Opinion
In a recent contribution to Muddy River News. I mentioned such delicacies from around the world as jellied moose nose, Mongolian boodogs and mice wine. The jellied moose nose was pretty much self-explanatory, the boodog specialty involved large rodents and the mice wine was just that (with small bodies at the bottom of the bottle).…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 15, 2021 Any conversation involving Clint Eastwood is guaranteed to be a good conversation. In Vol. 68 of the Daily Dirt we first look at some of Clint the Squint’s best-known quotes. 1. I’m always glad to see when a new Clint Eastwood film is released, but I realize this can’t go on forever. Clint is now…
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I am a sports fan and probably place a little too much importance on sports…maybe. That said, there are often many valuable lessons to be learned from sports. One that comes to mind as we reflect on the current challenges in our community and country is a speech by a famous football coach Bo Schembechler.…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 14, 2021 Among the subjects that Vol. 67 of the Daily Dirt touches on are lukewarm tater tots, James Bond and “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” Sit back and enjoy today’s three observations: 1. The best way to serve potatoes? Here are your six best choices: A. Potato chips: Ah-hah!! You weren’t expecting this…
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The members of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Quincy, IL were officially informed of a proposed change to the Fire and Police ordinance at 2:40 pm on (September 7, the date of the first reading before the City Council). Prior to today, there have been no discussions with the Commission about a proposed…
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Just in case anyone was wondering where my byline was last week… I have spent the last few days confined to quarters, having guards who snapped when I tried to escape and wouldn’t let me have a sip of whiskey. But seriously…I tested positive with COVID-19 last Sunday. So here’s how the timeline proceeded… I…
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On the average, more than 500 new words are added each year to the English language. “Like it nor not, language is constantly evolving,” writes Richard Evans for bestoflife.com. “New words get added to the dictionary every year, often long after they’ve become part of the daily lexicon.” Some dictionaries are looking to stay on…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 13, 2021 Vol. 66 of our daily visit touches on three subjects close to my heart — cookies, TV theme songs and Errol Flynn’s portrayal of Gen. George Armstrong Custer. Here are three thoughts: 1. For my money, here are the best store-bought cookies on the market: A. Pepperidge Farm Milano: Just about…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 12, 2021 It’s the first Sunday of the NFL season! Welcome to Vol. 65 of the Daily Dirt, and … are you ready for some football Today’s first of three thoughts indicates at least one of us is. 1. The NFL season kicks off this weekend, and with it comes the usual…
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It is bad Illinois has the nation’s worst pension crisis, but state politicians have made it worse by using risky debt to delay the day of reckoning, and done so to the point that Illinois now owes 30% of the nation’s pension obligation bonds. Pension obligation bonds are a form of debt used by state or local…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Sept. 11, 2021 Maybe one day I will try to sell Illinois. You’ll soon understand my thought process as you peruse Vol. 64 of the Daily Dirt. 1. Have you ever felt your heart race when you fear you have lost your trusty cell phone? You may be a nomophobe. Those with nomophobia —…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Sept. 10, 2021 I first ate Pringles as a wee lad, and it’s been a lifelong love affair. Vol. 63 of the Daily Dirt provides background about the famous cans of stacked chips. Welcome to today’s three thoughts. 1. I love Pringles, those somewhat goofy potato chips stacked in cans. A reason why: The…
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One of my daughters came home from school years ago. She was clearly upset. Door slammed. Book bag thrown to the floor. A kick at it. As she turned toward me, I inquired what was wrong. Her upset then turned to me and my (may I suggest “imaginary”?) failures as a parent. I patiently took…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 9, 2021 Look at today’s Daily Dirt as a learning experience, particularly thought No. 1. This, my friends, is Vol. 62. 1. File these under strange, but true:A. Pigs don’t sweat (but they still stink). Pigs don’t have sweat glands. To keep cool they roll in the mud, which provides a covering to…
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Hot dog season is over. Seriously. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council — yes, there is truly such an entity — says Labor Day weekend signaled the end of hot dog season. Put the grills and wieners away for the winter, folks. It’s time for sloppy joes and other indoor types of bun-and-meat goodies.…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Sept. 8, 2021 Trust me, the name you will remember from today’s Daily Dirt thoughts is Ziona. Welcome to Vol. 61. 1. I’ve always considered myself a cereal connoisseur. I love to walk through the cereal aisle at local supermarkets in search of my next box(es). After researching today’s Daily Dirt, I may…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Sept. 7, 2021 Today is one of those days when I wonder where all the years have gone. You’ll understand when you reach comment No. 3 in today’s Daily Dirt. Welcome to Vol. 60. 1. The following would make an excellent 10 commandments of food: “All you need is love, but a…
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The recent passing of longtime Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts remains on my mind. Charlie and I had more or less grown old together. He had been a Rolling Stone since 1963, about the same time I first became interested in what songs were coming out of the family AM radio. The Stones seemingly have…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Sept. 6, 2021 Vol. 59 of this daily adventure finds our three thoughts ranging from bad TV shows to advice to live by. Have a good day. 1. I’m sure we all have an opinion about this subject, but here are TV Guide’s worst programs from the mid-1960s to present: 1. “The Jerry…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 4, 2021Anyone up for some cream chipped beef and maple syrup? Vol. 57 of the Daily Dirt will likely test your gag reflex. At the very least, the first of today’s three thoughts is not for the squeamish: 1. The question was a simple one. What’s a weird food combination that you…
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There are times when a State’s Attorney has discretion in enforcing laws. School districts also have discretion as to who they allow into their buildings for certain reasons. Quincy and Adams County are suffering because of both of these facts. Adams County Public Health Administrator Jerrod Welch has done what he has thought is right…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 3, 2021 In school, were you ever subjected to the taunts of a bully who may have labeled you “Four Eyes,” “Tub of Lard” or some other nicety? If so, you can probably sympathize with the baseball players mentioned in today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 56 of the Daily Dirt: 1. Not…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Sept. 2, 2021 Think twice before you ever again complain about your wife’s cooking. Just remember, she can always serve you jellied moose nose the next time around. Grab the Tums, and then enjoy today’s three thoughts in Vol. 55 of the Daily Dirt: 1. If you haven’t got a strong stomach, you…
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College football kicks off in earnest this weekend, and I couldn’t be happier. There’s something special about those Saturday afternoons and evenings of college football that separates the sport from its high school and NFL cousins. More than anything else, I think what helps build those legions of college football fans are the long and…
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Daily Dirt for Sept. 1, 2021 Mmmmmm … even the thought of a hot fudge sundae makes by taste buds stand up and take notice. Hot fudge is one of the genuine gifts of nature, much like the Daily Dirt. Welcome to Vol. 54 of the daily three thoughts: 1. The best kind of toppings for ice cream…
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