A New Ghost Sign and Hot Dogs

We were driving home from Urbana yesterday afternoon when something caught my eye as we drove past a stretch of University Avenue. I couldn't quite figure out what it was, but as we passed I suddenly realized it was a newly exposed ghost sign...which then make me realize a building was gone. I think it was the one story building, between the pawn shop and the Cattle Bank, near the corner of First and University, that used to sell used washers and dryers. I started yelling "turn left, turn left" in a slightly panicked voice. Ernie couldn't figure out what the hell was going on until I calmed down enough to tell him I just wanted him to turn around. He kindly did and sure enough..... Ernie wondered how old it might be, given the use of the word 'Sanforized' but I looked it up and it originated in the 30's. Huh.

It was a long, busy week so all four of us were happy it was Friday and savored the afternoon. Friday afternoon is one of my favorite times. All the possibility of the weekend is there and it's as though you can just wrap it around yourself like a blanket. I love it! Ernie had bought good hot dogs from the Meat Lab so we were going to do that for a lazy dinner. Close to dinner time I got a hankering to cook though so I started rooting around in the kitchen. Owen came down and asked what we were going to have for dinner. Ernie told him hot dogs and he perked up. I said, "No, I'm thinking I might cook." He looked at me suspiciously and said, "What?" I cheerfully told him I'd found some red lentils and collard greens and he gave me a heavy-lidded look and said, "Oh....my FAVORITE." I couldn't help but laugh so I relented and said what the hell. Then I wanted to get creative with my hot dog but was shut down. I told them fine, go ahead and have your hot dogs. He and Ernie did (Leo does not partake of meat) and ate together while watching something on the computer together. I happily curled up and watched the latest episode of The Chew, which is still my guilty pleasure despite their insistence of dumbing it down further and further and further.... The theme was a potluck for $10 a person which puzzled me. That means a potluck for 30 people would be $300? These people obviously don't have house concerts. After that I made MY hot dogs. Both Ernie and Owen wouldn't even have a taste but I remembered doing this when I was a kid....cutting a slit in them filling it with cheese and wrapping it in bacon. I thought it was brilliant. I must admit however, that the best part of it was the cheese that had dripped onto the pan and crisped up. Leo came into the kitchen and I proudly showed it to him. He looked at me in disbelief and said, "You wrapped a hot dog in bacon?" When I nodded yes, he shook his head and said, "That is SO American. That is the most American thing I've ever heard" and left the room still shaking his head. Some people just don't appreciate artistry.

With a busy week at work, and being focused on our house concert, we made absolutely no plans for the weekend. I'm finding this quite delightful. Ernie is in the kitchen, listening to the radio, and cleaning up. I am puttering here. Owen is going to a movie later with his beloved Sue and has told Ernie and me that we should go out to lunch. I'm thinking perhaps he's right. So I'll poke around on here for a while and then head out.... Before I go I'll listen to some more Aaron Lee Tasjan and Bonnie Whitemore....