Kowalski Heat Treating Blog - Kowalski Heat Treating

Now That’s Debatable

September 25, 2026/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

Social media. Wow, what a battleground. Seems whenever someone posts a thought or idea or perspective, people pounce – some in support, some in disagreement, and some offering a different perspective on the matter. Like you, I’ll admit sometimes I get caught up in the debate, then realize that everyone is entitled to their opinion… because it is just that, THEIR opinion! With the country celebrating the founding of our nation this past summer, it got me thinking about the debates and construction of the Constitution, and eventually the Bill of Rights, which was first proposed on this day way back in 1789. Many naturally assume the Bill of Rights “came” with it. It didn’t. I always thought that the Constitution and Bill of Rights sort of went together, but when delegates signed the Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, there was no Bill of Rights attached (historians say that omission nearly doomed the new Constitution before it ever took effect). What’s cool is that one of America’s most treasured documents exists in its original form today because so many citizens, commoners, and elected officials objected to the Constitution as it was originally written. And many of the comments about the Bill were expressed in secret articles strategically in the newspapers (a trick still used today) along with debates in taverns and conference halls. Here’s some fun history to ponder regarding the formation of the original ideas, the debates, and the final outcome (I wonder what would happen with today’s media, international secret “bots,” politicians and political parties all chiming in … Ouch!!) Enjoy! (And remember, enjoying this is not up for debate!!)

The Last Dog Days of Summer

September 18, 2026/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

It’s almost impossible to enjoy summer without, at some point, a hot dog in your hand. You know… a dog, burger, and potato or macaroni salad just make the day. As we head into the fall season, I thought it a good idea to fire up the grill and enjoy one last “dog.” With further investigation, I found out that long before backyard grills, carnivals, and baseball games, ancient civilizations were already making early versions of “sausage.” And the idea was practical – use every part of the animal, preserve it with salt, and make it portable. What started as survival food slowly became something more refined as it moved across cultures and centuries. I did some digging on the “dogs” and put together some info I think you’ll enjoy. Be sure to make mine a little burnt, and serve ‘em up … and happy “dog in hand!”

Slang – 1800s Style

September 11, 2026/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

Slang is a way of expressing oneself using words that have a different meaning than the actual words. Cool Beans, Cat’s Pajamas, Puttin on the Dog, Chill, Talk to the Hand, Keep Your Shirt On, and so many others, some of which you’ve probably used or heard in the past. For us baby boomers, many of our sayings have come to pass, such as: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; burning the midnight oil; Penny wise and pound foolish., and mind your P’s and Q’s – (one of Mom’s favorites!). For the younger generations today, some favorites are RIzzy, Crashout, Delulu, Brain Rot, and one of my favorites – Adulting!– long gone are “Whatever”, Rad, and Gag Me With A Spoon. And for my “industrial buds”, some of these made it to the shop floor or work yard: Close Enough For Government Work., Measure Twice, Cut Once., Built Like A Brick Out House (PG version)., It’ll Run Till The Wheels Fall Off., And If It Doesn’t Fit, Get A Bigger Hammer. I came across a text from the 19th century titled The American Slang Dictionary, published in 1891, and got completely caught up in reading it and the origins of the saying (here’s the link: The American Slang Dictionary. Life back then was characterized by its rapid industrialization and vast westward expansion. Many words had dual meanings, such as when they were used to name a drink (e.g., Back of the Hand). But for all the trends that have been left behind, it’s fun to revisit how Americans communicated back then. Special thanks to wordsmartts.com. Here are a few of my unusual favorites. Enjoy!