The Phoenix Chestnut Chronicles

I've been reading about an interesting athlete named Ken Dryden. He was the goalie for the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970's. Yes, the same Canadiens that won six Stanley Cup's during the 70's. He was on five of those teams. Then into his third year in the NHL, he quit. He and the Canadiens management got into a contract dispute. He felt like he should have been paid as the best goalie in the league. The Molson family, who owns the Canadiens, weren't open to paying Dryden more money. So to prove he didn't really need hockey, he quit to go to law school. He had been drafted in the early 70's with the goal of getting his law degree. So during the 1973/74 season, he completed his studies. The Canadiens didn't win the Stanley Cup that year. The Canadiens then were open to discuss a salary increase. With Dryden in the net, the Canadiens won four straight Stanley Cups to close out the 1970's.  I'm currently reading Dryden's book, 'The Game'....

Well it's almost the first of the year and people start thinking about their New Years Resolutions. I don't really do that, have a resolution. Life gets in the way and I get distracted or lose interest in what I want to accomplish. Yesterday morning, on the morning of the winter solstice, I made a hundred day challenge. I usually put my goal on social media and get a lot of support. As I said before, I get sidetracked or lose interest. I have been drinking a lot of beer lately. A LOT OF BEER. If my calculations are correct, I have had the equivalent of 140 12 ounce beers in almost three weeks. I'm not proud of it. I drink because I'm bored. There's isn't a Mrs. Chestnut, and they're are no little Chestnuts running around to keep me occupied.  So I made a challenge to not drink beer until April 1st, a 100 days from the solstice. It's too cold to drink beer in the winter time. I could save some money and hopefully lose a few pounds.  My birthday is April 8...

I went to JC Penney after work last night to pick up some shirts I ordered. I arranged to have them delivered to the County Fair Mall. In 1987, the mall was a BIG DEAL! Who would have thought Woodland would have a mall. It wasn't very big, but it was ours. It was THE social gathering spot for a few years. I remember with my paper route money, I'd go shopping at Miller's Outpost for the latest cool clothing. I'd also watch pretty girls walk past me.  Then, over the course of time, the mall lost its appeal. The original stores started closing. Mom and pop business would take over. Then they pulled out.  The mall is boarded up now. Only the JC Penney and a Neighborhood Walmart occupy the building. Homeless people sleep under the awnings of the building. The JC Penney was nothing but a markdown store. So many memories came across my mind as I drove around the parking lot. Almost forty years ago it was the pride of Woodland. Now it's a public eyesore.  I wouldn't be ...

Winter is approaching. I loved winter when I was younger. In my twenties, I'd wear shorts all winter long. It was comfortable.  I'd go out and about in the cold without a care in the world.  The last few winters have been long, bone chilling cold and wet. So far it's been a mild fall. It rained yesterday. I was gonna play golf today, but another storm is passing through.  Last night I felt the first touch of bone chilling cold weather. That tells me winter is coming. The winter solstice is next Saturday the 21st. Winters long walk will begin. Stay warm folks. Until next time...