Stage 4 Cancer and Other Things....

Now What?

2018-12-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

Now What?

50 and counting:

Same lady, happily married for 50 big ones, it's all downhill from here. Questions like, "should we travel, stay put?" No retirement, even if I work for you, I won't sit around and rot, all the things you talk about when you're ready to slow it down.

Well, I had an old dental bridge fail and we thought, first thing I should do is get my "choppers" fixed. So I had to have some teeth pulled, x rays, bite wings, whatever that is and then a beautiful "Burt Lancaster Partial."

As time passed, I notice a lump on my neck that wouldn't go down even after two go rounds with Penecillin. I returned to the Dentist and he told me to see my Doctor and let him know the results.

Well, I saw my Doctor and asked her what the lump was and she said "I have no idea!" So she gave me some Malaria penicillen and said that should take care of it, well, it didn't~

I then found out about Radiology and that it wasn't a competitor for Spotify. This was new to me, and it didn't feel right. I had to go there several times, they couldn't seem to get what they needed to give me an idea about what was going on with me. Remember when you were a kid in school and they told you if you break down the chemicals and compounds in your body you were worth about a $1.50? Well it was becoming obvious that I was gaining value to a lot of individuals as this process proceeded.

My Doctor called after about four sessions and told me the lump was suspicious and may be cancer.

Adderall ... Really Good...or...Really Bad~

2018-12-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

This is one of those times when advice is given because of past experience, like 50

years ago. When I was in High school I was still a very small teenager, waist 27 inches, weighed 109 pounds soaking wet. I was the perfect size and weight to become a jockey. I had always had a love for horses and my neighbor at the time, had a love for betting on them~

That's Jorca and me coming out of the 2 hole

When I graduated he took me out to Suffolk Downs in East Boston and introduced me to Trainer Eddie Anspach who gave me a job walking "Hots" (cool down horses after workouts) I didn't get a chance to ride or even get on a horse for several months. That was par for the course I found out~ Once I started exercising the horses in the morning and following the boss's directions during race workouts, he helped me get my Jockey's license and I was literally, off to the races. My second year I was starting to struggle with my weight and I asked some fellow Jocks if there was a way I could deal with it and they told me to see Dr. Swartz the track doctor.

I did see the Dr. and he opened up this big pill book and said which ones do you want? They were all photos of Amphetamine in different colors and strengths. He told me not to worry because all the jockey's took them. Little did I realize that I was now getting on a train I didn't think I would ever get off~

Simple Trip to the Dentist?

2018-12-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

I think it was a deep dish pizza, took a bite and the old bridge decided to give it up. The wife made an appointment and she let me know. Now dentists and prying out fingernails with a pliers have always been equal in my mind. So I showed up and surprisingly enough, a lot has changed since my last visit. The Novocaine needles aren't 27 inches long anymore, and the dentists are really nice and understand that you may actually fear them. He told me that they would make recommendations on options to fix my problem.

It all started here

So far so good~So some of my teeth had to be yanked and the Dentist told me that the X Rays missed an infection. He told me I should have my personal Doctor check it out and could my Doctor fax him the results. So far I'm not concerned. Then we went and had dinner at my daughter's house and the first thing she asked was if I was growing another head. I was now starting to get a little concerned, because after two rounds of Penicillin, still no change. Next Post; My Doctor Visit~

Au Gratin Potatoes with Kielbasa

2018-12-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

Hillshire Farms Smoked Kielbasa

My recipe has a few unique tips to make it the best you have ever tasted! Don't just take my word on it~ Several years ago my wife asked me to make something special for her Artist's Night Out. She told me it had to be "Super Special" because she didn't want to be "embarrased!" Whatever was made had to be very, very special. I asked her to give me a number of people that would be there and she told me at least 50~ I asked if it was a Potluck and she almost threw up in her mouth. We talked and I assured her I would make her something everyone would love. So the night of the event I took her to the oven to show her what I made and she freaked out! She said, "that's peasant food!" I told her "don't take it then, but everybody loves potatoes!" She came home later and and said "you could have made 10 of these and they would all be gone, the Art Center Director was scraping the pan! Thank you so much! It was the star of the event!"
Fresh Russet Potatoes
Fresh Sweet onions
Whole Milk
Super Sharp Cheddar
2 Pounds Kielbasa
2 boxes Betty Crocker AU Gratin Potatoes
Duke's or Hellman's Real Mayonaise
9x14 Deep Dish Casserole Pan
1/4 pound LOL butter

Tomorrow we'll show you how to make it, make sure you got the stuff first~

Finished Product

Money Saving Shopping Tips "Study The Shelves" Please comment.

2014-10-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

We had my wifes bloodwork done and we found out some very disturbing things, her blood pressure,
seriously high, blood sugar, way out of whack and cholesterol, off the charts. In six months she has lost 35 pounds, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are all at normal levels. No drugs just a very simple diet. I will post the diet along with her blood work results in a before and after post after the Holidays are over.

3 pack (0.32 per ounce)

4 pack (0.39 PER OUNCE)

Now back to the subject; the shelves are not only a display for products, they actually "talk!" The cost per sheet, cost per ounce. On numerous shopping trips the larger sizes were more expensive. Cereal, probably the number one culprit, toilet paper, and the juice aisle. I'm seeing it more and more. Be diligent, money is tight in this economy, taking a few extra minutes will help you save a lot of money over the long term. Remember check serving sizes per product. Example, I'm holding a jar of honey, under nutrition facts it reads, serving size 1 tablespoon (21 grams) Servings 33 per container. The total fat, sodium, total carbs, sugars and protien are based per serving not per jar, very important when choosing a low carb or low calorie diet. This jar of honey has 17 grams of carbs and 16 grams of sugar per serving. It also reads in very small print on the bottom, *Percent of Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Read labels, they "talk" too. How does old fashioned bread pudding sound? Recipe coming in my next blog. Please enjoy the original, "Snap, Crackle and Pop" video. When you poured the milk on the cereal, it made noise, thus snap, crackle, pop!

Til next time

The Goat and the Hippie: A Love Story

2014-09-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

I remember when we had our first child, we wanted nothing but the best for her. My wife heard from one of her Hippie friends that fresh goat's milk was the way to go "man." Jackie, my wife said, "Far out! let's do this deed." She then became, I won't say obsessed with goats , but let's just say enamoured and focused on the thought of owning her own goats and her mission to becoming a goat farmer began.

Typical Goat Trailer
Soft Top

"Open Air" Goat Trailer

"I told you I could climb"

One day soon after the goat farmer idea was planted in her head, I was met with a beaming, newspaper holding wife. Now I will take a moment to impart a few words of wisdom to young married fathers. If you are met by your wife, who has just had a new baby and she is excited about an idea that will make her a better mother it does not matter if you have worked a 12 hour shift at a glass factory or if you work midnights. My advice to you is to smile, tell her at that moment that they are the best mother in the world and go with it or you will be very, very sorry. I grew up with many sisters and knew the look and even though I was horrified to the very depths of my soul, I smiled and said "Hi honey what did you find in the paper?" She proceeded to tell me that she found goats for sale and that they were only 50 miles away. She was so excited about starting her goat farm and doing the best for our daughter I couldn't resist her. A trait that after 43 years of marriage I still posses today. I promptly said "okay, let's go." I figured. How bad could it be? We live on a 10 acre farm. It is just a few goats. How hard could goats be? No problem. So off we went.

Pontiac "Goat Trailer"

After what seemed to be 11 hours and a million wrong turns, we finally found the place. 1969 was long before the days of GPS and cell phones, so trips could be daunting. Like many young people we decided we would set off on our goat trip without a trailer because of course magically we could find one once we arrived. At the goat farm, I was put on goat trailer location duty and my wife began the goat negotiations. After awhile I looked over and saw my wife talking to the goat farmer and she was crying. Now this goat farmer was ancient and in many ways had started to resemble his goats. I knew I had to intervene because this old man was standing in between my wife and her babies goat's milk. Quite honestly I was afraid for him. I rushed over to decipher the hysteria and it seems the ad in the paper said "Want Goats" and the ad didn't end in a question mark. Oh no, the goat farmer wanted goats and my wife drove here to get his goats. Knowing my wife she was not leaving here without goats. She was on a mission.

She began her negotiating. Let me tell you, my wife is a skilled negotiator. She is charming, friendly and everyone loves her (ok must-she can be fiesty). She is a powerful little thing, especially when she makes her mind up about something. Truly the goat farmer did not have a chance. He, of course, agreed to let us buy a goat that was milking. There was a catch though. She had a goat buddy whose heart would break if they got separated. We had to take them both. So my wife the skilled negotiator not only succeeded in talking a goat farmer out of a goat he wanted to keep from people he wanted to buy goats from, but now he was offering her a second one as well. Oh and yes, still no goat trailer. My wife is beaming, I am sweating. The feeling of a whole cart of groceries and not knowing if the ATM card is going to work is washing over me. I confess and tell him the unfortunate truth all I had was $20, I can't afford to buy the second goat. My wife begins to tear up again. It is deathly quiet. He thinks for a minute, and he decides to give us the second goat absolutely FREE! My wife is elated.

Typical Goat Farmer
No grass as far
as the eye can see!

Absolute panic sets in. Dare I ask another favor of the man who never wanted to sell goats? I asked the goat farmer if he had a trailer so we could get them home. He said ever so clearly "no I don't." Now I did not mention this earlier but my wife and I are in a Pontiac 2 door coupe, not a pickup truck, a car. My wife smiles with a solution, always looking on the brighter side and says, "I think we can fit them in the back seat." OK there is a limit. I said, "they're not dogs. They're goats with horns and I really don't think they've ridden in a car before." She looked at me with that face I now know so well. The face that says, "we are not talking about this now." That face that states, "I need you to go with me on this." I have learned that going on the journey of her "creativity" instead of fighting her or forcing my own "realistic" ideals has brought more laughter, memories and color to my life than I could ever have imagined. I am glad I did not rob myself of that. Now back to the goats.

Well we never did get that goat trailer. Yes that's right we shoved those two goats, horns and all, into the back of our 2 door Pontiac Coupe. Within 5 minutes the inside of the car was a war zone. The windows were fogged up and every time we would stop at a light, the goats would release their frustration in the back seat. A resounding symphony of simultaneous excretions of which I had never smelled or heard before. We were trapped in that car for what seemed to be a lifetime with those goats. No hope of escape, no fresh air, people passing, pointing and laughing at what looked to be horrifically disfigured children, the ramming of the horns into the back of my seat, the gnashing of teeth, the horrible bleating screams! The goat's kicking and our stomachs hurting from the non-stop laughter of the lengths we will will go for our great ideas. To this day this was the longest 50 miles I have ever driven with my wife. It is the story I love to tell and it is one of the real memories I cherish of our many years together. I am sure you are wondering what happened to Jackie the goat farmer? Well she made it home with her goats, started the goat milking program and 2 weeks later heard raw cow's milk was a better way to go for babies. What the heck, no more goat's milk for our daughter, just fun lawn mowers. She asked me if a small cow could fit in the back seat? Enjoy the video! Remember, your Comments are always Welcomed!

Til next time

As Promised, Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

2014-09-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Prep: 20 minutes, 6 hours in a crock pot, serves 8, $1.94 per serving.
1/4 cup of olive oil
3 onions,chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper,seeded and chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

The Bomb!

1 green bell pepper, seeded and minced
4 15 ounce cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
2 14.5 cans of fire roasted tomatoes
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 cups of butternut squash (about 2 lbs, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
salt and pepper
Step One
Warm Olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.Saute onions until tender (about 3 minutes) Add Garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add bell peppers and jalapenos and saute until tender, about 3 minutes longer.
Step Two
Transfer peppers, onions and garlic to a slow cooker. Stir in black beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin and oregano.
Arrange butternut squash on top and cook on low for 6 hours.
Step three
Season chili with salt and pepper.
Serve with sour cream. salsa, and any other topping you like.
Per serving, 276 calories, 8 grams of fat, (1 gram saturated fat) 0mg Chlo., 16 grams fiber, 11 grams protein,50 Grams carbs, 1,190 mg sodium.

How Much can you Save if you Cook at Home?

2014-08-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

Why is the Kitchen Bouquet a "Super Secret". KB is used a lot in commercials to make the food look good. I like it because it seals the meat and gives a great "crisp" to the outside of the roast, and it also adds a wonderful flavor. On beef and pork it's fabulous. Makes an unbelievable "homemade" gravy. I'll have a future post on how to make outstanding homemade gravy.

"Super Secret"

This meal is very simple to make, so it won't be overwhelming even to all you newbies out there. The protein in this entree is a center cut pork roast. The one I have is a little over 3 pounds. The roast should be cut in 1/2. Save the other half for a boneless pork chop dinner. So you can already see some savings.

Center Cut Pork Loin
2nd. Best Cut

$2.00/ 3 pounds

5 Pound Bag/ 80 Ounces
$3.00

Let's do some math. Roast cost $2.89 Lb. x 3.39 Lb.s = $9.68 ~ 2 = $4.84 per meal ~ 3 = $1.61 Per person. This is based on a third of a pound per serving. Potatoes, 5 Lb. bag or 80 ounces. Cost = $3.00 or less than .04 per ounce. Serving 8 ounce x 3 = 24 ounces

Will be a little darker
with Kitchen Bouquet

24 ounces x .04 = .96 cents ~ 3 = .32 cents per serving. The potatoes will yield 4 meals. Enough with the numbers for now, let's cook this bad boy. Here's another bonus, the potatoes and the roast go in the oven at the same time. So far the entree is costing us a $1.93. per person. (I am a member of BJ's wholesale Club, and the prices shown are what I paid for the items). Preheat oven to 375 degrees, salt and pepper half the roast and coat with Kitchen Bouquet. Place fat side up in a roasting pan. Remember, it' s a little under two pounds, so after a half hour of cooking you need to check the internal temp. with a meat thermometer. When the temp. is between 150 and 160 degrees, take it out of the oven and cover with foil. The roast needs a nice rest, about 20 minutes, the potatoes may not be done yet, but guess what, you have time to prepare the rest of the meal. Did you ever wonder, how your Mom got everything to the table and everything was hot? This is how it's done. Saute the cabbage, 3" chunk off the front should be enough. Cost per pound .48 cents ~3 = .16 per person. One cabbage yields 3 meals.It keeps a good 10 days in the fridge. Total cost per meal per person $2.09 cents. All fresh, nutritious and number one, IT WAS EASY! You can use this formula in any meal planning, it even saves Gas. I didn't factor that in, so that can be your homework. What would this meal cost if you went to a restaurant? I hear you, if and when we go, it's always ice water with lemon. Next post, "What's for Dessert? Enjoy the video.

Our 10 Days Near Detroit, Visiting the Family...

2014-07-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

This video was made in Southgate Mi. just a few miles from Detroit. We were just on Fort St. last week on our way to my Father in laws house. a.k.a. Papa Jack. Detroit is what it is, but this is what is really going on there in the "Burbs" Nice people enjoying real life. This is the real Michigan. Enjoy the Video.

I'll be posting tid bits about our trip in the coming days, and believe it or not it's mostly positive and funny, except one incident. We were going through Ohio and we drove past a nuclear plant, and I asked my Grandson Corgan if he knew what it was and he said, "if it blows up we will all be killed!"

Detroit's problems began decades ago with corrupt mayors and crooked unions. I was in the UAW, though I did not choose to be, I had to be. I worked at the Fisher Body plant in Ypsilanti, Mi. Yes, this is a real place, just outside Ann Arbor. The attitude of the workers in the plant was pure hatred and disdain for the company. They would do anything they could to impede production, or stop the line. I really didn't get it. I asked one guy," if we get more cars out the door isn't that a good thing". He told me to shut up, if I knew what was good for me. That was forty something years ago, and what happened in Lansing is the work of "paid thugs". You ask where are the cops? Did you know that this type of union activity is not against the law? Google it! The car companies were Detroit and the Unions got anything they wanted or they went on strike and stopped production. The cars were crap but we all bought American back then. Now the #1 car company is Toyota.

Guess what, that was in 1968, since then almost a million people have left Detroit proper, and about a 1000 families a month are leaving currently. Michigan used to depend entirely on the auto industry to run their economy, not so today. Detroit as a city is just about finished, the latest idea floating around is to make it into a "Zombie Land Theme Park" An added note, they added Casino gambling several years ago , with the usual promises, rebuild the city, improve education, blah,blah, blah. The real problem with Detroit is that all the taxpayers have left. The biggest Liberal City failure, ever is on its way to bankruptcy. This video is an example of what is happening in Greece. It's in the beginning stages here.

The City of Detroit, 1962
Play both videos at the same time
the effect is haunting.

The City of Detroit, 2014 Some homes can be purchased for less than a $100. but you have to live in them and take care of the property. This is a video of what's available. Copper plumbing, not included.

What's goin' on?

What Happened to my Truck?

2014-07-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

My first new truck

Where do I begin on this one? I guess first things first. We were fortunate enough to buy a 10 acre farm in Temperance Mi. about 40 miles from Detroit. It had a brand new 10 horse barn and a new house. Could we, should we? Yessss! Let's get a new truck. Why get a Ford, we had horse friends, let's call them Betty and Tom, and every time we went to visit them he would always complain about the "GM POS," I was driving. He worked for Ford, and always told me to move up, get a Ford, they make the number 1 truck in the world.

I knew someone that worked at a local Ford dealership in Monroe Mi. (pronounced Munro) the home of Lazy Boy, Monroe Shocks and Jim and Sue Barton.

Uncle Everetts Rig

So I went out and looked at some trucks. I told him we were going to have a camper on the truck. A side note, my father in law is a very giving person and he thought we were crazy for going into debt for a truck and camper. He said Uncle Everett has a pick up with the camper on it for $300. As you can see, "you get what you pay for" I told my father in law that we had to haul a horse trailer and Everett's rig couldn't handle it.
Back to the truck deal, I told the salesman what we wanted the truck for, figured out the GVW's, engine needs, towing ability, and the constant "Yeah, the truck we picked can do it all'
Then I got the usual "What can I do to get you into your new truck today?" The close was, "look, you're putting a camper on this "veeehicle"(that's how he said it) right? I said yes, he said forget the rear bumper, you can't use it anyway, hey, you save $400. bucks.
I think I had the truck for a week, everyone was happy, my wife, my kids even my Ford buddy.

That's not Rose

Rose and Razz Youth Equitation
Champion
EMAR

Rose, my wife Jackie's baby sister used to come out and ride the horses and sometimes stay on weekends. Sometimes we won some money betting on her, but most of time we lost. Just kidding, this was a typical weekend for Rose. Free horseback riding. Look what "free" horseback riding did for her! Remember the rear bumper I didn't have put on the truck? One day at work I was taking a break and happened to be looking at my new truck and noticed the whole right rear fender had vanished. I took a closer look and I thought, hit and run. Damage estimate $2500. The whole bed would have to be replaced. Then I noticed rust on the damage, this happened a while ago. I asked Jackie about it, she said, OMG, we wanted to get an ice cream at the corner store, we were in a hurry and something stopped us. It really sounded bad, but Rose got out and looked and said it was ok. What side did she look at, oh, my side. No damage, the whole passenger side vanished underneath itself and you saw no damage? It seems they rammed a cement sign protecting post at full speed in reverse! That's what the horrendous thud was.

I think that's a curtain
rod hanging off the back.
They were watching
"The Price is Right"

Moral of this story, always have a rear bumper on your car or truck. Make sure you don't waste any of a $2500. dollar ice cream. A few years later we got another new pick up and as you can see by the picture,

I got the most durable and expensive rear bumper that was available, but this time I really didn't need it. She found another way. I think that's a window curtain hanging off the back, no one was hurt but changes of underwear were in short order.

I promised music critiques, I love Karmen, watch her band guys, they love her too! It's about time, something fresh and happy! Enjoy the Video! Please comment, we would love to hear from you!

The Importance and Necessity of Crate Training.

2013-07-18T10:32:00.001-07:00

I can hear it already, "it's like putting my sweet puppy in prison" "she will hate me forever" "I just can't do it!" Did you know no matter how big or small your dog is they are pack animals. Did you ever go to a dog park and think your dog was having "fun" with the other dogs? No, they are exercising pack mentality, looking for weaknesses in the other dogs and trying to be the dominant leader. Most dog aggression is introduced by turning your loved one loose in a dog park setting. If you think about it and watch the behaviour, its chasing, pinning down, barking and dog fights. They are for the most part, not playing. Your pack animal is only showing pack survival, not cute puppy stuff. I thought you'd enjoy this dog park video.They're are many reasons to crate your dog or puppy, especially, when you're not home. I just read a sad story this morning about the plant in this video. The Heliotrope plant is beautiful and smells wonderful. The dog owner had these around and her dog Goldie would nibble on the leaves. It turns out that this plant is highly toxic. Goldie got ill and the pet parent took her to the vet and she died of massive liver damage, the worst case her vet had ever seen. The Vet didn't know the plant was toxic. More reasons to crate train, it helps in housebreaking. Make sure the crate fits the dog, remember, a dog is always a pack animal. Out in the wild if they pooped in the den, the pack leader would clean their clock. If the crate is to big, they might add a bathroom in the extra space. Yes, some will carry on and scream and whine, but that will eventually stop. They are not going to die, but it sounds like it. If you can't take the noise, just put the dog in the garage and go shopping. Crating also helps fix aggressive behavior. An example of this, new dog in the house beating up the dog with seniority in the house. Time to change who is the pack leader in this "Den" your house. This behaviour is unacceptable, steps to fixing it, the crate. From now on the problem dog will only go from the crate outside to poop, no praise, no treats. The only person they will see is you. Anything good, comes from you, food comes from you, outside comes from you. This exercise let's them know who the real "pack leader" is, you. This may take up to a few weeks depending on the level of the bad behavior. A pack leader in the wild is fair and firm and keeps the pack fed, safe and comfortable. Just like you. With this attitude change, consistency is key. Let the rest of the family know that this

dog is in training, no communication is allowed except from you or whoever you designate to be the new pack leader. One last note, if your dog is sleeping in your bed, this puts them on the same level in the pack as you. The problems ahead will be many, biting, barking and licking, just to name a few. These are all signs of dominance, you really don't want to go there. This is a very good how to crate video. If you have the less expensive crates just tie the door open. See you soon~

The "Horse Apple" Story

2013-05-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

Scene of the Crime

Weapon of Mass Destruction

Apple containers

It was around Christmas, all I remember is that it was the coldest on record in Detroit area history. I got a phone call from my wife, on this call she asked me to do her a favor. "Please fill a shoebox with horse manure and wrap it in Christmas paper, bring it here to work and put it in the front seat of my car." I asked why? She told me they were playing a joke on one of her friends. So I went out to the barn and got a box of "Horse Apples'.

I really hope it doesn't start!

On my way with the Poop

The Poop was pretty frozen and was easily transferred to the container, I'm reading this and can't believe that without hesitation in -20 below weather, I just dropped everything and did what she asked. (I still do it to this day) Unfortunately, my car started and I drove out to the supermarket where she worked. I really had a tough time finding her car. It was a pretty big parking lot, the employees weren't supposed to park close to the store. I thought since it was so cold, maybe the managers let them park closer.

Sure enough, I finally found it. I parked beside her car and walked up to the drivers side and sure enough, it was locked! I started to panic, it was so cold, so I ran around to all the doors, and then all of a sudden, "put your hands on top of the car, NOW! Push the box with your foot towards me, move any other part of your body and I"ll shoot it off. Officer, can I speak? What's in the box? Is it a bomb of some kind? I said no it's a Christmas present. My wife works here and she asked me to bring it and the doors were locked so I tried all the doors, He said "it looked like a break in to me, now, what's in the box? I said well, it's horse manure. He asked, "you would get yourself shot over a box of horse manure?" You're a moron with a box of manure. Let's go in and meet the wife so we can clear this up!" All the way in the cop was muttering words like, clown, idiot a fry short of a happy meal, and my favorite, manure moron.

Free at last

My lovely wife came over and verified the story, the cop shook his head and let me go. I still don't feel free until this day. I've got lots more for you.
til next time, Please Leave a Comment. Thank You!

Changing Times, Go Back to the Past, or Make Life Better for Everyone.

2013-05-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Let's take a look at the past. Drugs, free love, "Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair" (I did love this song,between tokes) The beginning of the STD epidemic. Terribly built automobiles, your brand new car was junk before it was paid for. Today we're starting, strikes, boycotting businesses and good bye to Ding Dongs and Ho Hos. (Little Debbie is now the queen of sugar snacks) The unions are trying to regain the "lost" power they have been experiencing over the last 20 years and they are hell bent on getting it back. I was an autoworker in the late 60's, just married, making big money.
When you were hired at any of the "Big Three" you were quickly escorted to the uniform room and told to sign a Union agreement and were told that union dues were taken out each pay period I said what? What if I don't want to join, they said "then you have no job"
That's some history I don't want to return to. I will say this about the election, America has spoken and nothing will change that.

Classic Michael Moore wants the rich to "drive off the fiscal cliff!" That gives me an idea, how about a grungy and stinky tax, at the very least Moore would have to take a shower. If he didn't, he would lose everything! Maybe we should look at a whole slew of different taxes. How about, Filthy Car Tax,Video Game Tax, Backpack Tax, Internet Tax, Walk Your Dog Tax, Watch TV Tax, Carpet Tax, Window Tax (you can only have five, total)
How about, a Living in Your Parents Basement Tax, Dropping Out of College Tax, Moochers Tax. How about a "Too Many Cats Tax." "Flash Mob Tax" Can you imagine the revenue stream. What new taxes can you come up with? How about a "Not enough Tax, Tax"
This looks like a good reason for a Cat Tax.
I'm not taking any side, but with an unfettered, Government, looking at the Constitution as a bunch of "Old Farts" piece of crap, is leading us down the garden path. I grew up in Boston, the history of this great country is embedded in me. Now embedded has something to do with computers and IPhone, which I love by the way, do you love yours? The richest company on the planet, Apple, made that happen.

Just a note about the Marathon bombings, I grew up in Boston, my high school friends and I used to go to Charlestown to see "Old Ironsides" I went to High School in Cambridge and walked past MIT every morning on my way to school. Those memories have forever been changed by this event. My thoughts and prayers go out to my fellow Bostonians and their resolve to get these guys. It took over 3500 days to get Bin Laden and only 4 days to get these guys. The message;

STAY OUT OF BOSTON, ASSHOLES!

How Come Employees Don't Help Each Other Anymore?

2013-05-01T17:59:00.000-07:00

I have a part time job in a grocery store deli. We fry chicken, make salads, bake chicken, stock a salad bar, and do sandwiches and dips. Same old stuff, everyday. I remember back in the 80's, if you worked hard you got rewarded for it. Wages, were high and so was productivity. Since then skilled workers were starting to become scarce and today skilled workers are non-existent.

Look where we are today, minimum wage, part time hours only, no paid holidays. Why? Lazy workers with no skills, no desire to improve themselves, and only care about themselves and could care less about helping their fellow employees finish a task.
Calling off sick, not showing up, going home with a headache. They get fired and another loser shows up. Can this be fixed? They think "retirement" is changing a flat.

I looked everywhere for some good advice as to how to handle lazy coworkers. This young lady by far, has the best advice. The problem is only going to get worse. Robots are seriously being considered to take over some of the mundane duties in retail enviorments.

Another area I've noticed that's becoming a problem, taking responsibility for your actions, and apologizing for it. That's another post.

One thing that I did when another deli employee would leave the the last item they sliced on the slicer and leave it for someone else to wrap it for them and return to the meat case, I would say, "hey Frank, I got you covered". I made sure the rest of the employees heard it, because he did it to every body. Pretty soon, everyone started to help each other put things away. Customer service got faster and our weekly sales tripled. I love this video, til next time~

Sharing some new Music Videos, Enjoy!

2013-04-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello with white hair and no hat! Old guys finally catch a break! I will give you the whole Nick Lowe and Creed's story on my next post, after Mothers Day!

Creed used to be in the Grass Root group back in the seventies, he's old and has no hair! Does he look familiar? How about the guy with the banjo?

The Easter Story Plus One More

2013-03-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Pontius Pilate
What do the polls look like
today?
Screw Rasmussen!

Lazarus' Tomb

This gig (miracle) is the one that really got Jesus into trouble. "Hey. Lazarus, come out!" So out walks this dead guy who is now alive. In those days the guy in charge at the time was Pontius Pilate. I really don't think he had a backbone because his minions had him convinced that this good guy was dangerous to them and to their power. I guess today he would be a Senator or in the House of Representatives. Jesus was beginning to really stir things up, of course, He knew what was coming at the end of the week. When He and His guys got close to Jerusalem, He told them to go get a donkey and her colt and bring them to me. You'll see them, their tied right on the town's edge. I need to take a ride into town. The locals turned out big time, and they laid down their jackets along the path that Jesus was taking into town and they got palm branches, and were waving them saying, "Glory to God and way to go big guy". Pilate's advisors convinced him that they needed this guy gone, so on trumped up charges, they decided that blasphemy was the way to go, and you know the rest of the story.

Joseph of Arimathea
Plus One

Another story you probably never heard was about Joseph of Arimathea, he was the guy who had the tomb that Jesus was kept in. Story goes that two apostles approached him about using his tomb for Jesus' burial. Word has it that he pitched a fit, when they first asked him. He said things like, "I saved my whole life to pay for that thing, where am I going to be laid to rest"? He also mentioned, once they roll that stone in front, it's over! The two apostles looked at each other and said yeah. ok, let's tell him. Joseph, Joseph, look, what's today, Thursday? "Please let Him use the tomb, He's only going to be there for the weekend anyway"!

Have a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Zombie Land, The New Detroit? Your Thoughts....

2013-03-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

Look, you can almost see the RenCen! There must be a concert at Cobo, look at the lines!

The Real Story about St. Patrick, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2013-03-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Bountiful Island

Irish Attractions

Irish Mountain Dwelling

Share this video with your kids. I just found it. I went to St. Patrick's school in Stoneham Mass. and the little girl who is asked to share the story, reminds me of a girl that was in my class. Mary Casey, she was so smart she really ticked us off! I think our "Sista" at the time was "Sista" Mary Finnbar, and I think she loved calling on her to inspire us to study and excel. Really? Hey, she kept me at school one night until 9 pm, until I got my Palmer method penmanship paper "perfect!" I was in the third grade, 8 years old, for crying out loud! I'm starting to flinch. Baby steps to 3 o'clock, baby steps to 3 o'clock. I'm better now.

Cliffs of Moher

City Dwelling

The Psychiatrist said this stuff would never come back. You know, when she hit you across the knuckles with the ruler, she hit you with the steel edge, man, that hurt. I'm, ok. In defense of the Irish being outrageous drinkers, you have to understand, some of the finest whiskeys and stouts are made there, somebody has to drink them!

Same City Dwelling
Different View

The Emerald Isle

Do You Like Music, How About the Blues.

2013-03-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

I did a post not long ago about my favorite baseline favorites. I mentioned B.B. King and Robert Cray in the same sentence, and stated that I thought Robert Cray could possibly be in the same league as B.B. This is an excellent video of four guitar legends. Where is Robert Cray? I guess I must be wrong.

I have always loved the blues, growing up with 11 brothers and sisters could have something to do with it. Anytime you said "can I have" the auto response was "NO". My first musical instrument was of course, the Harmonica, I wrote a song about my sister Mary, but it's still not ready for prime time. I have a "we were so poor"story. One winter we couldn't afford to heat our house, and since my brother Joey was the only one that had a pair of sneakers, my mother would make him run around the block three times. When he got back from his run, he would take his sneakers off and we would all gather around the sneakers, and warm our hands.

Now back to business, I am so pumped to tell you this, I can't wait, this is so huge, I'm so excited, oh,oh the phones ringing and the puppy needs to go out, rug or phone? Rug! If you want to see pictures of our Aussie "Katy" it was on my last post. On April 23rd 2013, at DPAC in Durham NC. at 7pm, one half hour from where I'm typing, only a half hour from Raleigh NC, the Capital city, 20 minutes from Sam's club and Trader Joes, 18 minutes from Petsmart and BJ's Wholesale club, did I mention Bed Bath and Beyond?

B.B. King and Robert Cray are together on the same stage at DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) To see these two together playing at the same venue is incredible to me.

My favorite bass guitarist, Bernard Harris, give a listen.

Til next time~

We got a New Puppie, Her name is Katy!

2013-03-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

Katy's Big Day At PetSmart!

Australian Shepard, sweet and smart
with the all desired "Off Switch"

Katy, Christmas Eve 2012 at PetSmart

Loose leash 100 dogs and
pet parents in the place,
remarkable

My wife is a dog trainer, one of the best in the country, I might add, and she thinks as far as smart and sweet, that Katy is the "Mother Load." More pictures and comments, to come, stay tuned. The house is full of family! One thing about these pictures, is that a heart shape between her front paws? Interesting! She just turned 4 months and two puppies have been spoken for from her first litter. we just picked her up a week ago. Hey, what's going on down there? Can I play? Be patient, Katy, be patient!

Look at all the videos and see what's coming!

My Favorite Women Blues Artists

2013-03-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

Of course Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Janis Joplin, Mamie Smith, Ida Goodson, Koko Taylor, Rory Block, Janis Joplin have all made their mark on blues history. These are just my favorites.

Bonnie Raitt

The first time I heard this lady on the radio, WRIF Detroit home of Ken Calvert, I heard a songbird. Effortless and unique, a lady who would rather sing than talk. I've added two of my favorites, one from her very first album, 1973, I think, and one selection from her latest album coming out in April. Her father was John Raitt, he did a lot of Broadway musicals and movies. Pajama Game, and Carosel were some of his work. They sang a duet together on TV back in the early 90's. He's gone now, but they were very close.

Look at her version of a Jerry Rafferty song, outstanding. Next post, a real surprise, a blues singer from right now, passionate and compelling. Stay tuned~

Yorkshire Pudding, Simple Food, Family Loves It!

2013-03-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

Made These Thanksgiving Day

Growing up in Boston, we were taught about the British Red Coats, Paul Revere, the Minutemen, the Boston Tea Party all the events that led us to become a "Free United States". Some customs left with the "yankee" culture, drinking tea instead of coffee is favored among locals. Za-rex instead of Kool-aid. Dinner is called "suppa"and the bathroom is called the "pissa" which is the second word in describing something fabulous. Something fabulous in Boston speak is of course, "wicked pissa"

I remember every Sunday, my mother would make Sunday dinner. She timed it just right, home from Mass, a beautiful roast beef with roasted potatoes, baked Italian tomatoes and Yorkshire pudding. It was named after Yorkshire, England, I would guess, with a pat of butter and beef gravy, the stuff is to die for. One thing we always did was save the salad for last, almost like dessert. The reason that made the most sense to me, some of the heavy duty Italian meals, spaghetti and meatballs for example could use a little help in the digestion process, the roughage that salad provides, makes sense. I've looked at a lot of video concerning the proper way to make Yorkshire Pudding, this one came the closest. I'll let you watch it and then I'll give you my recipe, which is similar but with a few Boston tips. He's very close. My little secrets are add an extra egg or two, measuring is unnecessary. Batter should have the consistency of pancake batter, Whisk until all lumps are gone. I use Jumbo cupcake tins . Preheating the pan, #1 most important, Preheat oven to 425 degrees, I use melted butter to grease the cups. Fill cups 3/4 full. Butter should be almost smoking when the pan is hot enough. If you want the pudding cups darker in color add a drop or two of Kitchen Bouquet seasoning sauce. Oven roasted potatoes were also part of our Sunday tradition. Happy Holidays to you all and enjoy or endure you families for the holidays! I'll put up the roasted potato recipe for you.

Roasted Potatoes

2013-03-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hmmm, will I need
one lantern or two?

I grew up in a small Italian/Irish neighborhood located 8.6 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts called Stoneham about a mile from Lexington. Stoneham wasn't incorporated yet. Growing up outside of Boston, one of the subjects you were taught in school was American history. We were surrounded by it on every corner. From Paul Revere to the Lexington Minutemen, their names were immortalized by the town names, streets signs and even on local pub signs.

What I appreciate now as I look back on my own history, is the importance of passing that legacy on to those who don't know how this country started. This was instilled in me growing up in a place so rich with history and importance. The Bunker Hill Monument where I once was once assigned to count each and every stair in High School (284 if my memory serves me). The Old North Church "one if by land, two if by sea" where Paul Revere would put one lantern in the steeple, or two lanterns in the steeple depending on which way the English were about to arrive. Old Iron Sides, (USS constitution Warship) where they still do tours on the ship. What ticks me off about the ship is some people complained about the ship's cannons going off each day celebrating our Independence. It was about the loud noise. So they had to face the ship's canons out toward the ocean to make these clowns happy. That tradition has been around 150 years. Can't we say KMA anymore!

Col. William Prescott Statue
at Bunker Hill
Monument
"Don't fire until you see the
whites of their
eyes"

Old North Church

Well unfortunately for the English they did not win the war, but they did leave some English style food traditions behind which we still practice and enjoy today. For instance, more Massachusetts natives prefer hot tea with milk and sugar than coffee. Now one thing that was a tradition in our family growing up was our Sunday dinner. It was open panned baked Roast Beef with roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, broccoli and fresh salad which in the Italian tradition was always eaten last. Now I have great love for my mother who raised 12 of us on her own, but God Bless her the roast beef was so tough that if you sliced it thin and applied rubber glue you could start a tire repair business. I used to call it "the meat that wouldn't go away". I thought we would first tackle the Oven Roasted Potatoes and at a later date go for the Roast Beef. This recipe is very, very easy, even for a newbie.

Recipe:

Potato size about 2 inch by 3 inch, make sure they are all about the same size so they will all be done at the same time. (1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees (2) peel and slice the bottom of each potato so it lays flat in the baking dish or pan (two potatoes per serving) (3) Put a half stick of butter or margarine on top of potatoes (3) put in the oven (I know obvious) (4) About a half hour into baking, pull potatoes out of the oven and brush melted butter over the top of the potatoes and return to oven (5) Cook until tops are nicely browned. 45 min. to an hour (6) Remove, let cool and enjoy TIP: Letting food rest is the ultimate secret to a great meal

Are you sure you want my mother's beef roast recipe? You asked for it. (1) get a 5 pound eye of the round roast (2) put it in a baking dish at 400 and cook for 6 hours or until it almost catches fire (3) remove from oven and try to slice it

If you are having guests for dinner, make sure you never want to see them again. Oh and by the way, have your kids watch this video, maybe the whole family should watch it together!

The Spelling Bee

2013-03-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

Where's Michele?

"Make sure you're home in time to take her to the spelling bee, or she'll be heartbroken!" I told my wife, look, I'll ask to get out early so I'll be here for sure. What school is it at, the Middle School she replied. My wife is an expert on all subjects. I was selling Real Estate at one time and she told me she had a great idea. "why don't you call the Listing guy and make a deal to split the commission 50/50. I said because that's against the law. Her reply "Really?" That's another story.

Off to the
Elementary School

Later that day, I did get home a little early, my daughter was running a little late, it was a beautiful day. I'm sure her and her buddy Corrina were taking their time coming up the driveway, we were a half mile back off the road. She finally got home and we headed for the Spelling Bee. We got to the Middle School (Jackies directions) and the school was vacant.I asked the Janitor where the Spelling Bee was and he said "not here." My daughter started to cry, and I said It must be at the Elementary School. We finally got there, and yes, the Spelling Bee had already started. Boy, did I have to do a sell job for her to get back in. I heard, rules are rules, no late entries allowed. So I pulled out the Big Guns. Then you guys will have to tell her. They looked at her and said"Take a seat young lady"
Phewww! Dodged a bullet on that one, would've been bad news at home. You're probably wondering, wait a second, she told you to go to the wrong school, doesn't the wife share some responsibility here? It didn't work that way in my house. It was up to me to get it right, even if some of the details were wrong. In any marriage, my wife believes that is part of the husbands responsibility. Now do you get it?

And now without
further adieu!

Now, the moment of truth. Each time a kid got up to spell, they would return to their seat each time they spelled their word correctly, my daughter was told to sit right next to the next kid getting up to spell. So they hadn't finished the first round, so we were that close to not being involved in the event. The kid next to her got up, went to the microphone and was asked to spell "knife" (can they use that word now in a spelling bee) He spelled it right. Now it was my Baby Girls turn, I thought maybe she'll get fork or spoon. "please spell the word Finesse" "Finesse.......Fines" "Finesse"We were in and out in 30 seconds. I told her at least you said it right. Her first response was" I need therapy, and a Dictionary, now!
By the time we got home we were both belly laughing about it, I told her you did spell "fines" right.
I called her this morning and it was like it happened yesterday. I told her I was going to Blog the story, she said ok. She just turned 40. How about some Spelling Bee music?

Til next time Please Leave a Comment. Thank You!

A Tribute, "I Always Called Her, Mary"

2013-03-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

Just this past week, Mary (my mother-in-law) passed away. The family all joined together for her send off up in the Detroit area (Wyandotte and Allen Park) to reflect and talk about memories that each of us had about her. We laughed, cried, went through tons of pictures, no fights about "stuff", no arguments. Cousins, sisters, aunts and uncles, some had not seen each other for years, hugged and said stuff like, "you don't look like you", "holy crap" "are you kidding me?" Mary would have loved it!
After the Funeral, we went to Glo and Bill's house, had a wonderful dinner, played games, laughed, played with the little kids, all the things that she loved and lived for.

Typical Richards Living Room

Mary says, "Time to Move"

This post is about how I remember her. Way back when Jackie and I got married, I had no idea what Michigan was. I grew up in the Boston area, when we said goodbye to someone we said "get outta heea"! Mary said "See yuns" What did that mean? Being in Catholic school my whole school life, "see nuns" made more sense to me. I was also the first person to "get up in her face" big time and she actually loved and respected me for that. (Mary, you were wrong by the way) Another trait I noticed, was when the garage and houses she lived in couldn't hold anymore stuff, she moved. The kids used to play hide and seek, Jackie said she never got caught. I asked her where did you hide? She said "under the kitchen table!" As the years went on, I noticed she was fearless about taking risks, starting a business, selling real estate, starting a newspaper. If she thought it would work, what the heck, let's do this! I really admired her for that. She wasn't perfect, but who is?

My favorite memories, the Pawn shop, her love of art, South Haven and Chicago. Chicago shopping, she loved it, I went along so her and Jackie wouldn't miss the train, she and her daughter had no concept about time passing. I remember one trip she had a record setting week at her Pawn shop (New to You) and said she was going to make a cab drivers day. We paid for the Cab and she tipped him a Twenty, She was on top of the world the whole day. She was the only Pawn shop owner around who would rent handguns by the hour! (just kidding)

Her love of art, one time her and Jackie took some oil painting lessons from a well known artist in Saugatuck. She bought a painting from him and put it up for sale in her shop. The artist showed up a few days later and paid her 3x what she paid for it. I still ask myself, did she mean to do that?

Her love of South Haven, a small vacation town on Lake Michigan. I remember when we moved her there -5 below in the middle of a blizzard. We were afraid to leave her there alone, but she said she would get a better deal on the place this time of year. What a lady, not my mother-in-law, just Mary.

Mary, this video is for you, watch it anytime you want.

Love, Jackie and Dennis