Out with the old, in with the new, winds of change, I welcome you.
Phone calls, texts and a tap on the shoulder in the grocery line were received this week, asking about this column and why it wasn’t in last week’s paper. I even read a few paragraphs of ‘what didn’t make it in’ for one of my readers. I obliged because it makes me feel so good that some of you missed me. Thank you. But I started wondering what you personally managed to accomplish with the extra minutes you had by not reading my column. Did you put down the paper or turn off your computer so you could read a book? Did you focus on the things that really matter, like family and friends? Did you go play with your children or take your mother to the mall? I hope so, because that’s what I did instead of writing the column. I cooked massive amounts of food that my kids and their friends were starving for when they got home from college. I played with the cats, went to the movies. ‘Bird Box’ was described as a sci-fi Deliverance. Let’s just say that it scared the bejeebies out of me, then ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ was absolutely beautiful with lavish costumes and landscape, and great actresses in the leads, but it lacked a little something. They also took some liberties with the true storyline. ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ was good – far better than I thought it was going to be from watching the trailer. I washed a LOT of clothes and made homemade gifts…socks that look like cupcakes for office and friends (that’s why I have so many ‘sock’ quotes today), a grilling ‘rub’ for family, friends & neighbors and ‘snowmen kits’ for others. I worked on crafty things that I never get to finish because I work a lot. So, sorry about the lack of a column last week. Hope the following column makes up for my negligence. Oh, and you should know that we were 16 pages because of the holidays, so I refused to go up 4 pages just to get my column in. That was the real reason that we pulled the column. Money$. Hope you did something great with the extra time. Lisa
“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone, and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”
California became the first state in the nation to bar pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits unless they come from an animal shelter or a rescue group. The new rules took effect this month after Governor Jerry Brown signed into law in October 2017. The gap was given to pet store owners, so they could prepare for the change. Pet store owners who do not comply face a penalty of $500 per animal. Puppy mills or kitten factories often operate with little or no oversight on overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, lack of food, water, socialization or veterinary care. If you are looking to adopt, the SPCA has some precious animals that need a forever home. If you plan to look for a specific breed, be sure to visit the facility. Most of all – be a responsible owner – spay or neuter.
In October, the Jackson, Mississippi Police announced the retirement of Ringo, a yellow Labrador retriever with a nose that could detect the faintest hint of drugs. After nine years with the narcotics unit, Ringo went home to retire with his partner, a detective. Or, so they thought. Weeks later, police found Ringo in an animal shelter in a nearby town where the detective had dumped him. Someone tipped off Ringo’s original trainer who has now formally adopted him. The detective has been demoted. The police are now checking on the whereabouts of all its other retired dogs. I wonder if there is a ‘shelter’ for no-longer-needed police detectives? I would donate to that fund.
In December, Beyoncé performed at a wedding for the daughter of India’s richest man. Hillary Clinton attended. It is estimated that the affair cost $100 million. Yikes.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Talk show host Larry King is 85. I ‘ve always thought he was 85, at least. Broadcasting sports mogul Ted Turner is 80. Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 76. Actor comedian Dick Van Dyke is 93. He has a part in the new Mary Poppins movie. Singer Ted Nugent is 70. Rock singer Chris Robinson is 52. The Black Crowes. Actress Jennifer Beals is 55. Flashdance.” Actor Jon Voight is 80. Deliverance and Midnight Cowboy. American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor John Legend is 40. Actor director Bradley Cooper is 44.
American author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, lawyer, and former government advisor Ronan Farrow is 31. He is the son of actress Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. In late 2017, Farrow’s articles in The New Yorker helped uncover the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations. Former TV host Bob Barker is 95. Country singer Hank Williams III is 46. Basketball Hall of Fame Bob Pettit is 86. He won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times, a feat matched only by Kobe Bryant.
Actress Cicely Tyson is 94. Roots. “Age is just a number. Life and aging are the greatest gifts that we could possibly ever have.” Actor Roger Mosley is 80. Helicopter pilot “T.C.” in the television series Magnum, P.I. Rock musician singer Keith Richards is 75. Left-handed rock musician Elliot Easton is 65. The Cars. Actress Katie Holmes is 40. Singer Christina Aguilera is 38. Country singer Rose Lee Maphis is 96. Before Tim and Faith (and even George and Tammy), Rose Lee and her husband Joe Maphis were known as “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music.”
Southwest Airlines is consistently rated as America’s favorite airline because in 1967, Herb Kelleher started Southwest Airlines making it fun and affordable to fly. He died last week at the age of 87 leaving his wife of 63 years and three children. He had a great personality, amazing leadership style and some of the greatest quotes you’ve ever heard. If you have about 8 minutes, YouTube “Malace in Dallas” and watch an arm-wrestling match between Herb Kelleher and Steven’s Aviation’s Kurt Herwald trying to settle a dispute over the “Just Plane Smart” slogan. It’s funny.
Sondra Locke, Clint Eastwood’s girlfriend for more than 13 years, died at the age of 74 from breast and bone cancer. The Outlaw Josey Wales. Every Which Way but Loose. Iconic jazz vocalist and three-time Grammy award winner Nancy Wilson died at the age of 81. In the 60’s alone, she released eight albums that reached the top 20 on Billboard’s pop charts. Daryl Dragon, the cap-wearing “Captain” of Captain & Tennille has died at a hospice center at age 76. Love Will Keep Us Together, Muskrat Love, Do That to Me One More Time.
Forest Walton passed away on December 4. You will remember him as owner of Walton’s Body Shop behind Brown’s Auto. He was a kind gentleman. Marc Bartolomeo passed away on December 28, a great photographer and always glad to share pictures with me. Estelle Brubaker passed away on December 28. Years ago, she lived next door and it was not unusual to have a beautiful container of orchids that she had grown in her own hothouse, waiting for me by my back porch when I arrived home.
“When I was young, I found out that the big toe always ends up making a hole in a sock.
So I stopped wearing socks.” – Albert Einstein
The first baby born at CHI St. Luke’s Health Brazosport in 2019, came as a surprise to her parents since they didn’t know they were pregnant until they got to the hospital. Hmmm.
So excited to hear that David and Bonnie Novosad are new grandparents. Congratulations. Joe Rinehart. Hang in there. Cancer is ugly but it’s do-able. We are praying for you.
Scientists and astronomers have spotted the farthest known object in our solar system and nicknamed the pink cosmic body “Far-out.” It is estimated to be 310 miles across and round. When I was in elementary school, I remembered the names of the planets with, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles.” Since Pluto now has been reclassified as a dwarf planet, I guess you could say, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nothing.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m darning a sock,” he said, holding it up to show me.
“What’s that lump inside?”
“A sock egg.”
“A sock egg? I didn’t know socks hatched from eggs.”
“Only the best ones do. I can’t wear the cheap kind, the ones that grow on trees. They give me blisters.”
During the month of January 2019, The Bryan Museum in Galveston is opening its doors and offering FREE admission for all Texas Teachers. Present your School District ID at the Museum’s ticket counter. Teachers ONLY. “Opened in 2015, The Bryan Museum, located in the historic Galveston Orphans Home in Galveston, houses The Bryan Collection, one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to Texas and the American West. Assembled by J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan, the collection spans more than 12,000 years, with pieces ranging from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to modern twenty-first century objects.” Their mission statement says, “The Bryan Museum is dedicated to the preservation, education, and promotion of the history and art of Texas and the American West through engaging exhibitions and programming”. 409-632-7685 Wed-Sun.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Missy Franklin, 23, announced she is retiring due to chronic shoulder pain.
December 31, 1969, President Richard Nixon signed Proclamation 3952 designating January as National Blood Donor Month so be a voluntary blood donor and encourage your friends to do the same. RedCross.org/give-blood.html to find a location to give.
Taylor Whitley – “Show up. Give a flip. Repeat.”
Hal Vaughan’s daughter, Pierce, is a Delta flight attendant and had to work on Christmas Eve, so this sweet dad booked himself on six flights that his daughter was working over a two-day period, so she wouldn’t have to spend Christmas alone. That’s the kind of man that I want my son to be and my daughter to marry.
January 14th is “Dress Up Your Pet Day.” Remember Pearl on this day. Read below.
On Monday morning, our office found out that Pearl Parker had died. Corky called us, people were texting and emailing. Everyone knew Pearl. His wife had found Pearl at Tropical Pets but Corky resisted at first because, “it was tax time and he didn’t have the time or the money to buy a dog,” but then he visited the litter and Pearl picked him. The rest is history. Pearl was more than just another dog. We loved it when she visited our office. We loved seeing how Pearl was going to dress for her photo shoots, especially the yellow-polka-dotted bikini. If you get a chance, call Corky or drop him a note. He will appreciate you.
Thanks for reading this column. Remember to say I love you this week. Often and for no reason. Lisa.
