View from a Chair

Guest blogger Miriam-

        As I sit here and wait- time passes well. The view is imaginable. Right this moment I see rushing water cascading over rocks, rushing to endless bubbles and crashing into the rivers it meets. Now a sky of a turquoise color with few white clouds, that mirrors into the same color river, long, so long and narrow.

The View isn't presently realistic, it comes from a TV screen in a hospital, but with these wonderful views come the realistic views of this room and corridors. People walking who have heart diseases or who have had heart surgeries. But they are walking. Yesterday there were many people discharged! Other views are nurses walking with their medical info desks, all portable with med information, schedules and whatever is needed to make things better for someones heart, like diet and exercise. I see a scale across the hall but haven't been weighed, and haven't seen anyone weighed. Maybe the concern isn't weight, but education and face to face information and hands on help and getting home with the proper care and atmosphere.

    I'm so very thankful to be where I am and have the children I have who not only care and love me, but are raising their children to care, to have consequences now rather than later, and not understand why they're just getting a consequence when they're fifteen or twelve. I'm so thankful I've been staying with family, so very thankful.  SO many people, old and young who live alone and don't have anyone would be terrified now, and yes, others as well would be terrified. Sure I was scared a day later when told I had to have a certain surgery, but talking a lot with family and both myself and them being honest about it all helps so much.

       Unexpected expectations is hard on people. How often have we said but I didn't know, or I didn't expect. Well If you haven't been in this situation, how would you know? Even if you have been through this situation, or something much worse, its always good to know the truth, the expectations and the rules. Never, ever give up or give in. Never ever quit. You owe it to your self, your family, grandchildren, caregivers and the medical profession.

   The view is one of hope. Hope for a longer and healthier life. That's the best of all views. 👪💝💝💝💝

First Foster Child(adult) Found-But Again....

       A few days ago my daughter found the first foster son who I've been searching for, for such a long time. He actually has, had five accounts on FB. I'm not sure where or how to begin with what I felt when I saw some of his life, what he's joined and the tragedy that hit him hard. He had a baby girl who died and I'm not sure how long after birth as he had a picture of her as a newborn sitting on a table with candles, as a memory of passing on.
        He now has a son about four or five years old and I did see on yet another FB account a daughter about three, Those children are beautiful and the boy looks like C.B.'s twin. But he, he is lost in a world that I can only imagine.
         C is part of  a group, that some may call a cult. I see it as a group of young men and some women, not many who are lost, feel they don't belong to the average society or any society except the one there in. This is what happens when kids feel like they no longer matter. They seek to matter, no matter how. They want to be counted, loved, mattered and have a feeling of being needed. 
           I never would have recognized him if I didn't study his face, as well as looking at his other pages. There is one picture where he is sitting and he states' I feel like I'm going crazy. Deeply sad of course. As I look on his Fb pages I don't see any family connections and then I saw a photo of his sister who lives out of state. Both C and his sister who was a baby at the time and an older brother were all in foster care.
     His brother was a few years older and lived with a family who treated him more like a servant than a child. When I met him along with the father and baby sister, he said he was just going to take it until he was old enough to graduate and get out. He did complain to his caseworker who told him, all kids have chores. I believe that. It's easier than confronting a foster parent who's obnoxious and moving a child. The boy didn't want to move. He liked his school and was involved in football, had friends.
       Well as rough and sad as my first foster son looks, I am still trying to find him, hoping to just talk, learn what happened in between. It's always the in between and what happens prior to foster care that counts.

My First and Last Foster Son

       When I lived with this little guy, my first foster son, I quickly learned how society, well, maybe not society but the system cheats many kids like him. His anger was as I was told, starts at zero and goes to a hundred in ten seconds. I never experienced that, ( well yes I did growing up ) Another thing I never experienced was the fact that this eleven year old could only read about second grade. On the way to my house we stopped at a diner and I gave him the menu. He pushed it back telling me he couldn't read it. I thought he was joking, but soon found out he meant it. Maybe I should have taken another look at the residence hall/school where he went to school. Kids sat in a classroom that was barely light. I found out it wasn't about teaching and learning but low lights keep the kids calm and I did see  him laying on his desk.
          -I'll continue this tomorrow-
        Well from the start we appeared to have a nice relationship. It took a while before school would allow him in, to see what was a proper and age related class. As I write this my mind shifts between this child , C and my last child B.  It wasn't long before trouble started in school and the calls came to pick him up.
         The worst call was tell me he ripped a teachers tie off. I walked into the middle school and he was sitting alone in an office crying. I was brought into a room and given the story, which didn't make sense. It was obvious to me the school wanted him gone. The teacher whose tie he ripped off, was muscular, shaved head, and now wearing contacts. Yes, that matters to me because a couple of years back he was this, glasses and balding, so now his ego was really out there even in how he spoke, nothing like a couple of years ago.
           They finally brought the boy in and C gave his story. I believed him. He admitted he was wrong, that he had a comic and didn't put it down right away, but what the teacher left out was that he got made at the boy and ripped it from his hands at which point the boy followed the same pattern, and yes, wrong it was. I was told this man was a special ed teacher. He wasn't two years back. Where was his patience? Following the tie incident I was told the boy picked up a chair to throw at the teacher. The boy said he picked up the chair to sit in the corner. Not sure what was true about that.
More became clear about ripping the teachers tie off. It appeared it became caught in something and the teacher ripped it off. Either way he was suspended for ten days, the legal time for a child in special needs classes.
              HE was moved to a behavioral school. What followed at home was a series of mostly good time, eating out, watching his favorite shows, no cable and he loved the old black and white shows, leave it to Beaver, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and most from the old days. I took him on a trip to New York. All went great. We stayed a two nights in Long Island and he had a ball and I did too watching him watch people. Early one morning he saw a man fishing on the oceans edge, asked if he could go down and talk to him. Sure, He did and had a great time. We checked out and stopped at a merry go round place where he caught brass rings.
            Then we had lunch on the Island and off to check into a Brooklyn Hotel, one I usually stay at and it was such a nice time. We met with my old friend and her husband and out to super we all went. I decided to cut the trip a day short because we were getting such bad weather and honestly I thought I'd save a lot on the hotel. I now know better. We should have stayed and just enjoyed the hotel, movies and ordering in.
         Once I told C that we were going home early he asked why and because very quiet. He asked off and on why we couldn't stay and I kept explaining. Packed up, we took off, passing through the Verrazano Bridge, then Jersey and then it started.... Suddenly he lashed out swearing at me, f this and that and F you and I bet you never knew I could cuss, did you ever heard these words before? NO more sweet innocent little boy, now acting like an older teen out f control. More to come from the back seat; He threw pennies at the dashboard, a book at the dash, small things until nothing was left. With each toss I told him, it's not too late, we can fix this and make it better, His response, I didn't want to F'n leave.
          I knew I had to bide my time until I found a safe place to get off. Looking ahead I see a truck plaza and tell C I have to get gas, use the restroom and grab a sandwich. He does get out and I quickly lock all the doors but there's one thing left in the car, an umbrella ! I knew I had to get my hands on that before he got back in the car.  Inside I did use the restroom, got on line for coffee and a sandwich, but C did not want to eat. I sat in the booth with him making small talk and making sure he knew we only had a short time left to eat if he wanted to get a sandwich or anything else. He said no.
         I started chatting with a guy standing on line about all of the food varieties. Then I told C, you have three minutes left to eat and I put a ten dollar on the table in front of him. He grabbed it, got on line and I grabbed the umbrella. After he ate, and we stood to leave, he went for the umbrella and saw I had it. We walked to the car and I threw the umbrella in the trunk. Before taking off we talked, he fell asleep and we made it home.
    More of C continued tomorrow

A Jewish Dream

      I know ! A Jewish Dream ? How weird is that? I'm not even Jewish, but who cares.  So here it is: Suddenly I found myself in an apartment or house, couldn't really tell and i Was a teenager again wearing penny loafers which I did wear as a kid, and a long print dress, which I never wore. My hair was shoulder length and more curly at the bottom and I wore bangs. I never had bangs except as a five-year old.

     Well inside this home was gathering of a lot of people, all in their mid twenties to late thirties and me. Someone was missing, the old man. I didn't have any idea who the old man was or his relation to anyone yet. I walked around the people, looking and listening. Everyone was drinking, what they were drinking I couldn't tell. Glasses were clear. It was crowded and so much chatter was going on. Then the old man came in.
       He was so slender, wore a dark suit and shirt. He had a hat on and took it off when he came in. He was stooped over, but not sing a cane or walker. He was shaking his head and nodding, looking about. I went to him and asked why he was gone so long. Hands up he said, look, why would I want to be here? This is family ? We walked and sat at an old wooden table. I asked if he wanted something to eat. He took out another round hat and placed it on his head. He said, no, I cannot what they  have on plates, that every hand gas touched, so unclean.

      He asked me if I had a candle. I went to my room-oow I had a room-took out a candle, matches and gave to the old man. He lit the candle and said a prayer for family, old values and traditions. He took me to the refrigerator and showed me how the food was all scattered and then a hand reached around him grabbing lunch meat off a tray. The old man said, see, unclean. A man standing at the sink came to us and said hello dad, I'm happy you're here. Why said the old man, what is here for me anymore? look at what you have done to our Jewish family, traditions gone, dress gone, values gone, food gone. Have you forgot? The son looked sad, walked to the people in his home and asked everyone to leave. As they trailed out, he returned to his father and said, I'm sorry dad and I woke up as I was walking away in my dream.

St. JUDES Childrens Hospital Challenge !

     I have not been personally touched by St. Judes in a way that families are who bring their children there, and don't know anyone who has. But this makes it no less urgent.
    When I learned many years ago that St. Jude does not charge for  medical care, housing , travel or food, I knew that would always be my main charity. St. Jude started many years ago, 1962, at a  time when only twenty percent of children survived, now it's eighty percent. On average 94,900 children are treated yearly.
   
      How much do we spend on lottery tickets, cigarettes, latte? Magazines are so expensive and all of our personal hobbies and habits. We worry about fancy sneakers, brand name clothes, new cars, trips and things that would mean nothing if we lost a child. What if this was your child?
     I donate often, but now realize I got off track, so I will make sure to send a check monthly, on my birthday. They are asking for 19. a month. NINETEEN ! I know many cannot afford that, but many more can. People go to bars, have gym memberships, take cruises,  buy high priced furniture, and buy all kinds of lessons for their children, themselves, karate, music, art and more. Restaurants are filled with people eating out. Skip that once a month and send to St. Jude-I am.
    Maybe in a family members name,donate 19.00 monthly. please help St. Jude, a partner in hope.

By the way, I bought power ball tickets and I hope I win, if only to give half to St. Jude. After all, who needs that much money when it will benefit the lives of so many children. We have great doctors and research scientists.. Let's help them help our children.

Me? In a ONSIE? Who knew...Those Two

        After a few hectic days I was invited to go to my daughters' and her boyfriends' home for Thanksgiving and stay over. Just going down there, the ride and the peace was wonderful but arriving, that was a whole new world. The welcomed feeling made me feel right at home. Wafting from the kitchen were smells of turkey, homemade stuffing and those strings beans, wow. Oh, don't let me forget the mashed potatoes ! I ate too much but not enough. I'm sure you understand that. A feeling of being satisfied hit me well before we sat down to eat. It was the atmosphere, the family, joking all around, talking about things you know only can be kept with family, a glass of wine and a dog. A very special dog name Virgil. He's an English Bulldog who is so lovable that I wouldn't care what I was wearing. I just enjoyed him, that face, the love he offers.
            Thanksgiving over all too soon, I knew another bite would not pass between my lips, but then my daughter brought in some mini cannoli's but made in tiny, tiny  pie shells like a with chocolate chips on top. Delicious, scrumptious! I wanted to savor and honestly took my time to taste and not just slide down my throat. The three of us sat down to relax watching a marathon of Blue Bloods. Soon after her boyfriend leaves, comes back downstairs with a onsie on, a star wars theme,or batman? It had a cape on it. This guys is not just smart and funny, but sweet and always himself. Then my daughter says, oh yeah mom, I have one for you too. Wrinkling my brow I think she has to be kidding! I know she would not mind a one piece anything to fit me. Oh Lord-she did. So there she was in her Princess Leia Onsie and mine was a Koala Bear, gray and white. Into the tiny bathroom, not meant for changing, I slipped jeans off and a onsie on. I bust out laughing before I even had it near me.
      Edging it on, up, buttoning buttons and putting the hood/hat on with ears attached, it fit !!! Oh CRAP! They weren't kidding and to top it off, I really had fun with it and didn't mind a few pictures even feeling comfortable. I have never liked picture taking, even as a kid. We sat down all three, relaxed in our onsie's. Oh it was so warm and comfy. I had a great time ! Great family, atmosphere and Virgil cuddling up at times. Couldn't have been better:) Thank you J&D...I love you both.

More than Gun Control, McVeigh, Jim Jones, Terrorists, Illegals

        Every time we have a murder by gun, people want gun control. Where were they before they were personally touched by this? I know, this sounds cold, but the fact is, this is more than lack of gun control. Our American citizens die by illegal guns, joining cults, Illegal drugs, legal drugs, alcohol, terrorists and now of course and as usual Politicians jump on this and as I saw Hillary Clinton reading from a speech prepared, looking at it sideways, thinking we are stupid and can't tell she is reading off a paper. That's not from the heart !
    Look at our penal system, our whole way of life has to change. We have things that have been happening over and over for years only now it's worse because the population has grown. Our mental health system is only okay. Everyone appears to do what they can. Our education system is failing, yet maybe they too are doing as well as they can with what they have.
    How many of our own citizens have bombed our own citizens and look at the Jim Jones Massacre and that guy, forgot his name who also had a cult school, blew them all up, then the uni bomber and we have crazies out there molesting our kids, people in trust positions. We are living in a sick and crime filled nation and crooked politicians do not care. They have had enough time to show they do, and they haven't shown anything except how to fill their pockets, get more entitlements for themselves and spouses and screw the public.
     Kids want to go to college to better themselves but get out owing many, many thousands of dollars in student loans and in debt with credit cards because the new students books are filled with applications for  , a new credit card. Then they get/receive too much in loans and grants. Kids are kids and all that extra money looks good. IT can be controlled but no, banks and colleges work to get students into debt.
     The next big topic will be whatever tragedy happens and hits the news. When a bunch of boys rape a college girl, that will be the next biggest thing, a group of kids commit suicide by layng on a train track, that's new until, kids are molested at a day care, and then again, drugs will be the next politicians topic of the day.
     So what do we do and how do we fix things? Be really careful in who you vote for and why. As parents, keep your kids close to you as much as possible, and don't chastise them when they open up about awful things they've done, because you've done it too probably, but let it become a way to help. Things always start at home. Know as much as you can who the friends are, what they're like. Learn about Mental Illness, and learn some more. Let friends come over, have snacks, supper, let them gather in the living room, and you just pop in and out. Always let them know you only love, love, love them and will help, help and help some more. Go to them once in a while, ask for their thoughts, make them important too. join a gym together, take art, swim, knit, men and ladies, ask for math help and love them again.
 Well that's good enough for now. Get a good nights sleep.

Moving Back To Brooklyn

       Is it possible? As expensive as it is to live in New York is it possible to move back ? It isn't like living there from day one and getting into a rent controlled apartment or buying a home for fifty thousand dollars.
       So here I was last night dreaming about moving into a Brownstone across the street from where my friend lived on 57st above 6th ave in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Who doesn't love a Brownstone? So in my dream my friend is telling me I wouldn't be able to afford it, and I told her, well I'll make a call first and see how much they want. They wanted only 170,000.00

     I told my friend I can do that, no problem. She just laughed. But somehow that dream moved to another area in Brooklyn, wrought iron railings on the brownstone and the neighborhood was so much more crowded with people jamming the sidewalks. In the dream I didn't have any idea where I was but made another phone call. This time I met with a small woman of Chinese descent who told me the house was at a very good price, only 2.3 million dollars. I said thank you, looked at my friend and said no way.

    I guess that the last part of my dream was more reality, a true wake up call as I soon woke up. Thinking about this dream I knew I would not be moving back, although I hope to at some point. I want to wake up, go for a walk on a sidewalk, stop at a diner, grab coffee and a bagel, go to the beach in winter or fall. Maybe summer too:) I want to stand and watch boats in the harbor pass and look at the Verrazano Bridge,  maybe go to the theater, or take a drive to the island. Long Island for those who don't know, "the island".

    The cultures too are what I miss. I love going to Bensonhurst, Italian bakeries, 13th ave, Jewish delicacies, watching the Norwegian  Day parade every year, St. Patty's Day, Polish Kielbasi (but don't care for it) Spanish Rice which I love and much more.

    I'll still go up to visit as I left my heart in Brooklyn, but a bigger piece of my heart first and foremost is with my children who live in other states. So for now and maybe forever this will continue to be my residence, home to my children when they visit and home for me when they visit. It's true, home is where the heart is, anytime any place.

That Globe

That Globe

There was a man who owned a globe

Round and blue and pretty

It sat so visible on his desk

As he handled it like Walter Mitty

 

Memories of around the world

And dreams that come and go

Of traveling all about the globe

Seeing places a globe would show

 

I heard the music and language imagined

As he nimbly handled the blue

Prints of states and countries there

Dancing and costumes too

 

 A Vast amount of water

Filled spaces on the globe

Around the world oceans deep

Lands of weathers’ warm and cold

 

So now I can only sit

And think about That Globe

The one we know should be mine

After all-I’m getting old .

 

 

 

Christmas Tears-A poem a day....

 

 It comes to your door every year

sounds of winters' wind and cold

and the lonely sit and remember

life past as they grow old.

 

Christmas tears to all who see

life without love and home

but memories left to think through

about all of those who are alone.

 

Christmas tears in and out

young children homeless too

wondering why they no longer feel

love from all that's due.

 

It comes to your door every year

now open up and see

all the children on the street

who need, you and me and He.

 

Wrap your arms in love

an invisible hug or two

show your heart, weep within

for every child who needs you.

 

Christmas tears from them we know not

young, old, hurting and passed away

Let this year open us up

Past Christmas a year, a month, and a day.



It Only Takes You

       How much we have or how little we have, we have a lot if someone loves us, if everyone has reasonably good health and if you haven't recently lost someone, then you and I have a lot.  But if any of these things affect you or someone you know, then what do you do? What?
       I don't know what really but I do know those who have a real serious faith do much better than those who don't. How do we believe someone is in heaven when they didn't lead a heavenly life you might ask...well, maybe because they had a heavenly heart. Only God really knows.
     Right now I know a man who cares for his uncle's needs in many ways and the uncle is in his eighties. This man is fighting cancer, yet he runs, walks, golfs and who knows what more he's doing. The nephews is so proud of his uncle. That's also faith. They just never quit.
        Now there are hungry people, and people who simply need a friend. Just be careful how you approach them. People have pride and don't like charity. Yes, I know pride goeth before the fall. Haven't we all tripped one time or another? Still there are also people who are lonely, lonely in their own family and those who are so wealthy they become cold hearted and sometimes the poor are as bad, due to pride, but find a way and not because it's a holiday, but because we are human.
        Know too that many people do not have any religious affiliation at all, don't believe in God at all or a higher power. It takes one moment of friendship,one small miracle, one birth, one saved life to show that miracles to come. That works the opposite when someone dies especially a young person. How do you tell a mom or dad and more that there is a purpose to this, much less God had a hand in it? You don't. You let them grieve and talk out as they need to, say what they feel and be there, for  a very long time.
          Remember if someone loves you, even if they're not physically close you have more than many, so be more than many to just one person, any day of the year. Here's to you Victoria and Samantha !
 

A Mom's Final Good -Bye

     How does she do it? How will it go? What about the dad? Many people just think to support the mother, but what about the dad's ? Women are expected to fall apart because they carried their child but what about dad?  Then there are those in the background, such as extended family and friends. No one knows the enormous pain when it comes to the death of someone you love.
      Where are the right words and do you dare say them after such a loss of a child ? I can't even touch on the edge of what pain is when a parent loses their baby and by baby I mean the child, age doesn't matter.
     Gut wrenching cries can and will be heard. Dark clothes worn, swollen eyes and heads bowed and a hand, a hand holding a wrinkled tissue, knowing the day is ending and my child will be buried in the cold hard ground, never to be held again. Thanksgiving is almost here and her child won't be. Dad will silently cry to be strong for mom and brothers will cry but hold back, again to be strong for mom. They go home at the end of the day and cry for the lost sister, the last smiles, the jokes and the holidays.
    Unopened gifts for Christmas already bought... sit. Everything remains as if she is going to walk in the room. But she won't. She's gone. No more phone calls, Hi mom, I love you, so whattca doing? Where's dad? No more having tea together, just, no more. There will be thoughts of extending the funeral to keep her closer, longer.. yet we know we only have days left, to say good-bye.
    How does the heart ache mend ? It doesn't. It only changes over time. God ? I was told not to mention that God even has a purpose for this loss, so I won't. What purpose is there in losing a child ?
     

Sounds of Love

       Okay I'll put this out there right now. I am not talking about sex. Many confuse the two and yes, both are nice, but the sounds of love are immeasurable.
I'll start with a baby's first cry at birth. In that moment the parent or parents who already have a love for the not yet born child, now have a faster tempo to their heart beats. This is a child created with love and the proof of that love is the sound of his or her cry. That continues through the baby years, walking and falling. Mom  or dad catching him, picking him up and nuzzling him, telling their baby, aw, it's okay with little bitty kisses all over. Remember?
       It's reversed too as a mom or dad picks up their child just to hold them. That childs' little fingers crawl around mom's neck and they make some inaudible sound, the sound of love.
     Besides babies of course we have those sounds when we see a car we love...aah, a vacation, but better than that, a memory. Best of all to me are the unheard sounds. I know, an oxymoron. So? Did you ever watch an old couple. One pats the others hand. Words aren't needed. A kid in trouble looks at mom or dad and the look they get back is one of love, one of, don't worry, we love you and we can fix it, we're here with you and for you.
     Have you been to a hospital when someone is in a coma. The people that go in and out of that room are there for reasons including love. Some for friendship, some because they're just nosy, some to pray, and some to sit and read, out of love for another human being, plain and simple. A mom and dad, siblings sometimes just sit and wait, the biggest unheard sound of love I know. Next time you're out and about, look around you for the sounds of love unheard but felt very deeply.

What Commodity is Love ?

       We've heard it said that certain things are a precious commodity. But the most of those would be love. I do feel love is a commodity, real, deep, true and loyal love is a precious commodity as is the love you have for your children, spouses, best friends, grandchildren and life long crushes.
       But love is also a dangerous commodity and that I heard from some movie. It took me a few hours to think that through, but I agree. Loving allows hurt, revenge, termination of affections, one-sided views, distortion and perceptions not meant and most of all, a cold departure, maybe never to be repaired. The longer that departure, distance, lack of communication goes on, it simply becomes a way of life and a way acceptable because of persuasion, because of jealousy and because of preference and pride.
       Preference? Definitely. Just look at photos and see who is in more photos, how holidays are shared and with whom, how much more time is spent with others and it just becomes easier and love becomes,  that dangerous commodity that now belongs no longer to you but to others. So you have lost. Do you try again? I don't know. How much can you emotionally afford to keep on losing?

Why We Date Who We Do !

       Some years ago a man told me if I sat in the middle of the room with all men, a handful would pick me out and they would never treat me as I deserve. I asked why. This guy who is a  minister of sorts and counselor, didn't charge people so he didn't have an ulterior motive. His answer was simple. He said because they can read you and know how you feel about yourself without even speaking.
      He asked me about marriage and did I pick out husbands or boyfriends. It was true, I never picked them out, they chose me, hence I am now single and for a very long time.
     So who are you dating and how are you treated? Are you so low on the totem pole that you think, well I've had so many partners this is who I deserve. BULL!!! What about the one you are seeing now? Is he or she someone who has also had many partners? Maybe you shouldn't wear white, but it doesn't mean you deserve to be treated like an old trash can. You're human and life goes by as fast as you snap your fingers.
     Man or woman if you continually get a person who treats you like last weeks news, run, run fast.
     Men will say, oh she's nothing but a whore, so what does that make him? They will also say she's a great girl yet treat her like crap, so what's wrong with him and why do you take it? It's still a double-standard game.
     It works the other way too. Some women get the nicest guy in the world, marry them and a few years later treat him like a septic system. He's good for his paycheck, but not much else and suddenly the nice she she loved has become a weak mouse of a man because he won't argue with her and stand his ground. Then the kids even disrespect him and that too works both ways, so figure it all out before you get married, before you get engaged and definitely before you ring kids into the world who are trying to figure out what kind of people they model after..I accept donations to Doozybags through paypal for my wonderful advice :) Really. Hey life gets shorter by the second at my age.
    Maggieshelpcenter
    

Trouble With The Curve & Taken 2

       Do you know what's it's like to sit on the edge of your seat watching a movie, and feeling like you're right there? Well that's how it was tonight watching both Taken 2 and Trouble With the Curve.
     I took a teenage by with me as he was supposed to go out with someone who canceled on him, so off we went. When I arrived at the movie I wanted to go to, Frank Theatres, they were closed. In my haste to leave and having checked the time, I didn't look close enough for an exact location. So I quickly turned the car around and went to a theatre closer to me. Definitely not a Frank Theatre, but good enough and The Trouble With the Curve was playing too.
    Paying for tickets for Taken 2 I never said a word to the boy about seeing a second movie. Once inside, anxious, checking my time for the show to start I thought about my son Mike, how we always liked the same movies. Liam Neeson stared in this and other movies my son and I saw. It was Mike who called me from Nebraska to tell me, "Mom you have to see Taken!" I did and now I saw Taken 2. Packed with an unexpected twist, but so cool, I was very glad I went. Lots of action, cars smashing, faces smashed and Liam winning. Nothing like Justice.
     Finally it ended and we left to get a sandwich before home. Then I said to this kid, so ya wanna see, Trouble With The Curve? He snapped his head around, yeah!!! We went in, and the theatre was empty. It stayed that way throughout and we yelled back and forth, got up and danced and laughed. This is a movie everyone should see. It gets as many stars as a family movie can get. Clint Eastwood, still is a very good actor, and his co-stars, Justin Timberlake and the young lady who played Clint's daughter were simply very believable. I was surprised by Justin Timberlake and enjoyed his acting ability.
      This movie, The Trouble with The Curve, shows how some people really do get what they deserve and no, I won't say who and what I mean. So go, get up and go see it. You'll be glad you did. It was a good day.

The Salty Dog And Those Great Servers

       Yesterday morning, Saturday the nineteenth, I decided to take a foster son on a day trip to New York, Specifically Brooklyn where I grew up. I love Brooklyn and miss it. Nothing takes the place of the people and the food, except the memories.
       With those memories come the smells, pictures in my mind of places and food and servers with smiles. No mater what kind of day they might be having, no matter what's going on in their lives, they smile to make our day better. I was having an up and down day, and wanted so much to have lunch at The Salty Dog, but they were overcrowded. I felt as if I was giving the boy I had as good a time as possible, but he asked and wanted more and more than I could do on this day, leaving me feel frustrated. I had to knock thoughts out of my head of what I wanted to say to say, and remember what life was life for him and so we ate across the street at the Lighthouse for lunch, a small cafe with very nice people. They made a great burger and I added an egg cream. Ahhh...memories!

        After Lunch the boy asked about eating at The Salty Dog and I said, we'll have supper there, and while it was still day time, I took a few photos of him by and near the old firehouse. On we went to the City, FAO Schwartz and of course parking issues, but if you know New York, you know about parking and I know New York. He wanted things to buy. Anything about Harry Potter, but he just couldn't understand the cost of the trip. I gave him a few extra bucks, bought small things, and all I could think was, he's a kid and it's natural to want, when you come from where he came from.
        On to Little Italy, and I asked him about being hungry as it was getting late and I wanted to leave New York by seven. He said he wasn't hungry and I was happy because again, I wanted to go to the Salty Dog. Suddenly a guy on one of the Italian restaurant steps,  good looking and young grabs my guys attention. In his accent he tells him , don't you want to be out front and flirt with all the pretty girls? Fast talking he repeated it until the kid starts to smile, looks at me and says, well, can we? I tell him, we'll talk on the corner. There I explain how things work. It's all business and on we drove to Brooklyn. Yea!
        Round and round I went to find a parking space just up the street from The Salty Dog. As I got closer I hope Larry was working. Larry was a waiter who was there every time my daughter, her friends and my friends stopped in. He could be my son-almost. Good looking, muscular and charming he was for sure. Now that aside, a person quickly forgets as he treats you and your guests as he did mine to an experience. An experience you rarely get at many restaurants. I am not demeaning other servers. What I am saying to be more specific is Larry is a down to earth person who makes someone feel as if they count, not just a tip.
          I have known servers who pay more attention at the end of the meal. That's too late. No matter how busy The Salty Dog is Larry works hard and I feel gives as much attention to patrons as any one server can do. He's like an old friend, like someone you've known for twenty years. He smiles at the guests, checks back just enough to make sure  a person doesn't feel forgotten, doesn't feel as if they no longer count, but definitely doesn't overdo it. Larry is a just right kind of waiter/server.
            We arrived close to seven so I knew we would be getting home later than I wanted to. We were seated by a young lady name Kelly, very pretty with a classy  and friendly way about her. In the distance I saw who I thought was Larry. It's been too long since I've been gone. He changed, but so had I. I asked Kelly as she sat our beverages down, much needed coffee and root beer in a Salty Dog bottle, if that was Larry. With a big beautiful smile, she said, yes that's Larry, why does he look different? Kelly remarked how they good natured tease about how people change. If she saw me three to four years ago, she would have thought I was my daughter, that's how much I've changed.
           Kelly gave us more time to check the menus and suddenly Larry walked over, and took our order. I was confused. Talking more a short time later, Kelly said, we look out for each other and then she and I shared college stories about myself and her mom. Just everyday people. It was nice to see the love when she talked about her mom.  My guy wanted to put half of his order in a box to go, said he was full. I felt just right yet I ordered a slice of cheesecake. Oh wait, my order; I ordered a bacon cheeseburger as I always do. It came with mouth watering fries, a big bun, tomato, a pickle and a smile from Larry-I think. By now after the total experience, I'm not too sure who did what as another guy brought desert.
        I have to back-up.  I ate my burger off the bun so I didn't get full, but fresh coffee and cheesecake, I was in heaven. But that burger!  Not only was I so happy to be in Brooklyn but at The Salty Dog, the place that makes the best burgers anywhere! As I was leaving Larry stood by the bar and I patted his shoulder, almost feeling like I shouldn't be, but wanted to say good-bye. He made this visit so special and then to meet Kelly doubled my very happy time. She was  as friendly, but in a different way and made me feel like I just met a friend, although I could be her gram, well maybe.
       Quickly I stepped away from where Larry stood, stepped back by a wall and caught him as he turned around to shake my kids' hand. What a class act! He waved to me, said nice seeing you again. Hopefully I'll get up again when it's colder or get my a/c fixed, brakes and those things we all need to take care of.
         Oh remember I said what a class act? That goes for Kelly and everyone at the SD. I have eaten in many restaurants, (you can tell) from Sardi's to Ill Cortille, Sal Anthonys, Siba's in Pittsburgh, The brown Derby in California-nice but ...well, is it no cigars? All nice places, but I would rather eat any meal where I am made to feel at home, welcome and I can go so far as to say nurtured. I, as well as anyone I bring leave the Salty Dog knowing, what a great place, what kind people and the food..ahhh the food. Thank you Kelly, and Thank you Larry. You all treated this little guy just as important as you do the adults. Class unmeasured to you.
 No brag, just fact!

Tony and Marie

Tony and Marie
Tears have dried on his face
His body shudders in disgrace
He lost his love late last night

She closed her eyes and lost the fight

A fight they had so long ago

Only then did this man know

As she walked away into the night

His love was drifting from his sight

His name was Tony, He loved Marie

Childhood friends meant to be

Joined in love from then till now

But each has broken their loving vows.

Afraid to be and refused to see

A love so strong and never free

From one another’s side Tony and Marie

fought for love, meant to be.

Scared were they to lose each other

A love so deep could only smother

So they fought night and day

Until Marie walked away

Now Tony cries, tears on his face

Angry words, he feels disgrace

His love has died late last night

Now Tony knows, they lost the fight.

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Got an ITCH, A Big Hunka Love

People, hello there! Anyone home? How many people have an idea of what they want in a guy or gal? Most of us. I know I think a lot about- oow what a nice big guy, yet the person who I loved all my life was someone about my height even though I usually out weighed everyone. No it didn't work out. He was married, I was a kid with a crush, but his character was for sure the best kind of model for anyone. No one would ever or could ever measure up to him.
So next time you see someone who ya think is too big because he or she doesn't fit your ideal person, get to know them first, and look past the outline. All that shows is how shallow you are.