No, I am NOT trying to be nasty. Phuock Dat is a popular supermarket in the very east portion of Garden City on Highway 50. Years ago, Jack Rodrock built a convenience store in that part of town. Soon after, he built a strip mall on the north and west side of the convenience store. Today, Phuock Dat is in that mall.
Over and over, we have driven by the superstore but never stopped. That all changed this afternoon. While in Garden City for business today, Stan and I ate lunch at the Golden Dragon which is a popular Chinese restaurant. While we were there, I noticed one of the restaurant's employees sweeping the floor with an unusual-looking broom. When our waitress returned to our table, I asked her for more information on it. It was the first broom that I have ever seen that requires only ONE hand to operate efficiently.
The waitress went back to the kitchen and returned with the broom so that we could take a closer look at it. There is NO wood or plastic in it except for a handy plastic tab at the top of the broom so that it can be hung in a convenient location. The rest of the broom, including the handle, is constructed of some kind of broom GRASS. The handle is thicker than most brooms that I have ever seen before. It is very soft. As you look towards the very bottom end of the broom, you notice that there is a curve in the structure. The grasses are then braided at one point. It actually resembles the notorious brooms used for witch transportation. LOL! Anyway, it is actually considered to be an unusual work of art in the United States, I found out. They are sold alot in places like Chinatown where if fo no other reason, people purchase them to hang on their walls for decorative purposes.
We bought ours for practical reasons. When we were still in the restaurant, I tried it out. It flowed so easily. Once we were home with it, I used it on our ceramic tiled kitchen floor. Our particular floor tile was constructed with pits throuout it. The new broom cleaned the floor easily and quickly. I'm totally impressed with our new broom! It is lightweight and easily maneuvered.
So, the broom brought us to Phuock Dat. Once inside, we found MUCH more than just brooms. We found lots of meat and fresh seafood, a bounty of beautiful and LARGE fruits and vegetables. There were all kinds of noodles and pasta made out of rice which is healthy. By the checkout counter, you will find many FRESH farm eggs. Some were your basic everyday white and brown chicken eggs of a large size. But right next to them, were gigantic eggs that I believe are probably turkey, geese or duck eggs. All were beautifully clean and waiting for you to take them home! They sell candy and pastries that I have never even seen before. They also have a nice selection of dried and candied fruits.
The store not only sells groceries of all sorts, they also sell beautiful pans, bowls, dishes, fireworks, bedspreads, floor mats that we call area rugs, oriental religious items as we see at the fronts of Chinese restaurants. You know what I am talking about, they hold fruits for their god, inscense, etc. They sell toys. The thing that rather creeped me is that they also sell paper clothes to dress their dead before they are buried.
Anyway, prices are more than fair, they're really good. Only one man was working while we were there. He spoke very good English and was very friendly.
They are open 7-days-a-week from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., CST.
This was not our last trip there. We'll probably be returning often.
Check it out. I think that you'll be impressed!
VLE-B
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A note to Mrs. L.A.W.
Just wanted to let you know how MUCH I THROUGHLY enjoy your comments to me!!! I just received your comment on FACEBOOK. As almost always, FACEBOOK will not allow me to leave a comment for you. I am sure that it is probably my own error. Anyway, I want you to know that I LOVE hearing from you!!! You provide bright sunshine to me every time that you write!!! You're just delightful!!!
Thank you sooo very much!!!
VLE-B
Thank you sooo very much!!!
VLE-B
A Blau Moment in Time
Yesterday afternoon, I discovered that our Buick was low on gas so we went to the convenience store to take care of that problem. For some unknown reason, I parked closer to the tanks than I ordinarily do. No problem. I can still get in and out without too much of an issue.
I was wrong. Getting out was a PAINFUL experience. I discovered that I had body parts that I had long forgotten existed. LOL!
I finally was out with all of my body intact. I fueled the car. Sent one of my daughters in to pay for it and began getting down to business...getting back INTO the car. Though I couldn't imagine that getting into the car would have been any more painful than getting out of it, I soon discovered that I was mistaken! I tried this and I tried that. The only thing that I almost succeeded in was giving myself a do-it-yourself mastectomy. Oh, mercy! Did that ever hurt!!! Still, I was located on the OUTSIDE of our car. Ugh...what should I do next? Vehicles were starting to pile up behind me so whatever the solution, I had to come up with it SOON!
As Gomer Pyle used to say, "SHAZAM!!!" Let my 12-year-old daughter do the driving!!! Normally, she would have been thrilled with the prospect of getting to drive. (One Sunday afternoon, we let her drive for a mile or two on a country road.) She nor I felt like she was a 'professional driver' yet but I had run out of other options. Leighlyn scooted over into the driver's seat and took the bull by the horns, so to speak. Unfortunately, she only thought that she had the car in DRIVE. The car did not move even when she floored it! Oh, my gosh!!! Don't ever floor it!!! Eventually, she found the DRIVE gear. Even though I only needed her to move the car forwards for 2 feet, she once again floored it! Fortunately, about 10 feet from where she needed to be, she put on the brakes and stopped the car.
At that point, my robust body was able to once again fit through the door and into the car.
Just thought that you might be interested in a chuckle today... Believe me! You probably would have been rolling around on the floor if you could have actually seen the whole incident in action!!!
VLE-B
I was wrong. Getting out was a PAINFUL experience. I discovered that I had body parts that I had long forgotten existed. LOL!
I finally was out with all of my body intact. I fueled the car. Sent one of my daughters in to pay for it and began getting down to business...getting back INTO the car. Though I couldn't imagine that getting into the car would have been any more painful than getting out of it, I soon discovered that I was mistaken! I tried this and I tried that. The only thing that I almost succeeded in was giving myself a do-it-yourself mastectomy. Oh, mercy! Did that ever hurt!!! Still, I was located on the OUTSIDE of our car. Ugh...what should I do next? Vehicles were starting to pile up behind me so whatever the solution, I had to come up with it SOON!
As Gomer Pyle used to say, "SHAZAM!!!" Let my 12-year-old daughter do the driving!!! Normally, she would have been thrilled with the prospect of getting to drive. (One Sunday afternoon, we let her drive for a mile or two on a country road.) She nor I felt like she was a 'professional driver' yet but I had run out of other options. Leighlyn scooted over into the driver's seat and took the bull by the horns, so to speak. Unfortunately, she only thought that she had the car in DRIVE. The car did not move even when she floored it! Oh, my gosh!!! Don't ever floor it!!! Eventually, she found the DRIVE gear. Even though I only needed her to move the car forwards for 2 feet, she once again floored it! Fortunately, about 10 feet from where she needed to be, she put on the brakes and stopped the car.
At that point, my robust body was able to once again fit through the door and into the car.
Just thought that you might be interested in a chuckle today... Believe me! You probably would have been rolling around on the floor if you could have actually seen the whole incident in action!!!
VLE-B
Monday, February 15, 2010
Fire Pits
In the past couple of years, fire pits have really become the rage across the United States. Some people are digging deep and wide holes so that they can center the firepit down low and then a couple of feet higher, they make seats for people to sit on that are complete with backs.
Of course, there are lots of people out there who do not want to or cannot afford to spend that much time or money in a major project such as that. Instead, those people choose to construct their own "above ground" pits. This project is relatively easy. The home-owners who are doing this usually build the outer and lower walls out of brick and mortar. Fine sand is then placed in the bottom before wood is added for burning purposes.
For many of us, it is much easier and less time-consuming to make a trip to a home supply store or variety store to purchase a pit. The pits are then taken home and placed wherever you want them. You then load them with wood, add a bit of barbeque fuel and strike your match. Walla! You have your very own fire pit! Some of these pits can be very expensive. If you cannot afford to put out the cash for them, maybe you should consider putting one on law-away now so that you will have it when the warmer weather arrives. People also have chosen to build a brick or stone wall around the pit and then to put a layer of brick or stone all around the edges of the pit. Of course, this is not necessary. It is just a matter of individual preference.
About 2 years ago, we decided to see just how much we would use a firepit before we spent money on one. Stan found a very old metal bucket. Over and over again, we used it as a fire pit. We loved it so we decided to purchase a REAL one. Last summer, we bought a copper pit that is supported by a metal ring on legs. It also has a metal mesh that goes on top to keep ashes from getting out of the pit and causing something else to catch fire. Our family and friends have throughly enjoyed it. We have roasted marshmallows and made smores many times. We have really enjoyed going out on weekend evenings, starting our fire and sitting around and enjoy looking at the stars.
In our case, we placed the pit on our brick patio which we constructed the earlier summer out of old bricks that had once been used in the Scott City, Kansas main streets.
Of course, whenever little children are going to be around, I advice that extreme caution be used! And always, make sure that the fire is out and NO hot embers remain before abandoning the fire pit!!!
VLE-B
Of course, there are lots of people out there who do not want to or cannot afford to spend that much time or money in a major project such as that. Instead, those people choose to construct their own "above ground" pits. This project is relatively easy. The home-owners who are doing this usually build the outer and lower walls out of brick and mortar. Fine sand is then placed in the bottom before wood is added for burning purposes.
For many of us, it is much easier and less time-consuming to make a trip to a home supply store or variety store to purchase a pit. The pits are then taken home and placed wherever you want them. You then load them with wood, add a bit of barbeque fuel and strike your match. Walla! You have your very own fire pit! Some of these pits can be very expensive. If you cannot afford to put out the cash for them, maybe you should consider putting one on law-away now so that you will have it when the warmer weather arrives. People also have chosen to build a brick or stone wall around the pit and then to put a layer of brick or stone all around the edges of the pit. Of course, this is not necessary. It is just a matter of individual preference.
About 2 years ago, we decided to see just how much we would use a firepit before we spent money on one. Stan found a very old metal bucket. Over and over again, we used it as a fire pit. We loved it so we decided to purchase a REAL one. Last summer, we bought a copper pit that is supported by a metal ring on legs. It also has a metal mesh that goes on top to keep ashes from getting out of the pit and causing something else to catch fire. Our family and friends have throughly enjoyed it. We have roasted marshmallows and made smores many times. We have really enjoyed going out on weekend evenings, starting our fire and sitting around and enjoy looking at the stars.
In our case, we placed the pit on our brick patio which we constructed the earlier summer out of old bricks that had once been used in the Scott City, Kansas main streets.
Of course, whenever little children are going to be around, I advice that extreme caution be used! And always, make sure that the fire is out and NO hot embers remain before abandoning the fire pit!!!
VLE-B
Garden Tips from the Garden Club of Home Depot
I just received these tips that we can do right now to ready our gardens for Spring!
1. Start pruning FRUIT trees now. Cut the dead branches and remove the sprouts from the trunk, then thin the canopy by removing crossed or crowded limbs.
2. Begin seeds INDOORS. Slow growing plants such as onions, leeks, impatiens and pansies take months to reach transplant size, so it is important to start them now.
3. Plant tuberous begonias and dahlias inside. Use potting mix and containers with drainage holes. To avoid rot, keep soil moist but NOT WET. Move the container outside when weather is warm.
4. Scatter quick-germinating COLD RESISTANT flower seeds such as larkspur, nigella, cleome, cosmos and poppies onto your garden so they'll bloom in spring.
5. Plan your upcoming landscaping projects. Decide what you would like to add to your garden in spring, such as a fire pit, arbor or fountain, then get the tools and materials you need at Home Depot.
Tips courtesy of Home Depot's Garden Club.
VLE-B
1. Start pruning FRUIT trees now. Cut the dead branches and remove the sprouts from the trunk, then thin the canopy by removing crossed or crowded limbs.
2. Begin seeds INDOORS. Slow growing plants such as onions, leeks, impatiens and pansies take months to reach transplant size, so it is important to start them now.
3. Plant tuberous begonias and dahlias inside. Use potting mix and containers with drainage holes. To avoid rot, keep soil moist but NOT WET. Move the container outside when weather is warm.
4. Scatter quick-germinating COLD RESISTANT flower seeds such as larkspur, nigella, cleome, cosmos and poppies onto your garden so they'll bloom in spring.
5. Plan your upcoming landscaping projects. Decide what you would like to add to your garden in spring, such as a fire pit, arbor or fountain, then get the tools and materials you need at Home Depot.
Tips courtesy of Home Depot's Garden Club.
VLE-B
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Our observation
Midway through last week, our daughters came down with colds. At first Mussinex with Cough Formula handled their symptoms well. However, their nighttime coughs are much too bad for that alone. The doctor has now prescribed additional cough medicines for the night otherwise they, nor us, get any rest. From what others have told us, this cough is becoming prevalent in our part of the country and others are also having to use prescription cough syrups at night.
Something else that has struck is a nasty stomach virus. Victims of it have VERY little notice that they are sick. It happened to one of our daughters at a Scott City restaurant on Friday, she never ate anything while we were there. Soon after we got there, she decided to go to the car to sleep. As soon as she stood up, she immediately sat back down and had no other choice but to throw up on her coat. The place was full so I expected a chain reaction to occur. Fortunately NO ONE ELSE had observed it.
Along with the vomiting, people are complaining, of severe stomach pain, diarrhea, fevers, headaches. Our daughter has had the whole thing. I understand that there have been a considerable amount of people ill in our town. Fortunately, the school was closed for four days because of a teacher in-service on Friday and Presidents Day tomorrow. Hopefully, people will be much better when school resumes on Tuesday.
Anyway, if you or your children develop a bad cough, be prepared to purchase prescription cough syrups...
VLE-B
Something else that has struck is a nasty stomach virus. Victims of it have VERY little notice that they are sick. It happened to one of our daughters at a Scott City restaurant on Friday, she never ate anything while we were there. Soon after we got there, she decided to go to the car to sleep. As soon as she stood up, she immediately sat back down and had no other choice but to throw up on her coat. The place was full so I expected a chain reaction to occur. Fortunately NO ONE ELSE had observed it.
Along with the vomiting, people are complaining, of severe stomach pain, diarrhea, fevers, headaches. Our daughter has had the whole thing. I understand that there have been a considerable amount of people ill in our town. Fortunately, the school was closed for four days because of a teacher in-service on Friday and Presidents Day tomorrow. Hopefully, people will be much better when school resumes on Tuesday.
Anyway, if you or your children develop a bad cough, be prepared to purchase prescription cough syrups...
VLE-B
The journey and work continue
Chris Campbell called me on Friday. Amongst other things, we discussed Peter. A couple of weeks ago, he was flown back to his doctor in New York City. That doctor was also unable to find the cause of his illness that had started while they were doing their humanitarian work in Darfur, Africa. Fortunately, during the past couple of weeks, he has been able to get Peter's fever down considerably. Peter's appetite and energy level have returned. Earlier last week, they flew to their home in Santa Rancho in California. They have been taking in the film festival there and have also been out to see if they could find any wineries for sale that they may be interested in purchasing.
Along the way, they have been given authorization to go to Haiti to help with the clean-up issues, etc. At this point, they are planning on going there sometime this week.
Your prayers would be very much appreciated for them!
VLE-B
Along the way, they have been given authorization to go to Haiti to help with the clean-up issues, etc. At this point, they are planning on going there sometime this week.
Your prayers would be very much appreciated for them!
VLE-B
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