Canary In A Coal Mine Cage Spotted Near Lancaster

Everyone knows that miners would put a canary in a coal mine to make sure the mine was safe...well..some people don't but most do. I took this picture a while back at an antique store near Lancaster, PA. It's an actual jail cell that was used to hold the canary. It's hard to tell from the picture but there's a little seat in the cage as well as a water dish.

I was by myself when I saw this cage but if a friend* had been with me I would have asked the antique store person if the cage came with a miniature harmonica or a shiv. The antique store guy would have said, "Of course not." I would have then said, "Well do you know what buddy? You just lost yourself a God damned sale!" Then I would have stormed out like an antique store prima donna.


*The only reason I'd want a friend there is because if the situation got out of control and the fuzz came, I'd have the friend pretend he was a stranger and say that the antique store guy was at fault. I'd then say that I'd forget the whole situation if he gave me the canary jail.

Great Republican Convention Gift - PA Shop Has It

"Crackleberry Farm Antique Mall? I aint' goin' thar."

Well you sir may be a fool because if you're traveling west from West Chester and Chester County on Route 30 in PA, it's only a short ride until you hit Paradise, PA. You didn't read that incorrectly. We're talking Amish country. 20-30 minutes from modern civilization.

And you would think with the Amish, with their fear of electricity, Eskimos and things that click that the only they have for sale or barter would be pie tins, doily and frilly fabrics and drawings of "the English" enjoying funnel cake. That's where YOU are wrong. Because on a recent visit there, I found the proof. A good ole' fashion Richard M. Nixon shower nozzle (see picture above).

I'm sure its not too late to have this baby shipped overnight for your lady at the RNC. Go for it.

In case you want to call and see if the Nixon is still there, the phone number is: 717-442-8805.

Lancaster's Long Park Art & Craft Festival Review

That Blue Yak's Milford Dean Darlak attended the 29th Annual Long's Park Art & Craft Festival in Lancaster - and boy did he have a good time.

It was great. It was an arts and crafts show but not only didn't I see a single clown as I usually see at festivals, there wasn't a single craft booth selling Popsicle stick yarn art. And sand art? Nowhere to be found. It was the perfect weather in Lancaster Sunday and there were many classy people there. Here are some pictures I took:

This was an Amish gal that I almost hit on the way there. "Hold on there Kinzer Kate. You don't want your bike smashed and I don't won't front bumper damage. So take your time. The pies will still be there when you arrive. Safety first."

Holy cow - a huge dog sculpture with a cut out bone in the middle. Hmmm...perfect for snooping.

When in doubt and feeling like an art rube, go with it with such comments as, "Those eyes in that painting are not even the same size" or "$1200? Are you crazy? I've seen paintings like this at Walmart for $19.99 and they even come with a frame."

Now you're talking. I was all set to enjoy a 100% Angus beef hot dog from Tri-County Barbecue Catering but when I got up to the counter, I noticed it was a foot long. I was too embarrassed to order it because people might have thought I was a gay so I settled for the hamburger. It was pretty tasty.

While doing research for this article I came across an interesting link about the amish and their nicknames. Check it out by clicking the word link: link