Measure Up

/0 Comments/in /by

The other day, I was reading a report on a new car about to launch, and the author expressed one of its features in horsepower (even though it was a hybrid). It got me to thinking about where everyday measurements like horsepower came from and how we measure things – something that’s critically important here at KHT, when we’re happily solving your PIA (Pain in the @%$) Jobs. From ancient rulers to internet routers, our need to measure and compare is deeply human. These units – scientific, historic, and occasionally silly – reveal not just how we understand the world, but how we interact with it. So, I went to the internet and found some interesting history and facts about random measuring – from the speed of a car to the spin rate of a golf ball (to help explain why my ball sometimes spins off into the woods). Not surprisingly, humans have invented all kinds of clever ways to quantify the world around us. Some systems are rooted in science, others in history, and a few are just plain quirky. Around both my home and here at KHT, one of my personal favorites is when I need to express a large amount of anything (It’s a Crap Ton!)  Here’s a fun dive into fascinating units of measurement, how they came to be, and why they still matter. Be sure to click the links if something catches your eye so that you can dig a bit deeper into each one. Enjoy, and if you think of anything I’ve missed, shoot me an email at skowalski@khtheat.com.  Read more

QWERTY

/0 Comments/in /by

Doesn’t it seem like things we use all the time, we just take for granted, and don’t think much about their origin or original design? You know – things are just what they are – stoplight design hasn’t changed much since it’s inception, US cars have drivers on the left, TV’s have bulky, easy to misplace remotes, mobile phones barely fit in your pocket, two handle faucets have hot on the left, new shoes come wrapped in tissue paper, eggs are mostly sold by the dozen, butter sticks come in four packs, microwave ovens beep when they are done and almost all English language computers use the QWERTY keyboard layout. Looking down at my keyboard the other day, (not only do I peek sometimes when I type, but I’ve realized that I’m always wearing out the “E and R” keys first?) I remember early on that I struggled a bit to understand the logic behind the layout – I wasn’t the best typist in High School Typing class. Why does the top row begin with the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y (followed by U, I, O, P.) Now, of course, the center row left to right makes sense: A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L – perfect logic there, right? And I’m not even gonna comment about the bottom row – Z, X, C … – YIKES! Found on nearly every computer, laptop, and smartphone worldwide (at least in countries that use a Latin-script alphabet), this seemingly random configuration of keys has an interesting history, though perhaps not the what you have been led to believe. Thanks to Wikipedia, historyfacts.com, techcrunch.com, invent.org and YouTube.com. Enjoy!

Read more

My Favorite Green Dip

/0 Comments/in /by

When it comes to snack foods, I gotta admit I’m a champion. And if it involves dipping, just move aside, as I rock. You name it – cheese, veggie, fruity, chocolate, spicy, sweet, creamy – I pretty much like ‘em all.  But, during the summer, for me, there’s nothing quite like all kinds of salsas and guac. I must admit I’m not a guac on wraps, toast, burgers kind of guy, simply just out of the bowl with chips. And, I like how it gradually can turn brown – sort of a built-in timing device that tells me I gotta eat more and faster (cause, of course, you would not want it to go to waste – called enzymatic browning. Now, on to the open debate (one in which I’m sure you have an opinion – the right chips to use to dip, here in America we have SO many options: Corn, blue corn, purple, white, Fritos, sesame, lime, round, triangle, scoops … the list goes on). Guacamole has roots as deep as an avocado tree. So, for my foodie buds out there, here’s some fun info below.  And be sure to email me YOUR favorite recipe – I know I’ll try it!! (skowalski@khtheat.com). 

Read more

Slurpee

/0 Comments/in /by

All of us have those special childhood times and events we remember that bring great memories. So, here’s one for you… Where were you (and who were you with) when you had your first Slurpee (and associated brain freeze)? For me, it was at K-Mart back when they were called Icee’s, pretty sure, with some of my brothers and sisters (in full disclosure, there are days that by noon I don’t remember what I had for breakfast that morning, soooo keep that in mind!)  I can still remember the refreshing taste, drinking it too quickly, and waiting for the impending brain cramp (see below to learn why). Today marks a wonderful special day, celebrated at over 8,000 locations across the country (and at spots around the world) … “7-11 Day,” when 7-Eleven stores hand out millions of free cups of the frozen Slurpee goodness. When you pull the lever on a Slurpee machine inside any 7-Eleven store on the planet, the fizzy, fluffy frozen beverage likely tastes just like the first one you ever tried. Introduced to the market in 1966, the Slurpee is arguably the world’s most popular (non-alcoholic) frozen drink. Here’s some fun information about Slurpees that I’m sure will take a whole bunch of you folks back to your childhood (or most recent visit to the convenience store). Enjoy! And many thanks to Amy McCarthy, a reporter at Eater.com, for her insights on Slurpee!

Read more

Freedom, Fireworks, Family & Friends

/0 Comments/in /by

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 😊  

Read more

Sailing Expressions

/0 Comments/in /by

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!

Read more

Fathers – Strength, Patience, Love

/0 Comments/in /by

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

/0 Comments/in /by

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! 

Read more

Come and Play With Me

/0 Comments/in /by

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!

Read more