mason minute

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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Winter Storms (MM #4670)

Some of my earliest memories revolve around spending time with my father at the radio and TV stations where he worked. Helping him put his TV weather maps together almost led me to a career in meteorology. Changing weather is always something I follow. And when they start talking about winter storms, I watch the…

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Misleading (MM #4669)

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you might have missed this news story last week. A Florida woman is suing Hershey’s over misleading packaging. A few months ago, she purchased a Reese’s Halloween treat. But when she opened the package, the candy looked nothing like what was on the wrapper. She’s suing the…

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Beer Drinking (MM #4668)

Beer drinking across America is down way down. Last year, beer consumption fell to levels we haven’t seen in decades. Some say the Bud Light boycott had something to do with it. Others feel the rise in alcoholic seltzers played a significant role. In reality, it’s a combination of a lot of factors. While the…

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Same Ole Me (MM #4667)

I understand our desire as humans to change, evolve, and improve. For many, a New Year’s resolution is the simplest way to start. But does it matter when we begin? I’ve never been a resolution type of guy. I always try to improve but avoid a pronouncement once the calendar. I like to claim that…

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Crackers (MM #4666)

During the holiday season, I often encounter one of my favorite treats. It’s something that most of us keep in the house year-round. But for some reason, cheese and crackers taste a little better this time of year. I know it’s just something that exists only in my mind. Over Christmas, spending time with family,…

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