PHODDER

Well it only took 25 Years but they are back, Yes, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series again! Utley, Howard, Burrell, Hamels, Rollins, Moyer, and all the rest, it is what my buddy Sam has waited for since he was 30. Well it certainly proves if you live long enough, your team will eventually come around. I guess since the Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers are also rans before the season started, the City of Brotherly Love is pinning its's hopes on the once lowly Phillies to beat an upstart team in the Tampa Bay Rays(formerly, the Devil Rays). It also appears that in Pat Gillick's last year at the helm, he has put the pieces of the puzzle together, and has resurrected Brad Lidge, Jayson Werth, and countless others to reach this lofty status. Unfortunately, destiny may have other plans for the Red Pinstripe boys from Philly. It appears that the Gods have smiled on the Rays from the most unlikely place (Tampa), and it may be their time in the spotlight. However, it will be a very interesting October in Philadelphia and in Limerick, where Sam will be glued to the 52" HD Screen. Well, all I can say is I am happy for Sam, and I hope they give him a few more days in the Sun. Loyalty like Sam's deserves to be rewarded.

Just a brief note from Florida

Letters from the EDGE

This is not a political slant, but a REAL person doing research on an individual who will be in charge of our country, Just read and make your own decision:Thisa election has me very worried. So many things to consider. About a year ago, I would have voted for Obama. I have changed my mind three times since then. About 6 months ago I started thinking where did the money come from for Obama? Well let me help you with this: Around 1979, Obama started college at Occidental in California. He is very open about his two years at Occidental. He tried all kinds of drugs and was wasting his time, but even though he had a brillant mind, he did not apply himself to his studies, "BARRY"(that was the name he used all his life) during this time had two roommates, Mohammad Hasan Chandoo and Wahid Hamid, both from Pakistan. During the summer of 1981, after his second year in college, he made a round the world trip. Stopping to see his mother in Indonesia, next Hyderbad in India, three weeks in Karachi, Pakistan where he stayed with his roommates family, then off to Africa to visit his father's family. My question - Where did he get the money for the trip?? When he came back, he started school at Columbia University in New York. It is at this time he wants everyone to call him Barack - not "Barry". Do you know what the tuition is at Columbia? It's not cheap to say the least. Where did he get the money fort tuition? Student Loans? Maybe. After Columbia he went to Chicago to work as a Community organizer for $12,000 a year. Why Chicago? Why not New York? He was already living in New York.By 'chance' he met Antoin "Tony" Rezko, born in Aleppo, Syria, and a real estate developer in Chicago. Rezko has been convicted of fraud and bribery this year. Rezko was named "Entrepreneur of the Decade" by the Arab-American Business and Professional Association. About two years later, Obama entered Harvard Law School. Do you have any idea the tuition at Harvard Law School? Do you have any idea where the money for Law School came from? More student loans? After Law school, he went back to Chicago, Rezko offered him a job, which he turned down. But he did take a job with Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Gallans. Guess what? They represented "Rezar" which is Rezko's firm.Rezki was one of Obama's first major financial contributors when he ran for office in Chicago. In 2003, Rezko threw an early fundraiser for Obama, which Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendelland claims was instrumental in providing Obama with "seed money" for his US Senate race. In 2005, Obama purchased a new home in Kenwood District of Chicago for $1.65 million(i.e. less than the asking price), With all those Student loans - where did he get the money for the property? On the very same day Rezko's wife, Rita purchased the adjoining empty lot for full price. The London Times reported that Nadhmi Auchi, an Iraqi-born Billionaire loaned Rezko $3.5 million three weeks before OIbamas new home was purchased. Obama met Nadhmi Auchi many times with Rezko. Now we have Obama running for President. Valerie Jarrett was Michele Obama's boss. She is now Obama's chief advisor and he does not make any major decisions without talking to her first. Where was Jarrett born? Ready for this? Shiraz, Iran. Do we see a pattern here? On May 10, 2008, The Times reported Robert Ma;;ey. advisor to Obama was "sacked" after the press found out he was having regualr contacts with "HAMAS", which controlos Gaza and is connected with Iran/ This past week, buried in the back of the papers, Iraqi newspapers reported that during Obama's visit to Iraq, he asked their leaders to do nothing about the war until he is elected, and he will, "Take car od things". Oh by the way, remember the college roommates that were born in Pakistan? They are in charge of all those "Small" Internet campaign contributions for Obama. Where is the money coming from? The poor and middle class of the country? Or could it be from the Middle East? And the final bit of news, On September 7, 2008, the Washington Times posted a verbal slip that was made on "This Week" with George Stephanapoulos. Obama on talking about his religion said, " MY Muslin faith", When questioned, he made a mistake.. Some mistake! All of the above information I got Online. If you would like to check it before you vote - Wikipedia, encyclopedia, Barack Obama; Tony Rezko; Valerie Jarrett; Daily Times- Obama visited Pakistan in 1981; The Washington Times- September 7, 2008; The Times May 10, 2008. Now the Big Question - If I found all thios info on my own, Why haven't all of our intelligent members of the press been reporting this?? Last thought: Remember: BEWARE OF THE ENEMY FROM WITHIN!!Next time I will cover "ACORN", and believe me it is about "NUTS"Stay well and remember to vote, preferably for someone who has your interest at heart.
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Saturdays with Sully

Saturdays, Coffee, Politics, wow how the world is changing, Obviously Saturdays in Collegeville have changed. First, I am no longer there to provide the jokes, Second, The far left has changed the debate I am sure. Saturdays in Collegeville will change drastically when Barack Obama is elected in November, and it appears that this is becoming a reality more each day. George W has literally destroyed the Republican party singlehandedly, of course the fact that the Republicans nominated a walking corpse does not help either. Now, let's be real, the next President no matter how far left he may be, and Barack is as far left as you can be without being named Stalin, will not have any money for programs, will have a war that is stagnant to resolve, and will only serve a 4 year term before he is booted out to the curb. What I find most fascinating about this election year is that Sarah Palin is actually a refreshing change from the normal ho hum politics, but as much as she is liked, the Dead body she is dragging around with her makes it a lost cause. I am a Conservative Republican but I cannot cast a vote for John McCain, I will not vote for Obama, so I am left with not voting at all. Maybe Obama's time is now, it appears more and more everyday we are becoming a Socialist State, so maybe now is time for a Socialist President. Now, of course Saturday's in Collegeville will be much more lively, especially since Obama's tax plan directly effects one of the members of the Coffee Club!!! I guess the Country Club membership will be the first to go, and then Sully will not have a pool to wade in anymore.. Maybe it is time to invite Liberals to Saturdays with Sully! It appears the rift is growing wider on Saturdays, since Jase is now espousing Liberalism. Well I guess the talk can always turn to the Phillies since they are headed to the World Series. Lastly, let's just take time to see where we stand since the last time I was at a Saturday gathering:
1. The Market is barely hanging on at 10,000
2. We have an African American and a Woman on tickets
3. 700 Billion Bail Out of Wall Street
4. Banks collapsing everyday
5. Muslims taking over Nuclear Pakistan
6. Iran getting Nukes
7. Russia attacks Georgia
8. Iraq is still going nowhere
9. Gas prices are outrageous
10. We are now fighting Pirates in Sommalia

Well I guess there is still plenty to discuss Saturdays with Sully.

Till next time.

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

I want to start by giving credit to Don McLean for the title as it was taken from his song "American Pie". Contemplation is a very sobering realization, and the longer you contemplate the more you realize that we as a Nation have changed in ways that are far from becoming. I will add this note before proceeding, It is no doubt the Media that has changed the American Psyche, and has led to what I will call for now "the losing of America". We have allowed the "Media", (and I use that word with trepidation and dismay) to shape our day to day lives in ways that only George Orwell could have imagined. Orwell talk of "Big Brother", and we naturally assumed it was the Government we needed to fear, when in truth it was the Media that was "Big Brother" and was always watching. Allow me to digress, Remember DiMaggio, Williams, Gehrig, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Gretsky, Starr, Jim Brown, Lou Groza, Fiorello LaGuardia, Franklin Roosevelt, Gandhi. Now ask yourself what do they all have in common, Ball Players, Mayors, Presidents, Statesmen? They once were what you might refer to as Folk Heroes of a sort, people that we looked up to, people that we believed in, so what has changed, well I am going to tell you my version of this story. What has changed is the Media, nothing anymore sinister than that, Let's start at what appears to be an innocent beginning, Martin Luther King, isn't it strange that the media followed his every step, video taped his every movement, and of course broadcasted his every foible, we relished in it, and then who was there the fateful day he was shot, who else, the Media, Cameras ready and film rolling, They built him up, tore him down and reveled in his demise. Who had cameras rolling when JFK was killed, who spoke of his illicit encounters with Marilyn Monroe, the media who else. Speaking of Marilyn, who conduted the vigil at her home upon her suicide, the Media who else. Is the story becoming more clear, if not, let me continue: Lest we not forget, Richard Nixon, Gary Hart, Jimmy Carter, Newt Gingrich, all made into heroes by the media in order to chop them down to size, and we nodded and drank the Kool Aid like good puppets. Then of course for the sake of proving their omnipotence, they had a President impeached, had an aid to the President commit suicide, all in the name of Journalism, and again we nodded and drank another cup. The list is endless but allow me to remember those unfortunates: George W Bush(the Media Darling), Trent Lott, Dan Quayle, Mark McGuire, Rafael Palmerio, Sammy Sosa, Lance Armstrong, and the lsit goes on, as we nod and drink another glass. What if we never tuned in, what would happen, would the world end, time stop, what please tell me, because we now have an addiction to tune in for the latest devastation. We have forgotten what was good about us, and all we know now is what the Media tells us and needs us to believe. Here is a brief quiz, see if you are one of us, If they advertised a TV show that was nothing but Murder, Death, Violence, Slander, Inuendo, Deceit, and totally absurd.. Would you watch it? I certainly hope you answered in the negative, but then think twice, isn't that what the Media provides every night at 7PM Nationally? And of course we nod once again and drink another glass. I am fascinated with how the Media latches on to a story and continues to pedal it night after night with no regard for accuracy, truth, or how harmful it may be. I read a story on page 9 of a newspaper the other day and I realized what was happening, it was a story about the 16th Street Baptist Church and 19 sticks of dynamite, granted this happened in 1963, but it just happened to be the anniversary of the event, and it got Page 9, what was on Page 1 you ask? Well it was the Market crisis, the coming of the 2nd Great Depression, and what was on the 7PM shows, (1) the coming of the Great Depression, (2) Global Warming ended Mankind, (3) Bombings in Pakistan, (4) Iran and Nukes, (5) N Korea and Nukes. Roosevelt said "We have nothing to Fear but Fear itself", Roosevelt must have been talking of the Media for sure. Allow me to close by quoting "They took the last train for the Coast. the day the Music died", It appears that we have two choices, one is to take back what we have given up, or two, just keep drinking the Kool Aid and you won't even notice when the Music dies.
Good Night Mrs. Calabash wherever you are.

The WAY BACK MACHINE

Yes it is September 15th, and it is time to use the "Way back machine to go back in time". First let's try some names of places and see if you remember them as well as I do. Lou's, Babe's, the MSS, the SSS, Raffeo's, Marcy's, Chatlins, Martins, the 5 & 10, the EL, The Grant, The Norris, Logrips, Giamo's, Holy Savior, Stinky's, The Norris Tavern, LaRoma's, Electrolux, the Red Peppers. Names of a bygone era, names of places that are merely memories, names that once were as bright and shiny as Macy's, Nordstroms, places that were something before the Malls, places that you could walk on a Saturday night, places that were a haven and refuge for the generation before ours. Main Street was really once a main street in a town tarnished by the hands of time, a street and town that time forgot. The Malls have devoured all these streets and towns, and a mad rush to suburbia destroy all remnants of the glory days long since gone, all in the name of progress. Isn't Progress a strange subject, it is what we all seek but at the expense of what we use to enjoy, I have begun to realize what it is that makes the Villages such an allure, it is the thought of the old towns that once lived and now are but mere memories that we all wish to enjoy once again. It is the idea of walking the Main Street of town, and looking in the shops, listening to the music, and feeling at home again. It is obvious that the reason everyone says "What goes around, comes around", is because we never realize what we had till it is gone and of course we want it back, and some entreprenuer gives us nostalgia at a price. The sad part is that we gave it all away for nothing, well I guess not nothing, but progress. Progress, a strange word, look at progress, you can see it in all we do everyday, and the question that requires answering is "Are we better off". Progress lent itself to Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, Freedie Mac, AIG, and look where they are today! Progress gave us the Walmarts of the World, isn't that just wonderful! Progress gave us 300 Channels of Cable TV, Wow, it takes the entire day to go through the channels. Progress has made us think that taking a walk is exercise, whereas, before it was a past time. Progress has put a Man on the Moon, but we still have to pay $25 to check a bag on an Airplane. Progress gave us OPEC, and Gasoline is more expensive than ever. Progress gave us Central Air, and now we cannot go outside because it is too hot! People flock to the Villages to find the oldtime hometown that Progress took away while they slept, Progress is a thief in the night, stealing what you treasure so dearly in the name of moving forward. Obviously, it is moving backwards that people seek more and more today, strange as it may seem, we have finally realized that all the things Progress took from us were worth keeping. Isn't it a sad state of affairs when the Presidential race is about "change", another word for "progress" I am afraid. The San Salvador Club use to have a "Feast" every year, and it was a place where everyone could gather and talk about their lives for the previous year, ewnjoy good food, good conversation, and a sense of belonging, those days have long since disappeared and sadly we fail to remember them. Progress is am ongoing process that eventually will lead us back to where we began, because each time we make progress, we seek what was once the days of yore. I suppose we will come full circle and meld the Old with the New, but it never really seems the same, the days of yore are specifically that because you can never go home again. Insight into what makes us happy usually leads us back to where we began, but then again progress makes that journey all the more arduous. Sometimes a good lemonade on the corner of Main and Walnut is something to really cherish. Well, I guess I have digressed beyond what I should, until next time, let's try to remember the kind of September when grass was green and grain was yellow. Progress and the Fantasticks just don't mix do they.. Good Night Mrs. Calabash wherever you are.

Mirage Maybe

Was it a Mirage? Never let it be said that memories do not become harder to remember, it appears as you grow older, your memory begins to wane. I try to remember things that I was able to remember before and now I have to stop and think about them and try to coax out the memory. Age is somewhat a reminder that although you feel no different, thing are changing daily, what was easy years ago is now a daunting task. This gives me pause and makes me want to retire and enjoy the time allotted. Isn't it strange that when you finally reach a stage in your transformation that things become more blurred and less clear. I still love Sports, but now cannot watch as I use to, it seems more like wasting time than enjoying the sport. I have begun to realize that Sports was never a love but more a diversion, and at this time of life, diversion is just wasting time. Doris and I enjoy Nascar, and we enjoy the Villages, and quick trips to Nowhere, we try to keep moving, but sometimes that is easier said than done. We are going to try Golf together, this may either be a blessing or a huge error, nonetheless, it is something we can do together. Work is becoming something that I have to make myself do, this is never a goof situation, I guess I am ready to retire, or maybe it is just I am tired of all the BS that comes with a job. By the way, how does one get scheduled for a week of Jury Duty?, well needless to say I have been scheduled. Of course, my Racist, Death Penalty stance may cure that!! Politics is becoming mundane, just the same old BS from both parties. When will we ever learn that your vote and $2.67 will buy you a Latte at Starbucks, if they have not closed your store... Believe it or not Halloween is just around the corner and then Thanksgiving and Christmas, and another year is gone, did they go that fast before?? I am tired of Donuts!!! In the grand scheme of things, I am sure there is a purpose but obviously I have not been paying attention.. Maybe President Barack will make it better, or maybe he will just make it for himself as so many others!! I would have voted for a candidate, however, last time I checked there were none! Maybe I am just cynical or maybe I am hallucinating, let's see:

• Gas prices climb
• Market Tanks
• Food cost more
• Housing is in the toilet
• Barack is talking about Pigs
• McCain is talking about the Bridge to nowhere
• Social Security is going Bankrupt
• Nobody gives a HOOT

Does that sound like an hallucination? Well I certainly hope it is!! All I can say at this point is I should have never complained about living on Penn street, it appears I may end of there afterall!!

Last thought for this session: I guess the saying " When Pigs Fly" may yet come true!!

Good night Mrs, Calabash wherever y0u are!!

And Sam the Phillies are taking the pipe as usual.............

Bridges to Nowhere and Pigs??

Well can't you tell the political season is upon us, dare we venture to guess how one can determine this?? Possibly by Bridges and Pigs, your typical political fare I assume.. Shakespeare is turning in his grave, and Ann Coulter is trying to figure out if the "Pig" reference was aimed at her!! Nonetheless, it appears that "Baby" Barack has taken the Conservative bait and is now reeling hook, liner and sinker.. It appears that "Baby"(For lack of a better, more apropos handle) Barack is now running for President against the Vice Presidential nominee of the GOP, go figure! "Baby" has spent at least a week lambasting Sarah(The Alaskan)Palin, last time I checked, she occupied the 2nd spot on the ticket.. WAKE UP "BABY", she is not running for the Prez job, you are DUMMY!! It also appears that "Baby" Barack has now joined every other candidate of any ilk in using the Lipstick on a Pig metaphor!! I have undoubtedly begun to tire of the rhetoric and the accusations and inuendos, maybe it is time for a serious debate about the issues that affect us all.
1. Why does Wal-Mart have 25 registers and only 6 cashiers?
2. Why doesn't Wal-Mart and Sam's Club occupy the same building?
3. Did anyone tell the Chinese that the Olympics are over?
4. Was Jimmy Carter in Georgia when Russia invaded?
5. How many "Reality" shows are too many?
6. Why do stores have "Buy One Get One Free", wouldn't it be easier to sell it at half price?
7. Is John McCain really still alive?
8. Is Barack middle name really Hussein?
9. Why not just say we had an election and move on?
10. Why not elect an American Idol instead?

Those are the questions gripping the American public today, to hell with Oil, let's watch Football!

Until next time, Good night Mrs. Calabash

And Sam' the Phils are 2-1/2 back.

Hey Sully this one's for you!

The Road less traveled

Isn't it amazing that after all these years, the things you want most in life are the things you have always had in front of you all those years. I guess we take time to understand what is important and what is wishful thinking. Sometimes I believe it is better to have been raised with hardships to further understand the need to get up when you are down and start again. Unfortunately, I think we have spoiled our children into believing that life is a "piece of cake" and that you can get anything you want when you want it. Furthermore, I think we have allowed them to live the good life at our expense and now the chickens are coming home to roost. Maybe they all needed to live on Penn Street a few years to understand the meaning of working to get out. This is undoubtedly the difference between McCain and Obama, McCain came up the hard way and Barack had it handed to him. Maybe we have finally come to the time when the younger generation will put us on an ice float and drift us out to sea. Maybe we have now lasted far longer than necessary and have become the doddering old folks they visit occasionally but of course they pay us no mind, as our information and experience are of a time gonebye and not relevant to their new world. I can sit here and remember when getting 3 channels of UHF was the most exciting thing to happen to us, now it is Ipods, Bluetooth, and whatever else they can think of that I cannot imagine how to operate. I can remember when my Mom and Dad insisted we watch "Lawrence Welk", oh how we hated that night, I now wonder do our children think we are the same as our "NUTS" parents, as we thought then. Well one thing is for certain, whoever said "What goes around, comes around", certainly hit the nail on the head. Well, reat assured this Blog will continue until I am in the Nursing home and being used as someone to say, "Oh Poor Dad, he is so old and does not understand us at all"..
Well until next time, keep waking up each morning just to spite them!!
Oh, by the way, SAM the Phils are a game out.......

Wandering in the Desert

Well I tried to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics last night, obviously, I have way too much time on my hands! Sorta reminded me of Ralph Macchio, wax on wax off!! It was Definetly a spectacle, but then again at my age, a squirrel running across the lawn is a spectacle! I read where the Russians have invaded a portion of Georgia(the republic of Georgia), sounds like an adventure! It appears Oil prices have started to show a decline, and the price of Gas here in Central Florida has dropped to $3.61 a Gallon, and the Market is showing signs of improvement, however, the Housing market remains stagnant and sales are still considerably off. I have begun to realize that retired takes work, you now must wake up each morning and find a reason to get out of bed, on my part, I still work a full-time job, but it is still tough to remember that there is something going on outside your Gated Community! If I did not read the Newspaper(Village Sun which is a newspaper that never has any bad news), I would be totally lost! What I find fascinating is that we have dozens of Clinics, Urgent Care Centers, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, etc, but not one Funeral Home(It appears no one ever dies here), sounds like a plot to me!! Life here is more like STEPFORD everyday, Pool, Mail, Walk, Pot Luck Suppers, Kibitzing with the neighbors, and going out to eat, everything planned and scheduled! It is a Major event when a police car turns on their siren(WOW)!! Lady Lake is a community that has a Town Hall, Sheriff's Dept and 100's of shops and malls, and of course the ever presented Laser Surgery clinics, and more Medical Centers than people! Ramblings are what I live for, so this peiece should give me new hope.. As for the boys in PA, Sam has his golf and is Beginning to prepare for the revisitation of the Snow Mobiles across his land this winter, and of course he is still hoping that the now Potentless Phillies rally and make it to the Series(And I thought I was a dreamer!!), Jase is preparing for busy as a Dance Instructor(At least he has given up his recreational attacks on the Possum, Badger, or whatever was invading his yard!), and finally there is Sully, the Robe wearing Patrone of the Au Natural acreage he calls home, Sully missed his calling(VITO CORLEONE). Well until next time, I will be Wandering in the Desert.

Elementary Watson!!

Well it is a rainy day in Florida, one of the 22 days a year it actually rains.. Football season is just around the corner, as a matter of fact the Redskins and Colts play Sunday night. I really have no idea where this blog is going today, but in time I will know. I guess I need to go to a movie soon, the last one I saw was the Bucket List and I am afraid that seeing another movie would be disappointing. Is it just me or has Television gone haywire, I think they need to start rating the TV shows for Language and Nudity, It appears that anything except the "F" word is now allowable. When did this Phenomenon take place, I must have been asleep when it happened. I have yet to figure out the "X" games, seems like it is about the same as Wrestling was for the Rednecks at one time. By the way, have you noticed that "Rednecks" is now "chic"!! I do rather enjoy the lack of clothing for women on the TV! I am about tired of all the "Reality" shows, I mean let's get real, who cares who has the Best Dog in America, don't they still lick their asses like all the others?? How many Dance shows can one person tolerate. Why not make "Reality TV" really about reality, let's start televising executions from the Prison system, or Beheadings from the Arab world! Nothing like a good execution on a Friday night at 11:00... Oh, and why is it that every day at least twice a day they feel a need to tell me that in February 2009, there will be no reception with Rabbit Ears, only Digital, wouldn't it be easier to go door to door for the 22 people who still have rabbit ears!! I have yet to figure out why places have cups of pennies by the register, would it not be easier to round it off? If you steal some pennies and live in Texas and already have two strikes, do you go to jail for life?? I am sure of one fact however and that is that more people in Florida run their cars into houses than any other state in the nation! I live in a "Gated" community of over 55 yrs old, but it really is not a "Gated" community most days because the residents fail to wait for the gate to open and end up ripping it off. I guess that makes it a Semi-gated community. Do you think if Barack is elected he will address this problem with the gates in my community?? There is one question that I have no answer for, and that is how is John "Mummy" McCain still within range of Barack, sounds to me like not everyone outside the media is so sure Barack is for real. I am thoroughly convinced that ABC, CNN, and MSNBC have not gotten the memo that John is actually still alive and running... What is wrong with having your Grandfather as President?? Why do markets, fruit stands, delis, etc, give you product to taste, do they want to be sure it is still good? Why fo the Walmart Women at the Deli counter show you the slice and ask if it is the right cut, It would be better if they just listened to what you are actually saying.. Speaking of Walmart, with the Olympics in 6 days, does Walmart close since they can get no shipments from China?? How many Walmarts are enough, I have 3 Walmarts in a 5 mile radius and now they are building a Sam's Club, Maybe they should consider building them next door to each other to save space.. What ever happened to all the fuss over the Border, did all the Mexicans go home while I was asleep?? I paid $3.65 for gas today and believe it or not I was happy, well I guess Exxon made it's point!! This is a bit of rambling, so I guess I really did not have much to say afterall.. Well lastly, the Phillies lost again last night, and of course Sam is convince it is only temporary.. Sully is now in a battle in his backyard, fortifying his barricaded garden from the Vermin(Deer, Possums, Badgers, and a Buffalo or two), Sull also has the meanest Geese on earth. What I find fascinating is that the critters can actually find his garden amongst the Au natural landscaping!!! Let's talk tradition, there is a tradition that on Saturdays, you go to Sully's for coffee, which he makes in a coffe pot that preceded Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, strongest coffee on God's earth, nonetheless, everyone still attends for the pleasure of watching the ceremonius making of the coffee. On a good day Sully has 1/2 & 1/2, but this is not the rule, after an hour or so of polictical and sports debating and pulpit preaching, it is time to "Walk around the Pond", undoubtedly most Saturdays the trip around the poind is in mud, but then if the Pond walk were discontinued, where would Sully smoke?? So, if you are not covered in Mud or attacked by the Geese, you can come back again the next Saturday and enjoy the frivolity again. I was a particpant in those Clandestined Saturday gatherings for 3 years, the best 3 years I can remember, because with all it's downfalls and pitfalls, it was truly a gathering of Friends that cared about each other, I will sorely miss those days and will miss even more, Sam, John, and Sully, and the Saturday mornings when you could leave the world behind and just talk with your closest friends for a few hours without being judged, criticized, or questioned. Life was meant for those moments, and I miss them and my Friends. Cie La Vie.

Brittany/Paris/Barack

Well it seems that we have now reached an all time low in campaigning, Comparing Barack to Brittany and Paris, how demeaning, I think Brittany and Paris should be rightfully offended by such character assasinations!! Why would Barack be concerned about what McCain says, he should be more worried about what Jesse says!! By the way, has anyone seen or heard from Hilary lately?? I bet Bill would like to be with Paris and Brittany!! Should I decide to vote which at best is very doubtful, I am going to cast a vote for either Sully, who's blogs make more sense than either McCain or Obama, or I am voting for someone who is trustworthy, honest, and has the experience necessary to lead, unfortunately those people are all DEAD!! So left with the minimal choices we have, I think I will continue to lay by the pool and get a tan aned to hell with who gets elected!!!! To Sully, it was not the same without you here the last two weeks, and by the way, Johnny(The Weiner is most circles) was his usual self, I will leave the interpretation to you.. My wife is still reeling from the visit, Cie La Vie!!! Anyway, back to the topic at hand, What makes more sense, A Virtual Idiot for president or a Mummy?? I guess left with no alternative I will give the Mummy my vote and hope he lives through an inauguration ceremony that may just tax his feeble body to the enth degree!! Or maybe I will vote for Forest Gump, or maybe one of them really is Forest Gump!!
Well until next time, Good Night Mrs. Calabash
And to Sam: The Phillies are going to torment you all summer!!

Names & Games

Let us take a ride down memory lane and play the name game, join in any time you like, see if there are names you remember and why you remember the names:

The Turbans, Johnny & Joe, Hank Ballard, Lloyd Price, Johnny Maestro, Hy Lit, The Geator, The Jive Five, The Elegants, Clyde McPhatter.. Anything familiar yet? Well this is another time, another decade, another lifetime, would you like to continue? Sam the Sham, Gary US Bonds, The Kingsmen, The Fleetwoods, Little Jimmy Charles, isn't it a strange sense that this was so long ago and so far away.. I can remember the "Labor Lyceum", the "Legion", the "Chavous", "Saint Alice".. If you have not figured out the game it is some 55 years ago, it is a summer of sweltering heat, a summer of music that they said was inspired by the Devil, a summer that will always be remembered in Philadelphia as the time Rock and Roll began on the street corners with the acapella groups singing under the street lights and under the "El" train. It was a time when all we lived for was the music, the lyrics, and the sounds of Rock and Roll. The Days of American Bandstand with Bob Horn(before they rode him out of town on a rail), the days of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night dances everywhere there was a hall available. The riding in your car cruising for chicks on the main drag of the town where you lived. The time of "Hoods" and "Cliques", the time of "Cuban Heels", Slow Dancing so close you could feel her breath in your ear. The times of parking in the woods or a place called "Lover's Lane", every town and city had one, many a baby was conceived in one, many a marriage was made in one. Are you remembering yet? Remember these: The Watusi, The Stroll, The Slop, The Mash Potatoes", The Grind, and of course do you remember the Priest or Nuns separating you when you were too close?? There were Soda fountains then, places to hang out, hanging on the corner with the boys, playing "Chicken" in your car, drinking beer and hiding from the law. House parties where all the bedrooms were taken, pool parties in the buff, Making out, Leather Jackets, Rumbles. Have I struck a familiar note yet? We had hangouts called "BABES", and "LOUS", and SHAMROCKS", mostly they were bookie joints that served as sandwich shops and soda fountains. Care to continue the journey? Doo Wop is the rage now, but back then it was Taboo, played only on the Black Radio Stations like WDAS, and WHAT in Philly, Jerry Blavat(The Geator with the Heater), made his bones in Philly playing Doo Wop for the White teens on a black station. I happen to live in an area where everyone is over 55 and remember all of this as if it was yesterday, but we have all grown up and try not to remember those days because they were times when we were rebels and not the Yuppie Conservatives we have become. Maybe the time to remember is now, and to begin to look fondly on the days of our outrageous youth and the trials that led to the Men and Women we are today. Anytime you think you can remember these days another time or another day, I will warn you that I had friends who felt the same way, please not I used the word "Had". There may be some very astute insight in another song long since forgotten and not from our early youth: "Try to remember the kind of September, when grass was green and grain was yellow" Try to remember and if you remember then follow, follow, follow" Maybe we all need to remember and to enjoy those days of our youth, to relish in the joy they once created for us, to remember all the names and faces of years gone by, remember all the friends and acquaintences, both long lost and some long gone. As you age, you begin to remember all the times good and bad with a much keener sense of what it was like, maybe we do this because we want to go back and do it again, well, let me say that you can never go back, but you can do it again if you really have the desire. Lastly, allow me to give one last shout out to those that have disappeared over the years in both my memory and in my life:

Barbara from Airy Street
Matty Raimo
Gussie Catanzaro
Sonny Raimo
Charlotte Heaton
Nick Gabrielle
Carol Johnson
Betsy Howard
Barbara Baker
The Crazy Sisters
Gerry Corrao
Joe Dimino
Tony deGrazio
Sonny Satterwhite
Harold
Jackie Abney
Franny Martin
Marty Baker
Arty Martin
Gerry Organtini
Ronnie Pascucci
Gerry Volpe
Medio Marchozzi
Linda
Joan Zelinski
Bobby Johnson
Bobby Marchozzi
Terry Livelsberger
Sonny Termine
Marie Filandino
Tulio Fierro
Milton Hathaway
Frankie Fierro
John from Conshy
Of course I have missed a large number of people, but let's attribute that to old age and a loss of memory, but to all those I have forgotten, it is only but a moment lapse and I will remember you all always and forever.
It is time to return to the world of today, and not digress any further into the past for this time, however, stay tuned for more journeys and remebrances from years gone by.



Good night all those gone but not forgotten.

Where have you gone Joe??

Chance, Frank b. September 9, 1877 d. September 15, 1924Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. Nicknamed "The Peerless Leader". As player-manager of the Chicago Cubs from 1905 to 1912, he guided his team to four National League championships and two World Series wins (1907 and 1908). He entered baseball lore as the third link in the famous "Tinker to Evers to Chance" infield trio. Frank Leroy Chance was born in Fresno, California, and made his Major League debut with the Cubs in 1898. In his playing prime he was considered the NL's best...[Read More] (Bio by: Robert Edwards)Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USAPlot: Section N, Lot 109, Grave 2 NE
Evers, Johnny b. July 21, 1881 d. March 28, 1947Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. As a second baseman with the Chicago Cubs in the early part of the century, he was the middle link in the famous "Tinkers to Evers to Chance" double play combo. He played with the Cubs from 1902 to 1913, the Boston Braves from 1914 to 1917 and the Phillies in 1917. He helped the Cubs to three stright World Series titles, and his alertness in a game in 1912 resulted in the infamous "Merkle Boner", which cost the Giants the pennant (and won it for the...[Read More] (Bio by: Russ Dodge)Cause of death: cerebral hemmorhageSaint Marys Cemetery, Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, USAPlot: Section B, Lot 237
Tinker, Joe b. July 27, 1880 d. July 27, 1948Professional Baseball Player. As a shortstop who played the majority of his career for the Chicago Cubs, he was known for his defense and his speed. On July 28, 1910 he stole home twice in one game. Overall he appeared in 1,804 games and gathered 1,687 hits, scored 774 runs, had 782 runs batted in and had a career batting average of .262; he also stole 336 bases and hit 114 triples. He appeared in four World Series helping his team win twice. He is forever remembered as being the "Tinker" in...[Read More] (Bio by: CSAGARresearcher)Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, Orange County, Florida, USAPlot: Section L, Lot 21

Joe Tinker would have been 138 years old on Sunday, it is not where have you gone Joe DiMaggio, but where has Joe Tinker gone. He stole home twice in a game in 1910, Tinkers to Evers to Chance, they were days when Baseball was still a game, not anything resembling the money driven game that is played in monuments rather than ballparks.

Read the stats of Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, and Joe Tinker, all gone and buried but never forgotten by the baseball purists who love the game as it once was. Gone are Frank, Johnny, and Joe, gone are the Cathedrals they worshipped in, gone are the days when it was a child's game played for love and honor and gone is the dedication of the players that played for love of the game.

Tinkers to Evers to Chance, it meant a double play the way it was meant to be made, it meant playing every day as if it was your last day, it was honoring the memory of all the players that came before and made this the National past time.

Sometimes we fail to understand the signifigance of what was pure and honest, what was once something we all relished in the evenings on the front stoop, ears glued to the radio, waiting for our heroes to win another one. Remembering the voices of the past ghosts of the sports that made it so real for us in our youth, names like By Saam, Bill Campbell asking us to live with them the thrills of a game that was in our hearts.

Well I guess Joe Dimaggio is gone, so is the Mick, Whitey is gone, soon all will be gone, Willie, Yogi, all the heroes who we worshipped, all gone, all that is left are the memories of days gone by,and of course there is always "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

Have a good night Sam

Musings from afar

Isn't it somewhat odd that the price of a barrel of Oil goes down as the price goes up! Isn't it odd that the Government bails everyone out except us! Isn't it odd that people with Food Stamps buy better cuts of meat than we do! Isn't it odd that the Car Manufacturers buy up all the patents on alternative fuel ideas! Isn't it odd that McCain and Obama are both running on the War platform while the economy goed in the tank(I know "tank was a poor pun")! Isn't it odd that Iraq does not have any Oil for us! Isn't it odd that China is holding the Olympics and Tibet is not!
Okay let's get real, we are pawns in a game the Government plays, if all was well, why would we need to go vote for a President, maybe it is me, but this is what I would call perfect timing..
Does it strike you as odd that we care so little about Africa, obviously they have nothing we want or need. By the way, how do you run unopposed and call it an election, Mugabe seems to think it is on the up and up..
I do not profess to be an economist, but then again, after seeing and hearing most economists lately, I guess I could profess to be as good as they are!
Lastly, someone please tell CNN that there is a Republican candidate for president, I am aware that all networks are somewhat biased(somewhat is slang for REALLY), but I honestly think that not mentioning a candidate of the only other major party goes well beyond bias. Granted, McCain is more like a Mummy than a candidate, at least comment on the Mummy aspect!! Well that is all I have for this Sunny day in Florida, I will be busy for a week or so with visitors from the Northland of Philadelphia and Virginia, By the way, SAM the Mets are tied for first with the Phillies!!!
Until next time, Good Night Mrs. Calabash

McCain - Obama

Well it is a matter of months till the election process takes place and at this point in time I have not made a decision as to whom is the lesser of two evils. I guess my decision will be more dependent on the running mate choices as oppose to the actual candidates themselves.. McCain is actually Older than I am and that is not at all comforting to me, Obama is your typical politician that speaks with a forked tongue, some choice huh! Maybe we need to come up with a new system, how about Gladiatorial Debates where the candidates use Mortal combat to determine the nominee!! It is obvious that the Government and the Candidates have no answers to the Economy, the War, the Future, is it just me or does this sound eerily familiar to all the recent elections.. How about we do it like American Idol and vote someone off each week until we have a President?? Maybe we need two presidents, one for Domestic and one for Foreign Policy.. Don't you think it is time that the election process and the Presidency is no longer a joke, Maybe we actually need to take the time to actually nominate a candidate that really wants to change the process, But then again we just would much rather complain and stay home on election day. Cie La Vie!!
Dear Mr. McCain or Obama, I just filled my wifes SUV and spent $73.00, My home is worth 1/2 what it was last year, my Bank is still in business(I think so), Does Iraq have Oil?? If so, why don't we?? Lastly, Please whoever wins, don't lose my address for my SS Check....
Just a casual observation from someone who cannot decide......

Sunny 94 in the Villages Today

Another day in Paradise! Rained yesterday 2.29" in a matter of 1 Hour. My wife has gone to Andover, Massachusetts for a week and it is just me and the dog to fend for ourselves. Next week is visitor week as family is coming to visit, Sam and Deb and family from Saturday the 19th through Saturday the 26th, Jase and Kathy from Sunday the 20th through Saturday the 3rd of August, and My Sister, Brother-in-Law and Nephew from the 23rd through the 26th. I will be posting some secret recipes in the future for those who are interested, such as Macaroni and Garlic(Agl'i Olio), Cajun Beans and Rice, Gumbo, and Sausage and Peppers and last but not least Pasta fagoli and Seafood Chowder.

Stay tuned, same time, same station.

1964 - THE YEAR OF THE PHILLY PHOLD

Well let me begin by saying that this blog is for those people who remember the Philly Phold, most notably the die hard fans of the Philadelphia Phillies, and SAM you know who I am talking about. Let's see if any of these names strike a familiar note: Clay Dalrymple, John Hernstein, Tony Taylor, Dick Allen, Bobby Wine, Wes Covington, Tony Gonzalez, Johnny Callison, I need to stop here and remember that Callison hit 3 Homeruns on the last day of the season in a 14-8 loss to the Braves. Back to those names: Cookie Rojas, Rueben Amaro, Gus Triandos, Danny Cater, Frank Thomas(Not the White Sox Frank by the way), Roy Sievers, Alex Johnson, Johnny Briggs, Vic Power, Costen Shockley, Adolfo Phillips, Don Hoak, and Pat Corrales. These were the players of the PHOLD, and lest we not forget, here is the Pitching staff: Jim Bunning, Dennis Bennett, Chris Short,(Remember Bunning/Short and pray for rain), Art Mahaffey, Ray Culp, Rick Wise(Eventually traded for Steve Carlton), Jack Baldschun9Today's equivalent of a "Closer"), John Boozer, Ed Roebuck(Not related to Sears but may well have been), Bobby Shantz(A's of Kansas City), Dallas Green(Before he realizzed he would be a better manager than a pitcher), Bobby Locke, and Cal McLish(I believe he was in his 60's at the time)..
Anyway, there is the whole lot of the Philadelphia Phillies in the season that left a city crushed and in despair. Well I guess it is time to remember "GENE MAUCH", the manager that decided to pitch Bunning and Short everyday for the final week of the season. Gene was a baseball wizard and knew and studied the game, but he was never able to put it into practice.
Dick Allen was a true Superstar and of course he was loathed in Philly, he hit .318 had a Slugging percentage of .557, Scored 125 runs, had 201 Hits, 38 Doubles, 13 Triples and 29 Homeruns, so with all that, they still ran him out of town. Oh I did forget he only had 91 RBI's.
Of course for poor Richie, he came to town when Johnny Callison was their aging hero and he suffered for it, Johnny hit 31 Homers and had 104 RBI's that infamous year.
Jim Bunning and Chris Short actually won 36 games and lost 17 that year but they will always be remembered for the failure to win at the end.
It was an excruciating summer to live through and to suffer yet another disaster in Philadelphia. My buddy Sam is an eternal optimist and has been a devoted fan since I can remember, Sam bleeds for the Phillies, and he believes every year is the year they return to the Series and are crowned the Champions, and of course the parade down Broad Street to Citizens Bank park. In 1964 the parade would have been to Connie Mack Stadium(named for Connie Mack who once managed the A's and in true Philadelphia fashion sold off all the best players). Connie Mack Stadium was a true ball park, nothing fancy, built in the middle of a neighborhood(I mean a real neighborhood with row houses lining the streets) 21st & Lehigh Avenue. It cost $457, 167 to build(of that the land was 141,918 and the stadium 315,248) it was a grand old place, it was actually owned by Connie Mack and Shibe(It was originally called Shibe Park. It housed the Philadelphia Athletics from 1909(when it was built) to 1954 and the Phillies from 1938 to 1970. It opened on April 12, 1909, the last game was played on Octobe 1, 1970 and it was demolished in June of 1976.
Connie Mack Stadium was the 1st Concrete and Steel Stadium in the Major Leagues, it took less than a year to build. It was originally named for Ben Shibe who was an Athletics stockholder. It was renamed Connie Mack Stadium in 1953.
Now a final rest in peace to days gone by: Before 1953, 20th street residents could see games for free over the 12ft right field fence and fans could see the Laundry lines on the roofs of 2oth street houses. they played the 1943 and 1952 All Star games here. The Old Yankee stadium scoreboard was installed in front of the right center field wall in 1956. It is today the site of the Deliverance Evangelical Church(possibly a fitting end to the old gal).
Well Sam I hope this gives you some idea that I am still a follower and still a loyalist although I now reside in Florida(Where baseball should be illegal!!!)..
It is always nice to remember the Days of Wine and Roses so to speak.

Live long and prosper.

Remnants of Days Gone By

The 1950's and early 60's were a time to remember and a time to cherish, growing up in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on a street with row homes and a quiet neighborhood of mostly Italian people one generation removed from Italy. Isn't is funny how remembering always seems better, the balmy nights sitting on the front steps listening to the ball game on the radio, the smell of hot Italian foods being made, the sound of all the neighbors communicating on the stoops, the knowledge that within this world you were content, although at the time it seem like a place you could not wait to get away from. Days gone by, the good times, the sights, sounds, smells, oh but to relive those days for just a moment. Isn't it strange how we waste the best days of our lives so that we may remember them with fondness years later when we cannot ever go home again. The music, the food, the people, the friends, all gone now and just a remembrance. Well, here is a remembrance of all those who have gone: Matty Raimo, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Liana, Aunt Mary, Aunt Lucy, Aunt Tavia, Don Kocher, Mom, and Dad. And a remembrance of those that have become more memories than reality: Barbara Kretsch, Charlotte Heaton, Cathy, Johnson, Corrao, Rootie, Harold, Betsy, Chubby, Jackie, Delores, Anna, and finally a remembrance of those that remain close to this day and offer a reminder of the days that were worth remembering: Sully, Sam, Jase, Bobby, Charlotte, Judy, Charles...
Lastly, Florida is a great place, generic as it may be, but I have a new life with a fine wife and a dog, Oh yes, I miss the Old days, but then again don't we all.