Stop & Go Deli, Brooklyn NY

       On a recent trip to Brooklyn which was too short, I stopped at a couple of deli's in Bay Ridge.  For those who don't know what a deli is, it's short for delicatessen. Every time I'm in Brooklyn I try a new deli out. Usually I stay at a local hotel and everything I would need is in walking distance, if I needed anything. The hotel is on 84  street and 4th ave. So the first night I walked up to a deli on 5th ave. and 84th street. Don't go there. There were two men in the store. One sat on a step behind the counter while the other young man asked what I wanted, all business. I told him and he asked what kind of  bread, a roll or hero. I chose a roll, wrong choice. To be honest it was about 8:00 p.m. and rolls do get stale when left in the wood boxes with a plastic cover by then. This one tasted like it came from the day before. The lettuce was wilted and brown. Because I was hungry and back at the hotel I ate the smaller half, and threw the rest away. I decided right then that was a last trip at that deli.
        Now if you're a shopper and like to walk, two blocks away is a deli on 4th ave and 86th st. I wish I could tell you the name because there are two and one is so very much better, so it's up to you.

       Here is what I found to be a five star rating Deli: It's named Stop and Go ! The address is 7618 3rd ave. Before I get into this experience, I know you can shop at food Lion or a large grocery store, buy lunch meats, bread, rolls,  condiments etc.  Also think about lines, unless you don't mind and getting a parking place in a small lot and does the hotel have mini-fridges'?
       Now back to STOP & GO. This deli is run by Alex and his brother Isaac.  I was blown away by the sincere attitude, smile and attention both of these men gave me as I ordered. We chatted as I let them know on different days how impressed I was with the cleanliness! Prices are fair and reasonable. They offer a nice variety of lunch meat sandwiches, but not so much, that you stand there reading a huge deli board. This deli is just right :)  STOP & GO !
       My first visit I ordered a roast beef on a roll with mustard and a little mayo. Alex gave me just what I ordered. You know how many deli people never listen and slap a load of mustard and mayo on, so much it slides all over and outside of the bread or roll, making one sloppy mess? When I got back to the hotel, relaxed , got comfortable and took that first bite, I knew I would be back as often as I wanted a freshly made sandwich in a clean environment with nice people who made you fell welcomed and thanked you for your business. They smile! What a wonderful feeling If they owned a hotel I would be their forever guest!
         That day I was in twice and knew before I left to go back home, I would stop there again, buy a sandwich for the trip and would enjoy the freshness, fair prices and people who appreciated business. The next day I didn't see Alex but another man behind the counter, just as friendly and when I asked for a roast beef sandwich, he told me, "oh I am so sorry, we are out of roast beef." If you saw his face, he was truly sorry. It was almost cute, he looked  how I felt. No roast beef! In a deli? Guess I had it all the day before. So what I thought. Whatever I buy here will be great and boy was it. Isaac asked my name . Who does that in these days. People just want your money, and rarely any eye contact or smiles. Not at STOP and GO.
         At STOP and GO Isaac made me a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. Lettuce and tomato with mustard and mayo, just right amounts, and he gave me a cup of coffee on the house! What a place! I was a guest, a visitor, so don't go running in and ask for a free coffee. These men deserve every penny they earn. We talked a little more and it was time for me to leave. I stopped in Jersey, pulled over and had my sandwich.
         You just won't believe it. That bread tasted like it just came freshly out of the oven! No where on the turnpike would I get a sandwich like that. The value is more than fair. So when you're in Brooklyn, look for 7618, 3rd ave and they have a big red and white awning outside that shows
STOP & GO. Tell Alex and Isaac, Nancy said hello and thank you again.

A Father's Rights-Discrimination ?

     Today I met a young man who is stable, nice, angry, pays support, works overtime just to pay attorney fees and loves his child. He isn't like many single parents who say, ah, let me pay support, then I can party weekends. No he works and wants his child, now full-time. Why? Because the ex is not giving the child a stable life, moves too many times- just because.
     In my opinion there is a strong sense of discrimination towards this man as I listened to his story. Just because you are a woman, doesn't entitle you to keep the children and just because you bore them doesn't mean you are closer, having bonded more, as I have learned over the years, that 's just anatomy.  Times have changed and there are all kinds of  discrimination against people. So who gets to prove those issues? Will a court system say dad gets the kids because he is gay and the court doesn't want the Gay and Lesbian and on and on against them, worrying about votes? Will a court system give the kids to dad because he is really the best parent ?
     The court system, political system has to stop the crap and allow children to live with the stable parent, the one who lives in a same place, keeps a steady job, has long tern relationships and that those relationships are healthy as well, physically and emotionally. What happened to decent parenting?
    What happened to decent lawyers, lawyers who don't don't rob you blind out of the money you can put into a childs' future, or a special vacation ? What makes them deserve 250. an hour? They drag things out and out which means more money for the lawyer. Sure they have bills to pay too, but do they think they are GOD???
     I would bet any amount of money these lawyers tell you they have faith in God or a higher power. Sure, their banks. If a lawyer is truly there to right wrongs how is it they make it wrongfully so in charging thousands of dollars for a divorce and support ? How is that righting a wrong? Wait until it happens to you...oh I forgot, you have plenty of money. YOU stole it from hard working people, in my opinion.
 

Bi-Racial Obama

      I know, what difference does it make. Well too many people continue to call him the first black American President or the First African American, both incorrect according to Obama himself, but look at other Celebrities who have green or blue eyes. They too identify as African American but not Bi-Racial so why do they want white Americans to say, we all came from Africa? I have heard that so often. I did not neither did my ancestors come from Africa, just as Obama is African American, I am all American with European ancestry.

My Carrot Peeler

     Yesterday morning I put my little guy to work in the kitchen with me. Someone introduced me to Time-In instead of time out, but this wasn't the case. Before I go on, we all know what time out is-instead try time in. The child gets to work with you and remain stern during that time.
      So, the day before I cooked a chicken in a crock pot, drained it, let it cool, took apart and put in the fridge. I left the chicken broth in the fridge over night and the next day all of the fat was on top, to be scooped off and discarded. I bought fresh string beans, carrots, garlic and red potatoes. My little guy was anxious to help but never used an old fashioned peeler. It was time. There he stood after a lesson or two peeling away and he loved it. I was snipping the green beans and peeling small red potatoes. Next time, I am buying the bigger reds, easier to peel.
       While I was getting the chicken ready to pull apart, I took out a big bowl of strawberries and showed him how to use a paring knife. He was thrilled to know a knife is to be used with trust and instructions. We all know how our hands get sore when doing monotonous work. After working more than two thirds of the way, he asked me to finish. He also ate while he cut. In the end he loved the crock of carrots, chicken, beans and potatoes. I didn't add any salt or pepper as I want him to learn, we just don't need that stuff. Okay, I did sneak a pinch or two so I let him also have a pinch. When I asked him if he wanted a pinch, he came over to me smiling and pinched my arm. He'll learn.
       This morning I let him finish the last of the strawberries.
    

Immigrant Kids Vs. America

     Most of us have a heart when it comes to innocent kids, but how many now know all they have to do is ask for asylum because of whatever is going on in their own countries. When does the support stop? When we're broke? We don't even take care of our own kids as in how many are homeless because of abuse at home. No different than abuse in other countries but our kids run away to US, not to other countries.
      Kids from other countries have learned they have rights almost as soon as they get here and they teach each other what to do and say in order to stay. A young boy who was on TV tonight was interviewed and he spoke in his native language, not even attempting to speak any English. Why? I bet he can ask for a soda. While I may sound heartless, it's heartless to allow American kids to sleep in the streets. It's heartless to give kids an education which they can't grasp and instead offer a vocational education. It's heartless to bargain a kid for an adoption stipend which is the law. It heartless to let our vets go without health services much needed and our elderly without dental and medical needs and housing.
       We have too many of our own American citizens going without that we allow immigrants in as our country is falling into desperate times and our jobs are going, going gone, overseas ad families are going hungry, can't afford a pair of glasses, a cane, a meal.
   If we are going to let these kids in, these kids who know how to travel here, know how to manipulate, let them learn how first to get a sponsor who can afford an extra child, not going on the welfare system. Let them also sign a waiver to join the military as soon as they graduate out High Schools to pay back for coming to our country where they will be supported and so let them support our freedoms, the kind they used to get here in the first place. Let them learn to pay it back.