NEW YEARS EVE DAY

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE DAY TO ALL:

SOME OF US ARE GETTING READY TO PARTY TONIGHT, SOME EXPECTING FAMILY OVER TO CELEBRATE AND SOME OF US JUST PLAN TO STAY HOME AND SEE THE OLD BALL DROP FROM TIMES SQUARE IN NEW YORK CITY.  ROE AND I ARE PLANNING A QUITE EVENING AT HOME MAYBE HAVING SOME SHRIMP COCKTAIL AND WHAT OTHER GOODIES WE HAVE AROUND THE HOUSE.

I KNOW MANY FAMILY HAVE TRADITIONAL NEW YEARS DAY DINNER DEPENDING ON YOUR NATIONALITY.  ROE BEING FROM AN ITALIAN FAMILY ALWAYS HAD LASAGNA OR ANOTHER  MACARONI, ALONG WITH MEAT BALLS, SAUSAGE AND THOSE GREAT LITTLE DINNER ROLLS FROM THE ITALIAN BAKERY.

SOUTHERN RESIDENTS ENJOY HAM, SWEET POTATOES AND BLACK EYE PEAS AND GREENS FOR THEIR DINNERS USUALLY.

US POLISH PEOPLE USUALLY HAD A HAM, POTATO SALAD, COLE SLAW, PICKLES, AND OF COURSE PIEROGI.  WE ALSO HAD TO FINISH UP THOSE HOLIDAY BAKED COOKIES.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU TO KEEP IT SAFE THIS EVENING, IF YOU DRINK A LOT DON'T DRIVE AND WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER CRAZIES ON THE ROAD.  HAVE FUN TODAY AND TONIGHT.

FROM THE FINGERS OF THE ZIP

GOOD MORNING SPEAKIES FROM THE ZIPSTER:

FOR THOSE HAVING TO WORK AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, YOUR LAST DAY OF WORK IS FINALLY HERE AND THE WEEKEND IS A FEW HOURS AWAY.  I WISH YOU ALL A GREAT WEEKEND FILLED WITH FAMILY, FOOTBALL AND GOOD SNACKS.  THERE ARE A FEW HOLIDAYS TO CELEBRATE ON THIS 28TH OF DECEMBER SO LET US GET STARTED.

CARD PLAYING DAY - I REMEMBER PLAYING CARDS AS A KID WITH MY PARENTS  AND MY AUNT AND UNCLE.  WE PLAYED MICHIGAN RUMMY FOR PENNIES AND SPENT HOURS ENJOYING IT.  WHEN ROE AND I MET THERE WERE REGULAR FAMILY POKER GAMES WITH HER FAMILY.  ROE, JOEY, ELIZABETH AND I PLAY UNO OR THE MONOPOLY CARD GAMES NOW.

CALL A FRIEND DAY - MAYBE THERE IS SOMEONE YOU HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO IN MONTHS OR MAYBE YEARS, PICK UP THAT PHONE AND GIVE THEM A CALL.  IT MAY MAKE YOU AND THAT SPECIAL PERSON VERY HAPPY TO REUNITE AGAIN AND BRING BACK FOND MEMORIES.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY - RIGHT NOW I'M ENJOYING THOSE CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES.  THEY WERE ALWAYS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY TREAT.  I'M SURE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE ON THIS PLANET WE ALL GET THAT CHOCOLATE URGE AND MINE IS NOW.  SO CHOCOLATE LOVERS EAT THEM UP TODAY AND REALLY ENJOY THEM, SO SAYS THE ZIP.

ONCE AGAIN HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND I'LL BE BACK ON NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY AND NEW YEARS DAY WITH MY HOLIDAY WISHES.

HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS

HI GUYS AND DOLLS:

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS ARE OVER FOR THIS YEAR.  I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT HOLIDAY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR.  TIME HAS SURELY FLOWN BY.  ROE AND I JUST RETURNED FROM VISITING MY SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND OUR GRAND KIDS ON THE GULF COAST.  HAD A GREAT TIME AND REALLY ENJOYED BEING WITH THE KIDS WHO ARE GROWING UP FAST.  WE PLAYED ICE HOCKEY, MY SON AND I HELPED BUILD MY GRANDSON'S ANGRY BIRD'S FORT OR WHATEVER IT WAS SO HE COULD KNOCK IT DOWN.  IT WAS JUST A FUN CHRISTMAS WITH OUR FAMILY.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE MY SON JOEY AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ELIZABETH CAME OVER FOR A GREAT DINNER OF COD, CRAB LEGS, FRENCH FRIES AND FRIED SHRIMP.  WE PLAYED UNO AND MONOPOLY CARD GAMES.  I FELT SORRY MY SON; HAD TO WORK MIDNIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS NIGHT.  ROE AND I HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS BUT I THINK WE'LL HAVE A RELAXING NEW YEAR CELEBRATION.  WITH MY HEART PROBLEMS I HAVE TO TAKE IT EASY, BUT I WANTED TO WRITE AND TELL YOU ABOUT OUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT ONE TOO.  I AM MAKING A LIST OF MORE COMMERCIALS ON TV THAT BUG ME AND WILL POST THEM SOON.  HAVE A GREAT DAY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO ALL MY GUYS AND DOLLS, I WISH
YOU AND YOURS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.  MAY IT BE FILLED WITH LOVE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

A POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!

Guys and Dolls wishing you a “Merry Christmas” in Polish.  I told you last year I wanted to write about how Polish people celebrate the beloved holiday and as I remember it growing up both at my grandparent’s and my parent’s homes.  Among the Polish people the most beloved of traditional festivities is that which takes place on Christmas Eve.  On Christmas Eve the dinner or Wigilia is served.  This was the favorite part of Christmas for my grandfather; he spent all day preparing the set up while my grandmother did all the cooking and last minute baking.  A large fold up table was placed in the dining room and covered with a white table cloth in memory of the Christ child in the manger.  In Poland a thin layer of hay is also placed under the table cloth in memory of him.   I can still remember the smells coming from the kitchen and my grandfather waiting for 5:30 p.m. to come for all the family to arrive.  I was off from school and usually stayed there because my parents worked and I helped as much as I could with the set up without getting in the way. 

I still see my grandfather dressed to a tee, he always wore neat slacks, a nice shirt and tie and a vested sweater, I’d call gramps a dapper gentleman, which he truly was along with being a kind and gentle man, I really loved him and my grandmother.  I’m sorry Roe and my sons never met him he died of a heart attack when I was in the 8^th grade.  Grandma hurried and changed to a better dress other than the house dress she wore cooking all day and finally they both sat down for a brief rest (probably five minutes).

The family finally arrived Mom and Dad and my Uncle Ed and Aunt Louise.  My mom had a brother who died and another who was a real loner and finally disappeared off the face of the earth.  They both were remembered fondly by everyone at Christmas Eve with a prayer. The presents were placed under the tree and the family gathered around the table or sneaked into the kitchen to see what was cooking.  Finally the food was placed on that big table but before sitting down everyone broke the traditional wafer or Oplatek and exchanged good wishes for health, wealth and happiness in the New Year.  The Oplatek is a thin wafer similar to Catholic Holy Communion with stamped figures of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Angels.  In Poland according to myth in no case must there be an odd number of guests at the table, otherwise it is said that some of the guests would not live to see another Christmas.  Personally we never believed in that one.
At that time the Christmas Eve meal was strictly meatless.  The menu usually would include a soup, my grandfather had to have beet soup instead of mushroom, but granny made them both to please everyone.  We had sledzie (pickled herring), fried fish usually flounder or cod, pierogi, kapusta (cabbage) and grandma made her famous French fries instead of boiled potatoes.  For dessert there was babka, cookies, candies and nuts.  All this was topped off with coffee, hot tea and blackberry brandy and rockin rye.  After dinner the dishes were washed and I waited to open my presents from Grandpa and grandma and my Uncle and Aunt. 

The topper for my grandfather was attending Midnight Mass or as it is called in Polish Pasterka, which means the Shepherds Watch.  The church was beautifully decorated as it was a Polish parish with hundreds of Poinsettias.  Listening to the Polish Carols or koledy sung by the choir was beautiful to listen to and when mass started all the lights were turned off and candles held by everyone while more songs and a brief procession occurred before mass.

When my grandfather passed away, my mom carried on the tradition of Christmas Eve dinner at our house, the meal basically the same but some of the spirit lost without grandpa being there, but yet enjoyed and shared with those you love.

Christmas Day for me was spent at home playing with all my new stuff and if any of the relatives wanted to come over they could, I was not moving, this was my day.   I hoped you enjoyed reading about a Polish Christmas Eve and later this week I’ll tell you about how Roe and I spent our Christmas Day.

To my cousin Tom, I know you spent this holiday the same way I did.  Merry Christmas to you, Linda and your family.

COMMERCIALS

GOOD DAY SPEAKIES:

BEING I HAVE TO REST I'M STARTING TO HATE SOME CHRISTMAS COMMERCIALS.

LAST YEAR, TARGET HAD THAT LADY IN RED WHICH I LIKED.  THIS YEAR IT IS THOSE TWO SINGERS SCREAMING LIKE THEY WERE BEING CHASED BY WOLVES.  I SHOULD WRITE COMMERCIALS BEING RETIRED OR MAYBE THE WORDS FOR CARDS.

THAT CARMAX COMMERCIAL, "WHERE DO I START."  START BY DRIVING YOUR CAR OVER THERE AND BUY ONE.  DON'T GO RUNNING DOWN THE STREETS AND INTERRUPTING SOME KID'S CHRISTMAS PLAY.

ONE OF THE NICEST COMMERCIALS FOR THOSE LIVING IN FLORIDA OR IN THE SOUTHERN STATES IS THE PUBLIX GROCERY STORE COMMERCIALS.  THEY ARE FILLED WITH A FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AND NICE BACK GROUND MUSIC.

SORRY SPEAKIES, I HAD TO VENT SOME ANGER AT THE MARKETING NIMYOS.

SORRY SPEAKIES

JUST CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER 7 DAYS AND I PROMISE TO WRITE AGAIN SOON, NEED TO REST AND TAKE IT EASY FOR A FEW DAYS.  THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.

CHRISTMAS IS SNEAKING UP SPEAKIES

GOOD MORNING ALL:



TODAY IS DECEMBER 17, 2012, BUT LET'S GO BACK IN HISTORY TO ROMAN TIMES.  I LOVED ROMAN AND GREEK MYTHOLOGY AND IN ROME TODAY WAS CELEBRATED "SATURNALIA."  IT WAS AN ANCIENT ROMAN FESTIVAL IN HONOR OF THE DEITY OF SATURN HELD ON DECEMBER 17.  THE HOLIDAY WAS CELEBRATED WITH A SACRIFICE AT THE TEMPLE OF SATURN IN THE ROMAN FORUM AND WITH A PUBLIC BANQUET.  THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY GIFT GIVING, AND PARTY TIME ALL NIGHT LONG, SOMETHING LIKE THE CARNIVAL IN RIO IN SOUTH AMERICA.  GET THIS THE MASTERS PROVIDED TABLE SERVICE FOR THEIR SLAVES.  THE POET CATULLUS CALLED IT "THE BEST OF DAYS."  THE GREEKS ALSO HAD A FEAST THAT HONORED SATURN CALLED KRONIA.  CHECK THAT ONE OUT TOO.

FOR YOU FOOD FANS TODAY IS "MAPLE SYRUP DAY."  I GUESS THE ONLY THING I LIKE MAPLE SYRUP ON IS FRENCH TOAST OR PANCAKES.

I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS A QUICK MONDAY BECAUSE THIS WEEK IS A VERY BUSY ONE FOR ME WITH DOCTORS, A VISIT TO MY OLD JOB TO CELEBRATE A LUNCHEON WITH THEM AND JUST PLAIN GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS.  MY WRITING WILL BE SHORT AND SOME DAYS NONE AT ALL.  YOU SPEAKIES KNOW WHAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE LIKE.  HAVE TO GET READY FOR THAT POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE, HOWEVER IT WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD ONE.  HAVE A GREAT DAY.

WEEKEND WISHES AND MONKEY DAY

GOOD MORNING GUYS AND DOLLS:

CHRISTMAS IS GETTING CLOSER BUT TODAY WE CELEBRATE MONKEY DAY.  HAVE SOME FUN WITH FRIENDS AND EAT BANANAS, SEND A WISH TO ALL THOSE YOU KNOW, SWING FROM YOUR CHRISTMAS TREES, ORNAMENTS OUTSIDE OR JUST MAKE AN ASS OF YOURSELF.  REMEMBER IT IS THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND DO WHAT YOU WANT.

TODAY ALL I AM GOING TO SAY IS START ENJOYING THE HOLIDAYS.  I MAY TAKE A BREAK, BUT I WILL BE PUBLISHING MY POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE MEMORIES ON CHRISTMAS EVE DAY.  I KNOW MY READER TOM WHO IS MY COUSIN AND I NEVER WILL FORGET THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED ON BEATTY STREET OR AT HIS HOUSE THAT WAS ALWAYS OPEN TO ME AND OUR FRIENDS.  I'M SURE HE WILL AGREE THAT HIS YOUNGER DAY MEMORIES WERE THE SAME WHEN WE WERE LITTLE.  I THINK THE GOOD OLD DAY ARE GONE, BUT IN MY HEART I WILL REMEMBER THEM ALWAYS.  AS WE GROW OLDER NEW TRADITIONS START, BUT THE OLD WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN IN OUR HEARTS.  FOR THOSE FIRST STARTING OUT, MARK YOUR MEMORIES AND PASS THEM DOWN AND ONE DAY LOOK UPON THEM AS ONE HAPPY TIME IN YOUR LIFE.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

DECEMBER 13, 2012

HELLO SPEAKIES:




CHRISTMAS IS COMING FAST AND IF YOU HAVE NOT STARTED SHOPPING YET GET THOSE BUNS IN MOTION AND FINALIZE YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS.

TODAY IS COCOA DAY - I REMEMBER NESTLES HAS THE VERY BEST "CHOCOLATE."  I LOVED HOT COCOA AS A KID, MOM MADE IT WITH MILK AND NOT HOT WATER.  ROE LOVES HOT CHOCOLATE ESPECIALLY IF IT GETS A LITTLE CHILLY DOWN HERE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE.  SO FOR YOU GUYS AND DOLLS UP NORTH, MAKE SOME TONIGHT FOR YOURSELVES AND THE KIDDIES, THROW SOME COOKIES IN A PLATE AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON.  REMEMBER SANTA WOULD RATHER HAVE SOME HOT COCOA INSTEAD OF MILK AND DO YOU KNOW WHY "BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE."

THIS MONTH WE CELEBRATE "SAFE TOYS AND GIFTS."  WHEN YOU BUY FOR THE LITTLE SPEAKIES MAKE SURE YOU ONLY PURCHASE SAFE TOYS WITH NO SMALL PIECES FOR THEM TO SWALLOW OR GET INJURED WITH.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR MONTH - I CAN'T COMPLAIN I HAVE SOME GREAT NEIGHBORS ESPECIALLY MY GOOD BUDDY GEORGE ACROSS THE STREET.  WE KEEP EYES OUT FOR EACH OTHERS HOMES WHEN WE ARE AWAY WITH NOT HAVING TO ASK.  HERE IS A FUNNY STORY WHEN ROE AND I FIRST MOVED INTO OUR HOUSE, WE HAD TO PURCHASE A MAILBOX AND STAND.  WELL HERE IS OLD CITY BOY JOEY Z GETTING OUT HIS NEWLY PURCHASED SHOVEL AND STARTING TO DIG A HOLE IN OUR FRONT LAWN.  I HEAR THIS VOICE CALL OUT, "HEY GOOD NEIGHBOR" YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR MAILBOX ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.  OF COURSE IT WAS GEORGE AND HE EVEN HELPED ME DIG THE HOLE.  HE, HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE REALLY GREAT PEOPLE AND ROE AND I ARE GLAD TO HAVE THEM IN OUR LIVES AS GOOD NEIGHBORS.  SO ENJOY YOUR GOOD NEIGHBORS SPEAKIES.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND A WONDERFUL EVENING.