I Never Promised You a Rose Garden......

Happy rainy Monday! I am decompressing and paying attention to my couch after spending the weekend downtown at the Hoedown and Flower Day. My girl, Kristen and I dragged her two little darlings down to Eastern Market on Saturday for face painting, elephant ear eating and general people watching. Flower Day brings out it's share of gardeners and weekend yard crashers, but the real show is the opportunistic folks out to get their hands on some visiting cash. I love the guys who try to 'sell' public parking spots as their own! I encountered many hungry individuals that were only interested in money and not the actual food to fill them. Oh well, it's their lives to spend that little cash however they wish. Donating to the street musicians never bothers me, as they are entertaining and talented. But I never become immune to anyone who is truly needy. How do you draw the line? I can't donate to everyone--even tho I would like to. The homeless dogs break my heart, too. Again, can't adopt 'em all. The two we house now has to be enough. Sigh...

Then just for giggles, we headed over to Hart Plaza for the hoedown. First timers we were, but virgins no more! Fortified by Bloody Mary's from Vivio's, (delicious!) we made the harried but thankfully short drive. It is there that the true 'people watching' gets good! I have always loved old country music, and some of the new stuff is catching on with me. But why--for the love of God--is the hoe down an excuse for tacky, inexcusable behaviour and dress. Old country was sparkling and sometimes over the top, but it was always relevant and respectful. But that was then and this is most defiantly now. Not to qualify, but if I saw one Dale Earnhardt rebel flag, tattoo'ed beer belly--I saw a hundred! The gorgeous weather allowed these dudes to be shirtless, which always adds to the viewing. Also taking advantage were the chickies in SHORT shorts and tiny, belly exposing tank tops. How do you even sport such rolls at such a young age? Oh, that would be the beer and the luscious fat laded snacks that were being pimped as food options. Gotta love some good nachos with 'gas station cheese'! Not judging here, but you just wouldn't believe it. And why would your bring your infant baby or large, threatening dog along? Huh? Beats the hell outt me!

On the bright side, what I heard of the music was good. Parking was convenient and reasonable. Managed to squeeze Ruby Dee in and amongst all the giant monster four wheel trucks. All in all it was a pretty placid, happy mob. No hard liqueur was sold, which probably helped out with that cause. Finished the day up with a Lysol bubble bath and a wire brush. Public places are very hard for a germaphobe.

Even a redneck one like me! It takes one to know one! So, all is well. Can I get a yee haw up in here?

P.S.-Congrats are in order for my darling friend, Stacey who has just announced her engagement. The last time we had cocktails, She was tellingly, deliriously happy. Kisses and hugs for You, Girl! And for the rest of you? The same, of course! xoxoxo

Ain't no Party like a Detroit Party....

Cuz a Dee-troit party don't stop!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all. On this day we remember and honor our Mothers--here and in heaven for the colossal job of being a mother. The unconditional love, total selflessness and dedication is a very hard thing to understand but oh so beautiful for those of us lucky enough to know it.

Rest in peace my dear cousin, and friend, Joyce who passed away this week. She was 50. We grew up 3 houses apart and were great friends. Joyce was an excellent athlete and was not alarmed when, at 22 or so, seemed to have alot of muscular aches. When you competed as hard as she did, this was not so unusual. Soon after, a diagnoses of Multiple Sclerosis left us all shocked and began her 27 year battle with this horrific disease. She fought well and hard-- her attitude and physical condition helping her with the fight. It was one of those situations that just didn't seem fair. The lessons she taught us in courage and hope will never be forgotten. I like to think that she has joined up with her mother and brother, in a pain free and happy place. I hope in heaven the basketball court, running track, golf course and tennis courts are in good shape, as Joyce will surely be up to her old tricks. Have fun, Babe. We will miss you.

Also, I have to give a nod to Ernie Harwell, Tiger's broadcaster and human extraordinaire. Some of my fondest memories are of my Dad grilling up something while us kids ran thru the sprinkler and listened to Ernie announce the Tigers game. He was a class act that lifted Detroit up with his style and grace. He lived it right and lived it well and for this he, too, will be missed.

And sadly our Detroit Red Wings lost on Saturday and are now out of cup contention. I was lucky enough to attend Thursdays game and witnessed Johan Franzen get his hat trick. They had already shoveled about 5 octopi off of the ice when the hats rained down and the crowd came undone. I threatened to throw my brassiere on the ice if he scored again, but remained a lady when, he in fact did. I must finally be growing up. Not sure if I like it, tho. Any hoo, it was an entertaining season and I saw again why they say that Detroit fans are the BEST. See you next year boys. Golf well!

Can I just say that the SNOW on Saturday was a shock? C'mon now. I was so hoping to go for a walk on the beach and not freeze my cookies off doing it. Maybe next weekend.

Hope y'all are having a good one. Life goes on. xoxo

Smoke on the Water..

My first ever cigarette was at my Aunt and Uncles house on Newport Street--fittingly enough. My cousins and I were roughly 1o when we pilfered 2 ciggies to try. They were menthol and unfiltered and we hacked our lungs out and were mildly nauseated. So much for that first effort where the true fun was in the sneak job.

Fast forward 6 years, on my birthday, where Led Zeppelin was singing, "Smoke on the Water". All my girlfriends insisted that with the freedom to drive,(I had a car) came the freedom to smoke. All my friends smoked and so I purchased a pack of Marlborough's and got the lesson that initiated me into being a 'smoker'! I was never really a big smoker and used the cigs mostly for effect. Also being a gymnast and a wanna-be runner, my lungs would hurt like hell if I smoked too much. Coughing up blood was most definitely NOT glamorous!

At eighteen I could legally go into bars and drink, and the smoking went along perfectly. I graduated to the extra long smokes and featured myself very glamorous with my lime flavored Tom Collins and cigarette in my hand sporting a white, denim jumpsuit and cork heeled wedgies and a wicked Farrah Fawcett blow dry. Tres chic! This posing went on for about a year till I had had it with the coughing, mess, smell, etc. On New Years Eve, I took up a bet to quit and did. Wasn't that hard and I just HAD to win the bet.

So now there's a law in place banning smoking in public places and away from food by 100 feet. I love not being forced to breath secondhand while I am out eating and such, but I think it was and is dumb to not allow smoking patios. Bars and restaurants are effected enough as it is and this will surely make a difference. In Florida the smoking patios seem to work out as the best compromise for everyone and it would have been nice to try it that way.

There will be many letters to the editors one way or the other on the subject, so this will probably get very interesting. I'm not sure if the government took away a right or just gave me a new one. Either way, it's out of my hands and we'll just have to see how it shakes out. Let me know your take on it...Go Wings! I have tickets for Thursdays game, whoo hoo! P.S. I have the great honor of celebrating with the darling Michelle, (Michelle's Spell) on her birthday tomorrow. There may even be an appearance by Mark (the Walking Man)! Cannot wait!! xoxo

One Fine Day....

I was a pre-teen (now they coin it 'tween') on the very first Earth Day. We studied it in our sixth grade class and a vote was taken to determine the best things we could do to be personally involved. So, the date and time was set for 60 kids and two teachers to try and make a difference.

On a unseasonably sunny spring day--by the grace of God, it wasn't snowing, this IS northern Michigan we are talking about-- we walked to our destination. Hiring a bus would be totally counterproductive to our efforts. Sporting my best hot pants, (now coined 'Daisy Dukes or booty shorts'), Snoopy t-shirt and Jack Purcell's, (anyone else remember those?) and armed with a bag and a stick with a nail on the end of it, we proceeded to clean up the sides of US23 for a mile, on both sides. It was an unbelievable mess. We then planted flowers in the town hall yard. I know we planted trees, but I do not remember where. We were later treated to a cone at the Dairy Dome--which was a locally owned knock off of the Dairy Queen, but just as yummy. It was fun to be virtuous and sanctimonious as we patted ourselves on the back for helping to save our Earth.

I enjoyed the day off from studies, being outside and getting to wear a totally cute outfit. (Bonus!) I made some effort on later Earth Days, but it was never the same as that first, idealistic, innocent one. We were so sure we could change the world.

At the same time, our local factories that kept our town alive was spewing junk in the air steadily as the paychecks it was handing out. Littering was a ticket able offense, but I've not once heard or or have seen it being enforced. Whole fields were being cleared for those subdivisions where there is not a single living green thing when completed. At one point, we stopped getting money for our cans and bottles and mostly just threw them away. They still do that in Florida!

So now that we have total and breathless media saturation on the subject, I'm not sure what is different . Being a natural cheapskate, I always return my cans and bottles, and hate to waste ANYTHING! I used cloth diapers and breastfed--best for child and cheap to boot! I do drive a gas hog now, but I drove small, economy cars for years--mostly due to my own personal economic situation--re: broke as a joke! I love resale and buying those hunk a junks and turning them into something special. But that's as much of a hobby as a recycle. I always buy my books used and return them for reuse. Again, cheap being the motive as much as saving trees. However, I do confess to a love affair with paper towels--Brawny Pic a Size, to be exact. I reuse as much as possible with things like plastic bags and leftovers, but other than that, I had actually forgot about the actual 'Earth Day', that I now understand is 'Earth Week'.

My friend Kristen and her family cleaned up a large area of litter and for that I am proud. (Urban legend has it that another clean up effort on 94 and 7 mile yielded treasures like bags of dope and a large roll of money--but that is a totally different blog!) Her daughters were refreshingly eager in their efforts. Good job, ladies! Guess I need to take a cue, get off my ass, and do SOMETHING. Any suggestions on how a spoiled, kinda lazy person as myself, can make a real difference? Let me know, okay? P.S. Go Wings--it ain't over till Karen Neumann sings! xo

P.P.S.S. Sorry everyone for being so long winded. Sometimes I am full of hot air! xoxo

Do You Feel Like We Do?...(live version, of course!)

Recently I filled out my fourth application for jury duty. What the hey? I have already been chosen as a juror three times and I think I have done my duty. I know people who have never even served one time. Of course, I am always worried that said duty will interfere with a vacation or a possibility of messing up a nice Friday afternoon getting ready to head up to the beach house..

The first time, when I lived up north, I was very excited to be a part of the process and actually looked forward to it. My employer paid my wages for the time and I didn't have to count it as vacation or sick days. I sat thru days of the choosing process only to discover that the person on trial was a close, personal friend. I was promptly excused even though my friend had hoped I could get him off the drunk driving offense. Your on your own dude--I am so outta here! I collected my $14.00 from the court for two days 'work' and was on my way.

The second time I was called to serve, was also in Alpena, and the case was much more involved. This time I was chosen for the whole enchilada. I think the dude was definitely guilty, but he had a much better lawyer and got off quite lightly. That or the fact that the judge snored thru most of the arguments. I was doing hair at the time, on a commission only basis, so I lost wages for three whole days and the paltry $21.00 was an insult.

The next time I was called I had a vacation scheduled and the judge took pity on me and excused me. Whoo Hoo! Start the party early!

Under Judge Maceroni, (who I LOVED) I was chosen and heard a very interesting case involving a Detroit crack whore, her pimp, and the dude they rolled and stole the car from. It was crazy and very revealing. Apparently that poor, brazen, girl was so beat down that nothing could embarrass her. She told ALL. Anywhoo, the Judge took pity on us and after 5 days, insisted that we wrap this thing up. The payment had went up to $12.00 a day, so being unemployed, I took my check and ran. Hardly late for cocktail hour, thank you very much!

So now I read about the juror that was intoxicated and released from her duties. I've heard many excuses to get out of duty, but this one, by far, was the most effective. And newsworthy. While I still don't understand how I keep getting picked, (my son thinks my social liberalness visibly oozes from my pores!), I think I'll just serve away and save the cocktailia for after the gavel bangs...Enjoy our beautiful weather--it's only gonna get better! xo

April in the "D".....

Yes, it's April in the D! I love it, I love it, I love it! My Sergeant cherry tree is in full, glorious, pink lusciousness bloom. Resembles a spraying champagne bottle which is always is a good thing! The Red Wings pulled off a win and the Tigers had a wild game with a kick ass come from behind win! Whoo Hoo boys, keep it up! Detroit sports rock my world!

Did ya send in your census? Was dreading doing mine, but finally stopped procrastinating and found out the damn thing took about 5 minutes to fill out. As most things I don't like to do, the worry is worst than the work. Taxes are next, which reminds me of the absolutely cool sight I saw down on Gratiot the other day. The Liberty Tax people are really pulling out all the stops. They had not one, not two, but count 'em THREE rather zaftig women dressed as Ms. Liberty, shoulder to shoulder doing a very spirited can-can. Nearly drove off the road and cracked my mug smiling! Only in Detroit...

On April first--a rather balmy day-- when buying produce at Kroger's, I witnessed 2 chickies in full on bikinis and flip flops! No April Fool's Day! Yes, said ladies grabbed a cart and much to the amusement of everyone, selected their groceries. It was so gorgeous out that the 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' rule was bypassed. That or the fact that THEY were also gorgeous! Thought I was back in the Keys for a minute. Again, only in Detroit...

Sleet on Friday, hot sun on Saturday. It's all good with me cuz it's April in the D! Celebrate, friends....xoxo

Take it Easy...

Along with myself getting a nasty cold upon arriving home, my computer picked up a virus and has an appointment with the Dr. on Wednesday. Will post when it's back up to snuff. Meanwhile enjoy the pics of Lola relaxing on her vay cay! Talk soon, dears...x