating somewhere that Moe is giving me the raspberry from his place on the wall. The server said it was kind of a Gulf coast theme, and I could sort of see that with things decorating the walls and ceiling - a water ski, an upside-down boat (something about that seemed very 'unlucky' to me). But the place is colorful and cute, and looking at the bamboo paneling you might feel like you're at a surf-side bar.
There is a lot of variety in this menu - sandwiches, wraps, flat breads and pizza. The server reminded me that the place takes pride in making their own crab cakes (Gulf coast theme again). I went for a half-slab of ribs at lunch, and they were delightful - complete with a homemade barbecue sauce with a complex, slightly peppery flavor, that almost had the texture of a rub. The ribs were completely melt-in-the-mouth and not at all fatty.
My dining companion took advantage of the salad bar, with which she was very pleased. But she missed the red beans and rice at the bar, which she likes because they are somewhat hot-spicy. The server told her if they are not at the bar, they can still be ordered as a side, and she was happy about that.
Lots of things on the menu looked good, and I think the next time I go back I might order a Thai chicken flat bread. This crispy pizza-alternative also features cabbage, peanut sauce, carrots, red onion and cilantro. I was also curious about the flat bread with gyro meat, feta, onion, tomato and creamy cucumber. Many of these dishes are available in different incarnations such as wraps and sandwiches.
Prices were reasonable and the casual atmosphere makes it fun. One nice feature of the place is there are two separate party rooms in the back which seat up to 90 people. My friend told me she had booked a room recently for a family gathering there and it was perfect, the food and service good too. Ketchy, lucky moose - you made me think. Hopefully you can pass some of that so-called luck on to your patrons.
There is a lot of variety in this menu - sandwiches, wraps, flat breads and pizza. The server reminded me that the place takes pride in making their own crab cakes (Gulf coast theme again). I went for a half-slab of ribs at lunch, and they were delightful - complete with a homemade barbecue sauce with a complex, slightly peppery flavor, that almost had the texture of a rub. The ribs were completely melt-in-the-mouth and not at all fatty.
My dining companion took advantage of the salad bar, with which she was very pleased. But she missed the red beans and rice at the bar, which she likes because they are somewhat hot-spicy. The server told her if they are not at the bar, they can still be ordered as a side, and she was happy about that.
Lots of things on the menu looked good, and I think the next time I go back I might order a Thai chicken flat bread. This crispy pizza-alternative also features cabbage, peanut sauce, carrots, red onion and cilantro. I was also curious about the flat bread with gyro meat, feta, onion, tomato and creamy cucumber. Many of these dishes are available in different incarnations such as wraps and sandwiches.
Prices were reasonable and the casual atmosphere makes it fun. One nice feature of the place is there are two separate party rooms in the back which seat up to 90 people. My friend told me she had booked a room recently for a family gathering there and it was perfect, the food and service good too. Ketchy, lucky moose - you made me think. Hopefully you can pass some of that so-called luck on to your patrons.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Superbowl Colts jersey shopping
If you do not get it from yourself, where will you go for it? -Alan Watts
With a quarterback like Peyton Manning, how could you be from Indiana and not be for the Colts in Superbowl 44 this Sunday? The New Orleans Saints are a very likable team and their quarterback, Drew Brees, played for Purdue. But this is Colts country and you'll see store clerks, waitresses, and average folk sporting their blue and white jerseys for Colts-inspired blue Fridays. What - the big game is a mere three days away, and you don't have a Superbowl shirt?
I stopped in at Komet Kuarters, 515 E. Coliseum, named for the local hockey franchise. It's an interesting store, with lots of toys, collectibles, and sports equipment such as pads and gear for hockey players, etc. They have official NFL jerseys in a variety of sizes, complete with player names and numbers. I also find commemorative Superbowl issue Colts jerseys emblazoned with the Saints Superbowl tag.
I then drive across Coliseum to see what's at Glenbrook Mall. Stores have planned ahead for number 18 - Peyton - and you can find these available. I also see some for the popular Reggie Wayne, and some Dallas Clark 44s, eye-catching also because this the number of Superbowls (I know it's Roman numerals, whatever).
Touring through Glenbrook, I was cheered by how pleasant shopping can be this time of year with the holiday crowds gone. Lids Locker Room by the fountain had a fun assortment of stuff, with plenty of hats, party-serving items, and do-dads for the Colts. I liked a blue long-sleeved thermal t-shirt for women with a singular horseshoe emblem on the front.
The big find this year would be to come up with a Colts jersey, number 85 for wide receiver Pierre Garcon. He's really big this year, especially after 11 catches and 151 yards in the AFC championship game. It's newsworthy also that his mother and sisters were born in Haiti. I didn't search forever but I didn't find a number 85 in the mall. Of course, you can order whatever you want over the Internet, if you want to go that way.
The mall's MC Sports had Reebok Colts and Saints stuff, and you can check Sears, which has conveniently placed its hoodies, t-shirts and jerseys by a northwest area entrance for a quick dash in-and-out. There are other stores with Colts stuff, of course, but my lunch time is up.
I have to mention what I saw to be the most fun for the money on this trip - the photo booths by the carousel. On the upper level, you can get 1 set (6 pics) for $3, or 2 sets (12) for $5. I see color sets or black and white. You just jump in the booth with your friend, adjust the stool, pull the curtain and voila! A fun memory - I have seen some of the most spontaneous, candidly fun shots people have made in these so quickly and easily. If you're over the blue jerseys, save your money and get some flattering, high-contrast black and white mug shots instead. May the best team win!
With a quarterback like Peyton Manning, how could you be from Indiana and not be for the Colts in Superbowl 44 this Sunday? The New Orleans Saints are a very likable team and their quarterback, Drew Brees, played for Purdue. But this is Colts country and you'll see store clerks, waitresses, and average folk sporting their blue and white jerseys for Colts-inspired blue Fridays. What - the big game is a mere three days away, and you don't have a Superbowl shirt?
I stopped in at Komet Kuarters, 515 E. Coliseum, named for the local hockey franchise. It's an interesting store, with lots of toys, collectibles, and sports equipment such as pads and gear for hockey players, etc. They have official NFL jerseys in a variety of sizes, complete with player names and numbers. I also find commemorative Superbowl issue Colts jerseys emblazoned with the Saints Superbowl tag.
I then drive across Coliseum to see what's at Glenbrook Mall. Stores have planned ahead for number 18 - Peyton - and you can find these available. I also see some for the popular Reggie Wayne, and some Dallas Clark 44s, eye-catching also because this the number of Superbowls (I know it's Roman numerals, whatever).
Touring through Glenbrook, I was cheered by how pleasant shopping can be this time of year with the holiday crowds gone. Lids Locker Room by the fountain had a fun assortment of stuff, with plenty of hats, party-serving items, and do-dads for the Colts. I liked a blue long-sleeved thermal t-shirt for women with a singular horseshoe emblem on the front.
The big find this year would be to come up with a Colts jersey, number 85 for wide receiver Pierre Garcon. He's really big this year, especially after 11 catches and 151 yards in the AFC championship game. It's newsworthy also that his mother and sisters were born in Haiti. I didn't search forever but I didn't find a number 85 in the mall. Of course, you can order whatever you want over the Internet, if you want to go that way.
The mall's MC Sports had Reebok Colts and Saints stuff, and you can check Sears, which has conveniently placed its hoodies, t-shirts and jerseys by a northwest area entrance for a quick dash in-and-out. There are other stores with Colts stuff, of course, but my lunch time is up.
I have to mention what I saw to be the most fun for the money on this trip - the photo booths by the carousel. On the upper level, you can get 1 set (6 pics) for $3, or 2 sets (12) for $5. I see color sets or black and white. You just jump in the booth with your friend, adjust the stool, pull the curtain and voila! A fun memory - I have seen some of the most spontaneous, candidly fun shots people have made in these so quickly and easily. If you're over the blue jerseys, save your money and get some flattering, high-contrast black and white mug shots instead. May the best team win!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Grabill Save A Lot
By the very fact of his being human, man is asked a question by life: how to overcome the split between himself and the world outside of him in order to arrive at the experience of unity and oneness with his fellow man and with nature. Man has to answer this question every minute of his life. Not only - or even primarily - with thoughts and words, but by his mode of being and acting. -Erich Fromm
I'm writing this, longhand, on a beautiful Groundhog Day in Leo-Cedarville, Indiana. Fine snow is falling softly and time seems suspended in space due to overcast skies. On the road, drivers in warm cars pass Amish families in black clothing riding in black buggies, exposed to the elements.
Locally, there are thousands of these quiet persons who make up a separate ethnic society; farming, doing construction work and going about their busy lives. If you've only seen them from a passing car, stop at the Save A Lot grocery store at 13325 State Street in Grabill for a personal encounter.
The Amish park their horses and buggies under an open, roofed shed, so watch for manure underfoot in the parking lot. The no-frills store has nice cheeses, good cuts of meat and best of all, local Amish, many of them women, shopping and working. You can hear what's for dinner being cooked on the farm and have a non-threatening conversation - note that your acquaintance is bi-lingual, the house language being German, not Spanish.
Fantasize about asking someone a burning question - why don't their buggies have tires with air? How come they can use power tools and cell phones on the job, but there's no electricity in the home? But take one look in the eyes of a little boy in a straw hat and suspenders, and you won't dare. And as The Joker's entourage would say, "no pictures, please." Amish folk do not like to be photographed. Let us not be rude. Go in peace, brother.
I'm writing this, longhand, on a beautiful Groundhog Day in Leo-Cedarville, Indiana. Fine snow is falling softly and time seems suspended in space due to overcast skies. On the road, drivers in warm cars pass Amish families in black clothing riding in black buggies, exposed to the elements.
Locally, there are thousands of these quiet persons who make up a separate ethnic society; farming, doing construction work and going about their busy lives. If you've only seen them from a passing car, stop at the Save A Lot grocery store at 13325 State Street in Grabill for a personal encounter.
The Amish park their horses and buggies under an open, roofed shed, so watch for manure underfoot in the parking lot. The no-frills store has nice cheeses, good cuts of meat and best of all, local Amish, many of them women, shopping and working. You can hear what's for dinner being cooked on the farm and have a non-threatening conversation - note that your acquaintance is bi-lingual, the house language being German, not Spanish.
Fantasize about asking someone a burning question - why don't their buggies have tires with air? How come they can use power tools and cell phones on the job, but there's no electricity in the home? But take one look in the eyes of a little boy in a straw hat and suspenders, and you won't dare. And as The Joker's entourage would say, "no pictures, please." Amish folk do not like to be photographed. Let us not be rude. Go in peace, brother.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Seoul Garden
I dare you to try Dolsot bibimbap - a Korean dish in which rice, shredded beef and vegetables, and a fried egg are cooked in a stoneware pot which is brought to your table. You toss the cooked ingredients yourself, allowing some of the rice to crisp as it sticks to the edge of the bowl (the scrapings are great). Mix your spinach, sprouts, fried egg and sauce to your taste - My server almost scolded me to mix more, but I was kind of savoring individual ingredients - this is a very fresh dish and not too exotic - even probably to someone who hasn't eaten lots of Asian foods.
Order this at lunch and you'll also be brought some sides - a green bean, sesame seed and soy sauce salad, gingered cucumbers, and Man Do - fried dumplings filled with ground meat and shredded vegetables. I also chose the hot and sour soup, which was nicely congealed and left a lingering spicy-sourness in my mouth. This place is all about the food, as it's in a very plain building at 1820 W. Coliseum, a busy business road. But it's worth any lack of ambiance to be served that ancient too-hot-to-touch bowl in its moulded wooded serving plate.
Order this at lunch and you'll also be brought some sides - a green bean, sesame seed and soy sauce salad, gingered cucumbers, and Man Do - fried dumplings filled with ground meat and shredded vegetables. I also chose the hot and sour soup, which was nicely congealed and left a lingering spicy-sourness in my mouth. This place is all about the food, as it's in a very plain building at 1820 W. Coliseum, a busy business road. But it's worth any lack of ambiance to be served that ancient too-hot-to-touch bowl in its moulded wooded serving plate.
The Willows in Huntertown
There are lots of good breakfast choices around Fort Wayne, and one of my current favorites is just east of Lima Road at 1601 Gump. The Willows greets you with a friendly bakery counter, where smiling back at you are the staff and some seasonal favorites - decorated cupcakes, pies, and cheesecakes. We are usually there after church for breakfast, however, and by-pass the counter until we're finished. If available we'll head straight for a corner booth.
There's a kids menu, and my kids like the big pancake that's been whimsically crafted into a pig's face - complete with pointy ears, eyes and snout - $3. For me it's more protein and less carbs in the morning - I go for the classic breakfast with eggs, potatoes, bacon and toast. Our family of five can eat for around $20.
Check out some colorful history of Huntertown on framed newspaper clippings and photos in the lobby. There's also a bar on the east end of the building, where smoking is still allowed - this is Allen County but outside of the city of Fort Wayne's no-smoking ordinance.
There's a kids menu, and my kids like the big pancake that's been whimsically crafted into a pig's face - complete with pointy ears, eyes and snout - $3. For me it's more protein and less carbs in the morning - I go for the classic breakfast with eggs, potatoes, bacon and toast. Our family of five can eat for around $20.
Check out some colorful history of Huntertown on framed newspaper clippings and photos in the lobby. There's also a bar on the east end of the building, where smoking is still allowed - this is Allen County but outside of the city of Fort Wayne's no-smoking ordinance.
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