Looking Back Briefly (topic by Author)

Hello Grafted In Reader,

Today is February 26, Wednesday, in my corner of blog land.

The frigid, frosty weather has broken and in my corner of blog land we are enjoying above-freezing temperatures though under ten degrees Celsius during the day. It instills hope for the emergence of Spring.

I turned another year older, and still get a tad anxious when change is in progress!

This post, I think about the business landscape in my corner of blog land and North America.

I want to pay tribute to some murchandisers that are now becoming has-beens.

I was in my twenties when department stores Robert Hall and MontGomery Ward closed shop. Sears, happened a few years later as did K-Mart.

Now the flourish of closures seems to be a fad of sorts:

BowFlex, Big Lots, JoAnn Fabrics, several Rite Aid stores, Big Lots, Red Lobster, Spirit Airlines, and perhaps more to come including the cut-back on Fed Government employees.

I loved the prices of products at Big Lots, the biscuits served with meals at Red Lobster, my wife bought her yarn at JoAnn Fabrics, Rite Aid was not only a pharmacy but a good stop for needed incidentals.

BowFlex made a portable treadmill of sorts that one could conveniently store under a piece of furniture.

K-Mart had come up with a snappy jingle in the '70s.

What is a memory you have from a business that is either about to close, or has closed?

The reason according to economists for the current diminution is interest rates. Also that old bugger, slow sales and patronage.

Something like a down-turn seems to be on the horizon doesn't it?

The challenge is in whatever circumstance one finds they are in, be content. Or adopt the slogan, This too shall pass.

Until our next visit, thanks for stopping by. Invite a friend to read posts past and present here at Grafted In.

HaShem bless and keep us,

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

 

Light For My Path: From Whence (topic)

Hello Grafted In Reader,

Today is Thursday February 20, 2025 in my corner of blog land.

Frigid temps and recent snowfall have about convinced me that 'climate change' occurs as intended every year, when scheduled by the King Of The Universe! End of topic.

Moving on, I want to share a recently written poem with you. It's based on a writing exercise titled, The World Is A Poem.

I reference recent news items and try to do so poetically.

Tell me what you think in a comment, OK?

Rock Hall Of Fame

David Russell

April is filled with ups and downs

New MLB season, NCAA crowns

Its men’s winning basketball team

After taxes filed and people scream.

April showers with burst of Spring

Add to the luster April brings.

Game on, too for the rock hall of fame,

1200 decide inductees named.

Billy, Joe, Cyndi, Mariah

Are but four names out to try-ya,

Time after time one may muse,

Catch me when I fall if you choose

Dream lover take me away says a third,

You’re so beautiful to me - Joe can be absurd.

Chubby asks how low can you go? Let’s do the twist;

Outcast rebounds with hip-hop few know;.

April to be sure will come and go

Can you name the 2024 inductees?

Do you rereally, really know?

Who won SB59 this year?

Or the local fishing tournaments or even picture of the year?

Will Canada become the fifty-first state?

How bout Panama Canal, or even Kuwait?

Miss America, Universe, anyone know?

Probably not, that tradition’s so old.

 

 End

I am currently in the middle of creating a lengthy story titled, Order Please. My main character, named Van, recalls his younger years of life lived from the standpoint of being on the Autism Spectrum. It is "creative nonfiction" inspired by my son and daughter-in-law's family unit. Thanks to son and daughter-in-law for being examples of ongoing dedication to parenting.

On the other end, I am reading "Still Alice" by author and Neruo-scientist, Lisa Genova. Her main character has developing onset of Alzheimer's disease at age fifty. It is informative, entertaining, inspirational and thought provoking all in one. I recommend!

In less than two weeks, National Reading Month will be here and celebrated across North America. Will you join me in reading things that interest you during this time?

Let's do this together!

The title of this post, Light For My Path, is inspired by an online devotion published by 

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

A Bible verse and hymn text make up the collection of readings. One can also opt to hear an audio recording of a given reading.

Light for my path, also describes the role of God (HaShem) in one's life.

Light can be inner clarity, a thought or idea, something heard, something seen, something touched, something tasted. Add another example if you'd like.

Until next visit, may the light for your path instill tranquility and onward progress to you and your journey.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

  

YouTube • Kdin - Topic If I was a Houseplant

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is February 12, 2025 in my corner of blog land.

We are getting snowfall here, and four to six inches are predicted. Here is in lower Michigan, so nothing extraordinary being Winter.

A few weeks ago, My wife and granddaughter gave me a house-plant, a philodendron. I had a plant like this during my college years, so have two companions during the day when all are gone from home.

My plant and our King Charles Spaniel. 

I did a little Google session to learn some care tips:

- Soil?  That's up to the plant owner.

Water:  Once a week generally.

Coffeegrounds and egg shells?  Use sparingly.

If you wish to add any tips, do comment.

I found a song titled, If I Were A House Plant, (post title). You can hear this ditty on YouTube. It's genre is mellow rock for sure.

Until next visit, take care, Happy season of life, and we'll talk reading and writing before March, which is National Reading Month.

I have four books to read during March. That's next post.

May Adonai bless and keep you and all you hold significant.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell

 

I Saw The Sign ('90's pop song)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Monday February 3, 2025, in my corner of blog land. Winter has been here with its most recent gift, four inches of snow. Meltdown occurring today as temperatures will be slightly above freezing and sunny, yay!

I guess we are to have six more weeks of winter as the legendary groundhog (woodchuck) reportedly did not see his shadow on Feb. 2nd. Hmmm.

For reading, are you thinking about indulging in Reading Month, which is annually held in March?

Currently, I am reading a historical fiction novel by one Susan Barker. It's title, The Incarnations, is set in China, Beijing to be precise. It can be rather gruesome on occasion, but skip those parts if so inclined. The main characters are a married couple and their eight-year-old daughter named, Echo.

Next, I will be dalving into a couple titles by Lisa Genova, medical fiction titles around neruologic issues.

Health Note

We used to have a family friend, Joe R, who would refer to myself and my brother as "the boys with the two first names."

Here is a little quip about a disease that could be described similarly:

Biliary Cholangitis: (From KidsHealth online

According to KidsHealth, "biliary cholangitis" refers to an infection of the bile ducts, often causing symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, chills, and sometimes jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and is considered a serious medical condition requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics or surgery to relieve any blockage causing the infection; it's important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect biliary cholangitis. 

On our next visit later this month, I will share an excerpt from a work in progress by yours truly.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm waiting to hear a comment from you or a simple greeting.

May the Lord bless and keep you always,

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author