The Deck at 260 Volume 48

Whew doggies what a day/week/month on the deck! Is it really almost September/end of summer?

TX Roadhouse, Hayden, Labor Day weekend, Clover v Lake Wylie, college football , Dalton and Saco, Dolly Parton, other deaths, Penn State

Ok this Texas Roadhouse deal has been getting overblown. I haven't seen a single report of it's a collective deal or exactly which restaurants are doing this to Black people's fold. You all know by know I stand strongly for the cause. However those that haven't worked in a restaurant nor been in a restaurant kitchen don't realize how nasty that food truly is. I detached from Roadhouse a while ago (those rolls are still some of the best though!) and have went to Longhorn. More locations, less crowded, better steaks (that Tomahawk) and a more versatile menu.

We're in another run of celebrity deaths. It started with Hayden Panteriee and it's gone to Eddie Kane, Dolly Parton, the voice of Optimus Prime, the drummer from ZZ Top and even Tim Curry. Dolly is definitely the most notable. Dolly really stood for the cause and supported ALL human beings! You better believe when I get back to my race relations activism Aunt Dolly will be referenced. No negative comments will be tolerated! 

It always feels weird when the first Monday in September is on the 2nd week of the month. Labor Day weekend is still a month out. I'm preparing the best I can as I will have a more odd weekend than usual. 

The Clover School District has two high schools for the first time in history: Clover and Lake Wylie. They are sharing a stadium in the interim and are now arguing about how the colors on the field should be. It should be equal on the field and even highlighted with Lake Wylie flags during their home games. There's no mistaking that this is Clover's stadium, has been for years. You can represent the new school without taking the traditions from the current one! I wish I could attend the inaugural game but I have my 30 year high school reunion that weekend!

College football is slowly kicking off and now you have players that tried to walk on to an NFL team or went undrafted, were released and reenrolling in college due to a transfer portal loophole. This definitely needs to be addressed as there are obvious violations. I knew there would be mass issues if the transfer portal wasn't clear enough.

Who else is sick of Dalton and Sako? I'm good with influencers. Many have become like reality TV stars and it's getting sickening.  

Speaking of race relations, the Penn State scandal is wild. We all know that if this was at an HBCU the sanctions and scrutiny would be worse. People really need to learn and practice confirmation bias and realize the playing field is not level. 

Finally Dolly Parton was a national treasure. Her death hits the hardest for many. I do also appreciate the jokes with "boobs at half mast". We all need to strive to be more like Dolly. 

See you in September!

The Deck at 260 Volume 47

School's almost back in session, football is backb more rain and hot weather but we don't stop at The Deck. It's just damp is all.

Zakarys/Boston Annies/small businesses 

June Fair murder

Shealys BBQ review and better spots

Gnat removal

WU in more trouble?

I do hate to see small businesses suffer. Summer is already the toughest due to folks being out of town for vacation. Boston Annie's has went from rough kitchen repairs that the city of Gaffney doesn't support. She went from trying to raise money to get a food truck to getting ready to go home to Boston. She and her awesome food will be missed (I never got to take unk there, I'm sure he would have loved the stews). Zakary's coffee shop is going through similar. Low support, Duke Power (how are they still around?) not responding to maintenance requests but charging them as much as they do the nearby multimillion dollar hospital for utilities. I don't frequent Zakarys: however I do realize them and Boston Annie's were not only hallmarks of downtown Gaffney for a period, they were fueled by the Limestone College community.  This is another ripple effect of Limestone College closing. I do pray for Annie in her next journey back home and that Zakarys can find a way to turn it around. 

This murder of young June Fair in Gaffney has hit me and the community really hard and close (nevermind he's a distant cousin of mine and I've come to know his mom and those over the years). First is of course the gun violence deal. 2nd is that kids do not fight anymore. What Pops from Friday said is becoming more and more true. 3. Some people around the county and state are so evil, racist and sad. Either way, a young man is gone, two more are headed to prison. I do love the action being taken in the moment to take care of both the funeral expenses and his unborn son. I also like that community members aren't giving up on resources and support to mitigate this violence from continuing. We have to start somewhere. 

I have heard for weeks (especially after I had Marilyn Martin on the podcast) about Shealys BBQ. I wanted to go the week I was off and try them but it was right after the 4th of July and they always close for two weeks afterwards. I decided to try them this past Thursday, made the trip through secondary roads and the Midlands region of South Carolina.  I did like a lot of the esthetic: a sink and towel to wash your hands upon entry, affordable buffet, ample parking and communal big tables. They had a nice salad bar, soft serve ice cream and dessert bar. However their regular food was underwhelming. Most of the stuff was cafeteria style, not homemade tasting nor smelling. That had to be the worse looking and tasting mac n cheese I've had. The hash looked runny and gross. The BBQ (all 3 kinds) did not taste smoked and had too much vinegar. It was like Wades: overhyped due to reputation and location. I do not like when places like this (Harolds, Beacon, etc) do not live up to the hype.  The chicken was good and the staff was kind and courteous though. I know many other BBQ/country cooking places I would recommend before Shealys. It is my opinion but I also feel like I know what good should look and taste like. 

I've dealt with many issues in this 33 year old home, currently on the end of my home improvement upgrades. The current challenge is getting rid of these gnats. I have cleaned house (will do more tonight), followed recommendations online. They appear to be coming from my bathroom, likely from all of these storms. I also have a toilet in the other bathroom that will not flush. Ahh the challenges of home ownership and with an older home. 

It appears at Winthrop University (the WU) there is financial difficulties. These are to the tune of $100,000 from normal projected donations.  Many minority alums are not happy about what's been happening and are refusing to donate (myself included). It's truly sad, I love my school and my time there. However the board needs to get this together and show us minorities they care and they do stand for diversity.  

Until next time. 

The Deck Volume 46 (The I Plead the 5th Edition)

Alright now, it's feeling cool on the Deck for the 2nd straight end of July/firdt of August!  The deck and life feels better with Fall and football just around the corner. 

Fauci, Odyssey, bonnets, All Star weekend recaps, back to school giveaways parasite

Ok by now most know about Dr. Fauci pleading the 5th during the COVID/CDC hearings. Even those that took the vaccine/followed COVID protocols knew Fauci was full of it, likely was behind creating it and an opportunist. I don't know many that dispute that. What is also disputed (I'm so over talking about it) is the way the USA handled the COVID pandemic. Dr. Fauci was again an opportunist. We all should always do our due diligence. Trust but verify. 

The Odyssey as well as the newest Spiderman are currently the biggest in the theaters right now. Everytime I get ready to drop Regal Unlimited a new string of good movies comes out. Now far as historical accuracy (specifically involving race), we were not there. We do not know whom looked like who. We can ascertain based on the area and ancestors but we cannot say that everyone was white. It goes back to Cleopatra, Napoleon, Beetoven, even Jesus Christ. 

The bonnet/durag debate at HBCUs has definitely heated up the socials lately.  I'm going to say this as a former college student and a current manager that's enforcing dress codes. Dress for the occasion, use common sense and good judgment to know when it's appropriate to cover your heads, put on a decent T-shirt and show some class. I dressed down much of my college experience in the classroom and residence halls. You better believe I dressed differently when I went to administrative offices, meetings and especially the Cafe at 615pm (if you went to the WU in the 90s you know!). I'm currently in the middle of a fashion makeover and if these are things you don't know naturally know then the rules must be stricter. I'm a heterosexual man and honestly I get sick of seeing young women with booty shorts and basically their bras. There is a time and place for everything. 

All-Star weekend in Gaffney was again a success.  It doesn't seem like the crowds came like they have in the past. You all know I can be critical of events and event planners. However I don't think this was all on them. It's the crowds as well. These guys and the community have been very consistent, successful and I'm confident adjustments and improvements will continue to be made. One thing would be to lower the amount of games, announce the dates further in advance and possibly even do a 2 day game pass instead of so much for each day. People genuinely want to see the games but with back to school so early this year there is a choice to be made. 

Speaking of back to school, it is so early this year! I'm not used to this. I have to adjust my commutes and traffic patterns. Also I didn't really prepare properly to give to back to school drives also due to a busy July (my birthday month plus busy stuff at work).  I'll continue to post on this throughout the month but it is taking summer away from the children and staff members.  Unless they're getting multiple days off like years past.

It appears the food parasite is starting to pass us by. It hit ginger ale, lettuce and then bacon. Most I know that got sick (myself included) appear to be recovering.  We should always take heed in which foods we trust.