In Passing

Today someone was talking Red Sox baseball, I believe it is "Spring  Training Fever" time.  Weather is gorgeous and yes, it is a day off for me. But the conversation jogged my memory of a former Red Sox player, one who I admired for his convictions.  This past December, a long-time Fred's News patron, quietly and peacefully passed away.  Walt Dropo, a quiet unassuming, but very much a large mass of a man, headed for his "Field of Dreams."  Walt played for the Boston Red Sox in the early 1950's and won the prestigious title, Rookie of the Year.  Although Walt lived in Moosup, Connecticut, he travelled through the little village of Baltic on his way to Pautipaug Country Club.  Walt was also an avid golfer.  His quiet nature was very much reflected in conversations with the man.  He never actually told you about himself, others always did: "Hey, see that guy over there, that's Walt Dropo!"  "You know that guy sitting over there every Sunday, that's Walt Dropo, he played for the Red Sox and was Rookie of the Year!"  Walt was very uncomfortable with this, although if a young person approached him seeking an autograph, he'd break into a wide smile and oblige.  This was a habit his brother George, disliked immensely.  George thought Walt should charge for the autograph, Walt declined saying, "I did it for the kid!" 

Both Walt and brother George were big University of Connecticut fans, both knew our youngest was   attending UCONN and in the running for Homecoming King in his senior year.  Had those two been allowed to vote or perhaps sway the vote...they would have.  Both equally excited, when Mark won the title.  We laughed as they told everyone that entered the restaurant, the results....but this WAS Walt.  He never talked  much of family, except about George, he did however, love a good argument...always thumbs up for the Red Sox and a very disgusting look if conversations turned to the Red Sox number one enemy, the New York Yankees.   Walt often looked at the sports memorabilia that hung on the walls of Fred's News, although he mentioned in passing, he knew many of the pictured players well, he rarely talked of his baseball days, preferring to keep conversations in the present.  A tough character to figure out, one never knew if his quiet nature was a message, "leave me alone" or was he basically a shy person.  Brother George's sudden and premature death only sent Walt into what appeared to be a deeper, darker sense of loneliness, we saw him less frequently, then not at all.  Such a sense of sadness, when we heard of his passing, wherever you are now Walt...."PLAY BALL! 

Fred's News...the Building

The old Victorian style building that housed Fred's News, was to say the least, odd shaped.  For those that never actually stepped inside the building, it appeared somewhat normal, from the front, with two beautiful bay type windows on the second level,  one dormer, complete with small arched cathedral type windows on the upper level and of course the huge plate glass "Paris Window".  If you actually stood outside and admired the building, you'd notice the old-fashioned dental work adorning the roof line.  At one time, in the earlier part of the twentieth century, scalloped wood shingles also adorned the upper levels.  If one used the stairway on the front sidewalk,  leading to the second floor, you could actual see  how much the old building had settled.  Although we used it mostly for storage, climbing up and down those stairs wreaked havoc with your equilibrium.  In the catacombs of the basement the old flat stone foundation must of groaned a few times over the years, as the building settled into its current position.  Much like the slumping posture of old age....Fred's News, now empty, still sits on the sidewalk, her glory years, now passed, but if you stop, close your eyes and listen, sweets sounds of the wonderful happy memories, might still be heard.

Inside of Fred's News has changed a number of times over the years, but the four boxed in lolly columns, supporting the weight of the upper levels, still stand solid.  Although there was a time one could actually see the metal  columns, Mr. Bill boxed them in with pine board, giving a much cozier look to the spacious room.
The stool closest to the pole, was a very popular stool.  Depending on which side of the pole you sat, you could remain undetected,  as patrons entered the restaurant.  Three stoosl were beyond this pole, with the one closest to the pole,"the best".  By the number of times we painted the pole during our twenty-plus year reign, you understood what a great back rest it actually was.  In the early morning hours, Bill and I would sometimes have our first cup of coffee and read the newspaper, hidden from those who might want a much too early coffee or muffin.  Those that knew our secret, would sneak in the back door!  Whether it was long time friends Dave and Doug, or the farm boys in desperate need of food, Mr. Bill and I always obliged, the paper could be read later in the day.  Mr. Bill always said...."I like to read the daily newspaper before someone drops their drink or egg yolks all over it!"  Most times I take another paper from the rack and save it for later, unless someone came in "Oh man, no more papers, that's a bugger!"   was the usual complaint.  "Not a problem, I just happen to have one more!"  I would cheerfully reply......."Mr. Bill will just have to read through the smudge marks!" 

Depending on the time of day, that same stool served as a haven for many.  For Johann, the Nephew....Great, who at times, wore a long coat similar to Clint Eastwood's garb in those  "spaghetti western" days, it was a place to sit and pet Fred the Dog, who just might have slithered through the back entrance undetected. He would snuggle up to Johann's "High Plains Drifter" coat and let him scratch the hell out of his neck.  Problem is, sometimes Fred would emerge as greasy and grimy as Johann himself.   Other times, the seat would be occupied by the students from the Academy of the Holy Family, this position allowed them to consume numerous cigarettes, smoke being drawn out the back door, yet, if one of the good Sisters came in the front, they'd remain undetected.  Evenings at Fred's News was a whole different crowd, yet they were all regulars.  Much like stopping home at the local bar, they'd stop in for a late coffee, sometimes a meal but mostly a dessert.  Ward would sit down the end, listening to the evening news or some sports program with Mr. Bill.  He'd be helping with the closing procedures, emptying partial bottles of ketchup, laughing and joking with the cleaning crew.   For many Fred's News was home away from home, life's problems were shared and sometimes eased by the camaraderie of it's patrons.   It was....A Constant Place!

Fred's News...The Days of Our Lives!

Recently Roy Hoffman asked,  would I write something along the lines of,  "A day in the Life of Fred's News."  For the past sixty or so minutes, thoughts have swirled through my mind........yet nothing appears or screams, "start typing."  Mrs. G. once asked me, "Where do you get these stories from, I know they are real, but how do you decide what to write?"  I dunno!! Isn't that a literary leap of faith, certainly not proper English nor anything close to a perfect sentence, but simple put.....I do not know!  These thoughts, at times strange, funny, poignant and a tad bit quirky are me.  As we've often been told , opposites attract, true, but one also needs to understand, that my soul mate ( how sixty-ish) and loving husband, Mr. Bill, also possesses many of these same strange, funny, poignant and quirky traits, just as I do.  For those of you that shudder upon hearing this revelation, his strange, funny, poignant and quirky traits go off into a different direction than mine, this is "the opposites attract" thing.  To fully understand  what "A Day in the Life of Fred's News" is, you have understand there was a time it was "A Day in the Life of Dee (Diane) and Bill.

If it is a minute by minute or hour by hour thing, I find that ever so boring.  Up at two fifty in the morning, in bed ...sometime before two fifty the next morning, everything else fit in at various times throughout the day.  There were however, some constants...muffins, bagels, pies, cooking potatoes, peeling potatoes, cutting potatoes for those ever so yummy, home fries.  Oh yes, don't forget, the eye-opening, taste bud pleasing, first cups of coffee or those thirst quenching, icy cold glasses of the best-ever iced tea.  Snuggled in the back of Fred's News, the old Coca-Cola cooler, standing guard, beckoning all who arrived...OMG ever so cold, little glass bottles of Coke.  Bottles that still had caps that pried off, something many of the youngsters never heard of.  It took beautiful Hee-Jung a number of tries to teach a few young patrons how to open a bottle cap.  After their first attempt, a complete failure...."Give me that bottle, I'm only going to show you one more time!" she mused.  How many young children wanted to collect those old pried off bottle caps!!

In the earlier years of Fred's News, one could press their faces up against the all glass candy counter and have their little brown paper bag filled to the brim with penny candy....when it was actually a penny.  Candy cigarettes, wax teeth, Bazooka bubble gum, Tootsie Roll Pops, root bear barrels, Mary Janes, Bit-O-Honey, Fireballs, Non-pariels...OMG cavities galore, but very much a part of Fred's News.  Perhaps of candy wasn't your game...pin-ball, was!  Jeff Freeman, pretty much the champ on those games.  Maybe you'd just stop by to be with friends and listen to the latest songs on the Jukebox, shades of Happy Days...but very much a part of Fred's News.   Sounds like the old guys are talking politics, shut up or put your money where your mouth is....get the dice, loser owes everybody a coffee or iced tea., all very much a part of Fred's News.

Perhaps, Lu and Jim just needed some comfort after loosing faithful friends, their Black Labs, all within such a short span of time.  Maybe, Fred's News was the place to meet after the sudden death of old Fred LaLiberte, one of  "the Brothers".  It was a time where instant healing began, one could cry tears of grief, yet laugh through those tears, when hearing all those "Fred stories."  The fierce loyalties of the patrons, how they gathered, to protect, never ceased to amaze, were all very much a part of Fred's News.

Even when patrons themselves couldn't be there, if there was a need for Fred's to know, they'd call, just to alert, "Gather all, meet at Fred's...we will all be okay...we are here together.  Remembering just such a phone call, from Richie Oatley, too sick to join his friends..."Dee, turn on the TV, quickly, it is so sad and unbelievable", 9-11, was just beginning.  I do remember that day, people filled the little place, no one spoke, all eyes glued to the old TV.......yet they all found a certain comfort, support and closeness to each other, as they quietly watched.  Occasionally, a cell phone would ring, updates from family far away.  What truly amazed me that day, how many people called for reassurance...the world changed, but it was all very much a part of Fred's News.   With each phone call, people would ask, "who was that, are they okay?"  Son Mark called, he lived in Florida, no family near......"OMG Mom, is the TV on, did you hear...it's crazy down here, Air Force planes all over the place...We (meaning Disney) are closing the parks, sending people back to the hotels.  Is everyone at the restaurant, waiting and watching?"  I am okay Mom, we will talk soon.  This was all very much a part of Fred's News.

One morning Fred, from Nutmeg Wire, along with Hogan, Al and many of the early morning regulars, arguing over the fate of the abandoned Baltic Mills.  Nutmeg Wire located right in front of the old structure...In passing Fred makes the statement "Something has got to be done or it will go the way of many old abandoned mills...someone will torch it!"  Less than four hours later, the skies thick with black smoke and flames....a piece of history, gone.  "OMG!"  amazed, Fred then says..."for the record, I ONLY made the statement!"  Yes for the record, this was all very much a part of Fred's News, much in same way, blizzard warnings, natural disasters, accidents, deaths, births, Town celebrations, political caucuses, old friends meeting, family gatherings, and oh yes, did I mention...outstanding, absolutely scrumptious food, all brought to you by two strange, funny, poignant and sometimes quirky people, their absolutely wonderful sons, and many strange, funny, poignant and sometimes quirky friends.

Do Dreams Come True..Sometimes!

Dreams......can we make them happen, is our mind able to reproduce the same dream in full or part, over and over again, absolutely or at least in my mind and if you listen to Mr. Bill's wacky subconscious world..that's an affirmative!

Over the years, listening to many of our patrons, especially those who frequented the place in the wee hours of the morning, there were many vivid imaginations, they just didn't realize it.  This morning as I readied myself for a long day at that Magical Place, Mr. Bill awakens...laughing, his dream still very much a part of his memory.  Quickly before it rides off into his still sleepy subconscious, he explains:  "I was riding a horse, a big ass horse!" he muses. "Where?" I question.  "Ya know, I haven't got a clue, but it was a big ass horse, who kept telling me, "Would you please sit the right way, you're killing my back."  OMG...the effects of all the drugs is taking its toll.  A big ass horse that talks...nice!  As he continued, it came to light the horse was, old and wise.  I'm not quite sure why Mr. Bill figures the horse was wise....in my mind, also on the strange side, the one statement this big ass horse has uttered, "would you please sit the right way, you're killing my back" is not exactly of the profound variety...nope not even close.  In my book that is one dumb big-ass horse, who I might add, also has a long neck!  This dream is coming at me in bits and pieces and Mr. Bill is dead-ass serious.  I think he must of been subconsciously thinking about our early evening conversation, involving former patron and Alpaca farm owner Linda Adelman.  Two things come to mind.....he must of envisioned a long neck on the Alpaca...which he probably was visualizing a Llama instead.  As for the big-ass horse...who knows.

Many years ago, long time patrons, Phyllis and Henry Cardin, now both deceased, were sipping their coffee on a snowy winter morning.  Phyllis having just celebrated her fiftieth birthday was sharing some of the party highlights and gifts received at the half century celebration.  One of the presents.... a box of Depends, for "elderly incontinence".  Mr. Bill now laughs...after his surgery they would of come in handy for a few days!!
Phyllis also joked about a dream she had in earlier years...... While being in that la-la land place, she felt totally relaxed, admitting it must of been "deep sleep".  Poor Phyllis dreamt she was in her bathroom relieving herself...yep...wet the bed she did! Laughing she said "where the hell were the Depends when she actually needed them...Mr. Bill snickering...."I've had a dream very similar...yep...another bed wetter!  Credit given, where credit is due, those two probably the only ones in Fred's News that day, that would admit such a dastardly deed! 

Wild Weather Memories

Okay so, is this weird weather the beginning of the end, 2012. Yesterday, a chilly start, but temps reached the mid seventies, this morning, a balmy sixty three degrees.  Actually, today was again mid seventies but the windy tropical afternoon has turned into a very wild weathered evening.  Intense thunder, lightning and tornadoes all over the place, and dear God, rain, sheets at a time.  Did I say the ponds at the golf course were drying up....how silly, you have to avoid the ones along he roadway, they have, in a matter of thirty minutes, overflowed their banks,  spilling out into the road creating ponds that seem to go forever.  Much to my amazement, none of the palms uprooted.  The winds howled up to sixty-five miles an hour, bending them  over much like an arch, catapulting anything that was loosely attached on the tops.  Most people have just spent close to a hundred bucks having their elegant palms, trimmed.  All they had to do is wait.....the wind has scatter wilted and dead palm fronds from one end of the community to the other.

Mr. Bill called me as I was heading home, "hurry the storms are moving fast, they are close to Mrs. G's home on the west coast."   Sorry Mr. Bill, the rains are already hitting Orlando.  As I arrived home he was sitting outside, waiting for me.  The Egg-Nazi, not a fan of thunder storms, as for me, I enjoy watching the skies.  He used to say he felt very safe inside Fred's News, with two floors above the place...of course he felt safe!  Him and Fred the Dog would comfort each other through storms, so much so, I believe they were attached at the hip.  Fred the Dog always able to predict the impending storms, usually within fifteen minutes of it's arrival.   If it should happen overnight, he'd try to jump on the bed, letting Mr. Bill know, it's time to "shake in our booties" together.

For Fred the Dog, spending his days, outside on the back dock, or perhaps strolling up and down the driveway welcoming patrons, was a way of life.  He was like the little Fred's News beacon, sort of a "welcome-wagon".  If you parked outside in the driveway, petting Fred the Dog was part of the ritual as you entered the restaurant.   One particularly hot, humid afternoon, nasty thunder storms developed, people ran for cover, thunder, so loud, with blinding flashes of lightning.  Everyone running into the place when Mr. Bill hollers, "OMG...Fred the Dog is still outside in the back!"  Heading out on to the porch,"Fred, come here boy where are you?" they all hollered...but no bouncing, happy Fred the Dog appeared.  "Where the hell is he" questions the Egg Nazi.  As he turns to come back into the restaurant, he hears scratching at the front door, followed by a series or short little barks......Fred the Dog had slithered along the building, onto the front sidewalk and was pressing his water logged collie fur in to the front door.  That poor boy stood there, shaking, looking so pitiful, hair totally matted to his slim body.  Mr. Bill hurried to the door, letting in the poor and shaking pitiful pup.  All the while he dried Fred off, that dog would  not look at him.  Slightly ticked off his best friend left him to fend for himself......Mr. Bill was on his pooh-pooh list.     

Life Away From Home

Although today is usually one of my days off, I chose to voluntee,r welcoming in approximately 500 of the almost 10,000 Disney College Program people, that will spend at least one semester as a Disney Cast Member.  My role today: setting up each new Cast Member with either Direct Deposit or a Check Card.  No big thing but very rewarding, with some travelling from the far reaches of the globe, just for the opportunity to work at Disney.  Some ready to conquer, some......not so much, scared, homesick and for many, their first time away from home.  Within the next two or three weeks, the majority will be seasoned Disney Cast Members

What today conjured up in my all too active mind....new students arriving at the Sisters of Charity, Holy Family Mother House....also known as the Academy of the Holy Family...all girls boarding school.  During the last week of August and the first week of September, many young ladies, high school age, arrive at this school, they too come from around the world, some scared, it may also be their first time away from home.  Others....oh...not so much, this group being the seasoned boarding school gang,  many are children of their respective country's diplomats, others, problem "rich kids", badly in need of the restrictive hand of the good Sisters of Charity, the last group.......well bred, well to do offspring, whose parents want them to receive the very best Christian education possible.  Mix these groups together, adding a touch of local student flavor and the results........a unique, somewhat seasoned melting pot, all waiting and wanting to learn....particularly from each other.

As these young ladies checked into their dorms, listening to rules and regulations set forth by the Sisters, they soon learned walking to the local Post Office, convenience store or Fred's News, was only allowed during "free time", with all other activities highly monitored, by as one of the young ladies announced in Fred's News, "our captors."   In defense of the Nuns........all the credit, strength, devotion, down right fortitude and "heavenly intervention" is needed, to outwit and keep tabs on many of these young women.

In the years before the State of Connecticut banned smoking in restaurants, these young ladies could chain smoke at least a half dozen cigarettes before their "captors" realized they were late returning from their walk to either the Post Office or convenience store.  They could also consume numerous bags of chips, plates of french fries, using one bottle of ketchup per plate of fries, rearrange the entire seating plan of the restaurant, find ways to shop lift cans of soda, candy bars, chips and at one point one of the artificial house plants used in the darker corners of the restaurant.  All of these items with the exception of the house plants could be smuggled into a dorm room quite easily.  The plant never returned, the Sisters never noticed it adorning one of the dorms, only because they were actually looking for contraband, the house plant not exactly one of  the forbidden items, why should it be.  For lack of a better explanation, we have surmised...... if someone actually saw it, they liked it...probably added color or that outdoorsy look to the otherwise drab dormitory surroundings.  

Window Watching

Right now I am sitting in front of my little laptop but I find myself gazing out the back window into the now opened preserve.  Soon it will be filled with darkness, the canopy will once again bloom, bringing back the eery quiet, and tropical lushness to the forest.  For now it is, at times, a gathering place for the usual secretive species, that inhabit the place.  All morning long, we have been observing a very large owl, perched on one of the bare branches of the lone maple, only thirty feet from the house.  He is beautiful and although we did not see him land on his lofty perch, I imagine it to be magnificent.  He is large,sporting silver chest feathers intertwined with shades of brown.  But it is his hood, truly a majestic crown, setting him apart from all others, while smaller wildlife frantically searches for food.  Yet, we have noticed an ominous quiet on the thick forest floor.  No squirrels scurrying amongst the decaying leaves, much the same can be said for the usual chipmunks, mice and even the slithering snakes, often sunning themselves on the same perch, his majesty, the owl now "owns".  His eyes closed, just an occasional twitch or turn of the head, the mighty hunter, sleeps, yet somehow one gets the feeling, he is very aware, not only soaking up the rays of the sun, but movement of his next meal as well.

This window we gaze through much like the "Paris Window" of Fred's News.  It affords us a glance into the secretive world of Mother Nature, leaving us begging for more.  Yes, we are window "sitters", much like the former occupants of the "Paris Window."  Something within our psyche, keeps us wondering, observing, always asking for more.  I often watched the people that occupied the seats in the "Paris Window".  Were they just sitting, soaking up the warmth of the sun on a frigid New England day or perhaps wishful thoughts swirled through their mind, the sights and sounds allowing them a "break" from a more fretful time!  Yet I also enjoyed watching pedestrians, straining to see the inner workings of the little restaurant.  Many used the large plate glass as a mirror, often forgetting it was a "two way street."  We watched neighborhood children, on their early morning trek to school, carrying heavily ladened book bags.  On the return, the weight seemingly removed from their young shoulders...school out, time to play!  As the time passed often it was these young people, preening themselves or admiring their physical changes  in the "Paris Window".  Many young women, boarding school residents at the Sisters of Charity, Academy of the Holy Family, also claimed afternoon ownership of the "Paris Window".....a bird's eye view of their residence and perhaps one of the Sisters heading down the street looking for them.

Angie and Liz from Hanover often sat there, smoking, drinking coffee, catching up on old times, Angie having travelled frequently to Paris, enjoyed the window, it's sight, sounds and quirkiness of it's passing subjects.  She often mentioned she'd someday write about small coffee shops she'd visited in her global travels......perhaps Fred's News, one of her favorites!    

"The Paris Window"

Glenn and Ward tell us the temps are heading below zero is Fred's News land......no, I do not miss that bit of New England.  We have trouble with the old bones, when it hits forty degrees here in Florida-Land, a practice I might add, that over the past three years, has happened way too often.  Glenn says, "I would love to soak up the sun in the Paris Window", aka the front window facing the sidewalk, at Fred's News.  That rather large piece of glass, to many, much like Alice's "through the looking glass".  For those that never stepped into the world of Fred's News, it was a source of wonder, many times people walking buy, squinting to take a quick, hopefully, an unnoticed glance into the inner workings Fred's News. But then one never knew who just might be looking back.

On a cold, dark snowy morning, "the Paris Window" was a beacon of light, beckoning all who travelled out in Winter's harsh environment.  "Come in , come in, shake off your boots, enjoy the warmth, the laughter, the comfort food and yes, the friendship.  It will melt away all you troubles and perhaps sorrows, knowing we are all in this together!"  As the Winter months labor on and on, "the Paris Window" begins to change, the sun's warmth increasing, the world outside awakening, red buds on maple trees begin to swell, someone arrives with an early Spring bouquet....Pussy Willows, yes, the frozen world is thawing, Beaver Brook begins to swell, filling and then over-flowing its' banks with waters from the snow pack melt.  Spring will soon be official, "the Paris Window" will now open on to the warm weather world of Fred's News.  Sidewalk benches adorned with overstuffed bears, now all awake from months of dreary cold hibernation, ready for the overdue hugs of the "littlest" Fred's News patrons.  The beautifully carved trees and bears, all freshly painted, ready for the new Spring season, quietly standing guard, welcoming all who join the Fred's News family. 

"The Paris Window", now has filtered sunlight, it is the Flowers of Fred's News soaking up the rays of sun, but the patrons view is now one of color and beauty, where they may dine, talk and watch the hummingbirds do much the same, gathering the nectar from the beautiful flowers.  Patrons, now hidden behind these gorgeous beauties, can look through "the Paris Window," out onto the sidewalk, watch pedestrians, pass by and wonder.....Why?  Come in, come in, shake off your boots, enjoy the warmth, the laughter, the comfort food and yes....the friendship!

It is a Very Small World....After All!

We always joke that Mr. Bill's most exciting ride at the Magic Kingdom is "It's a Small World", which by the way has just re-opened after a rehab.  Wimpy Bill always takes a ride....just about all the excitement he can take concerning rides.  Mrs. G. and granddaughters will arrive soon, we do look forward to seeing them all, especially how much they have grown. Even little Lena, more daring than Mr. Bill.  He states he never was much for rides, since he suffers from claustrophobia, it is understandable.

Yes, it is a "Small World!"  Bruce Ozga formerly of Baltic and now Dean of Admissions for Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts School here in Florida, contacted me, he and his family would be visiting Disney World in the very near future.  Definitely must see Bruce.  I always enjoy seeing young people (older as well), that have left the confines of the small town, setting out to experience what the world has to offer, making their mark as they go. I am definitely a believer in the measure of one's success, "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter."

Ironically, this is not the first time I have spoken with Bruce, last year, a young Cast Member at my location,  was experiencing Disney's College Program, had paperwork she needed completed. In questioning her, I found out she attended Johnson & Wales here in Florida.  Upon further investigation, I mentioned that Bruce Ozga was a former resident of my town, grew up with my sons and had frequented our restaurant for many years.  Wide-eyed she announced, he is my Dean of Admissions and needs the paperwork.  "Yes, it is a Small World"!  I am always amused by the number of times, I speak or meet people who is some way, shape or form, have some connection back to the little Town of Sprague, as well as Fred's News!

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to meet with another College Program Cast Member originally from Baltic, Adam St. Germain.  His location was at Le Cellier in the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot.  Mr. Bill's diagnosis of cancer, his treatments, hospitalization for gallbladder and surgery, kind of put many things on my to do list, on hold.  Hopefully his surgery on February 4th will reveal his bladder cancer free.  With Spring fast approaching he is "chaffing at the bit, ready to conquer whatever is thrown his way"!!   The good Lord willing, he will be able to.  In the mean time, we look forward to seeing old friends and their families as they head to the warmer southern climate, a nice break from  the cold and dreariness of the Winter months.

Rainy Day Blues!

Crappy, crappy weather day today!  Of course, it was my day off.  It has however, forced me to stay inside, getting some very mundane boring things done.  Rainy, cloudy, dank ,damp and dark, so un-Florida like!  However, we are already seeing sign of Spring...red buds popping on the maples!  I know our former home is under a deep freeze....NO, we do not miss the cold and snow...just friends.

Mr. Bill heading off to work at the golf course this morning, not looking forward to the cool dampness.  He jokingly remarks of the weather we put up with when first learning to play golf.  I remember playing one warmer winter day, at Trumbull Golf Course in Groton with Chris and Richie, the ground still frozen, you had to pound the tee in the ground with your club.  However, the sun was out, back then that signaled a good day for golf. At least once you hit the ball it sure travelled a good distance on the frozen fairways!  Then we always tried to play as early in the Spring as possible, hoping to limber up the stiffness of joints due to the cold winter layoff.  One early Spring day myself, Mr. Bill and Norman, head to the Norwich Golf Course, yeah, it is golf time!  Needless to say it was more like mud season....how many balls did we loose?

Now I only enjoy the game of golf if the sun is out and seventy plus degrees! My goodness what a wimp!  Florida is much like New England when talking about the weather, "Just wait a minute it will change!"  We really have become sun worshippers, the old bones function quite well in the warmth of the sun.  Talking with son Matthew last night, we agree, we miss New York City and the excitement of the major metropolitan areas of the Northeast, but you couldn't pay me enough to visit the cold and snow, now gripping the area.  Remembering the cold weather of my youth, I really didn't care for it then, always anxiously awaiting  the first signs of Spring....Pussy Willows, the first Robin and of course, my beloved "Red Bud Spring"!

People always joke,  "You can say that now, but when the mercury hits ninety plus degrees, you'll be sorry".  To all those non-believers, emphatically, "NOPE"!  Give me the sun, it's body soaking warmth, "ain't nothing better than that"!  I think about all the cold but sunny days at Fred's News,  now understanding why everyone loved to sit in the front window, first thing in the morning.  That glorious sun, a steaming cup of Fred's News Coffee, makes you forget "Oh the weather outside is frightful"!  Oops wrong season, but the days are growing longer, more sunshine fills my world and with a little bit of luck, we will trek North sometime in June, it's Mr. Bill's fiftieth high school reunion.  Frieda called to remind him and ask if he would come.  Although the future of his health is far from undecided, we can plan...giving him something to look forward to!  Whether we make it or not, too early to say...but it is a reachable goal.

Food Junkie Trivia

Yes, today is Sunday...in my world it is a day off!  Sundays are suppose to be a day of rest, ironically in the last twenty five years, I've only just started have Sunday as a day off.  Of course due to the fact my ever changing schedule had me opening this past week, meaning up at 3:00AM, memories of the Fred's News years, this morning, I again awakened before the crowing of the local rooster.  Even though we watched TV until quite late, 3:00AM, eyes wide opened!

After putting on the water for my morning "spot of tea", I head out to retrieve the Sunday paper.  Unfortunately, Mr. Bill had set the sprinkler to come on early, of course they worked right on cue.  Now the newspaper is always delivered in a plastic bag, just in case.  This time, just in case, just didn't work.  The edge of the lawn sprinkler's reach, the open end of the plastic bag, containing of course, the Sunday paper.  Water sloshing from the bag announced, "unreadable".  So I turn to the trusty laptop...I will read it online!  I must of read for at least forty-five minutes..........just odds and ends, not the Sunday paper, but interesting facts, that a food junkie like myself enjoys!

The Ice Cream Sundae came about during the early 1890's in, of all places, no not Fred's News, but Ithaca New York.  It was a Cherry Sundae, that is cherry syrup over vanilla ice cream, supposedly ordered by a preacher.  Although the preacher, enjoyed his weekly Ice Cream Soda, his feelings on the matter, carbonated drinks had somewhat of a corruptive influence, one should non partake of such a drink on the Sabbath.  Hence, the Ice Cream Sundae, a non-carbonated alternative to the devilish Ice Cream Soda. It would help to know a bit about the little village of Baltic, to understand why the Ice Cream Soda, was an extremely popular drink, immediately after it was introduced at Fred's News.  I do believe in warmer weather Ice Cream was the most popular afternoon and evening snack, especially on a Sunday.  Understanding some Baltic trivia....at one time there were seventeen bars in this small town...no wonder the drink of choice on the Sabbath...Ice Cream Soda. Those French Canadians sure know how to celebrate!

Oddly enough, I hadn't thought much about Barbecue, Miss Vanessa, Jamie and Jordan loved Barbecue, true to their roots, it's very much a Southern thing.  Living in the South, I now understand the true meaning of Barbecue...It's Party Time!"  There again, food junkies disagree on where and when it began...even the origin of the word remains cloudy.  As I continued to read,, my interest drawn to one of the final Barbecue justifications..Bar-Beer-Cue-Pig.  It seems somewhere in the 19th century a North Carolina Bar and Billiards Hall advertised a Sunday (God-forbid)Pig Roast.  Other components of the event..Whiskey, beer, pool-(billiards) and Roast Pig.  Betcha the patrons of this place didn't worry about drinking a "corruptive carbonated ice cream soda" on the Sabbath!  Since I believe all Barbecues are a "Party-Time", I'll stick with this bit of Barbecue history.

Of course part of my early morning education on the history of certain foods, was the lowly Biscuit.  Mmm! Fred's News Sausage and Biscuits on a Sunday morning....forget the Ice Cream Soda....depending on how you felt, Biscuits and Gravy were either heavenly or disgustingly evil, but a must have.  During one Spring season, a group of construction workers, relining one of the Sprague water towers, stopped by Fred's News every morning for breakfast.  Although I can't remember their names, they were true southern boys, loving a great big breakfast to start their day.  Hailing from Tennessee and West Virginia, they just adored the Biscuits and Gravy.  Had we served that meal everyday, that would of been their regular.  Had they understood the origins of Biscuits, they might of thought twice about consuming them.  Biscuit really means twice cooked and of course comes from the French.  Remembering our history lessons, Biscuits could be packed in cloth and travel over the seas to the New World, and quite likely was the only food that survived the many months long journey.  Those flakey Fred's News biscuits, a far cry from generations gone by.  One of our visitors from Tennessee announced "his Momma's biscuits the best", Fred's News a close second.  He said he could tell the difference between "homemade" and those canned "whopped" biscuits, "whopped" meaning you had to "whop" the can on the counter to get it opened.  I'd a liked to place a bet with that boy!

"Eat Mor Chikin!...Please!

Let's see, news reports today, "Florida the only state without snow on the ground", nice let's keep it that way!  Got to say, it was cold enough to snow this morning!  Thirty degrees at four thirty.  I even thought about starting the car, letting it warm up....nah...that's just so northern!  Talk about stubborn, I'd rather freeze my pa-tootie off than cave in.  My little car warms up pretty fast, so "suck it up" and drive.  I never have to worry about traffic, at that ungodly hour, most of the old poops still in their Jammie's!  This morning as I headed down the drive to the main road, nary a soul in site, no feral cats, no wild pigs, just one big ass bull standing up near the front gate.....Guess he forget his clicker, can't get out.  For a moment, I contemplated not opening the remote controlled gate....but what the hell, got to go to work.  With a little bit of luck, my lights managed to spook him, so he headed back down the road about twenty feet.  I am pretty sure he stayed within the community, I didn't see any swerving cars as I headed up the road.  The big question?????  Where the hell did he come from?  No idea!   Haven't seen any cattle at that end of the community, ever.  If he came through the woods, how did he get through the fence???  I asked Mr. Bill if he had heard anything about a big-ass bull roaming around this morning...not really!  I thought perhaps the bull was still holding true to his New Year resolution....walk to loose weight. I might add, that is better than most, with two weeks of the new year already gone bye bye, most resolutions have followed the same path..bye-bye!

Back in Baltic, it seemed Fred's News was always the first to know if something strange or out of the ordinary, was occurring.  Yes, once in awhile Spielman Farms herd of dairy cows would break free from their massive fenced fields, head out in no particular direction, in search of the elusive, best tasting green grasses, the area produced.  I used to laugh when people would say they'd seen cows heading down the road, depending on the time of day, they might make it quite a distance, undetected. Once out, not the easiest to round up.  A bucket of grain soaked with molasses, always a good idea.  First you've got to find the critters, if they took the "high-road", eating green grasses as they strolled along, just follow the poop trail.  If they headed cross-lots, detection might take a tad bit longer, look for water, that's always a place to start.  Remembering back, I think, the Spielman cows once headed in the opposite direction of Fred's News...to Norwich, via Plain Hill Road.  Art, Justin and the rest of the crew having a difficult time rounding them up.  Every time I see a billboard with the cows painting a sign "Eat Mor Chikin" I think of the Spielman cows, heading in the opposite direction of Fred's News........steak sandwiches and beef burgers.....OMG..."Eat Mor Chikin!"

Designated...Driver

As we enjoyed the company of our close friends from the north, chatting around the dinner table, laughing at some of the earlier years' silliness, we wonder do the others in those memories, cherish them as we do.  It seems one path leads to another and another, we could laugh and cry forever.

As we filled our midsections to the limit, conversations of the Fred's News old timers surface.  The "Brothers", Ray, Fred T., the last two still alive, Happy and George Phanuef, all part of our laughter.  Once a week all the old guys would head out to a different restaurant, gorge themselves, have a few drinks, heading back to Fred's News for their afternoon round table discussions of politics, money, gossip (worse then some of their female counterparts), and just a lot of bull crap.  They'd discuss their meal, thumbs up or thumbs down, plan and plot the next week's excursion.  Their only complaint, one of them needed to be the designated driver.  Trouble was, thye all wanted a few drinks.  As the light bulbs in their heads turned on..."let's find someone who doesn't drink"....Oops, Mr. Bill walks through the back door, "Hey Bill you wanna go to lunch next week, you can drive Happy's car?"  A big-ass "Pepere" car that could fit all the old farts, Bill kind of, sort of....agreed.

Mr. Bill's take on lunch...."they would search far and wide, wanting to get the most for their money."  The Egg-Nazi often questioning, "Why the hell do you order spaghetti and meatballs at a seafood place." Happy, never changing the dead-pan look on his face, "because I like it!"  The guys also talked, laughed, drank, flirted, like many old-farts do, but as the food arrived...an eerie silence emerged.  Eating a serious business, Mr. Bill, amazed, "they never spoke, they consumed, as if they were feeding machines." As the stories goes...during one of these feeding frenzies, silence is broken, someone passes wind....not a breeze, but a loud stiff, ugly gale.  Mr. Bill laughing uncontrollably, now realizes, he is the only one laughing, they are still shoveling in the vittles, at a disturbing pace.  Other patrons assuming, the Egg-Nazi's laughter can mean one thing only, he is the culprit.  Slightly embarrassed, he resumes the feeding frenzy as well, hoping others have yet to realize what has just occurred.  As the "wind" reaches other areas of the restaurant, Mr. Bill now realizes all eyes are on him.  "What else could I do?" he laments, "we finished the meal, paid and left."  As they reached the "Pepere car", the other members of the group burst into laughter recalling what had just occurred.  All wished they had a camera, the picture of Mr. Bill's face, as the fart aroma eeked into every corner of the establishment, would of been priceless.  Mr. Bill's first and last day as designated driver!

It's a Mouse...No, Mice!

Just heard, about nine inches of new snow has fallen on Connecticut.   Keep it please!  Although there is a stiff northwesterly breeze today, keeping a nip in the air, the Florida sunshine says it all.  If you are lucky enough to sit in a protected area, the sun will melt away all the aches and pains, chilly weather brings.  This morning I was sipping a bit of hot green tea, laced with orange blossom honey, just pondering the day, and soaking up the rays coming through the kitchen window.  Since the weather this season has had its' ups and downs, the intriguing darkness of the backyard preserve, now opened to the elements.  The once lush canopy of tropical foliage, now slowly decaying on the floor of the preserve, yet still serving a purposeful "life", the much needed cold weather insulation for the fragile wildlife that call the preserve, their home.  I watched as little mice scurried in and out of the leaf floor, searching for breakfast.  They move in patterns that are mind boggling, yet understandable.  They are searching for sustenance much like, the bald eagle, mighty owls and long clawed osprey, circling overhead.  Without the leaf cover, the little rodents will be breakfast for the feathered hunters.

The little field mice of New England, enjoy a much better winter life.  If they are luck enough to be near "civilization", the walls and basements of nearby homes, make a great winter vacation, protecting all from the elements.  If they play they cards right, the "owners" will never know they are around.  If they become greedy, the "war" begins!  Although the cold and snow are outside, "humankind" a fearsome foe!

Fred's News, with it's old stone foundation, easy for the taking, yet the "humankind", quite a nasty adversary.  Mr. Bill joked," peanut butter and bacon, slathered on the trap, irresistible!"  The record number of itsy bitsy mice caught in just under seven day, eight!  That crew of rodents were either stupid,  had a passion for the peanut butter-bacon concoction, or the one thing we do know...they sure weren't visual learners.

One winter, looking for traps, trying to remember the last place they were used, I reach for the damn thing, only to find a little mouse sitting right next to it.  Hmmm........could it still smell the peanut butter-bacon thing, was the trap's last victim...a family member (OMG...shades of Bambi...where has Mommy gone!) or was it just waiting for a refill?  Stupid questions, yes, but you never know what goes through these little critters minds, we know what goes through my mind, absolutely craziness...dear God is this what old age and  menopause have done to me!  I'll take the peanut butter and bacon!

Friends Arriving...fun time!

 Beautiful day, but a tad bit on the cool side.  Considering the forecast for the Northeast, we take the nip in the air, warmed  a bit by the always shining, Florida sun.  We are looking forward to our first house guests of the 2011. Mr. Bill's best buddy Ward, arriving tomorrow in the AM for a few days.  Hopefully the impending snow storm in the North, not wreaking havoc with travel schedules.

We laughed about that this morning over coffee, remembering how winter vacations always seemed to be changed due to snow.  Amazing, it doesn't snow for days or weeks, but plan on flying out months in advance, sure as hell, snow wind, all sorts of natural disasters, arrive on departure day!  Of course our vacations usually took place during the months after the holidays, for obvious reasons, a definite slow down in business due to weather, paying off holiday debts and those ever hopeful New Year's resolution of eating healthier, losing weight and saving a few dollars.  So business usually dropped off until will power dwindled, boredom of being shut in during the cold winter or the first income tax refunds arrived.  Yippee...money, money, money...no more hibernation, splurge on food!

A number of years ago, long before our move and a few years before our youngest son became a Disney Cast Member, Mr. Bill Ward, myself and friends Doris and Patty decide to head to Disney for a week.  We would drive, renting a large Cadillac, allowing for leg room and comfort.  As usual, the departure date set, everyone on the brink of excitement, anticipation and an early January storm producing over a foot of snow, socks in the little Town of Sprague and most other major metropolitan areas in the I-95 corridor.  Not to be outwitted, Big Joe Lussier with his snow plow, cleans out the driveway allowing a get-a-way, with a drive straight through.  Leaving in the evening, I remember hitting Washington D.C., thinking alleluia, we made it.  Quite the trip we still laugh and talk as we remember the "finer" points of the vacation.  Mr. Bill and Ward just "newbies" at the game of golf, Doris, Patty and I off to do whatever as the the two honed their golf skills.

Now, almost twenty years later, Mr. Bill and Ward, still attempting to hone their skills, as for myself, honing is on the back burner, career calls first.   Hopefully, with the impending warmer weather. some stretching exercises, and walking, I won't hurt myself with the first swing.  But it is with great anticipation we welcome our friend Ward, the buddies have weathered much over the past months...now a time of renewed health and fun!

Memories up in Smoke

Talking with old friend Dave from North Franklin, he always comments on the headlines in the local newspaper.  Fire in Norwich leaves ....homeless.  Again, Norwich and its' surrounding towns have definitely changed.  With the arrival of the casinos, new people call the area home, Sprague no different than many larger cities.  As the the textile industry waned, people moved on.  Now much the same can be said for Sprague's other business..paper.

Sprague in its' prime was a mini-city, a destination.  We have touched briefly on this a number of times before.  The old Baltic Mill or it's "yard" a once thriving industry, long past its' prime, now the empty lot, a mere reminder of it's former glory.  Looking at photos, of old historic castles in Northern Ireland, compliments of long times Fred's News friends, the Loughhead family, these castles, now open to the elements stand as reminders of Northern Ireland's past.  The Baltic Mil,l before demolition, was just such a reminder. 

Looking back to the years before the fire, many a local kid used the old mill and the grounds as their own personal playground.  Much like an old haunted house beckoning inquisitive minds, the mill was forced to reveal many of its' "secret" passages.  The majority of young people that probed the empty walls of the mill, were warned many times over, "do not go there, you can get hurt, it is private property...yada, yada, yada."  Conversations along those lines only increased the appetite for further exploration.  My children, no exception, found excitement  sneaking into the sleuth-ways, walking through, the now dormant gigantic intake fans.  By some of the "treasures" they returned home with, others frequented those areas as well, perhaps even a few local homeless, sought refuge inside the vacant "castle".

The early morning regulars at Fred's News often spoke of the mill, in all it's glory.  They traded "shop" stories, showed now faded photos of life "inside the walls" of the giant complex.  Jokingly, they traded barbs of "who were the best workers", and the "family" antics or twenty, thirty or forty years of the daily grind, but sorrow showed in many of the eyes, as conversations turned to the destruction of the mill.

As fire consumed the structure, thick black smoke swirling towards the heavens, news cameras capturing  every moment of the ill-fated structure's demise, perhaps those very cameras should have turned to the saddened faces of the by-standers...many with tears rolling slowly down their cheeks, as if their memories of the life and good times had been burned from their hearts and minds.

"Make it Good..Kid!"

After reading my morning paper, enjoying a "spot of tea", (missing Fred's News coffee), my mind began pulling apart a weekly column that appears every Monday in our local paper.."Below the Beltway"  written weekly by Gene Weingarten, today explores the age old question....who make better drivers...Women or Men.  Much like the age old question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" people will, because they can, argue the finer points of these questions. 

Fred's News, although located in a small New England town, witnessed many driving, near disasters.  Mostly fender benders, some borderline serious, some unavoidable, others absolutely the product of stupidity.  Reading back over some of my older blogs, we have shared a few just in passing.

Again we mention "the Brothers" and their nephew, "Johann, the Nephew..Great", but this time it is Johann's younger brother...whom we shall simply call Chris.  Chris lived with the parents in California, but just a few months over the age of sixteen, he came for a visit, actually spending the summer months at his great uncles.."the Brothers".  I might also mention, there were two great aunts, "the Brothers'," sisters.This made a grand total of four siblings living in the same family homestead, just as they had done their entire lives.  The "Sisters" two lovely older women,  ran the household...impeccably!  Upon arriving into this household, Chris was treated, by all four siblings, much as they treated his brother, "Johann the Nephew..Great", as the child none of them ever had.  It was their time to spoil, dote and be at Chris' beck and call.  He loved it!   Chris did not have his driver's license..yet.   "oh please teach me to drive, please, please!" he begged Uncle Fred....one of "the Brothers".  Uncle Fred, after a lengthy false protests, agrees. His new Sterling car would never be the same.  Johann, the Nephew...Great, tried to convince Uncle Fred, he really should re-think this decision.  Uncle Fred reminded him of the time they headed to Boston, Massachusetts.  As the story goes, Uncle Fred drove the first leg of the journey, after doing whatever it was they were suppose to be doing in Boston, Uncle Fred throws the keys to Johann, the Nephew..Great.  "Take me home, I am too tired to drive, be careful, I want to arrive in one piece, don't wake me until we are in the driveway..HOME!"  Needless to say, Johann, the Nephew..Great is thrilled, so off they go.  Uncle Fred in la-la land almost immediately, Johann the Nephew..Great, at the the controls.  Two hours later Uncle Fred awakens..."Where the hell are we?" he questions.  Johann, the Nephew..Great, "Don't know Uncle, I don't recognize anything.  Thought if I kept driving something would look familiar."  For the record, they were in New Hampshire, two hours north of Boston, instead of southwest in Connecticut.

Uncle Fred did teach Chris to drive that summer, his new Sterling suffering some minor damage as they pulled into a spot directly in front of Fred's News.  Having pulled to far forward, blocking the driveway, Uncle Fred directs Chris, "Back up fool, you are blocking the driveway, be careful, make it good, everybody is watching!"  Chris did make it good, sideswiping the telephone pole on the edge of the driveway, putting a rather large, threw the paint, down to the quick, scratch, along the passenger side of the new Sterling.  As everyone watched they drove forward, again, Uncle Fred's arms going in every direction as he is screaming at Chris.  Once parked, they entered Fred's News, Chris looking highly embarrassed, Uncle Fred asking for something stronger than ice tea.  Good to his word, when it was time to go, he handed the keys to Chris, "Make it good kid, everybody is watching! Chris did get his license, Uncle Fred's Sterling...a new paint job!

Fishing Fun....for Treasure or Fish!

Gorgeous weather today.  Mid seventies, partly cloudy, my day off!  What's with that!  Crappy weather is usually the norm on those days.  New year, new start, new weather patterns....could be!

Mr. Bill,  off to work at the golf course for a few hours, usually starts the morning gung-ho, but by mid afternoon, zapped of strength.  I often remind him, his treatments are more immunotherapy, meaning his immune system is being pushed to its' very limits, fighting hard...it needs a rest by mid afternoon.  The Egg-Nazi often ponders, "Thank God I am not standing at the grill for five plus hours...no way would I be able to do it!"  Those were his first thoughts a few weeks back.  Today, a much more positive attitude....."Guess if we were at Fred's News, I do what I have to do!"  WooHoo...survivor mode!

Late yesterday,  Mr. Bill was watching a fishing in Florida program.  Yes, he loves to fish, casually mentions all the fishing he did while working at Fred's News.  We now have Grace and Roger not too far away, Roger an avid fisherman.  Mr. Bill now determined to go out with Roger on Gulf.  I'd say by now Grace and Roger are ready to return to Florida warmth, after a blustery New England holiday visit! 

The show he was actually watching was surf fishing on the Gulf Coast...looks like great fun.  I like to fish and go crabbing, something we did during the warm summers along the Connecticut shore.  Our sons, at a much younger age, enjoyed crabbing in Mystic as well as in the brackish waters of the Thames River in the Uncasville area.  I think the thrill was more in "the hunt" than the actual consumption of the catch.  Their childhood years were spent canvasing the banks of the Shetucket River, fishing, searching for "treasures."   One summer, those "found treasures"  were bottles, all kinds washed up on the banks.  Most were discarded liquor bottles of various shapes and sizes, all were quickly scoffed up by the boys.  Mom's food coloring mixed with water and a shot of Mr. Bill's shaving creme, were all that was needed to create a colorful window display.  Actually the sun shining through these odd shaped, colorful bottles, tightly capped of course, did produce great interior decorations for their rooms.  Only after the Egg-Nazi accidentally knocked one off the window sill during a vacuuming of Matt and Todd's room, did the entire collection head for the trash.  It wasn't the breakage that concerned us, but the odor that permeated throughout the entire house.  Bottled up water, food coloring, shaving creme, fermenting for weeks in glorious sunshine.....definitely obnoxious gas warfare as it exploded! 

No Resolutions for Me!

May you all have a wonderful New Year, filled with love, health, happiness and hope!  To all who have made resolutions, we wish you success!  That coming from one of the BIGGEST procrastinators that ever walked the face of the earth.  So bad is the issue, I refer to myself as someone who works well under pressure!  Dear God I find excuses for procrastinating, yet it all gets done.  Amazing!  Maybe I have reached the age where I can 't remember if it all gets done or not, in any event who cares!  Have I ever made a New Years' resolution?  Absolutely!  Have I ever followed through is a more appropriate question.  Follow through depends on a number of things: first and foremost, experts say twenty one days is all it takes to establish a new habit...that's bull-poop!  Every year during the Fred's News years, I made a promise to myself; I will not procrastinate, I will not procrastinate, I will not procras........!  Much like a grammar school punishment, I will not write on the desk, I will not write on the desk, one hundred times over....doesn't do it for me. So, I have concluded, twenty-one days of doing the same thing over and over, is boring, I hate myself for it.  Another words...I set myself up for failure...stupid ass!

I have found it is better to prioritize.....the obvious, most important first!  We all agree, fun things should be first and there again as a procrastinator, I always have that option...don"t I?  A constant battle is always raging within...do I really have too? That of course is always followed by the big WHY?  After years of self-analysis my findings...mostly the procrastination has to do with myself.....If I promise someone I will do something...I do, I think I do...if I don't please call me on that...maybe I forgot.....or is it another form of putting things off..EEK..procrastinating again!

On the other hand the Egg-Nazi says:  "You are the most stubborn person I have ever met!"  Actually my sub-conscience refers to it as DETERMINED!  My theory "I have reached the ripe age (notice no old in there)of fifty-eight, have raised an entire family of the male species, Fred the Dog (male) included in that, worked 24/7 for twenty-three years with my best friend, husband and soul-mate.....have resisted the desire to "do him in" many times over, including the children and the dog , just for a moments peace.  Each year I was asked by my loving family "What do you want for your birthday".  First and foremost, the day off, alone; no questions that need immediate answers;  no problems that have or are in the process of occurring, short of one of their impending "deaths" (A bit dramatic, maybe), and if any of those things occur, I don't want to have to "fix" or know about them, until the next day.  Of course all bets are off if there is an impending death! There again a bit dramatic!  Now the way I see this issue,  having NEVER received my birthday wish, I am not the only procrastinator that came from that household....or, hmmm, "Did I raise a houseful of procrastinators?"...."Did I really ask for that present or do I just think I did?"........"Did I have good intentions, and put off asking for another year or did I procrastinate?"  Self analysis, SUCKS!  Sorry Mr. G, I know you hate that phrase.

As for my family, I adore them, the best in the world, I love them to "infinity and beyond", I wish them success, love, health happiness, I never procrastinate on letting them know my feelings....and I do it often, so I won't forget.  Did I make a New Years' Resolution.....Nope, don't like to fail...I am a survivor..ask the male species of the family...minus Fred the Dog...God love 'em!