Blog Archives

Turntable 05/19/2014

5/19/2014

Swamps - they freak me out. Common to all swamps is "quicksand". That stuff is really scarey! You think you are walking across a little bog and then you realize you are sinking ever further with each step . . panic and fear ensue as you sink helplessly. Swamps are all over the southern part of the country boardering the Gulf of Mexico and southern florida. Most of these places are just not suitable for human habitation. And who do you think lives there? Well some pretty CRAZY/WIERD PEOPLE and WITCHES. Man! both "Witches and swamps" freak me out!

Wanna know how these crazy people make a living in the swamps of Louisana? Ever heard of "Amos Moses"? Amos Moses was a Cajun. spend his entire life in the Louisiana BayouHuntin alligators. Tough life . . Amos's parents, Doc Millsap and his wife Anna, used Amos, as a child, for "bait" to capture alligators. Y'see alligator skins are really valuable. People use the skin for shoes, wallets, and wardrobe accessories . . . they pay a lot of money for that stuff! Amos never saw any "big money" so, to make his living, he must keep hunting alligators. The demand is endless. . . Jerry Reed tells the story about Amos!

Think about the snakes and alligators in the everglades. That mosquitoe infested space amidst the swamps, quicksand and spiders. I remember someone telling me that the thing that freaked him out most was the Thump, Thump, Thump his car tires made on the "Everglades Road" streaching from Miami to Naples. Of course, the thumping noise was made byrunning over snakes crossing the road at night. Wouldn't be fun getting a flat tire there . . would it! There is frequent talk about folks who commit serious crimes and escape into the everglades never to be found. Here is a story about one such person . . . Never being caught means you won! . . . . . Or does it?

Did I tell you I really don't like swamps? They are scary places. Freaky stories abound regarding "swamp people" Old wandering ghosts, witches and stange unexplained events that happen there. It seems swamps are populated by every sort of creepy thing created! You need only stop at one of the local "watering holes" and "set a spell". Before you know it,someone will tell a "swamp" story describing some unimagininable event. Maybe it's about a witch hidden in the bayou casting spells or folks dissappearing out in the swamps - never to be found again. This one is about a swamp witch named Black Water Haddie!

I don't like witches! no sir! Witches are always casting spells, trying to capture you and . . . what the heck do they do with you? I don't seem to recall an "after capture" situation. And what's with the pointed hat? Can they really fly on a broom??? Why did they choose a broom for God's sake. Could'nt they have chosen something more streamlined? And why are modern witches always so sexy? Don't know about you but the witches I remember had close beady eyes, with a long crooked nose with a big wart on it! The perfect witch I remember was the "Wicked Witch of the East" in The Wizard of Oz! One thing they all seem to have in common "They're Wicked"!

Although modern witches can be beautiful and tempting you don't want to personally get close to a witch - "she'll lock you in the night until you skin turns red" Seems to me that a WITCH RELATIONSHIP has something in comon with QUICKSAND! and SWAMPS!

"you can tiptoe into it but you can't tiptoe out"!

Till next week

Harv

0 Comments

Turntable 05/12/2014

5/12/2014

0 Comments

Mike Crowley "Hey Harv!!! There's a new restaurant in town let's go! It's called The Pizza Garden!"

Me "What's Pizza?"

Mike "It's a new "pie" of sorts, really popular in Italy, and New York . . . we're getting our first place that serves the stuff . . . c'mon let's try it!"

Me "What do you mean pie???

Mike "They take dough and twirl into a flat base. They put tomato sauce, sausage, and lots of cheese on top and bake it in a wood fired oven! It's really good!!!!

Me "Sounds weird to me . . . but, Ok let's go . . . where is the place?"

Mike "On Washington street right next to Washington Park. You know, the Main Cafe is just down the street on the corner!"

Me "OK let's go"!

Who could forget the Pizza Garden! Never looked like much from the street. Kind of a flat red bricky face on the building. Really not terribly attractive. Up 3 stairs and you've walked into a "totally new experience"! Rustic interior, neat pictures on the walls, checkerboard tablecloths. Me "Man, the place smells great! Lots of kids in here . . . Why haven't I ever heard of the place?" . . Do they play our music here? Mike Music? Yeah! . . but not like Late's or the Penguin! No 50's played here! No sir . . . It's all Italian! . . . Like Mandolins . . . and Dean Martin!"

Mike "Hey Harv, look over there. It's Carrie Kohls with Judy Luebke and Sharon Heise. Those guys hang out all the time. They walk to school together every day!"  Me  "Yeah, I know. They live really close to each other. Oh hey, there's Bill Ohde with John Torrison and Tom Westover! I talked to Torr and the guys yesterday, we're thinking about starting a new car club. You know, to compete with the "Custom" car club. Haven't been able to figure out a name for it yet."

In a small area, set aside from the dining area, is just enough room for the brick oven. Man that thing was really hot! You could see the guy making pizzas. He had a hard time standing next to that open oven. "Blast Furnace" comes to mind! Just look at how they toss that pizza dough around. One hand, one finger??? Me "What the heck? . . . is he playing with it??  "Hey Mike, I don't like people playing with something I'm going to be eating!!"  Mike "Don't worry Harv! By the time it gets out of that oven you'll have nothing to worry about!"

I gotta say . . . the whole experience was pretty inspiring! Really different! Charming surroundings . . . A rather Romantic place!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsiqQ681iSw

Wow, where did they get these huge red plastic glasses? I don't think I ever got this much to drink in a glass before!!! . . (Steins not included) . . Here comes the pizza!   Me  "How does it work??? "Hey Mike! Do you use a fork??"  Mike "No you just pick it up and eat it!!"" Me  "What the heck!!! that doesn't seem right . We're in public! what will people think??? Mike "Don't worry about it Harv, look around . . . everyone is eating with their hands". Me "Hey! this stuff is HOT!!! I think I burned the roof of my mouth!!"  Mike "Quit being such a baby Harv!! That's why they give you such a big glass of pop!"  Me"Whatever . . . this place is great!!! I most certainly will be back"

Today the Pizza Garden is gone. So is Mike.

Till Next Week

Harv

0 Comments

Turntable 05/26/2014

5/5/2014

0 Comments

Me "Bye Mom" Mom "where are you going"? Me "I'm meeting a bunch of guys at Late's". Mom "Why are you going there?" Me "Cause we can get a coke and fries and eat while we talk. Late's have the best fries!" Mom "OK, don't be too late . . remember . . this is a"school" nite!" Me OK!

So far so good! The old 49 Lincoln looks pretty good in front of the house. (Mom does not agree!) But thanks to Pete Christense's help, there she is in all her glory. Four thousand pounds of steel! What a ride! I'm glad I spent the $150 to replace the head gaskets. The engine sounds great now! Finned aluminun high compression heads, dual carbs, progressive linkage and dual exhausts what more could a guy ask for! . . . I hope she starts! OK!!! listen to the rumble! I'm on my way! Just turn the radio to WOMT . . . Oh, I love this song

LATE'S

Going to Late's was always an adventure. You never knew who you're going to see there. I Just passed Lincoln's shop class on the left, over the tracks and THERE IT IS ON THE RIGHT! All lit up with those florescent lights outlining the roof is that old square greenish building we call Late's. Gravel parking lot, boy, looks like the parking lot is full. I see some of the guys have already arrived. There's a spot to park. Late's has the greatest burgers and fries although they never had much "inside" seating. Didn't need it! They had "carhops" come right over to the car and take your order. Music played over the loud speakers, all the current hit songs. You never drank your coke in the car, you just walked around and talked to your friends . . . they were all there. Lots of things happened at Late's! Now I'll just grab my coke and see who I can find. Oh! there's Pete Christensen and Donna Cauley. Me Hi Pete! Leaving already??? Pete Yah got a test tomorrow and it's a real important one! Me Well you should be more like me, I take all my tests seriously! Pete Yah! Right! We're leavingright after this song!

Me -"Well well there's Dick Burns in that hot 47 Merc Coup with the green door! hey Dicko!" Dick "Hi Harv!" Me - "I see you got your door fixed. Was green the only color available or is that a fashion statement!" Dick - "No, it was all they had and I was lucky to get that. I'll paint it as soon as I get time." Me "so, we're keeping the whole thing about the green door secret right?" Dick "Right. That is, if we want to keep our girlfriends." Me "Oh, by the way, where's Blondie? I thought she was glued to the passenger seat. How did she get away?" Dick - "Something going on with her parents so she couldn't come with me tonight. Me Hey look there's Dan Hoffman. Hey Dan Still driving that Borgwart I see! Dan It's all about quality Harv! Me What's up? Dan Nothin Harv. I'm just picking up some stuff to go. Gotta study tonight big test tomorrow. Me You taking some classes with Pete? Dan No! See ya Harv! Me Hey Dick . . do I need to worry? Dick Don't know . . "I" don't have any tests tomorrow. Man! I Love this song.

Me "Oh look there's Crowley. Hey Mike! come on over. So what's happening my friend!" Mike "Nothing yet . . I just got here!" Dick "hey, why don't you guys jump in. We'll go buzz the gut!" Me "sounds great! How about it Mike?" Mike "Count me in. Just need to get some fries and a coke first. " Dick "What the heck is that smell???" Me "It's Richter Vinegar Plant just over there. Every now and then the place passes gas and stinks up the whole area. Not much we can do either. Those big companies don't pay attention to the "little guy" Mike "I'm ready lets go . . turn on the radio and turn it up!"

Me "There's the Main cafe . . looks pretty empty." Dick "they say that only drunks and vagrants go there after 1:00 AM". Me "Well the last time I was there late at night I saw no drunks or vagrants. I've never seen any of that type in there have you Mike?" Mike "Yup!" Me "Really?" Mike "don't you remember? Last Saturday nite at around 1:00AM. I came in right after you." Me "Very funny Mike ! Hey Dick, how about stopping over at the Karmel Korn on 8th so I can pick up a pack of cigs. Hey listen this is a great song. I really love the Everly Brothers!

Me - "hey Mike I know you can hit those really high notes, I bet if we worked on it we could sing that song and sound just like those guys. Maybe better!" Mike "Maybe, . . . but not better! Come on Harv be realistic." Me "We always need to challenge ourselves Mike. Practice, Practice Practice! Well it looks like nothings going on tonight. Probably because it's a school nite. Let go back to Late's, pick up our cars and call it a night!" Dick "Roger! Mike - "Hey! that's a great song. . turn it up!"

Till Next Week

Harv

0 Comments

Turntable 05/05/2014

5/5/2014

0 Comments

Today, Donna Christensen will undergo her second breast cancer surgery, our prayers go with her.
* * * * *
Airlines - That wonderful mode of transportation that we all enjoy. How grand it is to step on an airplane, get seated and be transported through the sky to your destination with not a care in the world. Just look at some of the airline slogans. Are you not just "carried away" by thewonderfulness of it all????

United . . . "Fly the friendly skies"
Northwest Airlines . . . "Some people just know how to fly"
Air India . . . "Your Palace in the Sky"
TWA . . . "One Mission Yours"

Of course those of us who are interested in "traveling safely" are a bit more skeptical about flying and dig a bit deeper. After all "flying" is not really all it's cracked up to be! At a lounge in LasVegas, a conversation was secretly recorded between Dean Martin and a pilot forFlamboyant Airlines "We Fly Higher" Listen carefully, does this conversation give you comfort?

You'd think that being intoxicated would be the worst condition a pilot could be in while handling an active flight. Though it may be, there are other situations that might complicate your flight. As you know, good communication in the cockpit is CRITICAL! OK . . .What if the flight officers are named Clarence, Victor and Roger!!! . . What? . . how difficult is that? Have you ever heard of a Passenger plane with stick shift??? . . AND . . sounds like a bus or train? . . . Hey! Wait! Who is that?? Is that "Sharon"?. . running outside the plane there???

OH Boy! the Pilot and CoPilot. What a great team! On some flights they will allow youngsters to visit the cockpit. There's a lot to learn!! Sometimes it's a bit more than a young mind can absorb! Maybe you should "think twice" before you send your little guy up there to "talk to the pilot!" Let's listen in on the Pilot and CoPilot having a little chit chat with a young passenger.

Talk about scary situations . . . how about bad food on the plane. What if "EVERYBODY"! gets sick including the Pilot! (no fish just jello please) . who flies the plane??? Well how about an "Automatic Pilot"? Yes Boeing has thought of everything! Just push a button and an Automatic Pilot takes charge.

I personally find flying across the country "challenging"! Is it because I'm flying "Coach"? In coach, tossing way too much stuff in the overhead, bad breath or getting an elbow in the side from some guy who "just can't seem to get comfortable" is common. At least everyone on the plane shares the same discomforts and inconveniences right? What??? . . YES! . . right from boarding to cabin accomodations, "there IS a difference" between "COACH AND FIRST CLASS"!!!!!!

Fly???. . NO THANKS! . . I'll take a train!!!

Till Next Week

Harv

0 Comments