Freedom, Fireworks, Family & Friends

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The Fourth of July isn’t just a day off; it’s a celebration of everything that makes America unique: our freedom, our resilience, our sense of community, our families, and our friends. From early morning parades to late-night fireworks, the day is filled with moments that bring us together in meaningful, memorable ways. “The 4th” is a time to pause and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy. It’s about gathering with loved ones, whether at a big public celebration or a quiet backyard cookout. Fireworks, food, and festivities remind us of what we share as a nation and how far we’ve come together. From Thomas Jefferson’s first draft to the edits of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, it has survived to become a bedrock of our democracy. We are truly blessed to live in the United States of America. In my humble opinion 😊  

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Sailing Expressions

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With the weather changing a lot this year, I was noticing the wind really picking up out in front of the plant here at KHT, and thought to myself, “I better tell the guys to, “batten down the hatches.” Not being a big boater or sailor, it struck me that I thought of such an expression, and how my guys here knew exactly what I was talking about. Our inherited language is full of colorful expressions – many of which we use without giving a second thought to their origins. I did some digging and learned some come from the sea, others from the battlefield, and a few from the taverns and trades of old. Here’s a look at some fun, fascinating sayings, their meanings, and the history that floats behind them. There are many to choose from, so to be clear, I had to “sound the depths” (search for answers) and “chart a course” (to get you some proper answers and show the way), so “pipe down” (be quiet), “toe the line” (barefoot inspections) and “come about” (turn into the wind). Enjoy!

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Fathers – Strength, Patience, Love

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Let’s be honest—us dads don’t always get the credit we deserve. We’re not in it for the glory, but every once in a while, it’s nice to be seen. So, this Father’s Day, I’m putting in a good word for all the wonderful fathers out there. The ones who raised us, and the ones we’ve become. Read more

Smoothie Starter

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For me, sometimes starting the day with a tasty, fresh smoothie has to include peanut butter and spinach. Quick, light, and packed with just what I need to get going and begin solving your PIA (pain in the @%$) Jobs! When I get together with my buds, or the family for breakfast, it seems like someone selects traditional bacon and eggs – the most classic “go to” breakfast combo out there. Now my go-to combo is eggs over medium with corn beef hash (must be with those little chunks of potato!) and rye toast! Back in the day, hearty breakfasts like bacon and eggs were more common in farming communities or among laborers, but not everyday fare for the average person. With the price of eggs bouncing all over the place, and a box of cereal getting more expensive by the day, I got to wondering – what did people eat for breakfast years ago? What got them up and going long before smoothies, protein bars, and drive-thru coffee? From a leisurely plate of bacon and eggs to a nutrient-packed yogurt parfait, breakfast has always played a vital role in starting the day. But it hasn’t always looked the way it does now. Here’s a quick look back at how breakfast has evolved through the centuries, and how it’s still adapting today. Although for some of us, leftovers do make a wonderful breakfast also – just think spaghetti with meatballs! 

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Come and Play With Me

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If you are a parent or a grandparent, you know just how wonderful these words are.  I LOVE IT when my grandkids ask me to join them to play.  The “Grandpa, do you want to come play with me?” never gets old!  It doesn’t matter if we’re making pretend food, squishing playdough into balls and snakes, or popping the dome on Trouble, it just never gets old. This also brings back wonderful memories of when my daughters were this age! I love to play a card matching game (usually lose), tic-tac-toe, or checkers.  I’ll admit, I’m not good at all on the hand-held electronics – their little fingers fly across the buttons, while I stumble on the up arrows, jump arrows, and running toggle. Playing together made me think about my wonderful childhood with my parents and brothers and sisters. With 17 in the family, I could always find someone to play with, especially since there is a certain competitive gene that is in all of the Kowalski family. So many of the toys today are carry-overs from time past, as they pack a certain timeless appeal. There are so many – Battleship, Stratego, Shoots & Ladders, GI Joe’s, and more. I thought it would be fun to explore the unique ways some toys came into existence – fascinating how breakthrough experiments, bold innovation, and even bizarre accidents created some enduringly popular classic toys. Thanks to interestingfacts.com, Google, and YouTube for the info. (And when you get time, go find one of the little ones, and play a game with them – I PROMISE you’ll cherish the moments. Enjoy!

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We Thank You For Your Service and Sacrifice

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Each year, on Memorial Day, Americans come together to honor the brave men and women who have served, or currently serve, in our military. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the commitment, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of those who protected our nation. Let’s all take the time to express our gratitude to all active-duty service members across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Here’s a bit of history and reflection on their ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. We thank you!!

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Let’s Go Fly a Kite

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When the day is right and the wind is steady, there’s nothing like flying a kite. As a kid, I can remember going to the park with my Dad, watching him do a short run, and then launching the kite up in the air. As we let out the string, I was amazed how the kite would float away and hang in the air. Since Jackie and I love going to the beach on vacations, our girls grew up being able to fly kites on the ocean breezes. There is nothing quite as exciting as seeing the kite go up, run out of string, then adding another roll of string to have it go even higher. Watching the kite float off until it’s just a spec is very satisfying. Now, reeling the kite back in is not nearly as much fun! Part design, part aerodynamics, kites are just marvels. From ancient China to modern kite festivals worldwide, these lightweight flying marvels have captured our imagination for thousands of years. Here’s a little history, trivia, and the science behind how kites take flight. Thanks to Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook, Guinness World Records, and kite.org for the info. Enjoy! Read more

Here’s to the Moms!

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For all of us who have enjoyed our Mother’s Love!  Here’s to you Mom!

By popular demand, we’re now sharing guides for the previous week’s logo contest!

Every Friday, scroll to the bottom of the post to review last week’s guide and see if we managed to stump you. 

A Mother’s Love

A mother’s love is warm and true,
A guiding light the whole life through.
With gentle hands and heart so wide,
She lifts us up, stands by our side.

Her laughter sings, her kindness stays,
She brightens all our darkest days.
No gift on earth can quite compare,
To all the love she’s here to share.

So, on this day, we celebrate,
The one who makes life kind and great.
Thank you, Mom, for all you do,
With love and joy, we honor you.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!

 

How did you do on last week’s logo contest?

Check out our logo guide for the “Partly Sunny or Partly Cloudy” post here!

Partly Sunny or Partly Cloudy

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If you know me, you know I’m a “partly sunny” kind of guy – always seeing the positive open opportunities ahead (especially with my “impossible” golf shots from the woods – “don’t worry, I got this!”). That positive outlook is shared by my gang here at KHT, always encouraging each other to find the “sunny” spot – and to keep trying when working on your PIA (pain in the @%$) Jobs! One of the fun advantages I have living in Cleveland are the different cloud formations we get to see throughout the year – from wispy cirrus formations to big puffy cumulus cotton balls (I always find some special animals in them) to the super dark rain/snow clouds I see coming in over the lake (I’m really lucky, as my office here at KHT World headquarters looks out over Lake Erie). I love seeing the storm clouds forming out west over the water and then watching how they move in with the rain front (and sometimes a lightning show). Many of my boater friends tell me how quickly the weather can change when they are out on the lake – beautiful sunny fishing days can quickly turn into scrambles to the shore. I did some digging online to refresh my memory of the different cloud formations and the weather tips they provide, and just had to share. I’m looking forward to lying down on the driveway with the grandkids and picking out different shapes in the clouds this weekend (the grass is way too wet!) I’m always amazed by what the little munchkins “see” in the clouds! – and recommend you give it a try. Thanks to Google, theweatherchannel.com and YouTube for the info. Enjoy!

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