White River Plaza Laundromat!

Located just to the north of Forsyth Mo is a popular strip mall that contains a pharmacy, vision, a Dollar General and a Subway among other businesses. Behind that building, though, was the object of my interest on this date. Located there is the White River laundromat! A place that seems to be well run and which houses row after row of Maytag commercial grade washing and drying machines, some of which can handle really large items! And, according to the sign, they are open 24/7!

After moving to a condo, recently, I was downgraded to a small stacked washer dryer combo that has done a good job with washing my clothes. However, it was simply to small to handle large loads like bed sheets and comforters! So, I headed on over to the White River Plaza located on Highway 160 to check out the laundromat I knew was located there. I'd written a post some years ago, but had never gone there to do actual laundry!

When I arrived, I'll admit to some confusion as to what machine I needed to use. Thankfully, there was a nice lady by the name of Roxanne there who was also doing her laundry. She apparently was a regular customer and she knew all the machines intimately and was kind enough to point me in the right direction.

Before an hour had passed, I had a clean bed comforter at a cost of about $5 including the cost of a packet of detergent! While I was there I noted that the place was spotless, had game machines, a coin changer, detergent dispensers and bathrooms! It was also a lot more busy than I thought it would be!

A BLT my way?

A BLT or Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwich are a uniquely summer time delicacy, as that is when local vine ripened tomatoes are available from roadside stands!

Well, not exactly. At least not on this post. All I could find in the way of 'vine ripened' tomatoes late in June was a hothouse variety at a local grocery store. And, while it looked pretty decent, I knew that it was actually not field ripened. Not that that's all bad! Unlike the winter versions which are unfit to eat, in my opinion, the summer varieties are grown to maturity in climate controlled greenhouses and thus are much more pleasing color and taste!

After I had cooked up three generous slices of bacon, I slapped everything together make sure to use a goodly amount of mayo! The end result was fabulous!

Fourth of July in Rockaway Beach!

Monday, July 4 - 'Come join Rockaway Beach for a day full of fun, food, crafts, games, dunk-a-cop, arm wrestling, and more! Be sure to come down early and bring your blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a great night of fireworks! There will be a beverage garden, music, lawn mower parade, and car show and cruise open to all vehicles. No Entry Fee! Top 3 vehicle awards and a crowd’s choice award. The fireworks begin around dusk. This celebration is funded solely on donations from the community and visitors and continues to be one the largest and best in the area.'

The above text is a pretty good representation of the announcements I've seen in print as to the events planned for Rockaway Beach MO on the fourth of July. It's my plan, this year, to be there and to try and cover all the festivities. There are a few story lines there that I'd like to watch unfold and in no particular order, they are;

1. New Bar – The owner of the newly opened White River Sports Bar and Grill (formerly the Taneycomo Market) plans to have their freshly outfitted deck open to the public along with a live band. Update: The live band may be in doubt!
2. Dockside beverage garden – Another bar plans to have a 'beverage garden'. Just where exactly that will be and what form of 'beverages' will be served is unknown at this time.
3. Lawn mower parade – OK, I may just skip this event.
4. Fireworks – The word last year was that the fireworks were a bit 'disappointing'. It'll be interesting to see if there is any improvement in 2016.
5. Police check points – As a counter check to all the fun and frivolity will be intersections where the police will do their best end your 'fun day of Independence' on a sour note, while filling County and city coffers with much needed funds via tickets and citations.

In my mind I keep seeing a vision similar to the parade scene in Animal House, complete with slashing mower blades running amok in a crowd reminiscent of a another scene out of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest..... sounds like a riot to me!

Good summer viewing. Watching California burn!

Only a few days into the start of summer and already over 18 'un-contained large' forest fires are raging out of control in the west!

Twin wildfires fueled by intense heat roared through brush surrounding suburban neighborhoods outside Los Angeles on Tuesday, driving residents from almost 1,000 homes ahead of the fast-moving blazes.

The fires, raging just a few miles apart in and around the Angeles National Forest, were both listed as 0% contained Tuesday.

With near record setting heat already plaguing the western states, Predictive Services is calling for the potential for exceptional fire related problems in 2016!

Forsyth to ban burning of trash!

Forsyth MO. – Recently, the Board of Aldermen asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would deal with problems associated with the burning of household trash! Apparently the Fire Department was having issues with some residents inside the city limits who were setting fire to all sorts of trash, including items as large as mattresses! About two to three times a month they would be asked by people living next to these idiots to come put them out. The city does offer trash pickup and even has a recycling center for its citizens. The ban, if enacted, will correct that problem while still allowing residents to burn leaves and yard debris.

Venezula today. Behold your future America!

CARACAS, Venezuela—The government began moving thousands of squatters from the capital's infamous "Tower of David," a half-finished skyscraper that is emblematic of the country's decay during 15 years of socialist party rule.

President Nicolás Maduro's administration said it was moving the 45-story building's more than 4,000 residents for safety reasons. But local news reports say the building—known here as the world's tallest slum—was sold to Chinese investors who plan to turn it into a hotel and financial center.

Look closely America. This is the path you have been set on by the traitor Obama and which will be continued by Hillary.

French Dip and fries at the Mug! Perfect!

French Dip - In American cuisine, the French dip sandwich, also known as a beef dip, is a hot sandwich consisting of thinly sliced roast beef on a "French roll" or baguette. It is usually served au jus, that is, with beef juice from the cooking process. And where did this bit of perfection originate, why right here in America of course!

So, what goes really good with a French dip besides a side of crunchy French fries? Why a genuine American dip like myself! Seriously, the 'Dip' is served every Tuesday at a special price (currently $6.50) at John's Frosted Mug and it's one of my favorites! Everything about this very affordable meal is simply perfect! So much so, that I make the Mug a regular venue to visit just so I can enjoy a little bit of beefy heaven!