GREAT LINES/OLD MOVIE

   I just heard a great and funny line from one of the old "THIN MAN" movies on the TCM channel earlier today. He was on a train and pointing out a building that he "burned down SLIGHTLY one Halloween!" I've really been getting into some of these old 1930's and 1940's movies lately. Some of the lines and dialogue were priceless! 

STROLLING IN ALPACA!

       A guy walked up to my Demo area at the Westlakes Hy-Vee yesterday sporting a below the knee green Alpaca overcoat. It was very cool! . He indicated that it came from Sweden and I'm sure was quite expensive. The thing we seemed to have in common during our short conversation was our desire to wear clothing just a little different than the other guy. 

        I mentioned to him that my mother had bought me a Alpaca knee length winter coat when I was just a teen from a men's clothing store in Newton, Iowa named Wehrman's. (sp) And, years later in the mid 1990's and living in Marshalltown, Iowa, I advertised for an old wool coat in the local pennysaver and one gentleman who responded had a full length Alpaca/Cashmere coat and I bought it from him for $40.00. Today that coat would big bucks no doubt! Maybe someday again!  

         

NEPHEW CHRIS, BENNY & THE JETS @X-MAS

       Yesterday while doing some last minute Christmas shopping at the Valley West shopping center in West Des Moines, I found myself venturing down to the lower level of Von Maur Department store. Near the escalator was a lady playing Christmas music on a piano. 

            Years ago, while visiting my sister Deborah at Christmas at her home in Indiana, I sat with my very young, early teens,  nephew, Chris, while he played Christmas music and some very lovely classical pieces. He had learned to play at a very young age and was quite gifted. 

            When he had completed a particular number, I asked him very seriously, of course, if he knew "Benny and the Jets by Elton John." He actually stopped a moment, gave it some thought and played the first few bars. The following year he actually had the sheet music to it and played it all the way through. Later on, he did play with a band on keyboards. I only wished that I would have had the opportunity to watch him play!  

          I was tempted to had asked the lady at Von Maur if she knew "Benny and the Jets."

LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL-YES! YES! YES!

       Last week while demonstrating strawberry cheesecake at the West Lakes Hy Vee in WDM, an old high school cheer popped in to my head out of nowhere. "Strawberry shortcake blueberry pie V-I-C-T-O-R-Y. Are we in it well I guess Laurel High School-Yes! Yes! Yes!

           One has to wonder what else is stored in our brains from the past that just sits up there and maybe never comes out. And why, does an old high school cheer remembered and not some well known quote from Shakespeare.v always  It is amazing that we remember names from the past, but, not necessarily someone we just met this past week. 

            I've met two or three people that I knew years ago at the Hy Vee lately and due to 30-40 years passing knew them just by their voice. I guess we all have certain gifts or "talents." For the life of me I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday!

NO! NO! IT'S SWEET & SOUR PORK

     
          One of my favorite Oriental dishes through the years has been Sweet and Sour Pork. It's been around and a staple at Chinese Restaurants as long as I can remember. Somewhere along the way, in the last few years, it has become Sweet and Sour Chicken in a lot of locations. 

           During the early 2000's, there was an Oriental Buffet on Main Street in Marshalltown, Iowa and the chicken version was all they carried. I was even informed by the manager that I was the "only" one who requested S&S Pork. (When somebody tells you that you are the only one you knows it's a lie.)

           I think the real truth is that chicken is cheaper than pork and maybe for health reasons more people have switched. But, I would think that the Pork Producer'as Association would intervene.

TRIBUTE BANDS ARE MY SPEED!

         I just ordered tickets to a Tribute Group that concentrates on Bob Dillon, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. The tickets were only $44.00 for the pair and very very close to the stage. And yes, you guessed it, it is being held the first week of January 2019 in the entertainment center at Mesquaki Casino near Tama, Iowa. 

         In the last few years, I have missed out on some big time R&R groups, but, because my budget just can't handle $300 to $400 for close up seats that I would prefer. Besides, most Tribute groups are very good  singers and musicians, and, besides, most of the enjoyment is just going down memory lane for a couple of hours. 

          One of my best examples in the last few years has been enjoying the Steely Dan Tribute band--The Fez. They are Steely Dan and I would say they are one of THE best bands in all of Iowa and can be enjoyed in and around the Iowa City area. PS. I called in a made my reservation and didn't have to pay a "convenient fee!"

     

I LOVE MY JOB!

        After moving into our nre residence in the Jordan Creek area of West Des Moines, Iowa, I decided I needed a part-time job through the Winter until starting up my window cleaning business this Spring..

         As luck would have it, I snagged a part-time dream job at the near-by Hy-Vee grocery store. I'm one of those demonstrator people that you run into sampling all kinds of yummy things.

        I get to dress up in a stylish black chefs jacket and meet all kinds of interesting people and with my love of  "persuading" and basic gab, this  isn't even like a real job. It is fun to convince folks to sample  the likes of cherry cheese-cake, thin crusted pizza, or pond raised salmon from New Zealand. If you happen to stop by at the Jordan Creek and University location, stop by and say hello!

CONVENIENCE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

        The other day, I priced a certain event that is being held at a local casino. Included with the ticket price was a "Convenience" charge of $10.00. It made me think that the whole idea of ordering on-line was a "saving feature" to the the "service  provider." Why do they need another added fee? I can understand if I call in and an actual person takes the order and etc!

          It reminds me of a restaurant that adds an amount if you get additional condiments. But, if you don't want pickles, lettuce, or whatever they put on that you don't want, is there a reduction! I don't think so!