Skunk Baxter Rikki Don't Lose That Number

TOTO - Rosanna (Live In Amsterdam)

OLD HOME TOWN

                                                 by Penelope Iris

Came back to my old home town

sat beneath the once majestic town square clock
in the high tower still ticking off
its proper time
like the lady in her clean gloves
in church on Sunday
who glares beneath her hat
there's the civil war soldier
standing stoically 
always seeing
things he cannot tell
only the fountain above his head
still sprays the local gossip
fresh green smell of grass
smooth and whispery
beneath the stark red bougainvillea
flowing over solid brick walls
that's the preacher and his family
strolling heavenly footprints in the river mud.

Look at Mrs. Quimbly's gorgeous garden
the roses nod their heads as I pass by
like they knew me once upon a time
their scent and beauty draw me closer
where I hear their voices mocking
I jump back before they prick me
race quickly like an alley cat that no one sees
up through the main street where the buildings 
have all shrunk to half their size
where all the people become small
before my eyes.

Up the hill into the graveyard
where all those I loved lay still
tall evergreens wave and the wind whistles
my grandfather's favorite tune
the flowers kiss the ground while the sun
wraps warm arms around me.

DON'T BULLSH--! a BULL------ER!

      This past week I went in to our local US Cellar store to replace a charger cord for my cell phone that I had left in Des Moines while visiting a friend. The clerk there indicated that all he had was the cord to plug into the wall and not the next cord that then plugged into the phone. 

         I responded by saying that all I had was one cord from the wall to my phone. And, he said that it was no more and now it took two cords. What? The one that they had there was about $24.00 and I didn't wait around to find out how much the "next phase cord" that he was insisting I needed was!

          I knew all he was trying to do was sell me something and hoping I was biting. I ended up going to our local drug store and picking up a single piece charger for $8.00. Like I have said ---"It takes one to know one!"

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T--?

 

      This past week I was dealing with a young lady and employee of the Des Moines Register who was assisting me concerning a disputed advertising bill with the paper. She was calling me from her office somewhere in Ohio. I indicated that I had prepaid my bill and had written proof  that I didn't owe.

           Then, I simply said that I would send her copies of my proof. She then advised me to E Mail it all to her, but, then I said I would be unable to as I did not have a printer or scanner and would send papers the old fashion way via envelope, stamp and the US Postal service. 

         She then told me that there was no way she could take an actual piece of mail at her location despite the fact the statement was sent to me via an old fashion piece paper and the postal service. Late, that day she called me back and advised that I could send my "stuff" via mail to someone in Springfeild. Missouri. Times are a-changing like it or not!

NEW YEAR'S EVE & THE EVENING DRESS CAPER!

---by PENELOPE IRIS HOLTZ

          On Saturday, December 30, 1995, I went to the cleaners  to pick up my dress that I was planning to wear for New Year's Eve. I wanted to be there before 5:00 p.m., before they closed. When I reached the door, which was locked, I saw a sign stating; NEW HOURS CLOSING TIME ON SATURDAYS-4 p.m. Argh! I was devastated as my boyfriend had tickets to    
the Val Air New Year's Eve Gala-the last one. The dress is a long, black velvet beauty that I had them alter and clean.

       After fuming and being on the verge of tears, I called my boyfriend, Tom, whom, I soon realized didn't exactly see this for the "serious disaster" that it was. He said things like, "Maybe that should have been your first priority of the day" and "Well, we'll bring a glass of champagne out to the car where you'll be sitting in your sweat pants (chuckle, chuckle)". When he got the picture on my mood, he did say, "I'll buy you another one tomorrow, don't worry." That's not what I wanted--after already picturing myself in my long, black, velvet number.

       I thought, well, I can sit here and cry or I can try to work it out in some way. So,..I called the police. I figured that the police just might have a record of business owners, in case of a fire or a break-in(yeah, that thought crossed my mind). I called the Urbandale Police Dept. Officer Karen Robinson answered the phone. I explained my dilemma, following with "I realize this is not exactly an emergency but it is a mini-disaster to me." Officer Robinson listened and asked me the name of the business. I told her it was the Madison Avenue Cleaners off Merle Hay Road and she informed me that was in the Des Moines Police jurisdiction. She took my name and number, in case she came up with any ideas for me, she said. I called the Des Moines Police Dept., who took my name and number and said they would call me if they had any information for me. By the time, I'm starting to feel a bit silly, but, not enough to give up.

       About 20 minutes later the phone rang and it was Officer Robinson asking me if I had any luck with the DSM Police Dept. She offered to call them again for me. She did and called back to say that they had no name listed in their computer for that business owner. I thought, well I've tried, to no avail, and thanked Officer Robinson for taking her time to try and help me in my seemingly frivolous pursuit of the black, velvet dress. She said, "Wait a minute, I have one more idea." She suggested a call to the Power and Light Company and offered to call them for me.

       Less than 10 minutes later the phone rang and a male voice said, "This is Mark from Madison Avenue Cleaners. The police just called me. I understand we have your New Year's Eve dress." The bottom line results of that conversation  was that Mark insisted on delivering the dress to my home the next morning-and, he did. 

       I called Officer Karen back immediately and thanked her, profusely, and the dress looked just as I pictured  it would and made me feel so glamorous. When I walked out the door that night on  my boyfriend, Tom's arm, he had a long white limousine waiting with roses and champagne. I had the perfect dress for it. It was a glorious, fun evening at the Val Air Ballroom, watching all the elegantly dressed dancers promenading around the floor. We danced right through "Auld Lang Syne."

       Thank you, Officer Karen Robinson at the Urbandale Police Dept. I'm sure you had alot more important things to do and you went the extra mile for a total stranger. I'll never forget that! Thank you, Mark Lathrop from the Madison Avenue Cleaners, who could have been relaxing with a cup of coffee and newspaper, on a Sunday morning, but, instead took care of a customer with "kid gloves." That was the first time I'd ever been to your cleaners, but, you now have a steady customer. 

       I moved here from California, where there are so many people that you're just a number, in most cases, and, I cannot imagine such a thing happening there. I'm not crazy about the weather in Iowa, but, I love the people here. And, I met Tom. 

Penelope     

REMEMBER ROLL ME AWAY--BOB SEGER-GREAT!

BUTTERFLIES--THEY'RE BACK!

        Years ago, while selling real estate, I would get butterflies before meeting a new customer or just prior to presenting an offer. With time, experience, and confidence, those butterflies never really came back. Even with my new business, years later in Marshalltown, did I ever get nervous about situations where I would get those churnings in my stomach.

        Now at the age of 74, I find that those flutters have once again returned only this time for a very different reason.  I never knew that at this stage of my life could someone come along now and whom was very special over 40 years ago and immediately stir feelings with such intensity. "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"   I'm so glad they pulled me back in!  

WHILE @ TAYLOR'S MAID-RITE A FUNNY THING!

        Last Friday, 7/13/2018, while at my favorite eatery, I overheard the following. A lady was standing at the southwest corner and was getting an order to go. She started by saying something like--"Can I get such and such---!"

             My son, when he was younger would always order in a restaurant by saying "Can I get or have whatever---!" I used to tell him that someday a server is going to say -- No, you can't have that!" Just simply say, when ordering, "I would like such and such --Please!"

      The other comment I heard from the lady sitting next to me was----"This(Maid-Rite) is really good TODAY!" When I hear that phrase with today thrown in---like a check out person at the grocery when they say that will be $30.22 TODAY. I want to reply "What was it yesterday or will be tomorrow?"

OLDER NOW BUT STILL BLOWIN' AGAINST THE WIND!

         Last week-end I caught this big hit from one of my favorite Rocker's Bob Seger. This particular song for the first reminded me of myself in that I am older now and still blowing in the wind instead of blowing with the wind and just taking it easy, 

         Maybe it's a good thing that I didn't end up independently wealthy, but, instead involved in a growing business and many other interests that I look forward to almost daily and the challenges they all present. I always remember what my doctor told me years ago--"Keep moving Dennis!"

NO NO! YOU DON'T DO THAT!

         The other day I spotted someone with a shirt that had just "Colorado" on the front. Years ago, an old friend, Don Brittin,  was responsible for introducing me to down hill skiing and Indy 500 auto racing. 

          He was an expert skier and always dressed the part with cool skiing attire. I remember him telling me once that when skiing in Colorado, for example, one never ever just wore a garment that simply said "Ski Colorado." Oh, No! And, you were to never wear something that said "Ski Vail."  No, No! 

           What you were to do, according to Don, was wear something that said or had on it---"Dead Man Run" or Black Diamond Killer!" That way when someone would point at your shirt and inquire, you would, in a flippant manner, respond----"Well, Yail, of course!" After that, I never could buy just a plain shirt or hat that JUST had the state name on it. What a snob! 

                

I'LL SHOW YOU MINE IF YOU---------!

       I'm not sure if the average out-of-towner has ever heard of a long time Italian Eatery called Orlando's at 4337 Park Avenue  on the south-side of Des Moines, Iowa. While visiting my close friend, Penny Holtz, for the week-end, she introduced me to this long time Italain restaurant. 

       Even though I had lived in Des Moines for nearly 30 years, I never had the pleasure of giving this long time favorite Plain Jane a try. It was well worth the wait. I had a a thin pepperoni pizza which was unbelievable and maybe the best Greek Salad I have ever had.

        Saturday noon, after attending an auction in Belle Plaine, we drove to Prairie City and one my favorite all time "Comfort Food" spots called Goldie's. Their tenderloin are one the best in Central Iowa along with all their homemade sides and ice-cream. This little joint a few years ago was voted the FOURTH  Best restaurant in a contest by public voting in the Des Moines Register. It received fourth best among the likes of 801 Chop House and Sam and Gabes. 

                
    

EVERY DAY IT'S A GETTIN' CLOSER

   

 Every day, it's a gettin' closer
Goin' faster than a roller coaster
Love like yours will surely come my way
A hey, a hey hey

Everyday, it's a gettin' faster
Everyone says go ahead and ask her
Love like yours will surely come my way
A hey, a hey hey

Everyday seems a little longer 
Every way, love's a little stronger
Come what may, do you ever long for
True love from me

Buddy Holly

YOU KNOW YOU'RE GETTING OLD WHEN---!

          It'd when you have a scented candle or two in your bedside stand and it's in case the lights go out!

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED FOR DENNIS!

        When Elvis  Presley died, that was a really big deal to lots of people and fans.  Bit, to me, when Buddy Holly died in the plane crash on that cold winter night near Clear Lake, Iowa, that was, for me, devastating. 

         It was 1959 and I was only 15 years old and had collected most all of Holly's 45's along with those of The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. It took quite some time to get over that. Bye bye Miss American Pie! 

JUST TELL IT TO ME STRAIGHT!

        It seems like people are always trying to give me directions to their house with way to much detail.  They start out something like---"Well, you turn on 240th st. and when you see the old church on the left--keep going. Then you go another two miles and turn left and go over the bridge until you see the house and the green barn. 

        After scribbling all that down or I have learned to just ignore it all, I simply say Give me your actual address and I'll find you! I think this is a rural small town thing, but, being a realtor for years, I'll find ya just like a cabby would!

SEVEN FOOT CORN BEFORE THE 4TH!

          The old saying about knee high corn by the 4th of July hasn't applied since I was a younger man. Yesterday, after I had parked my car at the Old Creamery Theatre for the performance of a Tribute to Buddy Holly, I stepped over by an adjacent corn field because it did look awfully tall.

Sure enough! It was well beyond me depleting 5' 8" stature. As a matter of fact without even touching the tallest outstretched leaves, I would say we're talking around 7 foot for sure! We may have to change that old saying to "Knee High by Memorial Day" except that doesn't rhyme. Are we going to be picking corn by Labor Day one day soon?         

BUDDY HOLLY GREAT TRIVIA!

           One thing that I really enjoyed about the performance at the Old Creamery Theatre was the group bringing up Trivia through Buddy Holly's career. One that I had forgotten, as did much of the audience, was that Dion and the Belmonts, a popular group then and later, also performed with Holly at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. 

          Also, the fact that Waylon Jennings was supposed to have flown on that plane but gave up his seat for one of the other performers who was ill with a bad cold and wanted to get to the next city faster. The Day the Music Died! 

THAT'LL BE THE DAY/ ONLY ONE!

       Yesterday, Saturday June 30th 2018, I attended "That'll be the day-A tribute to Buddy Holly and the Crickets" at the Old Creamery Theater in Amana, Iowa. At one point, after singing That'll be the Day--the lead man asked the audience, by raising their hand,  if anyone had or still had the old 45 record of the same.

 There might have been 2-3 people, including yours truly that raised their hand. Made me feel good but kinda old!  For what it's worth, I still have most all of my original 45 record collection including 45 records of the Big Bopper and Richie Valens who was on that plane from Mason City on that winter night in January 1959.