OSCAR MAYER WIENER MOBILE

Albuquerque, NM - When out at the Balloon Fiesta, the hotel I was staying at also had the drivers of the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile. I was in the parking lot taking photos of balloons passing by when I saw the driver, Nick, of the mobile come out to pack up the old wiener to travel to Denver. I asked if I could take some photos of the inside and he said OK. I asked Nick how he was selected to drive the Wiener Mobile? He said, "He filed out the application and he cut the mustard". Someone asked if the mobile goes fast, and he said, "It really hauls buns". There were a few more but I forgot what they were. Oh, not only did I get photos, I also got a wiener whistle.


Inside the Wiener Mobile, notice the sky painted on the ceiling?


And the mustard on the floor?

FAIR TRADE AND ORGANIC FOOD PANEL

Burlington, VT - Last time I was up in Vermont we stopped by a panel discussion about Fair Trade and Organic food. We were lured in with the promise of Fair Trade Chocolate and Coffee, and Vermont Ice Cream. The talk was very interesting and I learned a few interesting things. Did you know that milk is basically controlled by two big corporations? Did you know that there is a wide interpretation of what can be called organic? I misplaced the documentation from the discussion but as I remember the panel consisted of a person from Guatamala who works with "Free Trade" coffee growers, a dairy farmer who started an all Vermont milk association, an organic farmer, and a business man who works with women from Tibet who make pressed flower greeting cards. This discussion was sponsored by The Peace and Justice Center and Store from Burlington VT.(Click for Website)


Mmmmmm Fair Trade Ice Cream from the Vermont Milk Company.

REEDS AND CATTAILS

Litchfield, CT - Bantam River - These are some photos of plants along the Bantam River I took last month(I got to catch up on my posting!).

SEASON OVER...

Granville, MA - This is Sussmann's Berry Farm, closed for the season. During the season you can pick your own blueberries.

NOVEMBER

You're funny…and you take pictures of empty streets …and no leaves on the trees
Lonely pictures not quite winter…November.- "Three Days of the Condor"

BIRCH BIRDS NEST

Now that the leaves are off I can see things hidden by those leaves like this birds nest. I found it interesting being made out of birch bark.

MOXIE - THE OFFICIAL SOFT DRINK OF MAINE

Most of you may not have heard of Moxie Soda but it was the first mass marketed soda in the country. It was invented in Lowell, Massachusetts by Dr. Augustin Thompson of Union Maine in 1884. It was first sold as a patent medicine that would cure most anything. On the can it has Gentian Root as one of the ingredients which is supposed to be an anti-inflammatory and gastric stimulant and increase appetite. Gentian Root is bitter and is used in Angostura Bitters.

Moxie is an aquired taste, at first it reminds you of root beer and then the bitterness kicks in; it does have that medicinal taste but the more you drink it kind of grows on you. I first had Moxie when I was just a tyke, my grandmother used to give it too me mixed with milk; it is actually very good like that.

I bought this can at the Granville General Store in Granville, MA. I did notice that they had quite a bit in the cooler. I asked the owner if they sell much of this and she said it is a very big seller. People of all ages drink it but mostly older people. She also said that it was big with the bicyclist for some reason.

Info: Moxie Soda

PAN

Camden, ME - This is a Pan statue in front of a store in Camden Maine.

Sorry I have been absent from my blog. I have been very busy in the last month traveling and teaching at work. I even squeezed in a birthday on Wednesday. We went out to eat for my birthday today because I was too busy and tired to go out on the day.

FALL MILL

Gramville, MA - This mill is known as "The Mill in the Meadow" located in Granville, MA. Looks nice with the autumn foliage in the background.

THE GOURD AND THE WINDOW

I was walking into my front door and I looked over and saw this gourd and new it would make a good photo...at least I think so.(lol) GourdS around the house are one of the things that mean autumn to me.

CODE TALKERS

Albuquerque, NM - The "Code Talkers" were Navajo Indians that were used by American Forces against the Japanese in World War II. Speaking in the Navajo language and using a code, they were able to communicate with each other quickly and without the Japanese knowing what they were talking about. Since the Navajo had no words for hand grenade or tank, they substituted potato and tortoise.

These code talkers were in front of a book store and were signing books on Code Talkers and photos.

Info: Wikipedia


I will be back to New England soon, I just spent a week in Chicago on business and need to check my photos stock.

KAYAK UNDER THE BRIDGE

Litchfield, CT - A photo goinging under the bridge on the Bantam River.

DARTH VADER AND THE WITCH

Albuquerque, NM - Some balloons from the Balloon Fiesta. Keeping with the Halloween theme, we have a witch.

FRIGHTENING!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.