327 More Stuff Seen Along the Way

As anyone who has read more than a few of these posts has probably figured out, I have a habit of collecting pictures of “interesting” signs and other visual “stuff” which I discover as I wander about, literally or figuratively.  And, sometimes, but not as often as I would really like, but on occasion, the resulting pictures are of things I have actually seen (and photographed) myself as I have wandered about.  

Many of them, are, obviously, pictures of stuff I have found among the various places I have wandered (or blundered) into online.  I also, must admit that I “collect” cartoons from various online sites published by newspapers, magazines and cartoon publishers.  I suppose that I shouldn’t admit that I am aware that what I find on those sites IS copyrighted material, so I should pay (or at least get permission) to use it, which I admit I have rarely done.  But, to be honest, I really doubt that the owners of that material are likely to sue me because: 1.) they couldn’t get much, as I’m NOT a wealthy person; 2.) I think it’s highly unlikely that my readership is large enough to cause significant damage to their audience, 3.) I do at least try to cite the sources of such material, and; 4.) I suspect (hope?) that my readers, few as they may be, might be more likely to seek out some of these cartoons after first encountering them in one of my posts, which would increase their readership.  Anyway, I haven’t heard any complaints yet, and I hope I don’t.

All this is leading up to another post dealing with pictures of “stuff” I’ve encountered in  my wanderings through life and the Internet.  Most of the pictures included are ones I’ve found intriguing/interesting in some way.  In any event, I’ve enjoyed them and I thought others might, as well.  So, here goes.

I took this picture (which I MAY have used before?) of a decorated evergreen in a front yard of a home not too far from our house a few years ago during the holiday season.  I found it VERY amusing.  I confess that whenever I drive down that street during the holidays these days I miss this gnome.  I understand that the tree has grown too big for this to work now, but I do miss it and am glad I got this picture when I did.

On a completely different note, when I encountered (online) this picture of a sign in a Walmart (perhaps?), I practically went into hysterics.  I find it hard to conceive that NO ONE in the store caught the obvious fact that this sign was going to be seen as quite (sadly) amusing, AND that it would serve as a demonstration of the lack of awareness of the people who put it up.  I would suggest that I’ve seen some pretty tasteless advertising in my life, but I think this struck me as achieving something of a new low.  While I found it amusing, this situation would certainly mark a sad day on Sesame Street.

Now, I hasten to point out that not long after the ad above, I ran across the picture (below) somewhere online, which (while fairly tasteless) at least has the virtue of being pretty funny, at least to me.  Now, anyone who has ever been to a Costco or a Sam’s Club would recognize THIS situation.  On the other hand, I suspect that few of us have encountered one of the “sample people” offering this, particular, product for sampling very often.  I would suggest that it’s perfectly legitimate to do so, but it DOES seem like a rather unusual choice of things to “sample.”

Speaking of unusual, when I saw the picture below I had to admit that I thought it was really clever, but, perhaps, a bit peculiar.  Then I figured that I was back in the Midwest where there is a large supply of wheat, hay and other grain crops grown, and it didn’t seem quite as improbable.  What do you think?  Of course, this ISN’T really a haySTACK, but, I suppose it will do!

One MIGHT, of course, suggest that the picture above has probably been “photoshopped” in its creation, so, while it might be amusing, it’s highly likely that it’s not actually REAL.  Okay, says I, you want something unusual, but REAL?  How’s THIS!

This is an ACTUAL picture of an ACTUAL place near the town of Alliance, Nebraska.  I haven’t actually been to see it, but this IS a picture of it and I am more than satisfied that it actually exists!  It’s called “Carhenge” and you can look it up, and see more pictures online, for yourself, if you don’t believe me!  

When the regional LEGO fanatics had a showing of their creations in Council Bluffs, among the other exhibits, was a LEGO version of Carhenge.    
I confess, I thought it quite well done.  So, here’s a picture of the “LEGO Carhenge.”

Of course, as I suggested earlier, signs along the road form a significant part of the “stuff” one sees (and I collect) along the way, so I don’t want to wrap this up without including at least one actual sign.  

I liked this one because it WAS an actual sign, AND it poses an interesting question, which MIGHT have served to attract some attention to the business which posted it.  If nothing else, it suggests that the owner?/manager? has a bit of a sense of humor.

In closing, while I certainly suspect that the picture below has been “created” rather than actually just taken, I confess that I found it pretty funny, so I decided to include it here.  It’s not in the BEST of taste perhaps, but it IS pretty amusing, if you think about it.

I suppose that I should definitely quit now, before I stray even further from the path of delicacy.  I expect to be back in a couple of weeks.  I don’t have a plan yet, but I’ll probably come up with something to jabber on about.  See you then?