Comic: causing laughter and amusement (Webster).
Seventy nine (79) years ago the comic strip BLONDIE (Dagwood) originated and is still being read. Is that a record or what?
Reading the daily comics was a favorite pastime of mine. Some of my favorites (most of them out of print) were HAIRBREATH HARRY (see him rescue the fair Belinda from the clutches of that villain Rudolph), POPEYE (who "fights to the finish 'cause I eats my spinach"), his sidekick J. Wellington Wimpy, who was always hungry ("come up to my house for a duck dinner -- you bring the duck"), BRINGING UP FATHER (Maggie & Jiggs, the Irish bricklayer, who won the Irish Sweepstakes) and Blondie (Dagwood).
I decided to survey residents of my retirement village about their interest in today's comics and found the following statistics:
Reading today's comics - 23
Not reading today's comics - 27*
Favorites: HAGAR THE HORRIBLE, REX MORGAN, M.D., GARFIELD, REAL LIFE
ADVENTURES and BLONDIE (Dagwood).
*I was surprised at this figure -- where do they get their laughs?
So, dear reader, turn to the comic pages and enjoy, although I can't guarantee that they will make you laugh.
More, later.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
DON'T FORGET YOUR LUNCH
This phrase is probably the most important statement school children hear every day.
A recent newspaper article went to great lengths to encourage today's "foodie moms" to make supreme efforts to "pack a lunch with punch," an effort that includes not only lunch box contents, but also the preparation and appearance of the same for their darlings. The article includes SIXTEEN tips on achieving these goals. One example is to USE COOKIE CUTTERS TO CUT SANDWICHES INTO FUN SHAPES!! Wow!! Do you suppose my Irish mother would have thought of that? Not exactly.
In my high school years, Mother paid attention to my desire for quantity, quantity, quantity. I usually had several sandwich choices, like bologna (called Great Depression baloney, which it was), American cheese, or hot dogs. Or, if I was really fortunate, leftovers from the previous night's dinner that could be sandwiched -- perhaps green peppers and onions in oil, or my very favorite, spaghetti (with or without meatballs). Three of the latter made for a very filling lunch. Balanced? No. Yummy? Yes.
I remember my grandchildren talking about kids swapping lunches for something more appealing, which I never would have done. There is this story about a first-grader and his very first lunch, lovingly prepared by his "foodie mom." When asked how he liked his lunch, he said, "Oh, I swapped it for two bags of chips."
Enjoy your lunch.
More, later.
A recent newspaper article went to great lengths to encourage today's "foodie moms" to make supreme efforts to "pack a lunch with punch," an effort that includes not only lunch box contents, but also the preparation and appearance of the same for their darlings. The article includes SIXTEEN tips on achieving these goals. One example is to USE COOKIE CUTTERS TO CUT SANDWICHES INTO FUN SHAPES!! Wow!! Do you suppose my Irish mother would have thought of that? Not exactly.
In my high school years, Mother paid attention to my desire for quantity, quantity, quantity. I usually had several sandwich choices, like bologna (called Great Depression baloney, which it was), American cheese, or hot dogs. Or, if I was really fortunate, leftovers from the previous night's dinner that could be sandwiched -- perhaps green peppers and onions in oil, or my very favorite, spaghetti (with or without meatballs). Three of the latter made for a very filling lunch. Balanced? No. Yummy? Yes.
I remember my grandchildren talking about kids swapping lunches for something more appealing, which I never would have done. There is this story about a first-grader and his very first lunch, lovingly prepared by his "foodie mom." When asked how he liked his lunch, he said, "Oh, I swapped it for two bags of chips."
Enjoy your lunch.
More, later.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
CORNELIUS McGILLICUDDY
Now there's a name that begs for attention!
McGillicuddy (better known as Connie Mack), was the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics baseball team for FIFTY YEARS!!
In a previous blog, I mentioned attending A's games at Shibe Park with my dad. In my memory, I can still see Mr. Mack sitting in the dugout, dressed as usual, in a business suit with a tie, waving his scoreboard to position his players as the game progressed.
During his long career in baseball, many notable events took place. Least notable was the Black Sox scandal of 1919. Balancing that, were the record 60 home runs hit by Babe Ruth in 1927, a record that stood for 35 years and Lou Gehrig's start that same year, to a record of 2135 straight games played before his debilitating illness forced him to retire.
At Shibe Park, there were a number of notable events: the first Sunday game played (1934), the first American League game played under the lights (1937), and the first All-Star game played under lights (1943). In 1941, the A's pitcher Lefty Grove became the first 300-game winner.
Connie Mack's record of 3731 career victories will probably never be overtaken. Today's St Louis Cardinals' manager Tony LaRussa, with just over 2500 wins, stands little chance of becoming number one.
Soak up those events that now mean so much to you, dear reader, for they will become the memories that will bring you much pleasure.
More, later.
McGillicuddy (better known as Connie Mack), was the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics baseball team for FIFTY YEARS!!
In a previous blog, I mentioned attending A's games at Shibe Park with my dad. In my memory, I can still see Mr. Mack sitting in the dugout, dressed as usual, in a business suit with a tie, waving his scoreboard to position his players as the game progressed.
During his long career in baseball, many notable events took place. Least notable was the Black Sox scandal of 1919. Balancing that, were the record 60 home runs hit by Babe Ruth in 1927, a record that stood for 35 years and Lou Gehrig's start that same year, to a record of 2135 straight games played before his debilitating illness forced him to retire.
At Shibe Park, there were a number of notable events: the first Sunday game played (1934), the first American League game played under the lights (1937), and the first All-Star game played under lights (1943). In 1941, the A's pitcher Lefty Grove became the first 300-game winner.
Connie Mack's record of 3731 career victories will probably never be overtaken. Today's St Louis Cardinals' manager Tony LaRussa, with just over 2500 wins, stands little chance of becoming number one.
Soak up those events that now mean so much to you, dear reader, for they will become the memories that will bring you much pleasure.
More, later.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A PRESIDENTIAL SMILE
Some time ago a family member asked if I had ever been physically close to any of the nation's presidents. I said "yes" and here's the story.
Prior to World War II, I was working at a large east coast shipyard. At that time, the Yard was building the battleship U.S.S. South Dakota. I worked as an estimator in the PLATE AND ANGLE SHOP, the shop charged with rolling the massive steel plates that formed the Dakota's hull and gun turrets.
Sometime in 1941(actual date is fuzzy), we got the exciting news that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was coming to make an inspection of the Yard and the Dakota and furthermore, he would be traveling by auto right through our shop, using the 20 foot wide roadway that was our entrance /exit area.
On that appointed day, and the precise hour (the president was a stickler for timeliness), the caravan of cars entered the shop. The band started playing and the crowd began to cheer. I was standing in the front of the line waving a small American flag. When the car got opposite to me, the president looked straight at me, smiled and gave me a "thumbs up" sign. I was so excited that I cried while still cheering. You could feel the president's magnetism as he rode by.
The Dakota was commissioned in 1942 and the ship and I left the yard for overseas service, never to return. When the war ended, so did the shipbuilding, and I guess that's the way it was supposed to be.
More, later.
Prior to World War II, I was working at a large east coast shipyard. At that time, the Yard was building the battleship U.S.S. South Dakota. I worked as an estimator in the PLATE AND ANGLE SHOP, the shop charged with rolling the massive steel plates that formed the Dakota's hull and gun turrets.
Sometime in 1941(actual date is fuzzy), we got the exciting news that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was coming to make an inspection of the Yard and the Dakota and furthermore, he would be traveling by auto right through our shop, using the 20 foot wide roadway that was our entrance /exit area.
On that appointed day, and the precise hour (the president was a stickler for timeliness), the caravan of cars entered the shop. The band started playing and the crowd began to cheer. I was standing in the front of the line waving a small American flag. When the car got opposite to me, the president looked straight at me, smiled and gave me a "thumbs up" sign. I was so excited that I cried while still cheering. You could feel the president's magnetism as he rode by.
The Dakota was commissioned in 1942 and the ship and I left the yard for overseas service, never to return. When the war ended, so did the shipbuilding, and I guess that's the way it was supposed to be.
More, later.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
MY "AUNT" FRANCES
Are you fortunate enough to have a family friend whose input has been meaningful in your life, someone that you call "Auntie" or "Uncle" although they are not biologically connected to you? Such a person was my Aunt Frances.
This family connection began many years ago in Ireland where my mother's family and Auntie's family were close friends. It carried over to this side of the Atlantic when she emigrated to America after World War I. Her fiance was killed during that war and she needed a new beginning. She never married.
Her new life included being a part of our family's life. I believe that my mother made sure of this connection as an effort to bring her some happiness. It was mutually beneficial , as her gentle spirit and Irish humor were always evident, especially when it came time to "read the tea cups" (mentioned in the blog MY IRISH MOTHER).
Her happiness was made more complete when, after World War II, one of her sisters decided to immigrate to America, bringing a niece with her. The niece married an American and raised a family. Auntie and her sister eventually moved into that home and Auntie's last days were made complete.
Why do I tell you this story? Because I want you to nurture the relationship that you have with an auntie or uncle. Call or write them today, and thank them for being a part of your life.
More, later.
This family connection began many years ago in Ireland where my mother's family and Auntie's family were close friends. It carried over to this side of the Atlantic when she emigrated to America after World War I. Her fiance was killed during that war and she needed a new beginning. She never married.
Her new life included being a part of our family's life. I believe that my mother made sure of this connection as an effort to bring her some happiness. It was mutually beneficial , as her gentle spirit and Irish humor were always evident, especially when it came time to "read the tea cups" (mentioned in the blog MY IRISH MOTHER).
Her happiness was made more complete when, after World War II, one of her sisters decided to immigrate to America, bringing a niece with her. The niece married an American and raised a family. Auntie and her sister eventually moved into that home and Auntie's last days were made complete.
Why do I tell you this story? Because I want you to nurture the relationship that you have with an auntie or uncle. Call or write them today, and thank them for being a part of your life.
More, later.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)