The Mason Minute

I love breakfast, and I love corned beef hash. I can't remember when I first tried it, but it was love at first bite. But I quickly found that only some make good hash. In the South, it's tough to find; when you do find it, the results are often hit or miss. Last weekend, when we were in Indiana, I found some of the best I'd had in a long time. Now I want more... Click Here To Subscribe Apple Podc...

I've always loved to shop, but today is a day that I avoid shopping if I can. Sure, you can get great deals on Black Friday, but is it worth the hassle? These days, the day after Thanksgiving isn't as unique in the retail world. Online shopping has changed how and when we purchase things. And I think I saw the first Black Friday sale go into effect in September. That just defeats the whole idea of...

Whether traveling over the river and through the woods or just down the street, Thanksgiving travel can be a hassle. The roads aren't just busy; people are impatient. It's been that way for a few days. My drive to work each morning has been a breeze, but trying to get around town any other time has been impossible. And when it's time to hit the highway Click Here To Subscribe Apple PodcastsSpotify...

I love dessert. It's my favorite meal of the day. Just take one look at me, and you can see I haven't missed very many throughout the years. And while I don't eat dessert daily, I think about it, okay, dream about it. Thanksgiving is usually one of the best days of the year for desserts. You usually have so many choices. My wife is typically in charge of the holiday dessert selections, and she's b...

Drivers have been testing speed limits since they first appeared in the early 1900s. But speeding has become a significant problem in recent years. Sure, many people drive five or ten miles above the limit, but in recent years, stories of people driving forty or fifty miles over are becoming commonplace. The National Traffic Safety Board thinks they have a solution, and I'm unsure how popular it w...

Friday, we decided to surprise my sister-in-law and her family by attending the Semi-State playoff game in which two of her sons played. We didn't tell our nephews beforehand because we didn't want to take their minds off their usual game prep. Sadly, they lost, and their season is over. And while many were upset over losing, that wasn't the most upsetting thing. They have a tradition of getting t...

People have claimed that you have to be pretty to work on television for decades. Since the radio business employs many people who aren't that attractive, there's a running joke that disc jockeys have a face for radio. I never thought my face was ready for television, but it wasn't that bad. But after yesterday, I might have to rethink that. I was out taking pictures and wasn't paying attention to...

Last weekend, I realized something when I was getting ready to head out to run some errands. I've been using hairspray for around 50 years. As a preteen, I had long hair and consistently had problems with static electricity. I always tried different brands to find the one with the best hold. Some worked better than others, but they all shared one thing. They all had issues with clogged nozzles. An...

I don't often get nervous. I attribute that to my years tagging along with my father throughout his radio and TV career, followed by my 25+ year media career. I've been on stage in front of tens of thousands of people. I've hung out with hundreds of celebrities and been in meetings with too many politicians and business people to count. But I've been a bundle of nerves for the past couple of weeks...

In recent years, there has been much discussion about retailers converting from cashiers to self-checkout. However, this change has frustrated many customers and reduced job opportunities at some stores. But there may be changes at the checkout that reverse these recent trends. Many big box stores and grocers are going back to cashiers. This reversal has nothing to do with consumer complaints. It'...

There's been a lot of talk recently about medications targeted for type 2 diabetes finding use as weight loss drugs. You can't miss the ads for products like Ozempic and Wegovy. And if you're plus-sized like me, you pay attention to these ads. I've been doing a lot of research about them, wondering if they're suitable for me. Some people report great success with them, while others try to navigate...

Retail theft has been an issue for a long time. During uncertain economic times, crime increases. And while solo shoplifters were once the biggest concern, now stores are fighting organized theft rings. Big box stores have secured items like razor blades and cold medications for years, but now some stores are starting to keep things like toilet paper and milk locked away; this is no longer petty t...

As I've learned over the years, each state has a different policy when you apply for new license plates. In nearly every state, you're likely to get temporary tags. Some states issue a piece of paper that goes in your back window. For years, here in Tennessee, we got a cardboard license plate that you attached to the back of your car. But it often got ruined due to the weather. A couple of years a...

The other day, I saw a Panera Bread commercial that took me down memory lane. The ad mentioned a new sandwich that featured a Green Goddess spread. It took me back to the days of a salad dressing from Seven Seas called Green Goddess. We didn't have it often; like most homes, you found Italian, French, Ranch, and Thousand Island dressings in our refrigerator. But now and then, my mother would buy a...

If you've listened to the Mason Minute for even a short time, you know that I sometimes go down strange rabbit holes. Today's subject is a prime example. It's Veterans Day, a day to honor those who have served our country through all branches of the military. But the other day, I wondered if we include the Space Force. It's our newest branch of the military, launching just four years ago. But at t...

For as long as anyone can remember, scientists have studied the origins of our planet. They want to know all they can about how Pangaea split into the continents we see today. But parts of Southeast Asia and Australia have always puzzled researchers. How did they fit together? We finally have the answer, as scientists have located the remnants of the lost continent called Argoland. It's been missi...

I love the theory of televised awards shows. Like many, I watched last night's CMA Awards. And while there were some enjoyable parts, I found most of the show hard to watch. It had nothing to do with who won and lost or how good or bad the performances were. No matter if it's the Emmys, Oscars, People's Choice, CMA's, or any other show. They all have one huge flaw: the forced banter from the host...

I've discussed this topic a few times throughout the years. I've long been fascinated with our obsession with celebrity culture. Sure, I understand when a big star like Matthew Perry dies unexpectedly. But our infatuation with even minor celebrities baffles me. This week, a couple of actors I'd never heard of passed away. One was 50, the other just 35. But by the way, their passing was covered onl...

When I was a kid, I always got excited when the phone rang. You never knew who was calling. Today, thanks to modern technology, we usually know who's trying to reach out. Of course, 90% of the calls are now spam. Few of us even answer the phone. So when my cell phone rang on my way to work yesterday, I looked at the screen, and it displayed the words; No Called ID. Normally, I'd dismiss the call a...

Nashville just scored another first. Forbes Home has crowned Nashville the city with the worst commute. It beat out cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. They didn't just base the ranking on the length of our commute. It factors in things like mass transit, sidewalks, population, and access to transportation. Fixing our infrastructure issues is one of our new mayor's major priorities. Bu...

I realize that economics has caused many products to change throughout the years. To keep consumer costs down, manufacturers sometimes change the size of a product so they don't have to raise the price. This year, for Halloween, we got little goodie bags of candy at my office. And the first thing I noticed was that the fun-size candy bars, especially Snickers and Reese's, were much smaller than th...

Much of the world is still shocked by the passing of beloved actor Matthew Perry. Stories about the late Friends star continue to top the headlines a week after his unexpected death. Much of the coverage centers around his time on the legendary sitcom and the demons he tackled in his personal life. But some articles tackle the lesser-known parts of his life. Most loved him for his work as Chandler...

When you support someone through good times and bad times, you're there for that person through thick and thin. I thought about that phrase the other day and got quite a chuckle. When we're talking thin times, we're going through bad or rough times. When times are thick, it's referencing good times. But in our modern world, when you look at the phrase from a weight-specific viewpoint, the meanings...

There's something special about the first snowfall of the season. Over the last few days, many of my friends in the northern states enjoyed that first snow. Many took to social media to share how much they loved it. They love it now, but I guarantee they'll feel different come March or April. I've experienced my share of the white stuff throughout the years. And if I never experienced snow again,...

As we go through life, we often use milestones to mark specific points along the way. Significant events usually include things like major anniversaries. Last was our 25th wedding anniversary. That's obviously a milestone in life. The 26th anniversary doesn't have the same importance for most. It may not be considered a milestone, but I'm not complaining, okay, maybe a little... Click Here To Subs...