Daily Dirt: ‘How do we make holy water? We boil the hell out of it’ … and remembering the Hollies

Who says churchgoers don’t have a sense of humor? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 266 of The Daily Dirt.
1. A good Sunday morning to all of you … here are some of the best/funniest make-you-think church signs found across the country:

Gold medal: “Honk If You Love Jesus, Text While Driving If You Want To Meet Him.” (Stonebridge Church of God, Ozark, Ala.)

Silver medal: “Just Love Everyone. I’ll Sort ‘Em Out Later” — God. (Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Decatur, Ala.)

Bronze medal: “How Do We Make Holy Water? We Boil The Hell Out Of It.” (First Church Of Awesome Works, Portland, ore.)

Honorable mention: “Whoever Stole Our A.C. Units, Keep One. It Is Hot Where You Are Going.” (Clays Mill Baptist Church, Nicholasville, Ky.)

Honorable mention: “The Fact There Is A Highway to Hell And Only A Stairway To Heaven Says A Lot About Anticipated Traffic Numbers.” (Madison Ave. Baptist Church, New York City.)

2. One of the most underrated groups from the early-to-mid 1960s through the early 1970s has to be the Hollies. 

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, the Hollies’ distinctive sound — anchored by lead singer Allan Clarke — was a staple of AM radio for baby boomers during their formative years.Many forget that guitarist Graham Nash — yes, THAT Graham Nash — was also an integral part of the band during its heyday. So was Tony Hicks, who shared many vocals with Clarke.

I’ve always felt the Hollies’ impact on pop music may have been deeper if their rise to fame had not coincided with the arrival of the Beatles … but that’s a thought to be explored on another day.Here’s my top five sounds from the Hollies, in order:

1. “Carrie Anne” (1967): The song was actually written about Clarke’s fling with singer Marianne Faithfull.

2. “Pay You Back With Interest” (1967): Often overlooked in those catalogues of Hollies songs, I suggest you give it a try on YouTube or a similar medium.

3. “On A Carousel” (1967): Obviously, 1967 was a big year for the Hollies.

4. “The Air That I Breathe” (1974): This one peaked at No. 2 on Billboard.

5. “Look Through Any Window” (1965): Ahh, those Hollies harmonies …

3. Let’s start the week with a few overrated/underrated thoughts:

Overrated: Chocolate syrup. Too often, it’s runny and has a bad aftertaste. Underrated: Hot fudge. It. Is. Perfect.
Overrated: The Kentucky Derby. It lasts two minutes, give or take a few seconds.Underrated: Merry-go-round horse rides. They last five minutes, give or take a few seconds. Do the math.

Overrated: National Hockey League. In general, yawn …Underrated: National Hockey League fights. The only reason to watch or go.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve feels the best sundae to order at any ice cream stand is the hot fudge with a generous amount of coconut and a couple of cherries.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He wouldn’t turn down very many sundaes.