What I Heard This Week! May 24, 2018
A 51-year-old Iowa man says his dog shot him while they were playing and roughhousing on the couch. Ballew, a pit-bull-lab mix ‘must have disabled the safety on the gun in his owner’s belly band and then stepped on the trigger, then shot him in the leg.’ I would have been embarrassed to report that tale.
“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success.” – Robert Orben
“Poly Pop” – Tiki Kitchen and Cocktails in downtown LJ just opened. After visiting them on Friday night, I know why my appraisal on my office property went up so much this year. The appraisal district thinks that one street over, I am selling $30 drinks, great food and turning people away each night. I should open a restaurant! Poly Pop has done it right with delicious food and I had a yummy Tiki Rita as my drinking buddy. We tried Paradise Pot – chicken, spinach, coconut rice, oranges, blueberries, avocado and pomegranate seeds with a pineapple citrus drizzle served with a purple orchid, and Vegetarian Ramen with brussels sprouts, roasted chickpeas, carrots, mushrooms and corn. It was perfectly wonderful. I heard that the Lavender Collins – vodka, lavender and soda served with a 6” sprig of lavender is a winner, too. Just letting you know.
Gel manicures have always been of interest to me because they’re so beautiful. I tried them once and lost most of my nails, but the truth is, I’m really a “clip ‘em short, file them and if it’s Christmas or my birthday, slap on a coat of clear polish,” kind of person. (I was jealous of Cher for a bit back in the 80’s but I got over it.) Plus, I have always feared the acetone they use to remove the polish. Today I heard of a different danger involved…the UV rays from the curing lamps are four times stronger than those of the sun. Think skin cancer. Think melanoma. Naked nails are in so take advantage of this fad and let your gels go free.
Wine & Stars in the Vineyards at Haak Vineyards & Winery on May 25th at 6 pm. It’s free but an RSVP requested so they can plan. www.haaakwine.com or 409-925-1401. Remember it’s National Wine Day!
Due to lack of space I had to take out a wonderful recipe for Roasted Chicken. Be sure to look next week because it’s delicious, foolproof and guaranteed to win compliments at your next dinner.
The owners of a donut cafe in Reno found a woman stealing money from the tip jar on the counter so they posted the surveillance video on Facebook. This was not done to embarrass or bring the woman to justice, but because they wanted her to know that they started collecting food for her hoping that she would come back to the café, so they could help her realize that there are other ways to get help and find food. Customers were offered a discount if they brought in a donation of non-perishable food item for her. The owner said he has two children and wanted to help teach them to spread kindness. The woman did not return to the café, so the food was donated to a local food bank.
Santa Fe High School. This was at least the 20th school shooting in 2018. Prayers are still needed for our neighboring community. I stand behind my theory of “video games where you shoot people” being a real problem. In real life we shouldn’t shoot people, even pretend people. It was hard to send my child to school this week. Judge Judy was a morning talk show guest. I have always loved her no-nonsense attitude and tongue lashings that she gives people that are acting stupid. As a former gun owner, her opinion is that the minimum age for purchasing guns is raised to 21. YES! She also suggests that there needs to be huge consequences for owners of guns that end up in the hands of shooters. Agreed.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Musician Steve Winwood is 70. Actor Gabriel Byrne is 68. Actor Ving Rhames is 59. Mission Impossible. Actor Emilio Estevez is 56. Actor Harvey Keitel is 79. Along with actors Al Pacino and Ellen Burstyn, he is current co-president of the Actors Studio. Singer Stevie Wonder is 68. I’m glad I got to see him in concert. Counterculture icon Wavy Gravy is 82. Actor Lee Horsley is 63. He recorded the audio version of Lonesome Dove. Football Hall of Fame Emmitt Smith is 49. The NFL released a highlight reel on his birthday to celebrate the all-time leading rusher during his fifteen seasons in the league.
Prince Charles is 70, or is he? Prince Harry and Meghan delayed their honeymoon to celebrate Prince Charles’ 70th birthday with a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Hmmm. Charles’ birthday is November 14th.
Actor Danny Trejo is 74. Actress Debra Winger is 63. Urban Cowboy. Singer Janet Jackson is 52. She was the first black woman to win the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards last week. Political correspondent Tucker Carlson is 49. Boxing Hall of Fame Sugar Ray Leonard is 62. Regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. Comedian Bob Saget is 62. Full House.
Basketball Hall of Fame Dennis Rodman is 57. He has a bromance going on with Kim Jong Un and now thinks he deserves some of the credit for brokering peace between North Korea and the US if a summit between the two actually happens. Rodman said that he helped Kim Jong Un understand Trump a little bit better by gifting Trump’s book, “Art of the Deal” for his birthday in 2017. “I don’t want to take all the credit…,” but then in a later interview he said, “If I don’t finish in the top three for the next Nobel Peace Prize, something’s seriously wrong.” Hmmm.
Actress Candice Bergen is 72. Her new movie is Book Club with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen. Singer Billy Joel is 69. “Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways…it’s still rock & roll to me.” Actor John Corbett is 57. Partner of Bo Derek since 2002. Baseball Hall of Fame Willie Mays is 87. In 1950, when the Giants signed me, they gave me $15,000. “I bought a 1950 Mercury. I couldn’t drive, but I had it in the parking lot there, and everybody that could drive would drive the car. So, it was like a community thing.”
Rock singer Bob Seger is 73. Katmandu. Actress Julianne Phillips is 58. First wife of Bruce Springsteen. Actor-director George Clooney is 57. Who cares about George! Did you see the smoking good looking dress that Amal wore to THE wedding? It was fabulous and is the most ‘searched for’ guest outfit from the wedding. Late Show host Stephen Colbert is 54. Actress-writer-director Lena Dunham is 32. Actor Robert Pattinson is 32.
Clint Walker, star of TV western ‘Cheyenne’ has died at age 90. Was he on the recent ‘cowboy’ list?
So, now I’m off to prepare to graduate the child that came out of my womb yearning for college. It’s all she’s ever wanted, and she has worked so hard. I mean, really, really, hard. I know, I was there – helping anywhere I could help, just wanting so much to be good for something besides making PB&J sandwiches and she always allowed me to help. She listened. She applied what she heard. I couldn’t be any prouder of her achievements and she has so many, including a kind heart, great values and a most wonderful smile. Anne-Elisabeth received the Tier I Scholarship to attend University of Houston this fall. I am so proud. It all comes together when I get to see her as Student Body VP on the platform speaking at graduation. She hopes she doesn’t forget the words to the Pledge. I bet she doesn’t.
Thanks for reading this and being a part of the family.
