WEEKEND WISHES AND CHEESECAKE

Happy Friday Guys and Dolls:

Our favorite day of the work week is here and in a matter of hours the 5 o’clock whistle will blow and we are out of here for the weekend. For all the plans you made, I hope they all work out and the weather treats you well. It’s going to be hot and humid with chances of storms down here all weekend long. No relief in sight until October I fear. Just don’t want any hurricanes.

We celebrate another food holiday today, only this time it is a dessert holiday, “CHEESECAKE DAY.” We had a great cheesecake store back in Trenton called “Michelle Lorie’s”, you name the flavor they had it, Cherry Cheesecake was my favorite. I believe it is history like many other Mom and Pop stores and now just another food memory. The Publix markets here have a fairly good bakery department and their cheesecakes are good if you have a desire for one.

A reader of mine named Skip grew up in the same North Trenton neighborhood as I and he sent me some more memories to dwell on, thanks Skip and next week I’ll try to add on my memories of those places.

Well Speakies, I’ll make it short today, have a great rest of the day and one great weekend. See ya soon and be careful out there.

NEWS FLASH - GUESS WHO CAME TO DINNER

GOOD MORNING SPEAKIES - NEWS FLASH FROM JOEY Z.

AS JOEY Z ARRIVED HOME YESTERDAY AFTER A GRUELING DAY AT WORK AND ENTERING MY ABODE, I SMELLED THE AROMA OF PEPPERS AND ONIONS ON THE STOVE. THERE STOOD ROSEMARY LOVELY AS EVER CREATING ANOTHER ONE OF HER WONDERFUL DINNERS. I APPROACHED HER AND WITH A PECK ON THE CHEEK SAID, "CHEESE STEAK OR ITALIAN SAUSAGE SANDWICHES FOR DINNER?"

BUT ALAS THE ANSWER WAS NO. LOW AND BEHOLD THE QUEEN CREATED AN ITALIAN HOT DOG WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS TOPPED OFF WITH FRIED POTATOES AND NOW FOR "THE PIECE DE RESISTANCE", A GREAT HELPING OF CHILI ON TOP. SHE NOT ONLY SURPRISED ME BUT HONORED THE HOLIDAY OF "NATIONAL CHILI HOT DOG DAY." I CAN ONLY SAY THANK YOU MY LOVE FOR MY CHILI DOG DREAM AND THE BEST PART IS THAT I HAVE SOME FOR LUNCH TODAY, LUCKY ME, O'BOY.

MAKE MINE A CHILI DOG

Happy Thursday Speakies:

Hope you are enjoying the posts this week, I guess old JoeyZ is in a nostalgic mood, but it feels good to me. It’s ironic the memories one recalls from time to time and I know I have so many more to share about the neighborhoods I grew up in and will do so again real soon.

First of all let’s talk about hot dogs today for it is “NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY.” I love chili dogs with all that messy chili all over the dog. If you ever watched the movie “Major League”, there was a scene of Wesley Snipes, Tom Berenger and Charlie Sheen at a fancy French restaurant in Cleveland. Snipes was holding the menu upside down and than Sheen with a dumb look asks Berenger, “Do They Have Chili Dogs Here.” What a great funny scene to honor our holiday of today.

Watching all these food shows on TV the chili dog can be served with various toppings added. I would like to try a foot long chili dog with chili, onions and coleslaw just once or should I just slap it on my waist line and not eat it. I’m still waiting to try a real Chicago Dog. There is a place downtown here that claims to serve original Chicago Dogs, I’m going to try it one day and let you readers know the results. We had a place in Trenton, NJ called the “Casino”, I know I wrote about it before but they served an Italian Hot Dog. The roll was what we called a torpedo roll, fresh and crisp like the kind you would serve a cheese steak on. The roll was covered in a slab of mustard, the dogs inserted cut in length wise and topped with fried potatoes, onions and peppers if you wanted them. If you were going to have a Casino Dog, you had to have the works. Those happy days are gone the Casino is no longer but a mere memory of hotdog heaven.

Hey Guys and Dolls, get those dogs cooking tonight, fix them up the way you like breakout a few beers and enjoy today’s holiday in style. Have a great evening.

NATIONAL MILK CHOCOLATE AND BRUNSWICK DRUGS

Good Day Speakies:

Happy Hump Day Gang. Today is "National Milk Chocolate Day", so grab a piece of that chocolate candy or whatever you like that comes in that chocolate flavor and enjoy it. I use to be crazy about ice cold chocolate milk and probably still am, I just haven't had chocolate milk in years but I did notice some in the break room refrigerator at work today in those small little cartons. HMMMM !

I'd like to wish a Happy Birthday to any of my Speakies celebrating theirs today, so have a great day and enjoy your birthday and eat your cake, hey it might even be chocolate.

I've had fun writing about my memories growing up in North Trenton and at my grandmothers in South Trenton. When I was in high school, there was a small hole in the wall drug store called "Brunswick Drugs." It was across the street from my parents house and it became a hang out for a bunch of us guys. The entry was very narrow with a telephone booth on the left hand side, a soda fountain set-up and cigarette, cigar etc area on the right hand side. If you walked back there was the pharmacist's location, to me it always looked like a pawn shop window with all the supplies stacked around the store. A great and funny guy named Charlie worked part-time at the soda fountain, he also made deliveries in a Chevy Corvair that we all rode in if the boss wasn't around. The drug store fountain became our hang out in the evenings and we just shot the bull, smoking cigs, calling the babes on the phone and crowding the aisle. Charlie made some great sodas and ice cream dishes. Our favorites were the flavored cokes, mine was a vanilla coke and when you walked in Charlie had it ready for you. What service for a dime. I'm trying to remember the guys who hung out there. There was Jack, Rich, even Charlie when he wasn't working, Butchie and I know a few other guys. I remember at times we would all hop in Rich's car and head downtown where everyone made a loop driving around and seeing who they could pick-up. Rich was a good looking guy and never seemed to have problems. We had lots of laughs and fun, a good memory.

I guess if you ever watched Happy Days on TV, I guess Brunswick Drugs was our Happy Day hang out growing up. Have a great day Guys and Dolls and be careful out there.

HERE IS TO THE BEATTY ST. BOYS

Happy Tuesday Guys and Dolls:

Thinking of the places and things you did growing up brings back fond memories not only to me but I’m sure you readers too. I had a great time growing up in North Trenton, we played baseball all summer long, played cards in the evening, we lit up punks to keep the bugs away, played flashlight tag in the alleys at night and we were never bothered by anyone. My Dad took me down to the Delaware River about 3 times a week to go fishing, it was a special time he and I shared and I’ll never forget him for that.

My time was shared between my house and my grandmother’s in South Trenton. After my grandfather passed away, I kept her company and helped her over the weekends with errands around the house and running to the local stores. It was in my first or second year of high school I reunited with an old friend name Lou, along with my cousin Tom, a new friend Richie and there as always Ralph tagging along at times. A classmate of mine Jack and his brother Jim joined in at times and we all got along great. We called ourselves the Beatty St. Boys and on a Friday night you could find us on Lou’s front porch checking out the girls walking by and hoping to connect. The evening was spent having fun in general and I mean good clean fun, there was respect in the old neighborhoods for the people who lived there. I have to admit we did chug down a few beers that we smuggled out from time to time. Now of course at times my buddy Lou had to kick some A_ _ to a few big mouths but that was neighborhood cleansing. As for me I wasn’t much of a fighter I was a lover.

Once Lou met a girl named Georgette who lived in the Chambersburg part of Trenton and her house became a Saturday night hangout for us. Her mother making homemade pizza, we listened to records and just had a grand old time. We all remained friends until the times changed and we had to go our own separate ways. Jack married Georgette later in life and it’s my understanding they are still going strong. There were so many other things we did I can not recall them all but they are lying somewhere in my memory.

I reconnected with Lou who lived in Florida and now resides back in the Trenton area. My cousin Tom found me on Facebook and we have spoken several times. I even found Richie on Facebook and spoke to him. I’ve written a tribute to those guys in my second book that I hope to publish shortly.

Sometimes I wish I could close my eyes, make a wish and go back in time to spend one weekend in my youth with those guys again. That was what friendship was about with those guys and I’ll never forget them. Have a great day Speakies.

THANKS SKIP

Good Monday Morning Speakies:

Hoping to find you all in good spirits at the start of a brand new week. Looks like the country is in full swing with the summer heat according to the news reports. This morning here it was 82 degrees at 6:30 a.m. and highs today will be in the mid 90’s. I wish I could spend it by a pool or under a palm with a nice hammock and a gin and tonic being cooled by the breeze of fans held by two charming women in bikinis. Oh well only in my dreams. See what the hot weather can do to you.

Roe had to fix up my blog site, there were some site changes and she just changed it completely. The word Speakeasy is from the 1920’s dark and secretive, the new colors reflect it and I like it a lot. Thanks Honey.

I have received several comments on my blog from Skip. Skip lived around my neighborhood when we were young and we remember a lot of things growing up in North Trenton. The old 5 & 10 cent store Willett’s, but Willett’s had everything you needed, my mom and I could spend hours in there or as my dad would say as we got home, “What did you do, get lost.” I could still here those words today. There was a candy store across from the Catholic school we attended owned by two brothers who could easily loose their tempers if you did not know what you wanted. They also sold model planes it was a neat place but you better have had your choice of candy made and money ready or out the door you went.

I remember the bakeries my favorite was Service Bakery on Heil Ave. they had what we called finger cakes. It was a long cake donut filled with white cream and topped with powder sugar, that with a glass of milk or as I got older coffee what a breakfast. Mack and Tom Glover recalled similar donuts at Prior’s Donuts in their neighborhoods. We also had Eagle Bakery on Olden Ave., another great Polish bakery, great cakes and breads. Rye bread to die for. There was a batch of small stores on Brunswick Ave. between Olden and Spruce St. There was a Jewish Deli, can’t remember the name, good lunch meat, bagels and rolls on a Sunday morning after Church. There was a camera shop called Deal’s, Old Doctor Greenwald and later Dr. Moses dental offices. Harbourt’s Drug Store on the corner and two great doctors, the Drs. Franzoni. If you were too sick to come to their office, they came to you after hours. I know I got shot plenty of times in my butt with penicillin when I had the flu.

There was a great gas station and auto repair right across from my parents house an ESSO station owned by Ed. Very honest and I’ll just call him Honest Ed. There was an appliance store, a Food Fair, Stanley’s Tavern, Top Road Tavern, Top Road Dress Shop and a few other places I can’t remember.

In one of my future posts there was a favorite hang out of mine in high school called Brunswick Drug Store, a bunch of us hung out there. That’s for later.

Well Skip see what you did making me recall all those memories, love every minute of it. I’m sure you readers have memories too. Feel free to share them on this blog. Speakies have a great day and day dream of those fond memories.

TO ALL YOU GORGEOUS GRANDMOTHERS

Good Morning and Happy Friday:

Well Speakies it is Friday and I hope the day is sweet and fast. I read there is a holiday today called, “Gorgeous Grandmother Day.” I had to do some reading on this one to update myself concerning this holiday. What it really boils down to is that all Grandmothers should consider themselves gorgeous, not to look back on the past but towards the future. Do the things they want to do and just enjoy life to the fullest. That sounds good to me. I know that’s the way my wife Rosemary lives her life and I’m proud of her in every way. I wish at times I had the energy to do the same. So to all you Grandmothers out there, get on the stick and start to enjoy those golden years ahead and not worry about life’s little ups and downs.

I’d like to wish “Happy Birthday” to all my Guys and Dolls who are celebrating it today and this weekend. Enjoy and have a piece of cake for me. We have some famous birthdays today dead and alive.

Arthur Treacher – Announcer for Merv Griffin Show. He opened a chain of Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips. We had several stores back in Trenton, NJ; I know Roe use to eat at the one uptown when she worked in the city. Good Fish and Chips.

A couple of pro baseball players today, Pee Wee Reese and Don Drysdale.

Don Imus – Radio Man, had a great show in the 60’s and 70’s. Changed his style later.

Finally Woody Harrelson – That bartender from Cheers. Plays some strange bird characters in many films.

Have a great weekend gang, have loads of fun but be careful out there.

TOOT AND HOOT TODAY

Happy Thursday Guys and Dolls:

Read the news last night and there were some interesting headlines in the news. Strange but real, these are the headlines we like to read about instead of the hatred that fills our news broadcasts and papers everyday. Let’s take a brief look at some with maybe a little JoeyZ commentary.

Elvis’ Embalming Instruments to be Auctioned – Now there is something every Elvis fan will be bidding on. Are they holding it on E-Bay or at Sotheby’s in New York or London? Maybe a nice Sunday Auction at Graceland.

Two Fisherman Catch Massive 130 Pound Catfish – Friday Fish Dinner for the entire town of Moose Breath, Montana.

Truck Crash Covers Road with Frozen Chickens – I can see them bouncing like ping-pong balls all over the road. Big sale coming your way at your local grocery stores, dented chickens 56 cents a pound.

Heart Attack Victim Saved by Pizza Man – Gave him a whiff of that Anchovy Pizza, better than an 81 aspirin.

UFOs Reported Over China – Klatuu is coming after you.

The weather guys down here are starting with their 2nd Tropical Depression scare that may occur and come near Florida. They’ll keep that up until the storm hits somewhere. This storm if it develops becomes Bonnie. Right now Bonnie lies over the ocean, don’t bring this Bonnie to me. No storms at all this year would be great.

Today there is a holiday to be observed and that is “Pied Piper Day.” The piper was hired by the town of Hamelin to rid the town of rats. After the job was done the town refused to pay him for his services. He played his pipe and all the children followed him out of town and disappeared never to be seen again. Sounds like something from the Twilight Zone.

I may check back later if crazies or bozos are uncovered but if not blow a flute or a kazoo and celebrate Pied Piper Day. Have a great one Speakies.

TOMATO PIES, CHEESE STEAKS OH MY

Happy Hump Day Speakies:

Well the work week is half-over so grin and bear the rest until Friday comes. My blog buddy Mack put up another DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pie coming out of the oven on his blog and my mouth starts to water. Roe and I are still in the search for that kind of pie, but I think Mack is right in his comment; it’s the water up in the northeast that helps the dough. We will keep looking and I’ll keep posting on every pizza we try whether its thumbs up or down.

Now my son Joe heard from a guy he works with about a place in Orlando called Laspada’s Original Cheese Steaks. It is located at 1010 Lee Road in Orlando. You can check out their website on the net. My son had one of their cheese steaks and said it was great, fine chopped steak, crispy roll the works. Phillies, Eagles pictures on the wall even Rocky Balboa is there. Now a friend I work with went there Saturday and said the sandwiches are delicious and even showed me the half she brought to work on Monday. I have to get down there and try it out for myself.

Rosemary had a great cheese steak sandwich several times at a local place in St. Cloud, Florida called Philly Steak and Sub located at 2009 13th Street. Now I heard they are moving or opening another shop but their menu is posted on the net. That’s another place I have to try. I write about these places but I need a taste to quench my yearnings.

I post this stuff for those Jersey or Philly transplants to know about and for you visitors to try while you are down here. So many restaurants are just bland or as I say suck. Just ask the locals for the places to dine or write me JoeyZ at my blog and I’ll try to give you the straight arrow answer. Don’t be shy.

Now I bid you a great day and evening and remember be careful out there.

GOODBYE LOU BROWN

Sad News Speakies:

For those Speakies who love baseball movies, actor James Gammon passed away on Friday in California of cancer at the age of 70. Famous for his role as Manager Lou Brown in "Major League", he also starred in many movies and as the father on the TV show "Nash Bridges."

Lou is up there now in the Big Leagues, managing those Boys of Summer or selling white wall tires. Rest in peace Jim.

LOLLIPOPS AND SUMMER NIGHTS

Good Day Speakies:

Tuesday is upon us and today we celebrate “NATIONAL LOLLIPOP DAY.” You can call them whatever you like, lollipops, pops, suckers or a dum-dum. They come in all kinds of flavors to suit anyone’s taste. You can’t forget those Tootsie Roll Pops you know those hard candy lollipops filled with that chewy chocolate Tootsie Roll inside. Man you had to suck those things for hours before you got to that tootsie. I also remember those lollipops that had a loop stick instead of the straight kind, can’t remember who made them but they were good. Personally I was never a fanatic fan of lollipops or chewy candy. To those Speakies out there who are true lollipop fans and I’m not forgetting you Roe Dear (she loves dum-dums) enjoy those pops today and for that fact any day you want.

Watching the news last night there is a heat wave spreading across the US. When I was a kid I always thought it was hot in the summer and the things we did to try and keep cool. I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s house because my mom and dad worked all day. I can remember the firemen coming around several times a week and opening the fire hydrants to cool all of us kids off. It was like a battle to get near the water but it sure felt good to get drenched with that cold water.

Ice pops were always a good choice to smooth the mouth during the hot weather or running after the ice truck man and asking for a piece of ice as he delivered to the bars. I liked taking a bath after dinner and than loading down with talc powder to keep you dry during the night. In those days we all sat on the front porches at night watching the people walk by or just listening to the old ladies chatting in Polish and trying to figure out what they were saying. We had the ice cream man come around, along with the waffle guy and there was a pizza truck too. Those are some of the fond memories I had as a kid and I’m glad I had those times to share with the ones I loved.

Have a wonderful day Speakies and maybe tonight sit outside and have a lollipop or an ice pop and remember your childhood days on those hot summer nights.

GRANDKIDS MAKE YOU HAPPY

Good Day Guys and Dolls:

A hearty welcome back to reality after the weekend and I do hope it was a great one for you. Roe and I had an enjoyable Saturday with our granddaughter and grandson which included a sleepover at Grandma and Pop-Pops. It was great to spend the day with them, we played, watched movies and cartoons, fed the birds, ate ice pops inside and outside, made them lunch, dinner and the forever snacking foods. As for my little grandson it was fun watching Roe teach him to properly become a little man and not use diapers anymore. What a great day it was. All I can say is if you are lucky to have grandchildren and we are blessed take the time to enjoy their company, listen to them, teach them and most of all LOVE THEM TO DEATH with kisses and hugs because before you know it they are grown up and you are older. We get to see them again this week they are up here on vacation for a few more days.

The weather remains hot and humid, highs all week will be around 95 or higher with the heat index hitting 105 degrees and the humidity just as bad. Good days for the pool with plenty of sunscreen for you visitors.

Happy Birthday to my Speakies celebrating theirs today and many more to come to you all. Let’s say Happy “B” Day to some famous people today, dead or alive who celebrate your birthday:

Samuel Colt – Made that old western gun famous.
Lizzie Borden – That Ax woman.
George Hamilton IV – Actor and Mr. Tan Man.
Vicky Carr – Singer.
Kathleen Turner – Actress Romancing the Stone and part-time lawyer on Law and Order.

No crazies running around Central Florida so far today and no Bozos either, so I’ll say have a great day, be careful and enjoy the evening.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

Happy Friday Guys and Dolls:

With summer in full force and the temps reaching in the 90’s down here and I’m sure where you live too, my thoughts turned to ice cream. I love ice cream but my urges for it comes and goes for weeks at a time. I was thinking about the good old days and the types of ice cream I enjoyed as a kid and I’m sure you’ll remember yours too. I remember going to Carl & Mary’s Candy Store on the corner of Home Ave. and Beatty St. many times at night for a great vanilla milkshake. Carl made it nice and thin with a great vanilla flavor. Sometimes I drank it so fast I suffered a brain freeze. We also had a place called the Burg Dairy on Home Ave. that made the best homemade ice cream ever. They had a great variety of flavors and my favorite was the Walk-Away-Sundae. It was made for one person but believe me you could share it with a friend and be stuffed.

Besides enjoying ice cream in the true parlor fashion, we also enjoyed those fast treats. You know the ones I’m talking about, either from the ice cream truck man or in those freezers you had to bend over and pick the type you wanted. Let’s see what I remember. We had:

Dixie Cups with the small wooden spoons.
Twin Ice Pops – my favorite flavors were root beer and vanilla.
Dreamsicles and Creamsicles – tasted the same to me.
Fudgesicles – one of my favorites, but it could get messy.
Ice Cream Sandwiches – that chocolate always stuck to my fingers.
Rockets – that red, white and blue pop.
Vanilla Crunch Bars – had that little nutty crunch stuff on the chocolate covering.
Nutty Buddies and Drumsticks.
And finally one of my favorites still today frozen custard. Now if any of you Speakies remember any you enjoyed as a kid send me a comment, don’t be shy. I enjoy reading your comments and thoughts.

I’m going enjoy the weekend, my grand kiddies are coming to visit and I haven’t seen them for a few months and plan to enjoy and spoil them to death. To all of you have a great weekend and be careful out there.

ST. SWITHUN CURIOUS

Good Day Guys and Dolls:

Well Thursday is upon us and I smell the weekend a coming our way. Let’s say Happy Birthday to some people today and if it’s your birthday “Happy Birthday from Joey Z.”

Wishes go out to the following no matter wherever they be:

Rembrandt – That famous man with the painting brush.
Clement Clarke Moore – Author of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Mother Cabrini – 1st US Saint.
Alex Karras – Detroit Lions footballer.
Jan-Michael Vincent – Actor
Forest Whitaker – Actor Platoon, Last King of Scotland.
And finally to my favorite Doll Singer Linda Ronstadt, love her versions of the standard classics.

I always wanted to know what St. Swithun or Swithin Day was so I did a little research on that holiday that is celebrated today. St. Swithun was an Anglo-Saxon bishop and the patron saint of Winchester Cathedral. He had a reputation for miracles occurring after his death but a better reputation for weather forecasting. British lore says that if it rains on St. Swithun’s Day it will rain for 40 days. Here is part of that proverb:


Swithun's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St Swithun's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain no more

I leave you wishing you all a great day and remember be careful out there. I also leave you with a little music from Linda Ronstadt, so please enjoy.

A HUMP DAY POST BY JOEY Z

Speakies, “Hump Day is Upon Us Again”

Yes another Wednesday is here, the National League finally turned out to be a winner last night over the American League by a score of 3 to 1. Finally we can start the World Series in the NL and I hope it’s the Phillies again. On another baseball note Old George Steinbrenner passed away at the age of 80. There was a man who ruled his club with an iron fist and never took a #2 from any of his managers, players and coaches or you were history in George’s book. I was never a Yankee fan but one has to admire the man’s decisions as he truly built an empire with the Yankees.

Today we celebrate a holiday called “Pick Blueberries Day.” Blueberries rank the highest of all fruit and vegetables in anti-oxidants that fight aging (I know I can use that). Their powerhouse comes from the same substance that makes them blue. They are also high in fiber, fat free and taste great. I like them just the way they are, rinse them off and put them in the refrigerator till chilled and dive in and eat. Pop those little babies like jelly beans down your throat. I remember my mother always putting tons of sugar on blueberries and strawberries in the summer. One surely got a sugar high eating those berries.

Well that was the sweet stuff now comes a Bozo from Daytona Beach. A local man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in the pen for setting a man on fire. Seems they were arguing over money for beer and cigs. Typical Red-Neck reasons to fight. Seems like our fire bug red-neck was a repeat offender. When he gets out see if we can get him a job as a BBQ starter.

We’ll call them Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Seems like Bristol and Levi say they are engaged and hope to be married soon in Alaska. All I can ask is it “Bullshit or Not?”

Speakies have a great day, enjoy this evening and stay cool.

WISHING ALL MY SPEAKIES A GREAT TUESDAY

Good Tuesday Morning Speakies:

Just making a quick stop by today. Just wanted to let you know Roe had a very nice birthday yesterday. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Maggiano’s with a really nice waiter named Jeff who made her birthday a special one.
Our boys and their loved ones called with birthday wishes that really made her day. On Sunday our son and my future daughter-in-law took us out to lunch and we had a great time. I wish you many more to come Hon.

The weather down here is a killer with highs in the 90’s and the heat index reaching 104 degrees. If you’re planning to visit this is the weather for the next few months. For you baseball fans don’t forget the All-Star Game is on tonight and I hope the National League wins one so we can get the World Series back to start in an NL park.

Have to make it a quick visit today, so have a great day and like the old saying goes, “I’ll Be Back.” One more thing, “Be Careful Out There.”

BEE GOOD

Happy Friday Speakies:

Stopping by for a quick hello and wishing you a wonderful weekend. To my Jersey Speakies, I hope the weather brings you some rain and cooler temps so you can get out there and do your thing. The rain has ceased down here however and of course the weekend calls for hot, humid and a higher chance of showers. I have no fear Monday will be a beautiful sun shinny day.

This weekend we celebrate: “Don’t Step on a Bee Day.” I read this coincides with get Naked with Nature Week. For those observing this birthday suit holiday I’m sure your feet will be walking in the grass, so watch out for the bees.

I will see you all on Tuesday, for Monday is a very special day for the love of my life. My Best Doll Roe is celebrating her birthday. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY, LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.”

Be careful out there this weekend, have fun and be nice to each other. I leave you with this Chinese Proverb: “To Make Egg Roll, Push It.”

NO ROOM FOR THOSE WHO ANNOY

Good Day Guys and Dolls:

As you all know who visit my blog, I wrote a book last year and it was published in September, called “I Hate Everybody (And Other Things). HINT, HINT, HINT. In a comical way I wrote about things that annoy me and probably you too. Since then I found out more new things and people that annoy me and since I’m may not write another book regarding that, I thought it would be fun to list a few of them here. I want you to comment and tell me what bugs you also. I mean it, get those thoughts together and send me your reasons why. We may get a great collection of pissy off things. Here we go:

Last night I was watching America’s Got Talent and some of the acts they put through to Los Angeles for the chance to win it all was a shame. Just for instance, some redhead who was playing the organ and had the voice of a screech owl. The second one was an 11-year old kid who thinks he is God’s gift to Rap. This kid has all the moves and dresses like Little Bow Wow. He’s got talent but is annoying take up the sax kid instead.

Justin Bieber – Another wonder boy in show biz. PLEASE! He’ll pass like that kid from Home Alone.

Lindsay Lohan – Tired of hearing about her. Throw her in jail for a year and maybe she’ll get wise to the world in which we live.

You are waiting for a parking spot and some other jerk-a-mo takes it from you. Do that down here and you may get shot. Lots of crazies in Florida and I keep my distance from them.

This one is from my book but still annoys me, people at the lunch meat counter ordering 4 or 5 slices of everything the store carries. You buy lunch meat or cheese; it’s a half-pound or a pound purchase. Cut this stuff out with 1 or 2 slices.

Parents carrying babies in that papoose pouch on their chest put the kid in a proper stroller and don’t give me any of those Dr. Spock theories.

Ketchup on a hot dog, dogs are meant for mustard and relish, you put ketchup on a burger or fries.

Well gang that’s a few of the things that annoy me. All in fun, well maybe some. If you like my thinking, get out there and buy my book, I’m going to need a retirement fund in less than 2 years and anything helps. Have a great day and a wonderful evening.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS AND COMEDY WHAT COULD BE BETTER

Happy Hump Day Guys and Dolls:

Heck I thought it was Tuesday; those 3 day weekends throw me off at times. We haven’t said Happy Birthday to anyone in awhile, so let me start off by wishing a Very Happy Birthday to my Speakies who are celebrating theirs today. Now for the rest of the crew:

Satchel Paige – Baseball pitcher.
William Kunstler – That lawyer who defended the Chicago 8.
Ezzard Charles – World Heavyweight Boxing Champ 1950 – 1951.
Pierre Cardin – Fashion man.
Doc Severinson – Bandleader for Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.
Vince Edwards – Dr. Ben Casey.
Ringo Starr – Mr. Ring Man.

I watched an old funny movie the other night, Cannonball Run II, and could not stop laughing. I can still see my sons watching this movie with me when they were younger and just enjoying their laughter. What a cast of characters some of the greatest comedians in the world. Here’s a list of some on them and the characters they played:

Burt Reynolds as J.J.
Dom DeLuise as Victor Prinzim, Captain Chaos and Don Canneloni.
Dean Martin
Sammy Davis Jr. as Morris Fenderbaum.
Telly Savalas as Hymie Kaplan.
Foster Brooks, Sid Caesar and Louis Nye as fishermen.
Tony Danza
Charles Nelson Reilly as Don Don Canneloni
Abe Vigoda he played a mobster
Jamie Farr as the Sheik.
And there are plenty more stars.

If you check out IMDB.com, it’s playing again this week and if you can’t watch it, tape it. If you like Cannonball II, I suggest watching the original Cannonball Run with the same cast of zanies. I like slapstick comedy and another favorite movie is “It’s a MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD World.” Well Speakies have a great day and be careful out there.

GREETINGS FROM A 3-DAY WEEKEND

Good Morning Speakies:

I love 3 Day Weekends but going back to work sucks. The weather down here over the weekend was no sunshine, cloudy and rain, I'm sure a few BBQ plans were ruined and maybe some firework displays also. I did catch James Cagney on Sunday in Yankee Doddle Dandy, great film and I highly recommend it for viewing. Best if you can catch it on Turner Movie Classic Network, no commercials the only way to watch a good movie. Roe and I spent a relaxing weekend and yesterday I just had to have a Publix Sub, ate half and I'm looking forward to lunch time today.

I hope all of you had a great weekend, drank your suds, ate those dogs, burgers and ribs but mainly just had loads of fun. There was one idiot story here this weekend. I caught this one on the local news. A stepfather started shooting at his stepson, he didn't like the way the kid was shooting off fireworks so he went to his house got his 45 and started blasting away, lucky no one was injured. Come to find out this bozo had too many suds to drink and God only knows what else.

Well it's going to be short and sweet today, I have some research to do, so have a great day, see ya soon.

A HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL MY SPEAKIES

Happy Friday Speakies:

Stopping by for a Quick Hello and wishing you all a great 4th of July Weekend. Enjoy those beers, burgers, dogs and Italian sausages on the grill, have lots of fun but be careful.

I have to tell you of a JoeyZ Brain Fart Moment yesterday. I go for a yearly medical checkup and the first stop was the blood lab which was super jammed. Finally grabbing a seat and waiting for my name to be called, a gentleman sat down beside me and greeted my with a fine “How are you doing today”, to which I immediately responded, “I’m doing fine how are you?” Suddenly the gentleman turns his head towards me with a strange look and I discover he is wearing one of those blue tooth devices and was talking to someone on the phone and not me. I guess I could say Stupid Move JoeyZ. That was Roe’s and mine laugh for the day.

Well once again I wish all you Guys and Dolls a great weekend. Enjoy a little music from the great James Cagney movie “Yankee Doddle Dandy”, with “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”