HAPPY NEW YEAR

Good Morning Speakies:

It’s New Year’s Eve and the end of the year 2009. Last week I did a post on famous people who were born or died on Christmas Day. I thought today I would see what happened on New Year’s Eve in history. See I’m getting you ready for those questions that the kiddies will hit you with when Christmas vacation is over. Here we go:

1775 – Battle of Quebec – Americans unable to take British stronghold.
1781 – Bank of North America, 1st US bank opens – Offers 2% interest on credit cards.
1862 – Union ironclad ship “Monitor” sinks off North Carolina coast.
1897 – Brooklyn’s last day as a city, it incorporates into NYC – Dodgers think about moving to Los Angeles.
1907 – For the 1st time a ball drops at Times Square to signal the new year, Dick Clark does 1st radio broadcast.
1910 – US tobacco industry produced 9 billion cigarettes in 1910. Everybody smoked in those days I guess.
1930 – US tobacco industry produced 123 billion cigarettes, even grannies are lighting up.
1940 – 37 German U-Boats are sunk.
1958 – Cuban dictator Batista flees Havana, Cuba. Michael and Fredo Corleone high tail it too.
1963 – The Chicago Bears win the NFL Championship.
1970 – Congress authorizes the Eisenhower dollar coin.
1989 – The “Fog Bowl” is played in Chicago; Bears defeat the Iggles 20-12. I saw that game on TV.
That’s about it for today.

NOW I WANT TO WISH ALL MY GUYS AND DOLLS AND THEIR FAMILIES A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. THANK YOU ALL FOR STOPPING BY AND READING MY BLOG. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND I’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK THE GOOD LORD WILLING.

WHERE DOES TIME GO

Hello Speakies:

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, where does time go? Last week I was wishing you all a Merry Christmas and tomorrow I’ll be wishing you a Happy New Year. If you are planning a party, I hope you have your food and liquor purchased and all the rest of your preparations completed. I hope you and your guests have a ball.

Here’s a good news story for New Year’s Eve from Oldsmar, Florida. A Pinellas County man was arrested after authorities said he called 911 to ask for a ride to a bar. Honest to God truth on this one. Police said he called 911 three times. One call was made when he was leaving the bar telling the operator he had a broken nose, bleeding ears and people shooting at him. He was not behaving well when the police arrived and was subject to a taser gun. He is now being held in jail on bond. I don't think we are in Mayberry anymore Otis.

Well I may be back, or I may not. Have a great rest of the day and evening. Be careful out there.

NEWS AND OPINIONS

Good Afternoon Guys and Dolls:

Here are two interesting news articles I read today. Let’s start off with I’m getting sick of you Tiger. A new study found that shareholders of Nike, Gatorade and other Tiger sponsors lost $5 billion to $12 billion in the wake of his extramarital affairs. Yes! golf fans and sponsors you put the man on a pedestal and he failed, in fact he failed quite a few times. Don’t cry over your losses now but let it be a lesson learned. They are sports figures not gods, treat them as an ordinary man or woman and if they don’t like it, JoeyZ says tuff &*%#@.

Now my other story comes out of that great city of Palm Bay, Florida. A Palm Bay man has been charged with punching a 69-year-old WalMart greeter who asked to see the man’s receipt. Mr. Friendly customer showed his receipt quickly and kept walking, the greeter followed him outside. Much to the surprise of the greeter, Mr. Friendly grabbed his clipboard and than proceeded to punch him in the head. Of course Mr. Customer was arrested and charged with battery. Our greeter said the following great words, “I told the boss, I’m getting to old for this stuff.” My suggestion have all your greeters carry stun guns for fun and protection or maybe just a simple can of wasp spray.

JOEYZ IS BACK

Good Morning Speakies:

It's nice to be back after a long weekend and a very nice Christmas Holiday. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday with your loved ones and Santa brought you everything you wanted. I always tell my sons don't worry about buying gifts for Mom and me, but I received two nice surprise gifts from my boys this year; a cue stick and my own personal Philadelphia Eagle cap. I'm ready to shoot pool and watch the playoffs.

Well the rest of the week I guess everyone will be getting ready for New Year's Eve. If you are having a party or going out to celebrate have a great time, but be careful driving, most of all please watch the drinking. If any of my speakies received some surprise presents make a post and tell us what Santa brought you. Have a nice day and we are also celebrating Tick Tock Day and No Interruptions Day, so raise your glasses high this evening and make a toast.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Christmas Eve 2009 is here and all the hustle and bustle should be finished. I’m going to take a long weekend to enjoy the holiday with my family, but I wanted to wish all My Guys and Dolls a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I thank you all for stopping by and reading my sometime strange posts and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do writing them. We have a new Speakie this morning from Hungary welcome.

I also wanted to wish a special Merry Christmas to my blog buddies, Mack, Tom Glover and Noel. I have to wish my buddy Joey G and his lovely wife Kim Happy Holidays, Joe was the inspiration for my book. To the love of my life Roe and my sons thank you for making my life complete. To my little ones, I hope Santa brings you everything you wanted; Pop-Pop loves you very much.

AND NOW TO ALL MY GUYS AND DOLLS, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

ALMOST CHRISTMAS EVE

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and to my Speakies in the Midwest, have a very Merry White Christmas. Roe is going to make her Fish Stew today and I can not wait to have a bowl tomorrow night. It’s really what the Italians call Baccala. She uses Flounder, Shrimp and Scallops along with her own spices and other secret recipe ingredients, it is soooooo good. I’m sure all of you will be having your own family traditional dishes as well so enjoy your Christmas Eve meal with the ones you love.

Tomorrow is also the start of TV Christmas marathon movies. A Christmas Story (You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid) starts at 8:00 p.m. on TBS and White Christmas with Bing Crosby runs all day long on AMC so if you like those movies park yourself down and enjoy. Also don’t forget the NORAD website to follow Santa’s track for the kiddies’ tomorrow night.

Tomorrow will be my last post until after Christmas; I’m taking a long weekend to enjoy the holiday with Roe and my boys. Have a great day, a relaxing evening and most of all be careful out there.

BREAKING NEWS SPEAKIES:

BREAKING NEWS OUT OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA. Transportation officials have reassured drivers there has been no sighting of Zombies in the area. Seems hackers posted “ZOMBIE ATTACK! EVACUATE,” on an electronic sign during the morning commute. The message was a hoax by someone who hacked the sign by telephone or on site. Its always about Vampires now, I’m glad my Zombies got a little news credit today.

REST IN PEACE ARNOLD

Good Afternoon Speakies:

Reporting on the death of yet another funny man, Arnold Stang. Many of you may not know him but he was famous for playing nerdy rolls and starred with Uncle Milty Berle in the 1950’s. He was in the cast of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Some of you may remember him as the lead voice in the 1960s cartoon “Top Cat.” Arnold was 91, rest in peace Mr. Stang you did your share to make people laugh.

COUNT DOWN IS THREE

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Well 3 more days till Christmas, this year has really flown by and when you start getting older it seems to fly by faster. I hope all your preparations are falling in place and soon you will be able to sit down and enjoy the holidays as they are meant to be.

When we say the holiday season we have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day and all the days in between. Most people have a special favorite, mine is Christmas Eve. I’ve enjoyed Christmas Eve ever since I was a kid. Was it the anticipation of Santa’s arrival or looking forward to my Grandmother’s Christmas Eve Polish meal? When our boys were little it was the joy of seeing the excitement in their eyes and with my grandchildren the fun of telling them about Santa’s arrival or watching Roe wrap their gifts. Most of all when all the festivities of evening are done, it’s the peace of the last few hours I enjoy, reflecting on what I have to be grateful for and some times how bad I feel for things I may have done or said to the ones I love. What ever day is your favorite enjoy it and be grateful that you have the ones you love to share it with.

Have a nice day Speakies whatever you are doing, working, shopping or going crazy. Talk to you later.

4 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS

Good Afternoon Speakies:

Just stopping by to say hello and wishing you all a nice evening. My northern Speakies will be having a White Christmas for sure this year. I hope you guys did not work to hard digging out. I miss the good variety of food from up north but not that white stuff and cold weather. It will be highs in the 70’s here on Christmas Day with a chance of rain.

There are some interesting observances today, so when you get home and pour a glass of your favorite holiday cheer and you can celebrate the following:

Humbug Day – Always one of my favorites.
Winter Solstice – It officially started around 12:45 p.m. today.
Flashlight Day – Everybody grab your flashlight tonight and run around outside.
World Peace Day – Borrowed that one from Miss Congeniality.
And finally “Don’t Be a Scrooge Day”.

Going to run Guys and Dolls, Drive Home Safely and Enjoy the Evening and remember it's only 4 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTMAS WEEK IS HERE

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Well it is Christmas Week and let us make it a happy week filled with love and joy. I know people have family disputes, medical issues, job and financial security worries and the list could go on and on. Let’s just try to reflect on the meaning of Christmas as it is, a season of Love and Good Tidings to all. Just try to remember the Christmas’ of our childhood and bring that feeling back to share with all.

Well I hope you all had a great weekend and finished all that Christmas stuff. Now is the time not to stress but to relax, kick back with a cocktail and get ready for all that cheer and food. I was checking my calendars and wondered about famous people born on Christmas Day, so I made a list. You could even consider this a grey matter lesson in case your kids ask you “Do you know anyone famous born on Christmas Day?” Well here we go:

Clara Harlowe Barton – Nurse founder of the American Red Cross.
Conrad Hilton – That hotel guy.
Robert L. Ripley – Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Humphrey Bogart – Actor, “Here’s Looking at You Kid.”
Cab Calloway – Band Leader
O’Kelly Isley – One of the Isley Brothers, “Twist and Shout.”
Jimmy Buffett – Get that guy a cheeseburger.
Sissy Spacek – The original Carrie.

There we go just to name some people. I have one more thing to say, if you are going out to last minute shop just don’t be like the guy below.

BUY THAT MAN A BEER

Hi Speakies:

Only in Florida can you get a news story like this one. This breaking news comes to you from Clermont, Florida. During a routine lawnmower traffic stop, a Clermont police officer discovered the driver was tipsy (Did not know of such as thing). The driver had a hard time getting off the mower and when asked if he was OK, he mentioned he had been drinking. Of course Mr. Lawnmower Man failed the sobriety test and was carted off to jail. Here is the kicker, he told police he was only feeling a little buzzed. He only drank 2 pitchers of beer. Give that man a few of those pink hard boiled eggs in a jar and a brew on me.

Well Speakies, that may be it for today. Like I said before have a great weekend and be Happy and Careful.

WEEKEND WISHES GUYS AND DOLLS

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

A Happy Friday to you all. 7 days till Christmas and it’s the last shopping weekend before Christmas need I say more. This weekend we also celebrate the following holidays:

Bake Cookies Day – I miss my Mother’s Polish Lekvar and Nut cookies.
Flake Appreciation Day – Is it the Dandruff Kind or the Crazy People Kind.
Wear a Plunger On Your Head Day – I’ll see if I can find someone wearing one and make it a Kodak moment.
Oatmeal Muffin Day – Sneaking in one of those health nut holidays that regulate your system.

If you are fooling around this weekend with your home computer, NORAD has a site you can check out for the little ones, it’s a Santa Tracker. Pretty neat little idea and the kids may get excited following Santa on Christmas Eve. JoeyZ says check it out.

The weather in sunny Florida will be turning colder with rain over the weekend. On Sunday highs will only be in the 60’s and lows in some northern portions in the 30’s. So if you are coming to visit, bring a jacket or sweater with you.

Latest Tiger Woods news from Florida, the wife is planning a divorce, gee that’s real news. Poor Tiger he is going to be taken to the cleaners.

Well Speakies enjoy Friday and the weekend, but be careful out there. I may be back later or I may not be back later. See Ya.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES

Hello Speakies:

Read a funny news story this morning out of the great State of Utah. Seems a Costco store in Utah took tomatoes off the shelves during a book signing visit by Sarah (Hockey Mom) Palin. As you may recall Palin was pelted by a fruit during a stop at the Mall of America. One customer complained about the store having no tomatoes and was advised by the manager that the tomatoes will be returned to their place on the shelves after Hockey Mom left.

Dear store manager, your customers could have chosen eggs, some nice grapes, ripe kiwi and even strawberries to pelt the great Hockey Mom if they wanted to. You made the poor tomatoes suffer and maybe some little kid asking his Mom, " Why is there no tomato on my grilled cheese sandwich Mommy?"

JoeyZ speaks.

8 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

8 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS AND COUNTING. These days are passing quickly and the more people I talk to have not finished their shopping, baking, decorations etc. To me the time is just flying by and I wish the days would slow down a bit for everyone so we could relax a bit, but I’m not the Time Man and have no control.

Yesterday was Stupid Toy Day but I would like every one of my readers to let me know what toys you asked Santa for when you were little. Let me know if you received them also. Now being an only child I usually received what I asked for but in moderation and personally I did not ask for a lot of toys. Roe and I tried to do the same for our sons and I hope they do the same for their children. OK here are some of the toys, games etc. I asked Santa for:

Erector Set – Bingo got that one and it kept me busy for hours.

Air Rifle – This one made a real loud sound, but no BB’s; never shot my eye out.

Machine Gun on Tri-Pod Stand – This one shot plastic bullets as far from the living room into the kitchen, my sons played with it when they were little.

Fort Apache Set – Had fun with that for a long time. Came with soldiers, Indians, horses and you name it.

Toy Trumpet – Blew that baby early Christmas morning and woke my parents up, Dad was a little pissed.

Electric Football Game - This one had a motor, and you had to line up the players and one player had a little foam football and when he was hit that was the end of the play. Pretty neat game in its day but to set up the players was a pain.

One thing I’ll always remember was the train, my uncle’s 1939 American Flyer, tracks were on a plywood sheet my Dad made, the town was inside the tracks and JoeyZ was the Engineer. OK Guys and Dolls your turn so I’ll be waiting. If you can read you can comment so get to it.

MY KIND OF NEWS STORY

Hello Speakies:

My kind of news story out of Fort Pierce, Florida. We could call this one "Retirement Time for Bonzo's." Ten chimpanzees were rescued from a laboratory in New Mexico and are on their way to Florida to enjoy retirement. They will arrive today at the Save the Chimps Facility, which is equipped with platforms, swings and rope bridges. Most of the chimps were involved in biomedical research and truly deserve retirement in the Sunshine State. I suggest we take up donations for gold watches and bananas. Enjoy Florida Bonzo's.

STUPID TOY DAY

Good Morning Speakies:

A Happy Hump Day to you all. Checking over my calendars I see today we celebrate the following observances:

Stupid Toy Day – That’s an idea let’s name some of our favorite stupid toys. I’ll start that one later today or tomorrow and maybe even old favorite toys we wanted at Christmas time.
National Chocolate Covered Anything Day – Let your imagination run wild on this one. Have some fun later.
Barney and Barbie Backlash Day – Got me there.
Boston Tea Party Day – One colonist heard saying, “Not the Lipton.”

Yesterday I was reading a blog by Tom Glover from Hamilton Township, NJ. His site is on my main page. Tom is a great writer for the local paper and a historian for the Hamilton Township, New Jersey Library. His posts are very interesting and if you are from that area or not please check his site out. Going back in history the way Tom presents it is great.

He had a post regarding New Year’s Eve 1936. It was a large advertisement from several bars, clubs and restaurants in Trenton, NJ featuring their New Year’s Eve menus. I was amazed at the prices of the dinners. With the Depression I still imagine that was a price to pay for the meals listed. I saw Chicken and Spaghetti dinners with all the fixings for 25 cents. We will never see those prices again. There was also an ad for the original Red Ryder BB Gun, really neat it looked just like the picture in the movie “A Christmas Story.” Well have a great day and I’ll be back with those stupid toys and also our favorite toys that we asked Santa for.

YOGINA GOES TO THAT HIBERNATION IN THE SKY

Speakies:

Here is a follow-up to my post last Friday concerning Yogina (I originally called her Yogi, but she is a Momma) the Black Bear who took a swipe at a local Florida resident when he opened his door. Wildlife officers captured and killed Yogina over the weekend. Some of the local folk are blaming the man for the bear's death, saying he set out food in his backyard. Factions here are at war, death threats are being made at the man who was swatted and now leaving 2 cubs as orphans. He in turn is outraged at the threats and the way he is being portrayed as the "Evil One." I smell bear war a brewin.

Here was the perfect solution, wildlife officers should have sedated Yogina, captured her cubs and relocated them to Ocala National Forest to enjoy their days. My suggestion quit building on every inch of land, we do not need more shopping centers, strip malls, condos and homes. Let nature breathe.

JoeyZ speaks.

CHRISTMAS SONGS AND MOVIES

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Wishing you a very happy Tuesday and hoping you all had a great evening last night. So far this Christmas Season I’ve written about Christmas drinks, family traditions, memories and food. I came across a picture today, actually a Norman Rockwell print from the Saturday Evening Post collections. If one ever had a chance to spend Christmas Eve in a town like the one pictured it would be the perfect place to be. Right now I have some Christmas tunes playing which I made up on Playlist of about 110 songs. Now I’m talking the standards Sinatra, Bennett, Mathis, Como, Bing, Boston Pops and Andre Previn etc. Christmas music I can relate to and enjoy. Good Christmas movies and music can really put you in the spirit of the holidays.

Speaking of Christmas movies The Hallmark Channel and Lifetime Channel are playing them most of the day and evening, some are good, some so so but all in all they are enjoyable to watch. I taped a movie the other evening “Holiday Inn”, which I have not seen in years. Send me your favorite Christmas song or carol and movies; I’d love to find out my Speakies favorites. Have a nice day.

BUSY DAY

Hello Speakies:

It has been one of those busy, busy days. Not really much to report news wise except more Tiger Woods tales and that's becoming old news. The man cheated and got caught end of story, now pay the price. I want to congrat the Eagles for a great victory over the Geeants last night in the Meadowlands. Have a safe drive home tonight and a great evening. See you Guys and Dolls tomorrow, God willing.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Just stopping by for a short visit and hoping you all had a great weekend. I’m also hoping you either started or finished those Christmas decorations but if you did not remember Christmas is only 11 day away so get busy. Today we celebrate Monkey Day. I guess a zoo visit would be nice. Pretty crummy morning here in Central Florida, humid with heavy fog. Highs today will be a record breaking 85 with a chance of sunshine later on and the warm weather will continue for a few days just for you folks planning a visit here.

I’ll be checking for some updates or news stories for you guys, but for now have a great morning.

HEY BOO BOO, I'M NOT YOUR AVERAGE BEAR

As I leave for the weekend Speakies, I give you one more news story from the great state of Florida. A Lake Mary gentleman was injured when he heard scratching at his door. Upon opening the door a bear greeted him with a swipe to the face causing some minor cuts. Black bears are pretty prevalent in this area but this is the first story I heard of direct contact. I’m afraid this Yogi might be hunted down but I hope he will be relocated to the Ocala National Forest. Good Luck Yogi.

HAPPY FRIDAY DECEMBER 11

Good Morning Speakies:

A little busy this morning, but stopping by to say “HAPPY FRIDAY.” Hoping your day goes by quickly at work with no problems or headaches. This weekend we can raise our glasses of cheer to Poinsettia Day, Ding A Ling Day and Cocoa Day. 14 Days left till Christmas so get busy shopping, decorating and baking but most of all have fun doing it and be careful out there. I may be back later but if not a GREAT WEEKEND TO ALL.

I BRING YOU TIDINGS AND GOOD CHEER

Good Morning Speakies:

Hope you all had a nice evening last night. Today is the start of Hanukkah and I wish my Jewish Guys and Dolls and their families a very happy holiday season. The holiday season is a special time to reflect on the blessings you and your family received and to share the spirit of the season with the ones you love. It’s also a time to gather with friends, share food, good times and cheer.

Cheer is what this post is going to be about. What’s your favorite drinkable cheer over the holidays? When I lived in Jersey, I had a particular taste for a nice Manhattan on the Rocks (Still my favorite cocktail). On those cold wintery nights a Blackberry Flavored Brandy or a nice Rock and Rye hit the spot and warmed the toes. My wife had a favorite drink called a Peppermint Pattie, tasted just like the chocolate peppermint candy. People served wine and guys drank beer but those holiday drinks were something to see and taste. A hot buttered rum, a Tom Collins, a nice Old Fashion and even Shirley Temples for the little ones. My grandmother even had a good remedy for the common cold or flu. A nice hot plain cup of tea, mix in some honey, lemon and a double shot of whiskey, down the drink and proceed to get under the bed covers and by morning you would be feeling better.

I have readers from all over, so tell me your favorite holiday drink or the drinks popular in your area or country.

CRIST COULD GO ALLLL THE WAYYYY

Sorry Speakies had to post one more before evening comes.

Florida Do Nothing Governor Charlie Crist has now turned his focus on the National Football League's upcoming draft. He has spoken to a Florida pro team about them drafting University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Gee Charlie have you no other important issues pending in the State of Florida? Let's see what needs to be done: Education funding, road construction, jobs, health insurance problems, senior citizen concerns, housing and foreclosures.

Sorry! you are going to do something Governor like that is to sign the "High Speed Rail" bill when it comes to your desk. The rail line that goes from Poinciana, FL to Deland, FL. that probably no one will really pay and ride. People run toll booths now and you think they'll pay to ride the rail.

As far as Timmy goes he will be saying Hello Oakland, California but us poor Floridians hope you don't go to Washington.

BRAIN MATTER FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 9

Good Afternoon Speakies:

I decided to check out some birthdays, deaths and history facts for today, so allow me to fill that grey matter with some knowledge. You can rest when the kiddies have Christmas vacation. I will not give you any facts to increase your knowledge but allow you all to play with your toys.

Came Unto Us This Date:
1608 – John Milton – Poet, mentioned in Animal House by Donald Sutherland, “Even Mrs. Milton found him boring.”
1886 – Charles Birdseye – That frozen veggie guy.
1898 – Emmett Kelly – Famous Circus Clown.
1902 – Margaret Hamilton – The Wicked Witch.
1909 – Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. – Actor.
1911 – Broderick Crawford – Actor Highway Patrol, All the Kings Men
1918 – Kirk Douglas – If you don’t know Kirk, I’m Spartacus.
1922 – Redd Foxx – “I’m coming Elizabeth.”
1929 – John Cassavetes – Actor – Dirty Dozen and Rosemary’s Baby.
1934 – Al Kaline – Detroit Tiger great.
1942 – Dick Butkus – Chicago Bears linebacker.
1952 – Michael Dorn – Mr. Worf from Star Trek.
1953 – John Malkovich – Scary actor.
1957 – Donny Osmond – My words can’t describe my feelings.

Bit The Dust Today:
Plenty but the only ones who stick out for me are:
1990 – Mike Mazurski – Actor and Wrestler.
1992 – Vincent Gardenia – Actor
1995 – Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan – Aviator.

Stuff Today:
1851 – First YMCA opens in North America – Village People perform live.
1907 – First Christmas Seals sold – Wilmington, Delaware Post Office.
1931 – Spain becomes a Republic.
1963 – Frank Sinatra Jr. kidnapped.
1965 – “A Charlie Brown Christmas” premieres.
1967 – Singer Jim Morrison is arrested for being a bad boy.
1990 – Lech Walesa wins presidential election in Poland.

That’s enough for today. I’ll be planning my Christmas Drink Post next so get ready to reply. Have a great evening and be kind to everyone.

HAPPY HUMP DAY AND ONE MORE CRAZY

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Happy Hump Day to all. Let me start off by telling you of another great Florida Christmas spirit news story out of Dunnellon, Florida. This brute Momma from Marion County slapped her live-in disabled boy friend with a raw steak and then slapped him several times because he refused a piece of sliced bread wanting a dinner roll instead. Chubbo was arrested with a hearing scheduled in January. Boy friend I sure hope Santa gets you out of that house or it may be your last Christmas.

On a lighter note, today we observe Shareware Day, Day of the Horse and Christmas Card Day. My suggestion is to write those cards out and get to your local post office before the rush. The same applies to shipping those out of state gifts and goodies.

Have a great day, be careful and I may see you later with some interesting facts and birthdays or another breaking story. Remember send me your comments on your Christmas traditions, meals or whatever. I may start a favorite Christmas drink post. Sounds good to me.

JOEYZ SPEAKS

Hello Speakies:

Here are some opinions from JoeyZ himself. Last night Roe and I were watching a TV show when a commercial for shampoo came on. Here are three friends having lunch at a restaurant when all of a sudden the woman in the middle starts scratching her hair constantly. How would you like to have a little white dandruff mixed in with your Pecorino Romano cheese to top off your Caesar Salad? Come on commercial wizards that is one disgusting commercial to watch.

Things are popping here in Tiger Town Central Florida. This story gets better everyday but the local yokel news will kill it to death just like the Casey Anthony story. Just report the important stuff concerning this story. The guy screwed up just like an average Joe could. We don’t need to know what color shoes he was wearing leaving his house.

We saw a new show last night starring Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher and Ray Romano called “Men of a Certain Age.” A new comedy with a lot of human interest emotion mixed in. Catch it on TNT Monday nights at 10PM.

I’m going to scout around for some more stuff and maybe I’ll see you later, if not have a great evening.

HHHHHHMMMMM GOOD

Good Morning Speakies: Here is a breaking news story from the great city of Deland, Florida. A Volusia County woman is facing battery charges. This sweet little miss caught her hubby smooching another woman in a bar on Saturday night and started slapping him around. When they got home the argument continued and she later was arrested for hitting him in the head with a can of soup. Gee I wonder if it was Chunky or Light. Don't mess with Momma and her soup cans.

REMEMBER THEM

Good Evening Speakies:

I just wanted to make one last post for the day. 68 years ago, December 7, 1941, 2,402 Americans died and over 1,200 were injured at Pearl Harbor. Let us never forget the sacrifice they made for our freedom, along with all the men and women who served in World War II. Remember them in your prayers this evening.

CHRISTMAS TIME DOWNTOWN

Hi Guys and Dolls: I want to thank my blog buddy Mack for posting this picture on his site. It's a photo of downtown Trenton, NJ at Christmas time. Looks like the 1950's era and it brought back memories to me of shopping downtown with my mother and father. That was fun going in and out of the various stores, smelling the peanuts at the Planter's Peanut Shop or grabbing a hotdog at Woolworths 5 & 10 store. You also froze your butt not like shopping at the malls. Enjoy the picture and may it bring back memories of your hometown and Christmas time. Thanks Mack.

MY MOUTH IS STARTING TO WATER

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

I hope you all had a great weekend and bought that Christmas tree and finished all those decorations like I told you to do. As long as you had a nice weekend that’s all that counts in my book and in your life. I’ve written some posts about my favorite Christmas traditions, memories and such, please feel free to comment on yours. Now I know we all loosen our belts over the holidays and in January we promise that old diet thing once again, but let’s talk food. I’m Polish and Roe is Italian so we have a variety of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day food traditions. Being Polish I can remember what we ate at my Grandmother and Mother’s homes on Christmas Eve “Wigilia” and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve no meat was ever served.

The meal started with one of the most revered Polish customs the breaking of the oplatek. The oplatek is a thin wafer made from flour and water. The wafers were baked by organists or by the religious and were distributed to the Polish households. The father or eldest member of the family breaks it in half and gives one half to the mother. Then, each of them breaks a small part from each other’s piece. They wish one another a long life, good health, joy and happiness, not only for the holiday season, but also for the new year and many more to come. This ceremony is repeated with all the children and guests at the house.

I remember we had mushroom or beet soup, a fish dish usually cod or flounder, pierogi’s, sauerkraut, bread and plenty of desserts to eat. After dinner some good coffee and a few good belts of blackberry brandy or rock and rye. Christmas Day was a pick day for food ham, potato salad, cole slaw, kielbasa, horseradish and some left over pierogi’s. Good memories and good food.

When I met Roe, I was introduced to the Italian Christmas Eve dinner. Dinner consisted of baccala a fish stew, shrimp with cocktail sauce, smelts (tiny fish), a fish dinner usually flounder or cod, French fries, fried broccoli patties and other assorted goodies. Christmas Day was ham, stuffed shells, shrimp cocktail and plenty of other goodies.

We kept this tradition with our children some of the food they liked and some not but the memories of Christmas with Roe and them are my best. She still makes the best fish stew ever and I’m getting ready for it now. Have a great day Speakies and send me your favorite Christmas Eve and Christmas Day foods.

GOVERNMENT PUTS BITE ON DOG

BREAKING NEWS SPEAKIES FROM CLEARWATER, FLORIDA.

Man bites dog, not really but man’s best friend lost his job today. An owner of a Gas Station/Convenience store received a warning from the Florida Department of Health informing him that his dog must go. It seems the dog a Lab retriever works as a greeter in the store wearing a company shirt and name tag. The Department of Health declared that if the dog continued working they would declare all the sodas, snacks as unfit for consumption. Come on Health Guys all the snacks are sealed but you have to pick on somebody for something. I have an idea for you, send some undercover agents to some of these stores and enforce the “NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE” law, some of these scum bags are worse than dogs.

Strictly the opinion of JoeyZ.

WEEKEND WISHES

HAPPY FRIDAY SPEAKIES:

Have to get into the Christmas colors a little bit. Well it is Friday and the weekend is upon us. Down here in Central Florida a pretty crummy weekend is in store; rain, thunderstorms and highs only in the upper 60's. They say Sunday the weather should be clearing up with highs in the 70's. Get busy this weekend getting those outdoor and indoor decorations up, put some Christmas tunes on and get that spirit going. Enjoy the decorations before you know it the holidays will be gone. This weekend we can celebrate the following observances with a glass of fine cheer:

Cookie Day - Get busy girls
Santa's List Day - Get those little ones busy writing their wish list
National Dice Day - 7 - 11 come to Joey
Blue Jeans Day- Jeans make you feel relaxed
Bathtub Fun Day - This could be a fun day for young and old
Special Kids Day - Kids are all special, some need just a little more caring and love
Saint Nicholas Day

Whatever you do this weekend have fun, love one another and be careful out. Have a great one Guys and Dolls. I may be back later if anything breaks.

THE GRINCH IS IN DELAND, FLORIDA

Good Morning Speakies:

Breaking news from DeLand, Florida. A local Grinch made their way inside a tent located at a local Lowe’s and set fire to a number of Christmas trees that were stored inside. A witness could only ID him as wearing a hooded sweatshirt. What butt head would want to set fire to Christmas trees? If this local yokel is arrested, here is the perfect sentence. I would make him clean the pine needles off the ground with his fingers during business hours wearing a shirt that reads “NUMB NUTS.”

Today is also Disabled Persons Awareness Day, be kind and if you see they need a hand extend yours to help. Go grab a cup of coffee, I am and let’s all have a great day. Talk to you guys later.

MORE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Hello Guys and Dolls:

Speaking of Christmas memories, I found this picture of the interior of St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church from my home town. My Mother, Father and I belonged to this parish ever since I was born. I could not tell you how many services I attended there; I even served as an altar boy for several years. On Christmas Eve the church was decorated with Poinsettia plants and beautifully lit candles. The choir was mostly male accompanied by violins and the organ. The carols or kolendy in Polish were beautifully sung. I remember you had to leave the house by 11 p.m. just to get a seat and we lived only 1 block away. It was especially nice if snow was falling that evening. We all have our memories and if you would like, please share yours here.

DECEMBER 2, 2009

Hello Speakies:

Well Hump Day has arrived and it seems Christmas is getting closer with each days passing. I posted what Christmas memories I had and I’m still waiting for some of your memories regarding the holidays. Don’t be shy, this is a Speak Easy and your comments and posts are always welcome.

Let’s see what great observances there are today. Well we have Special Education Day, Coats for Kids Day and Science Fiction Day. The flower of the month is a Narcissus or Holly. How about some Happy Birthdays to the following:

1906 – Peter Carl Goldmark – developed color TV and LP records.
1914 – Ray Walston – Uncle Martin from “My Favorite Martian.”
1954 – Dan Butler – Bob “Bulldog” Briscoe of TV show “Frazier.”
There were more birthdays however mostly sports figures I never heard of, so I don’t care. Call me a Grinch today.

IT'S DECEMBER

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

A happy December 1 to you all. In December we celebrate National Tie Month, Safe Toys and Gifts Month and Universal Human Rights Month. This week we celebrate Cookie Cutter Week and today Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day. I can’t do that one, without my 3 level computer glasses I’m sunk. I have placed some Christmas tunes on my blog to get you all in the spirit of things, so I hope you enjoy them as you are reading.

Let’s see what famous births, deaths and history occurred this date:

Born Today:
1671 –Francesco Stradivari – Italian Violin maker.
1904 – W.A. “Tony” Boyle – United Mine Workers President.
1925 – David Doyle – Bosley of Charlie’s Angels fame.
1934 – Billy Paul – Singer “Me and Mrs. Jones”, we got that thing going on.
1940 – Richard Pryor – Comedian/Actor, also Freebase Guy.
1944 – Bette Midler – Singer.
1949 – Pablo Escobar Gaviria – Columbian Drug Baron.

Hit the Pearly Gates Maybe:
1842 – Philip Spencer – 1st US Naval Officer hanged for mutiny.
1973 – David Ben-Gurion – Founding Father of Israel.
1994 – Lionel Stander – Actor Max on “Hart to Hart”.

Stuff That Happened:
1804 – Napoleon marries Josephine.
1831 – Erie Canal closes for 1 month due to cold weather.
1878 – 1st White House telephone installed.
1891 – James Naismith creates the game of Basketball/
1917 – Boys Town is founded by Father Edward Flanagan – “There’s no such thing as a bad boy.”
1939 – Himmler begins to deport Polish Jews.
1942 – Gas rationing starts in the US.
1957 – Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly and the Crickets appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.

There's more but that’s all for today folks.