The Mason Minute

As warm as it's been this month, it isn't easy to think about Winter weather. It may not happen soon, but it will get colder. The National Weather Service is already making plans for when the weather turns. We think about three things during Winter: ice, snow, and severe cold. And they've made a significant change in how they classify weather. In the past, they'd always talk about a wind chill war...

I've been under the weather for the last two days. I'm achy and feel like I got punched in the shoulder. My wife and I got our flu shot and COVID booster on Saturday afternoon. We've gotten both this time of year for the last few years. Sometimes the shots don't bother me. Other times, my arm gets a little sore, but goes away in less than 24 hours. This year's vaccines hit both me and my wife hard...

It's tough being a baby boomer these days. We see it when you roll your eyes at us. Yes, we're stuck in our ways, but so was the generation before us. That's just the way the world works. And while some 'rules' change throughout our lifetime, it's sometimes difficult to adapt. For example, when did we decide to use a single space at the end of a typed sentence rather than a double space? I know th...

The Northern Lights have been all over social media the last few days. Pictures of the fantastic light show are filling my Facebook and Instagram feeds. Usually, most of us have to travel to faraway places like Greenland, Norway, or Iceland to see them. Here in the U.S., you can sometimes see them in Alaska. But for the last few nights, they've been visible in exotic places like Ohio, Missouri, an...

I love my smart devices. I have a wide variety of smart speakers. Amazon produces some, and some come from Google. I even have a few TV sticks that connect to either system. But over the last few years, I've noticed they're not so smart. When they work, they're great. But when they don't, they can be frustrating. Many of my devices will occasionally disconnect from the network. And while sometimes...

For years we've heard that Americans are living longer. Since 1960, the average life span has increased by seven and a half years. But experts say living longer shouldn't be where we focus. We need to think about our health span. Our health span is the number of years that we spend in good health. And this will not surprise you, but that number is shrinking. Even though medicine has gotten better...

Many people have dreams of being rich and famous. And while it sounds good in theory, it's not easy to be either or both. Through the years, I've spent a bunch of time hanging out with celebrities. Some play music, others are actors, and some are just rich. And I've learned that it's not easy and not for the faint of heart. Lately, there have been numerous stories of bad behavior from people we kn...

I know I'm oversimplifying this, but there are two types of people: those who like dining outdoors and those who don't. I'm only kidding, but perhaps I'm not. Even as a kid, I never enjoyed eating outside. I don't know why. I've done it hundreds, maybe even thousands of times, but given the option, I'll sit inside every time. The other night, we got together with my wife's brother, sister, and fam...

For decades, products have had expiration dates. However, many companies are vague about the shelf life of their products. Rather than use words like expires by, they use best before or sell by. However, consumers can interpret these words in different ways. California has passed a law that goes into effect in 2026 to change this wording. Many expect other states will quickly adopt these changes,...

For many years, I've had an issue when people use the word friend. What does it mean? There are varying levels, so what constitutes friendship to you might differ for me. Because we're friends on Facebook, are we really that in the real world? I lost a friend, or acquaintance if you prefer, late last week. He was born Boyd Meredith but was better known as A.J. McCloud. I knew A.J. for roughly thir...

The Big Mac has been one of McDonald's most popular sandwiches for over 50 years. Initially created to compete with the Big Boy Double Decker Burger, it went nationwide in 1968. The sandwich was an immediate hit. Known for its catchy jingle in the 1970s and its secret sauce, the Big Mac, has never left the menu. There have been variations throughout the years, but next week, McDonalds in the US wi...

For years, people have been saying that free content on the internet is going away. It's always referenced as sometime in the next five years; content will be going behind a paywall. Many newspapers and magazines have already made the move. Since you have to pay for subscriptions to the physical product, it was a minor change for some. The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Roll...

The other day, I discussed Amazon's return-to-work mandate, which will take effect in January. Their decision could help other CEOs do the same. A new study says that nearly 80% of major corporation CEO's think that all companies will do away with the hybrid work model. Many claim that people working from home has hurt their office culture. In reality, it's easier to keep a handle on people when t...

I had to take my car in for a repair yesterday. I wasn't sure what was causing the problem. When I turned my defroster on high, it sounded like a jet airplane taking off. I expected it to be the blower motor or perhaps the housing around it. I'm unsure how all that works under my hood, but I was prepared for the worst. I was stunned when I discovered the real problem: a dead mouse in my blower mot...

There are some things we do that we give thought to them. These are simple things that you've done thousands upon thousands of times. But then, one day, something changed. I get gas at least once a week. I've done that nearly every week, sometimes more, sometimes less, for over 45 years. Usually, it's the same routine: Pull up to the pump, put your credit card in, pump your gas. But the other day,...

It's been decades since I took driver's ed, but I still know the rules of the road. Through the years I've held a driver's license in seven states, and most of the rules are the same in most. But late last week, I wondered if others remembered the rules. We left for Indiana on Friday to catch my nephew's football game. The vast storm associated with Hurricane Helene was already hitting part of Ten...

Our local meteorologists tell us this momentary fall-like weather won't last long. We can thank Hurricane Helene for this brief blast of cool weather. Of course, a fantastic amount of rain came with it, but at least we got a glimpse that fall is technically here. Yesterday, I talked about one of my seasonal favorites, apple cider. And that got me thinking about one of my all-time favorite treats,...

As Hurricane Helene tears through the southern states, it's starting to feel like Fall. The feeling may only last for a few days, but the nasty weather we're experiencing in Tennessee makes it feel like the season might finally change. Many people love it when the weather turns cold. For some, it triggers the desire to enjoy all things pumpkin. My mind turns toward all things apple. For example, F...

I find the facts of history that interest people fascinating, as well as the things that don't. Our obsession with dinosaurs, the Pyramids, and Easter Island amazes me. Another historic place that people never get tired of hearing about is Stonehenge. Perhaps you have to see it in person to get the full effect. I've had friends who've traveled to England to see it in person, and everyone agrees it...

You get up in the morning, go to your closet, and you pull something out to wear. Most don't think much about it. The only time you go shopping is when you have to. This may seem like the norm for many of us, but it's not. Most people, including myself, have more clothing than they really need. The world as a whole has too many clothes. We have enough clothing right now for the next six generation...

As Nashville continues to grow, we struggle with road congestion like many big cities. On our November ballot is an initiative to raise the sales tax to provide dedicated funding for sidewalks, traffic signals, and an improved bus network. People have been cutting through neighborhoods for the last few years to avoid tie-ups. The city has added numerous traffic-calming features to our city streets...

With the season turning to Fall, some doctors say it's time to get your flu shots. And while you're at it, you should also get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. For some, doctors also recommend getting the vaccine for RSV. Some people ignore the advice and avoid the vaccines. For me, I don't want to risk it. But I've been advised to wait a few weeks. While some doctors say to get all your shots immedia...

Amazon made a big announcement recently. They told office workers that hybrid working and work-from-home initiatives are ending. Beginning in January, workers must be in the office five days a week. Experts say this is a big mistake. The pandemic changed our world forever. Everyone is revisiting their work-life balance. Many feel the box has been opened, and you can't force everything and everybod...

I'm amazed at how many bad movies get made every year. I realize the word bad is subjective, but the number of films produced yearly is staggering. Now, I'm not talking about the big movies that make lots of money at the box office; these are the ones you only find on streaming services. Back in the day, they were the direct-to-video or DVD kind. Most of these get made with small budgets. But it's...

For years, you've been told to call before you dig. Anytime you have a project where you have to dig a hole on your property, you're told to call 811 so the utility companies can mark the places you need to avoid. The last thing you want to do is hit a gas line or sever a phone line. Even though we have no plans to dig holes, our yard is filled with painted lines. Google Fiber is coming to our nei...