Greetings, Farkleberries fans: it's been a long time. While full time posting will not resume just yet, I've dipped my toes into the pool with Twitter's short and sweet 140-character limit.

Sometimes, less IS more.

http://twitter.com/reznicek111

Labels: soapbox, twitter

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Labels: chicago, humor, photo

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A fine selection of pork roll at the Manasquan (NJ) ShopRite: Taylor Ham, the true classic Trenton pork roll; Case's (aka "Jersey Ham") regular and Tangy, and for the cheapskate budget-conscious, ShopRite Brand Pork Roll. Who knows, maybe it's just as good ... but when you're indulging in artery-clogging processed pork, why skimp?

Having a 2-lb. Taylor chilling out in our freezer, I opted only to purchase two small packs of pre-sliced pork roll for holiday enjoyment (and tormenting our guests). Taylor classic in the 6-slice red box, and the 8-slice "thin" Case package.

I also picked up a 16 oz. brick of Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Scrapple for our next pancake breakfast. No, they had no Habersett's Scrapple, unfortunately.

What's your favorite kind of Pork Roll?

Labels: food, NJ, photo

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Well, I'm not sure what else to call this...the "Golden Grommet"? If anyone knows the title of the piece and the name of the artist, please let me know in the comments. Otherwise, just admire this for what it is ... and understand why it kept in the basement of the University of Chicago's Walker Hall, away from light and prying easily offended eyes.

I'm half-tempted to invite a couple of people to take a picture with a hand on each side of the...er...artwork. Instant "Golden GOATSE"!



This piece of wisdom comes from the women's room wall in the Social Sciences Building, University of Chicago, home of the History Department (and no longer the home of the Economics Department. No indeedy.)

Labels: chicago, history, photo

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For the uninitiated, Archer Avenue (also known as IL-171) is a stretch of road in the southwestern Chicago suburbs with an extraordinarily haunted reputation. From the legend of Resurrection Mary, the quintessential "ghost hitchhiker," to reports of mysterious chantings and ephemeral hooded figures gliding up a bluff at St. James Sag Cemetery, Archer Avenue is considered by many aficionados of the paranormal to be the "Ground Zero" of Haunted Chicago.



We visited St. James Sag (above, the bluffs where the mysterious hooded figures reportedly disappeared) right around Halloween, but the Willow Springs area is spooky year-round, from what we hear.

The intersection of Willow Springs Road and Archer Avenue, where we photographed these whimsical hearses outside the Ashbary Coffee House is a remarkably charming, quirky small town area near the Cook County Forest Preserves. If you find yourself at the Ashbary, be sure to check out the café library and upstairs meeting room - and try one of their delicious peanut butter lattés, a perfect warm-up for a chilly hike through the Willow Springs Woods.

(Be sure to click on the image for full resolution - the license plate reads "GREYL 80," and yes, the sign on the door does say, "Hearse Chicks Get More Stiffs". Claire from "Six Feet Under" would be proud!) For a fascinating look this eerie little corner of the Midwest's largest city, check out Ursula Bielski's excellent book Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City.

As Homer Simpson might say: "Mmmm...ghosts..."

Labels: chicago, culture, history, photo

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Glass tree container from the Salvation Army Super Family Thrift Store in Schaumburg, IL: $0.95
University of Chicago Winter Garden Pinecone: $0.00, plus a few pitch stains
The sheer delight that is a Pinecone Under Glass: priceless!

I had intended to name this cone "Milton Friedman" (those of you that know me in real life will get a chuckle out of this), but I figured the storm of current controversy might disturb this specimen's unsullied coneness. Remember: this isn't a counterfeit, it's an homage.

[Note: genuine Pinecones Under Glass™ are only available at Pinecones Under Glass™.]

Labels: photo, religion, science

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  Judging from the condition of the note, can see why "wipes" are on this shopping list - but I'm fairly sure you won't find any in the Bursar's office at the University of Chicago.

Labels: photo

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