Went to the grocery the other day. I sometimes shop at the Food Lion and of course I have my MVP card. Most major grocery stores today have some variation of the same thing. I received my MVP card for free simply by filling out an application. A free card that will save me money on selected purchases. Sounds like a great idea. After checking out I can check my receipt and see,in writing,just how much I saved. This day I saved 9.27 ! But then, I had a thought,what if I didn't have this card would it really have cost me an additional $9.27 ? I got the savings card for free but it was only good for the sale items so if I hadn't bought those,no saving. Let me see, if I purchase the sale items I save money compared to the normal retail price for that item. I need to have their card in order to take advantage of the sale items so the card really is a membership in a club. I'm a MVP ! I feel pretty special. If you are a non member you will be overcharged $9.27. Thats' right overcharged ! I'm no retail marketing specialist but have some basic knowledge of business practices. You sell items at a profit . The retailer gets items at a reduced price from the wholesaler so they can sell them at the sale price and still make a profit. Very clever marketing though,make me feel special and that I am saving money while the retailer still makes his projected profits. If I don't belong to the club I get charged the normal retail price even though the store paid a reduced price. All this thinking is making my head spin !
Bottom line is, The snake oil salesmen are still at it. Oh but they are a clever bunch.
Wait a minute if I don't belong to your club I don't get the savings ? Sounds like a discriminatory practice to me. I'm contacting the civil liberties union about this one. How has this been allowed to flourish right under our noses ? Going to Food Lion without my MVP card and demanding the savings anyway ! I'm a rebel.
All those coupon people better watch it too !
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Cliche
Cliches. By their very definition phrases or sayings overused. Yet we continue to use them. The cliche that grates on my nerves the most is, State of the Art. State of the Art what kind of phrase is that anyway ? A state is defined as being a solid,liquid or a gas. The three states of matter. The Art. The art of apparently anything and everything. This radio is State of the Art. The art of electronics I guess ? I have heard this cliche used ever since I can remember. Oh, others tried to creep in like cutting edge technology but it didn't have the staying power. Somewhere,somehow in our minds we all came to understand that State of the Art meant the latest and greatest. Better than the best. Now when I hear it I just think , sure it is ,they all say that.
Like I said apparently anything can be state of the art. I remember getting the Space pen which could write upside down.Now that was state of the Art at its' finest. Just saw a band that doesn't play instruments but plays I-Phones and they are a big hit. State of the Art phones. I just wish someone would think up a better phrase. Something new and refreshing ooops, another cliche. Well that pretty much says it all (darn) here we go again so I'll let sleeping dogs lie ( sigh). I'm just sick and tired ( rubbing forehead) of hearing State of the Art. What Art ? What State ? Can't we just say this is the latest version and we feel it is better than the last.
One more thought.
We use other phrases in every day life that strike me as odd. Examples include, I'm married to my wife,who else would I be married too ? ( may make more sense in California but thats' another topic) We just had a baby girl, no kidding ,I thought it would be a teenager. Why do we say those things ?
Like I said apparently anything can be state of the art. I remember getting the Space pen which could write upside down.Now that was state of the Art at its' finest. Just saw a band that doesn't play instruments but plays I-Phones and they are a big hit. State of the Art phones. I just wish someone would think up a better phrase. Something new and refreshing ooops, another cliche. Well that pretty much says it all (darn) here we go again so I'll let sleeping dogs lie ( sigh). I'm just sick and tired ( rubbing forehead) of hearing State of the Art. What Art ? What State ? Can't we just say this is the latest version and we feel it is better than the last.
One more thought.
We use other phrases in every day life that strike me as odd. Examples include, I'm married to my wife,who else would I be married too ? ( may make more sense in California but thats' another topic) We just had a baby girl, no kidding ,I thought it would be a teenager. Why do we say those things ?
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Haunted House
Growing up in East Hampton there was a group of "Summer People" that would hire you to watch their homes during the off season. This usually entailed a visit to the property and a quick tour inside the home to make sure there were no problems. A list was provided for plumbers,electricians and any other contact individuals in the event something required immediate attention.
My mother did house cleaning for these people and my Dad would do the house sitting. There was one home in particular. It sat across from the harbor on a small hill. It was a small salt box style home and quite old. Vines and Ivy covered part of the exterior and the house had a kind of gloomy feeling to it. The old wooden floors would creak and groan. The doors would mysteriously open. A big old fireplace in the living room was very utilitarian in appearance.
An author,I can't recall his name,lived here during the summer months. I never met this gentleman but imagined him sitting in this house writing gloomy stories. He probably snacked on sardines and crackers and drank wine. There was a dark side to him I'm sure of it.
Now this particular house was known to me as, The Haunted House. One day in the late afternoon a storm was brewing. My father said he was going to the haunted house to check on things. I asked if I could come along and he said yes. On the way there my father told me a little more of the history of this place. The author that lived there claimed to have recorded voices in the night but in the morning the tape was mysteriously blank.
We arrived there just as the wind began to blow a slight gale. A quick check in the yard showed nothing to be concerned about as everything was secured. Time to go inside and check there. Opening the back door we entered the dark kitchen. The floor was creaking with every step and there was a faint smell of something foul in the air. I followed along behind my dad as he went through the living room checking the rattling windows to be sure they were closed. In the far corner of the room was a narrow old door,thin planked boards that showed the cracks between them. This opened to the bottom of a very narrow and very steep staircase. With each step a feeling of dread crept over me. All at once my father stopped. Quiet he said and then just stood still and listened. OOOOOhhhh ! I can still hear that sound. We continued up the stairs and into the first bedroom. Snapping on the light we both looked anxiously about. Nothing here. we finished the inspection of the upstairs and saw or heard nothing more.
We left that house and went back home. My father admitted to hearing that strange sound. I wonder if it was a spirit ? Is this house still standing ? I wonder.
My mother did house cleaning for these people and my Dad would do the house sitting. There was one home in particular. It sat across from the harbor on a small hill. It was a small salt box style home and quite old. Vines and Ivy covered part of the exterior and the house had a kind of gloomy feeling to it. The old wooden floors would creak and groan. The doors would mysteriously open. A big old fireplace in the living room was very utilitarian in appearance.
An author,I can't recall his name,lived here during the summer months. I never met this gentleman but imagined him sitting in this house writing gloomy stories. He probably snacked on sardines and crackers and drank wine. There was a dark side to him I'm sure of it.
Now this particular house was known to me as, The Haunted House. One day in the late afternoon a storm was brewing. My father said he was going to the haunted house to check on things. I asked if I could come along and he said yes. On the way there my father told me a little more of the history of this place. The author that lived there claimed to have recorded voices in the night but in the morning the tape was mysteriously blank.
We arrived there just as the wind began to blow a slight gale. A quick check in the yard showed nothing to be concerned about as everything was secured. Time to go inside and check there. Opening the back door we entered the dark kitchen. The floor was creaking with every step and there was a faint smell of something foul in the air. I followed along behind my dad as he went through the living room checking the rattling windows to be sure they were closed. In the far corner of the room was a narrow old door,thin planked boards that showed the cracks between them. This opened to the bottom of a very narrow and very steep staircase. With each step a feeling of dread crept over me. All at once my father stopped. Quiet he said and then just stood still and listened. OOOOOhhhh ! I can still hear that sound. We continued up the stairs and into the first bedroom. Snapping on the light we both looked anxiously about. Nothing here. we finished the inspection of the upstairs and saw or heard nothing more.
We left that house and went back home. My father admitted to hearing that strange sound. I wonder if it was a spirit ? Is this house still standing ? I wonder.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The great bicycle heist( a tale from my childhood)
When I was fourteen (I Think) I received a sting ray bicycle for Christmas. High rise handlebars,banana seat with a sissy bar and a T-handled shifter. The frame was painted a metallic purple and the hand grips were purple with a troll face on the ends. Pretty cool stuff ! This was quite an expensive bicycle in its day.
I was old enough to ride this machine as far away from home as I wanted. Rode it to Montauk a couple times,a distance of 18 miles one way. My Mother would always say "Don't you leave that bike anywhere unattended." I didn't have a bicycle lock for reasons still unknown to me. I rode this bike over to my older brothers house one day. His wife was leaving to go the store and invited me along. I leaned the bike against a tree and off I went. When we returned the bike was gone ! I couldn't believe it,what was I going to do ? My sister in law suggested reporting this theft to the police. I called the local police and gave them a full description. They acted a little funny when I told them it was purple and had trolls on the hand grips but took all the information down along with my name and phone number.
I had to go home and face the music. It was a long walk, let me assure you ,with my head hanging low. When I got there my Mom and sister were sitting in the kitchen together. My sister immediately says," where is your bike? I see that you walked home." Well there was nothing to do but come clean so I began to tell the tale of just going to the store for a few minutes and how the bike was gone when I returned. I could tell by the look on my sisters face that she was loving it ! But that look changed rapidly when I came to the part where I had called the Police !" What,my sister said,what did you do ? Call the police ? I saw your bike there and I'm the one who took it to teach you a lesson. "Well, I said ,the Police will be looking for you.( Because you know in a kids mind the Police force was deploying a swat team to investigate this crime.) Maybe one of the neighbors saw you and will tell the police. You know your car is easy to identify. My mother had said little up to this point. "You are just going to have to call the Police and tell them she said." Not me ,I said ,I didn't do anything wrong. You did when you left that bicycle. Yes, but I didn't steal it,she did.
After a little more discussion my sister called the police station and told them what happened. The swat team was recalled,the hounds returned to their pens and peace was restored.
I think the police still have a file on my sister though.
I was old enough to ride this machine as far away from home as I wanted. Rode it to Montauk a couple times,a distance of 18 miles one way. My Mother would always say "Don't you leave that bike anywhere unattended." I didn't have a bicycle lock for reasons still unknown to me. I rode this bike over to my older brothers house one day. His wife was leaving to go the store and invited me along. I leaned the bike against a tree and off I went. When we returned the bike was gone ! I couldn't believe it,what was I going to do ? My sister in law suggested reporting this theft to the police. I called the local police and gave them a full description. They acted a little funny when I told them it was purple and had trolls on the hand grips but took all the information down along with my name and phone number.
I had to go home and face the music. It was a long walk, let me assure you ,with my head hanging low. When I got there my Mom and sister were sitting in the kitchen together. My sister immediately says," where is your bike? I see that you walked home." Well there was nothing to do but come clean so I began to tell the tale of just going to the store for a few minutes and how the bike was gone when I returned. I could tell by the look on my sisters face that she was loving it ! But that look changed rapidly when I came to the part where I had called the Police !" What,my sister said,what did you do ? Call the police ? I saw your bike there and I'm the one who took it to teach you a lesson. "Well, I said ,the Police will be looking for you.( Because you know in a kids mind the Police force was deploying a swat team to investigate this crime.) Maybe one of the neighbors saw you and will tell the police. You know your car is easy to identify. My mother had said little up to this point. "You are just going to have to call the Police and tell them she said." Not me ,I said ,I didn't do anything wrong. You did when you left that bicycle. Yes, but I didn't steal it,she did.
After a little more discussion my sister called the police station and told them what happened. The swat team was recalled,the hounds returned to their pens and peace was restored.
I think the police still have a file on my sister though.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Relics
Was thinking about things you used to find in every ones home not too long ago but probably wouldn't find in most today. The ones that you do find are more likely to be part of the decor than serving a purpose.One of these items was a door stop. My mother had one,a iron casting of a cat sitting on a block. Quite heavy it stood next to the front door for as long as I can remember. Both of my Grandparents had them in their homes.
I suppose the reason for this is the use of air conditioning. Used to be we would open our doors wide and let the cooling breeze blow through. Now we barely open the windows. Some homes now don't even have screen doors.
In the same vein I wonder how many people have paper weights anymore ? Not just an object used for that purpose but a genuine paperweight. An ice pick? Do you have one? A manual can opener. A can and bottle opener,better known as a church key. Clothes pins. A set of encyclopedias and a dictionary. A shoe horn.
A record player. A tv with legs that sat on the floor. A desk phone. A hand mixer. A wall clock with hands. A double edged razor.Wooden matches.A scrub board.
Most of these things you could find now at yard sales or junk shops. Relics of the past. Think I might go looking for a good doorstop !
I suppose the reason for this is the use of air conditioning. Used to be we would open our doors wide and let the cooling breeze blow through. Now we barely open the windows. Some homes now don't even have screen doors.
In the same vein I wonder how many people have paper weights anymore ? Not just an object used for that purpose but a genuine paperweight. An ice pick? Do you have one? A manual can opener. A can and bottle opener,better known as a church key. Clothes pins. A set of encyclopedias and a dictionary. A shoe horn.
A record player. A tv with legs that sat on the floor. A desk phone. A hand mixer. A wall clock with hands. A double edged razor.Wooden matches.A scrub board.
Most of these things you could find now at yard sales or junk shops. Relics of the past. Think I might go looking for a good doorstop !
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Dugan Man
I remember seeing his truck pulling into the yard. He was a friendly man and always spoke to me. My name is Ben and he called me B E up and down. That came from the fact I couldn't remember the letter N when he asked me to spell my name. So I became B E up and down forever. Of course forever in a childs view may have been two years or so. The company, Dugan Brothers Bakery went out of buisness in 1967. A victim of grocery stores and the cost of home delivery.
I have a particulary fond memory of the Dugan man. On one of his visits to my Grandmothers house she purchased a bag of potato chips. Potato chips were a bit of a novelty item then and came packaged in a wax paper bag that was stapled shut. I was given this bag of chips and kid fashion tried to open it by using my teeth to remove the staples. I cut my lip on the staple and combined with the salt from the chips it stung like crazy! I cried to my Grandmother about this and she told me she would tell that "Dugan Man" about it. She assured me something would be done.
The very next time the Dugan man came he called out to me,hey B E up and down I have something specialy made for you. I ran over to him and he presented me with a bag of potato chips. I looked at that bag and the top was sealed shut with a crinkled apperance. The Dugan man explained to me that because of that staple cutting my lip the Dugan Company changed the way they sealed the bag. In fact he said all the other companies would too ! Whats' more he gave me that bag free of charge.
For a very long time I firmly believed that was the reason bags were sealed the way they are now. Sounded reasonable to me.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Grandparents Day
Friday was Grandparents Day at the elementary school. I have been fortunate enough to attend this event every year. I have two Grandchildren in this particular school so my time must be divided between them. One is in second grade and the other fourth. We get pictures taken (no surprise there) can have lunch with them and observe their daily class work.
Things have changed a bit since I went. As I recall we stayed at our desks unless going to recess. Now they move around to various centers. A couple of the centers are in the classroom and others are not. They have a center for most everything. One center they call,"Intervention" and I'm still not quite sure what that is. I think it varies with the student.(s) The teacher was our center ! He/She also intervened if necessary.with extreme prejudice !
The teachers always have the kids introduce their Grandparents to the class. I am always amused by these introductions. To see the eyes of the children light up with pride to show off their Grandparents is worth the trip alone. I always feel bad for the ones that do not have Grandparents there.
This year,for a math exercise,the teacher asked for the ages of the Grandparents,( she did give permission to be shall we say creative) and had the children plot this on a line graph. I was the youngest,yeah,and the eldest was 71. The lady that was 71 walked with a cane and the children looked at her like she was ancient. There were many muffled comments.
My granddaughter who is in the second grade was delighted that I was there and held my hand. My grandson in the fourth grade was pleased I was there but much more subdued. They grow so quickly. The elementary school here goes to the fifth grade so I have one more year with the grandson. I look forward to this annual event and hope to be able to attend next year and the following years.
I did note that in my grandaughters' class,second grade if you recall,the numbers one through one hundred were printed on a long strip across the wall. I remember being in Miss Edwards second grade class and her having the exact same thing on her classroom wall. I recall thinking what a challenge it was to have to know how to count that far ! Some things never change I guess.
Things have changed a bit since I went. As I recall we stayed at our desks unless going to recess. Now they move around to various centers. A couple of the centers are in the classroom and others are not. They have a center for most everything. One center they call,"Intervention" and I'm still not quite sure what that is. I think it varies with the student.(s) The teacher was our center ! He/She also intervened if necessary.with extreme prejudice !
The teachers always have the kids introduce their Grandparents to the class. I am always amused by these introductions. To see the eyes of the children light up with pride to show off their Grandparents is worth the trip alone. I always feel bad for the ones that do not have Grandparents there.
This year,for a math exercise,the teacher asked for the ages of the Grandparents,( she did give permission to be shall we say creative) and had the children plot this on a line graph. I was the youngest,yeah,and the eldest was 71. The lady that was 71 walked with a cane and the children looked at her like she was ancient. There were many muffled comments.
My granddaughter who is in the second grade was delighted that I was there and held my hand. My grandson in the fourth grade was pleased I was there but much more subdued. They grow so quickly. The elementary school here goes to the fifth grade so I have one more year with the grandson. I look forward to this annual event and hope to be able to attend next year and the following years.
I did note that in my grandaughters' class,second grade if you recall,the numbers one through one hundred were printed on a long strip across the wall. I remember being in Miss Edwards second grade class and her having the exact same thing on her classroom wall. I recall thinking what a challenge it was to have to know how to count that far ! Some things never change I guess.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Grandmas' Kitchen
I watched my Grandmother cook and bake using this stove. Adding wood to get a quick hot flame for frying and such. A bank of coals was needed for the oven. The temperature was always tested by wetting your fingertip and quickly pressing it against the hot surface. My Grandmothers internal thermometer was very accurate,mine not so much. Stews and samp would be left simmering on the back section of the stove. Out of this oven came the most amazing pastries I have ever eaten.
The stove was also used to heat up those cast iron flat irons used to press the laundry. They would be lined up according to their size on the front portion ready for use. Although my Grandmother did have an electric hot water heater she would often heat water on this stove for doing laundry or cleaning.
My Grandmother did laundry as a means of support. This was of course done in the kitchen. Seems funny to us now but there was no such thing as a laundry room. The kitchen had all the necessary space and the water
was available there. At the time of my remembrances she was the only person living in this house so she could pretty much leave everything set up. The washtubs and wringer.
People would come and go throughout the day picking up their laundry or dropping some off. In addition to those picking up or dropping off several merchants would stop by as well. There was The "Duggan Man" he delivered bread,cakes.pastries and potato chips. The Duggan Brothers owned that company. The milk man would come by. Sometimes a peddler know by me only as Goldstein would come by as well. He sold just about everything and on a time payment plan. You could order what you wanted and he would deliver to you when it came in. You made payments to him. Grandma rarely purchased anything and always paid in cash. Occasionally the coal man would stop and see if more coal was needed. A man would drop off wood and kindling . It was a busy place that kitchen.
When I was real small Grandma kept me busy being helpful. One of her favorite chores for me involved tacking down the metal strip that bridged the seam on her linoleum floor covering. Over time there wasn't much of a strip left but a whole lotta tacks!
Grandmas kitchen was up and operating by six in the morning every day and stayed busy until early evening.
If you stayed late enough Grandma would move into the parlor and rock in her chair. She had a small television set but rarely if ever turned it on. I would venture to say the majority of her adult life was spent in that kitchen.
I have been around the world ; literally, and if there was one place I could go back to, it would be Grandmas' Kitchen.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The season is over
For me the baseball season is over. My beloved NY Yankees did not move forward to the World Series.
I will watch the series with a casual interest but that is all. I know there is always next year !
Having left New York when I was 18 and traveling and living all over the United States ever since I always took my loyalty with me. I have met with disdain and envy everywhere I have been. There are Yankee fans everywhere too if you seek them out. Never have I tried adopting any other team but instead stood fast to my Yankees ! I don't like it when people,you call themselves fans,flip-flop on their sports teams depending on who is winning. Despicable behaviour.
Baseball is the only sport I really have an interest in. The other sports are entertaining but just don't have the appeal to me that baseball does. I'm not sure why this is but it just is. So now I have to wait for the spring .
New life again ! Those Yankees will be back stronger and better. We will get them next year !
I will watch the series with a casual interest but that is all. I know there is always next year !
Having left New York when I was 18 and traveling and living all over the United States ever since I always took my loyalty with me. I have met with disdain and envy everywhere I have been. There are Yankee fans everywhere too if you seek them out. Never have I tried adopting any other team but instead stood fast to my Yankees ! I don't like it when people,you call themselves fans,flip-flop on their sports teams depending on who is winning. Despicable behaviour.
Baseball is the only sport I really have an interest in. The other sports are entertaining but just don't have the appeal to me that baseball does. I'm not sure why this is but it just is. So now I have to wait for the spring .
New life again ! Those Yankees will be back stronger and better. We will get them next year !
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Big Hill
I grew up on a single lane dirt road. It was a dead end road that just stopped at the last house. Beyond this road was an open area of woods where wild strawberries grew.Further along the ground rose with two hills. First a smaller one that was suitable for sledding and manageable on my bicycle. Keep in mind there was no such thing as a mountain bike then so the Schwinn Tornado had to handle the challenge. Beyond the smaller hill was "The Big Hill." This piece of real estate was always referred to in this way. This hill was twice the size of the smaller one and much steeper. It had been conquered on a sled once in my recollection but at a cost.
You see,there was a dip between the Big hill and the smaller one. I gained such velocity coming down that big hill I went airborne and down the smaller hill. My sled was not designed to withstand this force and upon landing the runners collasped beneath it. It was a terrible crash and other than a few bruised ribs no harm done. The same could not be said for the sled which was destroyed. I did manage to go down it on my bicycle but only by riding the brake the entire way down. Discreation being the better part of valor.
As a child this hill provided hours of enjoyment. Running up and down, bicycles and sleds it seemed to me a regular amusememnt park.
As an adult I wonder at the fascination with this. Why did I find this to be so entertaining ? I think most kids have a fondness for hills. Maybe because you somehow feel bigger standing atop it. King of the Hill ! I haven't been there in many years and I expect the scenery has changed with development. The Big Hill is still there though of that I am sure. It would take a awful lot of work to remove that from the landscape. The memories of playing on and in the shadow of that hill will stay with me forever. It sure was neat.
You see,there was a dip between the Big hill and the smaller one. I gained such velocity coming down that big hill I went airborne and down the smaller hill. My sled was not designed to withstand this force and upon landing the runners collasped beneath it. It was a terrible crash and other than a few bruised ribs no harm done. The same could not be said for the sled which was destroyed. I did manage to go down it on my bicycle but only by riding the brake the entire way down. Discreation being the better part of valor.
As a child this hill provided hours of enjoyment. Running up and down, bicycles and sleds it seemed to me a regular amusememnt park.
As an adult I wonder at the fascination with this. Why did I find this to be so entertaining ? I think most kids have a fondness for hills. Maybe because you somehow feel bigger standing atop it. King of the Hill ! I haven't been there in many years and I expect the scenery has changed with development. The Big Hill is still there though of that I am sure. It would take a awful lot of work to remove that from the landscape. The memories of playing on and in the shadow of that hill will stay with me forever. It sure was neat.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
I'm just sayin'
Ever notice how in TV sitcoms the characters rarely work but always have money to spend ? I have always been aware of this seemingly impossible scenario. Even the sitcoms were the characters are supposed to be poor or middle classed. It is also true in almost all other types of shows too. They may elude to some job they have but almost never are they at it. Yet,they go on vacations,go out to eat,shopping,drive new cars and never have there lights turned off or have to eat mac and cheese.
Then came these so called reality shows. I guess I shouldn't judge really because I have only watched a few,but that never stopped me before so I'm saying these shows are about as far from real as you can get !
Competing for money is supposed to be real ? Not my idea of reality. Cooking shows were the head chef demeans the contestants and they just say "yes Chef" let me tell you in my reality you had best not speak to me in that fashion ! It is going to be real hot in the kitchen if you know what I mean. Big brother house I don't know what that is supposed to be all about. Top Model ,don't get me started ! And the Grandaddy of them all Survivor. The only thing real about it is the lying cheating and back stabbing that everyone seems to enjoy watching so much. I fail to see the entertainment value in that behaviour. Is that what you want to teach your children,win at any cost morals be damned for a million bucks.
I think it is a sad commentary on society. Couldn't we at least pretend to have a shred of decency and not brag about underhanded tactics ?
I'll continue to watch the History channel and Biography channel. The evening news now that is reality and there is enough misdeeds on there to satisfy any ones desire.
Then came these so called reality shows. I guess I shouldn't judge really because I have only watched a few,but that never stopped me before so I'm saying these shows are about as far from real as you can get !
Competing for money is supposed to be real ? Not my idea of reality. Cooking shows were the head chef demeans the contestants and they just say "yes Chef" let me tell you in my reality you had best not speak to me in that fashion ! It is going to be real hot in the kitchen if you know what I mean. Big brother house I don't know what that is supposed to be all about. Top Model ,don't get me started ! And the Grandaddy of them all Survivor. The only thing real about it is the lying cheating and back stabbing that everyone seems to enjoy watching so much. I fail to see the entertainment value in that behaviour. Is that what you want to teach your children,win at any cost morals be damned for a million bucks.
I think it is a sad commentary on society. Couldn't we at least pretend to have a shred of decency and not brag about underhanded tactics ?
I'll continue to watch the History channel and Biography channel. The evening news now that is reality and there is enough misdeeds on there to satisfy any ones desire.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Prespective
Growing up in the fifties and sixties a man cooking,other than a Chef,was kinda different. At least from my perspective it was. My Great Grandfather cooked but that was only because he lived alone and had no choice. About the only cooking I saw men doing was on the grill. We didn't have gas grills then so it was charcoal . Building a fire was mans work ! Meat was roasted in this open flame and it was a no nonsense job.
Occasionally, however my Dad would cook the evening meal. Well,just the main course. I can only remember him cooking a few dishes, fried eels,clam fritters,fried scallops and pancakes. He would also make the gravy at Thanksgiving.That as far as I know was his entire expertise in the kitchen. The evenings that he did cook were rather festive occasions with much ballyho about him cooking. A rare treat. My siblings and I thought there was something special and certainly amusing about seeing our Dad cook. He did not wear a apron I can assure you. If you remember the foods he was cooking it was a messy,greasy affair. My Mom would try her best to be patient but her annoyance was plainly evident ! I vaguely remember my father drying the dishes once but never washing them. I think he was trying to make up for some transgression at the time.
Years later when I was grown I was reflecting upon these times with my mom. My father had long since passed. I was telling her how I enjoyed those nights when he cooked. She just laughed and said,yes they were interesting. A lot of extra work for her with the cleanup involved. But then she got a sad look about her face and I asked what was wrong. She told me this, all those times your father cooked was because we were short on money. Your father worked on the bay and knew a lot of people that did also. When times were tight he would get those eels or clams by either catching them or a friend giving them to him. He always felt bad about that and that is why he cooked. He wanted it to be special to distract you kids.
Now,knowing this has made those memories even more special. I never suspected anything was wrong or felt deprived of anything. Funny how you can remember things one way and then with a little more knowledge gain a whole new perspective. Thanks Dad !
Occasionally, however my Dad would cook the evening meal. Well,just the main course. I can only remember him cooking a few dishes, fried eels,clam fritters,fried scallops and pancakes. He would also make the gravy at Thanksgiving.That as far as I know was his entire expertise in the kitchen. The evenings that he did cook were rather festive occasions with much ballyho about him cooking. A rare treat. My siblings and I thought there was something special and certainly amusing about seeing our Dad cook. He did not wear a apron I can assure you. If you remember the foods he was cooking it was a messy,greasy affair. My Mom would try her best to be patient but her annoyance was plainly evident ! I vaguely remember my father drying the dishes once but never washing them. I think he was trying to make up for some transgression at the time.
Years later when I was grown I was reflecting upon these times with my mom. My father had long since passed. I was telling her how I enjoyed those nights when he cooked. She just laughed and said,yes they were interesting. A lot of extra work for her with the cleanup involved. But then she got a sad look about her face and I asked what was wrong. She told me this, all those times your father cooked was because we were short on money. Your father worked on the bay and knew a lot of people that did also. When times were tight he would get those eels or clams by either catching them or a friend giving them to him. He always felt bad about that and that is why he cooked. He wanted it to be special to distract you kids.
Now,knowing this has made those memories even more special. I never suspected anything was wrong or felt deprived of anything. Funny how you can remember things one way and then with a little more knowledge gain a whole new perspective. Thanks Dad !
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Boo Bagged
My Grandchildren came home from school yesterday afternoon all excited about Boo Bagging.
I had never heard of this and asked for an explanation.
You prepare two seperate bags with halloween treats. In addition to the treats you attach a instruction sheet and a cutout of a ghost. Select two neighbors or friends. Place the Boo Bag on their porch or front steps,ring the bell and run. The object here is not to be seen.The instructions state the fact that you have been "Boo Bagged" They go on to explain that you need to prepare two bags of your own and continue the Boo Bagging. Place the cutout of the ghost in your window or on the door to let others know you have already been Boo Bagged.
I looked this up on the net and found there are poems associated with this practice to include with your note. It has been around for a short time . As with most everything you can get the poems and cutouts there as well.
My daughter in law is going to do this with the kids and it sounds like a fun thing. The starting of a new tradition. It will be interesting to hear the stories of being Boo Bagged from the kids.
Happy Halloween !
I had never heard of this and asked for an explanation.
You prepare two seperate bags with halloween treats. In addition to the treats you attach a instruction sheet and a cutout of a ghost. Select two neighbors or friends. Place the Boo Bag on their porch or front steps,ring the bell and run. The object here is not to be seen.The instructions state the fact that you have been "Boo Bagged" They go on to explain that you need to prepare two bags of your own and continue the Boo Bagging. Place the cutout of the ghost in your window or on the door to let others know you have already been Boo Bagged.
I looked this up on the net and found there are poems associated with this practice to include with your note. It has been around for a short time . As with most everything you can get the poems and cutouts there as well.
My daughter in law is going to do this with the kids and it sounds like a fun thing. The starting of a new tradition. It will be interesting to hear the stories of being Boo Bagged from the kids.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Selection
I had occasion just the other day to go to the grand opening of a Shoprite supermarket. There were give-a-ways and free food samples. There were helpful employees at every turn. This store,in addition to the food section,had a lounge complete with flat screen tv,fireplace and free wi-fi. Next to the lounge was a meeting room that seemed to be preparing to host a Baltimore Ravens function of some kind. Of course there was a complete pharmacy in the store as well. But that was not all,not by a long shot ! They had a food court similar to what you expect at the mall ! This store occupies what was a Walmart store so you can only imagine the size of the entire complex. Banking was available and a host of other services. Truly a shopping marvel.
As I was walking around the store checking things out I got a familiar vibe. It took me a little time to figure out what that vibe was but then it hit me. An amusement park. A big one like Disney or Six Flags. Most of the people were excited to be there and rushing about. Anxious is the best word I think to describe it. The patrons were a little pushy trying to get to see things or make a purchase. Almost like they were trying to see it all before closing time. I have been in other stores similar to this but not during the grand opening.
The selection in this supermarket was truly amazing. Foodstuffs of every type available fresh,frozen, canned,boxed,dehydrated,reconstituted,blended,organic and inorganic. Many of the items I had never even heard of. To tell you the truth it was a bit overwhelming for my shopping experience. I am a simple man with simple tastes.
The prices were quite high. I realize they have to pay for all those amenities. The overhead costs have to be staggering. Heating and electrical costs alone must be considerable.
And,oh by the way,should you not wish to come to this shoppers Paradise you can order online and have your items delivered.
Grocery shopping is not high on my list of things to do and going to a store like this one only makes it more annoying to me. I like to get in the store,get r done and get out. There is enough hassle in my life without fighting crowds at a superstore and spending hours trying to locate the items I want. Soon you will need a GPS tracking system to find your way around these behemoths of shopping inconvenience.
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As I was walking around the store checking things out I got a familiar vibe. It took me a little time to figure out what that vibe was but then it hit me. An amusement park. A big one like Disney or Six Flags. Most of the people were excited to be there and rushing about. Anxious is the best word I think to describe it. The patrons were a little pushy trying to get to see things or make a purchase. Almost like they were trying to see it all before closing time. I have been in other stores similar to this but not during the grand opening.
The selection in this supermarket was truly amazing. Foodstuffs of every type available fresh,frozen, canned,boxed,dehydrated,reconstituted,blended,organic and inorganic. Many of the items I had never even heard of. To tell you the truth it was a bit overwhelming for my shopping experience. I am a simple man with simple tastes.
The prices were quite high. I realize they have to pay for all those amenities. The overhead costs have to be staggering. Heating and electrical costs alone must be considerable.
And,oh by the way,should you not wish to come to this shoppers Paradise you can order online and have your items delivered.
Grocery shopping is not high on my list of things to do and going to a store like this one only makes it more annoying to me. I like to get in the store,get r done and get out. There is enough hassle in my life without fighting crowds at a superstore and spending hours trying to locate the items I want. Soon you will need a GPS tracking system to find your way around these behemoths of shopping inconvenience.
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Sunday, October 17, 2010
Popcorn Soup
All of us have a favorite comfort food. One food that takes us back in time to when we were young.
Maybe that food comforted you from the cold or during sickness. Perhaps it is just a dish that brings back happy memories. Whatever the reason I occasionally crave this and for me it is popcorn soup !
Now it goes by other names but my Great Grandfather almost always referred to it as that. Samp is the more common name but it is also a gruel or porridge. Traditionally made from Indian corn that is coarsely ground or pounded. The dried corn is placed in a large kettle with a little water,navy beans and a chunk of salt pork. Placed on the stove and left to simmer for hours. The longer the better. My Great Grandfather had a wood stove that was constantly burning and I have seen a pot of Popcorn soup set on the back burner for days.
Salted to taste with a big slab of real butter right in the center a bowl of this is most comforting. It sticks to your ribs,as the saying goes. Gives you that warm fulfilled feeling. A big piece of warm homemade bread just adds to it.
In the early fall of the year the delicatessen would have this Indian corn for sale. You would find it in a 35 gallon galvanized trash can by the front door. It was a new can ! You would scoop out as much corn as you needed and place it in a bag. It got weighed and you paid by the pound. You didn't need much though,a little goes a long way. You could buy it throughout the long New England winter. It has been many years since I have been able to buy this corn as I no longer live in my birth home. I wonder if it is still available in this fashion or would I have to go to some specialty store?
The leaves are falling now and there is a chill in the air. I find myself craving some Popcorn Soup.
Maybe that food comforted you from the cold or during sickness. Perhaps it is just a dish that brings back happy memories. Whatever the reason I occasionally crave this and for me it is popcorn soup !
Now it goes by other names but my Great Grandfather almost always referred to it as that. Samp is the more common name but it is also a gruel or porridge. Traditionally made from Indian corn that is coarsely ground or pounded. The dried corn is placed in a large kettle with a little water,navy beans and a chunk of salt pork. Placed on the stove and left to simmer for hours. The longer the better. My Great Grandfather had a wood stove that was constantly burning and I have seen a pot of Popcorn soup set on the back burner for days.
Salted to taste with a big slab of real butter right in the center a bowl of this is most comforting. It sticks to your ribs,as the saying goes. Gives you that warm fulfilled feeling. A big piece of warm homemade bread just adds to it.
In the early fall of the year the delicatessen would have this Indian corn for sale. You would find it in a 35 gallon galvanized trash can by the front door. It was a new can ! You would scoop out as much corn as you needed and place it in a bag. It got weighed and you paid by the pound. You didn't need much though,a little goes a long way. You could buy it throughout the long New England winter. It has been many years since I have been able to buy this corn as I no longer live in my birth home. I wonder if it is still available in this fashion or would I have to go to some specialty store?
The leaves are falling now and there is a chill in the air. I find myself craving some Popcorn Soup.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Freedom of Speech
Why is it getting so difficult to speak your mind anymore ? Everything you say seems to be analyzed to the point of being ridiculous. Case in point Bill O'Reilly on the view. He said," Muslims killed us at ground zero."
What an uproar. Whoopi and Joy walking off the set. How offensive it was to them. All the man said was the truth. It was Muslims that destroyed the twin towers. Immediately however that statement was being analyzed. What did he mean and jumping to conclusions about what it is he was saying. No one, it seems, took the statement at face value. Irregardless of what side of that argument you stand on the man was just stating a fact. I guess we are so conditioned to listening to our politicians that we have become wary of any statement. It is no longer acceptable to just say what you think without offering a full explanation of your opinion.
Everyone has to be so politicaly correct. I wonder what their real thoughts are. I don't know about you but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Most people gingerly avoiding saying something that could be misconstrued. And it is not just the politicians. It is that way almost everywhere unless with immediate family and very close friends. I am not talking about the "shock jock" crowd which I do not take seriously at all.
I have always said this," I want to live to be a very old man for one reason. That reason is so I can say whatever I want to whomever I want with little or no repercussions." As a young man I would enjoy it immensely when my Great Grandfather spoke his mind to my father and other adults and they said little or nothing in return. True freedom of speech !
What an uproar. Whoopi and Joy walking off the set. How offensive it was to them. All the man said was the truth. It was Muslims that destroyed the twin towers. Immediately however that statement was being analyzed. What did he mean and jumping to conclusions about what it is he was saying. No one, it seems, took the statement at face value. Irregardless of what side of that argument you stand on the man was just stating a fact. I guess we are so conditioned to listening to our politicians that we have become wary of any statement. It is no longer acceptable to just say what you think without offering a full explanation of your opinion.
Everyone has to be so politicaly correct. I wonder what their real thoughts are. I don't know about you but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Most people gingerly avoiding saying something that could be misconstrued. And it is not just the politicians. It is that way almost everywhere unless with immediate family and very close friends. I am not talking about the "shock jock" crowd which I do not take seriously at all.
I have always said this," I want to live to be a very old man for one reason. That reason is so I can say whatever I want to whomever I want with little or no repercussions." As a young man I would enjoy it immensely when my Great Grandfather spoke his mind to my father and other adults and they said little or nothing in return. True freedom of speech !
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Immigrants
Immigrants,Kinda a touchy subject.
Few immigrants have ever been really welcomed to the United States despite the propaganda to the contrary.
The writing on the Statue of Liberty is a romantic notion,a noble sentiment but hardly the way most feel.
In the past most immigrants did arrive here in a legal fashion. That was because they had to take a ship to get here.Foreign nations kept track of who was leaving their countries. If you are leaving it is called Emigration. In some cases permission from your home nation was required. In others you left to escape to a better life. In recent years the Immigrants have been coming from the south and crossing our border illegally.
They are not the first to do this just the numbers are much larger.
As a general rule,although we didn't like it,we tolerated them because of one overriding factor. Cheap Labor.
Yup,cheap labor. The first immigrants were Slaves. They didn't want to emigrate but had no choice. We didn't like it either but it was cheap labor.
Then came the Chinese. Used them to build the railroads mostly. A good source of cheap labor. The Irish came because they were starving. We took advantage of them too. Cheap Labor. The Germans came mostly in the 1800s due to their countries economic problems.
Wave after wave of immigrants. We absorbed them all,used them all. Tolerated them until eventually they became part of our society. Most were hard working,kept to themselves,and didn't present themselves as a burden to us.
The newest wave is somewhat similar in that most are hard working and keep to themselves. The biggest problem is they appear to be a burden to us. Health care and welfare being provided. This is a fairly recent problem. In the past we never provided all the freebies.
Also,like the past,they are a source of cheap labor ! Pay attention to who is championing their cause and follow the money." Look,I'm just sayin".
Personally I fail to understand why we as a nation provide all the services we do to people that are here illegally. I fail to understand why we allow them to protest and deface our flag. I fail to understand why we do not enforce existing laws on immigration.
I am not anti immigration but I am against breaking the law and then making me pay the price in taxes.
Few immigrants have ever been really welcomed to the United States despite the propaganda to the contrary.
The writing on the Statue of Liberty is a romantic notion,a noble sentiment but hardly the way most feel.
In the past most immigrants did arrive here in a legal fashion. That was because they had to take a ship to get here.Foreign nations kept track of who was leaving their countries. If you are leaving it is called Emigration. In some cases permission from your home nation was required. In others you left to escape to a better life. In recent years the Immigrants have been coming from the south and crossing our border illegally.
They are not the first to do this just the numbers are much larger.
As a general rule,although we didn't like it,we tolerated them because of one overriding factor. Cheap Labor.
Yup,cheap labor. The first immigrants were Slaves. They didn't want to emigrate but had no choice. We didn't like it either but it was cheap labor.
Then came the Chinese. Used them to build the railroads mostly. A good source of cheap labor. The Irish came because they were starving. We took advantage of them too. Cheap Labor. The Germans came mostly in the 1800s due to their countries economic problems.
Wave after wave of immigrants. We absorbed them all,used them all. Tolerated them until eventually they became part of our society. Most were hard working,kept to themselves,and didn't present themselves as a burden to us.
The newest wave is somewhat similar in that most are hard working and keep to themselves. The biggest problem is they appear to be a burden to us. Health care and welfare being provided. This is a fairly recent problem. In the past we never provided all the freebies.
Also,like the past,they are a source of cheap labor ! Pay attention to who is championing their cause and follow the money." Look,I'm just sayin".
Personally I fail to understand why we as a nation provide all the services we do to people that are here illegally. I fail to understand why we allow them to protest and deface our flag. I fail to understand why we do not enforce existing laws on immigration.
I am not anti immigration but I am against breaking the law and then making me pay the price in taxes.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Small World
Yesterday I wrote about keeping your feet warm while riding in a horse and buggy. I got to wondering how far you could go in a day. Well,the answer it seems is about twenty five miles unless you have a change of horse(s). Further reading explained a horse pulling an average two seater buggy can trot at about ten miles per hour. The horse,however,must be walked up and down hills to avoid undue strain on its tendons and ligaments. So if you intend to return home on the same day you had best not go much further than ten miles. Remember you have to rest the horse for a good spell after the journey.
What a small world our ancestors lived in then. To travel much further than ten miles from home involved a overnight stay somewhere. More than ten miles and you are looking at two days at least. An experienced rider, on a very good road ,with water available along the route, and forcing his horse could go 50 miles. But that would be only done under extreme conditions.
The vast majority of the population stayed within 50 miles of where they were born. I come from a rural area and grew up in the fifties and sixties. I knew people then that had never been much farther than that from home unless they had served in the military. Even for me,a trip of 25 miles one way was considered going a good distance and not undertaken lightly ! My Dad would load up the car and go maybe once a month to a large department store. That was considered going out and a big car trip.
Traveling much further from home one encountered all sorts of new things. These people were Americans but they sure talk funny. A city was a wonder to the country folks and the country a wonder to the city folks and both pretty damn scary ! The terrain may be entirely different. Certainly the foods were different.
Of course now days what with television,movies,internet,social networking,etc etc etc the world is a tiny place ! There is not too much new for us to see anymore. To actually experience the different locations that would be novel but we go into that with expectations. Our world is very small indeed. Perhaps we are just traveling too fast ! Maybe we should slow down to a trot.
Man has always sought ways to go farther and faster and most likely always will. The question does remain however, "Whats the Hurry?"
What a small world our ancestors lived in then. To travel much further than ten miles from home involved a overnight stay somewhere. More than ten miles and you are looking at two days at least. An experienced rider, on a very good road ,with water available along the route, and forcing his horse could go 50 miles. But that would be only done under extreme conditions.
The vast majority of the population stayed within 50 miles of where they were born. I come from a rural area and grew up in the fifties and sixties. I knew people then that had never been much farther than that from home unless they had served in the military. Even for me,a trip of 25 miles one way was considered going a good distance and not undertaken lightly ! My Dad would load up the car and go maybe once a month to a large department store. That was considered going out and a big car trip.
Traveling much further from home one encountered all sorts of new things. These people were Americans but they sure talk funny. A city was a wonder to the country folks and the country a wonder to the city folks and both pretty damn scary ! The terrain may be entirely different. Certainly the foods were different.
Of course now days what with television,movies,internet,social networking,etc etc etc the world is a tiny place ! There is not too much new for us to see anymore. To actually experience the different locations that would be novel but we go into that with expectations. Our world is very small indeed. Perhaps we are just traveling too fast ! Maybe we should slow down to a trot.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Curious Object
When I was young I would go to my Great Grandfathers house. My Great Grandmother having long since passed , no one else lived in that big old two story home but him. He stayed,for the most part,in his big old kitchen. The kitchen stove,coal or wood burning,was used for cooking and heating. The bath was directly off the kitchen. He had a very high bed in one corner. I still remember that bed because it was so high up and covered with heavy wool blankets almost military like. Guess that is because there was no woman to add her touch.
His home was filled with objects collected over the generations that had lived here. This home was once Great Grandmothers childhood home so at the time I would go there it was on its fourth generation of inhabitants.I often wandered throughout the place looking at things. Every so often a particular object would pique my interest and I just had to ask about it. I found this medium sized box. It had a wooden frame that held all the sides together. All the sides,except for the base,were pierced tin. One side could be opened and inside was a plain tin box almost the same size. A handle was fixed for carrying. A most curious object !
I wondered what its use could have been. Grabbing it up I took it to Gramp.thats' what I always called him.
His home was filled with objects collected over the generations that had lived here. This home was once Great Grandmothers childhood home so at the time I would go there it was on its fourth generation of inhabitants.I often wandered throughout the place looking at things. Every so often a particular object would pique my interest and I just had to ask about it. I found this medium sized box. It had a wooden frame that held all the sides together. All the sides,except for the base,were pierced tin. One side could be opened and inside was a plain tin box almost the same size. A handle was fixed for carrying. A most curious object !
I wondered what its use could have been. Grabbing it up I took it to Gramp.thats' what I always called him.
Gramp just looked at me like I was stupid or something. Why its' a foot warmer he replied. What ? How does it work ? There is no plug on it or anything. My Great Grandfather just laughed and said I'll show you. He opened the door on the side and slid the tin box out. Over to the stove and scooping out a few glowing coals he placed them in the box. Sliding the box back inside he then closed the door. Put your feet on top of the box he said. I could feel the warmth almost immediately. Then he explained to me you would use this when riding in your carriage. Place a small blanket over it and your knees and you will have warmth for quite a while. You could stop at anyones home for more coals if the journey was a long one.
I never forgot that and think about it every now and then when my feet get cold. How easy we have it today riding in our climate controled environments. How nice it must have been to just stop by and ask for a few coals. I'm sure warm beverages were offered and a short visit was in order.Had to be better than hitting the rest stop on the freeway !
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
My Schwinn Tornado
My Schwinn Tornado
Was watching the Andy Griffith show on TV land and it brought back memories of my Schwinn Tornado. Now that my friends was a bicycle.Rock solid construction.Nothing fancy about it just good solid transportation.Coaster brakes and that was it. I rode many miles on that freedom machine. I cruised the neighborhood checking out the chicks and leaving strips of rubber everywhere. I put the baseball cards in the spokes to sound really cool too ! Once I even taped a transistor radio to the handlebars ! Worked best sitting still though because you were always losing the station.
At this age I wasn't allowed to take my bike to town.That was a three mile ride and on a major highway. Highway was two lanes with a speed limit of 50 and paved with concrete. A real superhighway where I grew up.I can not begin to tell you the abuse this poor bicycle endured. Riding through all weather conditions over all kinds of obstacles and just being thrown down when I was done. Used to yell at my own boys for that. One of my favorite stunts was to ride as fast as possible under a low limb,grab it and let the bike keep going ! My Tornado could handle it !
Later on,when I was about 16 I think ,I got a Spyder Bicycle. They were all the rage then. Banana seat,high rise handlebars,t-bar shifter and the rear tire was a cheater slick ! With five speeds and dual grip handbrakes it was an engineering marvel. This one I could ride to town. And ride to town I did. Now I'm cruising Main Street baby ! It was a sweet ride for sure but just couldn't hold up to the abuse that I handed it. It did not last long before it had problems and was retired.
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| Mine was purple ! |
Following this,as is usual,I got my driving license and bicycles no longer entered my mind. I have no idea whatever became of my Schwinn Tornado or Spyder Bike. More than likely hauled off to the landfill.
I did a little looking around on various websites and was amused to discover that both of these machines are vintage. The Schwinn Tornado in good condition is worth about 600 dollars. My Spyder bike would be valued at about 800. Amused and Amazed.
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| The Schwinn Tornado ! |
Monday, October 11, 2010
Laundry Day
This was a time before the automatic washing machine and gas or electric clothes dryer. As a young man I watched my Grandmother wash clothes the old fashioned way. Believe me it was quite a chore and the whole day was devoted to doing it. The first thing was to bring out and set up the wash tub,the wringer and the rinse tub. Heat the water on the kitchen stove and fill the tubs. My Grandmother has a complete set up that looked something like this. 
She also had a separate tub filled with hot water and something called bluing that made your whites white. Two kinds of soap were used. Both of them were bar type soaps that you shaved flakes off to put in the water. Fels Naptha soap and Octagon soap. Fels Naptha was used for pretreating and stain removal and the Octagon soap for regular washing.
She also had a separate tub filled with hot water and something called bluing that made your whites white. Two kinds of soap were used. Both of them were bar type soaps that you shaved flakes off to put in the water. Fels Naptha soap and Octagon soap. Fels Naptha was used for pretreating and stain removal and the Octagon soap for regular washing.I can vividly recall both bars of soap. Fels Naptha had a strong smell and was a yellowish color and the Octagon soap was a shade of brown.
 Once everything was prepared you took the clothes,one piece at a time,and put them in the wash water.A good scrubbing on the wash board and then run through the wringer.Into the rinse water,repeat the process and wring out again. After this ,if needed it went into the bluing,and the process was repeated again. Now take them out to the clothesline for drying. Be careful not to drop them or have them hang too low as they will get in the mud and you will have to start over ! When they are dried they can be carried back inside for ironing. My Grandmother never used an electric iron ! She did try it once and declared it to be much too light to be of any real use so she used the cast iron ones that were heated on the stove. There would be a whole row of them in different sizes depending upon the area to be ironed.I watched my Grandmother do this many times because she also did laundry for other people as a means of support. Doing the laundry was a job back then. Later on she did get an automatic washer,a Maytag,with a wringer on the top and would occasionally use that. She said it didn't get the clothes as clean but with ten kids it did help with Laundry Day. What a far cry from today. In some neighborhoods today you can not hang out laundry at all. My mother used a washing machine but for many years the clothes were hung out to dry. I used to help with that chore. I still get a warm feeling seeing clothes moving in the breeze on Laundry Day. |
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Suspenders and Sleeve Garters
I was looking at a photograph of my Great Grandfather whom I knew well. He was wearing his white shirt buttoned at the neck with sleeve garters and his vest. Looking at this picture I cannot remember a time when he wasn't dressed in a similar fashion. He always wore suspenders as well. I know he wasn't a gambler or in a Dixie Land band and didn't sing in a barbershop quartet so why the sleeve garters ? A little research gave me my answer. In the early days of manufacturing,store bought shirts sleeves were made in one length only,long. The sleeve garters were to adjust the sleeve length. It was as simple as that. A good idea from the manufacturers standpoint. For years only the wealthy wore tailored shirts that didn't require the use of these items. Sleeve garters were also commonly called mums. My Great Grandfather always seemed to have the same ones on but maybe not I'll never know the answer to that question.
As to the vest,or waistcoat,as he would often call it I always figured it was just part of his suit. It was but had a function of its own besides being fashionable. It was to cover the suspenders ! Believe it or not suspenders were once considered underwear and not to be seen in polite company ! The common working man,being crass and uncouth.may expose his suspenders but a gentleman never did. Also it is not proper to wear suspenders and a belt. One or the other never both. Reading about the subject I discovered belts never really became the norm or popular until after WW1.
As to the vest,or waistcoat,as he would often call it I always figured it was just part of his suit. It was but had a function of its own besides being fashionable. It was to cover the suspenders ! Believe it or not suspenders were once considered underwear and not to be seen in polite company ! The common working man,being crass and uncouth.may expose his suspenders but a gentleman never did. Also it is not proper to wear suspenders and a belt. One or the other never both. Reading about the subject I discovered belts never really became the norm or popular until after WW1. At an earlier time frame the waistcoat also functioned as a corset. It had whalebone stays and laced up the back. Just as a woman's corset it gave you a slimmer waist instantly. This was before my Great Grandfathers time and I wonder what he would have thought about that.
My Great Grandfather never left his home without his suit jacket on. He carried a cane and always wore a hat. A proper gentleman. I have seen photographs of him working in the garden and he wasn't wearing his waistcoat then and his suspenders were showing ! Perhaps that is what attracted Great Grandmother to him. A sexy figure for the times I am sure. Funny how things change that way. Suspenders as underwear ? Now you see underwear all the time as a fashion statement.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Recidivism
Was reading where Lil Wayne has been placed in solitary confinement for possessing a MP3 player charger and earphones. Having no great interest in Lil Wayne or his misdeeds I just browsed the article. The article did state he would probably remain in solitary twenty three hours a day until his release date on Nov 4.
I did look up what he was in Rikers Island for, and no big surprise, Drugs and Guns. Seems like that is the trend with the Rapper crowd. I can only assume it has something to do with image. Like bullies in the schoolyard they what to be portrayed as "bad men."
The article ended with the author lamenting that by placing Lil Wayne in solitary confinement just for breaking the rules is why the recidivism rate is so high in our country.
So what the author is trying to say is,punishment for wrongdoing leads to recidivism. What he would have us do I don't know because he offered no alternative other than to give Lil Wayne whatever he wants in prison so when released he won't commit any more offenses. Whether this policy should should pertain to all inmates was not made clear.
I have a totally different opinion. If you do the crime ,you do the time. Period,no ifs,ands,buts. We the law abiding citizens of this nation pay in taxes literally millions of dollars in lock up these criminals. We spend millions feeding them providing medical care,rehabilitation services.recreational activities etc. Whereas I don't agree with robbing and stealing and drug trafficking one can understand a possible motive to survive and provide for there family. These wealthy thugs really make me mad. They make millions and rarely do any thing of benefit to their communities. A personal appearance or giving some tax deductible donation. When what they should be doing is setting an example by leading a decent law abiding life. I have no sympathy for them. They should be ashamed of themselves. They only add fuel to the negative images the every day person has of them. This by design ? I'm a big bad rapper look at me. I can rhyme words and shoot a gun and use drugs but don't punish me.
Of course that was only one persons opinion and I' glad to see that Rikers prison is punishing him for breaking the rules. Maybe if we cut out all this mamby pampy touchy feely crap and actually punish criminals the recidivism rate would change for the better.
I did look up what he was in Rikers Island for, and no big surprise, Drugs and Guns. Seems like that is the trend with the Rapper crowd. I can only assume it has something to do with image. Like bullies in the schoolyard they what to be portrayed as "bad men."
The article ended with the author lamenting that by placing Lil Wayne in solitary confinement just for breaking the rules is why the recidivism rate is so high in our country.
So what the author is trying to say is,punishment for wrongdoing leads to recidivism. What he would have us do I don't know because he offered no alternative other than to give Lil Wayne whatever he wants in prison so when released he won't commit any more offenses. Whether this policy should should pertain to all inmates was not made clear.
I have a totally different opinion. If you do the crime ,you do the time. Period,no ifs,ands,buts. We the law abiding citizens of this nation pay in taxes literally millions of dollars in lock up these criminals. We spend millions feeding them providing medical care,rehabilitation services.recreational activities etc. Whereas I don't agree with robbing and stealing and drug trafficking one can understand a possible motive to survive and provide for there family. These wealthy thugs really make me mad. They make millions and rarely do any thing of benefit to their communities. A personal appearance or giving some tax deductible donation. When what they should be doing is setting an example by leading a decent law abiding life. I have no sympathy for them. They should be ashamed of themselves. They only add fuel to the negative images the every day person has of them. This by design ? I'm a big bad rapper look at me. I can rhyme words and shoot a gun and use drugs but don't punish me.
Of course that was only one persons opinion and I' glad to see that Rikers prison is punishing him for breaking the rules. Maybe if we cut out all this mamby pampy touchy feely crap and actually punish criminals the recidivism rate would change for the better.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Mysterious Enforcement
I was riding uptown the other day during school hours. I noticed a young man walking on the sidewalk and wondered why isn't he in school ? He looked to be between the ages of 12 and 16. This triggered a memory from my own school days. We were always told if we skipped school the truant officer would get you. This mysterious individual cruised around during the school hours just waiting to nab you. No one I ever knew had ever actually seen this person or even knew his name but you were certain he was out there. Like some undercover operative this person would surely catch you. I never heard of anyone being caught by the truant officer but I think that was kept a secret to protect his identity. To this day I don't know if there was a person who held this title or not. Back in my day any authority figure could and would stop and question you. Most everyone knew who your parents were so you had best be telling the truth. Today they would probably get sued.
Isn't it amazing how you,or at least I, believed this because your Mom or Dad told you so. I for one never questioned this tale just took it for granted as fact. Seems reasonable that the school would have someone checking up on the students. I rarely missed school just because I enjoyed going but when I did I didn't go anywhere without Mom. She was my alibi ! That truant officer might be anywhere so its best not to take any chances. I'm not sure what happened to you after you got caught but I am sure it wasn't pleasant. Maybe,just Maybe that is why you never heard about anyone getting caught !
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Matter of Economics
Did you ever get the feeling you were just born at the wrong time ? Feel like your calling was a generation or so back in time ? I do. I think my true calling was as a fix it man. I love to fix things ! All kinds of things. I have always thought I would have liked to own and operate a fix it shop. But in this day and time you are not going to make any money doing that. This is the age of replace it. Don't fix it,replace it. For most items you can not even buy the parts to fix it with.
I have yet to find one occupation/interest that keeps me fascinated. I like everything.I know I would have enjoyed the everyday challenge of fixing everyday stuff. I love to tinker with things,always have. I believe it is a shame that we do not repair things anymore. We have started recycling efforts to control and reuse all that waste but the true lose will be in history. How many items will survive to be looked at and admired in future generations. I have a very old electric drill. Its' casing is metal and it weighs a ton. Its' a survivor though. Been around for at least forty years and if the need should arise it is repairable. Thats' because you can disassemble it without destroying it unlike so many of our modern products.
I understand why items are manufactured the way they are. Its cheaper to produce. It is that simple. Plus you,as the consumer,must buy another one should this one fail. If I am the manufacturer I like it like that.
Still.I would like to just fix things. Replacing the part is not fixing it. Anyone can replace a part. Nowadays it is just a matter of identifying the part that needs replaced and locating that part. Back a generation ago you actually repaired the part. You had to identify the defective part. Disassemble the part. Repair the part. Put the part back on. I enjoy repairing the part. I always told my sons in order to repair the part you have to know how it works and why. The enjoyment comes from the knowing and doing. When I see the repaired object function as it was designed to do I get that same satisfaction a Doctor must get when he cures you.
Well.that time has passed us by and I can't see a return to it either. Economics rule the day. Too bad though I think I would have been good at being the fix it man.
I have yet to find one occupation/interest that keeps me fascinated. I like everything.I know I would have enjoyed the everyday challenge of fixing everyday stuff. I love to tinker with things,always have. I believe it is a shame that we do not repair things anymore. We have started recycling efforts to control and reuse all that waste but the true lose will be in history. How many items will survive to be looked at and admired in future generations. I have a very old electric drill. Its' casing is metal and it weighs a ton. Its' a survivor though. Been around for at least forty years and if the need should arise it is repairable. Thats' because you can disassemble it without destroying it unlike so many of our modern products.
I understand why items are manufactured the way they are. Its cheaper to produce. It is that simple. Plus you,as the consumer,must buy another one should this one fail. If I am the manufacturer I like it like that.
Still.I would like to just fix things. Replacing the part is not fixing it. Anyone can replace a part. Nowadays it is just a matter of identifying the part that needs replaced and locating that part. Back a generation ago you actually repaired the part. You had to identify the defective part. Disassemble the part. Repair the part. Put the part back on. I enjoy repairing the part. I always told my sons in order to repair the part you have to know how it works and why. The enjoyment comes from the knowing and doing. When I see the repaired object function as it was designed to do I get that same satisfaction a Doctor must get when he cures you.
Well.that time has passed us by and I can't see a return to it either. Economics rule the day. Too bad though I think I would have been good at being the fix it man.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Night Air
Its' official I'm sick. I have a cold. I feel miserable.Not much to be done about it though.
Chicken soup,grilled cheese sandwiches and ginger ale. Thats' my cure. Along with staying covered up and warm.
I have read all the magazine articles and heard all about these nasty germs that give us these annoying sicknesses. I'm not a MD or anything but I know the true cause. Its that night air ! My Mother and Grandmother both warned me about the night air. Get in this house can't you feel that night air coming on,it'll make you sick. Put on a sweater. Don't get your feet wet either. That will definitely cause a cold. We have all heard this advice I'm sure. Science has proved there is medicinal value in the chicken soup. I'm sure if they studied the night air they would find the root problem for the common cold. I suspect it has something to do with our basic primal fears of the dark and cold. In the cave it had to be comforting to be warm and have those dark areas lighted.
When we get sick we all go back to the things our Mom did to make us feel better. For me,as I said, chicken soup,grilled cheese sandwiches and ginger ale. I don't know why these are the items chosen by my Mom but they work for me. Especially the Ginger Ale. Has to be Schweeps though none of that cheap stuff. Oh. and I need a small paper bag to put the used tissue in. A good movie on TV helps as well. No action movie though has to be something more calming. Can I have an extra pillow ? Take my temperature too. It helps to keep track of that vital sign. Maybe a couple aspirin. Some cough drops would be nice.
If I had only listened to the advice about the night air I wouldn't be sick right now. I just had to go out without so much as a sweater on and be the macho Grandfather. The weather had just changed a little and it was drizzling rain. A chill was in that air ! I should have known better.
In a few days I'll be back to normal and remember this lesson for a while. In the meantime I'll just suffer through it like everybody else that didn't pay attention to the night air.
Chicken soup,grilled cheese sandwiches and ginger ale. Thats' my cure. Along with staying covered up and warm.
I have read all the magazine articles and heard all about these nasty germs that give us these annoying sicknesses. I'm not a MD or anything but I know the true cause. Its that night air ! My Mother and Grandmother both warned me about the night air. Get in this house can't you feel that night air coming on,it'll make you sick. Put on a sweater. Don't get your feet wet either. That will definitely cause a cold. We have all heard this advice I'm sure. Science has proved there is medicinal value in the chicken soup. I'm sure if they studied the night air they would find the root problem for the common cold. I suspect it has something to do with our basic primal fears of the dark and cold. In the cave it had to be comforting to be warm and have those dark areas lighted.
When we get sick we all go back to the things our Mom did to make us feel better. For me,as I said, chicken soup,grilled cheese sandwiches and ginger ale. I don't know why these are the items chosen by my Mom but they work for me. Especially the Ginger Ale. Has to be Schweeps though none of that cheap stuff. Oh. and I need a small paper bag to put the used tissue in. A good movie on TV helps as well. No action movie though has to be something more calming. Can I have an extra pillow ? Take my temperature too. It helps to keep track of that vital sign. Maybe a couple aspirin. Some cough drops would be nice.
If I had only listened to the advice about the night air I wouldn't be sick right now. I just had to go out without so much as a sweater on and be the macho Grandfather. The weather had just changed a little and it was drizzling rain. A chill was in that air ! I should have known better.
In a few days I'll be back to normal and remember this lesson for a while. In the meantime I'll just suffer through it like everybody else that didn't pay attention to the night air.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
And Justice for All
Was watching the news as usual. The city of Baltimore tried their case against Helen Hunt one of the councilpersons for the city. Well,sorta tried it anyway a plea bargain was made. She agreed that they had enough evidence to convict her of campaign finance misdoings but didn't plead guilty. In return she was fined 2500.00 and one year of unsupervised probation. She retains her position on the council but cannot serve on the tax committee. Last year in Baltimore it was the Mayor that was convicted of crimes and forced to resign. Not to worry though she got some cushy job elsewhere and oh by the way,still collects her pension from the City of Baltimore.
The city is going to pursue other more serious charges against Miss Hunt according to the DA.
I wonder though if it were you or me would the Judge be as understanding or our employer be as understanding ? If you admit to your employer he has enough evidence to find you guilty of some infraction do you think you will keep your job ? Think you would still collect your pension ? She was fined 2500.00 dollars. Big deal she can afford to pay that little bit and I'm sure it is in no way a burden on her. Very similar to the fines handed out to professional sports players. They make millions and get fined a few hundred.
In the state of Maryland I can be fined much more than that for failing to turn in my car license plate.
The justice system works in favor of the wealthy and powerful. The politicians that are proven to be crooked get slapped on the wrist. In my view these persons like Helen Hunt have demonstrated a lack of respect for the office to which they were elected as well as to the voters who placed them in office.
Their political party is unimportant. What is important is maintaining some form of integrity and I don't see that happening.
The city is going to pursue other more serious charges against Miss Hunt according to the DA.
I wonder though if it were you or me would the Judge be as understanding or our employer be as understanding ? If you admit to your employer he has enough evidence to find you guilty of some infraction do you think you will keep your job ? Think you would still collect your pension ? She was fined 2500.00 dollars. Big deal she can afford to pay that little bit and I'm sure it is in no way a burden on her. Very similar to the fines handed out to professional sports players. They make millions and get fined a few hundred.
In the state of Maryland I can be fined much more than that for failing to turn in my car license plate.
The justice system works in favor of the wealthy and powerful. The politicians that are proven to be crooked get slapped on the wrist. In my view these persons like Helen Hunt have demonstrated a lack of respect for the office to which they were elected as well as to the voters who placed them in office.
Their political party is unimportant. What is important is maintaining some form of integrity and I don't see that happening.
Monday, October 4, 2010
May I help You ?
This picture is of Ralstons' Store on main street in East Hampton,New York. A typical dry goods store of the era. The grocers standing at the counter are waiting for their customers to place an order. What a concept. Tell them what you need and they will go to the shelves and retrieve it.
When I first looked at this picture I was amused at how spartan the store looked. I wondered about that bar and all the stools lined up in front of it. Did they sell spirits as well ? I did, as I usually do with old photographs from my hometown, ask my Mother about it. She remembered the store very well. She started by telling me my Great Grandfather was their delivery man for a number of years. That was pretty cool to know. Now,that bar was were you sat when placing your order. You just sat on the stool and read off your list as the grocer gathered your items and bagged them up. Just like on the Waltons tv show. They did this on Little House too as I recall. Very convenient. You could also leave your list as you ran some other chores in town and pick it up later or have it delivered.
I no longer live in East Hampton but am in touch with some of my relatives that still reside there. I heard some of them talking about a Peapod delivery. I had no idea what this was so I looked it up. Turns out its' a grocery delivery service. Apparently you order your goods on line and they get delivered right to your door.
Wow,what a concept that is. Very convienent. So it set me to wondering if this will someday spell the end of the grocery store as we know it ? Would be cheaper for the company to not have to maintain a store. Don't need any cashiers or customer service people. Annoying customers can just be deleted. You could even program the computer to say,"may I help you" every time a customer logged on.
I guess that is progress but I think I would have liked shopping at Ralstons' store.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
It will happen
When did you know you were getting older ? Not too long ago it hit me like a ton of bricks ! I'm getting old.
Oh,I had indications that this was occurring but I could rationalize most of the signs away.
Gray hair,not necessarily old, I have friends that had gray hair in their twenties. Don't know the latest popular songs. So what I'm a country music fan anyway and even some of these country singers today aren't really country. Doesn't prove a thing. Reaction times are a little slower now but the world is moving faster too.
I got into the Facebook thing a year or so ago. I'm still young and hip enough to try new things. I reconnected with some high school friends. Now I gotta tell you some of them have gotten old ! I saw their pictures and they look old. After seeing that I went in the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I don't look that old ? I have a very good mirror. Well,there are a few wrinkles but they are character lines. Doesn't make you old.
So what; I remember black and white television and rotary phones. I remember Kennedy being shot and landing on the moon doesn't make me old exactly,experienced is the term. Yeah I retired from the Navy but I was only 42 then and thats' not old. Yes I have Grandchildren but that in and of itself does not make you old. I'm not your typical sterotyped Grandpa. Not me, I can still run and play ball. Shoot ,I even climbed a tree just last week.
So let me tell you what happened that awakened me to the inevitable fact I'm getting old !I was getting my haircut,I still have a fine full head of hair,when the barber says," would you like your eyebrows trimmed" WHAT ! My eyebrows need trimming ? Holy S--T I'm must be getting old. Only old men need thier eyebrows trimmed. How could this be ? Is this some cruel genetic joke ?
I answered,"yes please" and went home quite subdued. I went directly to the bathroom mirror to take another look. Crap,I am getting older. I'm so old my skin is looking grey.
If you aren't old yet watch out it'll sneak up on you. I know.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Eating Pie
With the holidays just around the corner it set me to thinking about the feast to come. Traditional foods to be prepared and enjoyed. My Mother and now my wife always prepare certain dishes and desserts.
I look forward to having certain foods as well. For me it just isn't Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce( jellied without whole berries) and turnips. Everyone has their favorites. My Father was a big fan of Mincemeat Pie. UGH ! Never did try that and never will.
I was talking with a co-worker who also enjoys this pie and she told me there was no meat in mincemeat. What ? I didn't know this and had never really given it any thought. I saw this pie every year and just avoided it. That was all I needed to know about it. Now I became curious about this apparently misnamed pie. My father has been gone for ten years now and I haven't seen any mincemeat pie since.
Today the pie is made with or without the meat. More often without. The "meat " I have discovered traditionaly used in this recipe is suet. OMG I didn't know people ate suet. I have only seen it used for feeding the birds. In case you don't know and I admit I didn't Suet is the fat that gathers around the kidneys of a cow. Mincemeat Pie No Thank you
I look forward to having certain foods as well. For me it just isn't Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce( jellied without whole berries) and turnips. Everyone has their favorites. My Father was a big fan of Mincemeat Pie. UGH ! Never did try that and never will.
I was talking with a co-worker who also enjoys this pie and she told me there was no meat in mincemeat. What ? I didn't know this and had never really given it any thought. I saw this pie every year and just avoided it. That was all I needed to know about it. Now I became curious about this apparently misnamed pie. My father has been gone for ten years now and I haven't seen any mincemeat pie since.Off to wikipedia. As with most subjects there were numerous websites that you can also check. I did find out that mincemeat pie has been around a very long time,possibly as far back as ancient Egypt. In its original recipe it did indeed contain meat. Finely chopped meat( minced ) hence the name. There is also speculation that is was a method of preserving food and would have been prepared in large quanity. I found that it also contains alcohol,normally Brandy.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Not Just a Pretty Face
Now that the pumpkins have arrived in the market they are accompanied by their cousins those strange little gourds. A gourd is the dried shell of the fruit in the cucurbitaceae family. Genus Lagenaria. Same family as the pumpkin. ( Thanks to Wikipedia for that information ). The most common is the Legenaria Siceraria, calabash or African bottle gourd. For those of you that remember Jimmy Durante he always said."goodnight Mrs Calabash wherever you are " wonder if he knew he was referring to a gourd ?
Gourds are probably the first domesticated fruit used by man. They can be used as bowls,bottles,drums,birdhouses and pieces of art. I have seen them in the market ever since I was a small kid but never realized they were so useful. Didn't know they were hollow either. I understand they can be difficult to cut and are much like wood when dried but contain no grain.
I have always thought they were pretty cool looking though and some are down right ugly ! They come in a huge variety and are grown today mostly for their decorative appeal. A little ironic when you consider their first probable use was a container to hold life saving water. It is believed they were first grown domestically in Africa for that very purpose.
The next time you go to the market take a closer look at the Pumpkins cousin. A very useful little guy. Not just a pretty face.
Gourds are probably the first domesticated fruit used by man. They can be used as bowls,bottles,drums,birdhouses and pieces of art. I have seen them in the market ever since I was a small kid but never realized they were so useful. Didn't know they were hollow either. I understand they can be difficult to cut and are much like wood when dried but contain no grain.
I have always thought they were pretty cool looking though and some are down right ugly ! They come in a huge variety and are grown today mostly for their decorative appeal. A little ironic when you consider their first probable use was a container to hold life saving water. It is believed they were first grown domestically in Africa for that very purpose.
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