Erik Eckel
@erikeckel.bsky.social
Freelance author and retired business owner who enjoys reading, writing, quality meats and cheeses, the Oxford comma, and a wide variety of sports.
Both eating and working at Chi-Chi's was an experience. The food was wonderful, as were the people who worked there. Here's how I remember the Mexican restaurant as well as its food and dating scene, as Chi-Chi's prepares a 2025 comeback starting in Minnesota.
erikeckel.com/2025/09/03/r...
erikeckel.com/2025/09/03/r...
September 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Both eating and working at Chi-Chi's was an experience. The food was wonderful, as were the people who worked there. Here's how I remember the Mexican restaurant as well as its food and dating scene, as Chi-Chi's prepares a 2025 comeback starting in Minnesota.
erikeckel.com/2025/09/03/r...
erikeckel.com/2025/09/03/r...
Can you say tariff? Apparently consumers pay the cost, not countries or companies. Who knew?
'duh
'duh
August 31, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Can you say tariff? Apparently consumers pay the cost, not countries or companies. Who knew?
'duh
'duh
Baseball can both reconnect you with your youth and enable forming new bonds with your own kids. 20 years ago my not-yet-three daughter discovered a natural affinity for the game, while I rediscovered my reverence for America’s favorite pastime. Here’s that story.
erikeckel.com/2025/06/19/w...
erikeckel.com/2025/06/19/w...
June 21, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Baseball can both reconnect you with your youth and enable forming new bonds with your own kids. 20 years ago my not-yet-three daughter discovered a natural affinity for the game, while I rediscovered my reverence for America’s favorite pastime. Here’s that story.
erikeckel.com/2025/06/19/w...
erikeckel.com/2025/06/19/w...
How many books is it OK to be reading at the same time? Is this too many?
June 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM
How many books is it OK to be reading at the same time? Is this too many?
What I’m reading. The 15th Travis McGee novel published in 1973.
#johndmacdonald #travismcgee #books #readabook #reading
#johndmacdonald #travismcgee #books #readabook #reading
May 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
What I’m reading. The 15th Travis McGee novel published in 1973.
#johndmacdonald #travismcgee #books #readabook #reading
#johndmacdonald #travismcgee #books #readabook #reading
Apparently this Busch Light Apple beer fad is a real thing. $999.99 for a 30-pack at Meijer!
Or, is it? I'm hoping the UPC code is just a placeholder for when the grocery store actually receives product to sell.
#beer #buschlightapple
Or, is it? I'm hoping the UPC code is just a placeholder for when the grocery store actually receives product to sell.
#beer #buschlightapple
April 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Apparently this Busch Light Apple beer fad is a real thing. $999.99 for a 30-pack at Meijer!
Or, is it? I'm hoping the UPC code is just a placeholder for when the grocery store actually receives product to sell.
#beer #buschlightapple
Or, is it? I'm hoping the UPC code is just a placeholder for when the grocery store actually receives product to sell.
#beer #buschlightapple
The Founding Fathers emphasized the importance of the freedom to write and read and built libraries to ensure resources were available. On Right To Read Day, truly patriotic Americans remain mindful of the importance reading, libraries and access to uncensored information fulfill across the nation.
April 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The Founding Fathers emphasized the importance of the freedom to write and read and built libraries to ensure resources were available. On Right To Read Day, truly patriotic Americans remain mindful of the importance reading, libraries and access to uncensored information fulfill across the nation.
When does the winning begin? Asking for a friend.
April 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
When does the winning begin? Asking for a friend.
A fan of Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," I enjoyed this Sam Hadley graphic featured in today's Wall Street Journal Books newsletter. Had I created an updated version, I'd just have had everybody fiddling with their phones while slurping a venti latte or two.
April 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
A fan of Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," I enjoyed this Sam Hadley graphic featured in today's Wall Street Journal Books newsletter. Had I created an updated version, I'd just have had everybody fiddling with their phones while slurping a venti latte or two.
Who had #10 seed Arkansas (with Calipari seemingly mounting an entertaining revenge tour this year) beating #2 seed St. John's (coached by Hall of Famer Pitino)? I chose Arkansas in a few brackets, but I created dozens, so that probably doesn't count.
March 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Who had #10 seed Arkansas (with Calipari seemingly mounting an entertaining revenge tour this year) beating #2 seed St. John's (coached by Hall of Famer Pitino)? I chose Arkansas in a few brackets, but I created dozens, so that probably doesn't count.
Here is my unsolicited coffee recommendation. If you’re looking for a simple cup of Joe with an inviting aroma, rich flavor and minimal fuss (Mount Hagen is not only organic Free Trade certified but instant as well), here you go. Available at Fresh Market and online. Both decaf and regular. Enjoy!
March 21, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Here is my unsolicited coffee recommendation. If you’re looking for a simple cup of Joe with an inviting aroma, rich flavor and minimal fuss (Mount Hagen is not only organic Free Trade certified but instant as well), here you go. Available at Fresh Market and online. Both decaf and regular. Enjoy!
Just ordered Lego's Endurance kit. My plan is to listen to the audiobook while assembling the set. There are worse ways to spend your time, right?
#lego #endurance #shackleton #books #reading
#lego #endurance #shackleton #books #reading
March 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Just ordered Lego's Endurance kit. My plan is to listen to the audiobook while assembling the set. There are worse ways to spend your time, right?
#lego #endurance #shackleton #books #reading
#lego #endurance #shackleton #books #reading
My kids gifted me Lego’s Books Are My Passion set. The kit was a free promo last fall. Demand has pushed the price to $150 now, but the overall cost was somewhat lower due to the Czech Koruna exchange rate. So yes, there is a robust secondary Lego economy and it is global.
March 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
My kids gifted me Lego’s Books Are My Passion set. The kit was a free promo last fall. Demand has pushed the price to $150 now, but the overall cost was somewhat lower due to the Czech Koruna exchange rate. So yes, there is a robust secondary Lego economy and it is global.
This is going to sound like a complaint (because it is). A trillion features are packed into Microsoft Word for Mac, yet you cannot easily list page x of y within a document. Are you kidding me?
February 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is going to sound like a complaint (because it is). A trillion features are packed into Microsoft Word for Mac, yet you cannot easily list page x of y within a document. Are you kidding me?
It's frustrating how often streaming services warn subscribers they could lose or have lost channels due to the channels' owner refusing to accept the provider's reasonable carriage agreement offer. Occasionally the channels return. Sometimes, maybe, it's just a negotiating tactic. You decide.
February 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
It's frustrating how often streaming services warn subscribers they could lose or have lost channels due to the channels' owner refusing to accept the provider's reasonable carriage agreement offer. Occasionally the channels return. Sometimes, maybe, it's just a negotiating tactic. You decide.
February 17, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Just made instant Folgers coffee using an electric kettle. Who knew a robust & flavorful cup of coffee could be so simple? I didn’t have to weigh, measure or perform any other action, just empty the envelope’s contents into a cup and add hot water. I think we’re overthinking this whole coffee thing.
February 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Just made instant Folgers coffee using an electric kettle. Who knew a robust & flavorful cup of coffee could be so simple? I didn’t have to weigh, measure or perform any other action, just empty the envelope’s contents into a cup and add hot water. I think we’re overthinking this whole coffee thing.
I finished the Lego Typewriter (Item #21327). At 2,079 pieces, the set commemorates mid-century typewriters, such as that used by Lego founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and features moveable type, a rotating carriage and a Lego first: a new fabric element (the black-and-red ink spool).
February 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I finished the Lego Typewriter (Item #21327). At 2,079 pieces, the set commemorates mid-century typewriters, such as that used by Lego founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and features moveable type, a rotating carriage and a Lego first: a new fabric element (the black-and-red ink spool).
Kurt Vonnegut wasn’t playing when he wrote. His productivity was prodigious. ChapStick for scale:
January 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Kurt Vonnegut wasn’t playing when he wrote. His productivity was prodigious. ChapStick for scale:
I think I’m going to make chili this afternoon. Here are the ingredients I plan to use (only I’m going to substitute 1 pound of ground turkey for 2 pounds of ground beef and add Rotel tomatoes and green chilies). The recipe is the Pioneer Woman’s, BTW:
January 26, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I think I’m going to make chili this afternoon. Here are the ingredients I plan to use (only I’m going to substitute 1 pound of ground turkey for 2 pounds of ground beef and add Rotel tomatoes and green chilies). The recipe is the Pioneer Woman’s, BTW:
Finished assembling the Office Lego set the kids gifted me at Christmas. The details and mini figure assortment are impressive. Sitting at the coffee table watching Office and Bob's Burgers episodes while working on the kit, the experience proved meditative and relaxing. I recommend it!
January 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Finished assembling the Office Lego set the kids gifted me at Christmas. The details and mini figure assortment are impressive. Sitting at the coffee table watching Office and Bob's Burgers episodes while working on the kit, the experience proved meditative and relaxing. I recommend it!
Do yourself a favor and get to know Kevin Maloney. His new book Horse Girl Fever is an abrupt but authentic story collection, which is why we need more like it.
Read my review for the details:
erikeckel.com/2025/01/21/h...
#KevinMaloney #HorseGirlFever #ClashBooks #BookReview #ShortStories #books
Read my review for the details:
erikeckel.com/2025/01/21/h...
#KevinMaloney #HorseGirlFever #ClashBooks #BookReview #ShortStories #books
January 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Do yourself a favor and get to know Kevin Maloney. His new book Horse Girl Fever is an abrupt but authentic story collection, which is why we need more like it.
Read my review for the details:
erikeckel.com/2025/01/21/h...
#KevinMaloney #HorseGirlFever #ClashBooks #BookReview #ShortStories #books
Read my review for the details:
erikeckel.com/2025/01/21/h...
#KevinMaloney #HorseGirlFever #ClashBooks #BookReview #ShortStories #books
Kids today will never know the joy of picking up the newest copy of Computer Shopper in the 2000s. I mean, Prairie Power! And these babies were thick to boot. Get it? Pun intended.
January 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Kids today will never know the joy of picking up the newest copy of Computer Shopper in the 2000s. I mean, Prairie Power! And these babies were thick to boot. Get it? Pun intended.
Happy Festivus to those that celebrate!
December 23, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Happy Festivus to those that celebrate!