ANOTHER SAD STORY AND MY THEORY

Speakies:

Another sad news story out of Longwood, Florida. A 22-year old mother if you can call her that killed her 2-year old daughter by strangling her with her hands and bra. She is being held for first degree murder. That’s the story but the issue here is we have to protect the children from future idiots like this one.

One of the local radio show hosts here once suggested that people planning to get married and desire children should take a test to check for competency in being a parent. This is a good idea, but here is my theory of what should occur in the future.

Bubba and Sally Mae are planning to get married. Both want children, both look normal and fairly intelligent. First of all they meet before a panel of judges, consisting of doctors and other professionals in their fields of science, medicine and education for an oral examination. A written test follows, if they pass the first two phases on to the final challenge. In the future someone will create androids, similar to the one on Star Trek. Baby androids, programmed to act like a real child. These androids will cry, wet, eat, be cranky, sleep and play just like a real baby. The future parents will be paired with this android for a two week period say, fully observed by a panel of medical and psychological experts to observe their behavior. If they pass a certificate or license will be issued to have children. If they fail in any manner, loss of temper, violence, neglect etc., it’s snip snip time and no questions asked.

That’s my opinion and I’m JoeyZ.

SAY HELLO TO OCTOBER

Good Morning Speakies:

Well tomorrow starts October and I’m sure the leaves are changing up North, the air becoming a little more brisk and the pumpkins are growing in the patch. I’ll be bringing you the daily observances, mixed with a little history like always, but I wanted you to know some of October’s Monthly Observances that I usually do not mention. Some October Observances are:

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month – There are so many just looking for a good home, if you can do it, do it.
Apple Month – Sink those teeth into a crisp Red or Golden Delicious. Maybe a nice Carmel Apple.
Eat Better Month – I’ll have another slice of Pepperoni Pizza.
German-American Heritage Month – Roll out the brats, sauerbraten and big steins of beer.
National Chili Month – Sounds good to me. Are you listening Roe?
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Ladies go get that exam you have been putting off.
Polish-American Heritage Month – Roll out the kielbasa, vodka, beer, stuffed cabbage and all that good stuff.
Spinach Lovers Month – Never liked it as a kid, love it now.
And last but not least for the kiddies
HALLOWEEN

HISTORY LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 29

Alright Speakies:

I’m sorry I can’t let you go too many days without some history lesson, so here we go for Tuesday, September 29. Let’s see who entered our planet, left it and what we did to it this date:

Born:
1758 – British Naval hero Horatio Nelson
1901 – Enrico Fermi – Italian physicist fission
1907 – Gene Autry – American Cowpoke
1929 – Bob Newhart – Comedian
1935 – Jerry Lee Lewis – Piano maniac
1942 – Madeline Kahn – Comedian Actress (Young Frankenstein, History of the World, Part I)
1943 – Lech Walesa – Polish Solidarity Leader

Died:
1895 – Louis Pasteur
1970 – Edward Everett Horton – Narrator (Rocky and Bullwinkle), a fine actor, watch him in “Here Comes Mr. Jordon.”
1975 – Casey Stengel – N.Y. Yankee manager, “The Old Professor.”
1978 – Pope John Paul I

Stuff that Happened:
1650 – Henry Robinson – Opens 1’st marriage bureau in England.
1829 – Scotland Yard formed in London.
1915 – Hurricane claims 275 lives in the Mississippi Delta.
1953 – Milton Berle Show premiers on TV.
1954 – Willie Mays makes his famous over the shoulder catch.
1963 – Cardinal Stan Musial plays his final game.
1969 – TV show “Love American Style” makes its debut.
1982 – Cyanide laced Tylenol capsules kills 7 in Chicago.

That’s it for history today, have a great evening and be careful out there.

HERE WE GO LOOP D' LOOP

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Yesterday I said I had a question for you. I’m sure each of us as a kid or even now as an adult loves going on rides. Our memories maybe of a certain carnival ride, a ride on one of the many boardwalks on the Jersey Shore, or perhaps a theme park ride. Rides that you rode over and over or that certain ride that you feared but conquered. I never had a liking for roller coasters, but did a few in my days. The one I feared the most but went on every time was the “Wild Mouse.” The one I remember the most was located in Seaside Heights, NJ on the boardwalk. This 2 seater looking mouse car, made climbs uphill, fast abrupt turns before you thought you were headed over the rails into the ocean and than the deep drop only to start all over again.

What was your favorite ride or most feared. Let me know Speakies and tell me WHY.

THREE SHEETS - A MUST TO SEE

Hello Guys and Dolls:

I told you I was going to ask you a question, but I may put that on hold until tomorrow. Like everyone, I like to relax at night, watch a little TV, but I focus on food shows, history and a few prime channel shows. I want to tell you about this show called “Three Sheets”; it stars Zane Lamprey a funny guy who takes you around the world bar hopping. For all my Polish friends, Zane will be touring Poland tonight in search of vodka; he will also be crashing a Polish Wedding. This guy is funny and the show is very informative. I never knew there were so many varieties of booze in the world.

His show is on FLN Channel so check it out tonight at 10 p.m. (EDT). For all his shows just check out the FLN Channel on the net.

MOMMY DEAREST GETS MY GANDER

Speakies:

A breaking news story from Melbourne, Florida. Police say a 37-year old mother tried to sell her 6-year old son for gas money. A tow truck driver reported the incident as this fine mother tried to sell her son to him at a gas station. Mommy dearest was arrested for child neglect, retail theft and possession of a controlled substance. Here’s the kicker a woman in the car of the “Best Mom in Florida” says the tow truck driver was lying. Let me see who should we believe HMMMMMMMM?

Book her Bubba and throw away the key.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING

Good Morning Speakies:

May your Monday be a pleasant one and go as smoothly as possible. Today we celebrate the following observances:

A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Kids – Plan something special for them.
Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement in the Jewish faith.
Teacher’s Day – Polish up them apples.
I checked the history for today and nothing of great importance occurred, so no lessons today.

I’ve got some things in the making and will be back later today with a question for all you readers. I also have a news story that gets my gander.

TRIVIA ANSWER

OK SPEAKIES:

I gave all of you enough time to answer yesterday's trivia question. The answer is

THE ONE AND ONLY - ED SULLIVAN

WEEKEND WISHES

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Another Friday is upon us and start of the weekend for me is only 8 hours away. Let’s see what holidays we observe on September 25 to 27.

September 25
National One-Hit Wonder Day – Like “The Bird is the Word.”
Love Note Day – If you have them pass them around.
National Comic Book Day

September 26
Fish Amnesty Day – If you catch them, let them go.
Shamu the Whale Day- Everybody has to get in the act for a holiday.
Family Health and Fitness Day – Put the kids outside to work in the yard.
Rocky Horror Picture Show debuted - Everybody do the "Time Warp."

September 27
World Heart Day – Take care of yours.
National Good Neighbor Day – Be kind to the grouch next door.
Crush a Can Day – Do a Belushi beer can on your forehead.
Gold Star Mother’s Day – Say a prayer for those Moms who lost their sons in wars.

Whatever you do this weekend have lots of fun and be careful out there. See Ya Monday.

A TRIVIA QUESTION

Hi Guys and Dolls:

I thought I’d leave you this afternoon with a trivia question to ponder and drive you nuts during the evening. So send in your answers and I’ll give you the answer tomorrow.

QUESTION
Name the TV personality who in the late 1960’s released “The Sulli-Gulli”, his first and only rock record.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Good Morning Speakies:

It’s Thursday and one day closer to Friday. Let’s see what observances we have today:

Beer Days – If they honor it, I say drink it.
Punctuation Day – I hopadit me spiel checkie work tiday.
Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving – A religious holiday from English roots, a Judeo-Christian basis. A day of Thanks.
Bullwinkle J. Moose debuted in 1961.
Bluebird of Happiness Day – Remember that old WWII song, “When Bluebirds Fly Over the White Cliffs of Dover.”

Happy Birthdays to:
1896 – F. Scott Fitzgerald – Author “The Great Gatsby”.
1921 – Jim McKay – Sportscaster “ABC’s Wide World of Sports.”
1936 – Jim Henson – Muppet Man.
1946 – “Mean” Joe Green NFL Tackle, also a Coke Spokesman.

And Happy Birthday to any of my Speakies celebrating today. Have a great day.

THIS ONE IS FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Listen Up Guys and Dolls:

I want to tell you about I site I found on Yahoo Directory yesterday. The direct link is listed below. It is a great site for pre-school and kindergarten to second grade students. It teaches children how to read, learn words etc. I heard that many schools use the Starfall product line and that they provide great service in the field of education. I was playing a game called “Pick your Pumpkin.” When you start to get older anything amuses one’s self. Check it out and start your children on the road to quality education. Strictly a public service announcement from JoeyZ.

http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/halloween/load.htm?f&n=main

HEY SARGE, I'M GOING FOR A TURKEY

Hi Guys and Dolls:

I only bring you the best news coverage in Florida. Headline: Lakeland, Florida. A drug bust in Polk County, Florida turned into a fun-filled day for the investigators. Detectives raided the home of a suspected drug dealer yesterday, while searching for the illegal goods; the officers were distracted by a Nintendo Wii. While they carried out their search for nine hours they played bowling games on the Wii. Now here’s the catch, the alleged dealer had a video camera that caught all the pin action on film.

The Sheriff of Polk County is investigating the incident. Gee detectives, you stepped over the foul line on this one.

IN DAYS OF OLD

Hello Speakies:

A friend of mine sent me this today, so I thought I would pass it along to all my guys and dolls. Personally, I'm glad to be living in our time, but if I was living in the 1500's I'd want to be the "UPPER CRUST."

*** LIFE IN THE 1500'S *** The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be . Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way. Hence the saying, "A threshold." (Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old." Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "Bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, "Saved by the bell or was considered a ...dead ringer." And that's the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !

PHILLY CHEESE STEAK CHALLENGE

Speakies and My Food Son :

For all my Speakies, NJ and Philly transplants, on the Travel Channel tomorrow night is a show called Man versus Food. Adam will be in Philly taking on a cheese steak challenge at Tony Luke's. The show is pretty informative and funny to boot. If you have a chance catch it at 10 p.m. on the Travel Channel.

HISTORY FOR TUESDAY

Good Morning Speakies:

A Happy Tuesday to you all. Let’s infuse that grey matter with some history today:

1692 – Last person hanged for witchcraft in Salem, MA.
1789 – Office of the Post Master General is created – Price of stamps goes up 2 cents.
1903 – Italo Marchiony granted patent for the first ice cream cone.
1910 – England’s first aircraft flight.
1927 – Gene Tunney beats Jack Dempsey for heavyweight boxing title, the famous “Long Count” occurs.
1944 – US troops land on Ulithi in the South Pacific.
1950 – Omar Bradley promoted to rank of 5 Star General.
1955 – Hurricane Janet kills 500 in the Caribbean.
1964 – Man from U.N.C.L.E. premiers on TV.
1975 – Sara Jane Moore tries to bump off President Gerald Ford in San Francisco.
1985 – Mexican earthquake kills 2,000.

A Happy Birthday to Australian Singer Nick Cave and former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda. Have a great day Speakies and I want answers to your favorite Chips or Snacks.

WE ARE TALKING CHIPS AND SNACKS HERE

Guys and Dolls:

We are going to talk “Potato Chips”, one of my favorite snacks, just ask my wife and sons. I love chips, thin, thick or bold. Now I want all of you readers to jump in here and list your favorite kind of chips, the maker and describe them. I’m going to name mine and you readers do the same.

Wise Potato Chips – One of my favorites when I was a kid in Jersey, a nice greasy texture.
Charles Chips – Delivered to your home in a nice big metal can, another Jersey favorite. Clean crisp taste.
Utz – A friend sent me a whole case when I was out of work on sick leave. Very good, crunchy.
There are the usual national brands, but I do like Target’s chips plain and BBQ. Just a good clean tasting chip.
So jump in Speakies and name yours. If you’re not a chip fan, name your favorite snack and tell us why. This is JoeyZ's Speakeasy so say what's on your mind.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING SPEAKIES

Good Monday Morning Guys and Dolls:

I hope you all had a great weekend, the sun shined, your teams won, the beer flowed and the earth was filled with love for each of you. Now enough with that Guru stuff, let’s see what happened in the world on this date of September 21.

Born:
1931 – Larry Hagman – I Dream of Jeannie man.
1947 – Stephen King – Horror writer.
1950 – Bill Murray – Comedian, I can take or leave him.
1968 – Ricki Lake – That Hairspray girl.

Died:
1776 – Nathan Hale – American who spied on the British hanged.
1974 – Jacqueline Susann – Author Valley of the Dolls.
1974 – Walter Brennan – Great character actor.

What When On Today:
1780 – Benedict Arnold gives British Major Andre plans to West Point.
1895 – First auto manufacturer opens – Duryea Motor Wagon Company.
1897 – NY Sun runs famous “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus,” editorial.
1937 – J.R.R. Tolkien publishes “The Hobbit.”
1957 – Perry Mason first appears on TV.
1966 – 5” of rain fall on NYC.
1970 – “Monday Night Football” premiers on ABC.
1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor becomes 1’st female Supreme Court Justice.

Have a great day and be careful.

GAS VERSUS CLASS

Hello Speakies:

I could not pass this news flash up before I left for the weekend. Headline news out of Volusia County, Florida – A man’s gas passing during dinner turned into a violent incident. Deputies say two men were having dinner last night when one of the men passed gas on the other man’s food. The classy gent advised Mr. Fart it was not nice to pass gas on one’s food and started to chase him around the house. Mr. Fart thought it was funny and that they were just playing a game. When the chase ended Mr. Classy told Fart Man that he’s getting his gun. Farty fled out of the house on to find Mr. Classy on his heals with a baseball bat instead of a gun. Classy proceeded to smash every window on Farty’s car plus supplying some body dents.

Fart Man waived down a local deputy who placed Classy under arrest for vandalism. Classy posted his bail and is now free roaming Volusia County. As a lesson don’t pass any gas near any Mr. Class.

WEEKEND WISHES

Hello Speakies:

TGIF to you all. Just wanted to stop by and wish all my guys and dolls a very happy weekend. Enjoy whatever you will be doing, most of all have loads of fun and be careful out there.

Tomorrow is "TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY", SO ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG TO YOU ALL.

STO LAT HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY

Joey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE TO COME. AS WE SAY IN POLISH

Sto Lat, Sto Lat, Niech Zyje Zyje Nam.

Good Luck, Good Cheer, May You Live 100 Years.

Have a great day, Love You Very Much.

Love, Dad

FIRE, I THINK YOU SHOULD BURN

Guys and Dolls:

This story really gets my gander up. Dateline Orlando, Florida – An Orange County mother accused of lighting her child’s hands on fire pleaded no contest. She was sentenced to four years probation and a psychological evaluation and meet state Department of Children and Families rules.

This scum bag of a mother poured alcohol all over her child’s hands and lit them because she was stressed out. Hell’s fire would be perfect for your sentence. As far as the idiot judge who sentenced you, he or she should be subject to a psychological examination to see if any grey matter exists in that dense skull.

Children have to be protected and sentences have to be more severe. Strictly the opinion of JoeyZ.

THE THREE'S CAME FAST

Good Afternoon Speakies:

They say the Deaths of the Famous comes in three's, well it struck quickly this week. First was Patrick Swayze a good actor whose movies I'm sure we all enjoyed in one way or the other. Next was Mary Travers, of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. that used beautiful tranquil harmonies to convey their messages against war, racial discrimination and more. Lastly, Henry Gibson that comic character known for his offbeat poetry and large flowers on Laugh-In.

One can only say Thanks for the Memories and have fun entertaining in the big room upstairs.

SEPTEMBER 17 STUFF

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Happy Thursday to all. I had to pay a visit to that place we all love today, “THE DENTIST”. Happy to report all is fine, look Speakies no cavities. Today we celebrate the following:

Time’s Up Day
Citizenship Day
Responsible Dog Owners Day – That means No Poop on the neighbor’s lawn.

Let’s See Who Entered the World Today:
1271 – Wenceslas II – King of Bohemia and Poland.
1923 – Hank Williams – Country Singer.
1928 – Roddy McDowall – Actor Planet of the Apes, Lord Love a Duck.
1931 – Ann Bancroft – Mrs. Robinson.
1948 – John Ritter – Actor Three’s Company.

Departed Today:
1984 – Richard Basehart – Actor (Moby Dick).

Stuff that Happened Today:
1776 – Presidio of San Francisco forms as a Spanish fort.
1873 – 19 students attending opening of Ohio State University.
1920 – National Football League is organized in Canton, Ohio.
1928 – Hurricane hits Lake Okeechobee, FL, drowns approx. 2500.
1953 – Ernie Banks becomes the Cubs first black player.
1963 – The Fugitive premiers on TV.
1964 – Beatles are paid $150,000 for a concert, record pay day in those days.
1972 – M*A*S*H debuts on the tube.
1980 – Solidarity labor union forms in Poland.
1991 – North and South Korea join the UN. – Should have invited the South only.

TAKE MY CLOTHES, MY BOOTS, MY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Hello Speakies:

Caught a crazy today, headline Marion County, Florida. Name to be withheld to protect the privates. A Marion County deputy arrested Mr. Nude while driving his motorcycle butt naked and drunk on Interstate 75. Nudie was given several sobriety tests but failed each one. He only remembers being at Hooter’s and than had no idea where he was going. I guess his flipper was a flop to the Hooter’s girls. He has been convicted on several DUI charges in the past all with his clothes off. His license was revoked for 10 years. Guess what Mr. Nude, I don’t think you are getting it back; in fact you are facing 5 years in the pen. Take your clothes off there and you will get a lot of attention.

If this ever makes your local news or You Tube check it out. I saw the arrest on the local news here last night.

ANSWER TO THE LONE RANGER QUESTION

I loved all the responses I received to this Trivia Question. A remake of the Lone Ranger is filmed, who is playing the role of Tonto, the Lone Ranger's right hand guy.

THE ANSWER IS: THE ONE AND ONLY "JOHNNY DEPP".

HUMP DAY HISTORY

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Up and writing early on this Wednesday morning, hoping you all have a nice day. It is September 16 and let’s see what observances there are today.
Play Doh Day – Never bothered with the stuff, I was a Silly Putty Guy.
Collect Rocks Day – A nice hobby for some.
Wife Appreciation Day – Hubbies take notice on this one.
Wrinkled Raincoat Day – In honor of Lt. Columbo. One of my favorite shows.
Trail of Tears Commemoration Day – In honor of how we screwed the true Native Americans.

Born Today:
1914 – Allen Funt – The Candid Camera Guy.
1924 – Lauren Bacall – Bogie’s Babe.
1927 – Peter Falk – Lt. Columbo, Just one more question Sir.
1933 – George Chakiris – Actor West Side Story (Bernado).

Happened Today:
1630 – Village of Shawmut changes name to Boston.
1782 – Great Seal of US used for the first time.
1908 – General Motors founded.
1963 – “Outer Limits” debuted on TV.
1968 – Tricky Dick Nixon appears on Laugh-In.
1983 – Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes a US citizen.

Have a great day Speakies.

STOPPING BY

Hello Speakies:

Just stopping by to say have a nice evening. I checked out the news down here and the crazies are quite today so no worry alerts have been posted. The weather remains partly sunny and around 90 for the high today, with a 30% chance of rain. For those of you who enjoy vacation, cooking or travel shows, tomorrow night on Man Vs. Food the show comes from Sarasota, Florida. I have to check that one out because we visit Sarasota to see family. If it looks like a good place to eat maybe I'll try it and give you a report.

I'll give you the answer tomorrow on the Lone Ranger quiz question and probably some history facts. Sorry to hear about Patrick Swayze, good actor, did not know he married his wife when she was 15 and he was 17. Married for 34 years, that's one heading for the Hollywood Record Book on Marriages.

LET'S TALK POLISH HERE

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

A top of the morning to you all and I’m not even Irish. Let’s see what we observe today in the way of holidays:
Make a Hat Day
National Thank You Day – And don’t forget about it today.
The Lone Ranger Day – Debuted on TV in 1949. Here’s a little quiz for you. Hollywood is making a remake of the Lone Ranger; my question is who will play Tonto? Answer tomorrow; send me your answers and let’s get a little action flowing here.

Now I’m sure you have heard about Italian Water Ice, very famous in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Last night I saw a food show featuring Polish Water Ice a big success when it started in Ocean City, NJ on the boardwalk and now has tons of stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland. Check it out on the web and if you are in the areas listed give it a try. That guy came up with a good idea, after eating garlic kielbasa a Polish water ice sounds like a good idea. While we are talking Polish, here’s one notable Polak who was born today, Miroslaw Hermaszewski – No lie 1’st Polish space traveler aboard Soyuz 30.

We also celebrate some holidays from around the world today:
In Japan – Respect for the Aged Day – Maybe I’ll get a vacation home in Japan.
United Kingdom – Battle of Britain Day honoring those pilots of 1940 of whom Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Have a nice day Speakies and be careful out there. I’m on the lookout for the crazies and ready to report if anything happens.

HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU ALL

Good Morning Speakies:

Hoping you all had a nice weekend, your favorite teams won their games, and mine surely did. I want to say a special “Thank You” to Elizabeth for a great surprise birthday party yesterday for my son Joe. Rosemary and I really had a great time and everything was really nice. I know it was tough keeping it a secret, it's hard to pull the wool over that kid’s eyes.

Now some history for today:
Born Today:
1899 – Hal Wallis – Movie producer (Maltese Falcon, Barefoot in the Park fame).
1908 – Clayton Moore – The original Lone Ranger.
1938 - Walter Koenig – Mr. Checkov (Star Trek).
1947 – Jon “Bowser” Bauman – Singer Sha Na Na.

Died This Date:
1901 – President McKinley – Of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin.
1982 – Grace Kelly – Actress and Princess of Monaco – Dies from car accident.

Stuff that happened today:
1716 – 1’st lighthouse in U.S. lit (Boston Harbor).
1848 – Alexander Stewart opens the 1’st department store – First blue light special is held.
1938 – Graf Zeppelin II, world’s largest airship, makes maiden flight.
1948 – Milton “Uncle Milty” Berle starts his TV career.
1965 – “F-Troop” premiers on TV.
1975 – Mother Elizabeth Seton canonized as 1’st U.S. born saint.

Have a great day and I’ll speak to you later.

WEEKEND WISHES

Hello Speakies:

Well it’s Friday again and almost the start of the weekend. Plenty of football in store for all you fans. “GO EAGLES” on Sunday. This weekend we also celebrate the following observances:
Saturday:
Popcorn Day – Makes Orville happy in heaven.
Video Game Day
Mushroom Day - I like mine stuffed with Italian sausage.

Sunday:
International Chocolate Day - A favorite among the Dolls.
National Grandparent’s Day – Rosemary and I get a holiday and so do many other grandparents, have a happy.
Barbershop Day
And for all you cartoon fans Scooby Doo Debuted

So have a great weekend, be careful out there and say a prayer for all those brave men and women who lost their lives today back in 2001.

NO COKE, PEPSI

Speakies:

The news is flowing today. Here’s the mentality of a Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida. The mega church member in charge of community issues has decided that Pepsi is too gay friendly and has adopted Coke as its cola of choice. He plans to replace Pepsi in all the 10 vending machines on the church property with Coke products. He claims Pepsi supports gay rights, same sex marriage and all that other gay stuff these Christians find offensive. It’s not only a soda issue I’m attacking here; how about love thy brother and sister, he who cast the first stone etc. I wonder if Coke supports any gay issues, I’m sure they don’t mind if gays drink their soda.

Dear member in charge of community issues get a life and for your sake, I hope God doesn’t drink Pepsi. Strictly the opinion of Joey Z.

JUST THE FACTS

Hello Guys and Dolls:

Yesterday evening when I came home from work the local Central Florida news was on the TV. I’m only interested in the breaking news, not the same news from the previous night that is usually shown over and over. The local news down here is on from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on most of the stations. The same stories are repeated every half-hour (can you say boring).

Now last night one of the big breaking news stories was the foliage change in the state of Minnesota. I’m sure that story did not even make the back page of the news in Minnesota so why should we care here in Florida. Does their breaking news report that a couple of palm trees from Central Florida were wilted from the heat?

Please give us the news, the important news and don’t comment about each story. JUST THE FACTS.

MR. PEANUT ARRESTED

Good Morning Speakies:

Here’s a news story for you. This one comes out of Palm Bay, Florida. Headline: Police Arrest Peanut Eating Robber. A man who robbed a Palm Bay drug store and left a trail of peanuts was arrested a short time later. Seems Mikey “The Peanut Bandit” demanded all the money in the cash register while eating peanuts, dropping several on the floor in all the excitement. Officers located and arrested “Mr. Peanut” leaving a wooded area where he was found with peanuts in his pockets and the same amount of cash that was stolen from the store. Are you ready for the punch line? I don’t think his bail bond will be peanuts.

Have a great day Speakies and be careful out there.

GOING MY WAY

Guys and Dolls:

I read a story today on the net from one of our local TV stations concerning amnesty for snakes. Gatorland is having Snake Amnesty Day, Saturday, October 3, 2009 for all types of exotic snakes. There have been numbers of exotic type snakes like Burmese Pythons turned loose in the Everglades and other locations due to their size or owners who can’t feed or manage them. It’s a great idea for all those bozos that purchased them and thought they would make great pets, but as owners they failed and now realize they could not even handle a Hermit Crab. What about those snakes in the wild, all alone out there? Can you imagine hundreds of pythons and other exotic snakes crawling up I-95 and the Orange Blossom Trail hoping to make it to Gatorland for Amnesty Day. Big snakes, little snakes carrying signs, “Gatorland or Bust” or thumbing rides. I can vision it now, snakes hoping for a ride in a pick-up truck so they could stretch out in comfort.

HATS OFF TO YOU GATORLAND, A GREAT GESTURE FOR NATURE. NOW IF WE ONLY HAD AN AMNESTY DAY FOR BOZOS.

TOMATO PIES AND A BURGER

Speakies:

You have heard me speak of DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pies and hamburgers from Rossi’s in some of my posts. My blog buddy Mack recently posted pictures of the tomato pies and hamburgers served at those 2 places I miss. I told Mack I was borrowing the pictures for my blog to show my Southern Speakies what a real tomato pie and burger look like. Also for all you Jersey transplants, I hope your mouths are watering like mine. Enjoy the pictures and just dream of sinking your teeth into those two delights. Mack, as Bob Hope would say, “Thanks for the Memories.”

CALENDAR FOR 9-9-09

Good Morning Speakies:

Well it’s Hump Day, but it feels like a Tuesday to me. Those 3 day weekends make it rough to handle the rest of the work week. Today we observe:
Wonderful Weirdoes Day – I hold crazies dear to my heart and report on them when I find them running loose.
Teddy Bear Day – All kids should have one.
Hot Dog Day – First sold in 1884. I wonder what they put on it.

Lots of birthdays today:
1754 – Captain William Bligh – That nasty captain of the HMS Bounty.
1828 – Leo Tolstoy – Author War and Peace.
1890 – Harland Sanders – Colonel Sanders to the chickens.
1900 – James Hilton – The Hotel Guy.
1919 – Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder – I’ll give you 4 to 1 on the Phillies.
1924 – Nino Bibbia – Italian bobsled Gold medal winner 1948. Cool name.
1941 - Otis Redding – Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.
1950 – Tom Wopat – Luke Duke (Dukes of Hazzard).
1951 – Michael Keaton – Actor Batman.

Have a great day Speakies; I’m keeping an eye out for any of the weirdo’s we celebrate today.

MY BOOK

Good Afternoon Speakies:

Just checked the Red Lead Bookstore, my book is listed under Non-Fiction, so go ahead and order a couple hundred. I hope you enjoy the reading and Thank You.

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

Here's the answer to that trivia question: More cats are left something in their owner's wills.

CALENDAR AND HISTORY EVENTS FOR 9-8-09

Good Morning Speakies:
Here’s hoping you all had a great Labor Day Weekend, filled with BBQ’s, Beach Time, watching football or whatever. Let’s get our minds filled with a little knowledge to start off the week. Let’s see if anyone important was born today and also passed on today, along with history making events that occurred.

Born:
1157 – Richard I – Better known as Richard “The Lion Hearted.”
1922- Sid Caesar – Comedian – Just saw him again in History of the World Part I.
1925 – Peter Sellers – Inspector Clouseau – Shot in the Dark my favorite.
1932 – Patsy Cline – Country Singer “Crazy.”

Died:
1935 – Huey P. Long – LA Governor assassinated at Baton Rouge Capitol Building.
1965 – Dorothy Danridge – Actress

Happened today:
1522 – Spanish Navigator Juan de Elcano returns to Spain after completing 1’st circumnavigation of the globe, this expedition was started by Magellan.
1900 – Hurricane and Tidal Wave destroys Galveston, TX.
1920 – U.S. Air Mail Service begins.
1934 – Fire hits liner Morro Castle off NJ coast, 134 die.
1966 – Star Trek premiers on TV.
1974 – President Gerald Fords pardons “Tricky Dick” Nixon.

Today is also “Another Look Unlimited Day” – So Guys check out the Dolls and Dolls check out the Guys.

WEEKEND TRIVIA QUESTION

OK Speakies,

Here's a trivia question for you to answer over the weekend. I'll post the answer on Tuesday.

Question: What are cat owners more likely to do for their pets than dog owners?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Happy Friday Speakies:
Well the Labor Day Weekend is almost here. Next week we celebrate National Waffle Week and National Payroll Week. I’ll celebrate Payroll Week everyday, just give me the money. If you are cooking out this weekend, throw a couple of Italian sausages, some peppers and onions on the grill and celebrate the following:
National Shrink Day
Salami Day
Grandma Moses Day
Pink Panther’s Birthday
Wash it down with a good beer, a nice glass of sangria, your favorite cocktail or whatever quenches your thirst. Here’s hoping the weather is kind to everyone, enjoy the weekend and be careful out there. Talk to you next week unless a crazy is on the loose here in Florida or something really frosts me.

BOOK QUESTIONS

Dear Guys and Dolls,

I've had some questions regarding availability of my book. When I received my author's courtesy copy last week, the publisher advised me that it would be approximately 2 weeks before the book appears on their site. I have their bookstore e-mail address posted on the main page of my blog for those interested. Thank you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

Today is my Grandmother’s birthday and I know she is celebrating it in heaven. Knowing her she’s listening to Polish music or sleeping in a chair with the TV set on. I spent a lot of time at her house when I was young. My parents both worked and she and my grandfather took care of me during the day. When my grandfather passed away, I kept her company over the weekends, also reuniting myself with some old friends from the neighborhood.

She never turned any of my friends away; they were always welcomed to stay for lunch or supper and at times spend the night. Granny was an excellent Polish cook. I still can see and taste the various Polish dishes she made especially her salmon cakes. My wife Rosemary still wishes today she got that recipe for the salmon cakes. My wife and sons affectionately called her “Big Nanny.”

All I can say is Happy Birthday Grandma and thank you for all the love. If I get there and I hope not soon, get that old pot out, cut those potatoes for the fries and get the salmon cakes ready. Love you and thanks for the many memories.

FISH LIVE IN WATER, LET THEM BE MOIST WHEN EATING

Friends, Romans and Country Men – Lend me your Ears:

As I wrote yesterday, Rosemary and I had a social function to attend being held at Crabby Bills. The company was superb, the water with lemon was wet, the onion rings were messy and good, but Caesar puts his thumb down to part of the meal itself. I ordered fish and chips with a side of cole slaw. The fries were okay and so was the cole slaw, however the Pollock was dry, it took great amounts of tartar sauce to make it moist. Rosemary ordered the stuffed Pollack with crab meat. Both were very dry.

Like I said, the company was fun and that was the purpose of the entire evening. So if you ever go to a Crabby Bills, just tell them don’t dry out the fish. During dinner last night a place in New Jersey came up and I had heard the same name from my friend John whom I work with. If you are ever in the Linden, NJ area and love Polish food, the place to go is “Big Stash's", the food is out of this world I hear, so give it a try.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

Hello Guys and Dolls:
It’s the second day of September and this week is National Courtesy Week, so be nice. Today we celebrate: Pierce Your Ears Day and National Blueberry Popsicle Day – never had a blueberry popsicle.

Important Stuff Today:
31 BC – Battle of Actium, Octavian defeats Antony, that’s what Mark Antony gets for fooling around with Cleo.
1864 – General Sherman captures Atlanta.
1930 – 1st Non-Stop airplane flight from Europe to U.S. (37 Hours). – Hope they had plenty of those little bottles.
1935 – A hurricane slams into the Florida Keys, killing 423.
1945 – V-J Day; formal surrender of Japan to U.S. aboard the USS Missouri. Ends WWII.
1954 – Hurricane Edna batters N.E. United States, killing 20.
1963 – CBS and NBC expand network news from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Now it’s over an hour, Progress.
Pass this information to those kiddies, keep that grey matter growing.

Our Quote of the Day comes from Austin Dobson: “Love Comes Unseen; We Only See It Go.”

A TASTE OF PHILLY IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Good Afternoon Speakies:
For all those traveling to Central Florida who want a good cheese steak sandwich there is a place in St. Cloud, FL at 2009 13th St. called Philly Steak and Sub. Now I’m still waiting to have one from there, but my wife was there a couple times and she rates it great. I have heard from others that it is tops. So if you are down here, give it a try. I’m going to dinner tonight for a social affair at Crabby Bills in St. Cloud, FL; I’ll give you my rating tomorrow. Will it be Thumbs Up or Down?

Dear Speakies:
HAPPY SEPTEMBER! I look at it this way, for most of us it’s a 3 day weekend coming up. For the Northern kids it’s back to school, down here the kids went back 3 weeks ago. Today we observe the following:
Chicken Boy’s Day – I have no idea what this is and don’t care. OK it was bugging me – Chicken Boy was a restaurant icon in Los Angeles. The restaurant is gone, but Chicken Boy lives on in art form.
Emma M. Nutt Day – First woman telephone operator (there are questions on this one).
Pink Cadillac Day – Elvis bought his Mom one in 1956.

Born Today:
1854 – Engelbert Humperdinck – And you thought it was the singer. Educational information here, he was an opera composer.
1866 – James “Gentleman Jim” Corbett – Champion Boxer.
1910 – Jack Hawkins – Actor (Ben Hur).
1923 – Rocky Marciano – Champion Boxer.
1933 – Conway Twitty – Singer.
1939 – Lily Tomlin – Actress

Stuff that Happened:
1661 – 1’st Yacht Race, England’s King Charles vs. his brother James.
1666 – Great London Fire, 80% of London destroyed.
1890 – 1’st Baseball Tripleheader – Boston vs. Pittsburgh.
1922 – NYC law requires all pool halls to change name to billiards.
1939 – World War II begins, Germany invades Poland.
1975 – Gunsmoke goes off the air.

Some smarts for today.