Arthritis also hits where there's been surgery, especially involving bones. Poor Hubby is in misery, though he's gotten very precise on predicting local weather.

Imagine my surprise at seeing beer in grocery stores in Virginia for the first time. I was like, "What will grocery stores sell next, chain saws??" Just, a total violation of category. Like a sporting goods store selling pillow shams, or something.

Now, I have gotten more used to the idea. But there are even now little weird details, like, how close you are to the state border, what town you are in, whether it's wine or beer or hard liquor. The "corking fee" for dry town restaurants, where you get to pay for the privilege of bringing your own wine, is the funniest alcohol oddity, to me.

Huh. Beer is readily available in Utah grocery stores--except on Sunday, though that rule is slowly falling. Then again, it's Utah's own special 3.2 beer, which may not count.

Utah even has its own beer?

The "corking fee" for dry town restaurants, where you get to pay for the privilege of bringing your own wine, is the funniest alcohol oddity, to me

They have corking fees at restaurants around here, so I'd never thought of it as a dry town thing.

"What will grocery stores sell next, chain saws??"

I've bought a recliner at a grocery store. It was in the freezer section. Really.

Utah even has its own beer?

It does, but you can only buy one at a time. None of this polygabeer.

Utah even has its own beer?

Like 'Sam Adams' only named 'Joe Smith'?

After a labor-day day trip, I have a new desktop background.

[link]

They keep getting bigger.

Imagine my surprise at seeing beer in grocery stores in Virginia for the first time. I was like, "What will grocery stores sell next, chain saws??" Just, a total violation of category. Like a sporting goods store selling pillow shams, or something.

Hadn't you ever been to New Hampshire or Maine? I think beer and wine have been available in groceries and convenience stores for a long time.

Now, I have gotten more used to the idea. But there are even now little weird details, like, how close you are to the state border, what town you are in, whether it's wine or beer or hard liquor. The "corking fee" for dry town restaurants, where you get to pay for the privilege of bringing your own wine, is the funniest alcohol oddity, to me.

I think the state border thing had to do with package stores being open on Sunday. They're open on Sunday all over, now. My favorite run around the alcohol laws was Caruso's (in Melrose) that would give you wine. They couldn't sell it to you, but they could give it to you. The owner made the wine. It was pretty good.