The Mason Minute

I can't remember the first time a restaurant offered free refills for their beverages. Back in the day, coffee and tea came with refills, while things like Coke and Pepsi didn't. But over the last few decades, that changed. Most fast food and quick service restaurants offer unlimited refills on everything but alcohol. As I've heard from non-American friends, these freebies are strictly an American...

I've noticed these signs on the back of big trucks for years. They usually read this vehicle makes wide right turns. Sometimes, you get stuck behind one, but it's a minor inconvenience. That all changed when I started driving during rush hour. As the city grows, Nashville traffic is getting worse. And I often encounter big trucks on the city streets. Many of these trucks have a wide right turn sti...

There's been a long-running argument over whether hamburgers and hot dogs should be considered sandwiches. But did you know there's also a long-running discussion about tacos and burritos being considered sandwiches? I've never contemplated that but have eaten thousands of tacos and burritos through the years. While the burger and dog argument has yet to be decided, a Ft Wayne, Indiana judge has w...

Yesterday, I was talking about skunky beer. Today, we're speaking of skunks, or technically, I'm focusing on a skunk. We've had one visit our backyard nightly for the last week or so. It shows up just before dark, and it's obviously looking for something to eat. Our backyard is fenced in, but the critters found a small space to squeeze through in the back corner. It hasn't caused us any problems y...

You understand what skunky means if you've ever drank a glass of stale iced tea or perhaps a nasty mug of beer. Part of the reason I stopped drinking beer decades ago is because I had too many skunky beers. But the one thing worse than that is stale iced tea. Now, if you drink only sweet tea, you don't notice when it's stale. But when you live in the south and try to drink unsweetened tea, it's us...

We all have little quirks that make us who we are. For some, they're fears and often irrational. For example, I have a fear of being around armored cars. Technically, I guess we should call them armored trucks. Now, I don't freak out, but I do my best to get away from them as quickly as possible. The other day, I was heading to work and had one pull out in front of me. Traffic was heavy, but I kne...

It's Mother's Day. For many, it's a day to honor our mother and remind her that we care. Of course, I can argue that we should look at every day throughout the year similarly. But while it's a day to celebrate, it is also a tough day for many. For anyone who has lost their mother, it can be a tough day. I've seen that first-hand the last few years, as it's been almost five years since my mother-in...

One of our nephews is in Nashville this weekend for a bachelor party. When he told us he was coming, I only had one question: Why Nashville? I'm no expert when it comes to the subject, but I have been to some of the top party towns across America. And while I love Nashville, I don't know if it would make my list of bachelor party destinations. I think Las Vegas, New York, New Orleans, or Miami's S...

No one ever said that simple was easy. A few weeks ago, one of the brackets that hold up the handrail on the steps leading to our second floor broke. If you have a staircase in your house, you know the one I'm talking about. It's made of brass or some alloy that looks like brass; they attach to the wall and the bottom of the handrail. It's a simple bracket, or so I thought. While most look the sam...

Many parts of the country have dealt with tornadoes over the last few days. The warmer weather and severe storms often make for a troubling combination this time of year. I remember going through tornado drills when I was still in grade school. While Nashville has experienced numerous tornadoes over the last few years, the straight-line winds often catch people by surprise. We discussed the weathe...

Many people like to spend time in the backyard during this time of year. It could be gardening, hanging out with friends, or even grilling out. While I enjoyed spending time outdoors in my younger days, my allergies mostly keep me indoors today. I spend very little time in the backyard. But I can watch all the wildlife, and somehow, it ends up inside the fence. We always see birds and squirrels, a...

Consumers are frustrated. For the last couple of years, the cost of everything has skyrocketed. For a while, people kept buying what they needed. But recently, they've screamed enough is enough. Fewer people are dining out. Many are even staying away from fast food. Business at grocery stores is slowing down, too. Shoppers have had enough. And it's finally getting back to the companies that are tr...

I'm sure someone explained this to me years ago, but I couldn't remember how jam and jelly differ. And what about preserves? Recently, we went out for dinner, and they had some little containers to use on my biscuits. I thought I knew the difference, but I get a bit confused when you add preserves to the mix. I didn't spend much time thinking about this, but I had to look up the answer. As I expec...

While I don't own a self-driving car, I often joke that the one thing I can do is head north with my eyes closed. If I drive any highway outside of Nashville, I usually head north on Interstate 65. Once or twice a month, I visit my booth at the antique mall in Franklin, Kentucky. But we're often on the road to Indiana to see family. Yesterday, we rolled up I-65 to see our nephew Cade graduate from...

I have difficulty remembering when or where things happen as I get older. I often need a point of reference to jog my memory. Now, this isn't an issue with my memory. It's simply because there are so many memories filling my brain. Today my nephew, Cade, graduates from college. It seems like yesterday when he was starting school, and by that, I mean Kindergarten. But that was seventeen years ago,...

Sometimes, I have to stop and think about the people I've met, places I've gone, and things I've done. I realize that my life is like so many others. With my father's years in the media and all of mine, I've experienced many things that sometimes fascinate people. But I've long realized that we're all on a different journey. Even those who think they've led a simple life can have some fantastic st...

One of the best things that has happened to our streets and highways is the creation of the center turn lane. That extra lane makes all the difference to keep traffic flowing. I'm sure they've been around for a long time, but I didn't see one until the late 1970s. But they've been around so long that more people now use them to merge into traffic rather than for the reason they were created. I see...

My brain holds a lot of strange facts. Some are useful, but most are just good if you're playing a trivia game. We were in a team meeting the other day at work, and the subject of May Day came up. I started talking about the tradition of dancing around the Maypole. Most on the call had no clue. Then I made a joke about eating Maypo on May Day. Not one person had a clue about Maypo. It's a warm map...

The number of violent crimes is rising here in Nashville. Some say it happens in every area filled with rapid growth. While that doesn't make me comfortable, I understand. But the very alarming stat involves violent crimes committed by people who are out on bond. The number of people who post bail after committing a crime, who then go out and commit another crime while they're awaiting trial, is s...

Anyone who has taken a US History class knows the story of the Civil War. It was a monumental time in the history of our country. But political experts feel there's potential for another Civil War, which could happen anytime. Some feel we are more divided politically than we've ever been in the history of our country. While both the 1860s and 1960s were a time of social and political divide, some...

Many people like to have a beer with their dinner. But some foods don't work with beer. I'm not judging, but I feel it doesn't work with breakfast foods. We ate dinner at The Cracker Barrel last night, and I know they've been serving alcohol there for a couple of years. I still find that very strange. Now, no matter the time of day, I usually only eat breakfast foods there. And I can't imagine ord...

I don't know anyone who enjoys a trip to the DMV. I've held a driver's license in seven states throughout the years, and the way Tennessee does things just doesn't work. We go to one office to get our car title, registration, and license plates. When you need a new license, you go to a different office. Our DMV is split into two parts, while most states handle everything in the same place. Yesterd...

The clinical term is myopia. Most of us know it better when it's called nearsightedness. I've suffered with it for over 55 years. All of my family suffers from it, too. While some people wear glasses for style, those who must wear them to correct their vision usually hate them. According to recent research, our eyesight is getting worse. Doctors predict that half the world's population will suffer...

Throughout my life, I've spent a lot of time watching TV. Many people my age can say the same thing. Growing up, I sat in front of the TV before I went to school and then came home and did the same thing. I still watch more than most people. But in recent years, it's not the same thing anymore. While I still watch TV, I'm not concerned if I miss an episode. Sure, I can record it on my DVR or catch...

About this time every year, our front porch looks like a war zone. For some reason, barn swallows return to our neighborhood yearly to build nests and have babies. Without fail, these birds try to make their nests on top of the pillars that frame our front doors. We've tried to keep the birds away for the last few years, but it doesn't work. We've even placed bird spikes on top of the pillars so t...