COMFORT FOOD-YUM!

Don't get me wrong, I like dining out at an elegant 5 star restaurant as much as the next guy. But, as I get older I find more pleasure in dining out, or in, with a plate of old fashion "comfort food" staring up at me. Especially when I can pronounce the items on the menu and know exactly what I am getting.

Yes, I know I should try something different instead of the same old thing. But, when you don't go out as often and when returning to your favorite bistro, you go for your "favorite." That's why you are going there in the first place isn't it? 

Stick with a sure thing. Don't take any big risks and spoil the memory. That's my motto!

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Sometimes we go up to people and ask how they are doing. Generally we don't care but, we are just saying it to be polite. If that person is elderly be prepared for a lengthy reply. When working at Allied Mutual Insurance Company several years ago, the President of the Life Insurance division would always reply with that question by saying FANTASTIC! That was his pat response. You always knew he wasn't  always that chipper, but, it didn't delay you either! 

TIDBITS-What's In A Name

There were three names around where I grew up that always seemed kind of funny. Barney Arney. Mertan Gertan and Billy Gilligan. Do you remmber any? No dis-respect intended.

Sounds From the Baseball Stands

Written 6/24/2014

SOUNDS FROM THE BASEBALL STANDS

One day while watching one of our grandson's, Kyler, baseball games, it dawned on me how many catch phrases were voiced out from the stands by spectators; mostly from parents- mostly mothers! The classic being, “good eye.” Others are: “nice poke,” “just relax,” and...well you get the picture.

Maybe it is because a lot of a baseball game has no constant moving action or a fairly long point where action is ready to start that gives the spectators a chance to yell and be heard by the various players be it offense or defense. They can voice their advice, opinion, or enthusiasm with one of many catch phrases. It also helps that usually the fans are sitting closer to the players and action.

The following list was taken from just one baseball game, for twelve year-olds, this past summer.[2014] I am sure there are many more; many more! This may be tested this fall in football. I doubt there will be as many.

Beat it out

Comin’ down

Don‘t lose this batter 

Ducks on the pond

Good thinking 

Good cut 

Good D

Good eye

Good hit 

Good hustle 

Good job 

Good run down 

Good running 

Good slide 

Good squeeze 

Good stop 

Good toss 

Good try 

Got to charge it

Got to protect 

Heads up

Here we go 

Hit it right in the old gap

It's all right 

It’s up to you

Just get a hit

Just relax

Keep battling

Keep throwing strikes

Keep us going 

Knock it down

Let’s get the batter now

Make a target

Nice poke 

Nothing hurt

Now you've seen it 

One more buddy

Rally on two

Round it

Slide

Stand in there 

Stay in there 

Straighten it out

Take a deep breath

Take him yourself 

Talk out there

That's a hit 

There it is

This one is yours

Two outs; run on anything 

Watch it all the way in

Watch it all the way to the bat

Way to back him up 

Way to battle

Way to be smart 

Way to fire

Way to hang 

Way to keep it in front of you 

Way to start on top

Way to stay alive

You can do it 

You can do this

You got it

You're way ahead 

THE OLD WHO?

     Years ago, my mother would go into a story that I had probably heard several times already.{I would give anything to have her around to tell her stories repeatedly again} It would usually start by mentioning a name like old man so and so. When I would reply that I did not recognize a particular name she would keep going until she got me up to speed with the current occupant of a particular farm. 

     With each story I always seemed to ask why the place in question was always referred to as "the old so and so place?" The reply was usually the same. " I guess it was because we thought he was old!"
    

THE COIN PURSE

     When I was a younger man I was always observing what older folks were doing and convinced myself that I wouldn't be or do things like they did. Now that I am in that Senior category here is one of those things I try NOT to do.
     Years ago I observed this older guy in line ahead of me getting ready to pay for some item. Let's say his purchase was $5.32. He got out the $5.00 OK but, then out came the little plastic coin purse with the slit. Remember those?
     The amount of time it took him to count out that 32 cents a few years of my life flashed  before me! He couldn't see real well and, of course, the quarter he thought he had pulled out was actually a nickel. Out of frustration he dumps all the change out and SLOWLY counts it out by pushing the correct amount also very slowly towards the clerk.
     As a result of episodes like that, to this day, when possible, I pay with just dollars, receive any change back and when arriving home put it in a jar. Then, periodically take the change to the bank for a little "mad" money.

Tidbit from the Burg Grocery

     While helping a lady out at the Burg Grocery this past week, I noticed that she had a slight limp. She indicated that she had fallen off a ladder while painting and was moving a little slow. 

     I mentioned that maybe she could have a relative help her finish the painting job. Her reply was that none of her family liked to paint but, only things like mowing the yard.

     My suggestion was the next time no one would help, she could tell her family that she would hire it done and take it out of their INHERITANCE!

~~DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THEY TAUGHT?~~

     

     An  elderly lady, yes like myself, asked what day it was while writing her check at the check-out counter at the Burg Grocery. It was April 30th and she then began quoting the old saying. "Thirty days has September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, except February which stands alone." 

     If nothing else it is kind of nice to be able to spew out something that young kids don't have a clue about!

   

~~TIDBIT!~~ JOKE OF THE DAY!

Overheard at the Burg Grocery store. The check-out clerk asked a customer: "Would you like plastic or paper[for a grocery sack] ?" Doesn't matter", replied the customer, "I'm BI-SACK-U-AL." Oh My!

TIDBIT~~GETTING A LITTLE FORGETFUL?~~

  Remember, it's O.K. if you forget where you put your car keys!  You are in big trouble if you forget WHAT they are for!

MY AUNT VIVIAN

   She was my favorite aunt. Actually she was my favorite adult relative. A very close second was my aunt Mary.  Aunt Mary was cool in terms of her cooking skills, gardening, and decorating. A real Martha Stewart of her day. 

   My aunt Vivian was no Martha Stewart, but, I loved her just the same. She was my mother's older,only, and extremely close sister. She, with my uncle La Verne and cousins Bob, Barbara, and Bonita lived in Marshalltown, Iowa. Their home was like a home away from home because we visited there quite often and I stayed over-night on occasion and got to know the neighborhood pretty well.

     Back to Aunt Vivian. She could be described as a no-nonsense, tell-it like-it-is, see what you get, assertive, yes some might say "wore the pants" kind of lady. But, you had to love her! I always knew she would be there to protect me  if anyone was in harms way. I would not have wanted to be anyone trying to hurt me in any way.. By the time my aunt Vivian would have got done with him he would be begging the police to take him to jail where he would find safety.

     But, at the same time , she could be very caring, sentimental and tender. It was in her nature. That caring and her intelligence made her very good at her chosen career-nursing. She must have made quite an impression as both her daughters followed in her foot-steps. 

     One memory, speaking of nursing, involved overhearing a conversation she had about her income as a nurse .I was just a kid in the 1950's, and she mentioned that her monthly salary was $300.00 My brilliant little mathematical mind did a quick calculation and divided that number by 30 days a month. Wow! She made $10 a day. Day in and day out! That impressed me that someone I knew was making that kind of money.

     Thanks to her, our family has many, many photographs to enjoy because of  her love of photography due to her acqurring a box camera in her youth. Some of my family's most treasured photos, especially of my mom and dad were taken by my aunt. I will always credit her with my love of photography. Thank you, aunt Vivian.

     My  mother and aunt were very close to say the least. Because of that special bond and love, it made our family get togethers  very special indeed. Those were very happy times and in large- part due to my aunt Vivian. In  the photo my mother is in front with aunt Vivian in back