On The Fly

In this episode, Stamps and Snow . . .   You don’t usually walk into the local Post Office expecting a time warp . . . but here we are. All we wanted were stamps for this year's Christmas cards— yes, the old-fashioned paper ones that require licking, sticking, and hoping the Postal Service is feeling ambitious this week. But holiday errands have a talent for slowing you down, almost like the universe whispering, “Relax. You’re not getting out of this line any faster anyway.” So we waited. And while we waited, we talked (Are you surprised?). Because the Post Office is one of the few places where people still look up from their phones long enough to talk . . . Maybe it's because they're holding packages. It’s the modern town square: part civic duty, part free entertainment, part sociology experiment. The discussion began with holiday specials streaming on Netflix, Paramount+, and other services during this time of year. One gentleman who has lived in Vista since 1958 told us,...

Podcast - Christmas Online . . . Time flies! We’re already into November, Thanksgiving just five days away! Black Friday - a thing of the past, at least this year with the COVID pandemic still a reality. Now it's ALL about Online shopping. Including cherished TV specials that have always aired free on broadcast television. For example, did you know that a Charlie Brown Christmas will only be available on Apple TV+ streaming service this year? In 2018 Apple purchased the rights to the Charles M. Schultz Peanuts specials. Update: 12/4/2020 - Watch it live on Sunday, December 13, at 7:30/6:30c on PBS and PBS KIDS. Still, “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” As a youngster - just around the corner - meant Main Street on the square; Marshall’s Hardware, climb the stairs to Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to check out all the toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s had the only Christmas tree lot that I remember in our small town. Wai...

I’ve found the Norelco commercials for this Christmas season! Why do I even look? I’m asking myself. Well, there’s a certain comfort in cherished memories that make the Holidays special. What are your treasured memories? It was only yesterday . . . Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head Norelco electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they're on YouTube - of course. Now Santa is selling you a luxury sports car (A red BMW ). Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into December, and yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” As a youngster I was convinced - just around the corner - meant Main Street; Marshall’s Hardware - Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to see all the holiday decorations and toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s was the only Christmas tree lot that I can remember in Cuba, Illinois. Waiting for Christmas, seemed like an eternity. The toys hav...

I’ve found the Norelco commercials for this Christmas season! It seems like yesterday, Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head Norelco electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they’re on YouTube - of course. Now Santa is selling you a luxury sports car (A red BMW ). Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into November, Thanksgiving in just two days! And yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” Do you have this years tree? If not, you can order your fresh Christmas Tree Online and have it delivered to your home. Shopping Online is not just one day anymore. Deep discount sales start one-week before Thanksgiving. A ccording to  Foursquare , the check-in app turned location intelligence company,  Black Friday crowds are expected to decrease by 3.5 percent compared to last year. And once again REI is closed for Black Friday. I salute them. Do you think others will eventually follow sui...

No Norelco commercials again this Christmas season! Strangely enough I miss them. Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into November, Thanksgiving in just two days! And yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” Do you have this years tree? Stop by Home Depot and see me . . . It seems like yesterday. Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head  Norelco  electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they’re on  YouTube  - of course. Now Santa is trying to sell you a luxury sports car (A red Mercedes). As a youngster I was convinced - just around the corner - meant Main Street; Marshall’s Hardware - Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to see all the holiday decorations and toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s was the only Christmas tree lot that I can remember in Cuba, Illinois. Waiting for Christmas seemed like an eternity. The toys have morphed somehow, instead of a...

Ok, I must be getting older. No Norelco commercials this Christmas season, strangely enough, I miss them. Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? Wasn’t it just a moment ago that we were seated around our Thanksgiving table enjoying family, friends, and the feast Lori so lovingly prepares for us each year; it sure seems like it. Or was that last year? It's obvious I've totally lost track of time. It's already Christmas Eve and Yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” Admit it, growing up you heard that phrase all the time - well, I did anyway. Those commercials, along with the Coca-Cola Santa, always graced the television airwaves at Christmas time, not anymore. Now Santa is trying to sell you a luxury sports car. As a youngster I was convinced - just around the corner - meant Main Street; Marshall’s Hardware - Santa Land. My brothers and I would make the short trip to town to see all the holiday decorations and toys we wanted Santa to...

I remember it like it was yesterday . . . a biting cold snowy winters’ eve. The wind howled through the trees, a grey landscape blanketed with a new-fallen snow, reflecting the dim glow of streetlights. Like fluffy white sand the snow drifted across the streets and yards. Trudging through the snow that night burned this scene into my memory for one reason, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Delivering the Canton Daily Ledger in 1968, my first job. Bundled up, running from house-to-house, invited in to get warm, provided me glimpses of the television special destined to become a classic. That memory was triggered by a mid-summer visit to the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, CA. A long way from blistering cold wind and deep snow drifts. However, as we strolled the galleries vivid impressions of how Peanuts shaped my life as a small boy flooded my thoughts. The Peanuts Cartoon Strip is the heart and soul of the collection. The Museum’s collection represe...