Wanda and I starting watching "How To Make An American Quilt" last night around eight. The movie is sixteen years old. I watched it several years ago and enjoyed it but not so last night. It may have been the late start, for us, but it seemed really slow. We turned it off around nine, went to bed and listened to some old radio programs.
What were they thinking? I wonder about the reasons behind some movies being made, "Arthur" It's getting terrible reviews.
So, we were up around our usual Saturday morning time, 5AM. Wanda did a few things around the house while waiting for the sun to rise. When it was light enough she took off for an hour walk. She walks very fast, the result of a youth spent tagging after a very tall older brother. I can't keep up with her so I exercise at home on the Wii.
After our work outs when we were ready to face other human beings we took off. Down to Costco to fill up the car with $3.989 per gallon gas. Then, on to Starbucks to fill up ourselves with $4.05 coffee drinks. White chocolate mocha with one pump peppermint non fat, extra hot, no foam. filled all the way to the top. We both know the coffee is expensive and the 450 calories and 53 grams of sugar excessive. But, we don't care. It's our "date time." We also have Starbucks Gold Cards, embossed with our names. This "entitles" us to a free drink after fifteen purchases. When you factor in the freebie we actually pay $3.9786 a drink, now that's a deal.
We only go out to lunch every so often and almost always with Jennifer. We don't spend much time with the kids and our Friday "lunch dates" with her are enjoyable, usually. I can't remember the last time we went out to dinner. Years ago we realized we like each others company, are pretty good cooks and don't mind doing dishes. We are also very selective on how, where and why we spend money.
Speaking of eating out, spending money and getting exercise. I want to share something I saw this morning. You all should know by now in another life I was a Registered Nurse. A series of health issues forced me into what was a "semi retirement." Nursing isn't like riding a bike. The profession is challenging and ever changing. Even if I could go back, I'm not sure I would have the skills and knowledge. I now do the best I can with what I have. There is nothing wrong with being a "house husband" at this point in my life. So, that's what I do.
I am going to try to do this in a way that will not sound judgemental but not sure I can. On the way back from Costco this morning I saw two different people in motorized chairs. Ironically, both of them, a male and female were talking on cell phones and smoking cigarettes. What in the Hell do you all think about that? Does it bother you to think that both these people have serious health issues and are smoking? Right or wrong, it bothers the heck out of me.
I honestly don't know where to go with this from here. There are many things I can think of but don't want this blog to be my soap box. The blog has continued because those of you that read it, seem to like it. It's entertaining,. and funny, and worth your precious time. I don't feel like a heavyosity would go over very well. I'll just pass on the smoking topic and let you draw your own conclusions.
Thursday I was writing about the Bath House. There is a web site that was put together by a fellow that enjoyed the tradition of, and the going to, the place. I was going to include it but didn't. A nice aspect of this blog is, I can do most anything I want, so I'll include it here . It's been several years since I've read it. I think most of the information is accurate.
The oldest child of Charlie and Sophie was Harry. As I mentioned before, he ran the Bath House. He had a younger brother, Frank, who didn't run the Bath House. I remember wondering why just one of the sons had the business. I did ask a few times but never really got more than a grunt. Eventually I figured there was some sort of cryptic rational and reason so I stopped asking.
I was always a little intimidated by Harry. He was never mean, loud, or abrupt with me. I can't think of a reason I would have been afraid of him. If anything, he was "uninvolved" at least when it came to any interaction with his nephew, me. When i was around eight or so I found a Baby Book my mother started for me. Both my older brothers had one, filled with notes and photographs. Baby's first step, baby's first word, first hair cut, complete with a hair snip. Mine had half of one page filled, that's all. Being the third child born to older parents has it draw backs. On the other hand, you can pretty much do what you want growing up.
Harry was listed as my "Godfather." Having just watched the movie the other day I know how much that means to the Italian people. To us Jews, at least in my case, it didn't mean much. I think he gave me a silver dollar a couple of times. The thing I found most interesting about Harry, the kids he had. I must have been ten or twelve before I actually knew who Lynne and Carol were.
Today, and probably for the last twenty five or more years Lynne and Carol are among my closet cousins. They were the kids Harry had with the Aunt I barley knew. I think I was in my thirties before I met her. As far as I knew, my cousins from Harry were Larry, a few years older and Sandra (Candy) who was my age. Their mother was my Aunt June, his second wife.This guy had an entire family, and the start of another one, before I was born.
How was I supposed to keep up on the who's who when this kind of thing was going on. To further complicate things when I was twelve Harry had another son, Rick. His mother was Nancy. To this day I'm still not sure who came first, the kid or the wife.
Dear reader, it's getting on the dinner prep hour and I need to get cracking. Tonight I make dinner. I see Wanda put everything out for me which was nice. Now I'll go tear up the lettuce.
No comments:
Post a Comment