From The Chief Editor's Desk...

We took the kids to the drive-in theater recently. Yes, we still have one of these dying breeds of theaters near us. They had only been once before (during the pandemic), and they have been clamoring to go see another movie at the drive-in theater.

We chose to go see the new “Twisters” movie. We didn't stop to consider that this was the movie's opening night. The drive-in theater was packed with movie goers.

One of Ryan's favorite movies (at almost 11 years old) is the original Twister movie, starring the late Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. He is fascinated by tornadoes. How convenient, since we live in “Tornado Alley.” He definitely wasn't disappointed by this sequel to the original movie. I have to agree. It was pretty good.

I have a real soft spot for the drive-in theater. When I was 13 years old, I got my first real job working at the drive-in theater. I worked on the “day crew,” which was responsible for cleaning up the expansive parking lots and the bathrooms. Later, when I was 15, I went to work in the concession stand. I also did the marque every week as the movies changed. For a while, I worked at two drive-in theaters in the same chain at the same time.

It's amazing how similar a trip to the drive-in theater is and how much it differs from all those years ago. The “feel” of being at the drive-in theater is remarkably the same as it was nearly 50 years ago. But now gone are the totally awful monaural speakers, replaced by a low power FM simulcast that you can listen to over your car stereo, or on a portable radio. The sound quality is quite decent, especially compared to those tonally-challenged monaural speakers.

Since we have an inflatable mattress we place in the bed of the pickup truck (which is where the kids lie and watch the movie, and it's made especially for use in the bed of a pickup truck), we use the portable radio method. We actually use two portable radios, one in the bed of the truck where the kids are lying on the mattress, and another on the tailgate so mom and I can hear the movie well. For what it's worth, Laura and I sit on chairs outside of the truck.

And, there are the same annoyances. People driving through after dark … and after the movie has started … with their lights on. The idjit two rows up from us who keeps tapping on his brake pedal. The incessant talking of the movie goers around you. “Parents” who let their children run feral. I think you get the picture.

Even with all of those annoyances, we find a trip to the drive-in theater an enjoyable experience. There's little else that compares to sitting out under the stars, watching a movie as a family. Plus, it's a LOT more affordable than going to an indoor theater. To start with, and to avoid the overpriced food in the concession stand, we bring our own drinks, snacks and popcorn. The cost of admission is only $25 per car, and they usually show two movies. That means if there is only one person in your car, or 12, the cost is still only $25.

Oh … and as far as the movie is concerned … Twisters is DEFINITELY worth seeing!

This month's cover was created by parnote. The base image is by Sebastian Nikiel from Pixabay, and I added the “embellishments” to the interior of the ice cubes.

Until next month, I bid you peace, happiness, serenity, prosperity, and continued good health!