Atomic Monster Cafe: Gentlemen, A Christmas Gift Idea...

...from those halcyon days of yore.

Imagine her excitement when she opens her gift!

It's not just a mop...it's a sponge mop, and such a deal at less than $4.00.

I'm guessing she won't have words to express her true feelings for you at that moment.

You better hope not, anyway.

Yes indeed, those were the good ol' days when you could please the little lady for next to nothing right up until she took you to the cleaners in divorce court.

No need to thank me.

And while we're on the subject of lost causes:

the biden faux-presidency in a picture: help! I've fallen and can't get up

That's what happened recently to the so-called National Christmas tree at La Casa Blanca.

What does it mean?

Exact.

In "Kowboy Korner", I'm pleased to present this impressive bull ride by one of my grandsons:

He's definitely gaining on it; that's his best / longest ride yet.

And did you notice? He landed on his feet.

O to be young again!

Well...no, actually; that's not true.

Climbing atop 1200 pounds of enraged bovine fury is nothing I ever would have attempted, even in my wild and misspent youth.

I humbly bow before his courage and applaud his improvement.

Now enough already Ike, before you break something you need, like your body!

Kids these days...

Been thinking about our next home, probably a few years hence, and kicking around the idea of an American Foursquare...

...a style common from the 1890's through 1930.

Here's a local example that's currently sale pending for nearly a million dollars:

This one is massive - built in 1906 and completely restored, it has 5 bedrooms, 3400 square feet, 4 wooded acres with a brook running through it, etc.

But that high priced luxury was definitely not the allure when this style originally caught on; quite the opposite.

They were available as mail order kits from both Sears...

...and Montgomery Ward:

not positive what a "homelike home" is, but there you have it

Just as sleek, minimalist “mid century modern” was counterpoint to rich, exuberant “art deco”, so the American Foursquare homes were a stark break from the ornate Victorian style of the 1800's.

No frills and space efficient, they were a popular and inexpensive choice for both urban and rural settings.

Even the gorgeous Gatsby home Karen and I toured a few years ago...

...has obvious traits of the American Foursquare tradition.

So why would we trade our lovely mid century modern classic for a 4square?

Well...we might not; we do love this home, and we're definitely not finished with its restoration.

It's more of a notion than a plan at this point, but if we did opt for a 4square, it would be to delve into the art deco motif.

We like mid century modern; we're not obsessed with it.

We also appreciate the aforementioned "rich exuberance" of art deco design, and we have quite a few items from that era:

sparton bluebird and colonial globe radios from the 1930's

1927 Western Electric model 102-B1 phone

various and sundry Ronson style lighters and cigarette holders from the 20's and 30's, a 1939 world's fair "trylon and perisphere" teapot, and a 1920s flapper

It wouldn't be hard to transform the decor from 4square plain to roaring 20's.

A few lighting, furniture and appliance touches...

a man cave special, this would never see the inside of our 4square kitchen

ditto on this 1920's stove...you know what will freeze over before Karen agreed to one of these. cooking with it might be ok, but reverting to hand cleaning the oven like mom did back in the day? fuggedaboudit...

...and voila, I'd be a bachelor in no time.

There are some modern refrigerators and stoves with a retro look and feel, so those might be an option.

At Christmastime, we'd send out art deco cards...