I haven’t written a post in some time, and when I saw this cartoon, I thought many, many people may identify with this. I am, like millions of others, on this site, leading a normal life, trying our best to live within our means. We don’t have any way to regulate the price of gas for our cars or rising grocery bills.

I live in an area of the South that has rampant unemployment. Countless people are living on a shoestring, and even more have to choose between a food bank and going hungry. Our church tries to keep our Blessing Box full; often, people drive to the boxes and leave to find a place to park for the night.

These people are mothers, fathers, grandparents, and children who don’t know what’s coming next. Not long ago, I read that the unwanted incursion into Iran could cost between $40 billion and $95 billion over two months. That is a stupifying number. My thoughts as I write this are mixed; I am reading a daily devotional that encourages me to understand that The Grace of God can sustain me in the midst of my tougher trials. We all should think about that.

This amazing item is a true original—a one-of-a-kind Admiral Tele Bar that combines a TV, radio, record player, and cocktail bar all in one. Back in 1951, it was sold for $895, which would be around $11,299 today. I can’t help but wonder how many of these charming pieces found their way to happy homes!

This guy is really busy trying to set a new record for the most beer steins carried at a contest in Germany. He’s doing great, holding 31 glass steins so far. It’s a solid effort, even if some are starting to fall. But hey, there’s always next year for another shot!

I remember the excitement of visiting stores like Sears and Montgomery Ward, with their enormous mail order catalogs filled with pictures of all sorts of items I longed for. It was probably October when they began to send out catalogs directly to our homes, offering countless options to explore. These stores had endless counters with live demonstrations and samples, creating a lively and interactive shopping experience. Comparing that to the convenience of shopping online, it’s a whole different world, and I truly miss the joy of browsing in person.

For many kids, including myself, the Mickey Mouse Club was absolutely the best show to watch. Around 1958, everyone loved Annette, who was part of the cast. Boys my age couldn’t get enough of her. The other kids were also very talented, but Annette truly stole the spotlight. Honestly, she was simply the best. Confess now, do you agree?

Unfortunately, Greyhound today, what’s left of it, is way different from the Greyhound of yesteryear in this 1951 ad. I remember several pretty long rides, and for certain, not a single rider was dressed like these folks or this happy.

Not long ago, I looked into taking the bus from where I live to Louisville, and it was a nearly impossible journey. So much for saving money.

All my friends know I enjoy looking at old advertisements, mostly from magazines. Although I never reached this stage in life, I saw many guys walking around looking just like this. One reason I love ads is that they serve as barometers of what life was like during that period.

This particular ad likely appeared in a magazine from the early 1970s. Back then, our nation had fewer worries, and as this model illustrates, leisure was of great importance.

In a few weeks, the US Open Tennis Championships will take place. Since I was on a rant recently about the cost of food and feeding families, take a look at this. The event has a signature cocktail (of course) named the “Grey Goose Honey Deuce” cocktail. A key component of the drink is a garnish of two honeydew melon balls. Last year, they sold $12.8 million worth of a sugary-tart lemonade, Grey Goose vodka, and raspberry liqueur in a plastic cup.

Moving on to other statistics, attendees will consume 90,000 pounds of beef (equivalent to 225,000 hamburgers and hot dogs), 85,000 pounds of poultry, 9,000 pounds of crab, lobster, and shrimp, 400,000 individual berries, and 12.5 tons of lettuce. They will consume 35,000 pounds of tomatoes, 66,000 bananas, and 7,000 specialty tennis ball cookies.

When I think of a recent posting from Costco, none of the above should come as a surprise. Apart from the drinks sold, the statistics resemble what Costco sells to fans for tailgating and barbecues before a football home game in Knoxville, between Tennessee and Alabama.

Many people don’t remember Kmart—it’s been a while since they were around. For those who do remember, they probably think fondly of the famous “Blue Light Special,” when a big light would spin around the store all excitedly.

Another great deal was the in-store cafeteria. It’s such a fun choice when you can pick between the all-you-can-eat fried fish or liver and onions for lunch. Maybe I’ll save a bit of money and go for the $0.99 special instead.

This is a still shot of Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin on the set of The Hunt for Red October. It’s truly one of the great movies of all time, and I’ve always been curious about how they filmed (or faked) the inside of a submarine. Over the years, I’ve probably watched this movie around 10 times, and each time, I enjoy it just as much. This image really made me smile.