Author | Lightnews

In which the author prepares for the imminent winter weather by changing a lot of oil, maintaining and storing the small engines, and playing a few video games.

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · 3d

Dispatch No. 23. In which the author prepares for the imminent winter weather by changing a lot of oil, maintaining and storing the small engines, and playing a few video games.

The Games We Play

The Special Coffee-Only Dispatch

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Oct 1

What's this? Another Dispatch already? Indeed! A special #newsletter release to commemorate International Coffee Day. #ICD2025

In light of some special days dedicated to coffee, I decided to release this special Dispatch featuring news and thoughts about coffee on the tenth anniversary of International Coffee Day. #ICD2025

The Southern 45, Zevon Square, Punctuation Woes — in which the author comes up with a solution to a problem that has long vexed him, waxes nostalgic about lines of parallel, and samples some more chip...

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Sep 29

Dispatch No. 21 (The Southern 45, Zevon Square, Punctuation Woes) in which the author comes up with a solution to a problem that has long vexed him, waxes nostalgic about lines of parallel, rants (slightly) about punctuation, and samples some more chips. #newsletter

Dispatch No. 21

Visible Bucky in Madison, Wisconsin | Wisconsin Explorers Guild

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Sep 19

Since 2018 Visible Bucky, one of the former Bucky on Parade statues, has been letting it all show on the streets of #Madison, Wisconsin.

On the near-west side of Madison, you can find Visible Bucky, a revealing look at the University of Wisconsin's much-loved mascot.

Birth of the Cheeseburger

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Sep 18

Happy #NationalCheeseburgerDay! In case you aren't aware, America's favorite sandwich was invented at The Rite Spot, a roadside restaurant at 1500 West Colorado Blvd in (then) Pasadena. Today, there's a commemorative plaque.

Back in 1924 teenage cook Lionel Sternberger accidentally created the culinary staple we know today as the Cheeseburger at a roadside restaurant called the Rite Spot on Colorado Boulevard.

losangelesexplorersguild.com

Ticks, clear headlights, and standing on the 45

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Sep 10

In the just-released Dispatch No. 20, the author does battle with the black-legged tick (and gets the worse end of the conflict), polishes some headlights, and tests out a new coffee-brewing device.

One of the dangers of living here in the Middle of Nowhere is dealing with a larger than normal number of ticks.

Ship Rock in Richfield, Wisconsin | Wisconsin Explorers Guild

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Aug 6

The intrepid adventurers over at the Wisconsin Explorers Guild pay a visit to Ship Rock in Adams County, an imposing formation of Cambrian sandstone and spray paint.

Along a lonely stretch of Wisconsin highway, you'll come across Ship Rock, a towering sandstone formation that bears an uncanny resemblance to an oceangoing vessel.

French Dip Feud in Los Angeles

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Aug 1

The news of Cole's P.E. Buffet imminent closing has spread across the internet. I will miss the constant feuding between Cole's and Philippe the Original over where the #FrenchDip sandwich was invented. Learn about the Los Angeles French Dip Feud over at the Los Angeles Explorers Guild. #losangeles

For nearly a century, a vicious battle has raged on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles — two opposing factions make the bold claim as the rightful originator of the French Dip Sandwich. And it&#82…

losangelesexplorersguild.com

Hamburger Charlie Statue in Seymour, Wisconsin | Wisconsin Explorers Guild

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jul 29

There are three semi-recognized "National Hamburger Days." July 28th is one of them. So join us in celebrating Hamburger Charlie, the enterprising gent in Seymour, Wisconsin who is (one of) the credited inventors of this iconic American sandwich, way back in 1885. #hamburger #nationalhamburgerday

Charles Nagreen (known as Hamburger Charlie) invented the hamburger at the Seymour Fair in 1885. His contribution to culinary culture is honored with a statue.

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jul 7

A #mushroom on #monday for #MushroomMonday

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jul 4

Sweet James is here to let you know that whatever it is you're asking him to do, he isn't having it. #cat #cats #catsofbluesky #catsky

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jul 4

Fair point. It was meant more of an homage to the region's agrarian roots.

The World's Largest Potato Masher at the Food+Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin | Wisconsin Explorers Guild

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jun 26

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Explorer's Guild journeys to the farming community of Plover, Wisconsin and visit the World's Largest Potato Masher. It's more than a roadside attraction. It's a beacon showcasing the adjacent the Food + Farm Exploration Center, an agricultural learning facility and museum.

In Plover, WI you can visit the World's Largest Potato Masher at a rural farm exposition center operated by a family-owned potato-farming conglomerate.

The Giant Donuts of Los Angeles

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jun 15

Sweet James is here to tell you that this bubble wrap is pretty comfortable, if he does say so himself. And he does, in fact. #cat #cats #catsofbluesky #catsky

Sweet James the cat relaxing on some bubble wrap.

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Jun 13

Because of a certain picture in recent media reporting, the Giant #Donuts of Los Angeles feature on the Los Angeles Explorers' Guild is seeing an uptick in traffic.

We've done some extensive exploring of the #giantdonuts scattered across the L.A. landscape. Check it out here.

#donut #losangeles

Los Angeles is a town filled with donuts. And some of those donuts are giant donuts on top of small shacks.

losangelesexplorersguild.com

New Season, New Game, New Holiday

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · May 20

Sweet James would like you to know that he's glad you're home, but also that his food dish has been empty for at least 15 minutes. #cat #catsofbluesky #cats #catsky

Sweet James the cat sitting on a concrete drive, looking askance.

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · May 12

Dispatch No. 17. Having shaken off the winter doldrums, our hero prepares for the sudden onset of spring with a round of small engine maintenance. Plus there's talk of passwords, word games, lyrical treats, and a little update on Sweet James the cat. Enjoy. fordsbasement.substack.com/p/new-season...

Dispatch No. 17. Having shaken off the winter doldrums, our hero prepares for the sudden onset of spring with a round of small engine maintenance. Plus there's talk of passwords, word games, lyrical t...

The Bicerin: The Greatest Drink in the World | Taking on the World

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · May 10

Sometimes Sweet James will sit still for a close-up. Not often, it's a good idea to catch him when you can.

#cat #cats #catsofbluesky #catsky

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · May 7

The Bicerin Experience — www.takingontheworld.net/world-travel...

With layers of chocolate, espresso, and cream, the bicerin is quite possibly the greatest drink ever and has been served at Caffé Al Bicerin in Torino since 1763.

www.takingontheworld.net

I never really enjoy February, mainly because it gets so damn cold around here. This issue I talk about how I got through the most dreary month and what there is to look forward to in the coming days....

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · May 7

Happy International Bicerin Day! #bicerin #internationalbicerinday

Close up of a bicerin (beverage consisting of espresso, dark chocolate, and heavy cream) from Caffé al Bicerin in Torino, Italy

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Apr 18

The latest (sorta late) issue of Dispatches from Nowhere — The Cruelest Month (that'd be February) — has dropped.

The Cruelest Month

open.substack.com

World's Largest Grandfather Clock | Wisconsin Explorers Guild

Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Apr 17

Sweet James is here to tell you that, while he's not all that thrilled about spring snowstorms, he's here to help you shovel. (And by "help," he means get in the way as you clear the driveway.)

#cat #cats #catsofbluesky #catsky

A cat named Sweet James looking unhappy that he has snowflakes on his head.

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Apr 16

Back in 1976 furniture manufacturer Svboda Industries hired a team of skilled artisans to build the World's Largest Grandfather Clock. The fully functional clock stood outside the company's Kewaunee factory until 2014 when the monument was moved to downtown Kewaunee — where it stands today.

In downtown Kewaunee, Wisconsin you'll find the world's largest grandfather clock.

Sparta Fiberglass Mold Graveyard | Wisconsin Explorers Guild

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Tom Fassbender @fordsbasement.bsky.social · Feb 28

What you can expect to find during a visit to the Fiberglass Mold Graveyard in Sparta, Wisconsin where thousands of fiberglass molds rest in a vast field behind the Fast Fiberglass manufacturing facility.

You can investigate a vast wonderland of molds for fiberglass figures in the Sparta Fiberglass Mold Graveyard.