DelBloggolo

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?

Address: 1231 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Phone:(423) 886-6943

Hours: Open today · 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

DO YOU WATCH THE BIG BANG THEORY?

You should, it will keep you comfy-cozy!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE

Then again!

If you live in the Northeast, you know what winters here are like, a constant daily dose of overcast days sometimes filled with snow fall and ice, accompanied by sleet and freezing rain. This is the Northeast after all and besides who wants all that sunshine and warmth all the time. How would we ever propagate?

I happen to be a big fan of the winter, I hate the humidity and as long as there is heat in the house, I will enjoy the weather for what it is worth. I sleep much better in the silence of the heat than the noise of an air-conditioner. My appetite is more robust as is my willingness to do things.

La Principessa

Being I am retired I decide how much loving I want to do about the winter, there is always a trip to Southern California and La Principessa of course and that really warms me up! Then there is the window. Nothing like looking out the window as the snow falls and you have no place to go. All this was not the case when I worked of course, then I hated the snow, the long hours driving 30 miles to work every day and then anther 30 back. It usually took forever, and you had to have eyes in the back of your head while on the road.

But sometimes even I can get sick of it. The week after a major storm and the following days of ice buildup and dreary days, you look on the TV and they forecast a major storm again! You hope to yourself that the storm will miss, and that the weather man is wrong. Hope holds out until the flakes start to come down, then you feel your heart drop and your mood change or swing as they say; then it becomes depressing.

I don’t know if I could enjoy Christmas or Christmas Eve in a warm climate, somehow singing jingle bells in the hot sun and humidity is kind of sad. To me, to go to Florida I might as well just hang it up and wait for the grim reaper. At least when the winter hits, there is the draw of Broadway and the big city, filled with so much to do and see. It is in the winter that I spend most of the time going to off-Broadway shows, enjoying every one of them. Restaurants become more interesting in that they change their menus to seasonal plates and so the variations are wonderful. That is what holds me to the 4 seasons is the tradition of each season is seasonal, if that makes sense to you.

There is nothing like the anticipation of the first day of spring like weather! It invigorates you, puts a bounce in your steps and makes you feel good all over. The coming of summer now has a place and you spend it with the traditions that you grew up with, and just when the heat and humidity becomes too much, there is Fall in the air, a cooling down that is delicious and a look back at the traditions you so loved as a child, Halloween and Thanksgiving and then the big holidays of Christmas and New Years Eve.

How could I ever enjoy college football in the heat? And the NFL, I need my easy chair on the fall afternoon, chips beside me with my nephew screaming at the tube as I make fun of my team.

Baseball needs the lazy afternoons of the summer to watch a lazy high fly ball settle in the glove of the center fielder, a sip of beer and a laid back feeling of contentment.

No, give me the Northeast weather, keep your Florida and I will die happy, not hot and sweating!

As we waited for a bus in the frosty weather, the woman next to me mentioned that she makes a lot of mistakes when texting in the cold.

I nodded knowingly. “It’s the early signs of typothermia.”

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?

Address: 1231 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Phone:(423) 886-6943

Hours: Open today · 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

DO YOU WATCH THE BIG BANG THEORY?

You should, it will keep you warm!

Monday, February 16, 2015

THE MTA HAS NOTHING ON MY DENTIST OR ME

"Open wider." requested the dentist, as he began his examination of the patient. "Good God !" he said startled. "You've got the biggest cavity I've ever seen - the biggest cavity I've ever seen." "OK Doc !" replied the patient. "I'm scared enough without you saying something like that twice." "I didn't !" said the dentist. "That was the echo."

Being a man I tend to not do things that should be done for myself, buying clothes or going to the doctor and in this case, the dentist. As a result, I was down to a few teeth and decided to go to the dentist and see if he could do something. My prerequisite was no needles and no drilling or picking at my gums. This was about 5 months ago.

Since I have been to the dentist, he has drilled, stuck me with more needles than a pincushion and has picked my gums along with the Periodontist and some guy who specializes in coming in on Thursdays.

Now my diner is next door to the dentist office. I like to open my mouth in the diner because only good things happen, but if I go next door… I’m afraid they will stick the Que-tip loaded with numbness for the needle and stick me with it! And this is while I’m still getting out of my car!

Now you must be thinking: “DelBloggolo, stop being such a baby! We all have stuff like that done to us: but you don’t hear us complaining!” No I don’t, and I don’t care, I don’t like to be stuck with needles or see the smoke coming out of my mouth while the dentist drills, nor do I like it when they stick some foreign object in my mouth that holds my mouth open and his assistant keeps asking me questions.

“How you doing?” “Are you all right?” Meanwhile my mouth is wide open and nothing can come from it and even if I could talk, the noise of the drill or the sledgehammer will drown out my answer!

I'm afraid to open my mouth!!!

Actually I’m a good patient, I don’t cry in the dentist chair, all that is done prior to and after the work is done. I leave the mouth open, the doctor hasn’t been bitten… yet, and I do whatever is asked.

And so, all of this will continue, since I’m having bridge work done, and there are three more bridges to build yet. The one currently under construction I’m calling the Brooklyn bridge, there is still the Williamburg, the Queens 59^th Street and the Tappan Zee bridges to go yet. The MTA has nothing on my dentist and me.

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?

Address: 1231 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Phone:(423) 886-6943

Hours: Open today · 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

DO YOU WATCH THE BIG BANG THEORY?

You should, it will leave you with a toothy smile!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND

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I'm on a strict running program.

I started yesterday.

I've only missed one day so far.

I love to watch people, having done so since I was in college waiting for long periods of time for trains, and seeing how they behave; behaviors are all part of a persona.

The other morning I was on one of the self-torturing devices at the gym when I noticed this new face or should I say old body wandering around in a black t-shirt and sweat pants. The guy obviously needed to be at the gym and he must have just signed up, determined to lose some weight. He looked like he desperately needed a shave, and looked like he just go up from bed. That the witching hour was 6:30 am, it is understandable. He probably had to go to work yet.

They have vays to make me talk

Roaming around the floor, he was inspecting all the gym equipment, reading what they do and on occasion tugging on one or two of the devices but looking somewhat bewilded and self-conscious. Gingerly he touched one piece of apparatus then another, going slowly and in a quizzical bind. He was fun to watch and I felt sorry for him. Not wanting to break my rhythm, I left him alone, but really wanted to introduce myself and explain some of the stuff to him, but I come first in these circumstances.

usually more than one!

Finally he settled on something, something I don’t use since it is not designed to work within my routine and goals. It is a pulley-like contraption with a long black rope that you pull on endlessly. It was left on an easy setting from a young woman who had just left it and so the guy tried it out. Suddenly his whole demeanor came to life and he had a great time pulling, the rope flying by at a rapid pace! When he was done, he walked to the locker room, his morning done. I couldn’t help myself and went over to the contraption just to see what the setting was. It was without any resistance, only about 10 pounds! The poor guy really fooled himself into thinking he had a workout!

I think if I ever see him again I will introduce myself and get to know him.

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?

Address: 1231 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Phone:(423) 886-6943

Hours: Open today · 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

DO YOU WATCH THE BIG BANG THEORY?

You should, it gives you strength!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

ROMANTIC VALENTINES

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Jim asked his friend, Tony, whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day.

'Yes,' came the answer from Tony who was a bit of a chauvinist, 'I've bought her a belt and a bag.'

'That was very kind of you,' Jim added, 'I hope she appreciated the thought.'

Tony smiled as he replied, 'So do I, and hopefully the vacuum cleaner will work better now.'

I’m the sentimentalist, the one that remembers all the significant dates from our courtship through our marriage; anniversaries just roll off my wallet. TLW (The Little Woman) on the other hand likes to show up.

I go through the process of doing something romantic if I can stealthily, without getting caught. One year I plugged in our wedding song in her CD player of her car, she turned on the ignition and it immediately reminded her of our anniversary. When it comes to our engagement day, January 15^th is celebrated, as is June 19^th, our wedding anniversary.

I remember the years in terms of number as in our 44^th this year, her birthday and any other occasion there might be.

The most romantic anniversary was not spent in a restaurant or hotel, but at home. No kids were in the house, she was working that Valentines Day, and I spent the day making a dinner for us. What made it special was when she got home, in a blizzard, we locked our door and in the dining room waited a set table and view of the snow from a window that overlook the outside drifts and cold. We were snug and cozy, candlelight and soft music, lobster and Chateau Brian with wine, cocktails and appetizers; it was a magical night way back then.

I hate to go to restaurants on holidays or special occasions sometimes, it seems getting a reservation is a pain if everyone and his wife or sweetheart is doing the same thing. The restaurants are more interested in moving you in and out so accommodate the next seating.

Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better.
William Shakespeare in Twelfth Night (Act III, Scene I)

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE TLW, MY SWEET DAUGHTER ELLEN, AND TO MY BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTER DARBY SHEA AND HER BEAUTIFUL MOMMY COURTNEY AND ALL YOU OUT THERE! I love you all!

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?

Address: 1231 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Phone:(423) 886-6943

Hours: Open today · 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

DO YOU WATCH THE BIG BANG THEORY?

You should, its romantic!

Friday, February 13, 2015

DR. STRANGEGLOVE RECOMMENDS

A woman and her husband interrupted their vacation to go to the dentist. "I want a tooth pulled, and I don't want any vaccine because I'm in a big hurry," the woman said. "Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible, and we'll be on our way." The dentist was quite impressed. "You're certainly a courageous woman," he said. "Which tooth is it?" The woman turned to her husband and said, "Show him your tooth, dear."

Went to the doctor for my quarterly checkup recently and Dr. Strangeglove was in a fine mood, dispensing with advice. It seems that the shingles virus is a real thing and he went into his pitch.

“Have you had the shingles vaccine yet?”

“No.” (Said rather disinterestedly)

“You know shingles is very painful.”

“So I heard.”

“You want the vaccine?”

“Sure, shoot.”

“No, I can’t give it to you, we don’t give it here.”

“Oh! Were do I get it?”

“At the pharmacy. I had it and it is very painful!”

“The vaccine is painful!?”

“No, the shingles virus is. I recommend you get it.”

“Ok.”

“Do you want a script? I really recommend you get it.”

“Get the script?”

“No, the shot, that’s what the script is for.”

“Ok, give me the script and I’ll go to the pharmacy for the vaccine.”

“I suggest you go as soon as possible, it is awfully painful.”

It is important to keep the lines of communication open with Dr. Strangeglove, he knows what’s best. So off I go to the Pharmacy, with my script, for the shingles vaccine. There is of course a long line of people ahead of me and the lady behind the counter is in a deep conversation with one of the people on line, who can’t just end it, she needs to continue to question the pharmacist about piddling things of no consequence. S L O W L Y, the line moves along, I’m next! Oh happy days, I’m next, I’ll give the pharmacist the script and be on my way!

The phone rings.

The pharmacist is now in a long conversation with someone, I stand there patiently, about to swear off in both English and Italian, with appropriate hand gestures to boot. This conversation continues. It continues some more then continues. The pharmacist hangs up. “I’ll be right with you” she says and disappears. I want to kill, anybody, and in particular the pharmacist, yes, just place my fingers in an interlocking position around her throat and hear her gurgle as she falls limp to the floor. FINALLY she returns, nonchalantly asking me how I’m doing.

Being a nice guy, I keep my hands to myself and her neck remains safe. She asks for my insurance card then tells me the shot is free. She has done a lot to save her neck.

“Do you want the shot in your left arm or your right arm?”

“Huh? I don’t care, either arm, why… is there a left handed needle and a right handed needle????”

“Go over there: pointing to a wall with chairs and have a seat, you will have to fill out a questionnaire.”

I sit for a while, answer the questionnaire and wait for the shot, which has to thaw first. Out she comes eventually, a whole red basket filled with medical stuff, she’s looking like Little Red Riding Hood.

Now when someone approaches you in a public place with a needle for you, you hope they say: “roll up your sleeve.” Whew, she did!

“Is this your first time giving a needle?”

“If I say ‘Yes’, would it scare you?”

“Oh! Now you’re needling me!”

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?

Address: 1231 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

Phone:(423) 886-6943

Hours: Open today · 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

DO YOU WATCH THE BIG BANG THEORY?

You should, it really sticks with you!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

VISITING MY PEOPLE

Life can be lonely for some of us, it all depends upon what God’s plan is and like God; His plan is mystical. We don’t know why things pan out like they do, and why they happen to certain of us and not others, what does it all mean?

Recently as a co-chair to a committee that oversees the lives of certain people who have no one else to advocate for them but the committee, two of the guardianees became ill, so ill they required hospitalization. Both these people are in their 70’s or close to it and have suffered all their lives with physical and mental disabilities. They are the ‘forgotten people’ of God’s creation, set aside from the world that we all live in and hardly appreciate. I call them ‘My People” because they are in need of someone being interested in their welfare and although they reside in a home built for their care, they also reside in relative anonymity. The staff that cares for them loves them, and that is important, love is a great equalizer sometimes. But the outside world knows little of nor does it care about the daily existence of someone who sits in a wheel chair where their body is so mangled and entangled, contorted and distorted, that she can not even swallow without danger of asphyxiation or choking. Nor do they concern themselves with a gentleman who is blind, sits in a wheel chair and has life so hard he is constantly in the ER of a hospital, while the doctors try their best to figure out why we vomits up a coffee grind like substance and can’t swallow. Feeding tubes? That is a way if life for both!

On a quiet Saturday night, I took a trip to their home and visited them after leaving my daughter off, who has issues of her own. As they sit in their wheel chairs, their attention is far off somewhere else. Maybe it is a memory of a loved one, maybe an event, or maybe just sadness prevails their souls and hearts, dulling their minds from the life around them, if you can call that life.

I approached one, the lady and asked her how she felt, knowing she was recently released from the hospital, holding her hand, she looked at me, turning her head slowly, penetrating my eyes with hers, they expressed her whole heart without words, just the look of surprise that someone was even next to her, let alone holding her hand. I did all the talking, she did all the listening and she told me a lot about her. I wonder, where does this sadness come from, and when will it ever leave us?

The gentleman I found in his wheel chair too, asleep. His eyes closed he was in a semi-conscious state of sleep, he could hear me and yet he slept, his head turning from side to side as I tried to communicate my concern to him. I have known him a long time; so long that he has visited my home on a number of occasions. He is a big storyteller, relating stories about how he rides the subways and has martinis; all of it impossible, and with his salty language endeared himself to both my wife and me.

When I read the newspapers, or visit Facebook, and read about the wars and hatred because we are Jews or Muslims or Christians, I toss that all in the giant heap of crap that prevails in this world and wonder how we can waste money on arms and attrition, yet not embrace ourselves in the name of God, not Muhammad, not Jesus, but the true maker of all of us?

As I drove home that night, I wondered why my people exist. Why did God put them on this Earth and why he left them in such horrors? Did He do it to punish them? I doubt it; did He do it to set an example? Maybe but what? Or did He do it so they could teach us, perhaps raise the element of the Human spirit higher than it is? Maybe we need to reexamine what humanity is suppose to mean. Maybe we need to have someone who can pound us on our collective heads and tell us: destroy your weapons, discard your religions, and seek human justice not for yourselves but for others. When will we ever learn? We suffer as a collective species, seeking to destroy ourselves in the name of religious prophets, yet we ignore God, and his own creation, one that we will either save or destroy.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

ON MY HONOR

A Scout Master was teaching his boy scouts about survival in the desert. "What are the three most important things you should bring with you in case you get lost in the desert?" he asked. Several hands went up, and many important things were suggested such as food, matches, etc.

Then one little boy in the back eagerly raised his hand. "Yes Timmy, what are the three most important things you would bring with you?" asked the Scout Master. Timmy replied: "A compass, a canteen of water, and a deck of cards."

"Why's that Timmy?"

"Well," answered Timmy, "the compass is to find the right direction, the water is to prevent dehydration..."

"And what about the deck of cards?" asked the Scout Master impatiently.

"Well, Sir, as soon as you start playing Solitaire, someone is bound to come up behind you and say, "Put that red nine on top of that black ten!"

It was 1956, and I wanted to be a Boy Scout.

I broke the news to my parents rather suddenly. “Dad, Mom, I want to be a Boy Scout.” “Go back to sleep!” they said.

Have a question or comment for the Scout Executive?

“You a Boy Scout!?” said Dad. ”Yea sure, be a Boy Scout,” said my Mom.

My best friend at the time, Gerry Murray convinced me to join the scouts. The meeting was being held at the Verne Critz Elementary School, AKA Dunton Avenue School, on where else but Dunton Avenue in East Patchogue.

My dream was coming true, I was going to be a scout and I would bypass the cub scouts because I was too old, get me a uniform to impress the girls and strike out in life as a do-gooder for little old ladies and animals.

The first meeting was in the auditorium and a whole bunch of us were joining up. The Scout Master gave us an introduction and we learned what it would mean to be a scout, a rulebook was available for a price as well as the need for a scout uniform, the cost a whopping $12! That was looming as a problem, since I had to get this approved by Dad. He usually didn’t have 12 cents for me to waste yet alone 12 dollars. For a week he skirted the issue, probably wondering where he would get the money for a uniform.

The next time I met with the Boy Scouts was in the beginning of February, a brutal cold and bitter night. What do we talk about? Why an outdoor camping trip, which would cost more money, and equipment, needed to do this. Suddenly like a blow to the stomach I realize a bad word was said: “Outdoor”! It certainly didn't go with “camping” on a cold wintry night, and to think they would spend the weekend camping out, well, it just didn’t excite me. No, the thought of my sleeping in the snow with a howling wind and a little campfire to keep my tootsies warm was unappealing.

Going home I decided that my career as a scout was over. The glory of wearing a uniform with squares with troop numbers in them on my shoulders was done, I was sleeping in a nice warm cozy bed while those dummies were sleeping with the ice cycles. To this day, when the wind howls and the snow drifts I wonder if there are any boy scout campers out there, then I just cover my head and go to sleep, a nice warm sleep.

LOOKING FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN?