(Published on iSurf News on June 16, 2011)
I have always been, and always will be, Daddy's Little Girl. While most little girls were in the kitchen with their mothers, learning how to cook and how to be a “Susie Homemaker”, I was out of the garage with my dad working on cars.
Before I learned to cook, I learned how to sandblast paint off a car and put a rear axle in place and bolt it up. During my senior year in high school, instead of going on the senior class trip to Florida, I decided to spend that week with my dad finishing up our latest project, restoring a 1963 Chevy II Nova SS. We had worked nearly 14 months on this project and I was so proud when it was finished. My Nova was white with a black vinyl top, black interior with automatic shift in the floor. It was not a brand new car that my dad drove off the lot and just handed me the keys. I worked for this car. Literally.
(Published on iSurf News on June 8, 2011)
I love to ride around on the weekends and see what I can find going on. This time of the year, I can usually find the wonderful smell of someone grilling out on the family barbecue. This is the point where I usually roll down my window, just to get a better smell, and I also start my investigation to see where it is coming from. When I finally find the point of origin, if it is someone I know, I immediately try to think if there is any reason for me to stop for a visit. If I cannot think of one, I will make one up as I am getting out of the car. If it is coming from a house of someone I do not know, I start counting the vehicles in the drive to see if there is enough of a crowd to where I would just blend in. OK, I confess, I do not really do this, but there are times when I want to. I know you are shaking your head. You have thought about it too!
(Published on iSurf News on June 3, 2011)
One day I found a jigsaw puzzle of the famous photo of Monroe wearing that beautiful gold dress. Since my friend's birthday was coming up, I decided to buy the puzzle as a birthday gift for him. But what fun is it to receive a box filled with 500 pieces that you have to do all the work of putting it together?
With the help of several “assistants”, which included an “insider” at his office, I kicked it up into high gear to put together this puzzle, only to take it back apart in sections and use puzzle glue to make it stay together. I planned a daily mailing of each section, beginning with the outer edge, then letting him work the pieces inward until the puzzle was complete. Each envelop was numbered, just in case they arrived out of order, and I included a short note, usually a rhyme or funny quote. Each afternoon, I would receive a call from my “insider” reporting how the events were playing out on that end.
I soon learned that the puzzle pieces had been moved from his desk into the conference room. When the mail was delivered, everyone met in that room to see what quote and puzzle piece had arrived for that day. Since the outer edges and a lot of the background was black, it took several days before any pieces with color started to arrive. Once the gold dress and the blonde locks started to appear, he figured what the puzzle was going to reveal. But he still had no clue who was sending this to him. It was driving him crazy.
When the last section arrived on the day of his birthday, I received a phone call that “Marilyn's face was in place.” I placed a phone call to him, which was strategically timed and transferred to the conference room where everyone was waiting. My “insider” took the call and put me on speakerphone. In my best Marilyn Monroe voice, I sang “Happy Birthday”, just as she sang it to a certain president. Then I hung up. He went nuts. He had no clue who his “Secret Marilyn” was. And my “insider” wasn't talking. I let him ponder for a few days, then I called to confess that I was the “Puzzle-master”. He said that was one of the greatest birthday gifts he had every received.
If Monroe were alive today, she would have turned 85 years old on June 1. I often wonder where her career would have taken her if she had not died so young.
In the book “Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters” there is a copy of a recipe hand-written by Monroe on a piece of stationery from a title insurance company. Who would have thought that such a Hollywood sex symbol would enjoy cooking in the kitchen?
(Published on iSurf News on May 26, 2011)
Like so many people, I am so tired of the rain and the dreary weather but I know, like the famous quote says, “This too shall pass.” Soon, I will be complaining about the heat and humidity and will be praying for a nice cool fall breeze. I know myself all too well.
(Published on iSurf News on May 20, 2011)
A few weeks ago, I was in the grocery store stocking up on some store deals, when I saw the most handsome man I had seen in awhile. A sense of pride came over me as I watched this young man.
He was concentrating on his mission in the dairy department and I didn't want to disturb this stranger but I just couldn't help myself. I walked right up to him and said, "Thank you. Thank you for what you do." He responded, "You are very welcome, Ma'am. It is my pleasure. And my duty."
Just a few days earlier, we had been told that the world's most wanted terrorist had been killed when US Navy Seals raided his compound. I wondered what this young man thought about these events. I wanted to ask him but I didn't want my feelings of American pride to be overshadowed by my American anger.
President Harry Truman proclaimed the first Armed Forces Day (AFD) on May 20, 1950 and it is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of May. According to the US Department of Defense, this day was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job was performed and the role of the military in civilian life.
There are many events to attend to celebrate this day but a simple "Thank You" to a person in uniform may be all that person needs to hear.
Here are some good, all-American recipes to try as we honor the men and women in uniform.
Apple-Cucumber Salsa
●1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
●¼ cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
●½ small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
● small red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
●1 ½ tbsp white wine vinegar
●1 ½ tsp sugar
●Salt
In a bowl, toss the apple with the cucumber, onion and pepper. Stir in the vinegar and sugar, season with salt and serve.
(Published on iSurf News on May 11, 2011)
My family always took a summer vacation when I was growing up but I always remember it being such a rush to do everything that we had to come home to get some rest.
(Published on iSurf News on May 5, 2011)
Cinco De Mayo, not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 6, is observed on May 5.
This day is celebrated in order to commemorate the unexpected victory of the Mexican army over the French forces on May 5, 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. The state of Puebla celebrates this holiday but the celebrations are also popular along the US-Mexico border as well as in areas that have a high Mexican population. The activities planned center around the celebration of Mexican customs and culture.
