Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

What month is this and what season are we in? We’ve been experiencing temperatures in the forties and fifties for a couple of days, then over the weekend we enjoyed temps in the seventies. We’ve had cloudy days, rainy days and just plane chilly days. There is no doubt in my mind that we are living in the state of …

Fewer and fewer things are FREE anymore. Advice is usually free, but in most cases it’s not worth much. Here are five things that aren’t FREE anymore, unless you’re lucky to know someone. Grocery Bags: It used to be, “Would you like paper or plastic?” Some states are banning or reducing the use of plastic, especially in grocery stores. Plastic …

Everyone complains about the weather, but there is very little we can do about it. All we can do is pay attention to the forecasts and prepare for the worst. A good example is living in Florida and dealing with Hurricane Ian. Mother Nature must have been really upset when she unleashed the wrath on the Gulf Coast and other …

I had the privilege of providing Courtesy Cart transportation at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair last week. I drove a total of twenty-four hours over six days and enjoyed every moment. The fair didn’t seem as busy as previous years and there were many empty booths in the Merchant Barns. The rides looked exciting and fun to watch. I’ve …

I’m sorry, but here are the last five names of things we didn’t think had names. I’ll keep looking: Dysnaia: The condition of finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Griffonage: Illegible hand-writing. Tittle: The dot over an “i” or a “j”. Crapulence: That sick feeling you get from eating or drinking too much. Bannock Device: …

Five more names of things, because everything has a name: Agraffe: The wired cage that holds the cork in a bottle of champagne. Vocabbles: The “na na na” and “la la la” in the lyrics of a song that don’t have any meaning. Interrobang: When you combine an exclamation mark and question mark (!?). Columella Nasi: The space between your …

Three more ways to save money by making something yourself: Campfire starters: Stuff wads of dryer lint into paper egg cartons. Break up leftover candle ends and melt them over low heat. Pour the wax over the lint and let it cool. Cut the egg carton compartments apart. When you are ready to start a fire, set a compartment under …

I am not a big fan of bridges, especially high bridges, such as the “BIG MAC” near Mackinaw City. Every Labor Day, many Michiganders brave the heights and walk the five miles across the Straits of Mackinaw. You should be in pretty good shape and not afraid of heights as you walk across the structure that at times moves a …

Because this column deals with getting Out and About, I thought it was about time to do just that. A week ago, we met my brother for lunch in Marshall, Michigan. When I think of Marshall, the first thing that comes to mind is Win Schulers restaurant. I haven’t been there in over fifty years, so I’m not sure if …

Last week I shared a few ways to eat more economically. Here are a some ways to save when it comes to getting Out and About: You can easily increase your gas mileage by braking less and coasting more. Don’t just steer your vehicle, drive it. Try accelerating gently and coasting toward red lights and stop signs. Let the idiots …