WONDER WHY POST OFFICE GOING BROKE?

      A guy came into the Burg Grocery today that retired from the post office a few years back. Of course, it reminded me of a story.

      During the late 1970's while selling real estate in the Des Moines area, I was referred to a young Vet who was working for the main post office in downtown Des Moines. 

     In the qualifying process, I sat down with him and asked him some basic questions about his income and etc. He indicated that his income was $30,000 annually and his job was going out front of the main post office and he retrieved the mail out of the drive-up containers and then brought them inside.

    I asked him what his duties were after coming back inside. His reply was he sat and waited till the next hour and went back out  and did it again! End of story!

THANK YOU FOR INTEREST IN JOHNNY & MAY LAVERTY PHOTO BOOK!

     I wish to thank all that has ordered the "JOHNNY & MAY LAVERTY PHOTO BOOK recently. It includes over 500 photos of both sides of my family-Smith and Laverty. It includes photos from 1880's to 1960's.

     If you would like copy, please contact me at dennismlaverty@gmail.com Thank You, Dennis Laverty

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

      Yes! Just one more week till I'll be in my favorite town away from home-Iowa City. And I'll be riding the Hawkeye Express to Kinnick Stadium to witness opening day of my favorite sport! That is witnessing my Iowa Hawkeyes for one more season. 

     For me it is THE only place to be on a beautiful fall afternoon in this great state. Sorry Clone fans, but, this is where it is happening!!

SWEET SMELL AFTER A RAIN!

      Yesterday afternoon before Friday night football and when it had started to rain, it took me back to a couple of fond memories of times gone past.

     The first was when playing football at dear old Laurel High, I remember that sweet smell of the freshly cut grass of the football field after an afternoon rain when first running out on the field.There was nothing like it except maybe fresh cut clover or alfalfa. 

      One other time was when attending an away game in West Lafayette, Indiana- Iowa vs, Purdue. Most of the college football fields in the 1980's had converted to artificial turf, but, not Purdue. When walking in the stadium and after an earlier rain, it was such a refreshing smell. It is funny how we can remember those insignificant and yet precious moments.  

THEY COME IN BUNCHES!/NICHOLS & GREEN

      Someone is always apologizing at the Burg Grocery for parking so far away, but, that when they came all the parking spots up close were taken. I always reply that it is called "they come in bunches theory!"

      It always reminds me when I was in Marshalltown Junior College back in the 1960's and working part time at Nichol's and Green shoe store on Main Street. One of my jobs was to re-stock the shoes after a customer had come to try on various models before purchasing.

      Sometimes on a Saturday afternoon there would be this lull and then all of a sudden this  hoard of women would storm the front door. It was as if they all just got let off a bus that was passing by. Then, within the hour or less, there would be this mass of shoes laying all around the store just like some major military battle had just taken place!

       Of course, it was my job to bring the store back to some sort of normalcy. That picture of all those women coming in that front door has never left my memory! 

       

       

A LITTLE WHITE LIE!

     The other day I was visiting with someone here in the Burg about crashing a funeral luncheon just for the good food. I would never do it , but, it reminded me of a little prank I played years ago that didn't cause any great harm!

      It was back in the 1980's and my ex-wife and friends were at the Plaza in Kansas City one evening having dinner. The restaurant was Harry Starker's and our wait for a table was a long one. 

     With my acute impatience, I went up to the hostess stand and proceeded to ask how much longer the wait. For some reason I said how much longer would the wait be for the "Dr. Laverty" party of four! The hostess indicated that it wouldn't be too much longer. 

     By the time I got back to the lounge where we were waiting my name was called. "The party of four for Dr. Laverty is ready." I never did that again, but, it was fun and got to experience what the other half take maybe for granted! 

    

THE WORLD IS A TUXEDO AND I'M A --!

      It seems like recently while watching news casts on TV, the anchormen are all wearing these expensive brown shoes with their dark suits. When I was younger, you wore dark shoes with a dark suit and usually brown shoes with casual attire. Of course Dave Letterman wore loafers with white socks!!

     For some reason the other day after watching a certain news show, it reminded me of an old comedian by the name of George Gobel. He was short, wore a flat top and very unassuming.

      He was on Johnny Carson one night and did a bit where his punch line was: "The world is a tuxedo and I'm just a pair of brown shoes." Of course, it cracked Carson up! Believe me at the time it was funny!!

ONE OF BEST MOVIES OF YEAR!

       This past week-end I suggested that we rent The Longest Ride with Clint Eastwood's son, Scott, and co-starring Alan Alda. What was I thinking. Ilah took me up on the suggestion for once. Oh well, if I didn't like it I could always go into the bedroom and watch baseball!

      I never moved from my seat. For a romantic comedy it was of the best and yes teary eyed movies I have seen in a long long time. If you haven't seen it you owe it to yourself as you are in for a real treat! That's all I am going to say. It's good sometimes when things work out against your intuitions!

A DAY BETTER THAN THE STATE FAIR!

      This past week I had all good intentions of attending the Iowa State Fair. I was planning on staying the night with good friends, Jerry and Judy Roberts in Urbandale and the following evening making a swing through the fair.

      It didn't work out exactly as planned, but, actually better. Monday evening the three of us dined at one of my favorite eateries from days gone by -Maxie's in West Des Moines. The following morning Jerry and I had a mid morning breakfast at The Waveland Cafe in Des Moines. It is THE place for a good breakfast in the Metro area and has been serving up great food for decades. 

     And last but not least a late lunch on my favorite food item a taco at Tasty Taco's. Again, I can't explain why they are so good, but, they just are! 

     All the above and spending time with classmates and friends, Jerry and Bob Baker, dating back to kindergarten couldn't be beat! Besides, it rained hard most of the day Tuesday! It always works out it seems!
      

LIFE, HEALTH & MONEY!

      This past week, after eating out with friends, I reflected on how life can be unfair sometimes! For some of us, we can be grateful that through inheritance and a lifetime of hard work we accumulate enough wealth to live comfortably during our "golden years."

      But, one aspect that for some doesn't work out as planned is when it comes to eating all the great food that is available. First, for most seniors, we reach a point where we simply cannot eat as much as we used to. We attended a family picnic recently and there was more good food there that would have made those starving kids in China thrilled. I really wanted to eat most "all" of it that was laid out but, just couldn't!

      Then, secondly, there are those who could eat at a fancy restaurant every night of the week, but, are continuously watching their waistline and are only ordering the likes of salads! What's the purpose! If you can't go through these last "good" years without a little ice-cream along the way then-----!

      Third, Sometimes our health turns against us and even if we have the money to eat lobster and the biggest steak money can buy we don't dare! I guess it all boils down to moderation and smelling the roses along the way. 

     I know that I need to take better care of my health better. But, as long as I don't get too carried away and if I leave the planet sooner than expected I am OK. Tonight maybe a small bowl of  Blue Bunny chocolate chip ice-cream just in case!

ONLY 2 WEEKS TILL 1ST HAWKEYE GAME!

BRANDON'S JOKE OF THE WEEK!

      What do you get when you cross a Riddle and a Crossword Puzzle? Confusion! 

A SPECIAL VISIT W/ KINDERGARTEN FRIENDS!

      This past Monday I drove to Des Moines and stayed the night with my longtime friend and classmate Jerry Roberts and wife Judy. The following morning we drove to Norwalk to visit another classmate Bob Baker.

      The three of us go back to the very first day of kindergarten in 1949 at Laurel Consolidated School in Laurel, Iowa. And, we all graduated from there in 1962. With so many people today attending huge schools, it is becoming unusual for anyone to go all the way through school with the same individuals. 

      It is funny and special at the same time to remember those two guys specifically on that first day of school. Nothing else to say! I won't forget that day for awhile! 

THERE ARE OLDIES THEN THERE ARE OLDIES!

      This past Tuesday, while returning from Des Moines and cruising along I-80, I randomly played some of my old CD's and cranked it up high! My first selection was a set of old 1950's tunes with likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, and The Diamonds who did the Stroll.

     For many years I didn't really care to listen to music from my innocent high school years as a lot of music fro the 1970's and 80's seemed to be more in favor. Not today for some reason. Maybe grabbing that particular selection was "meant to be." Listening to those oldies from a more innocent time for some reason that day was really special. Again, I guess it is always OK to go back as long as you don't stay. It was so special going back, even if only for a little while with just me and the Doo Wops!

PUTTING THE CLOWNS BACK IN THE CAR!

      I had the funniest flashback the other day. It had to do when I was much younger and had taken my kids to the "Greatest Show on Earth" at Vet's in Des Moines. It had to do with the Clown's streaming out of the small car. You always wonder how they did it. 

     The incident was actually just the opposite in that this lady was trying to place this large amount of groceries on just the front passenger side seat of her car. Somehow it all fit and hopefully without anything getting smashed or broken! It was fun for a moment to revisit the circus!

SO YOU THINK IT IS A NEW HIT!

      Recently someone was taking about a particular song that they loved and remembered it from the 1970's. The song was "I hear You Knocking" by Dave Edmunds. I chuckled a bit as I remember the song and it was originally done by a female  singer/ actress named Gail Storm. She even had a sit-com on in the 1950's that I hate to say I remember. It was also done by Little Richard and was actually written by a someone who co-wrote a "The Fat Man" that Fat's Domino made into a hit in the late 1940's. 

     The morale of the story is if you or one of your grand-kids think a particular song is new, the chances are it has already been done once or twice before! Now you know why as we get older we get forgetful. Our brain is just not accepting or has room for much more trivia!

IT'S A SMALL WORLD/ FLATHEADS!

      The other evening we ate dinner at a local eatery called Myer's Grill. It's a small place here in Williamsburg that serves an excellent menu with the likes of scallop dishes to shrimp fettuccine Alfredo, to a 12 oz. rib eye.

      I visited briefly with a couple from West Des Moines that had driven here for the wife's birthday and because they also knew the owner's of the restaurant well. They had also stopped in Pella for a Dutch Letter along the way. 

      In comparing good eateries, the gentleman mentioned this "good fish place" that they had experienced. It turned out to be Flatheads in St. Anthony, Iowa. As it turned out, we had been there a few years back and it had also been featured in the magazine "Best Pa & Pa restaurant's in Iowa.

     It is a delightful treat if you ever want to do something fun and a little different some week-end.  Again, it proves it is a small world and what you can learn by simply striking up a conversation with complete strangers.
   

I LOVE LUCY NO MORE!

      There was an article recently in USA about the glut of scripted TV series today compared to years past. The choices of programs, sources, schedules, and devices seem to be multiplying almost each day.

      All the original series on various cable stations seems to be coming out at a pace that is difficult to keep up with. Right now I am watching some of the early series of the Soprano's which was originally an HBO production. Boardwalk Empire is another one I have enjoyed.

     It's hard to find now good network shows that compare with the cable productions and yet it is hard to find all the cable shows, their times, and frankly just keeping up with all that is coming out. Like everything too many choices!

     Back in the old days, it was nice to know that a particular show like I Love Lucy was on at a particular time and night of the week. The next day is was fun to discuss that episode with friends or co-workers. Not today. Someone may have never heard of The Soprano's, and, if so, they may be on a totally different year, episode, or series. I am thinking seriously of going back to reading!

BRANDON'S JOKE OF THE WEEK!

     Why did the turkey cross the road? It was the chicken's day off!!!!

METEOR SHOWER!

      Last night Ilah and I drove north of town to view the meteor shower that happens about this time every year. We drove up by the small town of Conroy a little past midnight to view this phenomenon.  We were able to view several "shooting stars" in a twenty minute span or so. It is amazing that some of the displays are just the size of a grain of sand that can be viewed. 

      I can't imagine if a meteor was the size of a car! If you haven't seen the display ever give it a try. It is suppose to be still visible yet this evening or early Friday AM.  It is suppose to be best just before sunrise! 

THE CLOSER TO QUITTING TIME!

      The other day I was just sitting in the deli area at work just resting my feet. It was about an hour before it was time for me to get off work. During that last hour, it seems like your body really starts to fade and it says, "Come on 4 o'clock!" The analogy is like when you are driving and the closer you get to home the more urgency there is in using the restroom! 

     

SALSA & THE STATE FAIR!

      This past week one of our managers at the Burg Grocery made some home made salsa for employees to enjoy! It was quite good and I made a point of complimenting and thanking her for the thoughtful treat!

     I mentioned to her that it reminded me of the "slicer/dicer" guys at the Iowa State Fair that I always love to watch their demo's outside the Varied Industries Building. They always make those plastic cutting tools look so easy to handle. And, they always want you to come up close and sample the salsa that they have prepared and to get you a little closer for the "kill!" 

     My manager started laughing when I told of my reminder as that was exactly where she got the gizmo to make her salsa. You guessed it. The Iowa State Fair!

MISPLACING STUFF?

      In the Des Moines Register this past week in the USA Snapshots was something that was a reminder from the past. The bit had to do with items that people most often leave on top of the car. Example would be coffee, shopping bags, and/or car keys.

      Years ago when just out of college, my family was headed to Omaha for the week-end to visit friends. While loading the car, I left a pair of dress shoes on top of the car and away we went. 

     In those days, 1960's, you dressed up to go out to eat. I made do with a pair of casual penny loafers and kept my feet hidden under the table at the restaurant.  Today one would go casual no matter where you dined. Well, almost! When we arrived home my shoes were returned by our postman who found them out front of our complex. Today they probably would have been long gone!

I LOVE THE IOWA STATE FAIR!

      One of my lifetime simple pleasures is attending the Iowa State Fair. I have lost count how many I have attended, but, it still doesn't get old.

     I sit and watch the people more now than I used to and I don't eat but only two or three items while there. OK maybe it's more like three or four! I go now in the evening when it's cooler and I love viewing the beauty of  the lights from the ski-ride at sunset! It is breathtaking to me.

     It is comparable to the French Quarter or Las Vegas in that two or three times and you have had your fill. But, this time of year it's "Where it's happening!" All the people and all the energy. If you haven't been there lately give it some thought. It has only gotten better through the years and one thing that I don't have to put on my bucket list. 

ONLY 26 DAYS TILL 1ST HAWK FOOTBALL GAME!!

DO YA LIKE THOSE GIZZARDS?

      Today at the Burg Grocery a teenager was back at the deli and I assume ordering lunch. I heard him say that he wanted "an order of GIZZARDS." When he was walking out I asked him if was really was ordering them for himself or his parents!  They were for him and he loves them!

      I don't know how I missed out on gizzards and liver and all that FUN food that my generation and older ones seemed to have been raised on. It's like rhubarb, you either like it or you don't I guess. Never thought I would ever hear a teenage kid order gizzards! Not in my lifetime.  

ICE CREAM TRAVELING-SOME DAY!

    A lot of times when helping customers out with their groceries and ice-cream something gets mentioned about hoping they get home before it melts. Of course, I say something cute like maybe I should go back and get them a spoon just in case. 

     Then the thought just came to me like a calling. Most of us when traveling longer distances have a container of coffee or some type of beverage at our side. Why not ice-cream? What couldn't be better than a quart of chocolate chip ice-cream, Blue Bunny of course, at your side with your favorite tunes blaring while cruising down I-80! 

     I wonder what a cop would think when h pulls me over for speeding and sees that empty ice-cream container and spoon laying there next to me in the passenger seat? Yes I know! They are not all locked up!

THOSE MISSOURI PEACHES KEEP COMING!

     A lady at the Burg Grocery this past week was checking out about a dozen cans of cherry pie filling. I, of course, had to ask! She was going over to her sister'd house and they were going to make pies and freeze a whole bunch. 

     Along with the cherry pies, they were going to make peach pies with peaches that she brought up from Missouri. When we got to her car I noticed her license plates were from Missouri. It just seemed funny that she literally was from the Show Me State and brought the peaches up here while visiting her sister in Williamsburg! As Paul Harvey used to say: "Now you know the rest of the story!" 

CARS WITHOUT AIR-CONDITIONING!

      My first job out of college was with General Mills and it involved calling on retail grocers the likes of Hy-Vee which there were very view of them in the late 1960's. The car that was provided to me was a new plain jane Ford that did not have air-conditioning. Keep in mind this was 1967 to 1968 period. 

       General Mills provided autos to their traveling people with air-conditioning, but, only those south of the Mason-Dixie line. That first job only lasted less tan one year as I didn't care for traveling and the grocery retail business and never knew when they furnished cars with air to us Yankees! 

SAVOR THOSE COMPLIMENTS!

      This past week, I assisted a lady to her car with groceries. After a brief conversation, she looked at me and said: "You're the guy who has the Blog. I have read it and you are funny!"  She made my day and I don't have a clue who she was and how she discovered my site!    

BRANDON'S JOKE OF THE WEEK!

     WHY DIDN'T THEY PLAY CARDS ON THE ARK? NOAH SAT ON THE DECK!

MAYBE WE SHOULD HEDGE OUR BET!

      I have always thought that even if you don't believe in God and the hereafter, maybe we should live like we do just in case. It wouldn't hurt. 

      The other day I was thinking along the same lines when they brought up the new air pollution standards proposed by President Obama. I for one am not a big advocate of global warming as at my age I have seen a tremendous improvement in air quality since I was a kid.

     I have heard all the arguments  for not making too many improvement, etc, but , just in case the planet is turning south, would it be all too bad to pick up the pace a little and make things better still. While we are at it let's getting moving a little faster with our water!

LOTS OF GOOD FOOD/COULDN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE!

      This past week-end, we attended a dinner party at a fellow employee's home in honor of a foreign exchange student who was going back home after a year stay here in Iowa. The host family put on a "spread" that was a feast in Iowa fashion. Several types of meats, sweet corn, potato salad, many salads, including my favorite a raspberry jello salad of some type.

     I wanted to keep adding more goodies and also wanted to go back again for a few seconds. My brain said yes and my stomach said no. When I was a younger man, it would have been no problem.

      Then what was also funny was that the young female  classmates of the exchange student were only putting very small portions on their plates. It wouldn't be polite to take too much and besides one must watch their waist lines at that age, I guess. 

     What a shame. All that yummy food and this old guy and all those young ladies couldn't take advantage even if it was for different reasons. Life just isn't fair sometimes. 

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

      The other day I was telling someone that I had just watched the fourth game of a series between my Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee and the Cubs won all four games. However, in my mentioning the game I referred to Milwaukee as the Braves. I was immediately corrected even though the person I was visiting with was not a baseball fan. I knew better, but, I am old enough to remember when Milwaukee was the Braves many years ago before moving to Atlanta.

      One time during the late 1990's I recall an incident at a bank and I wrote a deposit slip and put the days date and the year 1972! Why? I have no clue. It's little stuff like that that makes you wonder if the end is near or when stuff like that happens, you just think about it more because you are closer to going out! At least I didn't call them the Boston Braves. 

TOO MANY CHOICES-EVEN IN POLITICS!

     I have always enjoyed multiple choice questions in tests. When in school I would rather have maybe a "was it A,B,C, or maybe D." When I was in college, I had a Economics professor that liked a 7 or 8 part multiple choice test. That was too many.

     It's  like now with the Presidential line up on just the Republican side. Too many choices. I would just like three or maybe four to choose from. I guess if we can have too many cereal choices then why not our politicians!

     One of them I plan on eliminating is Rand Paul. Have you checked his hair out lately. What's with all those spit curls all slicked up or down. It's creepy. Reminds me of the first time I saw sea weed laying on the Pacific ocean shore in southern California. There were all kinds of little sea urchins coming out of it. So long Rand. Based on hair Donald Trump, hopefully, won't make the final A,B,C, or D! 


     

A PEACH COBBLER TO LIVE FOR!!

     I never used to pay much attention to the type of peaches until working at our local grocery store. Someone was always talking about a Michigan peach, Georgia peach or maybe a California peach. For some reason this year I finally paid attention when the talk started about the Missouri peach.

      At first I purchased just a few and left them in the bag and a dark place to ripen a little more. Oh My! Some on my morning cereal! You bet. Then, I googled up a recipe from Taste of Home- Easy fresh peach cobbler.

      That old expression to die for I changed to live for! I just made my third pan full in 3 days. When I told Ilah what the menu would be for last night's dinner, she said we were out of the Cobbler. As of right this second maybe, but, not by tonight! They are sooooo good!

BRANDON'S JOKE OF THE WEEK!

   What does a Minnie skirt and picket fence have in common? They both protect the property but don't block the view!