mason minute

Mean Girls (MM #4680)

A couple of months ago, I saw a news story online announcing the release date for the new Mean Girls movie. The original has become one of my favorites, and I usually watch it whenever I see it on TV. At first, I was a bit confused. We’ve already had a sequel that came out…

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Fruit Stripe Gum (MM #4679)

Any kid in the 60s or 70s loved going to the grocery store or drugstore. It usually meant we could get a candy bar or some gum. And if I had a choice, I would usually get a pack of Fruit Stripe Gum. You know it; it’s the one that comes in the striped package…

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Happiest State (MM #4678)

I was scrolling through my news feed the other day when I saw a headline that made me pause: Revealed: The Happiest State in the US. Of course, I had to find the answer, but first, I tried to guess the answer. The happiest state had to be somewhere warm—perhaps Hawaii, California, or Florida. And…

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Blood Donation (MM #4677)

The Red Cross is reporting that blood donation numbers are down right now. That often happens after the holidays, but today, these stats are setting off alarms. The number of people donating blood is at the lowest level in twenty years, falling by 40%. The Red Cross is struggling to meet demand. The pandemic kept…

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Traffic Stops (MM #4676)

Traffic stops are part of the daily routine for many law enforcement officers. And most patrolmen often start the same way. They ask you for your license and registration and then utter the words; do you know why I pulled you over? A new law that just took effect in California changed that initial exchange….

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Lunch (MM #4675)

I rarely ate breakfast for a long time due to lack of time. But I’ve made it a point to eat breakfast in recent years. And if I’m going to miss one meal, it is usually lunch. When I was self-employed, I only ate during an out-of-office business meeting. But lunch is hit or miss…

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Skip Scanning (MM #4674)

The retail world struggles to figure out how to keep the store experience alive; with so many people moving to online shopping, retailers need to develop new ways to remain profitable. As discussed in previous episodes, self-checkout has been one-way stores have cut costs. But it’s increasingly becoming an issue. In recent months, a new…

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Black Bears (MM #4673)

When you live in a city the size of Nashville, you don’t expect to worry about seeing any black bears. But the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency tells us we might start seeing them roaming through our neighborhoods. Most black bears in Tennessee live in the eastern part of the state. But as the wooded areas…

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Stupid Pet Tricks (MM #4672)

Anyone who grew up in the 1980s or 1990s likely watched one of David Letterman’s late-night shows on NBC or CBS. And if you’re an old-timer like me, you even watched his short-lived daytime show. He’s known for recurring skits and characters. Some of the favorites include the Top Ten List, Viewer Mail, Larry Bud…

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Dry January (MM #4671)

Giving up alcohol is a New Year’s resolution that many people pledge. In recent years, those who don’t necessarily want to give it up permanently have opted to take part in Dry January. It was created in Great Britain only a decade ago. And nearly one-third of Americans who consume alcohol have started participating on…

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