And so, here I am again with yet another essay centered around my quests to find and photograph commercial vehicles that are adorned with fine designs. This story is the sixth installment of what will remain an ongoing project (assuming that I continue to stay above ground, that is). What, like I’ve got something better to do with my time than to troll streets and the parking areas of shopping centers and strip malls for handsome trucks, vans and cars? I don’t! At my advanced age I ain’t interested in reaching for the brass ring, goal-and-activity-wise, you dig? Not that I ever was, to tell you the truth. Thus, no novels will I be writing. No corporations will I be starting. No applications to graduate schools will I be submitting, unless there’s a PhD program out there that would accept a doctoral thesis titled An Unambitious F*cker’s Aimless Thoughts.
In other words, trolling suits me just fine.
Frustratingly, it hasn’t been easy finding an adequate number of beauties for this story. Five hunting trips, each of an hour or more in length, brought forth only six vehicles whose images I deemed worthy of inclusion. I want and need one more pleasing photo, but I’ve had my fill of intensive hunting. I’m very confident, though, that an object of my desire will present itself during my normal activities over the next few days (I’m typing these words on the 20th of July). Lucky number seven surely is heading my way!
I didn’t run into a numbers problem during the creation of this series’ previous installments. In fact, for most of them I bagged enough useable photos during only one or two expeditions. Which was amazing, considering that the vast majority of commercial vehicles have little, indifferent or no artwork upon their bodies.
What accounted for the change in numbers? Partly it was just one of those things. A cold streak, if you will. But I’m pretty sure that the good ol’ coronavirus was the main reason. Although many stores and offices are open in my area (I live near Philadelphia), the pandemic has harmed business here, as it has everywhere. Decreased demand for goods translates into fewer deliveries. There weren’t as many chances, as a result, for me to cross paths with good-lookers.
Luckily, part of the shortfall was made up by artistic vehicles of the non-delivery type. The Omni Comp car, for example. It belongs to a computer repair store in my town and is used, I assume, by the workers there for service calls. That car is cute as a button, no?
And how about the van owned by Noble Dentistry, whose office is in a town nearby to mine? The van’s greens and blues are oh so dreamy. But why does ND need a van? For mobile dental services? Uh uh. Their website makes no mention of that. I suppose the practice’s owners simply want to have a sharp vehicle parked in front of their building in the hopes of catching the eyes of some potential patients.
My favorite hunk of metal and glass, though, is of the delivery sort. It’s a truck that was delivering Canada Dry beverages to a Wawa food market near my home. As with Noble Dentistry’s van, greens and blues rule on the truck, only much more profoundly and on a significantly larger scale. Man, it was hot as hell on the day I walked around Canada Dry, admiring it from various angles. Its soothing, refreshing facade cooled me down, though that was mostly in my head. In reality, I continued to sweat like a pig.
With that, I’ve come to the end of my commentary. But only for now. I shall resume the narrative when beauty number seven reveals itself to me. Don’t go away!
I’m back! It now is the 21st of July. Two hours ago I returned home from a dental appointment in Philadelphia’s congested Mayfair section. Because traffic was lighter than usual — another consequence of the pandemic — I arrived ten minutes before my appointment time. I parked on one of the neighborhood’s countless rowhouse-filled blocks and silently said something along these lines to myself: “Might as well walk around for a couple of minutes before going to the dental office. There’s a decent chance I’ll spot a sweet vehicle parked on the street.” Turns out there was a 100% chance, for on Frankford Avenue, a shopping mecca, I saw a vision in red and white: a Meadow Gold dairy truck that was making a delivery to one of the stores nearby. It’s a great beauty, colorful and wonderfully designed. But I still have to go with the Canada Dry truck as my favorite, because of the loving way in which its greens and blues resonate with me. Meadow Gold, you are a real close second.
Naturally, I snapped Meadow Gold’s picture and gave deep thanks to the WordPress gods for looking out for me. They wanted me to bring this story to a satisfactory conclusion, of that I have no doubt.
Well, that’s about it. As I do with all of my stories, though, I’ll let this one marinate for a few days and tinker with it compulsively. Thanks for reading. Please don’t be shy about letting me know which vehicles you like the best, or about anything else. Goodbye till next time!
Yeah, Another Blogger 
The OmniComp car has my vote!
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It’s a good one. The painted design is clean and very eye-catching.
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And cute, as you say.
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I like the Dental one but they’re all pretty cool
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Hey there. Yeah, it’s definitely got that blues-and greens thing going. It’s a winner.
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How original you are, Neil! Certainly beats sitting indoors staring at the walls. Art is everywhere. I rather liked the cute little Omni car too. There’s so much to study when outdoors. I’m very keen on doorways and archways, leading somewhere else…and what goes on behind and through them! Curiosity is King when you’re retired. It keeps the juices flowing nicely. Safe walking. Cheers! x
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Joy, I couldn’t agree more about the importance of having curiosity. It’s a key to having a good life, I think.
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The Schnecken Lady? Interesting! Are snails that popular where you live? Or is that a snail-shaped pastry?
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Hi there. Schnecken are snail-shaped pastries. Schnecken is the German word for “snails”.
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Yes- I used to live in Germany and I speak German reasonably well. I found it interesting to find a pastry named for the German word for snails, but I’m not aware of this pastry existing in Germany. When I Googled it, what came back is a sort of cinnamon bun. Interesting.
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Interestingly the Spanish have snail-shaped breakfast pastries too. They’re called ‘caracolas.’ Not to be confused with ‘Caracoles,’ otherwise you end up with a plate of snails for breakfast. True story!
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Hahaha. 🙂
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Hello Neil. “Art is too important not to share.” Romero Britto.” Have a great day. Jerry
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Jerry, I always like the quotes that you’re familiar with. Thanks for stopping by. See ya!
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The most fundamental skill of a great photographer is apparently the ability to wait indefinitely for the perfect shot. You’ve proven your credentials here. Impressed the dairy truck has a soccer ball on it. I guess soccer is getting pretty popular in the States now? My favourite is the Canada Dry truck too. Although my favourite bit of the post is the line, “An Unambitious F*cker’s Aimless Thoughts”. In those words, I think you’ve just summarised my own writing (lack of) ambition 🙂
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Hey there, George. You know, the essays that you write for your site are detailed and well-crafted. They have a lot of substance. So, I think you’re demonstrating quite a bit of ambition by producing them.
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It’s the Dental van for me too. Would cheer me up ahead of a check-up to see something like that sitting outside.
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Hi, Alyson. It would be interesting to know how much that van has increased the practice’s business. It can’t hurt, that’s for sure.
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Yeah, that dentist’s truck is certainly an odd one. Advertisements for medical purposes are not common here though I see a bus carrying the logo of a local private hospital UPMC: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, believe it or not! This group seems to be moving in to the Irish hospital scene and appear to have three centres at present. I can attest to the high standards in their local hospital as I have been a patient there on two occasions. Otherwise, I haven’t noticed any medical advertisement on vehicles.
Take care and keep well and watch out for that perfect vehicle!
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The University of Pittsburgh has health care facilities in Ireland? I’m totally amazed by that.
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Yes. We had a private hospital built on the edge of town in 2006. There was talks of some financial difficulties and the University of Pittsburgh came in and took it over. In the last couple of years they have taken over two other hospitals here in Ireland. It is entirely private so medical insurance is essential to take advantage. The service is excellent – speedy appointments, and quick treatment. In January, 2019, I went to my doctor complaining of hip pain – she made an appointment for X-ray and MRI scan which I had that very afternoon and was in for the operation a fortnight later! A good experiences – as good as a hospital experience can be, I suppose.
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I laughed a a few of them.
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I know what you mean. The Schnecken Lady vehicle does that for me.
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I liked the Meadow Gold milk truck. Keep on trucking Neil!
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Hi Joyce. Have you ever seen a Meadow Gold truck anywhere? I think this might be the first one I’ve ever noticed.
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The appearance of a dental truck up in my neck of the woods would be surreal, and maybe even welcome.
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Don’t neglect your teeth and gums!
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Odd about the dental truck, especially if they don’t have mobile service. The Canada Dry truck gets my vote!
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Yeah, the scene on the Canada Dry truck is very inviting. I’d like to be in a place like that right now.
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Do you think the dentists havw that truck to use as a Black Maria for capturing patients who run away?
If you do go the post grad way, then I think you will need to change the title of the thesis…it has already been overused,
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What?! I thought that my thesis title was original!
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I see CHUD! and a ladder, and immediately think “…going to any lengths to photograph a ginger ale truck, he slipped from the top rung and chud! hit the sidewalk.” That OmniComp is a Kia Soul, that little car really seems to be a big winner for them.
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Hey, Robert. I photographed both Chud and Canada Dry at my local Wawa food market. I’ve had success there too for previous Art On Wheels stories.
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I like the Canada Dry one best. If you’re going to paint your van or truck, it should be memorable, right Neil? The vans with just a name are sooo boring. 🙄🤣
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Right . . . whoever it was that designed the artwork of the CD truck put a whole lot of time and effort into it. And they had plenty of artistic talent.
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👏👏👏
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“Chud” gets my vote because the word is so darned odd.
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They’re a company in my area. I never thought about what the word means. Maybe it’s the family name. You’re right about the oddness of that word. It’s a cool word, too.
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I’m left to shake my head over the stuff that entertains you, Neil. Worse, as I read this post, I was right there with you!
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Jacqui, I sometimes shake my head about what entertains me too!
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Hehe
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YAY! Another Art on Wheels!
Glad the series continues. Also glad I am not the only one who lets things marinate and tinkers compulsively. Hitting the [Publish] button is sometimes the only way to get back to urgent chores (like breathing).
Yes, it is curious that Noble Dentistry has that impressive van but says zilch about mobile dentistry on their website. Hmmm. The painted clouds on the side of the truck happen to mesh with the actual clouds behind it, creating an illusion that the truck is semitransparent. Cue the theme music from *The Twilight Zone* and imagine Rod Serling’s remarks about mobile dentistry in a parallel universe.
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Hey, you’ve come up with a great idea for a movie or a TV show. I think that I sense Netflix trying to get in touch with you!
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Netflix will regret it if they do. 🙂
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Hi, Neil, in our area (Seattle suburbs), there are lots of large passenger vans, somewhat like your Noble Dentistry vehicle, that both transport and advertise retirement communities. They bear pictures of happy and healthy-looking seniors living the good life, as well as pastoral scenes of the facility’s garden, dining room, recreational activities, etc. Before COVID, we would see them all over, taking their residents to the grocery store, library, sporting events, and local casinos. Now, not so much. They’re quite attractive, but I always wonder how much truth there is in their advertising….
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Hi, Donna. Thanks for stopping by. I sometimes see vehicles in my area that are similar to what you describe. Yeah, I hope that those facilities are well-run. Getting old is no bargain, but there’s no stopping the hands of time.
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The Schnecken Lady has my vote (but who can resist those nummy-looking pastries – not I!).
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I spotted that truck parked close to a bakery/cafe. I guess that the Schnecken Lady was making a delivery there.
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I vote for the Schnecken Lady’s van. I wish she would drive it right to our house. I’ll take a couple dozen of those great pastries. 😋
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I have it on good authority that she’s on her way!
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I really like the Canada Dry one. Whether you see it parked at a store, or on the road, it’s a nice glimpse of a large, refreshing landscape!
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Hi. Right — that’s why it appeals to me too.
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Neil, my top pick is also the Canada Dry beverages truck. The scenery takes me to places I would like to be.
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You’re not kidding. It’s hot as can be right now where I live. I’d rather be in the Canada Dry scene!
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I was referring to the scene on the truck 🙂
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I have to say you’ve opened my eyes. I never paid any attention to the artwork on commercial vehicles, but I begun to notice them lately and some are really clever and well done.
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You know, I’m surprised that there aren’t more commercial vehicles with attractive designs. It’s good, free advertising.
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I agree on the cuteness of the Omni Comp car, but my vote goes for Noble Dentistry, simply because of the name. They sound like the kind of dentists I want. I’m sorry I’ve not gone for artwork, but I’m a ‘words woman’, first and foremost. Hope your dentist visit was satisfactory, and leaves no resonating traumas.
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Yeah, my dental appointment went fine. I was a little uneasy about going there, because of the virus situation, but I really needed to have my teeth/gums cleaned.
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Wow, regular care? We can only get emergency dental work, at the moment.
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Yeah. I think that dentists are allowed to be open in Pennsylvania.
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Howdy doody, canada dry, if ya gonna haul a load you may as well make it pretty. Sounds like a swim in the lake in the picture would be great. Not sure about the dentist van i dont care how appealing the add a torture chamber on wheels.haha. In our little town the most artistic or characture vehicles are the ones that make you ask are they even registered or how is that even being driven.
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Hey there. Good to hear from you. I mowed, pruned and weeded part of my property today. I was sweating like crazy (it’s really hot here today). Afterwards, I’d have loved to jump into the scene painted on the Canada Dry truck.
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Great finds!
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Hi, Becky. And many thanks for stopping by. It took longer than I would have liked to find a decent number of good-looking commercial vehicles to photograph. I hope that the process will be quicker next time!
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I now have a collection of such pictures, thanks to you! They will see the light of day soon. Canada Dry for me, beautiful scene.
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Hi. I think that Canada Dry so far has the most first-place votes. That truck is a big, beautiful work of art.
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Not sure about a mobile dentistry service, Neil, least round these parts with the kind of potholes we have. The Canada Dry truck’s a beauty, and reminds me of the story Dean Martin used to tell: ‘I saw this advert: ‘drink Canada Dry.’ So I did!’
See ya,
Andrew
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That’s a great line!
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My fave this time was the U-Haul truck…..only because I live on the shores of Lake Ontario, about 45 minutes west of Toronto.
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Hi. I like your thinking!
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Well, you may not be starting corporations, but you are doing an excellent job of entertaining your readers!
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Thanks, Ann. Appreciated!
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Love your photos. Enjoyed the post. Pssst. I have a secret. Don’t tell a soul. I don’t even own an I-Phone. My cell phone is the old-fashioned flip type. It works but no photos. You’re great at this.
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Your secret is safe with me!
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I love the Meadow Gold truck. The image is striking. The only thing that might improve it would be to move the player to the right, so she’s on the door. That way, she’s moves every time it’s opened, which would be kind of cool.
😀
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Morning, Eden. You definitely are thinking outside the box! Thanks for your input. I appreciate it a lot.
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Amusing as always. And indeed, what else have we got to do in this time of pandemic? I am still in Vietnam, well and truly stuck. And after what has been a long stretch of normality compared with the rest of the world, the virus has struck again, and this time in Danang as well as the smaller town where I reside… Back to lockdown. The way of the future.
Lieve
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Hi Lieve. It’s great to hear from you. Yeah, these lockdowns won’t go away for good until an effective vaccine is created. Maybe next year?
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You have started my craving for a cold can of Canada Dry. It’s time to hit the hay. Do I succumb and indulge and get up 6 times during the night or do I forgo until tomorrow and dream about that wonderful drink?
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Succumb and indulge!
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Frosting up a couple cans for later today. Drop over for a cool one.
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I’m on my way!
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I like UHaul.. I dont know why… its all v. creative!
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Hey there. You’re the second person to choose U Haul. That company has been around forever, it seems. Maybe their colorful trucks increase the amount of business that they get.
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I’ve enjoyed your commercial vehicle posts. Sometimes really great artwork comes from advertising, including trucks. And personally, I’d become a complete person if anyone ever used one of my photos to adorn their truck or semi!
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You’ve come up with a winning notion in re your photos. It’s a new project for you to tackle!
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My vote goes for Meadow Gold truck with the soccer ball. Our family loves soccer! Art comes in many forms too. I loved the beautiful outdoor art in European cities. Finally we have some in the US. Thank you for an interesting post.
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Hi. Thanks for discovering my website. Speaking of outdoor art: I live near Philadelphia, which is loaded with outdoor sculptures. They make the city even more interesting than it already is.
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Good. Enjoy!
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I’m sure there’s a Pulitzer Prize category for Aimless Thoughts! I like the Noble Dentists. Lady Flossalot I presume is their hygienist.
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If it isn’t her name, she should change it to that. Hi, JT. Thanks for stopping by. See ya!
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I’ll take the Omni Comp—not because I find it cute as a button, but because you’re referring to it as cute as a button made me giggle.
The WordPress gods have been less kind to me—omitting my Saturday post from the Reader for 20 hrs—until my bereft email finally reached someone who told me it had been there all along—not! I do my own aimless wandering in that one—from the comfort of my home.
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Yeah, the WP gods act erratically. I suppose they were in a good mood when they decided to help me out last week.
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I second your second and first choices, Neil, but the first, pastry-adorned vehicle would put all thoughts of limiting carbs to rest forever. 🙂 🥐🥨🍞
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I might try to find out where her products are sold. I’d like to sample them.
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Let me know if they taste as delectable as they appear!
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👍👍
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I really, really like this series of yours. I follow some of the “Thursday Doors” posts, and even wrote one once, but let’s be honest: commercial vehicles are much more fun. 😉 I like the Canada Dry truck the best, call me old school. And don’t give up on that doctoral thesis of yours; I think it has promise. – Marty
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Hi, Marty. I’m not positive, but I think that the Canada Dry truck has gotten more nods so far than any of the others. It’s irresistible!
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I do NOT recall ever seeing that kind of variety of vehicle in the streets, but they must be there. I don’t see them ’cause I’m not looking. Great shots!
Have a nice (upcoming) weekend.
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Hi. As always, many thanks for stopping by. Changing the subject: Do you get HBO? If so, are you watching the new version of Perry Mason? My wife and I are hooked on it.
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Yeah, we don’t get it. But we’ll probably binge watch it sometime in the future like we did Lost (not worth it) and Breaking Bad (SO worth it!) . Thanks for the tip!
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great 🙂 I’ve been very busy with my camera too, Neil, snapping road signs of historical and personal interest as my latest post displays 🙂
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Hey there, John. Do you use your phone’s camera or a regular camera?
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I use my phone camera all the time; it takes quite remarkable photos, some of which I’m dying to put up once I put a text to them 🙂
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Tough decision, Neil. I love the simplicity of the OmniComp vehicle, plus I like mini-Coopers, and this looks like one. But the blues and greens on the Noble truck are dreamy.
Man, you do give good truck art! 🙂
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You know, I saw a gorgeous small truck today while I was driving to a supermarket. But I don’t try to take photographs while driving. Doing that would be a big mistake!
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I’m with Paddy. The landscape on the Noble Dentistry van is an odd choice, but maybe it’s to say they will pick you up in the country for their services. Weirdness aside, I do love me a landscape with green grass and blue skies. My next goal might be some painting lessons so I could create my own landscape like that, maybe in oil. Personal goals aside, the ND and Canada Dry tie for my favorite aesthetics.
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You’re a greens and blues lady!
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I like the cool, refreshing Canada Dry the best, too. And inspired by your art quest, while we were driving through South Philly yesterday I made Gene drive around the block again so I could stop and take a photo of another cool, refreshing piece of art on an Allagash White truck! I think you’d like it. Unfortunately I can’t seem to post it here, though…
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Evening, Cindy. Please show it to me at dinner tomorrow. By the way, we just watched the second episode of the third season of Ozark. This show is something else.
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The ScheckenLady made me hungry. Maybe it’s a “Rolls” Royce?
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Yes!
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Neil, I can definitely see the “blight” you had to work your way through. Fewer choices means we must lower our standards. Omni Comp and U-Haul, while not totally devoid, are no match for the excellence in this field we’ve come to expect from you. However, if the Philly burbs are anything like western Massachusetts–where all I see on my daily walks are Amazon vans and UPS trucks (people DO order a LOT of shit during a pandemic)–then I think you merit a medal of honor for your labors in this field.
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You know, I’m always surprised by how amazingly dull the Amazon vans are. Bezos needs some art education.
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WordPress is playing games with me and won’t let me “like” your reply unless I reply. It’s a new world!
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I’m fascinated by the Chud Air Duct van. I looked them up online, and they have another van, blue and red, with snowflakes. Who are these jazzy folks?
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They do heating and air conditioning installations and repairs. They are based a mile or two from where I live, in the Philadelphia burbs.
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