respublica

Unusual tips for keeping your car in shape

These tips are not for engine maintenance, but rather things we need to do on a regular basis.

Here's an odd one which I doubt I will try.

On those days when we want to lock or unlock our car and we're too far away or lost  track of our car in a parking lot for the key fob to work, try this. I dare you. "Your body’s fluids can extend the wireless signal from your key fob to the parked car. Just put your car key fob under your chin, open your mouth, and push the button on your keychain." Or, have a bottle of water with you, hold it over your head with the key fob next to it and Voila!

You'd need to be a contortionist to succeed but the article also gives the science behind this explained in a video by an amusing British man.

Other tips at the link and include the use of toothpaste, how to cool down a hot car quickly in summer, best way to defrost, how to repair windshield cracks and more.

 

Not to keep harping on this but..

As yesterday's morning rush winded down, another mattress fell onto the highway. This time on southbound 55. What on earth is the deal with these mattresses lately?

Mattresses 26

Ladders 20

270 at Dorsett

A mattress! Again

Mattresses 25

Ladders 19

I would have guessed at this time of year there would be more ladders falling on the roads because more outside work is beginning. But no. People are driving around with mattresses poorly strapped on their vehicles.

Whoops! Spoke to soon. Now a ladder has been sighted on 44 westbound near Meramac

Mattresses 25

Ladders 20

Total change

Mattresses falling like leaves. Is this a normal moving time of year?

Mattresses 24

Ladders 19

O Christmas tree O Christmas tree

On the southwest corner of Big Bend and Clayton Road is a large brick building which has for many years has housed a florist, antique store and maybe something else. The second floor had apartments or maybe small offices. This past fall it was learned that these businesses would have to vacate in order for another urgent care to take their place. Both the antique store and florist did not decide to just give it up and go out of business, but moved to other places in the area.

During the late fall the inside of the building was gutted and the outside surrounded by orange tape and large signs warning of danger. Then last week the outside began being demolished. The west side sent down first and most likely this week will see the rest come down. We drove down Big Bend yesterday and looked up to see this sad, old, dusty Christmas tree which pretty much says it all about the change coming.

Duel purpose glass

While in the local Total Wine and More store yesterday we came across a really fun glass and just had to take it home. It's a heavy, square whiskey glass with a side slot for resting a cigar in. I mean, this is just too cool. Maybe not that practical, but amusing.

Here is the picture on the box it comes in and I have to say, it is a great box in itself.

Then out of the box and on our counter

Then later in the day..

It works!

A PR nightmare?

Some in England are calling the Kentucky Fried Chicken's supply problem a PR nightmare as irritated people who can't get their KFC chicken are forced to go to Burger King.

The chain has had such a difficult time getting chicken over there that half of its 900 UK stores have closed temporarily. I mean, who knew England had so many Kentucky Fried Chicken places?

Supposedly this lack of chicken is "a hiccup in the supply chain" and a spokesman for the company said, "The chicken crossed the road, just not to our restaurants." It seems Britain is the largest European market for fast-food chicken according to Euromonitor International. It is the fifth-biggest market for KFC.

The Brits love their chicken it seems and here I always pictured them as living off bangers and mash.

As if icy roads aren't enough

Morning rush hour drivers are facing lots of back-ups due to icy road conditions today. And if that isn't enough, someone thought it was a good idea to head out with a vehicle loaded with 3 mattresses which of course, all fell onto the highway.

Mattresses 22

Ladders 19

 

A happy ending for Zeus

A Prince George County, Virginia, woman felt she could no longer afford her dog Zeus and her solution was to tie him to a tree in a wooded area. She left a note which said, "My name is Zeus, I am a very good dog. My owner just can’t afford me anymore. She tried to find me a home but nobody would take me." She also left a bag of dog food but it was tied closed so poor Zeus couldn't eat it if he wanted to.

Somehow or other he was seen and then rescued by local animal services people who put him up for adoption with this post from the shelter, "Zeus was completely failed by his last owner,” the shelter posted. “Can you be Zeus’ forever family?"

The shelter later shared the good news that the 2-year-old German Shepherd/Labrador Retriever mix was adopted on Feb. 13.

The link to this story has photos of Zeus tied up as well as photos of his adoption and boy, what a difference. Zeus has the biggest, happiest smile.

Antiques Road Show hits St. Louis

Tonight at 7, PBS, Channel 9 in St. Louis, will feature St. Louisans getting their antiques evaluated. I'm not sure that show, which has been on for ages, has ever been here so it might be interesting to see what is brought.