This story may dispel your theory that there is no such thing as a free lunch. When you have spent hours on the streets of New York City, you want a rest. If you stumble into Little Italy, you will delight that it is so alive and exciting. There is a table right on the street that is shaded by the brightly colored awning, green, white and red striped just like the flag of Italy. How perfectly charming when our group is most contentedly seated. As we looked around, we smelled and saw culinary delights, which can only be produced here in this restaurant on this street in Little Italy. Oh, there are other restaurants, plenty of them all around us, but this one was ours. This one wins our award. Our waiter gave us time to review the menu and then, circled back to take our order. More
Today’s Bits and Pieces: “How I Was Suckered in Weehawken
28 Dec 2007 2 Comments
in Trials and Tribulations, USA: Travelling Outside California
When you decide to visit the Big Apple, you have to make an even bigger decision and that is where to stay. You can stay just about anywhere in the Manhattan and be able to get around to see all of the sights. We decided to stay in Weehawken, a little town across the river. Our room was the one centered in the middle of the hotel, right on the waterfront. The ferry arrives at your door every 15 minutes and glides you off to 42nd street. The ferry over and back each day is a short ride full the images of the Hudson River life, which is teaming and full of bustling activity all hours of day or night. The view of Manhattan from the Jersey side is mind altering, intoxicating, and a true marvel of modern man. This brings me to tell how I was suckered in Weehawken, which when all is said and done is a beautiful and innocent town. More
May You Rest In Peace
23 Dec 2007 2 Comments
in Growing Up, Trials and Tribulations
First of all I want to thank Johnny Blake for not violating me in the ninth grade. I loved him so much I had fainting spells when I thought of him. He had the wherewithal, the maturity and the grace to tell me no. I thank you Johnny for that and I thank myself for the rest.
I ran for 9th grade president. The elections were held in our homerooms and then, taken to the whole 9th grade. The ballots were passed out and the voting began. More
Today’s Bits and Pieces
16 Dec 2007 3 Comments
in Teacher
TEACHER, YOU DON’T LIKE ME VERY MUCH:
Oh So Sad and True.
Teacher, I came to school on the first day and you smiled at me. I knew it was going to be a good thing. I wanted it to be a good thing. I even prayed about it every night. I said, “God, I am scared to go into that big place. I drive by it every day when we go down our hill. I know it is fun there because I can hear the children laughing; they are playing and having a good time. I pray that I won’t get hurt. I pray that the kids are nice. I pray that my teacher likes me. Thank you for listening. I love you.”
Teacher you had a big conference with my mom and my dad. You told them that I just yell out the answer even if it is not my turn. You told them that I always raise my hand but you did not tell them you never call on me. You always call on certain kids because you think they know the answers. I know the answers, too. Why don’t you call on me?
More
Today’s Bits and Pieces: Paper Plates on Thanksgiving
15 Dec 2007 3 Comments
in Entertaining, Holiday Celebrations
I write this paragraph because one of my friends verbalized shock when I mentioned the paper products I was using for the most the thankful holiday in America
The paper plates are out, the cups and clear plastic forks, knives and spoons are there, too. The turkey is in the oven, and all other items are warming to room temp before being popped into various crannies of the oven. More
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
13 Dec 2007 1 Comment
in Reflections
I have decided that all of the money received from the sales of my book will be given to the Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America. I have sent them a book for review and possibly they will advertise and sell it at their events. I would be glad to go to their events to make presentations. While my book is not about Alzheimer’s, I have over 20 years of first hand experience with this disease. My mother, father and many of my aunts and uncles on my mother’s side of the family have had Alzheimer’s.
More
Bits and Pieces: Phone use in Restaurants
13 Dec 2007 2 Comments
in Reflections
I went out to lunch with my friend on Saturday and for some reason, I got the best seat in the house. It enabled me to see everyone in the restaurant. I was able to notice that at almost every table including my own at least one person and sometimes two or more were on the phone. HUH? When you go out to lunch with someone, aren’t you supposed to be with him or her? One table in particular interested me. There were three occupants. At ALL times during the lovely luncheon two of the three people were on the phone. When the lunch was put before them, I thought to myself. “Oh now they will put their phones away.” Did they? No way, but they did try. Their phones kept ringing. Maybe they are so important they will change the world for the better. I hope so because they certainly were not enjoying the people at their table; they turned away from a face-to-face opportunity and chose a digital one instead. Next time you make the choice, be aware, someone is watching you, me.