Illustration by Isabella Bannerman While Buffalo has many reasons to visit, like its famous chicken wings, world-class art and architecture, and nearby Niagara Falls, it may one day be known for another reason altogether: Cheerios are cooked up in the Queen City. When the wind is right, the smell of baking Cheerios wafts over the city, bringing delight to all. Buffalo is considered one of the friendliest cities in America, and surely this is a contributing factor. It’s hard to argue with someone when your sense of smell gives you a sense of bliss. Buffalo didn’t always smell like Cheerios.... Continue reading

I received an email today from Mike in California. He has a grill for sale. As he points out, it's missing the table (but it has hubcaps). Mike doesn't think it's been used much, if used at all. If you are interested, give Mike a shout at 760-378-3448. Continue reading

Asbach Spirited Chocolates Gift Box from the Vermont Country Store Christmas catalog. You can listen to the essay by clicking below. Thanks Josh Roepe for the great job recording and editing it. Christmas Arrives With This Catalog Continue reading

Today's Six Chix cartoon, and a link to many more Bannerman witch 'toons. Happy Halloween week! Continue reading

The article mentions Isy's efforts to involve King Feature Syndicate cartoonists on behalf on Unity Day's anti-bullying efforts. You can read it here. Continue reading

Today's Six Chix cartoon, in support of anti-bullying efforts. Unity Day is this Wednesday. Continue reading

A screengrab from my latest piece at HumorOutcasts.com. You can read the rest by clicking here. Continue reading

You can read the rest of the piece by clicking here. Thanks Isabella Bannerman for the great illustration, and to Donna Cavanagh at HumorOutcasts.com for running it. Continue reading

I just heard from Jim Costigan, the builder and owner of the "Hobbit House" tucked into a hillside in Pawling, NY that I have written about. Jim reports that they've just lowered the price, and that the annual taxes were probably going to be in the $7,000-$9,000 range. You can check out the listing here. $650,000 buys you one of the most unique homes outside the Shire, sure to be popular with Airbnb-ers on weekend trips from nearby NYC. Good luck, Jim! Hope you find someone who loves this amazing project of yours. Continue reading

If you haven't discovered the legendary Dick Proenneke, this book is a good introduction. Proenneke "retired" to Twin Lakes, Alaska in 1968 and single-handedly built a log cabin to live in. There he kept a journal, filmed wildlife, and took photos. A TV program using his journal (but not voice) as the narration is popular on PBS stations in California. This reissue has a new introduction by Nick Offerman, the actor who is also a woodworker. I once interviewed Proenneke's friend and editor John Branson. You can hear it here. It's one of this blog's most popular pages. And I... Continue reading

Just a couple of weeks to Halloween! Then, it's pretty much the holidays. Continue reading

You can read the rest of the piece by clicking here. Thanks to my wife, Isabella Bannerman, for the great cartoon, and to Donna Cavanagh at Humor Outcasts. Continue reading

You can read the rest of the piece by clicking here. Thank you Isabella Bannerman for the cartoon illustration and as always to Donna Cavanagh. Continue reading

Why the security lines are so long this time of year. 2018 is the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." She wrote it when she was 18, and it's still going strong. Continue reading

Today's beautifully drawn "Six Chix"panel. This circus used to happen in our backyard every winter, without the canine audience. I really love how Isabella draws dogs. Continue reading

Today's "Six Chix" cartoon. Mid-term voting is just weeks away. Continue reading

Mountain biking is so much fun, it's no wonder it's crowded. Another great cartoon by my wife, Isabella Bannerman. Continue reading

Today's Monday "Six Chix" cartoon. Maybe the dog should team up with McGruff. Continue reading

You can read the rest of it by clicking here. Thanks to my wife Isabella Bannerman for the writing help, and to HumorOutcasts.com and Donna Cavanagh for running it. Continue reading

They are probably busy getting ready for school. Continue reading

You can read the rest of the piece here. Thanks to my wife Isabella Bannerman for the great cartoon and help with the writing. And thanks to Donna Cavanagh at HumorOutcasts.com for running it. Continue reading

Photos of this grill were sent to me by a reader named Brent. It's a mid-century beauty. I'd never seen one, but Adam Gibson had. Here's what Adam says about it: "This is a brazier bbq made in Eden NY in the 1950’s. That is all I really know about it. The company dissolved but these were very popular back in the day and were used at many camp grounds across the country. I have seen some for sale as far away as Washington State and California. The last few I have bought or seen sold average between 50-200 bucks... Continue reading

Yikes. They both seem like painful options. Continue reading

You can read it here. Thanks, Donna Cavanagh. Thanks, Isabella Bannerman. And thanks, musicians and songwriters, for all the tears. Continue reading

Mmm, donuts. If these are invaders from space, let them take over. Click on image to enlarge. Continue reading