Welcome to the Island View Bar & Grill. David and I come here on Saturday to relax, and discuss important issues. No politics, economics, religious wrangling, and no Covid-based disputes. There are plenty other people discussing that stuff. We’re talking top-shelf critical issues like Linda G. Hill’s latest Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. And we’re going to wash the conversation down with some top-shelf beverages. OK, only one of us is drinking from the top shelf. Anyway, Linda says:
“Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ‘a rainy day.’ Write about the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the phrase ‘a rainy day.’ Enjoy!”
“Have you been doing any work in your shop, Dan?”
“Unfortunately, not, David. It’s been too cold.”
“We’ve had some highs in the forties. How much warmer do you want it?”
“Highs in the forties arrive at two-o’clock in the afternoon, it’s the eighteen degrees – or lower – it goes down to overnight. I mean it was two degrees last night.”
“But you work in the afternoon, not at three in the morning.”
“On a typical day, the overnight low hangs around until ten in the morning. Everything in the shop is cold.”
“Cold? You boys want cold? We have cold. We have cold beer on tap. Cold Coronas in the cooler. Ice for David’s second auxiliary glass, and cold seltzer for his snifter.”
“Your stuff, we want cold, Cheryl. I just don’t fancy grabbing an eighteen-degree tool.”
“What about heat, Dan. Don’t you have a space heater out there?”
“I do, David. And, after about an hour, the ambient air in the workshop is about fifty degrees.”
“That should be plenty warm. Go out, turn on the heat, go back in, have your toast while the shop gets toasty, too.”
“No can do.”
“Why not?”
“Sorry to interrupt. I can answer that question for Dan in a minute. Here’s your John Howell’s bourbon David and your Corona, Dan. I’ll be right back with a couple cherries for that bourbon.”
“And maybe a new playlist.”
“What’s wrong with the playlist now, David. It’s ‘Classic Hits of the Seventies,” Not old enough for you?”
“I can’t stand Neil Sedaka. I didn’t like ‘Laughter in the Rain’ when it was a hit in 1974 and, in my humble opinion, it hasn’t aged well.”
“Well, don’t freak out, as they would have said back then, the song’s almost over.”
“What’s next, ‘Rainy Days and Mondays’ ?”
“It’s a seventies theme, David not a rainmaker theme.”
“OK, but if there’s one more rain song, it better be “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence. – Now, tell me why Dan can’t use a space heater.”
“He can’t do that because he’s smart…or perhaps his wife is.”
“If those are the two choices, Cheryl, I’ll go with his wife. But I don’t follow.”
“You should never leave a space heater running unattended.”
“She’s right, David. Once I turn it on, I stay with it.”
“What are you two, Mr. and Mrs. Smokey the Bear?”
“It’s not worth the risk. Besides, the heater gets the room up to fifty, but my tools are still eighteen. Especially things like my table saw, which are big blocks of cast iron.”
“Have you thought about adding a real heating system, Dan?”
“I have, but that’s a financial bridge too far.”
“It might be worth it, if you could wake up and go out there.”
“I did the cost estimate on an electric garage heater. It would be over five-hundred and fifty dollars a month to get the garage comfy during the day and keep it above thirty degrees overnight.”
“For that kind of money, Dan, you could come here way more often.”
“Haha – that’s true, Cheryl, but I don’t think that idea is going to fly either.”
“You boys want any food?”
“Do you have specials today?”
“We do, Dan. Barbecue Chicken Eggrolls.”
“Oh, let’s have two orders of those.”
“And another round, as long as my young friend is buying.”
“I’m buying.”
“OK, Dan. I get that over five hundred dollars is a lot, but electric heat is the most expensive way to go.”
“That’s true, David, but everything else involves fire.”
“Aren’t you the one who told me that fire is uncontrolled, and that when it’s controlled, it’s a flame?”
“That sounds like something I would say, but even an open flame is a problem with sawdust, and wood finishes.”
“OK, I was just trying to help.”
“I appreciate that. You can help next week.”
“How’s that?”
“You can pick up the bar tab.”
No Facilities 
My laugh-out-loud moment came in the line about “if those are my two choices.” Sarcasm among friends is a thing of beauty. I applaud the lesson you are teaching in the dialogue, but I need an extra sweater to look at those photos — I’m surprised my computer screen doesn’t frost over. The egg rolls are a lovely contrast!
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I’m always glad to hear you laugh at the bar, Maureen. These are the things friends can say. We are all the way up to 5° – looks like it’s gonna be a scorcher 😊those egg rolls were delicious. I hope you’re warm and safe today. Have a nice weekend.
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You have snow rolling in, and we have lots of rain in the forecast which will flood out several roads near us. So, we’ll do the ‘retired’ thing and just stay in until it’s over. :-) I’ve been walking the beach each day even when it requires a hood and gloves, but I will decline rain walking. Lots of dogs down here with coats but not one as good looking as Maddie. Stay well and warm.
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MAddie sends her thanks, Judy (as do I). It slipped down a degree and id sitting at 4° right now, Maddie’s coat won’t be much help – neither will mine. I’ll stay inside. It’s a good weekend to be inside watching football, You both have a chance to be happy. I don’t have much of one, but it’s always good to be in the mix.
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A fun story. I really didn’t think of songs, but I’m glad you did!!
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The playlist at the real bar is a constant source of aggravation, GP. They flit between show tunes, classic rock and disco. They get a lot of comments and a few complaints.
I hope you’re far enough south to avoid the storm heading east. Have a nice weekend.
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We’re having 55-75*F weather – I love it!
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Nice
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I am with you on the safety thing Dan, and I also don’t like working in cold places. I have done my fair share in the past.
Here’s another song for your playlist from the 70s
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Now that’s a good rain, Song, Willow, I’ve always liked James Taylor. One day this week, I pushed the “repeat” button when “Mexico” was playing. Such a fun song.
I hope you have a great weekend.
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You can’t beat a bit of James Taylor 🤣🤣
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River had to enlarge the photo and grab her reading glasses… but yes. Mission accomplished!
Have you thought about a heat pump for your garage? The one we put in the man cave costs about $80 in the dead of winter to keep 70 degrees. And that’s a big space.
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Oooooh – that sounds like a great option. I’ll see if I can interest the Minister of Finance. I’m glad you found the bunnies. I need to start taking a better camera out with me.
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The heat pumps are way more efficient in the summer when used as air conditioning, I hardly even notice the electric bill increase then.
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I’d love an air conditioned shop even more tha a heated on.
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Then heat pump is definitely the way to go. They cost about $4,000 so it’s not cheap, but we’ve been happy with ours. Just clean the filter now and then, easy peasy.
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I love Creedence Clearwater Revival and yes, I’ve seen the rain. 💚 I hope you and yours stay warm through this arctic blast. Thank you for the morning smiles, Dan.
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They were a great band, Gwen. I only recently learned that they were from California. Certainly not what I would link with the California style of music. They’ve always been a favorite.
I hope you have a nice weekend. We’re staying inside.
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Good girl Maddie!!~!
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Thanks. I think she nodded to you 😊
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Wow, Dan. It is cold there. I don’t remember it getting that cold in Darien or Wilton. I think the sound kept the temperatures more moderate. Loved Pam’s leaf. I’m sure she will make something out of that. The photos made me shiver. It looks like we are getting a 32-degree night tonight. That is way cold enough for me. I hope you have a terrific weekend. Thanks for the mention, and I agree about Sedaka and love me some Creedence.
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Yeah, my buddy has a house in Westport, and it’s always warmer there, John. It always amazes me when the storm tracks ride along I-84. I delayed our opening in Glastonbury once because we had 6” of snow. They had rain in Glastonbury. This storm is supposed to bring 1-2” south of 84 and 2-4” north of the highway.
You shiver at 32. I think it’s cold. My brother in Iowa say that’s shorts and flip-flops weather :-)
Have a great weekend. Maybe we’ll pull a rabbit out of our hat tomorrow night ;-)
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Does Maddie get nano spikes too? CCR / James Taylor – good vibes!
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Haha – she doesn’t, but four-paw drive seems to work pretty well, although she skids around on glare ice. We’ve looked into boots for her, but we haven’t found anything that looks like a good fit.
I hope you have a nice weekend.
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It has been cold here. Just not that cold. And there has not been enough snow to melt and make much ice. Which is kinda to the good. Maybe just not too good in gardening terms. You are gonna have to stop by Pam’s to find the cure for a rainy day. Though getting David to pick up the tab next week is not a bad alternative. Happy
Saturday Dan.
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I did stop at Pam’s. I told her she got the prompt, maybe without even trying ;) We might get more snow tomorrow night, and rain, and ice…sigh.
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Stay safe with those micro grips and that sled dog stuck on pull…
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Oh, the people at work who would leave for the day and forget to turn off the heaters they had under their desks…! Always a problem. Those poor leaves–they do look pretty though, especially the freeze-thaw one. Stay warm, Dan. Have a great weekend!
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I started scratching my head at the notion of office space heaters in Florida, but then I remembered how your buildings’ air conditioners usually seem to be set at “Arctic.”
Have a great weekend, too, Lois.
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Great conversation at the bar. We don’t have a space heater, but I would never leave it unattended if we did. That’s just an accident waiting to happen.
The barbecued chicken egg rolls look scrumptious. I would gladly trade my Cheerios/blueberries for them!
The “wheelies” photo is a hoot! Beautiful shot of Old Glory proudly displaying her Stars and Stripes in the wind. That lone leaf looks like a baseball mitt hanging on to the ball for dear life waiting for the umpire to make the call!
At 5:30 am it was 10 degrees F. Now it’s 5. WTH? 🥶 Yep, staying in this weekend. Snow coming Sunday night into Monday. So far local forecasts have been 6”-12”, 6”-9”, and back to 6”-12”. If this is multiple choice, I’m opting for the 6”! Lol!
Hope you all stay warm and Maddie is content with no walks. Whose idea was winter anyway?!
Ginger
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Maddie went out to do her business, dragged us right back in and never moved from the couch when walk time approached. I think we’re good, Ginger.
Our snow forecast has been steadily dropping. Now we’re at 1-3″ which is fine. We’re up to a sweltering 10 degrees, still along way from walking weather.
Maybe that leaf is trying out for the bird-ball teams. It was right behind the backstop of the baseball field.
MuMu has staked out her comfy place in the sun. She periodically jumps down to criticize my writing, get brushed and jump back up. She’s a joy to have around.
Stay warm, and get Murphy in and out quick like a bunny.
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I recognized all the tunes from the playlist, Dan. We are preparing for a combination storm of snow, ice, sleet mix. I don’t think anyone here will be doing much walking or driving for that matter.
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The famous “wintry mix” – I know it well. I hope it doesn’t interfere with anything. Stay safe and warm, Maggie.
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I’m right there with you on the fire safety! (From one who checks the stove 3 times before leaving.) There are so many rain songs. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is one of the coolest. Interesting video.
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And the iron, as if anyone uses them anymore, we always had to check the iron. We have a neighbor who starts a fire in their woodstove and then leaves. My wife cringes at the thought. I really like CCR, that was a good rain song.
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Chances are the wood stove will always be okay, but it would have to be cold before I’d leave it. Maybe room temperature. CCR is great!
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We’ve had our stove get very hot when the wind shifts to a particular direction. We never leave it.
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What about ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’? Good safety decision on the space heater.
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Another good rain song. I’d let that one play without complaining. I might even sing along (which would get others complaining).
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Why not, I always do. Gets under the wife’s skin…
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Hubby suggested maybe a minisplit unit with heat capabilities and an inverter. T would be AC too in Summer. 🤷♀️
The only thing more annoying than Neil Sedaka is Neil Sedaka with Kiki Dee. 😂 But lay off the Carpenters. 😉They were huge in the 70’s. I’m not too sure about BBQ chicken egg rolls but we used to get awesome avocado eggrolls at BJs Grillhouse in Florida. A lot of bars make some version of them. Enjoy your weekend, Dan!
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I should have checked with you before dumping on the Carpenters. The egg rolls were wonderful. I’m not sure I can justify AC in the shop, or heat for that matter. I’m never out there more than a few days a week, even in the summer. But a boy can dream :-)
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I like all those rain songs. I heard a few of them on the drive home as I had the 70’s channel on the radio.
I have a two space heaters gifts from my kids that I never leave on untended! I’m too afraid to leave the room with them on.
It’s been chilly here too, but you’re far braver going out in 20 degrees to walk. I wait until the afternoon when it’s a wee bit warmer.
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Yeah, we never leave ours unattended.
A lot more people walk in the afternoon, which is great, but not with Maddie. She doesn’t like to see people in her park, on her street, in her neighborhood, and she lets them know. She’s really pretty rude.
I didn’t know where else to go with this prompt. There are so many rain songs :)
Thanks for stopping by, Deborah. I hope you have a great weekend.
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Lol! Entertaining, to say the least. I love all the photos included. But the dialogue is hilarious. I’d suggest waiting until spring has thawed everything out to visit the workshop! Great response to the prompt, Dan!
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Thanks Jan. We sometimes get a warm snap near the end of January or early February. I might visit the shop then. It’s all the way up to 12 degrees right now. Yeah, I’m staying inside. I hope yo have a nice weekend.
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To David, I love rain songs, and there were so many great ones in the 70s. :) Thanks for including CCR. I usually have what I call “a sense of culinary adventure,” but I’ll pass on those barbeque chicken eggrolls.
Beautiful gallery again, Dan. I love Maddie looking up at you. Hugs on the wing.
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The 70s were good years for music. Those egg rolls were very good. CCR is a favorite of mine. Maddie gives me this looks a lot during our walks. Usually it’s when she wants to go for a longer walk. “Can we go around?”
I hope you have a good weekend. Hugs.
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Loving Smokey the Bear but my fave photo? You know it-freeze thaw leaf😄
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Ha. That’s our cycle, Cheryl. Freeze thaw.
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Maddie is one really smart Redhead! I love CCR and I have always had a special spot in my heart for that song.
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They’re a favorite band and that’s a favorite song 🙂
Maddie says “all redheads are smart 😏”
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We don’t get enough rain around here… but today is one of those days and I’m so happy. Not only do my plants get free water but I have a built-in excuse not to work on our latest house project. Win-win!
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Haha. I love it when it works like that.
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Barbecued egg rolls? You are a brave man. My studio is also unheated. Even in the 50s, it’s a bit rough to work in there. Uninspiring I guess you’d say.
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That’s a good word for it. Those egg rolls were delicious.
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If I can vote on the music for the bar, CCR is a great choice. “Have you Ever Seen the Rain” is one of my favorites…I played it often when much younger.
I also vote on not leaving the space heater running unattended or spending way too much money on electric heat.
It was cold here today, but the wind died down. I was able to go for a walk at 3:00 and not freeze to death. How much snow are you expecting this weekend?
Have a good rest of your weekend, Dan, and I’ll be rooting for your guys tomorrow.
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Thanks Mary. CCR seems to be a universal favorite. I’ve always liked them.
Our forecast has been changing constantly. We’re down to 1-3” of snow with rain and possibly ice. It’s heading below zero tonight, but back into the 40s on Monday. It never got above 12 today. Crazy weather.
Thanks for rooting for us, we’re going to need all the help we can get.
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A great song. I’m fond of the Eagles.
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Another great band.
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And Hello Darkness, my old friend, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0
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That is a classic 🙂
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I would not fancy freezing cold tools either, Dan. Some things are just better during the summertime.
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This is true, Robbie.
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I felt like I was looking outside at my house…the weather looks quite familiar. Sorry that it’s so cold that you can’t work out in your shop. Good thing you have plenty of blogging fun to work on. Always a pleasure to virtually join you at the bar on the weekend. Cheers to warmer weather!
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Good one Dan. And I think it’s cold when it’s in the 60s here. We do get snow up in mountains and in Northern California. My daughter couldn’t get to work for 2 weeks due to back to back snow storms. We need the snow pack for our water supply but it seems like either feast or famine. We are using an electric space heater in our main room too.
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I read about those storms but I’m never sure where people are in relation to the snow. We get very general information here about anything on the west coast or southwest.
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This was near Lake Tahoe.
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I love Rainy Days and Mondays, Dan! I also like the musical Singing in the Rain.
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I love that movie!
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I never leave a fire or space heater unattended. Love the tree, flag, Maddie, and the fun in the snow photos. Stay warm, Dan. Our ice melt won’t work when it’s this cold.
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Nope, it melts little holes, but that’s it. There are so many aspects to being safe, Jennie. It sounds like you have it under control.
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I hope so!
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When you first mentioned the special, I thought, “Ugh! Barbecue eggrolls?” But the picture looks tempting. Ship me an order, would you?
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I wish I could. The filling is what you’d expect with pulled pork, only chicken. These guys will put anything on an egg roll.
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LOL!
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