Happy Birthday Sports Illustrated

Growing up during the 70s and 80s, it’s difficult for me to think of a magazine that was more influential to my “sports” youth than Sports Illustrated. We were lucky enough to get the magazine (for you youngin’s, that’s colored paper with photos and words, folded and stapled in a booklet filled with stories and advertisements) delivered directly to our house. My brothers (and sisters) would read all about the upcoming stars, the different sports throughout the world, and of course our favorite football, baseball and basketball players. The stories were magical, filling in things we would never know about athletes – their history, upbringing, and developed desire to be the best at what they do. Throughout the magazine, I got to see amazing photographs of bodies hurtling through the air, pounding one another, and racing for glory.  One of my favorite sections was about various high school standout athletes across the country, these boys and girls accomplished some amazing things! I did some searching to find some trivia we can all enjoy (except the cover curse and my Brownies – ugh).  Thanks to Google and Wikipedia for the info.

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Sandy

It seems not that long ago I was at the beach every summer with Jackie and the girls playing in the sand. Back then….and today, I’m not much of an artist – mostly pail molds, our specially designed sand diggers, and time! I can remember being on the beach for hours digging enormous moats, making “drip castles” taller than the girls, while protecting the castle with lots of bucket towers! These would all be connected with twigs, shells, seagrasses (whatever we could find!). We would all run down the next day to see if our creation had survived high tide. Now I get to take my grandkids to the beach and build new creations. I still love to make a moat and direct the water within each creation. These days the little ones have just as much fun trying to step all over “Grandpa’s towers” before I can stop them. When it comes to “real” creations, I love to see the creativity and ingenuity of sand sculpture creations – talk about a PIA (Pain in the @%$) Job! Having the genius to design a sculpture in your mind, build the structure and then hand carve the image is truly amazing. Sand sculptures are fascinating examples of art that rely on a combination of physical properties of sand, water, and the skill of the artist. Hats off to this year’s winners. And thanks to people.com and google.com for the info and YouTube for the music – Enjoy!

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Stay Inside the Lines

When we were kids, there was one activity I think we all seemed to enjoy – coloring. Early on, as I was learning my colors and improving my dexterity Mom would let me scribble a bit, just getting some color on the page. As I got older, I can still remember Mom (and brothers, sisters, various teachers saying, “Try to stay inside the lines”. Although knowing it was the right thing to do, I’ll admit, I wasn’t much of an “inside the lines” guy – still not!!). I love it when the grandkids come over to the house and we spend time drawing and coloring – especially my granddaughter Zoe – who does a really good job coloring, (and I do a good job hanging her art on the fridge). I did some digging and found some interesting info about coloring and coloring books I think you’ll enjoy. Now be sure to find those crayons or pencils and color!!

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Go For The Gold

The Olympics. Each of us can remember amazing moments throughout our lives when we watched incredible athletes from around the world perform incredible feats, fulfilling  their dreams to compete, representing their respective countries. The Olympics are known the interlocking rings logo, the opening and closing ceremony pageantry, the “walk in” and closing ceremonies and of course the musical themes. But one that doesn’t immediately come to mind is something that the Olympics would be, figuratively speaking, naked without: The music. After all, when one thinks of the Olympic games, one of the first things that pops into our heads would probably be this theme, written by Leo Arnaud, known as the Bugler’s Dream from “Charge,” There’s something about it that stirs your soul. Here’s some trivia and soundtracks I think you’ll enjoy. Thanks to youtube.com. wikipedia.com and medium writer Paulo Camacho. (Let the music clips play out, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy the full compositions) Go Team USA!!

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Dog Days

There’s no doubt that some days this summer get really hot.  Without much warning, the mercury rises, the clouds disappear and the summer sun and heat become oppressive.  I have to admit, we’re very lucky to be in Cleveland Ohio, next to Lake Erie and far from the real heat belt of the US (go visit Florida, Georgia, Texas or Arizona now that’s real heat!). I got to wondering where the expression “dog days” comes from. It’s true it refers to a period of hot days, but it also has its roots in ancient culture and astronomy.  So, here’s a bit of history and trivia on these “dog days” – thanks to historychannel.com, YouTube and allrecipes.com for the info. Enjoy!

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Symbolic

Symbols.  They are all around us. Without really thinking, we respond to six sided STOP signs, traffic lights, hazardous chemical marks, UL branding, the recycling arrow symbol, text alerts, street crossing ways, handicap signs, and of course the yellow smile face (thanks Forest Gump). I’m sure you can think of many more. One symbol, that still resonates with people around the world is the simple “peace” sign. Its initial design set out to represent a statement regarding nuclear disarmament but has grown to envelope so many movements with a simple message: PEACE. I did a bit of searching and found some interesting info to share about its construction and other peace signs, some of which you may not know about. Thanks to Wikipedia and Google and YouTube for the info. Enjoy – and as always, Peace to you and your families from your friends at KHT!

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Junky

The other day I was driving back from a very good customer visit and noticed the line of cars at a national chain hamburger restaurant.  Then I passed another chain, and sure enough, long line. Then I saw a wrap-around line for drive through coffee. It got me to wondering about this type of food, and other “junk food” as we all call it.  I look at the salad option when I stop, but those fries!!!  YUM.  What’s the story behind this fascination, especially the “center aisles” in grocery stores – rows of chips and dips and crackers, and then the cookies and dessert aisles.  I’ll admit, the right bag of chips, with the right brand of dip, and I’m “all in”.  With a little checking I found out junk food has a fascinating and often controversial history, filled with intriguing facts and trivia. So, enjoy the info. And thanks to Google, You Tube and Wikipedia for the info.

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4th of July

This day reminds us of the
sacrifices and courage all men and women took
to free our country and
to pay our respect to those who made it a free nation
for generations to come.

God Bless America.

 

 

 

 

Yum!

Yum, yum, yummy, yum, yum!!!!!!!   :)))))))))))))

As I’m guessing most will agree, one of the great taste enjoyments in life is that of a red, ripe strawberry.  As a foodie, this time of year I just can’t get enough strawberries – on my cereal, in my morning smoothies, as a quick snack, on a buffet table, on vanilla ice cream, or just out of the container in the fridge as a side dish… (and “maybe” a fresh strawberry shake here and there). There’s something magical about biting into a fresh strawberry. Sweet, juicy, and yummy. Here in Ohio, our peak season for picking is in June. Jackie and I are looking forward to heading out with the grandkids for a day and do some berry picking. We bring home our harvest, clean ‘em up, and get to enjoying the “farm fresh picked” flavor. My only problem is how many I eat while washing!  I thought you’d like to know a bit more about these delectable berries and wanted to share a few great recipes – start with fresh berries and cool whip.  Thx to Wikipedia and You Tube for the input. Enjoy!

Wild strawberries have been around since ancient times and were consumed by the Romans for their medicinal properties. Strawberries symbolized perfection and righteousness and are often served at important functions to ensure peace and prosperity.

In folklore, strawberries have been associated with Venus, the Roman goddess of love, due to their heart shape and red color. In some cultures, strawberries are considered a symbol of purity, passion, and healing.

Despite being commonly referred to as a berry, the strawberry is technically an aggregate accessory fruit. Each seed on its surface is one of the ovaries of the flower, with a seed inside. The strawberry is the only fruit with seeds on the outside, typically about 200 seeds per berry.

Strawberries are propagated through runners, which are horizontal stems that grow out from the main plant and take root to form new plants. If you’ve had strawberries in your garden, you’ve experienced this growth pattern – and how tough it is to stop them from spreading.

Raw strawberries are 91% water, 8% carbohydrates, 1% protein.

The first garden strawberries were grown in France during the late 18th century. These were hybrids of two wild species from North America and Chile.

Strawberry picking season typically runs from late spring to early summer, depending on the region and climate. Peak strawberry season in the United States varies by region but generally falls between April and June. June is a good time to pick here in northern Ohio.

Strawberries are delicate and require careful handpicking to avoid bruising the fruit.
Pickers must choose ripe strawberries, which are fully red and have a glossy appearance. They should also be firm to the touch.
There are over 600 varieties of strawberries, each differing in flavor, size, and texture.
Some popular varieties include Albion, Seascape, and Chandler.

Many regions celebrate the strawberry harvest with festivals. These events often feature strawberry-themed foods, contests, and entertainment. One of the most famous is the California Strawberry Festival, held annually in Oxnard, California.

In the United States in 2021, the collective commercial production of strawberries, blueberriesraspberries, and blackberries was a $6 billion industry dominated by the California growing and marketing company Driscoll’s. In 2021, strawberries alone were a $3.5 billion market of which 82% was for fresh fruit.

The prior world’s heaviest strawberry was grown in Japan in 2015, weighing 250 grams (8.82 ounces).Click here to see the current record holder.

The longest strawberry shortcake ever made was created in the United States in 2004, measuring 1,368 meters (4,488 feet). Learn more HERE.

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.

As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

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Thank You Fathers

Happy Father’s Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :))))))))))))))

This Sunday is Father’s Day – celebrated to show appreciation and honor to fathers. It is time set aside to salute and express our adoration for every man who has poured his love into the lives of his children, thus positively affecting their lives forever. As a father, and a grandfather, I personally salute each and every father and take this opportunity to highlight and commend you for all you do. To all the “dads” out there, bravo!!  Thanks to cfaith.com for the inspirational words.

Some thoughts:

Fathers, thank you for loving your children and validating their sense of identity through unconditional love and support. Your love demonstrates their value and worth and provides a solid foundation for them to grow.

Fathers, thank you for your kind words, encouragement, discipline, and correction, helping to build character and self-esteem, and instill in children a sense of protection and safety.

Fathers, thank you for loving your children with your presence first and then with the things you provide. Young or old, kids feel important when you alter your busy schedule to make them a priority in your life.

Fathers, thank you for understanding the physical and emotional needs of your children. A father’s open affection toward his sons and daughters lets them know it’s acceptable to openly express their love for each other.

Fathers, thank you for telling your daughters how beautiful they are – it nourishes their souls and It says to her that she is revered as someone quite special!  I have certainly been blessed with my incredible daughters!

And, thanks to my Dad. I greatly appreciate the impact he made in my life., Things he taught me still influence me today. He taught me by example that a man does whatever he has to do, especially when it comes to providing for his wife and children. He taught me the importance of a father taking on the role of protector of the family. He taught me to remain in God’s grace always. And he taught me how to run a business, to guide and respect all those who work for and with me. I am forever grateful for the lessons Dad imparted into my life. I know he is watching down from above.

Finally, to the ultimate FATHER, you continue to play a critical role in my life, keeping me humble, thankful and in awe of your glory. I know fathers are the expression of God’s fatherly love for us all.

Fathers, I honor you. Happy Father’s Day!

 

 

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.

As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

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