bits and bobs: A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things
Early morning nap.
Chupacabra, fisher cat, bunny, or squirrel?
It’s like the universe is sending me used dental picks or something. She’s everywhere.
Attached to the side of our house {with nothing else in sight} and neither of us know what it is.
In colonial times, having your portrait painted would have cost a pretty penny. If this was the artist’s rendering of me, I think I would have asked for a refund. Or at least asked for it to be painted in better lighting. Eeeek!
Maybe I’ve been living under a rock all my life, or just getting my tea in all the wrong places, but since living here on the East coast, I’ve noticed it seems like pull tab lids are all they use. Is this a regional thing? Or more of a mom and pop independent coffee house type of thing? I gotta say though, at first it was kind of weird, and I missed the sippy type lid, but now, I’m like OH, I GOT A LID WITH A HEART... Oh happy day!
Cheap gas? The HH and I were out running errands the other day when he pulled into a Shell station to buy gas. $2.29 a gallon! I couldn’t believe it. I haven’t filled up a tank of gas in like 6 months {it’s pretty much the HH’s job} but the price seemed pretty low.
How much did you pay for a gallon of gas the last time you filled up? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Joanna says
The thing you don’t know what it is on the side of your house is half of a flag pole holder.
Jessica says
YEP! Flagpole holder!
Kim O. says
You jut need the other half!
Mary Lou Gallagher says
Exactly what I thought. Something is missing…
Lace Faerie says
Ha! Look again! It’s a chicken’s head facing the house!
Tracy Soule says
Good morning Mavis! I am wondering if that thing mounted on the side of your house could be part of an adjustable flag mount, with the part that would hold the flag missing? Love the pictures of Lucy! Have a great day.
Suzy says
I paid 1.61 for gas last week here in a suburb of Chicago. I was shocked. But, it’s back up.
Michele says
So. Cal $3-19 for mid grade. One more reason so many are leaving. Lol
jilly says
1.61 for gas!!! In our dreams here in Southern Ca. Oh, the places we could go. We paid 2.99 a gallon…the cheap stuff. Shell stations are at 3.45 per gallon. We live in Yucaipa…which is not LA., nor the county. I hate LA and it has always driven me batty when visitors assume everything is in LA. Just saying.
Love your blog, Mavis. Sorry that Lucy has to live such a hard life, lol. We just bought a house in September and are looking forward to gardening this year. Plan on using a lot of your tips and tricks. We may have to work in the slope area filled with cacti…hate that stuff.
blessings, jilly
Susan says
Please tell me where your station is. I’m in SoCal too and I just filled up for $3.35!
jilly says
Hi Susan, if you try GasBuddy it should tell you where the cheapest stations are in your area. We are in Yucaipa/Redlands/San Bernadino area. Yucaipa is 2.99, Redlands is 3.19. Hope that helps.
Sue says
Hi Jilly, there must be some sort of mix-up as I received your reply but the message below was the one I sent to Mavis yesterday. I go by Sue and that was the first clue it wasn’t my post you were directed to. Plus I was wrong. My daughter said the price at Sam’s and Costco was $2.87. We’re in the Glendora/Covina area.
Sue says
January 4, 2019 at 12:32 pm
One of my sons is in the oil business in Texas. He told me last week they believe they’ve discovered the largest oil deposit in the world, it will dwarf OPEC’s. Sure hope he’s right. BTW, $2.89 at Sam’s and Costco here in SoCal
Peggy says
Yesterday hubby paid 1.86 here in Fayetteville NC
Trava says
Here in southwest MN gas is hovering around $2.05-$2.09 a gallon. My grocery store gives gas points with the purchase of certain items (that change weekly). Gas points transfer into cents off per gallon…last time I filled up was for $1.89!
Jennifer says
Gas here in NC is $1.99 a gallon. Our HT has a gas points program, so through regular shopping and med refills, I got 50¢ off each gallon – up to 35 gallons – when I filled up this week. Sooo, $1.49 with the promo. Oddly enough, in SC, which is 40 miles south, it’s $1.75. Love those state fuel taxes.
Lucy looks so content on her bed!
samantha surovec says
Speaking of fuel tax, gas in central PA was $2.49 due to fuel taxes. I get so mad when I think about it, though I’m “sure” the $ is going to infrastructure and education.
Lynda Kling says
Pa here, too…cheapest I saw was $2.41 a gallon today…cheaper across the bridge in NJ!! I fill up there when I can….
G Plott says
Amen on the Pa gas taxes and terrible roads to boot. Also in central PA. I worked at PennDOT Years ago and they told me it’s because we have half as many miles of road as the whole UK, declining tax base due to loss of industry that used to need those roads and aging population , tons of warehouses/trucking going through to New England and the South (is that why we have a Navy Depot 100 miles from the ocean?) , and we’re in the sweet spot of freeze-thaw cycles which breaks up the roads. Further north it freezes and stays that way and further south it doesn’t freeze as much. Who knows how much of that is true but sounds reasonable. Still, arghh. Also, what’s up with those floss thingies! They’re everywhere. I see them in parking lots all the time. Who the heck is flossing in their car!
Deborah says
Last time I filled up with gas, it was $1.98.9 a gallon. Now, it’s $1.84.9. Oh, and I live in Texas. Loving these gas prices! It’s been a couple of weeks since I filled up. I also got $1. off using my customer points. Love my grocery store – gas station.
carole says
I am in south Texas too, today it is $1.74, gotta luv it while it lasts!!
Lana says
We paid $1.75 in Spartanburg, SC yesterday. We don’t see too many of those pull tab tops but then again we usually take the lid off the cup so maybe I have not been noticing.
Barb H says
I’ve seen a couple pennies variation here in Sparkle City but generally, $1.75!
Sofia says
We pay 14, 42 SEK / L. That is 57,24 SEK / gallon. Today, that makes 6,37 USD / gallon.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yikes!!!
Sofia says
Yes, that would be the word for it. Mostly taxes, though.
Gigi says
I just saw that In Sweden’s, about 32% of the new car sales in 2018 were electric!
Mandy says
Well, I need to move I guess. Gas in Tacoma was $3.24 yesterday. That was with a $0.05 per gallon discount.
Agreed about the bit on the house. It is missing some parts.
Jayne says
Hmmm, Mandy: I just paid $2.59 at Costco in Silverdale. It pays to belong!
Kathy says
Here in Medina (NE Ohio), gas has varied from 1.79 to 1.99/gallon. Last I saw this morning, 2 stations at $1.89.
Miss Lucy sure does look comfy in front of that wood burner! Boy, how I miss those days.
christy says
Hello Mavis, we are paying $1.77 in Southwest Missouri.
Karen says
I paid $1.71 per gallon today in Ozark, Missouri.
Tina says
We’re visiting Phoenix as we travel in our RV… $2.66 for gas.
Enjoying your blog after my friend sent me a recipe from your blog!
Cat says
Gas north of the border is about 3.71 a gallon if my math is right since we get charged by the liter and right now we’re seeing some of the lowest prices in a while.
Danni says
2.99 for regular on I5 half way between Portland and Seattle.
Anne says
For a nostalgic touch of home, I paid $2.69 at the Fedetal Way, WA Costco last night.
Jennifer says
NE Missouri is around $1.85 or less, until OPEC changes things;-(
Stacie says
Gas is $1.91 this week in south Texas.
Laura says
I just filled up yesterday at Costco, $2.95. It hasn’t been that low in a long time. So. Cal gas prices, gotta love it.
Melinda W says
$1.69 a gallon here in TN, or $2.19 if you want the no ethanol 100% gas variety.
Mrs HB says
As you know …. I would never just liter my little picks! And I think it’s a flag pole thing on side of house . Miss you much girl friend !
Mavis Butterfield says
I keep checking for free ticket scenarios so we can go for a walk and have breakfast at the Net Shed. If I could find one around the flower and garden show time frame that would be perfect. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Miss you.
Katie says
I haven’t gotten gas in a couple weeks, but I believe it’s in the $1.70’s here in central Texas (College Station).
I actually really like the pop top on coffee cup lids because I can pop it back shut if I’m driving or something and don’t want it to spill. I think McDonald’s is the only place around that I’ve seen use those lids. At least where I’ve bought coffee.
I wish I could be Lucy right now!
Anne says
In Greenville, SC….$1.65 yesterday.
Teresa says
2.659 Costco yesterday. Just out of Portland Oregon. Thought that was good, all others were 10 to 15 higher.
Julie P says
Our fuel equates to $7.87 per gallon in U.K. in Spain with RV at moment and here is $5.68 per gallon.
Jennifer says
Yes, it’s a flag pole holder.
The paw print is definitely a chupacabra; although the one you have looks quite domesticated, if laying by the fire is any indication.
Gas-$1.79. Paid this morning! Filled my car up for an unheard of $15.
Susie says
Those portraits, though. I think they’re the same person, just the guy is in drag in one. Here in DeLand, FL, I paid $1.95/gal last week. I’m sure if I headed a bit south to Costco (in another county without our extra fuel tax), it might be less.
Rebecca in MD says
Here in Maryland I paid $1.99. I have the Royal Farms Loyalty Card, so I get 10 cents off per gallon. Without the Loyalty Card it is $2.09.
Since I retired in 2017, I now fill up one or two times a month. When I worked it was two times per week!
Susan H. says
Am I the only one to think your cup lid looks like a puppy? LOL gas in akron ohio area around $1.70 or so
Mavis Butterfield says
I see it!!! With a heart nose. 🙂 Good eye Susan H.
jackie klish says
Less than an hour from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, gas is $1.95$ Feel like I’m 40 again.
Denise says
I paid $1.67/gallon yesterday here in southeast Tennessee. I am loving every minute of it. Love the photos of Miss Lucy. She is a cutie pie and makes me smile every time I see her.
Jennifer H. says
We filled up 2 weeks ago at .95 a gallon ($1.95 per gallon less a $1 discount from our Kroger store). We got the maximum of 35 gallons. We’re in the northeast Atlanta suburbs.
Sue says
One of my sons is in the oil business in Texas. He told me last week they believe they’ve discovered the largest oil deposit in the world, it will dwarf OPEC’s. Sure hope he’s right. BTW, $2.89 at Sam’s and Costco here in SoCal
Jennifer says
From your son’s lips to God’s ears!!
amy says
Mavis. i know how much we all love sweet Lucy, so I want to warn you of some heart ache my sweet pup went through. I also had a crochet blanket that my pup loved to lay upon. However, her little toe nail got caught in the yarn and ripped out while we were not home. There was blood everywhere! and it meant an expensive vet visit for antibiotics. Perhaps Lucy needs an old towel instead?
Peggy says
Yes, the used dental pick is gross. I think your print might be a bunny, and Pennsylvania is taxed to death on gas. I paid 2.45/gallon the other day, but Sam’s Club had it for 2.34 but we need to renew ourmembership. And we usually have the flip top kids but usually a rectangle, some places have the sippy cup type, I guess it depends on who does the ordering. Lucy’s cute.
Barbara says
Gas is $1.99 a gallon in Lincoln, NE.
Ellen Green says
We bought gas in Tupelo , MS two weeks ago (with the Sam’s Club card discount) for $1.76/gal!!!
Chris says
I think it’s some type of hoof,,,deer? In my part of the Chicago suburbs, gas is running $1.89 (Costco) – $2.27. We have an old portrait (1836) that I swear the eyes follow me. It’s cool & creepy all at once. Mavis, would you consider running a post on how you maintain those gorgeous wood floors? They are just beautiful.
Gigi says
Not a deer, maybe coyote. Deer have split hooves.
We stayed at a German hotel in Iowa and when we walked into our dark room, there was one light on. It was right above a portrait of some creepy lady with eyes that followed you. AND the portrait was right next to the bed! We had to hang a towel over it while we stayed.
Chris B says
I think it’s some type of hoof,,,deer? In my part of the Chicago suburbs, gas is running $1.89 (Costco) – $2.27. We have an old portrait (1836) that I swear the eyes follow me. It’s cool & creepy all at once. Mavis, would you consider running a post on how you maintain those gorgeous wood floors? They are just beautiful.
PattiLynn says
$1.79 a gallon yesterday. South of Fort Worth, TX.
Patty P says
Those are bunny tracks. 🙂
Just paid $2.61 on the way home from work for gas…more expensive to get it in our small little town than going to the bigger town to get it, but also 15 miles closer, so….
Patty P says
Oh, and I’m in upstate NY
Tracy T says
I paid $1.76 four days ago for gas. I live near Houston, TX.
Kay A. says
1.94 in Albany GA. That looks like squirrel track.
Mary Jamison says
Paid 2.24 in upstate NY. Taxes are very high here!
Michèle says
My engineer husband says he thinks it’s a flag pole holder…with a part missing.
Linda says
My hubby said the same thing!!! Then described the piece that was missing & how it worked- if the part was there. Hubby’s are like that’s!
Linda says
That…not that’s!!!!!
Michèle says
Gas $3.17 here in Oregon…we don’t have sales tax (wink wink)!!
Julie says
Must be a visiting chupacabra. They would never live in the snow.
Gas is $1.66 in Central Texas.
Will you do a post updating how Mrs. H, Chico, etc. are doing? He was such a good handyman.
Gale says
Hey Mavis, what’s cooking on top of your new wood stove? I recall a post about a tea pot and a pot of beans. Gas in Fort Worth, TX is $1.72.
Alison R says
Gas yesterday in the Savannah GA area was $2.149 a gallon
Look like rabbit prints
The part on your house is part of a flagpole mounting
Lucy looks so comfy!
Happy New Year!
Alison R.
bobbi says
Gas is $2 per gallon here. Tampa, FL
Lolli G says
I just filled up my tank today & it was $2.11 a gallon in Miami. By the way Lucy’s pic by the fireplace is cuteness overload! 😀
DebbieB says
Here in central MD I paid $1.99 at our Costco. Up to .10 more at other stations.
Kitty B says
I feel gypped!!! I paid $3.45 a gallon yesterday in Park City, Utah. It cost $52 to fill my mom car up! Living in a ski town is $$$$ for everything
Elaine says
I want to be Lucy!!! What a great picture!!!
Gas down here on LI is $2.49 and I thought it was a bargain!!
Marybeth says
I paid $2.35 the other day here in NY
Jenny Young says
I paid $1.80 the last time I bought gas….super cheap.
Paula says
My strategy to combat the price of gas is to use my credit card points to get free gas gift cards. I haven’t bought gas in years. Of course, I pay my balance each month. (no interest) My credit card does have a small yearly fee, but I am still way ahead. I use my credit card to pay for everything I can. I like being able to take a line item out of my budget. I have a surplus of points and gas cards right now. I am thinking about getting some Amazon cards. I can use those those to buy odds and ends needed around the house to reduce my budget category, household. (Things like batteries, etc.) This is gas for only one car. My husband has an electric car.
Mama Jo says
I paid $1.749 yesterday just outside of Austin Tx @ Costco.
Heather says
Gas at the local Chevron went down to $2.89 yesterday (northern Nevada, but really close to California).
jilly says
Hi Mavis, just checked with my hubby the hunter and he states the hoof print is from a very large buck. The top two marks are hoof prints and the bottom two are called drew claws. The things I learn from that man, lol.
blessings, jilly
susan russell says
$1.95 everywhere here in Rowan County, NC
rebecca green says
here in bama its around a buck 70 or so… thank god!! I read some of the other comments and I am glad I am in alabama, even if its a different country in feel… lol. I moved here 6 years ago. from Atlanta ga, and let me tell you.. country in ga is still considered city compared to alabama. school curriculum and so many different things that were not quite up to date with ga.. it was a shocker., almost 40 years of Georgia life, and having to get used to bama still. but I love it!!
could the part on the house be to a clothesline by chance? it would have had a wheel attached to rotate the line so you didn’t have to move, and the line was free in front of you…