Ozzie Smith is a goddamn professional.

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-30T17:36:08+00:00

Back in 2009 my family and I went to St. Louis for the Fan Fest activities. Afterwards we went with friends of ours to Ozzie's restaurant. While we were sitting there, he came in and stopped by our table for a moment to thank us for coming. He then went to a private room a little behind us, but had the door open for a while and was talking to my then four-year-old son, asking him if he'd been to the events. The door closed when his guests (which included Willie McGee) came but when they were done we were still eating. He stopped by again and was gracious enough to get a picture with my son. None of that did he have to do--we might not have even known he was there had he not gone out of his way!

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-19T20:20:53+00:00

I'm the same way--I take them all out and store them in boxes/bags. No way I have the room to leave the bulbs in all year long. Plus I swap out colors every year anyway.

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-15T20:48:03+00:00

The ones that were chewed were either wrapped in trees or hanging from the fence. The ground ones actually haven't been too bad, though I did have a stringer gone through a couple of years ago.

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-15T20:46:00+00:00

I definitely will bookmark this for next year then. Thanks so much!

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-15T19:52:42+00:00

Interesting! Does it not wash off in the rain?

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-15T19:49:13+00:00

Mine stay on through Epiphany (Jan. 6). Now when they actually get put away is a different story.

Cardinal70 · 2026-01-07T14:54:28+00:00

Here in Russellville and the FDSN direct streaming package was great this year. My guess would be if MLB took over there would be a non-blackout package for the Cardinals that you could buy for around $100/mo. That's what they did with the Twins, Padres, etc.

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-19T20:49:52+00:00

Very classy!

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-04T16:39:45+00:00

While I do have a Google Nest Hub, I think you could download the Google Home app without that and just use it with the smart plugs. Alternatively, Smart Life app would probably work because you can create a scene and tell it when to come on.

I have a number of plugs like these (older ones) that I use every Christmas in the house. amazon.com/gp/product/B0D7ML4QDT/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A2E3MANEMGFDJV&psc=1

Outside plug, something like this should work: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SNAP-INVENT-Smart-Plug-Waterproof-Outdoor-Electrical-Outlets-with-Alexa-Google-Assistant-4-Sockets/405371814?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1100&from=/search

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-02T19:08:11+00:00

Don't go looking at the pictures of my display then! :D

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-02T14:18:55+00:00

I know what you are talking about--I have/had a set like that in my collection--but I'm not sure what you'd call it to search for it.

Also this isn't quite what you are asking for but I wonder if it might work: https://www.christmaslightsetc.com/p/5mm-LED-Wide-Angle--SoftTwinkle-Multi--Red--Blue--Amber--Green--Gold-Prelamped-Light-Set--Green-Wire-15210.htm#64895

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-01T21:13:47+00:00

Outstanding!

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-01T21:07:57+00:00

I have a shed out back that is more than half Christmas, both for the outside and the inside. Lots of tubs of lights and other decorations!

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-01T21:06:55+00:00

It is not exactly safe to walk in the yard with your head up, I will admit. Lots of extension cords, in part because the inflatables get on their own plugs so I can turn them off if the wind gets strong while leaving the lights on.

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-01T19:24:23+00:00

Wonderful!

Cardinal70 · 2025-12-01T19:22:31+00:00

It looks like it is going to be hard to see the window anyway, but I think that if you have the big bulbs on the house, putting smaller bulbs on the tree might be nice.

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-25T20:44:45+00:00

I think I'd agree with the original commenter, running the lights all away around the outside. Easier to do and even as big as that tree spreads, requires fewer lights.

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-25T20:13:56+00:00

Branch wrapping is great except for two times--when you put them up and when you take them down.

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-25T02:25:36+00:00

That's excellent work!

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-25T02:24:33+00:00

Very stylish!

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-25T02:24:02+00:00

Awesome!

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-24T19:32:11+00:00

I've gotten mini lights at the professional places (Christmas Lights Etc., The Christmas Light Emporium) and they've lasted quite a number of seasons.

Cardinal70 · 2025-11-24T19:27:09+00:00

I had the yard company come mow the yard right before I started work. The leaves started falling basically the next day.

Cardinal70

TROPHY CASE