I was checking out my nifty computer earlier today. I checked e-mails, Face book, horoscopes, library lists, map quest, the Ohio State Fair. Nothing was extraordinary, really. I tweeted,I posted, I chatted, I Linked-In. I responded to funnies, nasty-grams. I wept when I brought up my banking screen. Ah, business as usual. And then...two invitations struck me...right in my Cyber-Space.
"Poker Run on Saturday. Breakfast at Am Vets at 10. Ride for Disabled Veterans, dinner and music, dancing at post afterwards. Come join the fun!"
NOT A SHOT!!!! 1,000,000 MILES ON A BIKE? I LOVE VETERANS, BUT, CAN I EAT AND WALK?
AND
"Ride for the best Bologna Sandwiches in Ohio...meet behind Dot's Market. 100 miles...Worth it!"
NOT A SHOT!!!! 100 MILES FOR A SANDWICH ON THE BACK OF A 'BIKE"? OUCH!!!
God love my friend! Let me back up...
One lonely evening, about three, maybe four years ago, I was sitting in our local Am Vets establishment. I had been making jokes, riddles and funny stories with a friend, who happened to be a "Rider". (He portrayed Darla Darling's (ME) motorcycle riding husband. In one episode, I did take a short ride on the back of the bike with a plant...don't ask). Those are the Veterans with time and buckets of cash to ride Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. Am Vets has "Riders" I am a member of the Auxiliary, by the way, but that is so not what I am writing about! Scot's friend, "Rags" walked in. I froze! I mean that fear overcame me! There stood a 6'3" leather clad, lean, imposing man! Black boots, black leather everything except for his rugged features! Tall, silent, strong. The weenie in me trembled as what was left of my arms and legs melted like warm Jell-O. He sort of glanced my way. The smarty pants, quick mouthed, fast wit ME was struck dumb! We all left at about the same time. Scot a.k.a. "Shooter" and "Rags" left at about the same time that I did. There in the parking lot, not far from my little white car stood two huge Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. EEEEEKS.
Fast forward, time passed. About two years ago, I went to a fund raiser "Hair For Kids" at Am Vets. The trio had participated in a bowling afternoon to contribute funds for wigs for Children Cancer Patients. After raffles, dinner, the children went home with my daughter. "Rags" was there! He had on a designer shirt, nice pants, real shoes! No bandanna, but smart hair cut! Rugged, handsome. Hmmmmm. He was speaking with other "Riders" about real subjects. He conversed about theatre, a CLIO Award, his career, etc. Then the music started! This man could dance!!!! I mean, I hadn't met a dancer like him since my Cousin John and Billy (dance contest partner...mentioned a number of blogs ago). So, he asked me to dance! Oh, but yes!!!! That man could move and never stop! I asked him where he learned to dance like he did (picturing stomping in biker boots). I learned that with about 1,000,000 older sisters, at least that many Bar Mitzvahs, he hadn't a choice but to learn to dance and to learn well!
He had made a comment that if he knew that I needed television cameras to get on a "Bike", he would have signed up for DARLA, years ago! So, we arranged to "go riding" on the following Tuesday. I had taken a spin with "Dan Darling" when we took "La Petite" (our plant) for a ride (comedy show, don't ask). So, this may not be a bad "thing". I stressed about what to wear. Suzanne ( a go-to sort who knows many things and is helpful friend) and I came up with an outfit. I was ready on time (miraculously). We rode gently to what I thought was a rustic, quaint restaurant. (It turns out that it was a Biker Bar...who knew?). The spring and summer were passing! I was invited to participate in a Poker Run (I told Mom that it was a fundraiser for Veterans like a progressive dinner...not on the back of a motorcycle). We rode on motorcycles in a group to various VFW and AMVET posts, wound up miles and miles later with sore bums and starving for dinner. I was told that I was a "natural". It was easy to have me on the back of a "Bike" and so it went.
I was no longer afraid of "Rags", but, I still had a lot of respect for two wheels and a motor on real roads. Okay, I was a little frightened. Scratch that...I was scared, but I could hold on like no body's business! I wore out two sets of Rosary Beads at about that time, as well.
AND THEN
"Hey, Laura! Do you want to see the moving Vietnam Wall? It will be in Sydney this weekend!" Now kids, get this...Sydney is at least a 1 1/2 hour ride by highway. I specifically wouldn't/won't ride a motorcycle on a highway...so, how far? " We'll (Riders & all Vietnam Veterans), have breakfast, ride up, see the wall, spend the day, have dinner later..." Note to self; NEVER, EVER respond as I did again: "Oh, sure! I'll go to early Mass and quickly change before breakfast! Sounds great!" NOT!
That morning, I went to Mass. I hustled to secure my hair, put on a new Biker get up (he used to own a biker store in Florida after winning CLIO, etc), smartly rode about four inches on the Harley for breakfast with the Riders. Ah-ha. Official "road captains" led the formation to the Wall...well, actually, we rode back roads for an hour or so. We rode, attentive to "captains". We rode, backtracked, rode, circled, detoured and after two hours, were officially lost! After stopping at a tiny country store, we learned that we were really lost! Beyond lost...I mean LOST! The only remedy...Interstate Highway 75 North! A highway!!!!! Oh no! Oh no, no,no!!!
We climbed on the Motorcycles. The "Riders" revved their engines. One by one, the Bikes took off. Rags glanced over his shoulder..."I'm sorry kid! You'll be fine. Hold on. Ready?" Off we went! I proceeded to hold on so tightly around his body that I am surprised that he didn't suffer cracked ribs. I am surprised that he could breathe at all. For twenty minutes, we drove up the highway. For twenty minutes, I held on so tightly that my arms were numb! I choked back tears. I prayed as if the local Monastery needed Religious Education.
We arrived at the field of the Wall. One by one, the Riders parked their bikes in a perfect line. Reverently, the Riders removed their bandannas. Silently, they processed to the Wall. Citizens began thanking the men for their service. A murmur could be heard telling stories of loved ones. Rags was swept up in the moment, the emotions, the loss, a different time and place. The men practically held hands as they approached the Wall.
Rather shakily they processed. Rather shakily, I, after I dismounted from the Harley, took a breath. Rather shakily, I took in my surroundings. I broke into a run, found a remote tree...I cried and deposited my breakfast, my dinner from the evening before, and I believe that I was there for so long, I deposited the first Zwieback teething cookie that I ever gummed!
I was bundled and returned via backroads to civilization. We are tremendous friends and he has saved me from myself countless times. However, when he does...we use his truck. Four wheels, seats with backs. Air conditioning. Seat belts. A rugged, cool man knows that I have to ride in a Weenie-mobile...well, at least my seat.
Face it...I was just not BORN TO BE WILD.
Laura Macy Author & Actress
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
AHOY! SWASHBUCKLING FUN! PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE!
Whew! What an evening! On the last evening that the trio, Tiff and I were in Orlando, Florida, we took the children to live the Pirate's Life! Really! This was done at THE PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE. The brochure advertising this extravaganza makes two claims: 1."Voted Best Dinner Show Theatre 2010" and 2."If there were an academy award for dinner shows, Pirate's Dinner Adventure would win an Oscar for set design." Both of these claims are modest and understated! Both of these claims are TRUE, TRUE, TRUE!
An evening at the Pirate's Dinner Adventure is amazing! We, as we dined on a generous, tasty meal, saw swordplay, aerial artistry and acrobatics that were dazzling! The stage was a pirate ship. Water surrounded the "ship". The special effects of a sea battle, effects of a storm at sea, pyrotechnics, fantastic rigging were so impressive that one could only ooooooo and ahhhhhhhh for the entire show! There was a traditional intricate story of good vs. evil, romance, family conflict, a Princess, a Pirate Captain, Gypsy captive, treasure, reference to Davy Jones' Locker, ruthless and lovable pirates. The show was interactive. We sat in the "Purple" Pirate's section of the theatre. (There were six color sections, much like Medieval Times). We cheered our pirate, we drank (unsweetened iced tea and diet cola) and sang with our mugs aloft joining in the bawdy drinking song! Children were selected to assist the pirates in their conflicts. Artistry, humor, agility were evident throughout the evening! The audience began to sing along to traditional pirate songs that we all learned in our youth, here and there.
There was no end to the action; no end to the music, causing the audience to become more and more involved in the spectacle before it! The servers (giving excellent service) maintained "character" as pirates enhancing the all- enveloping atmosphere.
Tess and Tanner wore pirate costumes for the evening. Todd wore a Pirate Shirt. After the performance, the Purple Pirate, our pirate, complimented Tanner's jacket and asked Tanner to remain in one particular spot, outside of the dressing room door. The Pirate emerged from his "space" with an autograph for Tanner and Pirate Hats for all three children. An extremely gracious pirate, he was. He took the time to acknowledge the children during his break between performances!
So, readers, if you should venture to Orlando, if you do nothing else for an entertaining dinner, please, please, attend the PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE on Carrier Drive! You will be impressed, well-fed and soooooooooo entertained! Go with a sense of humor, listen closely and watch ever closer than that for a rollicking, fun, incredible evening. You will not be disappointed nor sorry. The only crime would be not attending at all! So swash those buckles and permission to board...THE PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE will fill you with grub and good cheer!
An evening at the Pirate's Dinner Adventure is amazing! We, as we dined on a generous, tasty meal, saw swordplay, aerial artistry and acrobatics that were dazzling! The stage was a pirate ship. Water surrounded the "ship". The special effects of a sea battle, effects of a storm at sea, pyrotechnics, fantastic rigging were so impressive that one could only ooooooo and ahhhhhhhh for the entire show! There was a traditional intricate story of good vs. evil, romance, family conflict, a Princess, a Pirate Captain, Gypsy captive, treasure, reference to Davy Jones' Locker, ruthless and lovable pirates. The show was interactive. We sat in the "Purple" Pirate's section of the theatre. (There were six color sections, much like Medieval Times). We cheered our pirate, we drank (unsweetened iced tea and diet cola) and sang with our mugs aloft joining in the bawdy drinking song! Children were selected to assist the pirates in their conflicts. Artistry, humor, agility were evident throughout the evening! The audience began to sing along to traditional pirate songs that we all learned in our youth, here and there.
There was no end to the action; no end to the music, causing the audience to become more and more involved in the spectacle before it! The servers (giving excellent service) maintained "character" as pirates enhancing the all- enveloping atmosphere.
Tess and Tanner wore pirate costumes for the evening. Todd wore a Pirate Shirt. After the performance, the Purple Pirate, our pirate, complimented Tanner's jacket and asked Tanner to remain in one particular spot, outside of the dressing room door. The Pirate emerged from his "space" with an autograph for Tanner and Pirate Hats for all three children. An extremely gracious pirate, he was. He took the time to acknowledge the children during his break between performances!
So, readers, if you should venture to Orlando, if you do nothing else for an entertaining dinner, please, please, attend the PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE on Carrier Drive! You will be impressed, well-fed and soooooooooo entertained! Go with a sense of humor, listen closely and watch ever closer than that for a rollicking, fun, incredible evening. You will not be disappointed nor sorry. The only crime would be not attending at all! So swash those buckles and permission to board...THE PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE will fill you with grub and good cheer!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
THE MAGIC KINGDOM!
The trio (Todd, Tess, Tanner) , their Mom (Tiffany) and I spent a day at THE MAGIC KINGDOM of Disney World. It is called the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH! I am here to tell you, that it is!!!!
If we can honestly talk...my finances are a mess. My family is, well, strained (Just ask Steve, Nick, Tiff). But...
From the minute one steps foot on the "turf" of the MAGIC KINGDOM, enormous burdens, grief, unhappiness are dissipated and absorbed in the atmosphere of magic and joy of children and their enchantment with the very essence of joy Mr. Disney strove so diligently to create!
I always marvel and wonder what it would be like to live on MAIN STREET, USA. Do you know that my son's very first ice cream cone was tasted on the corner of Main Street? I could tell and retell stories of my visits to Disney and the milestones which I/we have experienced. But, I won't.
Directly, I will say though...
I am running to "casting" tomorrow to see what it takes to be a doll in IT'S A SMALL WORLD. I know the song! I could be one of the Italian children singing my heart out to visitors! I would be happy, carefree, admired (Okay, I know that my sister was stuck going through twenty-seven times on our first trip...not so admired, after all).
On my application at "casting", my second choice would be to move into the CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. Really! I first saw THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS in 1964 at the New York World's Fair! I thought it was brilliant at the time. I had no idea that it was Walt Disney's "thing". It is the longest running "show" in the history of time with the most performances. I want to move in! I want to just slip into the '40's and feel safe, calm, cared for. Life seems so very serene if I could just stay there. Did you ever want to slip into another dimension? Another time and place? You don't have to tell me. But, be honest with yourself (ves).
Just in case, I have considered a third choice at "casting". I love Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. I think that being involved in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and singing that song..."Yo ho, Yo ho, a Pirate's life for me..." would be great fun and interesting to the max. A little rugged, but, really, another time and place. Another unreal reality! I'm in!
Understand. I don't want to be a smiling "cast member" giving directions, etc. I want to BE IT'S A SMALL WORLD and move in. I want to LIVE IN THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. I want to BE ONE OF THE PIRATES' WENCHES whom you see and with whom you would sing along...
Todd was thrilled that he was asked to take control of the wheel of THE JUNGLE CRUISE boat
in which we rode. The "tour guide" asked him to join her at the helm and he drove that boat for the entire "tour" as she gave her humorous dissertation and tour. He was given credentials to return and command a tour boat again!
Tiffany and the boys went on Splash Mountain while Tess and I ventured to THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. Tiffany and the boys went to collect a Ghost Host to bring home from THE HAUNTED MANSION while Tess and I clapped, stomped and sang at THE COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE! I treasure the time sharing experiences, happy ones with the family. Donna, do you remember when some attractions required five tickets? Do you remember the Castle and the teapot we bought with the money that Nana gave us?
Tanner and my father, I believe, are in cahoots! If you recall, I, in my Father's Day Blog mentioned my fear of a ride involving a "stick" to hydraulically lift a plane into the air as it circled a center anchor. I would scream, "Don't touch the stick!" While Tiff took Todd and Tess to THE GRAND PRIX, Tanner and I went to the DUMBO FLYING CIRCUS RIDE. Uh-ha. We climbed into our "Dumbo". The ride began it's circle. Tanner reached over and touched the stick! We were flying high above FANTASYLAND! He laughed and laughed as he made our Dumbo rise and fall! As Meme, I stifled the urge to scream, "Don't touch the stick!" I was not unhappy when we had our feet firmly on the ground!
While Tiff and Tess took one more spin on THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS, Todd, Tanner and I went on a SPACE MISSION with BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! I was told to spin the ship while they blasted bad guys! I am a Space Scout, by the way!
Dinner with Winnie - The- Pooh and Friends was delicious and the characters were so fun, endearing, patient, loving to the children! I found myself complimenting Piglet's outfit and conversing with Tigger about autographs!
The Electric Light Parade prompted the children to wave continuously, giggle, cheer as the brilliantly lit floats and assorted characters passed, waved, tumbled. The floats majestically twinkled.
Fireworks set the sky ablaze with CINDERELLA'S CASTLE as the focal point! The fireworks which for an average evening take three hours to load (for New Year's Eve and The Fourth of July, it takes eight, by the way) were choreographed to music and a story! With the finale of the fireworks, as each sparkling pattern burst, so did the heart of the audience...or at least the Trio and their Mom and Meme!
Departing THE MAGIC KINGDOM is difficult. I wanted to stay forever! We carry with us the Memories, the Joy, the Bond that we shared the Magic together!
Thank you Walt Disney, Mickey, Minnie and all of the supporting cast for continuously reinforcing that it is possible to "wish upon a star and dreams come true"!
If we can honestly talk...my finances are a mess. My family is, well, strained (Just ask Steve, Nick, Tiff). But...
From the minute one steps foot on the "turf" of the MAGIC KINGDOM, enormous burdens, grief, unhappiness are dissipated and absorbed in the atmosphere of magic and joy of children and their enchantment with the very essence of joy Mr. Disney strove so diligently to create!
I always marvel and wonder what it would be like to live on MAIN STREET, USA. Do you know that my son's very first ice cream cone was tasted on the corner of Main Street? I could tell and retell stories of my visits to Disney and the milestones which I/we have experienced. But, I won't.
Directly, I will say though...
I am running to "casting" tomorrow to see what it takes to be a doll in IT'S A SMALL WORLD. I know the song! I could be one of the Italian children singing my heart out to visitors! I would be happy, carefree, admired (Okay, I know that my sister was stuck going through twenty-seven times on our first trip...not so admired, after all).
On my application at "casting", my second choice would be to move into the CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. Really! I first saw THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS in 1964 at the New York World's Fair! I thought it was brilliant at the time. I had no idea that it was Walt Disney's "thing". It is the longest running "show" in the history of time with the most performances. I want to move in! I want to just slip into the '40's and feel safe, calm, cared for. Life seems so very serene if I could just stay there. Did you ever want to slip into another dimension? Another time and place? You don't have to tell me. But, be honest with yourself (ves).
Just in case, I have considered a third choice at "casting". I love Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. I think that being involved in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and singing that song..."Yo ho, Yo ho, a Pirate's life for me..." would be great fun and interesting to the max. A little rugged, but, really, another time and place. Another unreal reality! I'm in!
Understand. I don't want to be a smiling "cast member" giving directions, etc. I want to BE IT'S A SMALL WORLD and move in. I want to LIVE IN THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. I want to BE ONE OF THE PIRATES' WENCHES whom you see and with whom you would sing along...
Todd was thrilled that he was asked to take control of the wheel of THE JUNGLE CRUISE boat
in which we rode. The "tour guide" asked him to join her at the helm and he drove that boat for the entire "tour" as she gave her humorous dissertation and tour. He was given credentials to return and command a tour boat again!
Tiffany and the boys went on Splash Mountain while Tess and I ventured to THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. Tiffany and the boys went to collect a Ghost Host to bring home from THE HAUNTED MANSION while Tess and I clapped, stomped and sang at THE COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE! I treasure the time sharing experiences, happy ones with the family. Donna, do you remember when some attractions required five tickets? Do you remember the Castle and the teapot we bought with the money that Nana gave us?
Tanner and my father, I believe, are in cahoots! If you recall, I, in my Father's Day Blog mentioned my fear of a ride involving a "stick" to hydraulically lift a plane into the air as it circled a center anchor. I would scream, "Don't touch the stick!" While Tiff took Todd and Tess to THE GRAND PRIX, Tanner and I went to the DUMBO FLYING CIRCUS RIDE. Uh-ha. We climbed into our "Dumbo". The ride began it's circle. Tanner reached over and touched the stick! We were flying high above FANTASYLAND! He laughed and laughed as he made our Dumbo rise and fall! As Meme, I stifled the urge to scream, "Don't touch the stick!" I was not unhappy when we had our feet firmly on the ground!
While Tiff and Tess took one more spin on THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS, Todd, Tanner and I went on a SPACE MISSION with BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! I was told to spin the ship while they blasted bad guys! I am a Space Scout, by the way!
Dinner with Winnie - The- Pooh and Friends was delicious and the characters were so fun, endearing, patient, loving to the children! I found myself complimenting Piglet's outfit and conversing with Tigger about autographs!
The Electric Light Parade prompted the children to wave continuously, giggle, cheer as the brilliantly lit floats and assorted characters passed, waved, tumbled. The floats majestically twinkled.
Fireworks set the sky ablaze with CINDERELLA'S CASTLE as the focal point! The fireworks which for an average evening take three hours to load (for New Year's Eve and The Fourth of July, it takes eight, by the way) were choreographed to music and a story! With the finale of the fireworks, as each sparkling pattern burst, so did the heart of the audience...or at least the Trio and their Mom and Meme!
Departing THE MAGIC KINGDOM is difficult. I wanted to stay forever! We carry with us the Memories, the Joy, the Bond that we shared the Magic together!
Thank you Walt Disney, Mickey, Minnie and all of the supporting cast for continuously reinforcing that it is possible to "wish upon a star and dreams come true"!
Friday, July 6, 2012
NAPLES, FLORIDA - THE HOME OF THE MEAN
The trio, my daughter and I were invited to spend a week at a friend's home in Naples, Florida. This broke up visits to the Magic of Lake Bueno Vista...four days before, four days after.
The house in which we are staying is absolutely beautiful. I mean movie set beautiful!
The spirit of the residents of Naples, Florida is absolutely mean! I mean, should be illegal nasty mean! All smiles, manners, politeness have been checked and discarded at the borders of this pit of inhumanity! Passing, no one smiles. The service individuals and restaurant servers train thoroughly in attitude and disrespect. The area is not child friendly at all. Apparently, the good people (if they can be called that) were never children. They must have been beamed down from another dimension as stony faced, intolerant adults to this Florida beach resort.
The trio and I went to a Publix Food Store on our first day in residence. They were showered, combed, pressed in Polo and Justice. I was sporting my Harve Bernard and Gucci. As we waited to "check out" the trio stood perfectly still and quietly held on to their candy bars. (One wrong move, they knew...candy gone.) A woman in front of us, in the check out line, wearing what I pegged as St. John, turned and scowled at us and gave a disgusted shake of her head as she passed a dirty look to me! The clerk, checked me out, mumbled the amount due, tossed items to a bagger who slammed the items into bags and plopped them into the cart as if this was a monumental inconvenience. The only decent person we met was a man, multitasking trying to stock freezers and had to run to the seafood counter. He was helpful and smiled!
At restaurants on the beach, it would be better just to pack and not impose on the order takers behind the counters. No pleasantries, no personality, no expression other than boredom.
Absolutely NO ONE is pleasant. NO ONE. I accidentally bumped into a gentleman (I think he was a homo sapien). I quickly smiled and said, "Oh, I am so sorry, excuse me." He growled and frowned. I mean he growled! Really?
Perhaps the Naples dwellers think that by extreme rudeness and nasty attitude, they can keep out the "riff-raff". Well, here you go Naples...
I have been a guest in the White House during the Reagan and both Bush administrations. I (SAG-AFTRA) have appeared in major motion pictures with assorted stars. I am a published author. I am educated,well spoken and a lady. I worship on Sundays, I am active in a patriotic organization. I am enormously close to my family (no kidding, remember the trio?) I love God, my country and Mom!
I have visited Beverly Hills, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Miami Beach, South Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, all Eastern Coastal States, Manhattan with a flavor of it's own, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio. I have visited Cancun, Grand Cayman, Belize, Honduras. I have stayed in the Bahamas. People couldn't be nicer in each locale. Our country and the islands are wonderful, their people amazingly eager to share their hearts and souls with pride in their geography.
HOW DARE YOU NAPLES,! HOW DARE YOU?
I met three nice senior citizens and two gracious men who helped me get onto a public WIFI system. Evidently, you were kidnapped by Aliens and dropped here accidentally.
I do not envy a Colony of Nasty Pants Men and Stony Faced Women. I do not admire the frost that encrusts this Florida Home of the Mean. If you choose to visit, don't trip over the smiles, manners, politeness that have been piled at the borders, since apparently they are forbidden to be brought in to Naples, Florida...The Home of the Mean!
The house in which we are staying is absolutely beautiful. I mean movie set beautiful!
The spirit of the residents of Naples, Florida is absolutely mean! I mean, should be illegal nasty mean! All smiles, manners, politeness have been checked and discarded at the borders of this pit of inhumanity! Passing, no one smiles. The service individuals and restaurant servers train thoroughly in attitude and disrespect. The area is not child friendly at all. Apparently, the good people (if they can be called that) were never children. They must have been beamed down from another dimension as stony faced, intolerant adults to this Florida beach resort.
The trio and I went to a Publix Food Store on our first day in residence. They were showered, combed, pressed in Polo and Justice. I was sporting my Harve Bernard and Gucci. As we waited to "check out" the trio stood perfectly still and quietly held on to their candy bars. (One wrong move, they knew...candy gone.) A woman in front of us, in the check out line, wearing what I pegged as St. John, turned and scowled at us and gave a disgusted shake of her head as she passed a dirty look to me! The clerk, checked me out, mumbled the amount due, tossed items to a bagger who slammed the items into bags and plopped them into the cart as if this was a monumental inconvenience. The only decent person we met was a man, multitasking trying to stock freezers and had to run to the seafood counter. He was helpful and smiled!
At restaurants on the beach, it would be better just to pack and not impose on the order takers behind the counters. No pleasantries, no personality, no expression other than boredom.
Absolutely NO ONE is pleasant. NO ONE. I accidentally bumped into a gentleman (I think he was a homo sapien). I quickly smiled and said, "Oh, I am so sorry, excuse me." He growled and frowned. I mean he growled! Really?
Perhaps the Naples dwellers think that by extreme rudeness and nasty attitude, they can keep out the "riff-raff". Well, here you go Naples...
I have been a guest in the White House during the Reagan and both Bush administrations. I (SAG-AFTRA) have appeared in major motion pictures with assorted stars. I am a published author. I am educated,well spoken and a lady. I worship on Sundays, I am active in a patriotic organization. I am enormously close to my family (no kidding, remember the trio?) I love God, my country and Mom!
I have visited Beverly Hills, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Miami Beach, South Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, all Eastern Coastal States, Manhattan with a flavor of it's own, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio. I have visited Cancun, Grand Cayman, Belize, Honduras. I have stayed in the Bahamas. People couldn't be nicer in each locale. Our country and the islands are wonderful, their people amazingly eager to share their hearts and souls with pride in their geography.
HOW DARE YOU NAPLES,! HOW DARE YOU?
I met three nice senior citizens and two gracious men who helped me get onto a public WIFI system. Evidently, you were kidnapped by Aliens and dropped here accidentally.
I do not envy a Colony of Nasty Pants Men and Stony Faced Women. I do not admire the frost that encrusts this Florida Home of the Mean. If you choose to visit, don't trip over the smiles, manners, politeness that have been piled at the borders, since apparently they are forbidden to be brought in to Naples, Florida...The Home of the Mean!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
ALOHA!!!
Tiff, Todd, Tess, Tanner and I went to the dinner show: THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA at the Disney World, Polynesian Village! I have seen this show many times. We were celebrating Tanner's fifth birthday (late, very late). The Birthday Boy and his entourage received special pins upon our arrival before we were adorned with leis and "photos" of our "group".
The show has changed, been updated in patter, music, humor. The show has remained the same in patter, music, humor.
.
Tanner and Tess went up to "learn" some moves and later Tanner went up with the "Birthday Folk" Todd thought that the fire performer was the absolute best! Please Todd, don't try that at home!
The food was by far better than it had ever been. Unlimited food, beer, wine. Make sure that, should you go to this extravaganza, that you are hungry and thirsty!
The absolute key to learn about the Polynesian Islands is to listen to the narrator expressing some historical facts.
The absolute key to having a great time is to learn how to wiggle your hips! Tanner has the moves, Tess as well. Todd admired the "Fire Performer" a great deal. Tess did ask: " Meme! How come their skirts don't fall down with all of the wiggling the dancers do?" That was a valid question. That was a valid question that I could not really answer. (Especially never having really wiggled to the beat of music.)
As an experience, as all Disney experiences, the evening was magical and so pleasant! The wait staff was so sweet, friendly, efficient! There was an intimacy that the narrator/mistress of ceremony radiated throughout the performance.
Children were treated rather royally as they participated in the magical fun.
Second to a trip to Hawaii's Polynesian Experience, where the natives play for real, THE DISNEY'S POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT'S" THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA", is a fun, educational, magical, so worth it experience!
ALOHA!!!
The show has changed, been updated in patter, music, humor. The show has remained the same in patter, music, humor.
.
Tanner and Tess went up to "learn" some moves and later Tanner went up with the "Birthday Folk" Todd thought that the fire performer was the absolute best! Please Todd, don't try that at home!
The food was by far better than it had ever been. Unlimited food, beer, wine. Make sure that, should you go to this extravaganza, that you are hungry and thirsty!
The absolute key to learn about the Polynesian Islands is to listen to the narrator expressing some historical facts.
The absolute key to having a great time is to learn how to wiggle your hips! Tanner has the moves, Tess as well. Todd admired the "Fire Performer" a great deal. Tess did ask: " Meme! How come their skirts don't fall down with all of the wiggling the dancers do?" That was a valid question. That was a valid question that I could not really answer. (Especially never having really wiggled to the beat of music.)
As an experience, as all Disney experiences, the evening was magical and so pleasant! The wait staff was so sweet, friendly, efficient! There was an intimacy that the narrator/mistress of ceremony radiated throughout the performance.
Children were treated rather royally as they participated in the magical fun.
Second to a trip to Hawaii's Polynesian Experience, where the natives play for real, THE DISNEY'S POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT'S" THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA", is a fun, educational, magical, so worth it experience!
ALOHA!!!
INDEPENDENCE DAY REFLECTIONS, THEN AND NOW
I was standing in the kitchen of a friend's house in Naples, Florida, July 4, 2012. The trio (Todd, 8; Tess, 7; Tanner, 5) and I were treating ourselves to ice cream: Todd and Tanner - chocolate; Tess - chocolate and vanilla. We were trying to determine where we might see fireworks for THE FOURTH OF JULY. Maybe the beach?
I was, as we discussed our previous Independence Days, transported back in time. I was 8,7,5 ish. We lived in the city at the time. Houses were on narrow lots. My grandfather, in the afternoon of the big American day would say, "Hey! It's-a July 4! A big-a American holiday! Tonight we-a sit on-a the porch! They make-a the fireworks atta Hinchman Stadium to watch! We celebrate America!" I might add that my grandparents saw the new land after entering through Ellis Island from Italy. My grandfather said that as his ship came into the port, he, along with fellow passengers, cried at the sight of The Statue of Liberty. (Personally, I think that it was a premonition of his future spawning all of the assorted screwballs that would become his family in the New World).
In Paterson, New Jersey, at Hinchman Stadium, truly, fireworks would be set off. From the porch in the back of our house, we could see them quite clearly. Early in the day, Grandpa and Nana would "prepare". A light dinner, homemade wine (cools you off in the summer...also warms you in the winter, go figure). A walk to the store on the corner for Vanilla Fudge (#6) Ice Cream. As it would get dark, my grandparents would start to dish out the treat. But, then, the topping would be, wait for it.....fruit cocktail. Yep, on top of this glorious Vanilla Fudge Ice Cream. Libby's canned fruit cocktail!
Darkness would begin to cloak Paterson. With our ice cream (topped with - oh, never mind), we would gather on the rather large, wooden, back porch. All seated so that "Dolly Dear" (hey, that's me) could see...The sky would light up! The heavens ablaze with color, light, noise! The night air could carry the "OOOOOOO's and AHHHHHHHHHH's" of the neighboring porches, "stoops" , sidewalks, parks, streets! The German family next door, the Jewish grocer on the corner, the Italians on the "hill", the Polish lady down the street...were/are all AMERICANS! At the finale, my grandfather would exclaim that the fireworks were more beautiful this year than last! He was proud that he had celebrated in America on his own porch (no morgaige-a), with his family. He was proud that he was a citizen, that he learned to read, write American. He loved Westerns - American Cowboys. This man fell in love with Chevy, hotdogs, apple pie, mom and the Fourth of July to tears!
I snapped back to Naples, 2012. The trio listened to my tale. I did get a chorus of YUK over the ice cream topped with fruit cocktail. Todd said that it might be an "Italian thing" and since he is a little Italian, he'll try it s-o-m-e-t-i-m-e.
Suddenly, we could see the sky light up! We ran out onto the lanai. We stood on the house side of the pool and looked up...Fireworks from the beach illuminated the heavens! Arms around each other, a hug, a squeeze. We were frozen in time! I could only pray that the moments would never end. The colorful, bright patterns of light decorated the sky like THE FOURTH OF JULY!
I was, as we discussed our previous Independence Days, transported back in time. I was 8,7,5 ish. We lived in the city at the time. Houses were on narrow lots. My grandfather, in the afternoon of the big American day would say, "Hey! It's-a July 4! A big-a American holiday! Tonight we-a sit on-a the porch! They make-a the fireworks atta Hinchman Stadium to watch! We celebrate America!" I might add that my grandparents saw the new land after entering through Ellis Island from Italy. My grandfather said that as his ship came into the port, he, along with fellow passengers, cried at the sight of The Statue of Liberty. (Personally, I think that it was a premonition of his future spawning all of the assorted screwballs that would become his family in the New World).
In Paterson, New Jersey, at Hinchman Stadium, truly, fireworks would be set off. From the porch in the back of our house, we could see them quite clearly. Early in the day, Grandpa and Nana would "prepare". A light dinner, homemade wine (cools you off in the summer...also warms you in the winter, go figure). A walk to the store on the corner for Vanilla Fudge (#6) Ice Cream. As it would get dark, my grandparents would start to dish out the treat. But, then, the topping would be, wait for it.....fruit cocktail. Yep, on top of this glorious Vanilla Fudge Ice Cream. Libby's canned fruit cocktail!
Darkness would begin to cloak Paterson. With our ice cream (topped with - oh, never mind), we would gather on the rather large, wooden, back porch. All seated so that "Dolly Dear" (hey, that's me) could see...The sky would light up! The heavens ablaze with color, light, noise! The night air could carry the "OOOOOOO's and AHHHHHHHHHH's" of the neighboring porches, "stoops" , sidewalks, parks, streets! The German family next door, the Jewish grocer on the corner, the Italians on the "hill", the Polish lady down the street...were/are all AMERICANS! At the finale, my grandfather would exclaim that the fireworks were more beautiful this year than last! He was proud that he had celebrated in America on his own porch (no morgaige-a), with his family. He was proud that he was a citizen, that he learned to read, write American. He loved Westerns - American Cowboys. This man fell in love with Chevy, hotdogs, apple pie, mom and the Fourth of July to tears!
I snapped back to Naples, 2012. The trio listened to my tale. I did get a chorus of YUK over the ice cream topped with fruit cocktail. Todd said that it might be an "Italian thing" and since he is a little Italian, he'll try it s-o-m-e-t-i-m-e.
Suddenly, we could see the sky light up! We ran out onto the lanai. We stood on the house side of the pool and looked up...Fireworks from the beach illuminated the heavens! Arms around each other, a hug, a squeeze. We were frozen in time! I could only pray that the moments would never end. The colorful, bright patterns of light decorated the sky like THE FOURTH OF JULY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)