I'd Love To Turn You On.

Who says chicken scratch isn't worth much? This one is expected to bring in between $700,000 and $1.2 million. It is the handwritten lyrics to A Day In The Life by John Lennon.

What's particularly interesting about this is that it was banned in England, when it first was released in 1967, because of one line that was basically added as an afterthought; that line is:

"I would love to turn you on."



The hand written lyrics will go to auction in NYC sometime in June. Some lucky person with enough resources to come up with the winning bid, will walk away with it and I'm sure, over a decade or two, will reap more profit from this investment to provide a handsome retirement for all his children and grandchildren.

I'm not sure John would like that. I've read many a biography of the man and he scorned that sort of thing..unless, of course, it was his pockets being lined in gold.

But, nonetheless, it will be sold. I hope there's some middle-aged ex- 1960ish Beatlemaniac, preferably a female who spent her early teens screaming her heart out over the mop top four, who walks away with it.


Going..
going..






gone.

Michael Comes Calling

Michael showed up at my door early yesterday morning. The dog began to bark, letting us know someone was outside. It was early, too early for 'callers,' and when I pushed aside the curtains at our door, there stood a middle aged man, whom I had never seen before, waving his arms and smiling. He was disheveled, wore a thread bare tee shirt that hardly covered his portliness. I opened the door, feeling more than a bit apprehensive.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, " I responded, not quite sure of why I even opened the door. "Can I help you?"

"Well, I noticed your yard needs mowed."

"Yes, my son moved out and I haven't gotten around to finding someone to mow for me."

"Well, I lost my job and times are tight for me.' he shuffled his feet and looked down.
"I'm looking for work. I really need the money. I lost my job. And my house."

Okay, I'm a sucker, especially for someone who is getting up and about early in the morning, ringing doorbells to find some means of making money.

"How much do you charge?"

We set a price.

"I don't trim shrubs and I don't bag the grass cuttings."

Great, I thought. He needs money but he's setting his conditions of employment. I hire him anyway.

He went to the back of his pickup truck and pulled out a lawnmower and a weed whacker. He set a cigar in between his teeth and began to putter with the mower.

"Hey, you got any oil I can use for this machine?" he asks.

"No, I don't."

"That's okay. I reckon I have enough to do this yard."

Michael starts up the weed whacker and set to work. I lock the doors. It took him the better part of two hours to mow. I'm praying he doesn't ask to use my bathroom because I'm not too keen on letting this man into my house while I am alone here. he has a Dr. Pepper in tow and I am wishing that he would slow down on his drinking..what goes in must come out and tho I am not normally a harsh person, I do NOT want him in my house for any reason, not even to relieve himself.

I keep glancing out the window to see how his is doing. Things look a bit scraggly. Eventually, he rings the doorbell.

I open the door. There stands Michael, chest all puffed up to where I'm wondering if he's going to pop through the thin tee shirt.

"Ms. C., come see how beautiful your yard looks!"

I step outside and notice high weeds lining the front of my porch. To my right is a strip of unmowed grass. I point these out to him and he looks like his heart is about to break.

"Oh I'm sorry! I missed those. I'll take care of it right now."

He sets to it and in a while he rings my doorbell again.

There he stands, all puffed and proud.

"What do you think now?"

I look around and this is what I see:



That, in case you can't make it out, is the sidewalk leading up to my front door.

'Isn't it beautiful?" Michael's eyes shine with pride.

"Well, it looks better than it did..."

"But isn't it beautiful?"

I don't answer.

Come check the backyard." he says.

I go around the side of the house and into the back. This is what I see:



That is my otherwise gorgeous back patio.

"You want me to come back every other week to do your yard?" he asks.

"Sure.."I tell him, not knowing what I'm getting myself into, but I figure we are going to get the house ready to sell and I'm sure I can find stuff for Michael to do.

I pull out my checkbook. Michael waves his hand.

"Ms. C., can you pay in cash?"

"sure.." I say again, putting my checkbook away.

Michael loads his lawnmower and weed whacker back into his truck.

"Michael, next time can you trim those shrubs in the front of the house?"

"Well, ma'am,"He scratches his sparse hair on his head.."I never did that before.."

"Never mind Michael..I'll do it."

He smiles, gratefully.

After he leaves, I go out back with the leaf blower and notice all in all, Michael did a pretty good job:



And while I'm out there with my camera, here is a photo of my mardi-gras jasmine, which sends a heavenly aroma all over the yard:





I would love to dig this up and take it with me when I move but I have a feeling it wouldn't make the transplant. My sister is a master gardener there, and I'm sure she'll help me find something that smells just as wonderful.

And my plum tree with its abundance of plums:





They are difficult to see unless you look very closely.

Michael will be back in two weeks. I'll let you know how he does, tho I'm sure his work will be...
Beautiful...

Fishie Fishie In The Brook

This is the beach we will be living near. I don't fish but it's still a thrill to watch this young man's determination.

And just so you know, I read this fish was tagged and released back into the ocean.

Kate Gosselin

Everywhere I look there are those celeb gossip mags and over the last month or so Kate Gosselin has been on the cover of every one of them. Turn on the tv, and there she is. Every where you look there is Kate, sometimes with her kids, sometimes not.



In case you don't know who Kate Gosselin is, she is the Kate of Jon and Kate plus Eight fame, the lady who had twins and then gave birth to six adorable babies. Kate is Caucasian and Jon is half Korean and a mixture of French and whatever else. It made for some gorgeous kids:



I watched this show faithfully since it began and the kids were babies. I remember when Kate gave birth to the sextuplets. And I loved the family. Kate was the main caregiver; she was always so organized. Jon, on the other hand, seemed to drift in and out of the caregiving business, leaving Kate to take up the slack. She was often harsh with her husband and received a lotta criticism for the way she spoke to him.

I've raised kids. Two of them. I can't imagine what it would be like to raise eight, six of them the same age! I did a good job, too, kept an immaculate house, was involved in school doings, church, the gym and kids' sports. I cooked nightly and baked a lot. I had no family around so we operated in self sufficiency mode.

Kate received a ton of guff for harping on Jon so much but as I watched this show, I thought to myself, "Jon, get off your ass and help her!" I would have nagged him, too. It was just too much for one person.

Eventually Jon and Kate split, she focused on the kids and he turned playboy. She wrote books, went on various tv shows, did what she had to do to support those kids. What is he doing now? He is sleeping on his brother's sofa and trying to get custody of the brood, claiming Kate is away from the kids too much.

This guy is a moron. And I'm so sick of reading where Kate is a bad mom, a bad wife, a bad person. I admire this lady!

Kate, I doubt you'll read this but if you do wander upon it, let me tell you, you are doing an amazing job. You're a beautiful, charming efficient lady.

Keep up the good work.

No to Chinese Chicken

(This from my cousin..kinda scary and we should be aware:)



More on foods to beware...learn your bar codes (if this message is true). I just pass this on since it looks legit and pix don't lie.


HERE ARE NO REGULATED LAWS FOR FOOD PROCESSED IN CHINA , HONG KONG , VIETNAM AND THAILAND !!


DANGEROUS IMPORTED FOODS
The whole world is scared of China made 'black hearted goods'. Can you differentiate which one is made in the USA , Philippines , Taiwan or China ? For your Information ... the first 3 digits of the barcode is the country code wherein the product was made.
Sample: all barcodes that start with 690 until 695 are all MADE IN CHINA.
471 is Made in Taiwan.

This is our human right to know, but the government and related department never educate the public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves. Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products 'made in china', so they don't show from which country it is made.
However, you may now refer to the barcode, remember if the first 3 digits is 690 to 695, then it is Made in China .
00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA
30 ~ 37 FRANCE
40 ~ 44 GERMANY
49 ~ JAPAN
50 ~ UK
57 ~ Denmark
64 ~ Finland
76 ~ Switzerland and Lienchtenstein
628 ~ Saudi-Arabien
629 ~ United Arab Emirates
740 ~ 745 - Central America
All 480 Codes are Made in the Philippines
Now read on below for specifics on goods from China to protect yourself, your family, and your friends.
This is sickening but it is an alert to read labels and always buy fresh when you can.


471 means it comes from Taiwan

Have a taste for chicken? READ THIS
WATCH WHAT YOU BUY. ESPECIALLY HIGHLINER FISH PRODUCTS; all come from China, even though the box says 'product of Canada', it is from China and 'processed' in Canada, that is, the coating is added and packaged in Canada only! The fish are raised in pens using chemicals that are banned in Canada as cancer causing but legal in China . This was exposed on CBC TV's Marketplace.
This one will make you think before buying anything from China .

Well, are you enjoying seeing Chinese food popping up in your supermarket left and right? Have you noticed you can't buy a single package of fish that isn't made in China (or Vietnam )? Do you think your food from China is processed in a sanitary manner, and thus safe to eat? Take a look at this!!

These undercover enclosed pictures speak a thousand words. Avoid buying all processed food packaged in China. Anything goes! We just don't know what else is in those packages. Unlike in the U.S. and CANADA , China does not have laws regulating food processing.

Basically, do not buy any processed food from China , also Hong Kong , too. MANY companies are using a Hong Kong address to avoid this type of image reputation.


Early dawn, starts the day by riding around to collect dead chickens.



Total of 5 riders are hired by the boss to ride to farms to buy dead chickens.

A dead chicken cost 1 RMB and would be sold at 9 RMB after processing.

Storage for the dead chickens in the court yard.

Carcasses are thrown everywhere.

And on the floor....
Four employees start de-feathering the dead fowl after soaking in boiling water from a rusty wok.

Enduring the pungent odor, but sometime, it get so terrible that even the most experienced of the workers would puke.

Workers rush to get the chickens de-feathered.

A discarded bath tub is used to soak the bare skin dead chickens.... The contaminated water would have accelerated the decomposition process.

Wearing slippers walking among the chickens before the coloring processing.



After the color dye, its creepy to find that they are quite tenderized.

And now presenting the mouth watering Charcoal Roasted Chicken!

Do NOT buy food originating in China (or Vietnam or Thailand)! Take the time to read the labels and look for country of origin! STOP BUYING ANYTHING FROM CHINA . PERIOD!



(My cousin checks EVERYTHING out at snopes.com so if he believes it to where he's passing it on, it's true.)

Not Your Average Moisturizer

So I'm at Walmart to pick up one of those fancy-dance sonicare electric toothbrushes to replace the one that just died when I walk past this elderly, white haired little lady who was handing out samples of somethingorother. She stopped me.

"Would you like a sample?" she asks, as she hands me a little bottle and a coupon.

"Sure." I absentmindedly say, still glancing over her head at the shelf behind, where I spotted the fancy-dance electric toothbrushes.

"What is it?" I unscrew the top.

"Moisturizing gel honey."

I noticed the sonicare box on the shelf as I rub the gel on my hands and on the sides of my cheeks.

This stuff was unbearably sticky and i look at the lady whose jaw has dropped.

'Good lord, that's sticky!" i said and plopped the little bottle in my purse and took off to get what I came for to begin with.

I pay, drive home and go into my bathroom to charge the sonicare. And while I'm in there, I take the little bottle out of my purse to set on the closet shelf.

Then I glance at the label.

Oh
My
God.

Oh my god! I would have cried had I not begun to laugh so hard. I had just stood in the center of Walmart and rubbed KY (female lubricant) gel all over my face..

Boy, did I feel stupid.

Selena

Well dang, I missed it by a couple of weeks but March 31st was the 15th anniversary of the murder of Selena Quintanilla Perez. I remember when it happened and the feeling of tragedy persists still, evey time one of her songs is played on the radio. I remember the news showed film of her wake and funeral and she lay in her open coffin, every bit as beautiful as she was in life, a little curl falling on her forehead.
God, was it really 15 years ago????




Selena, rest in peace, Angel.

Moving Again?

It's not set in stone yet, but we are in all likelihood moving here within the next few months. This is where my family is and this is truly paradise:












This little city that I love is right on the ocean. I found this video on youtube and it made me sit here, grinning like a fool. Please, be kind to yourself and watch it; this is what life should be like.

Studio 54

In a post a few days back I mentioned that I went to Studio 54. Several of you wondered what it was like. In one word... AMAZING.

I didn't go during the 70's when it was at its most popular. i went in the mid 80's. I didn't even know if we would get in because they hand picked lucky folks who waited outside the front door.

I remember there was a large crowd, everyone hoping to get picked so I was delighted when the muscular bouncer pointed at me and said "You. And your friends." Ohhhh yeahhhh!

We were all dressed up in our party clothes, mine a long, wide sleeved, low cut lame gold top over some tight tight Jordache jeans. That was the 'cool' style' back then. The closest I could find to give you an idea would be this, but tucked in at the waist and with long sleeves:



Today I would be laughed at but back then it was considered sexy to the Nth degree. Trust me on that.

There were little bars scattered here and there. The bartenders all looked like Chippendale dancers, the most gorgeous young men I have ever seen, shirtless wih a white collar and black bow tie, white cuffs at their wrists. The bars were semi circular and brightly lit.

We got to the dance floor. This was truly an old Studio, complete with cement bleachers facing a rather small dance floor. There were balconies surrounding the sides and one of them held a very special guest that night. You might have heard of him. His name is Mick Jagger.

Waiters dressed identical to the bartenders took our drink orders. As we waited for our drinks, I glanced to the left...there were folks sitting there cutting cocaine on a tray. To the right, same thing. in fact, there were drugs everywhere.

Directly behind the stage was a screen. It showed the dancers close up. I wasnt there very long when this guy asked me to dance and off I took, under brilliant, flashing lights, switching over to black lights, switching again to disco rainbow lights rotating around the floor. To each side was a bulky short cannon shooting off sponge pink hearts into the dancers. (I still have a few of those.)

The bathrooms were a real trip...black walls, cut crystal designs embedded into them. a real cloak lady who charged me a quarter for a pin because the top button of my blouse kept coming undone, and then asked me if she could please fasten it for me. (I told her 'NO!")

I cant remember what time the place closed, but I do remember that the sun was rising. I had danced and danced and danced...my ultimate dream evening.

Now, I must tell you, I loved going to NYC to dance and tho I will always treasure the time I spent at Studio 54, it wasn't the only place where I have gone. I also would go to Danceteria, (Madonnas hangout back then, and yes, I've seen her on stage there.)





But my all time favorite NYC hangout was The Ritz. Man, that place rocked.
(I saw Billy Idol perform there one time.)

Here is a clip I found on Youtube of Kiss performing at the Ritz:



It was a fun life. Yeas it was...

Random stuff

These are just some random photos I thought I'd share with you. because I'm too lazy to write a post.

This is a photo of one of my lizards in the process of shedding. It took me a while to figure out where its head was, but I finally figured out that it's 'top shot', looking down on the little adorable critter.



I just thought this was funny.




This is Sophie, my daughter's min pin, on a trip to Pet Smart. what can I say? I have new living room furniture and shes not spayed. I don't care how stupid she feels.




Okay, this is a photo of my (pissed) son and his gf/fiancee, taken Easter afternoon in my backyard. (His new haircut makes him look like my little boy again! awww..) He's pissed because we dragged him away from the wii so we could take his picture.




This is Kim, my d-i-l to be. Isn't she pretty?




This is just a random photo of a sponge heart that was shot out of a cannon on the dance floor of Studio 54, many many moons ago (proof that I REALLY was there:)




My daughter's bears from her childhood..aww..that polar bear has been thru a lot:




Okay, that's it for now.

Blessed Easter, Fabergé Eggs and the Romanovs

Fabergé Imperial Easter Egg ＆The Romanov Family

Awkward Family Photos

I was looking around over at Awkward Family Photos when I came upon this photo:



Now, that's a whooollllle lotta big hair and I thought to myself, hey..I'm going to write a blog about perms, specifically MY perms. I've only had two and I don't remember my first (I just remember that my sisters friend, Scottie, gave it to me and that I hated it.)

My second perm was about 15 years ago. I had hair past my waist and decided to get a spiral perm. Boy was I excited because my hair is stick straight, which is in style now but sure wasn't back then. I pictured myself looking like Debra Winger in Urban Cowboy.



But there was a problem while I was having it done; after the solution was put on my hair, the mirror on the wall fell off and landed on this woman's arm, severely cutting her. Everybody freaked out while blood was squirting all over hells acres. Except me. I stayed calm, grabbed her arm, raised it and tied a towel around it, pressing hard against the cut as I held the towel to keep it from slipping. The hairdresser was crying in a hallway and it took me a few minutes to get her to calm down enough to call 911. By the time the ambulance arrived and the EMTs took over, that solution had been sitting on my hair for a long long time. I knew I was in trouble.

The hairdresser did her best but the solution had done its job really well and I was left with something that looked remarkably like this:



I wanted to die.

After about four months it began to relax and eventually, after multiple trims, it returned to looking like hair.

So I'm thinking of writing about that here when I come across this family photo:



The caption underneath read:"This family wants to know what you're staring at.."

At first, I just thought it was a really bad photo but then I took a better look and began to really guffaw. Oh my god, did I get a case of the big old belly laughs. If you look at mom's face, it's pretty obvious she was the one who wanted the family photo. She looks so happy and so proud of her family. I'll bet she stopped smiling when she saw the photo, though!

Egg Day

Today is Holy Thursday. We used to refer to this day, when my kids were younger, as 'Egg Day;' on this day we would boil and color eggs but also, I would pickle eggs too, in a brine of beet juice and red wine vinegar along, of course, with the usual pickling spices. These are very tasty, very pretty eggs.

We no longer dye eggs but I think I will pickle some later. This is what they look like, after pickling for a couple of weeks:




Today I am also going to to butcher's shop to pick up a five to eight rib, standing rib roast, which becomes, when the bone is removed, prime rib. I'll get the thick end. This is for our Easter dinner and I'll cook it according to Julia Child's recipe; I'll cut 'tunnels' throughout the meat prior to cooking, stuff those with garlic soaked in olive oil. I'll rub the outside with thyme, cracked pepper and sea salt and roast it in a pan on top of quite a bit of carrots and onions, in a slow oven for several hours until it is cooked to a medium rare. after that, I'll crush the veggies in a pot with some broth and cook it down to make a sauce. Sometimes I use this broth to make a Yorkshire pudding, but I won't do that this year.

Along with the prime rib I'll steam some asparagus, topped with a homemade hollandaise sauce, and make a traditional Italian 'Easter Salad,' which is simply an antipasto made with alternating sliced hard boiled eggs, orange slices, ham slices, mozzarella slices, covered with olive oil and crushed black pepper (this is made the night before so that all the ingredients develop a slight orange tang.)

For dessert, a home made strawberry shortcake, made with my mothers sweet biscuit recipe.

Who needs chocolate on Easter when all this is here for the eating?