Attractive Advertising

This eye-catching display of flowers and plants is brought to you by Highfield Door Sales on Stroop Road in Kettering, Ohio.  I really like the ramp that snakes up to the top of the sign, giving the display a unique look.  And the whole thing is so stunning, you might overlook the gas regulator/meter, which must always remain accessible to utility workers for readings and maintenance.

https://highfielddoorsales.com

Oversized Folding Camping Chair

Some time ago, we pitched our old, beat-up folding chairs and just recently purchased the new ones you see below.  They have a solid steel frame and are equipped with an Oxford cloth cup holder, 6-can side cooler bag, and a 25"×10" rear mesh pocket.  Best of all, they cost only $35 apiece, down $20 from their regular price, but the limited-time offer might expire by the time you get this blog.

Bring on the tailgate parties!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR9MST5R

Fraze Flicks

The Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio, has added eight movies to its lineup of concerts and events.  Crazy Rich Asians, Grease, Song Sung Blue, F1, Wicked, Black Panther, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Hocus Pocus are slated for Friday or Saturday evenings from June through October.   The movie will start at sunset, but the party starts several hours before with a live DJ, food trucks,  snacks, and drinks will be available at Ernie’s Concessions.  The cost is $10 per ticket in advance or $15 on the day of the movie.

https://fraze.com/category/concerts-and-events/fraze-flicks

Using AI To Explain Things

 I noticed the "Dead End" sign you see below as we were driving around Pittsburgh. That was common when I was a kid (i.e., a very long time ago), but I can't recall seeing any around our house, only "No Outlet" signs.  So I asked Google's Gemini, "Why are dead-end signs now no outlet signs?"  Its response was "While it might seem like 'Dead End' signs are disappearing, it is actually less of a total replacement and more about a technical distinction in road engineering—though some cities are moving away from the word 'dead' for aesthetic reasons."  It further went on to explain that the technical difference is that a 'Dead End' is used for a single road that terminates, while 'No Outlet' is used at the entrance of a network of streets that has only one way in and out.  Some municipalities have phased out "Dead End" signs because the word "dead" can feel a bit morbid or lower the "prestige" of a neighborhood. You’ll often see newer developments opt for "No Outlet" or "No Through Street" simply because it sounds more modern and less "bleak."  

And now we know.

https://gemini.google.com

KD's BBQ

The yummy plate of cabbage rolls (or stuffed cabbage as Gourmet Chef Elaine knows them) comes from KD's BBQ, a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant just a few blocks away from our home.  We've made them at home a few times, but it's a LOT of work, and one dinner-sized plate is enough for the two of us, when combined with our choice of two sides and bread.  One more reason we love where we live!

https://www.kdsketteringbbq.com

Discarded Clothing

While we were in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, we decided to take a walk through the Northside.  We noticed several piles of clothing, mostly jackets and sweaters, and even the lonely stocking cap you see below.  It didn't take long to figure out these discards came from the runners participating in the Pittsburgh Marathon that morning, which started out pretty chilly.  I later found out that this clothing is a major part of the event's sustainability efforts, and teams of volunteers will follow the tail end of the race and gather all the discarded clothing.  Thousands of pounds of clothing were laundered and then donated to local thrift stores or distributed to people in need.  That's pretty cool!

 

Ethanol-Free Gas

At our first visit to the new Buc-ee's in Huber Heights, I noticed they sell ethanol-free gasoline.  I didn't even know it was a thing, so I went digging into it.  Most U.S. gas is blended with ten percent ethanol (i.e., E10), and ethanol absorbs water and can be corrosive.  That can lead to fuel system corrosion, “gumming” or varnish buildup, and hard starts after sitting a while.  

Ethanol-free gas is preferred because it’s more stable and causes fewer maintenance issues, and is used in boats, lawn equipment, motorcycles, and classic cars.  I can buy ethanol-free gas at our local Marathon station, and I'll start using it in my lawn mower, trimmer, and blower.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

The sign below is posted at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.  It's sad to think that some parents are stupid enough to leave their kids alone in a parking garage.  I personally don't see the attraction to gambling, but it must overwhelm a small set of people to the point that they make crazy, bad decisions.  So sad.

https://www.riverscasino.com/pittsburgh

Using AI To Design A Deck Extension

I first used Google Gemini to imagine what our deck would look like without our hot tub, which was placed between the house and the small stairs.  That's the first picture below.  I used it again to visualize a 4'x8' extension to the deck, and that's the second picture.  The width of the extension isn't quite right, but I could have had it fixed, and for my purpose, it was good enough.  I think we have a winner!

https://gemini.google.com

Half-Sized Pizza

If you put a large Marion's pizza in front of me, I'll eat and eat until I'm about to burst.  Since I have no pizza self-control, the only option is portion control, and I do that by ordering the 9-inch pie you see, half-eaten, below.  This size is around $10, which is the perfect size for lunch, and I don't waddle around the rest of the day.

https://marionspiazza.com