WEEKEND WISHES

HAPPY FRIDAY GUYS AND DOLLS:

Joey Z stopping by for his usual “Weekend Wishes” to all my Guys and Dolls. Big day on Sunday for us Dads and soon to be Dads it is “Father’s Day.” No matter what you do enjoy the day and the love of your family; it is your day to shine in the spotlight.

Today is “GO FLY A KITE DAY”; I had three occasions of kite flying all turned into disaster at an early age. My kites always got tangled in the telephone or electric lines. Living in the city the only place to fly a kite was in a shopping parking lot when the stores were closed. So Dads go out and by a cheap kite for the little ones, put it together and see what happens.

I will not be writing on Monday as I have a previous engagement to attend that will take up my entire day, but I will be back next week and we have some foods to talk about. Have a great day and weekend and I’ll see you soon.

SOO-EE SOO-EE HERE LOBSTER

Happy Thursday June 14 Speakies:

Today is best known as “FLAG DAY” which is celebrated every June 14. It is the commemoration of the adoption of the flag of the United States by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. It was in 1916; President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day.

BLOOD TYPE AWARENESS DAY – I bet a lot of people don’t know their blood type. I found out my type when I was in the service, so if you don’t have any knowledge ask your doctor to advise you of your blood type. In any emergency you will have the information handy.

“SOO – EE” – It is Pig Callers Day that great American holiday I never knew we celebrated. Somewhere in the Midwest and Deep South Pig Callers are getting ready for their big day for whatever they do. To all those Pig Callers have a great day and a big “SOO-EE” from Joey Z.

Yesterday I missed “NATIONAL LOBSTER DAY” man how could I overlook that one. I usually only eat lobster on cruises and all the work is done for you. One day I would not mind trying a lobster feast with the potatoes, corn, clams and all that other good stuff. One more thing I need to try is a lobster roll, they look good on the Cooking Channel and I’m sure they beat a hotdog on a bun anytime.

It is also “STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY” you know that spongy cake covered in strawberries and whipped cream. This one of my favorites from time to time, a refreshing and light dessert.

I’m going to run for now so have a great day and remember tomorrow is Friday and the weekend is near.

I AIN'T COOKING, FORGET THE WEEDS, STEAK TIME

Happy Hump Day Guys and Dolls:


Do you know what day it is today? “KITCHEN KLUTZES OF AMERICA DAY” that great category in which I am a member. I can clean kitchens, wipe counter tops, open soup cans, make my own salads and sandwiches for work, boil water and use the microwave and toaster oven when needed. I do make a mean hard boiled egg and have been known to make a nice scrambled egg. As far as preparing meals from scratch I’m the klutz and thanks for honoring me with this holiday along with my fellow Guys and Dolls.

You hate weeds this is your day also “WEED YOUR GARDEN DAY.” When I was young and on summer vacation from school I volunteered to weed my parent’s flower beds and vegetable gardens during vacation. You had to start early before the sun was so hot it would fry your brain and make you lazy. I gathered up all gardening tools I needed for the task in hand one small claw hand held rake, one glove and a paper bag from Food Fair to deposit the little pests. Tilting the soil around the rose bushes, getting stuck by the thorns was the highlight of my day. Sometimes you would uncover earthworms, great get a can take some of that dirt and ask my father to go fishing after dinner. I completed the task extending it over a period of two days after which I relaxed on the narrow backyard porch eating a root beer ice popsicle.

June is “NATIONAL BEEF STEAK MONTH.” I guess most of us love a good steak. When I was a kid I never ate a filet mignon or a T-bone steak, you ate a burger that was steak to you. My mother made cube steak once in a while that was my rib eye. Later as one got older you graduated to chopped sirloin, nothing but a hamburger but larger, covered in onions and mushrooms and you could play a big shot and order a baked potato with the works. Finally I turned 18 and soon after left for the service where I had my first real steak at the chow hall some sort of beef tough as nails and I dreamed on my chopped steak once more. Later life got better and the real steaks appeared for me to try and pick out a favorite. If you ever cruise and they offer an alternative restaurant on board do pay the extra twenty or thirty dollars and enjoy the fine dining whether it is a seafood choice or steak. The best filets I ever ate were on the cruises in those dining venues. Royal Caribbean has the alternative dining and I’m sure most of the cruise lines offer the same. Give it a try it is first class all the way.

Whatever you do enjoy a steak this month. Have a great day.

ABRACADABRA

Happy Tuesdays Guys and Dolls:

Hot and rainy in Florida, the sun is shining now but those clouds and storms will be here in the afternoon. The rainy season has started officially in Florida. I’m trying my luck at a little gardening, I have a nice flower garden growing but I purchased a cherry tomato planter which so far has produced 8 tomatoes with more growing on the vines. I have a pot of garlic shaping up nicely along with some green onions. My next planting project will be herbs for cooking. Let’s check out some holidays celebrated today.

MAGIC DAY – For all you upcoming magicians I guess this is your day to do your thing, like make people disappear, pull rabbits out of a hat and all the other cool magical things you do. If you love magic have a fun day doing it.

GAS MASK DAY – Joey Z will make this real easy for you. A gas mask is a mask that goes over your face to protect you from inhaling airborne bad boys like pollutants and gases. The only time I ever wore a gas mask was in the service and the total experience was truly delightful.

I have to say congratulations to all the little girls who loved to play baseball with the boys on an organized league you wish was granted in 1974. Little League baseball was opened up to girls. Have fun young ladies.

For my Foodie Speakies it is “NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DAY.” Sorry peanut butter cookies my favorite is still the good old chocolate chip, soft and chewy.

June is also “NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH” you have to love those cows for all that milk, cheese and the rest of the dairy products they produce along with the dairy farmers who raise them and all the hard work they do.

Well Guys and Dolls have a nice day and wonderful evening.

PIZZA VERSUS CHINESE - PIZZA WINS READ ON

Happy Monday Speakies:

Good old Joey Z is a very busy man these weeks before retirement getting my replacement trained, personal things that must be completed, you catch the drift.  Hoping you all had a great weekend.  I was glad to see the Phillies finally win Friday night over the Orioles, sorry Mack but my boys are floundering in last place just like when I was a kid.  Time to rebuild and I'm sure one day they will.  Pretty hot and rainy in Florida, today is Saturday and I am posting for Monday but like I said lots to do.  Tried a new pizza joint Roe went to the other day for lunch on Friday called the Original Anthony's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant.  We just order the pizza lunch special 2 slices and a drink and I can say the pizza was good.  Thin crust, nice amount of sauce, cheese was soft as could be not chewy overall one of the best.  If you are in Central Florida, near Disney attractions, the address is:

The Original Anthony's Pizzeria
1166 W. Osceola Pkwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34711
Website:  www.anthonysoriginalpizza.com

On Friday night we tried a new Chinese restaurant over on the Orange Blossom Trail, average place nothing to rave about.  The best Chinese food ever was in Trenton, NJ on Beatty St. one block before Lalor, can't think of the name but they were great, nice atmosphere, clean and great service and per Roe the best General Tao's Chicken done properly.  I don't know if another Chinese restaurant still exists but it was on Brunswick Ave. right before the circle and near Top Road Barber Shop.  Old Joey Z and Roe will be keeping posted on places to dine if you are visiting the area.  Remember you have to find the small places that the locals go to not these chains they are all the same.

So much for today Guys and Dolls, have a great Monday and please be careful.

BUGS, ICE CREAM TAILORS AND WEEKEND WISHES

Happy Thursday Guys and Dolls:


June the 7th is here and the month is in full progress. The kids finish school here tomorrow and I’m plenty of graduations are in the air. To you graduates I say congratulations as you start your steps to the future. One thing, I know there are parties, use your heads drinking and driving and stay alive to enjoy the future.

June Bug Day – Do you know what a June Bug is? A plain old ordinary beetle Amen. So if you like June Bugs here’s your day to celebrate. I miss good old Lightning bugs down here in the summer; only saw one or two in 21 years. Remember those days catching them on the warm summer evenings; I could never step on them though as they laid on the sidewalk like the other kids did.

National Tailors Day – When I worked in the men’s wear business I received some tailoring experience, I learned to press, make cuffs on pants and the regular straight bottom hems. One of the nicest guys and tailors I ever met was when I worked part-time at F.W. Donnelly’s. His name was Pasquale Verde who lived on Butler St. He was a master tailor making his own suits, jackets and pants with great style. I read he passed away, God Bless Pat.

Chocolate Ice Cream Day – My favorite and I’m sure the choice of many of my Speakies. How could anyone go wrong with chocolate ice cream? Now there are so many varieties: Chocolate with chocolate chunks, chocolate fudge, chocolate and peanut butter and the list goes on. So have yourself some ice cream tonight even if it’s not chocolate, summer is here to enjoy the taste.

I’m going to wish you a very Happy Weekend today as Joey Z is tied up tomorrow with some personal matter to attend to. For those arriving in Florida tomorrow the weather will be wet over the next few days but one can never trust the good old weather men here. Have a great one and be careful out there.

THE 6TH OF JUNE - LOTS OF STUFF

Happy Hump Day Speakies:


Well we are at the half way mark of the good old work week and I thought today we could check out the calendar for some celebrations and the usual Joey Z comments.

NATIONAL HUG WEEK – Alright you know what to do, give the ones you love a hug today and always. Man hugs are appropriate also this week. I have always greeted my sons with a hug and kiss each time I see them and also as they leave. So Guys and Dolls never be ashamed to show affection to the ones you love.

TEACHER THANK YOU WEEK – They deserve all the thanks they can get with all the stuff that happens now-a-days in school. Soon you teachers will be on summer vacation and my suggestion is to relax, put your feet up, have a beer and chill.

June 6 is NATIONAL YO-YO DAY – I had several yo-yo’s in my younger days and could never master any of the them, in fact I can’t play an instrument, carry a tune I’m the all-around YO-YO. If your little ones never had one, purchase them a cheap one and see what happens, you never know.

DRIVE-IN-MOVIE DAY – The drive movie was the creation of a chemical magnate Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. of Camden, NJ. (GO JERSEY). He tested the original concept of the outdoor movie layout using his driveway. The first drive-in movie was opened on June 6, 1933, on Admiral Wilson Blvd. in Pennsauken, NJ. Now when we were teenagers and went to the drive-in we took in a little bit of the movie and rest of the attention was given to the Dolls we were with. Bring back memories Speakies?

D-DAY ANNIVERSARY – The 6th of June, began the Invasion of Normandy to free the European continent from the Nazis. Never forget all the lives lost by the Americans on Omaha Beach, along with the lives of all the nations that participated in the invasion.

For you food Speakies is you like Applesauce Cake today is your day to enjoy it. Have a great day everyone, enjoy and be careful.

THANKS AND THINKING AHEAD

Happy Tuesdays Speakies:

Had the day off yesterday, another doctor appointment, things looking good I hope, came off some more medicine I don't need in the old body.  Thanks to all my readers who sent me birthday wishes on Saturday, Mack, MaryJean, Noel, Roe, Joey, Elizabeth, Tom, The Quixley, Bonnie, Stephanie, Ralph and all the others I may have missed.  65 is grand is guess like to see many more years to come to do and to write and enjoy period.  Roe and I visited my son Jeff and his family on the West Coast Saturday, my granddaughter wanted a Checker's Burger however we convinced her to go for a 5 Guys Burger and Fries.  We had a nice lunch, the place was not crowded and the food was wiped out.  For a little girl who only like macaroni, chicken nuggets and fries she's moving up to the east side of food.

Weather is getting very hot here today, highs are near 96 and maybe some rain in sight over the next few days.
I know a lot of kids will be heading to Disney soon with school being out so the traffic will be building in volume over the next few weeks.  Just remember if you are planning to visit Central Florida and take in the attractions keep your patience, stay cool, drink lots of water and be careful on the roadways because traffic will be heavy and the lines at attractions long.

When I retire next month I may not be writing everyday but there will be posts from me about stuff, maybe me, the crazies, food or whatever I want to write about.  The next month for me is hectic with doctors and getting everything ready for my big day.  Funny when you are young that day never crosses your mind but it is here for me.  Scary in a way, anticipation in another but hopes for a good life to come.  Have to run Guys and Dolls, thanks as always for reading my blog and posts.  Love you all.

GOING FISHING AND EATING CHEESE

Good Monday Morning Speakies:


Hoping you all had a great weekend. Old Joey Z celebrated his B-Day this weekend and now is at the official retirement age with only 57 more days till zero hour at work. The State of Florida offers a combination of free hunting and fishing licenses to those 65 and older and I’m going to dig into that offer this coming week. Well it is June 2012 and guess what in this first week of June we celebrate “NATIONAL FISHING WEEK.” The kid here is ready for some saltwater fishing soon.

On this 4th day of June let’s see what kind of holidays we can raise our glasses to.

CHEESE DAY – Joey Z loves his cheeses. A nice piece of extra sharp white cheddar, a little pepperoni, a thin rye cracker and of course a nice glass of wine to wash it all down. Roe is a big fan of good sharp provolone. When I first met her provolone was not appealing to me, smelled like old gym socks and the taste lasted forever. I have grown to love that cheese now in moderation of course. Like all cheeses they’ll get you in the end if you eat too much. When I was younger I always loved good American White Cheese, now they have Yellow American and White. When I want a sandwich that calls for cheese make mine White American.

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY – I had bladder cancer back in 2002 and have cancer free since then. It is a scary situation to be in and the thoughts that cross your mind can be so stressful not only to you but also on the ones you love. I thank God for having a great doctor whom I still see and my wife Roe who gave me all her support and snapped me back to reality at times because I am a big pain in the ass at times and probably always will be. Thanks Hon. For my Guys and Dolls going through cancer or treatment stay positive and say a little prayer each day, he’s listening. There may be times you think no one cares but your family really does always believe in that.

For my Food Speakies it is “Frozen Yogurt Day.” I’ve tried frozen yogurt ice cream and love the chocolate flavored one. It has less calories and sort of tastes like the old time fudgesicles to me. Enough for today have a great day and as always be careful out there.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND GUYS AND DOLLS

WEEKEND WISHES GUYS AND DOLLS:



WELL FRIDAY IS HERE AND THE WEEKEND STARTS FOR ME AT 5PM, WHERE NO ONE OWNS A PIECE OF MY TIME AND THERE IS A BLONDE HAIRED WIFE WAITING FOR ME MAKING MY LIFE DIVINE. I’M IN THE DOG HOUSE SO I THOUGHT I’D COME UP WITH SOMETHING CUTE TO SAY. HEAR THAT ROE DARLING!


HAVE TO MAKE IT SHORT TODAY AND JUST WANTED TO WISH ALL MY READERS A GREAT WEEKEND, ENJOY AND BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.