St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida
May 24, 2013

Luee

Luee
We adopted Luee from the Humane Society in 1996. He was 2 years old, but still a pup. He has slowed down a bit; his age is catching up to him. He is the best dog anyone could ever have. Luee had to be put to sleep on April 15, 2009. Rest in Peace Pup.

Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve 2012

NINA HULA 7/28/2012

NINA HULA 7/28/2012

Jeff, Sam, Nina and Ian

Jeff, Sam, Nina and Ian
Ian's Graduation from Kindergarten

Luck Be A Lady

Luck Be A Lady

Little GQ 12/12

Little GQ 12/12

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012

Joey and Elizabeth

Joey and Elizabeth

Nina June 2013

Nina June 2013

Friday, April 29, 2011

WEEKEND WISHES ALL

HAPPY FRIDAY GUYS AND DOLLS:

JUST MAKING A QUICK STOP TODAY TO WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. HAVE FUN DOING THE WEEKEND THING AND I’LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY AND THE START OF A BRAND NEW MONTH. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

SCAMPI FOR ALL




Happy Thursday Guys and Dolls:

One question for you today: “FUKI YAKI SAKE WANT SOME SEAFOOD?” For those who like shrimp today is your day for it is “SHRIMP SCAMPI DAY.” In the good old USA scampi is the menu name for shrimp in Italian-American cuisine. It is shrimp served in garlic butter and dry wine with bread or over macaroni or rice. The best Shrimp Scampi I ever ate was at the old La Gondola in Trenton, NJ. Angelo was the owner and chef, his scampi was served over toasted bread that was cut in triangles with the shrimp placed on top of the bread, the sauce was a red wine color with a taste that I cannot describe. Simply fantastic, you could drink the sauce once all the food was gone. That was my favorite dish there. I’m afraid I will never find another shrimp scampi dish like the one at La Gondola.

Speaking of shrimp one does not realize how stinky your hands can be handling those little creatures of sea after using them for bait all day, but they do catch fish and I’m ready to roll again. Not much happened in history today so the heck with that idea, this could be a short post or maybe I’m looking forward to the weekend and a new month starting Monday.

Time is really flying by, pretty soon the kids here will be starting summer vacation around the first week of June and tourist season will be in full bloom. Buckle up and watch out for triple lane changes, sudden stops, turns with no signals, cars packed with luggage and junk even the driver can’t see out of the rear window and grandpa and grandma doing 25 in a 60mph zone.

Well I think I will say goodbye for today, have a great day and a wonderful evening. Remember tomorrow is FRIDAY.



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

RUBBER TIRES AND RIBS


Hump Day is Here Speakies:

That middle day of the week is back once again and once more we are on the downside of the work week. Central Florida is crowded this week with tourists enjoying the Easter Vacation break. The Space Coast should be packed starting today with the anticipated lift-off of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on April 29th. We can see the shuttles go off from our back yard but I imagine being there to feel the earth move under your feet is quite a thrill. If you are visiting and reading my post and wish to see the shuttle go up if it does get there early because traffic will be a nightmare. Good Luck.

Today there are two holidays to celebrate:














PLAYGROUND SAFETY DAY – In the youthful days of JoeyZ I don’t think safety was a top priority for the various playgrounds. I can remember some of those swings got pretty rusty and there were a few splinters in my butt from time to time. The sliding boards were a little off balance at times and that carousel that spins around was also wobbly. The basketball rims with nets were hard to find and at times we brought our own and the feather weight of the group got hoisted on someone’s shoulders to put it up. The equipment standards used today has certainly changed for the better with the stress emphasized on safety for the little ones. But take heed parents always keep an eye out on where your children are because the crazies of the world do exist and still are preying on those we love.









PRIME RIB DAY – I love bringing in a food holiday and this is a good one. The times I ate Prime Rib were at weddings, banquets and on several cruises for dinner. I like mine medium and love horseradish on the side to dip the meat in. Some rib lovers like the end cut but I dislike a tough piece of meat and believe me I’ve had my share over the years. Here is my perfect Prime Rib dinner: PRIME RIB MEDIUM, HORSERADISH ON THE SIDE, BAKED POTATO WITH SOUR CREAM, BUTTER and CHIVES AND A SIDE ORDER OF TENDER ASPARGUS TIPS.


Makes you hungry YES. Take the Dolls out tonight Guys and enjoy a nice Prime Rib and a fine glass of wine. Have a wonderful day and evening. See you all soon.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

THIS WEEK IS OUR WEEK












HAPPY TUESDAY GUYS AND DOLLS BUT ALSO:








"HAPPY ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL WEEK" TO ALL MY GUYS AND DOLLS WHO ARE THOSE PROFESSIONALS AND THIS INCLUDES GOOD OLD JOEYZ. THE WORLD PAYS HONOR TO US THIS WEEK, SO BE PROUD GET THOSE LUNCHES AND GIFTS AND REMEMBER OUR MOTTO:





“NOTICE - DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO THE ONE IN CHARGE OR SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT’S GOING ON?”





Enjoy the week my fellow administrative comrades and be proud to serve because we do know what goes on.















Another favorite food of yours and mine gets the honor today “NATIONAL PRETZEL DAY.” I like pretzel I guess they are better for you than potato chips but I have an equal desire to crunch on both. Stick pretzels are my favorite ones in a bag either the thin small ones or the longer ones. There was a brand growing up called Rittman’s that came in a small rectangular box with cellophane wrap and sold for a dime, they were awesome as a small snack. My favorite pretzel is the soft pretzel covered in mustard. I was introduced to this gem of a treat in grammar school; they sold the pretzels for a dime a piece. They were loaded with salt and not very hot but my taste buds lusted for more. Then came the soft pretzels at the five and dime stores downtown, later at the Phillies games or sold on the street outside the ballpark by those vendors offering hot pretzels for a dollar. After the game you could buy them for 3 for a buck, ice cold but yet tasty. Some of guys at work take the salted bagels for breakfast heat them up, apply the mustard and one has a self-made soft pretzel.

Well I think I’ll go and enjoy my day and the rest of my Administrative Speakies do the same.

OOPS ON ME

ROE READ MY POST YESTERDAY ABOUT PLAYING A GAME, AND OF COURSE AS THE GREAT WRITER I AM I FORGOT TO NAME THE GAME. THE GAME IS CALLED QUELF. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO PLAY IT DO SO.

Monday, April 25, 2011

GOOD NEWS FOR ROE; GREAT WEEKEND FOR US

FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE LORD ABOVE FOR THE GOOD NEWS CONCERNING ROE’S MEDICAL TEST RESULTS AND LIFTING THAT BURDEN OFF HER SHOULDERS.


SECONDLY THANKS TO ROE, MY SONS, MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAWS AND MY LITTLE GRANDCHILDREN FOR MAKING THIS A FUN EASTER. WE HAD A GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT FOR THE LITTLE ONES, TWO GREAT DAYS OF FISHING WITH MY SON JEFF AND THE HOSPITALITY THAT SAM AND JEFF SHARED WITH US AT THEIR HOME.


ON SUNDAY MY SON JOE AND OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ELIZABETH CAME OVER FOR DINNER, CONVERSATION AND FUN. WE NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY COME OVER, ESPECIALLY THE GAME WE PLAYED LAST NIGHT. IT’S ALWAYS FUN AND ALWAYS NICE TO SEE THEM.


WE LOVE ALL YOU GUYS AND MAY HEAVEN’S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

LOVE MOM AND DAD

WE ARE TALKING GAS FOOD


HAPPY MONDAY MORNING SPEAKIES:

Hoping you all had a great weekend and a wonderful Easter Sunday. How are those tummies from eating all those chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps, malted eggs, jelly beans and the rest of those goodies you nabbed from the kid’s baskets? Perhaps you over indulged with all that ham, kielbasa, potato salad, coleslaw, pickles and piwo (that’s beer in Polish). What the heck as long as you had a good time and some Tums you made it to Monday.







I forgot a food holiday on Saturday it was “PIGS IN THE BLANKET DAY” or as we Polish say “GOLABKI.” It is a favorite of mine and my grandmother and mother made some good ones. Roe made them a few weeks ago and they were delicious but they do take time to prepare. Some people like them plain but I prefer them with the tomato sauce on top covering the cabbage it gives them flavor and something to soak up your crusty bread with. My grandmother and mother always served them with mashed potatoes and red beets, a typical Polish Sunday dinner.

Today we celebrate “LICENSE PLATE DAY.” Most states have on general license plate, NO NOT FLORIDA, we have the following breakdown:


18 – Environmental Concerns (Like Save the Shark, The Manatee, The Panther etc. etc.) – I want to add another one called “SAVE THE FIREANT.”

40 – Miscellaneous.

9 – Pro Sports
36 – Universities


TOO MANY, TOO MANY, TOO MANY.











Today is the official start of “NATIONAL EGG SALAD WEEK.” I like egg salad now here is the way I enjoy it on a nice crisp round deli roll with a little lettuce and one slice of a large juicy red tomato, bite into that and the egg salad starts to move out from under the roll and you just take another bite to get it before it falls. I want one now, I may have to make some this evening for lunch tomorrow. Have a great day Guys and Dolls and lay off the candy today.

Friday, April 22, 2011

HAPPY EASTER GUYS AND DOLLS


STOPPING BY TO WISH YOU ALL "A HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER." MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS DAY AND ALWAYS.


FOR MY POLAK READERS EASY ON THE HARD BOILED EGGS, HAM, KIELBASA, BOBKA'S, RYE BREAD AND HORSERADISH AND THE BREWSKI ON SUNDAY.


NOW IT'S TIME FOR ME; GONE FISHING.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

KIDS, TEXAS BUT DON'T FORGET VON AND CHARLIE


Happy Thursday Guys and Dolls:


I promise not to be too sarcastic today, but when things get me bugged I get nasty so that’s the end of that. Some neat holidays today:




KINDERGARTEN DAY – Friedrich Froebel started the first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. Innovative principles used were song and play, daily lessons in drawing, design and other artistic activities. Froebel believed this to be harmonious in cultivating the lives of the children.


SAN JACINTO DAY IN TEXAS – The day Texas won independence from Mexico by defeating the army of General Antonio de Padua Maria Severino Lopez de Santa Anna (what a mouthful). He got his for what he did to the guys in the Alamo. If you are ever in San Antonio, Texas visit the Alamo it’s quite a place in history to see.


RED BARON DAY – Is it the frozen pizza of course not. Today honors Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen widely known as the Red Baron. Richthofen was a German fighter pilot in World War I with the German Army Air Service and considered the aces of aces credited with 80 kills. Don’t worry he did not hurt Snoopy.


BIG WORD DAY – Here is my big word of the day – “HONORIFICABILITUDINITATIBUS” – which equals “HONORABLENESS.”






TUNA RIGHTS DAYPLEASE GIVE CHARLIE “THE TUNA” WHAT HOMAGE BELONGS TO HIM TODAY.



Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all my Speakies celebrating theirs today. Have a nice day and a great evening.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

HUMP DAY WHO CARES TODAY



Happy Hump Day Speakies:




Another Wednesday is upon us and I hope you all are having a good day so far. We celebrate some holidays today:




FOOD DAY – I guess that means all foods. Speaking of which on Sunday I had a crummy lunch at a crummy German restaurant. Amen!!!!!!! That was my thorn on Palm Sunday. So if you like to eat a lot today is your day go stuff your face.




Lima Bean Respect Day – They are okay to eat but I won’t give them any respect, I’m in a very sarcastic mood right now. They are green and good for you so eat them.


Let’s check out and see who was born today:


1889 – Adolf Hitler – Dictator of Nazi Germany, I think some of his karma has been passed on to the House of Reps down in Washington, along with a few of our country’s governors. You know who you are and so do your followers the "Village Idiots" who can't see the light because they are blinded by ignorance.


1896 – Senor Wences – Famous ventriloquist appeared many times on the Ed Sullivan Show. “Is Alright, Is Alright.”


1909 – Lionel Hampton – The one and only Master of the Bones.


1923 – Tito Puente – Latin band leader. Move It, Move It.


1938 – Johnny Tillotson – Singer “Poetry in Motion.”


1941 – Ryan O’Neal – Actor – Peyton Place and Love Story.




Have a great day and a pleasant evening and eat your beans.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

LOST ANOTHER FAVORITE OF MINE



JUST READ MICHAEL SARRAZIN PASSED AWAY ON SUNDAY. HE STARRED IN MANY MOVIES, MY FAVORITE WAS THE "SWEET RIDE." RIP MICHAEL.

TAKE A BITE AND A SHOT BUT FORGET THE BIKE


Happy Tuesday Speakies:


Hoping you all had a pleasant Monday evening and are refreshed to start a new day. You know I’m not. At times I don’t consider myself a morning person it takes me about an hour to forge onto greater heights. Entering this third full week of April there are several holidays:


Bike Safety Week – Have to teach the little ones to watch out while riding their bikes and to obey the rules of traffic. For me get me those spring loaded boxing gloves to knock off those speed racers with their little cute helmets that never ride in the bike lanes.


National Coin Week – My dad was a coin collector and he got me interested in it.


Boys and Girls Club Week – I belonged to a Boys Club once when I was younger. There were plenty of things to do in the summer. We played handball not the fancy one with the paddles, we took a pink hallow ball and whacked it with our fists and ran bases. There was Wiffle Ball, crafts, basketball and a weight club. We guys always had something to do. A fine organization



Today we celebrate “AMARETTO DAY” and “GARLIC DAY.” Amaretto is one of my favorite liqueurs neat or on the rocks. Amaretto is made from the base of Apricot or Almond pits. Amaretto is added to many desserts especially Tiramisu. It gives pancakes a richer flavor and is also used in chicken, fish and vegetable dishes.






Garlic Day – love the taste of garlic in sauces and on pizza, garlic has so many uses other than keeping vampires away. So my advice to you Speakies is experiment with garlic and create your own flavored dishes. Have a great day everyone bite some garlic, scare off those vampires, sit back and relax with a nice Amaretto on the rocks.

Monday, April 18, 2011

ANIMAL CRACKERS AND HOAGY


Good Monday Morning Speakies:


Hoping you all had a great weekend and nice Palm Sunday. Can’t believe Easter is next Sunday, time is sure flying by us. I imagine a lot of schools are closed this week due to spring vacation or Easter and the roads down here will be packed. Today is “NATIONAL ANIMAL CRACKERS DAY.” The debate is whether they are crackers or cookies. They resemble crackers but with the use of sweet dough it gives them that cookie taste. To me they are cookies because they taste like a cookie to me. A cracker to me is a saltine or an oyster cracker that you crumble in soup or put a piece of cheese on it. Whatever your verdict is, have some Animal Crackers tonight, but most of all pick up a box for the little ones. Any little surprise is a great gift you can give to make that little face glow.


Years ago I heard an interesting question what is the longest song title ever? I remember it being written by Hoagy Carmichael and did a little research. The song is from 1942 and sung by the late Bing Crosby, it is called: “I’M A CRANKY OLD YANK IN A CLANKY OLD TANK ON THE STREETS OF YOKOHAMA WITH MY HONOLULU MAMA DOIN’ THOSE BEAT-O, BEAT-O, FLAT-ON-MY-SEAT-O, HIROHITO BLUES, HIROHITO BLUES.” Now that’s a mouthful of music. Don’t worry I’m not putting that on my blog for your listening pleasure.


I think I’ll make it a short one today, have a great day and enjoy the evening.

Friday, April 15, 2011

REMEMBERING LUEE

JUST WANTED TO STOP BY AND SAY HOPE YOU ARE HAVING FUN EATING THOSE TURKEY AND CHEESE SANDWICHES UP THERE. LUEE YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS.

KITES, CHEESEBALL, EGGS AND HUSBANDS




ALL RIGHT IT’S FRIDAY GUYS AND DOLLS:


Like the song says, “It’s a five o’clock world when the whistle blows and no one owns a piece of my time.” That is the official start of the weekend and I hope you all have a great one. We have to raise our glasses to a few holidays we will celebrate this weekend.



GO FLY A KITE DAY – We would like to say that to a number of people, but I think the real meaning is to fly a paper kite. I remember my first kite, my dad took me to the Farmer’s Market parking lot on a Sunday a nice windy day and as my kite got up it got tangled in the telephone wires. Luckily I did not have a key hooked on or I’d be fried. That’s a nice idea take your kids out buy a simple kite and have fun.






HUSBAND APPRECIATION DAY – This one will make you happy guys, although I feel Roe appreciates the things I do and all I can say is “I LOVE YOU AND THANKS.”





EGGS BENEDICT DAY – Roe and I had Eggs Benedict twice on a cruise for breakfast. I liked it the first time, the second time it was a little runny and thin on the sauce. For breakfast give me an omelet, scrambled eggs or two eggs over medium with hash browns or home fries, bacon nice and crisp or pork roll and my cup of coffee.










NATIONAL CHEESEBALL DAY – Give me the cheeseball but leave off those nuts but if you like it enjoy it. I love cheese and crackers or just slices of white extra sharp cheddar or a good provolone. Roe got me hooked on provolone at first it smelled like dirty gym socks but developed into a taste I crave and haven’t had in a long time. Serve it with a glass of wine and one has the perfect snack.


Well there you go Speakies pick a holiday and celebrate it. See you all soon.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

WE BE TALKING EVERTHING TODAY


Happy Thursday Guys and Dolls:


Wishing you all a great day may the sun shine upon you and if it’s raining may the drops miss you. That could be an old Polish saying hell every other nationality has sayings why not us Polaks. On Sunday, Roe and I went out to do a little shopping at Fresh Market, a fancier grocery store but the fresh cuts of meat, breads, fish and you name it are great. I see now where those cooking shows pick up their supplies to cook with. We bought a nice roasted chicken dinner that came with 2 sides for dinner and we had so much chicken left that my baby is making her chicken soup this week. They have a great selection of wines, beers, nuts, fruits and veggies so if there is a Fresh Market near you check it out. Roe and her friend had pizza last week at a place that has changed hands so many times. They decided to try the new one and Roe said the pizza was great. Light with a nice crispy crust, just the right amount of cheese and tomato and not greasy. Being at Fresh Market the place was just down the road. We were going to order 2 slices but decided price wise a small pie was a better purchase. We struck up a conversation with the owner’s wife and later with Donato himself, a character from NY with a feeling of what it takes to make people come back to eat at his place. The pie was delivered and did not disappoint one bit, the best so far in Florida, not the tomato pie from Trenton but a great tasting pie all the same. The name of the place is Papa D’s Pizza and it is located at 5106 Dr. Phillips Blvd., in Orlando, FL. If you are vacationing or live in the area give it a try. They have a nice menu with a lot of Italian dishes also. A FOUR STAR RATING FROM JOEYZ.


There are a couple of holidays to celebrate today:


MOMENTS OF LAUGHTER DAY – I have moments of laughing at times and people look at me strange it occurs when I’m thinking of what to write each day. They are coming to take me away ha ha hee ha ha hee hee.

THE TITANIC SINKS DAY - The unsinkable ship went down after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic. There were some fine movies made on the subject. I guess the most popular one is with Leonardo and that song “The Heart Will Go On.” I like it but another fine movie was made in 1958 called “A Night to Remember.” Catch it if you can the movie is usually seen on Turner Movie Classics or AMC.

NATIONAL PECAN DAY – Not one of my favorite nuts but big with pies down South, you know “PECAN PIE.” Too much sugar for Joey’s taste.


I will see you tomorrow for my Friday wishes to you all but have a great day and a wonderful evening.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

HISTORY HUMP DAY


Happy Hump Day Speakies:


I thought we would start the day off with a little history lesson just to keep you on your toes in case those kiddies pop-up with some questions. So let’s do a little one today:



Born Today:


Thomas Jefferson – Tommy was the 3’rd US President.

Frank W. Woolworth – That Five & Dime Store king. That was a fun place to go. You could buy clothes, sneakers, all kinds of things for household use, popcorn to snack on and they had that lunch counter that was always packed and the food was good.

Don Adams – Mr. Get Smart, the American version of Inspector Clouseau.

Paul Sorvino – Great actor, played Paulie in “Goodfellas.”

Tony Dow – The one and only Wally Cleaver, brother of the Beaver.

Kabaka of Bugunda – Means King of the Kingdom of Bugunda got that.


Passed on the Great Heights Today:

There was a batch of foreign composers and really no one else I knew so let them all rest in peace.


What Happened Today?

1741 – Dutch people protest the bad quality of bread. – Well you know it didn’t come wrapped.

1796 – 1’st elephant arrives in US from India. Question is what did they do with him or her and where did the elephant go?

1742 – George Handel’s “Messiah” performed for the first time.

1902 – JC Penney opens his 1’st store.

1912 – Royal Flying Corps is founded later becomes the British RAF.

1954 – Han Aaron’s 1’st game as a player for the Milwaukee Braves.

1961 – UN General Assembly condemns South Africa for apartheid, “Diplomatic Immunity Revoked.”

1970 – Apollo 13 says those famous words, “Houston, we’ve got a problem.” Well that’s enough history for today.


Today is also “SCRABBLE DAY”, that fun filled game of trying to make words on a board and have a higher score than anyone else. Roe and I played that game every weekend but haven’t in a while. Give it a try, builds your mind and keeps your smarts sharp. Have a great day and evening gang.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

LOOK OUT AND LICORICE


Good Day Speakies:


If it’s Tuesday, it must be Tuesday. BAROOM BOOM. A bum came up to me yesterday and told me, “I haven’t tasted food all week.” I told him, “Don’t worry, it still tastes the same!” Thanks Henny. Next I would like to send out Birthday and Anniversary wishes to all my Guys and Dolls celebrating theirs today. May you enjoy your day and many more years to come.



Today we celebrate “ LOOK AT THE SKY DAY” and “LICORICE DAY.” I remember that line from the 1950’s movie “The Thing” when the reporter said the last line in the movie after they killed the alien, “Keeping watching the skies.” Sometimes at night I’ll go out in the back yard and try to find locate the various constellations but I’m never sure. Maybe when I retire I may invest in a telescope to do a little viewing. I had a telescope as a kid it was made of hard cardboard material and looked like a bazooka not very powerful but for a kid it was fun.




LICORICE DAY, there was the day licorice was black, then came red, green, strawberry and who knows what other flavors now. I had favorite shapes for the licorice I enjoyed to eat. Red for those long straw twisted sticks, also remember those thin strings of red licorice. I like the black record shaped ones with the red dot in the middle and the black shaped pipes. Roe found a brand of licorice she likes at Target that are shaped like the twisted sticks only thicker and cut in bite size pieces. Black licorice always gives me an after taste but this brand at Target is very mellow. Maybe I should become a connoisseur on licorice after I retire. I can picture myself sitting at a grand desk in front of all the licorice and people seeking my advice on the taste of the red twists. So if you like licorice no matter what flavor go ahead and enjoy some today.


Here’s a warning don’t be chewing your licorice and looking at the skies and choke. Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

GREETINGS


Good Morning Speakies:



I will be having a very busy day on Monday so I thought I would drop you a quick line today and say I hope you are having a great weekend and be sure to put that smiley face on for Monday. Well you have most of the day left, enjoy it and I will be in touch soon.

Friday, April 8, 2011

JUST A LITTLE MELLOW FOR THE WEEKEND

IF YOU HAVE SOUND, ENJOY SOME MELLOW TUNES FOR A CHANGE, A LITTLE JO STAFFORD, GLENN MILLER, NAT KING COLE AND ERROLL GARNER. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ONCE AGAIN.

MAKE MINE AN EMPANADA WITH MILK


Happy Friday Guys and Dolls:


The weekend is approaching and I hope all of you have a great one. For those planning a visit to the Sunshine State the weather calls for Partly Cloudy to Sunny skies. Highs will be in the 80’s with lows in the 60’s. Chance of showers next Tuesday and Thursday so it looks like a good week for your vacation. Let us take a look at the weekend celebrations:


TRADING CARD DAY – I wish I had my old baseball cards back from the 50’s.

MILK IN GLASS BOTTLES debut in 1879 – There was something delicious about drinking milk from a glass bottle. Just pulling off that little tab and taking a big swallow was refreshing except getting yelled at from drinking from the bottle. I still remember the milk man delivering to Granny’s house.

NATIONAL GOLF DAY – I played golf a few times and could never get the ball off the ground it just dribbled down the fairway. I also missed it completely a few times. Golf is not my game; hence I never watch it on the tube. I’ll stick to Putt-Putt.

INTERNATIONAL EMPANADA DAY - An empanada is a stuffed pastry baked or fried in many countries of Latin America and the south of Europe. Empanadas are made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. The stuffing can consist of meats, vegetables, or even fruits.


Well Speakies that is it for today have a great weekend and please be careful out there.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

MY VIEWS ON PBS AND CAKE


Good Thursday Morning Guys and Dolls:


JoeyZ here wishing you a pleasant day and making a great announcement for all my Dolls and my Guys too today is “NO HOUSE WORK DAY.” This means no laundry, no cleaning, no polishing silverware, mopping or vacuuming for my Dolls. For my Guys no “Honey Do Lists” today at all, go fishing or play golf or just snooze in chair. For you Dolls read a good book or watch those old movies on TMC.


We also honor “PUBLIC TELEVISION” today. How could we forget those PBS stations that brought us Sesame Street and Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood for our children’s viewing pleasure? Roe and I enjoy the Oldies Doo Wop Shows and have supported our local PBS by buying the latest 5 disc set of some great songs. Ken Burn’s Baseball shows and the Civil War series were great. We also enjoy the various musical programs along with the British comedy shows. We just heard earlier this week that due to lack of funding our PBS station is being sold. The prospective buyer is a conservation religious TV company, that’s all we need another bible belting ministry instead of decent educational programming to enrich minds. Just my opinion and no offense but we have at least 20 religious shows on every day. Everyone speaks their mind and so can I.


On a happier food note it is also “NATIONAL COFFEE CAKE DAY.” I’m sure there are lots of great homemade coffee cakes made every day and my coffee and me is yearning for a piece right now. My favorite cakes have always been moist pound cakes however I love TastyKake Cream Filled Koffee Kake Cupcakes. TastyKake Bakery has made some great cakes and pies and one cannot find a great selection down here.


Well so much for Thursday, have a great day and evening and remember tomorrow is FRIDAY.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

ANIMALS, BEER AND TOMATOES WITH A LITTLE LIBRARY TO BOOT


Happy Hump Day Speakies:


Hoping your day is off to a fine start. Like I said earlier there are plenty of holidays to celebrate in April. On this second week of April we honor “BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK” and “NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.” I like animals but there are certain ones I would only admire if they are in a cage or in a protective environment. Now there is this gecko that has been living in our sun porch for the past two years. He lives inside the glider pipe and comes out to sun and take a few strolls every day. I can walk right up to him pet his head and he does not move one bit. I call him “BUD.”



If you like to read this is your week, take those kiddies and show them what a library has to offer in the way of books, magazines, films and all that they offer to enhance the young minds. Now let’s list those holidays we celebrate today:



NEW BEER’S EVE – I’ll drink to that actually it’s not an official holiday in the US but it celebrates the end of Prohibition in the US. FDR signed the Cullen-Harrison Act on March 23, 1933 enabling the sale of beer to become legal on April 7, 1933. It was said that on the evening of April 6 people lined up in front of taverns and breweries to purchase beer at midnight.









FRESH TOMATO DAY – All I have to say is I love tomatoes and surely do miss those “Jersey Beefsteaks.” Use to love going to the Spruce St. Farmer’s Market and buying a small basket to enjoy. Just give me one and a shaker of salt; it’s like eating an apple. Florida does not have great tomatoes at the stores mostly imports from who knows where.


TV Dinners – They made their debut in 1954. I still enjoy them for lunch at work on occasions or when Roe is out of town, because I’m not a fan of cooking for myself. The big name then was Swanson’s TV Dinners. We now have so many to choose from it seems any kind of food can be made into TV dinners now a days.


Well enjoy the day Guys and Dolls, be kind to the creatures, eat a tomato or if you’re single find a good looking tomato, have a beer along with a TV dinner. See Ya Later!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

DEEP DISH, BLT'S AND BELLS


Good Tuesday Morning Guys and Dolls:


Hoping you all had a pleasant evening and are ready to start a new day. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to my Guys and Dolls celebrating theirs today. There are plenty of food holidays this month as usual and I try to honor the ones I like and hope you do too. Now today we honor: “NATIONAL DEEP DISH PIZZA DAY” the favorite pizza of the Windy City Chicago. You know I’m a big fan of pizza and especially the Trenton tomato pies but the deep dish is too much for me. To me it’s like eating a round lasagna without the pasta. That pizza weighs a ton to me and if you order one you have dinner for the entire week. Now my wife likes deep dish and if and when she orders one I’ll have a slice.


Speaking of honoring foods, this month is also “NATIONAL BLT MONTH” and “NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE MONTH.” I just had a great grilled Swiss cheese and bacon sandwich with tomato soup a few nights ago. We had two days of constant storms so Roe decided to make that a meal one night. It was just great comfort food that we both enjoyed on a rainy evening.




The last time I ate a BLT was months ago at a local diner and it was one of the best BLT’s ever, nice crisp bacon, fresh tomatoes and crunchy lettuce. Could go for another one soon.


The last holiday today is “NATIONAL BELL BOTTOM DAY.” I remember my first pair were jeans when I was discharged from the service. They were low riders with big bottoms and I wore those babies to death along with growing my hair long and letting the sideburns come down past my ear and growing a mustache. This was in the early 70’s and I enjoyed the style that was popular then. I also owned a few pairs of dress bells too had to look good in the evening for the ladies.


So Guys and Dolls pull out those old bells, eat a deep dish pizza, a BLT or a grilled cheese today and dream of all the yesterday memories. Have a great day.

Monday, April 4, 2011

I DON'T TAKE NUMBER TWO FROM NOBODY


Good Monday Morning Speakies:


Trusting you all had a great weekend. Roe and I spent a great day Saturday visiting with our son and daughter-in-law and our little ones. We missed our grandson’s birthday last month when Roe was in the hospital and we had to deliver his presents to him. You can’t keep a little one waiting for his birthday gift. I enjoyed a great day of fishing on the bay with my son and we all enjoyed a great dinner out as a family.


April is loaded with holidays and events, in week one we have the following holidays:

Scoop the Poop Week – JoeyZ does not scoop number 2 from no one.

Be Kind to Araneae Week – they are spiders Guys and Dolls so let’s make a promise not to step on any of them this week.

The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC is in full swing. I have never been there to see the festival but I’m sure the blooms are beautiful and if you live in the DC area make sure to get out there and enjoy Spring at its finest.

Today we celebrate “Fun Day at Work” and “Sweet Potato Day.” Fun Day at Work would be not having to work today but if we must labor let’s enjoy the day with our fellow co-workers and take a long lunch. The way some politicians are acting these days we may be tied down to our desks one day with no say about our work, our rights and maybe our freedom. I don’t mean to throw politics in this blog but I can see this occurring in our future. We must stop this movement against the majority of the working class or one day it may become a reality. I saw something like this once when I was little in a documentary; guys wearing “Brown Shirts” marching and beating citizens and talking in German. Oh Yes! now I remember they were called Nazi’s.

If you are a fan of sweet potatoes have some today maybe throw in a little turkey or maybe that Doll of yours will make you a Sweet Potato pie. A very funny lady was born today, Cloris Leachman, I can still see and hear her as Frau Blucher say that line from “Young Frankenstein”- “He was my boyfriend.”


Enough for me today have a great day and party at work and eat sweet potatoes to your heart’s content.

Friday, April 1, 2011

IT'S APRIL


Happy Friday Speakies:


Well sorry news Speakies this will be my last post, I’m closing down my blog for a while to pursue my interests in fishing, my mind is tired and I’ve got to get away and relax. Thank you all for reading my blog and I promise to return one day after my mind is well rested.














“APRIL FOOLS”



You all knew I had to do something stupid like that or you don’t know the real JoeyZ. Happy April Fool’s Day to you all. Go ahead have fun with it today, it’s the day we all can be funsters at any age, but don’t hurt anyone.


April is upon us, lots of celebrations this month and we will start with this weekend as we celebrate Sweet Potato Day, Yo-Yo Day, National Chocolate Mousse Day and Children’s Book Day. So if you can swing your Yo-Yo with your feet, eat some sweet potato fries with one hand and chocolate mousse with the other while reading a book to your child this is your weekend to shine.


We have plenty of holidays this month to have fun with and now I will just say have a great weekend filled with fun, but be careful out there.