The Big Band Era had started along about the time I was born, a little before World War II. However, many of the songs from that era continued to be popular throughout the war and with a number of newer editions of some continue to be heard now and then; some from certain “golden oldies” type programs.

One that comes to mind with our current virus pandemic had its title used as a refrain after a number of stanzas, mostly about lost love, but with the virus pandemic, the title has a slightly different meaning: “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The music was written by the great band leader, pianist, and composer, Duke Ellington. Early lyrics to the tune were by Bob Russell. It was first played in 1940 and stayed on the pop charts through most of WWII.

For the last three months, my getting around has pretty much been of three types: Bicycle around Marshall; Short car trips out into the county (and sometimes even a neighboring county); Trips to the grocery.

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Biking or walking is quite different from riding in a vehicle as you all know. Sights, smells, and sounds are so much more intense. Within a couple of blocks of home, I have been observing lots of home construction (as well as repairs such as siding or roofing). There are about ten new residences from just working on foundation to almost being finished.

Further away there is the city hall and now the razing of the Marshall Hotel. There is the new building for a funeral home. Plus there is all sorts of repaving and work on the streets, expanded construction in Memorial Park, a rebuilding of a restroom in a city park.

Biking also allows a person to enjoy the aroma of the clover at this time of year. You can also hear lots of different birds, some of which is melodic, some of which is cacophonous. I wish fewer of the latter sounds and more of the melodic were evidenced around home.

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The sights when driving around go by much quicker and the smells and sounds are certainly less in evidence especially if the windows are rolled up to enjoy the air conditioning of the car, but there are observations to make.

Several weeks ago I drove to Ghent and then north on several of the county roads, arriving in Cottonwood. Knowing that MN 23 was under construction I decided to continue east to get to the construction bypass that would take me south to MN 19, thence back to Marshall.

The observation I made was that many of the smaller crossroad signs were very easy to read when in Redwood County, but those facing east, south, and west on Lyon County Roads were partially and sometimes wholly unreadable having been bleached out by the sun. I made the same observation several days ago when on Lyon Couty 20 heading to Camden Park. If you haven’t noticed this problem, just drive down MN 23 to 240th Ave. and observe the sign at the MN 23/240th Avenue intersection. Of course you may know 240th Avenue by its Lyon County #7 or possibly remember it by calling it “Airport Road.”

To shorten this up a little, I hope that Lyon County has a budget item sometime in the future to correct the poor signage. Interestingly I noted that while the street signs may be unreadable, the small green and white mileage markers on MN 23 have not faded, nor have most of the other larger signs. Nor did I see any faded blue and white street signs. Oh, Fiddlesticks!

It seems that it has been many years since I have noticed on any highways anywhere a section that has a bunch of test paint strips on the pavement. Is some research needed before we put up new signs?

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The third area where I still get around to during this pandemic is to the grocery store. Those visits provide many experiences, some of which I have not been particularly thrilled about. I don’t know that I had ever thought about Uncle Ben’s Rice as being a sort of racist brand, but I guess it now will have a change in name. However, I had been one of those people who bought and enjoyed that brand, having gotten used to the orange box of Uncle Ben’s (Perfect Every Time®) Whole Grain Instant Brown Rice, Net Wt. 14 oz.

A couple of months ago I looked for the orange box and could not find it, but eventually found a clear plastic bag of Uncle Ben’s, Net Wt. 2 lb. Though I would have liked a box, the unit price was a little better.

Recently, however, I needed to buy rice again. This time I could find neither the box nor the clear plastic bag. Now maybe the shelf that I did find with Uncle Ben’s Rice was there for some time, but I had never noticed it. It was not what I wanted, however. What they did have was about a dozen different kinds all in smaller quantities (6.0 oz., 6.2 oz., 8.5 oz., and 8.8 oz.) and the flavors, such as: Basmati, Jasmine, Coconut Jasmine, Butter Garlic, Spanish Style, Whole Grain Medley (Quinoa & Brown Rice with Garlic), Teriyaki, etc.

All of these different kinds were in BPA Free Pouches that could be cooked in 90 seconds in a microwave. Now admittedly that is faster than the old instant that took 10 minutes or the truly original that took about 30 minutes, but I am still willing to take that 30 minutes for the cheaper original stuff.

Until next time: Oh, Fiddlesticks!