CAPPS uniform shoes

I have just purchased these Capps Uniform shoes.

I tend to wear plain oxfords and these are properly sewn together, welted construction with a real Goodyear welt.

The quality of the shoes is good, I've just gotten them tonight nad worn them around a bit to get a feel for them. These will have to be broken in, like leather shoes used to, but I expect they will feel like a second skin once I do. I will comment as they wear in and we'll see how they last long term. It was nice to pick up the insole and see the nails holding the heel on, like the old days.

Magpul products

I have not yet used these products, but when I was handed a magazine to test that was proudly marked "Made in America" and all the people I know who are AR shooters swear by them, I must post: Made in America: Magpul. Unlike a lot of other products of it's type, they're made in America and reasonably priced. Buy some before everyone figures it out!!

About time

Who knew that Menards had a patriotic streak?

Now if only they'll source the other 2,000,000 other product that they sell from manufacturers in the US.

Lisle tools

Lisle tools makes most of the good quality hand tools that are sold point of purchase in auto parts stores. The Lisle 3/8" drive metric allen set in my toolbox may be my most versatile tool. I'm damned if I know what I'd do without it. And thanks to Partner, I find they're still an American company, going strong.

Anderson's Winery, Valparaiso, Indiana

Og coordinated a trip to Anderson's Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana this last weekend with Brigid, myself, Mr. B/Himself, the Ogwife, and the Oglet.  Not only do they have locally made wines, they also create various soda pops--green apple, blue raspberry, apple, grape, and their own root beer (which the Oglet tried and liked, not being old enough for the wine).  They have been in place for about 50 years and specialize in "light, fruity wines produced by fruit and grapes grown in the Midwest region".  We came home with several bottles including their Red Raspberry, Strawberry, Rhubarb (a favorite of the Ogwife), Cherry, and their Vineyard Blue grape.  Being root beer aficionados (and on the advice of the the Oglet), Himself and I also brought home a couple of bottles of root beer to do a side-by-side comparison with Point Root Beer (Stevens Point, WI) and Sprecher's (Milwaukee), our present favorites.

You can belly up to their bar for a wine tasting that they will tailor to the preferences of the tastees.  They also have a small refrigerator filled with Fair Oaks Farm cheeses and make their own fudge onsite.  If you are in the Chicago-land area, it's worth a side trip being not-that-far south of Indiana Dunes State Park to make a nice day trip.  I'm not sure you can order online, but you can give them a call and see.

Libman cleaning products

makes brooms, dust pans, other bathroom and kitchen cleaning prooducts- like swiffer type stuff etc. and all made in the USA, and priced similarly to comparable chinese crap. Partner reminded me and sent me the link to Libman here.

Batteries not included

Another thing that recently occurred to me, is Batteries.

Johnson Controls still makes all it's car batteries here in the USA. Most of the manufacturing is done in Illinois. They make the batteries that are branded Motorcraft, Duralast, EverStart, and DieHard among others.

If you have a choce between a Motorcraft or a Duralast, and the cold cranking hours are the same, pick the cheaper one. Inside the plastic, they re both the same battery.