Stop the Warp Speed, Please!

We always count are blessings, we've been lucky...great kids...Happy B-Day Matthew, great marriage, great friends and the list goes on.  Not many couples we have the pleasure of knowing, have worked together side by side for so long.  After we moved to Florida, I began a new career, the Egg-Nazi retired.  I am sure by the time I go back to work after my weekend, he somewhat enjoys the solitude of our home.  This is not an admission that I am a talker (Delaval will jump at this one), but I do keep Mr. Bill going.  Life is about choices, sometimes I do not give him any.  Hey, hey it keeps him young.

After a recent visit from friends Frieda and Del, Mr. Bill and I talked about the customers and friends we know who have worked together, vacationed together and frequented Fred's News together.  Our list is short, forgive me if some are missing, it is not intentional.  Yes, Frieda and Del, high school sweethearts, Frieda a classmate of the Egg-Nazi, have lived, loved and labored together most of their adult years, still very much in love...outstanding.

The Lucarelli's, Jerry and Diane another local couple that have managed to be successful at both marriage and business, Laurel Tire "on the hill but on the level".  Two of the nicest people we've ever known.  They too are close to the Egg-Nazi in the age, with retirement lurking......if it hasn't already dropped by!

Some aren't quite as conventional as others.  Flying off to remote areas,  living, working, writing and purchasing crafts made by "local artisans", the Cheney's have intertwined a number of business ventures...together, through the years.  Great friends dearly missed, great foodies and love the lifestyle.

Angus Park House Innkeepers, Kord and Christine Jablonski have managed to create the most luxurious place to relax, unwind and enjoy life as it was meant to be....remembering back to Kord's first visit to Fred's News, the Egg-Nazi gave new meaning to the phrase, "order what you want, eat what you get!"  Must of been to Kord's liking, he and Christine returned quite often.

While working today, I had, as I always do, numerous opportunities to listen to my Guests.  Many love the idea of name tags announcing your hometown. Listening to the "accent", definitely lets Guests know, I hail from New England, yet they always assume I've been here for years....."Are you and your husband retiring soon?"  "What made you decide on Disney?" "Does he work for Disney?"...all forms of questions, especially those nearing the age of retirement, love to ask.  One interesting woman questioned....."Why did you go back to work...couldn't stay home together?"  It amazes me people think that's the case.....first I've never retired...too young, can't say that too often.  That statement goes along with the steps of life..."How old are you?" I'm four!  "Do you go to school yet?...Nope to little, next year my Mom says I can!  "Hey do you have your license yet?" Nope next year, I'll be sixteen, then Dad says...we'll see!  "Hey let's go out for a drink," can't, not OLD enough,  two weeks I'll be twenty one, then the law says I can, and so on, as we rush the aging process.  Now as I enter the final year of my fifth decade, people says..".how many years before you can retire?"  Whoa baby, slow the clock down...no rush there, no counting years on my part!  It would be nice to spend all my time just "enjoying" life, I do that now!  I am thankful the Egg-Nazi and I enjoyed each others company all day everyday for over twenty years...but if I had to fast-forward the clock just to do it again...no thank you!  There is no such desire in my life.  Strike that comment.......I want time to slow to a snail's pace!

Don't worry Mr. Bill, it's Hereditary!

Did we hear that ya'll had snow last night? ooooo.....weeeee! We are having glorious Spring time weather.  Today's high, maybe eighty-six degrees.  Super great weather, hot dry winds are a blowin' across the peninsula!  The Egg-Nazi's flowers extremely gorgeous, vivid bursts of color adorn every area of the front.  As the sun sets and bits of moisture dampen the flowers, the sweet aromas created by the multitude of blossoms, permeates the air!  What does amaze me is the amount of butterflies we have already seen this year!  Maybe I should request Mr. Bill plant a "butterfly garden".  His flowers are so contagious, with many neighboring homes showing more and more color!

By now I am sure most New Englanders are fed up with this year's weather, the Egg-Nazi speaking with best buddy Ward, (Happy B-day to the big Guy!).  Wardie laments about the weather, Mr. Bill responds with....at least if I don't feel well from treatments, I can always sit out in the Florida warmth watching the "light and airy" clouds just passin' by.  Today, before he could park his butt in the sunshine, the first order of the day....a trip to the ear specialist.  Yes, he has a condition known as Tinnitus or ringing in the ears.  Wimpy Bill has had it for sometime but as of late it seems to have gotten louder.  I convinced him to go after a conversation we had the other night;  he interrupted me by saying, "Answer the G-damn phone!"  I must of looked at him as though he was sporting two heads because as I asked the stupid question, "What the hell are you talking about?"  "It sounded like the phone was ringing," he laughs.  "That's it, dipshit, you are on your way to the ear doctor!"  Of course his reply, "huh"?  Oh how convenient!

Actually the Doctor informed him, it is hereditary, no cure, can be caused by caffeine and working with loud noises.  Between soda, ice tea and coffee, he's got the caffeine cause covered.  The loud noise, he can blame the years at Fred's News, head tucked underneath the hood with that fan roaring!  Jesus, I wish there was a cure, I have to constantly remind him....turn the volume on the TV down.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I should have issues, with all the loud noises he creates!  One of these days when he tells me to "answer the G-damn phone", I am going to pick it up, pretend a conversation, then hand it to him..."Oh Mr. Billy...it's for you!"   That ought to screw with his aging mind!  Knowing him, he'll tell me his buddy hung up on him! 

Evolution of Fred's

Seems like forever since I have written.  Busy time of year, Spring has come to the South and is slowly marching northward, should be there by Easter Sunday,  which just happens to be the latest it can possibly be in April.   Easter being associated with Spring, it seems so much more appropriate to celebrate as the warmer weather approaches.  However, the true celebration of the holiday, not about warmer weather and everything turning green, although it is a re-birth!

Back in our earlier years at Fred's News, holidays almost always meant time to decorate, Easter being no exception.  Mr. Bill always had Easter Lilies, Hyacinths, Tulips and all the flowers of Spring, ready for our patrons to purchase.  When the penny candy counter at Fred's News was still "alive", we would make up Easter Baskets, also a last minute gift for patrons to purchase on Easter morning.  Yet everyone would be- gin with a barrage of questions, "when are the flowers returning to the outside, when are the benches coming out?"  Talk about pushing the season, yet in this time of the earth coming alive, everyone wanted everything done, NOW! 

Our first few Sping and Summer seasons at Fred's, we also sold vegetables and strawberries at the little place.  We had a great display stand made by Dave Salemma, that held loads of veggies, sweet corn and tomatoes, the most popular.  It was quite common for patrons to buy one or two ears of corn, requesting it be cooked on the premises along with the rest of their lunch items!  Can't get much fresher than that!  The farmers market would of continued but our local first selectman, who shall remain anonymous, said selling vegetables in an eating establishment was a violation of the health codes......rather than argue, we agreed no  more veggies! We were just starting out in business, local government must be kept "happy!" Patrons moaned, rallying behind us, yet the old bachelor first selectman would not budge....so veggies were removed! 

Throughout our years at Fred's News we offered our public more than food and ambiance, little side businesses or special products would appear: dried flowers, photography, live flowers, pies during the holiday seasons, even a small video store with up-to-date releases, graced the walls of Fred's News.  Tom Abele, deciding he no longer wanted to operate the video stores, sold his stock to us,  Son Mark ran the business, which had quite a list of clientele.  Friday nights at Fred's was "movie night", a first run movie, popcorn and good behavior were the only requirements.  Video rental continued for quite some time, mainly until Mark, reached the age of lack of interest and we needed more seating......it was with great sadness we all  said "bye-[bye" to the video store.   Another local business person, Nelson purchasing the entire contents of the place!  Jewett City Flea Market....their new home!

Mr. Bill and I called these phases, "the evolution of the Fred's Revolution."  "The Brothers" had made the place the pre-cursor to today's convenience store.  The Egg-Nazi and I had definite plans and goals for what we wanted the place to be, but to serve the needs of the public we kept a bit of a "mish mash" of items for awhile, eventually evolving into the Fred"s News everyone came to love.  At times, the journey seemed to travel on rocky roads, yet it evolved into a little place that felt very much like friends sitting in our kitchen, passing the time away.   A way of life, we've yet to finds anyplace we have visited.

Colors of Caring

Although yesterday's color, green, reminding us all that it was St. Patrick's Day, my colors yesterday, a brilliant spectrum of beauty, reminding me of all the wonderfully outstanding things, people and places, our world has to offer. Whether you live in "small town America", the ":Tourist Capital of the World", mid-town Manhattan, the slums of some of the most impoverished places on the planet or a quaint old New England village, the world is a beautiful place. Hearts and memories are made in these places, they should be cherished.  Yet as we read the headlines, we weep for fellow human beings suffering tragedy beyond description, we watch in horror, as stories unfold, each more unbelievably devastating than the last.  Occasionally, out of the rubble and devastation, a miracle arises.  We tend to forget people and places still recovering from tragedy, there are new ones to consume our beings. 

Yesterday I met Hope, a reminder of tragic times in the not too distant past.  Haitian born, too young to remember the devastating earthquake, she is one of the "little miracles" that arises, reminding us there is always a new beginning for all.  Found in the rubble of her former home, in the arms of her dead mother, Hope was taken to a makeshift hospital, then a missionary orphanage. This is where her "new Mommy" found her.  Although a few months pregnant with her second child, Hope's new mom answered the pleas for help, volunteering her services. A nurse, small in stature, she makes up the difference with an outgoing personality and is a fierce defender of the meek and poor, she is a survivor by nature.  Her husband, by her own admissions is "the wind beneath her wings", encouraged her to do what she felt she had to do, staying behind, caring for their two year old toddler.

Hope has a new home, a new Mommy and Daddy, older brother Matthew, now three and an infant sister, Charity.  Older brother "introduced" me to his family.  "Hey lady, this is my first day here, I saw Micky Mouse, you wanna see my sisters?"  As he pointed to the little bundle of a toddler, sitting in the high-chair, he exclaimed, "Yep she's my sister, she don't look like me cause, ummmmm,  Daddy where does she come from?"  Daddy calmly says,  "Matthew she comes from a tiny little place, called Haiti."  Matthew beams, "I know, it's a island."  Surprised, I exclaim, "Well Mr. Matthew, please tell me what an island is!"  Matthew looking very pensive says, "dunno, but Mommy says, it's a beautiful place, my sister is beautiful, Mommy always tells the truth!"  Absolutely young man!

In my world, adoptions are nothing new, myself and sister Patty, two of the luckiest people, blessed with parents that understood, anyone can have children, but to nurture and love, now that is a gift from God, something forever cherished.  Our Fred's News family, a multi-generational group with diverse backgrounds and cultures, included many such families.  Young children from China, Guatemala, Ecuador and all regions of the United States, are blessed to have parents from this small slice of New England "heaven".  I applaud these people, I understand and it gives me great comfort in knowing that the inhabitants of our fragile world, care.  So much is about the "bad things", we protect and over protect, we create barriers, yet my small friend Matthew is a reminder, barriers can be removed.  Just a tidbit....St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint....born in Wales...! 

   

Oskie...our Friend

Don't really know what made former Fred's News patrons, the Wilcox family pop into my mind, but it did, everything happening for a reason. Perhaps it was a a documentary on deforestation of the rain forest or maybe the logging truck, with the flat tire parked alongside the interstate.  Whatever the thought process, we will go for it. Oskie Wilcox, an old bachelor, now deceased,was the son of Kenyon and Gwen Wilcox.  Charles Oscar, hence the nickname Oskie, a childhood friend of the Egg-Nazi, was very much a gentle-spirited man.  Although he had a shy nature about him, listening to him talk, reminiscing about the village of Baltic, the Scotland Road area, also the location of the family business, Wilcox Sawmill, he seemed much older than his years.  There were times we'd see Oskie regularly, then maybe he'd stay away for a stretch, whatever the reason, none ever offered, he always seemed to pick up the conversation where he had left off on the previous visit.  As his parents aged, Oskie would bring them to the restaurant a few times a week for lunch.  Dad, Kenyon, seemed to have the same nature as Oskie, but could easily fire up the conversation at a moments notice.  He too enjoyed visiting with the older gentleman that congregated soon after the lunch rush was over, although he never overstayed his welcome.

Mr. Bill having grown up on Scotland Road in Norwich, just a short distance from the Village of Baltic, enjoyed Oskie's memories.  Although his conversations were not limited to the past, his up-to-date versions, not delivered with the same twinkle in the eye.  The Egg-Nazi recalls Oskie's high school years, yes, there was a love of his life, whatever the reason, the courtship and romance ceased, leaving Oskie a lonely and perhaps slightly bitter young man.  As the years progressed, that loneliness seemed to consume him, probably the reason he'd stay away for a period of time.  When he would return, nothing seeemed amiss, conversations continued, tidbits of gossip concerning his and the Egg-Nazi's mutual friends, yet he always returned with less of a zest for life and more distant in nature, sitting for longer quiet periods, joining a conversation  only if prodded.

His memory, outstanding!  A birthday never passed without Oskie arriving within a week prior to Mr. Bill's or my birthday.  I once asked him how he remembered, although I understood why he remembered Mr. Bill, they had spent a lifetime together.  As for mine,  I only knew him because of Mr. Bill, yet when I approached him asking, "how do you remember my birthday?", his simple yet heartfelt reply, "Billy has always been my friend and the two of you are a pair, so that makes you my friend as well.  I never forget my friends!"  he then blushed, excused himself and left. 

As the years marched by, his parents passed away, Oskie's depression and zest for life waned.  We saw him less, when we did, it was painful.  He cared little for his own life, stories of the past no longer seemed to lift his spirits.......his health not the best, because of his own lack of interest, diabetes ravaging his body, Oskie passed away much too soon.  We miss him, his colorful memories, twinkling eyes and wonderful friendship.  Each year as our birthdays approach, it seems something reminds us of our friend Oskie.....perhaps it is his way of letting us know........once a friend, always a friend,  the friendship continue!

   

That Spring Forward...Thing

Although I understand time changes, I don't necessarily like or agree with them.  There are many other issues in life that can mess with one's senses, it doesn't need to be a time change. A prime example: last night or to be politically correct, just thirty minutes pass the stroke of midnight, I was finished with labor reports, inventory and anything else that needed to be done.  This allowed me, an ever so rare, but enjoyable opportunity of finishing my work week....early.  Only an hour, nonetheless it was early.  Heading home, with chilly temps, the car windows remaining closed, soulful music surrounding my tired bones, but thoughts of "yippee it's my Friday, I'm an hour early!" consuming my thoughts.  As I drive, reaching the outer limits of the tourist's area, the highway becomes quiet, no lights, no billboards, just the beautiful starry night with an occasional headlight in the distance.  Our Florida sky is so expansive, so easy to find the constellations.  Small shooting stars often seen, don't forget, "to wish upon a star", fills my mind with childhood memories of laying in the summer grasses of our backyard, looking up, just gazing at the star filled heavens in amazement. Absolutely soothing, it afford the body soothing serenity, an adjustment, a time to unwind.  Mr. Bill often questions....."aren't you so tired driving home.  Please be careful not to fall asleep!"  Sleep! When there is so much to look at, to wonder about, the heavens are an eternity.  The expansiveness of the sky totally consumed and perfectly arranged by the twinkle of millions of the diamond-like jewels, seemingly attached to lush velvet blackness that never ends.   Much like snowflakes that fall in the cold climates, the kaleidoscope of stars appearing in my sky seem to change with every breath I take.  None are the same!

Memories of my early mornings at Fred's News always include the sky.  But as the seasons come and go,the fact is we MUST change our clocks.  So, my hour departure from work has made my attitude somewhat smug until I reach home, realizing it is Sunday morning, my day off and I've already lost an hour.  So really, I am arriving home at my USUAL hour!  That does mess with my head.  The beauty and serenity of the ride, now just a distant memory, I am still home, late and I've lost an hour of my day off...Oh bugger, Mother Nature screwing with me again.

Time changes at Fred's, for the most part, went smooth.  Always a number of constants you could count on....Spring forward....the Sunday papers would be late.  Not just the hour late, but LATE!  Obviously the time change screwing with someone else's senses.  Fall back, the papers would be waiting for me....half of them missing although I never understood the justification for that.  More than likely, it was just because......!   Fall back...everyone arrived early and I mean everyone.  A true Sunday morning rush,  starting at the ass-crack of dawn, probably a good thing we enjoyed the extra hour sleep.  Sunday morning help, still fashionably late...justification.....just because!   Spring forward....we never got the Sunday morning papers, Mr. Bill lamenting, "it will be the afternoon edition, for God's sake"!  Justification...just because!   Help would arrive more than fashionably late...just because! Obviously, I am not the only person, that finds time changes twice a year...not so good.  Mother Nature provides us with such beauty, yet on the flip-side, she "taketh away!"   

"Family" Concerns

Conversations at Fred's News usually revolved around newsworthy events, local happenings or good old fashioned gossip.  We recalled 9/11 and how patrons huddled together as one big family, waiting, watching and listening to the old TV, perched high on it's shelf, in the back of Fred's News.  Most places have the new flat screened TV, but at Fred's, the TV was not the main focus of the visit. Although food was more of a reason to stop by, friendship and strong "family ties" were a major draw.  If you stopped by only for a moment, it was a great way to make your day.  Seeing friends and perhaps family, catching up on the local happenings or just passing time, Fred's News was a hot spot.

Just as world events shape our lives, cause concerns and untimely worries, sharing it with your Fred's News family was, in fact, a way of coping.  Yes, we watched the horrors of 9/11, the tragic funeral of the beloved Princess Diana, and after receiving a phone call from son Mark in Florida, the tragic space shuttle Columbia's unsuccessful re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.  Although the TV was watched more for sports, weather or other entertainment, the tragedies viewed by the Fred's News patrons will always be remembered. Sometimes, sharing these devastating moments in a safe secure and friendly atmosphere, helps alleviate unnecessary worrying.

Recent events in Japan, the earthquake and tsunami are just such an event.  Early morning arrivals at Fred's would of been our first "on the scene" reporters, telling us to turn on the TV.  Breaking news is all over the channels.  From that point on, with each visitor, increased coverage would begin.  As we sit here in Florida watching these events unfold, it hard to leave the continual coverage, each new photo and report more heart wrenching than the other.  Yet, amazing how many emails I have received about the earthquake, yes, many of the questions do involve my current employer Disney and there Disney Tokyo park, but the "family" continues to check in.  With each message received, the update of their own lives, continues. There is comfort in knowing, "once a family, always a family!"