We attended "Chamberlain: A Civil War Romance" at the Maine State Music Theater yesterday afternoon. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (1828-1914) was quite a guy. I'd have to say he was Maine's greatest military hero. He volunteered and joined the Union army and rose to the rank of Brigadier General, after his gallantry at Gettysburg and especially the skirmish at Little Round Top. Along the way he was awarded the Medal of Honor, served four one year terms as the 32nd Governor of our grand state and was a faculty member and later President of his alma mater, Bowdoin College. Oh yes, just as an aside, he was fluent in nine languages!
Now, as for the musical, I thought the complicated love story between he and his wife Fanny was intriguing and kept my interest, however the score was forgettable except for a couple of songs.
MSMT's home is in the Pickhard Theater on the Bowdoin campus, and we pass this sculpture, by Swansville artist Joseph R. Query, of the man on each visit. If you've read the 1974 book, Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, you know all about Chamberlain.
He was a central figure in the historical novel.
The man's life was amazing.
A challenge at every turn
Me?
Today, I'll mow the grass.
I've always liked carousels. When I hear that calliope music playing, I'm drawn to them like a moth to a flame. I think my love of these rides can all be traced back to our family's day trips to Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach. I remember those first few years when my interest concentrated on all those kiddie rides like swirling teacups, the miniature cars and trucks that went round and round and maybe my favorite, the small boats in real water with bells you could ring constantly. Those days, long before I took on the challenging bumper cars, tall slides and the scary funhouses, recall fond memories. Marchin and I were reminiscing about them just yesterday.
Do you like merry-go- rounds?
Want to be reminded of them all day?
One of my favorite bands, the Hollies, had a hit with "On a Carousel".
Love the Graham Nash stuff.
Try getting this 'brainworm' stuck in your head all day.
Ah yes, we were innocent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XRjp7vClT8&feature=kp
Summers, the cemetery was one of our playgrounds. We spent a lot of mornings and afternoons taking on the challenging project of catching frogs in any of the five ponds. Leo was good at it. I wasn't. I was much more adept when it came to racing our homemade buggies down this hill next to the Shaw tomb. Why we called them buggies boggles my mind to this day, but we did. Wood was easy to find. Wheels off a discarded baby carriage worked well. You needed a large bolt that went down the middle at the front to control the wheels, allowing then to pivot right and left. I must admit that we did pattern them after the soapbox derby vehicles that we so detested. Looking back, I do believe we really hated those things, because none our parents would 'foot the bill' that was needed to get the materials, directions and specs to build the carts.
Anyway, we boxed in the front, painted them up, added a number, and we were ready to fly!
This hill was a favorite spot.
Why?
'bout 50 yards down there was a wicked left turn.
Then an immediate right.
Then a fast 75 yard downhill straightaway to the ponds.
This 'run' really tested the maneuverability and aerodynamic construction of your buggie.
Winner take all!
I've ventured on the eighth grade trip to Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore many times in the past. It's my last few days to spend with these friends and the end of hectic years. The five day trips often fall mid-summer or even in August. This year though it commenced three days after school got out. I find the adventure therapeutic in some strange odd-ball way that really can't be justified or explained to the uninitiated in the middle school game. The last day is always the same: a straight shot from outside Philly. Wake up, pack, eat, head home, arriving in the school parking lot around 5. This year though, starting from day one, it was anything but rote. Heading to NYC, you expect traffic. This year, however, it seemed worse than ever. It threw Day 1 off completely. We always head to South Seaport, under the Brooklyn Bridge, for a beautiful cruise aboard the Zephyr and then dinner. Easy. Not this year though. We fought traffic all the way. Everyday. So yesterday, it was back to New York for our cruise at 11:15. Traffic reared its ugly head, but we made it with but 15 minutes to spare. Now, if the story ended here and we headed back north at 1, everything would have been rosy. Arrival would have been pushed back a bit, maybe until about 8PM, but workable. I'll just say this. Someone offered the idea that a swing to Times Square would be the 'cherry on the top' and just a super-memorable way to end the kids' look at the City.
Wrong!
So very WRONG!
I've bored you enough, but let me just end with this.
Buses pulled into the school lot at 12:15 AM.
It ended up a six day adventure, not 5.
Happy Friday!
ps Hated the traffic; loved our kids!
Well, Elvis lives on the boardwalk.
We spent the afternoon at Seaside Heights, NJ taking in the sights along the boardwalk. It still isn't back to its pre-Sandy condition by a long shot, and the devastating fire of last September didn't help either. Seaside seems to be back with its large pizza slices, sausage and onions subs and the squealing of the rides. However its sister city, Seaside Park, down the boardwalk hasn't been as lucky. To the right about 300 hundred yards or so the 'fun and games' and food shops end pretty abruptly. It seems to be in need of some TLC and maybe a dose of 'critical care'.
In another summer, let's hope all is well, with the boardwalk stretching as far as the eye can see.
"Don't Be Cruel"
The clouds in the background look ominous, but the sun broke through and everything turned hot, hot, hot. We spent the first part our day at Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari. A couple of mocha coffees and walks through the park got me through the heat. No, I did not take a trip along the roads of the safari adventure. I've taken that in more than a few times and have had my fill of giraffes licking bugs and crap off the windshield and animals copulating everywhere. Nuff said. In the evening, we were off to Citizens Bank Park and a game between the hometown Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins. Final score 7-4 the 'good guys'. It wasn't an exciting game... and I thought the Red Sox were struggling this summer. How far this franchise has fallen since the glory years and their World Championship in 2008. I still recall that summer of '61 when they were on the losing end of 23 straight games, still a major league record.
Back at the hotel at 11:30ish, the kids crashed.
The relentless heat, less than nutritious food all day and 9 innings of the ol' ballgame had taken it's toll.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
I'm on the move.
Lounging at a wave pool in Allentown, PA
I spent all day yesterday at a waterpark with about 130 of my close and personal friends. I'm on my annual sojourn to Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore with a bunch of eighth graders. We hit NYC Sunday and later in the day ventured to our hotel in New Jersey. Today it's Six Flags and then off to Citizen Bank Park to watch the hometown Phillies battle the Florida Marlins. The days are draining but fun-packed. I don't know what to make of it. Most people given the chance to spend a beautiful summer week in Maine would not opted out and settle for a week with 14 and 15 year olds.
I find it invigorating.
And that's the truth.
What do you read into that?
I don't know about you, but I for one have a lot of trouble turning things off and on. Doing most things in life on a whim ain't my game. Being impulsive left and right seems to get me nothing but trouble. But then again, tossing and turning, so to speak, over some large or small decision leads me to mostly frustration. Take for example a purchase of an item of clothing. If it's something I really want, but not need, I might go back and forth with it in my mind, weigh the pros and cons, but buy it and feel fine. After a day or so, the relative 'pain' is gone, and I'll even find myself chuckling and wondering why all the back and forth. In my world, I can do a lot of rationalization, but desire most often is the trump card.
You see, I lead no life of whimsy really.
Example time: I want a Jag in my driveway.
However, when I come right done to it, I don't really want a Jag.
Am I making sense?
Some mornings, I feel I'm just writin' words.
Maybe...
My guess on this shot is somewhere during the winter of '66. That Chevy in the driveway puts this on Bishop Street, one of my old hangouts. That's not an iPod in my hand there, but what it is I have no idea. My guess is that it's some book. In HS with the Jesuits, I was constantly reading something. I'm also dating this by what I'm wearing here. It looks to be one of my paisley shirts under my corduroy double-breasted winter coat. This image was sent along to me from friend JL. I have no idea what I was up to in this photograph. When I got into high school and started chasing the fair gender, I had lots of days like this.
Confusion reigned.
And I was a royal.
Summer 2014 commences today in two minutes at 6:51 AM. It's also the longest day of the year. Throughout my reign as an educator working with that crowd of 12-14 year olds, I always liked to pass on a few of Mark's 'words of wisdom'. I even had a few for the staff uttered forth to those who wanted to listen and not turn away, that is.
One was that the day after school got out, this year that would have been yesterday the 20th, was really the longest day of the year. The framework was simple for the day. It was your day. Kickback. Try to do absolutely nothing other than what you really wanted to do. Sleep late. Enjoy that extra cup of coffee. Take in the sun. Tip a beverage or two. Be with friends or self. Smell the roses.
I tried hard to follow my own rules every year.
Now?
Every day is MY day!
Take pleasure in my flowering, yellow coreopsis this morning.
"If you've got the legs, we've got the kilt."
I've had a poster hanging on my back wall for years sent to me by the Admissions Director of the College of Wooster in Ohio. There are a few colleges out the there with the mascot, 'the Fighting Scots' and even less high schools. At last count I found only three high schools, across this country, carrying this moniker. It sets us apart from the boring lions, tigers, bears bulldogs and red storms etc. I think that is so very cool.
BE Pride!
Usually, if I promise something, I'm one who carries 'the threat' out. When I mentioned to Elenka, back about nine months or so ago that when I retired I was planning on wearing a kilt my last day, she shook her head and uttered these words, "Oh no you are NOT!" The line was delivered with vigor. J- at first thought that only embarrassment would be the end product. To say the least, they mellowed to the idea over time.
Yesterday...
The kilt was a hit!
The kids loved it.
My faculty loved it!
Even Elenka said when I left the house, "I must say, it looks better than I thought."
That was a seal of approval.
She can be pretty blunt.
btw This is a traditional Irish kilt.
I LOVE the sounds of a good pipe band too!
"Good Morning class. There is no test today, but there are some answers. What some of you have been waiting for."
So here I am, captured this past March in some down time by good friend, Lori. If I had a baseball card, a few vital stats on back would include:
Name: Mark
Occupation: Educator
Location: Bonny Eagle Middle School (Scottish-themed school... hence the kilt today. Pictures at 11)
Grades: 7 and 8
Clan: Stirling
Subject: English, Reading, Writing
Number of years in Education: 41 1/2
Number of Years in same building: 41 1/2
Fellow Bloggers I've met:
BC from the Lou and Brattcat
On my radar: Lowell, SCreech, Sketchbook Wanderer.
"Class, any questions?"
Surprised?
http://www.bonnyeagle.org/BonnyEagleMS.cfm
... from Birdman's Top 25-
#2 Family
Elenka, Justin, Constance, Martin, Joanne, Diane so supportive. Elenka. What can I say. Dad was certainly right when he said that you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I have no idea what you saw in that twirpy guy in a suit at King.
I have a wonderful, creative best bud in J-. That word 'creativity' is thrown around a lot, but if you'd see his work you'd be amazed too. J-, you pushed me forward during times when I was having tough days. Thank you!
ps. Does Heidi Klum count as family? Love that girl. I got a 'missed call' this morning. I think she called to wish me well on my speech.
Living in a partial fantasy world helps too.
... for Birdman's Top 25-
#3 LOVE the Work We Do!
I don't know who said it, but it drives me now. IF you can't do the little things right, don't even think about tackling the BIG things in life.
I 'got lucky'...
My team is amazing! Donna helps me everyday with the little things and gives the confidence to go after the seemingly insurmountable.
After an interview process went the other way, and the person hired failed to perform up to expectations and quit. My boss called me into his office and said to me, "Well, where do we go now?" My retort, "Has that gal we passed on been hired somewhere? I want that blonde!" Six months after her hire and impressive work, he stopped by my room and said, "I'll never doubt you again, M-." Thank you Alexis!
Hossein, love you dearly. I've passed the Clan Stirling tartan tie on to you. Your zany sense of humor will take you far, along with your incredible enthusiasm for science. You guys added 10+ years to my career.
Rob, you have no idea how fortunate you were when 'lady luck' tapped you on the shoulder.
I've talked about how I feel about luck before.
It visited me here.
... for Birdman's Top 25-
#5 Play Music Loud!
Music flows from my room every morning, usually starting about 6:45 AM. I do believe, some days, my doors vibrate! Variety is truly the 'spice of life'. The following shows this adage. My playlist for TODAY is dotted with, in no particular order, The Kinks, The Who, The Beatles, The Moody Blues, The Byrds, Stevie Ray Vaugh, The Stones, The Boss, Southside Johnny and the Jukes, Dwight Yoakam, Van Morrison, Dropkick Murphys, The Eagles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Dead, Jimmy Cliff, Buckwheat Zydeco, Classical, any kind of Jazz, The Killers, Jack White, Radiohead, Rosanne Cash, Queen, The Talking Heads, Dire Straits, Lucinda Williams, BB King, Beck, Brad Paisley, British Invasion music, Bob Marley, Backwheat Zydeco, Celtic music, Dusty Springfield, Dean Martin, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Frank Zappa, The Four Seasons, The Bee Gees, James Brown, Jimmy Buffit, Journey, Lyle Lovett, Miles Davis, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Four Tops, Neil Young, Patsy Cline, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Steely Dan, Steve Miller Band, The Beach Boys, The Corrs, The Cranberries, The Pretenders, The Saw Doctors, U2, Warren Zevon and more. Tomorrow's another day... my playlist is subject to change.
Take a breath, Birdman.
As you can see, my taste is all over the place.
And yes, your favorite band is on my List... somewhere.
Now, the revelation... I'm a 'closet' ABBA, MJ and Cher fanatic!
You didn't think I was going to reveal THAT, yet.
Did you?
... for Birdman's Top 25-
#10 Don't be Afraid to Use 'Restorative' Practices
I have never used any coloring agents in my hair. You can ask Elenka. Some people will not even believe her. It's true though. It's brown. It's curly. It's long, mostly. I keep it cut, due to complaints from my fans. A little product, sure. A little hairspray, sure. Now, as for the 'stache, with an auburn beard that I inherited from my grandfather's father, sure it needs a slight 'touchup' each month. I've never denied this fact. If you asked, you were told. Love my mustache that has been a part of my ensemble since my collegiate days. When the Beatles grew them for the Sgt. Pepper album in 1967, I got the 'bug'.
Been "Getting Better" ever since.
Well, at least in my eyes.
Happy Fathers' Day!
* Play "Getting Better" for today's BIG hint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk0dBZ1meio&list=RDJk0dBZ1meio#t=25
... of Birdman's Top 25-
#15 Discover a Passion
Mine is writing, and I try to show the excitement of it to all I come across. As some of you know, I have a daily photo blog. I've posted one of my photographs and a bit of my writing each day since 2008. I write at 5AM. I haven't missed a day. I'm pretty proud of that fact. After Thursday, you can still track me down and follow my comings and goings @ portcitydailyphoto. Better still WRITE!
Start a blog!
Diary!
Journal!
But here's my dilemma. Writing keeps THEM on track with me, but what about all these friends I leave on the 19th?
Over the last few months, I've been attempting to deal with this.
Pretty much to no avail.
Friends at work, how to I keep track of you?
I'll miss seeing YOU at work.
Suggestions?
ps. Happy Flag Day!
...of Birdman's Top 25-
#17 Long Friendships
I have a couple of long relationships from youth. Peter, Paul and Mark. They call us the three apostles. My friends from way back are few. You can really count them on two fingers. Some of my fondest memories surround Peter's mom buying us sixpacks. She'd tell the clerk her son was home from Vietnam. He musta come home every weekend. Heading off to all night fiascos at Serenity Hill Dance Hall, with these two pals, was just about a weekly ritual. I met Paul in Confraternity classes when we hit 7th Grade (7th Grade lasts a long time), and we continued our high school sojourn together with the Jesuits. In some shape or form, this trinity have been sidekicks ever since. And what can I say... could we have selected a better 'sondtrack' than the GREAT 60's hits? I think not.
The Kinks.
The Beatles.
The Stones.
The Byrds.
The Who.
The Zombies.
The Moodies.
... and on and on and on.
...of Birdman's Top 25-
#22 Wear Ties!
Be fashion forward!
Bow Ties are trendy!
Lovya PV where ever you are.
When he became my boss, I will always remember his quote, "Gentleman Look Good in Ties." I've lived by that mantra ever since I heard him utter those words.
We also spent 3 days together at a conference, a way from it all, at his Sugarloaf chalet. On a Friday afternoon on our return, I was headed back to my desk. He asked me, "Where are you going?" "Back to my desk and see how the week went, I replied." "No you are not. The desk will be there Monday morning. Go home enjoy a great weekend with Elenka." ... and I did.
Today, I'm wearing a dark blue shirt with a Salvador Dali tie.
... and I do believe, I look good!
Again, it is all about me, remember.
Hahahahahahaha!
Last year my friend Todd stopped by my desk and offered a hearty handshake, as I celebrated 40 years of work in the same building. He asked me simply, "How did you do it?" That got me to thinking. How did I do it? At my retirement party Saturday night, I offered up some pearls of wisdom accumulated over the last 41 and 1/2 years of work. Over the next week or so, I'll pass along some of my Top 25. Let's start here:
I introduced it this way...
Welcome change.
Evolve.
Be flexible.
Adapt.
Adapt.
Adapt.
How long will it take you to figure what I'm bidding farewell to?
Hints included everyday.
hehehehehehehehe!
ps. BC in the Lou, annie's mom, Creech and of course Elenka cannot guess. They know.
Go ahead and GUESS!
Congress Street, in the heart of the city, is getting a bit crowded, and I don't mean with cars. It getting harder and harder to negotiate the sidewalks these days. The magazine that declared Portland as a mecca for the new foodie revolution might soon be having second thoughts. Where's my lawyer? To the right and the left of this main artery of the city, tables and chairs are scattered everywhere. Flower pots, A-frame menu boards add to the clutter. There's even a story in this morning's paper about it. See my blog is constantly on the cutting edge here in the city. In this shot, it actually looks like you have to 'parade' right through the restaurant to get down the sidewalk. Other places having this problem? You'd be hard pressed in this city to find an eating establishment these days, that does not offer outdoor dining in some shape or form. I'm blaming it, partially, on our recent harsh winter. Eating outside is the latest big thing around here. Thanks foodies! On the other hand, the smorgasbord of sidewalk clutter is one thing, but don't you just love this sign?
I LOVE it!
http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/09/as-more-diners-eat-outside-space-gets-crunched/
I don't remember the 'day the music died'.
I was alive and kicking, but the music just wasn't on my radar yet. I put coins in the Rexall Drug's jukebox and played the Everly Brothers "Bye, Bye Love", Wake Up Little Susie and "All I Have To Do Is Dream" over and over again, while Eddie played the pinball machine. That music and listening to Dell Shannon's Runaway, Do You Want To Dance and "Runaround Sue" on my transistor radio, while delivering papers were some of the first music that got to me. While working at Edna's Restaurant, there were some country western tunes that played on her jukebox that I tapped my foot to while washing dishes. I know that Floyd Cramer piano registered with me.
I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon with "Buddy" yesterday.
I knew every song.
Interestingly, I did not know that "True Love Ways", the Chad and Jeremy hit, was penned by Holly.
Always liked that one.
Question.
Why is he playing left-handed here?
On the Playbill for the show, it shows him right-handed.
Kinda strange for MSMT.
Here we are on Wharf Street in the Old Port. Lots of events are celebrated on the streets of this area. This weekend it's the 41st Annual Old Port Festival. On other days and evenings during early summer, you'll find stretch limos maneuvering the narrow streets with prom revelers, bachelorette parties and an occasional wedding itself. The party my colleagues threw for me yesterday was held in North Sebago, many, many miles away from these streets. It started mid afternoon and wove itself into the dark night. With around 120 of my closest friends, it was a party for the ages. Well, at least for my ages it was. The grills were fired up, the 'roast' given and the band played into the late evening. My speech was long, but it had to be. In 41 1/2 years in the same building, you cover a lot of ground. About a year ago when I 'hit' 40 years, a good friend asked me the simple question, "How did you do it?" I've been thinking about that question for the last couple of months. How did I do it? So, I offered up Birdman's Top 25 Words of Wisdom to the multitudes.
Stay tuned. In the next week or so I'll pass a few on. There will also be a bit of a revelation. Questions many of my blog friends have inquired about over the years, But for now...
Thank you Ethel!
Thank you Kevin!
Thank you Donna!
I will NEVER forget last night!
Celebrate SUMMER!
It's Old Port Festival weekend here in the city. I was in attendance at the very first one, back 41 years ago this weekend. There were about 10 outdoor music venues, food vendors scattered everywhere, circus performers walking the streets, beer was flowing with police looking the other way and the sun was shinning brightly. As you might imagine, things have changed a bit over the years, especially the public consumption of alcoholic beverages. Sigh. The weather will be perfect this year too. Looks like close to mid-80s. Nice. However, I think I will be elsewhere today. I hear there is going to be a little shindig in North Sebago for some character, who has survived 41 and a 1/2 years in the same workspace. One hundred and fifteen and counting of his closest friends, gorgeous weather, a live band, delicious food, public consumption of adult beverages and knowing this crew, a few hilarious surprises along the way.
Let the festivities begin!
Party on Wayne!
Party on Garth!
Words of warning-
Can a flowering plant, so simple and so delicate, be lethal? I'm here to tell you, yes, this morning. I did not know. As a small child, I was so excited getting the watering can out at my grandparents and watering 'my garden' of these small bell-shaped flowers. Did my grandmother and Mom realize how close to a hospital-run I was? There is an actual photo somewheres in an album showing me fast at work doing my watering. Consuming any part of this widespread, poisonous plant might very well lead to vision problems, diarrhea, vomiting and... gulp, possible death. Yikes! Get to a hospital fast, get hooked up to IV fluids and have electrocardiogram administered. Yikes again. This simple plant can cause some serious havoc. I even heard it made a cameo appearance in the finale of the hit series Breaking Bad.
Yikes, Yikes, and Yikes again.
Competing with a meth lab?
This beautiful flower?
There's evil in this world.
... and a white sweater know what loneliness is all about as they wait out a sunny afternoon.
Sonny's
Exchange Street
Saturday May 10, 2014
6:15 PM
What pictures do you like to capture with your camera? I'm not a pretty picture kinda guy. I don't think most photographers would admit to this. What I set out to do is capture my world. Sometimes the photos that come together are of the 'big picture' variety, that make others say, "Hey, I know where that is." Lately though, I've been aiming my lens at small pieces of my day that I just seem to stumble over. Surprises abound. For example, in my photographer mind, this was not what I was aiming for with this umbrella and sweater. But arriving home and taking a second look at what I had in the camera, I smiled.
The contrast.
The shadows.
The umbrella.
This was what was there.
It's lilac season around here.
We still have a couple of bushes playing hide-and- seek amid the bamboo to the right of our house. When we moved in, there were quite a few white and purple trees, but winter ice storms have taken their toll. These days they are all but gone. Ice does a job on these beautiful, fragrant trees, but our bamboo just seems to get stronger and more widespread. Nothing kills bamboo, I guess. This tree, in my photograph today, was given to us by my mother's cousin Billy and his wife Barbara as a house-warming gift when we moved in in '77. It stood about 24 inches then. These days it's a lone sentry guarding the garden. I kind of wished we had put in a purple one to keep it company.
Oh, stop whining, Birdman.
Take in the fragrance.
Parked on Diamond Street, these three trailers await a cab backing up, hooking and lugging them away on an adventure. Adventures are good. Elenka and I have been on many. Some have been long, a 9 week summer trip to the West. We like to cruise. We've taken 7-10 day voyages. Some of our favorite sojourns though are the daily trips around our state. We throw cameras, lunch and our Maine Gazetteer into the back seat and take off. We usually have some idea of where we are heading, but things always seem to change en route.
Often, of course, we're shooting lots of pictures.
Many times though, the volume is small, but the day is still fruitful.
Adventures are rich.
This is the guts of a 1923 Ford Model T coupe sitting along side the road seeking a new owner. I'm willing to bet it doesn't quite look like it did when it rolled off the assembly line in the Twenties. However, the Beach Boys would have loved to have put it on one of their album covers in their surfer era. For all you car enthusiasts out there, the 'lil deuce coupe' on the cover of the Beach Boys fourth album was a 1932 Ford Coupe that a 14 year old bought for $75 in the early 60s. It was bought recently for $40,000.
There's still money in hot rods.
Varooooooooom!
I took the coward's way out... sort of. Today, June 1, 2014 is Theme Day across the CDP (citydailyphoto) community. Zest is this month's challenge. I didn't think long about this one. I checked out my backlog of photos, and I'm not kidding in my crazy, demented way I could have made everyone of them fit the theme's parameters. Too many choices. I wasn't going there. The Carling Black Label brewing company has a beer called Carling Zest, one of those fruit-flavored beers that I usually steer clear of, but it was nowhere to be found on local shelves.
So I settled.
I'm coming clean.
Believe it or not, Mom actually bought this stuff.
It was one way her dirty, little urchins would 'come clean'.
Zestfully!
