My new site..

Hello and welcome to "The Retro Dad".   This new site will in a short time be replacing my other blog.. DadsDish.com.  Not much will be changing in the way of content, other than there will be a little more focus on anything loosely related to retro style, living, life & leisure, and more.

In the weeks to come, I will be archiving retro content from Dad's Dish, and adding all new articles for your retro viewing pleasure.  Thanks for visiting, and make sure to stop by soon!


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Gas prices.. buckle up

I stopped for gas one morning last week. Nothing unusual about that. But then I looked at the price and it had jumped 30 cents overnight. I’ve seen prices creep up before. A few cents here, a few cents there. You notice it, but it doesn’t feel urgent. This felt different. This wasn’t a slow climb, it was a jump. The kind that makes you pause for a second longer than usual. I’m not trying to get political about it. Everyone has their own opinions on why things like this happen. What sticks with me is a simpler question: how bad is this going to get? Diesel is already pushing toward 6 dollars a gallon. And when that goes up, everything follows. It’s not just gas, it’s groceries, shipping, basic goods. The stuff you don’t think about until suddenly you have to. I’ll be honest, I have a tendency to get in my own head about things like this. I can spiral a bit, think too far ahead. But at the same time, ignoring it completely doesn’t feel right either. So maybe it’s just time to tighten thi...
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Retro Review: Irish Spring vs. Zest — Which Classic Bar Soap Still Reigns Supreme? (2025 Update)

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If you grew up in the 70s, 80s, or even the 90s, you probably remember the same two bar soaps sitting on just about everyone’s bathroom counter: Irish Spring and Zest . Both were cheap, loud, memorable, and built their entire reputations on commercials that drilled their slogans straight into our brains. And because I’ve been on a little “old-school grooming” kick, I decided to go full retro and test them head-to-head again. I used each bar for over a week , real shower use, real Florida sweat, real life.. to see which one actually performs the best in 2025. Spoiler: one of them still holds the crown until someone proves me wrong. Irish Spring: The Heavy Hitter The classic version Irish Spring has always been the in-your-face, hit-you-with-a-green-brick-of-clean kind of soap. And honestly? It still is. What I Tested Daily showers Working outside Sweat-heavy days Multiple hand washes What I Noticed Cleaning power: Irish Spring still cuts through everything! Swea...
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1970s John Deere 10 speed bike rebuild

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