Photos

 

A FASHION SHOCK!

            Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed living in Williamsburg, Iowa and all that a small rural community has to offer. On the other hand, I really have enjoyed moving back to West Des Moines with all its diversity of people and a "different" kind of affluence. 

           One observation I had was concerning my own apparel. I was still wearing cargo pants before the move, but, quickly realized that most me who are fairly well dressed were wearing nothing but "Levis" jeans. The only thing I still find ridiculous, even while still in Williamsburg, are those brown pointy shoes that men are now wearing. 

           In my day, you never wore brown shoes with a suit or shoes that appeared to be a size or two too big. I think it's one of the things that when men look back they won't believe they went out in public with them on. One other note. What about men's suits that look like they were washed by mistake and shrunk down a couple of sizes. 

I DID IT MY WAY!

       In my lifetime, I have attended my share of Super Bowl Parties. The problem with parties there is always a lot of drinking and way too much talking. When the game is over, you don't remember much of the commentary as you could never hear it.

         Later today, my companion is heading to Ankeny and "Party" with family for the big game. After I get off work, I'm coming back home, prepare I nice New York Strip and watch the big battle alone. I'm totally OK with this situation! Go Pats!

I WAS LOSS OF WORDS!

        It doesn't happen very often, but, yesterday I was actually at a loss of words. A family came up to my "Demo" stand and sampled some various dips and spreads that we were promoting for the Super Bowl.

         By appearance they were either from India or possibly Pakistan. The older gentleman, before leaving asked me if I could recommend a good restaurant for them "downtown" Des Moines. I went blank and in addition, I couldn't think of a place that might suit them. 

            Moving back here as of late and now living in West Des Moines, I just couldn't come up with any place and really didn't want to take the time to ask them what type of food they were interested in. I simply said I couldn't think of anything, the elder gentleman thanked me and they moved on. 

BEST T-SHIRT SAYING OF THE DAY!

         I caught this T-shirt sighting at the Westlake Hy-Vee yesterday. I loved it. "If you can't say something nice say something sarcastic!"

AN OPTIMISTIC MEMORY!

       When I was young boy and just coming out from a Junior High basketball game at near-by Van Cleve, Iowa, I came to a quick realization. As I was boarding the school bus to return the seven mile journey back to Laurel I gazed upon one beautiful sunset.

        The time of year was late January and near the date of my birthday--the 27th. The realization that I very quickly realized or learned was that the days were becoming much lighter this time of year and the winter darkness was shorting.

            From that time on and when the subject of "winter darkness" was discussed, I would bring up the fact that by this time of year it was getting lighter and Spring was just around the corner.  Sometimes it's just how you look at things!

WHY RUIN A BEAUTIFUL DAY?

     Late last fall on a simply gorgeous October day and while just starting out on a walk around Gray's Lake, I noticed something all too common today. There was a group of 5 or 6 people coming toward us and each was looking down and into their smart phones concentrating on something or other--all of them! I couldn't help wonder if they will ever remember what a glorious Sunday they missed out on?

AFRAID OF WIFE?

           There was this guy that stopped to sample some cheesecake that I was demonstrating at the Westlakes Hy-Vee and his comment gave me my laugh of the week! He took a spoonful of cherry cheesecake and while doing so was looking around. He commented that he hoped his wife wouldn't  catch him eating something maybe he or she thought to be decantant?

             I simply asked him, with my twisted sense of humor, if he was afraid of his wife. He looked right at me and replied:  "You bet I am!" I couldn't help stop laughing for a bit! Whether he was serious or just responding like some great comedy duo, I'll never know!

REMEMBER ANCHOVIES-YUK!

        The Westlakes Hy-Vee started a few months ago a spot where they will make a custom made pizza--"Mia's!" They have over 30 or so toppings which some I'm not sure I would even want to try. 

         All those choices made me think about when pizzas first came out in the 1950's (in this area) and,  you could get "Anchovies" along with the usual toppings of the time--sausage and pepperoni. Anchovies didn't last long as I recall. It was very salty, didn't look real appetising, and, after-all, was---fish! Funny thing is that now we think Sushi is cool! I need to pick up a couple of cans of sardines for a snack tonite!     

PRETTY GOOD MEMORY- BUT!

           I've always thought that my long term memory was pretty good about "trivia of long ago" until the other day while talking to a customer at the Westlakes Hy-Vee in West Des Mines. 

          It all started because this guy resembled my late cousin Larry Laverty. This fellow also had worked for the railroad and had spent time in Marshalltown, Iowa and his eyes lite up by his memory of Taylor's Maid-Rite. 

          In addition, he brought up the restaurant down by the railroad tracks that served the great chiffon pie. Do you think I could "spit out" the name of that long time local icon eatery. I know its name like my own, but, do you think I could come up with it. Even "Lloyd's" came immediately to mind as the two were owned by the same individual. 

           Yes, a little later "Stone's" popped back in to my brain, but, not until the Larry Laverty look-a-like had left the store. Sometimes you have to wonder what goes on up there or not. And yet, close to a dozen people from my past have come into the store and I recognized them all despite not seeing them in close to 40 years--and their names. Go figure!

DON'T ASK/POLITELY DEMAND!

           I over-heard a young lady ask if she could have a certain pastry in the bakery at the local Hy-Vee here in WDM. It reminded me of years ago, my son, Darrin, was always "asking" if he could have some particular thing at a restaurant.

         Eventually, I taught him to politely say---"I would like a sandwich or whatever-please!" I always thought it would have been interesting if someone, after my son was asking-that person, would have said NO- you can't have that! A thank-you at the end of ordering is always the right thing to do!

"YOU BET I'M SCARED!"

          A few days ago, while demonstrating cheese cake at the Westlakes Hy-Vee, an older gentleman  came up for a sample. He kept looking around like he was looking for someone and mentioned that he hoped that his wife wouldn't see him eating the sample!

         In a very dead-pan manner, I asked if he was actually afraid of his wife. His reply cracked me up! "You bet I am!" The situation made my day with a good laugh! I love my job! 

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!