A Tale of Two Cardigans

 Yesterday morning I was watching one of my favorite pastors on TV while talking to Schmoop-Dog on the phone. "I really like what Jentezen Franklin is wearing today," I commented. "What's he wearing?" "A black mock neck long sleeved shirt and gray slacks with black shiny shoes. It's a good look for him." Then they showed a little commercial and he was wearing a gray open front cardigan with the thick neck and lapels. "Oh I don't know how I feel about that," I said. "Do you have a cardigan?" "Nope," Schmoop replied. "I have a heavy high-necked pullover. In brown of course." We laughed as that is his favorite color. "Did I buy that for you?" I asked. "Nope!"

That made me remember something and I burst out laughing. "What?" he said.

"Oh, I just remembered a time when I bought two brown print cardigans for separate people."

"You have to tell me this story because you never buy brown!" So I did.

When I was a senior in high school, I became really good friends with this underclassman that I had a bit of a crush on. At the same time, I also had a little something going on with my brother's friend, who was older and in the Army (see "Under the Mistletoe").  Anyhoo, since Christmas was coming I decided to get my young guy (David) a present. I went to the Joy Store (best store ever!) and saw that they had brown printed men's cardigans for $5! It came with a tie belt and I figured he would like it. So I bought it for him.

A couple of days later, I received a phone call from Derek (older guy)! He was coming home for Christmas! I was so excited. Then I realized I should also get him a present. You guessed it: I went right back to the Joy Store and bought him one of those tie-belt brown print cardigans for $5! What a bargain! And since neither guy knew the other, they'd never know I got them both the same present.

David got his first and he loved it. I knew he would! A couple of days later I saw Derek and gave him his. He loved it!

Since we were on Christmas break from school, David and I hung out a lot with my best friend Emily and her boyfriend. It was nice because they both had cars. So one day we were driving around Glens Falls and Emily said, "Hey, we're close to your brother's house Rita. Why don't we stop by to see him?" "Oh that's not a good idea," I said. "He's probably not home." But I was sure Derek would be because he was staying with my brother! "Well let's just stop by and see." There was no way I could have signaled Emily because there were no cell phones back then and she was in the front seat with Robert. All I could do was pray no one was home.

But sometimes prayers just bump the ceiling; because not only did Derek answer the door: he was wearing the sweater! I didn't want to look at David but I did: and he was a most unhappy camper. But thankfully, he didn't say anything. So we went in and visited with my brother and Derek for a few minutes. Then when I said we needed to be leaving, Derek said to me, "Why don't you stay for awhile and I'll give you a ride home later?" And somehow I heard myself answer, "Okay!"

"We'll give David a ride home. Call me later!" Emily said with a wink; and they left. My brother had things to do so he left almost right behind them. Then it was just me and Derek. Before your imaginations get carried away: there was no hanky panky: just a little kissing. But I digress...

When I got home I didn't even get a chance to call Emily because she called me first. "How mad was David?" I asked her. "Not mad, just hurt. He cried all the way home." That made me feel a little bad, once I stopped giggling. Was it wrong that I felt a little powerful at that point? But I wasn't going to give up the chance of spending time with Derek.

I finally got up the nerve to call David and apologize. It turned out that he was more upset about me staying than about the twin sweaters. But eventually he got over it (with a little convincing) and Derek went back to his Army base.

After telling him the story Schmoop said, "See how you women are, even at a young age? You play us guys, buy us the same gifts and we as stupid men get over it because you blind us with your science!" My reply? "Well, yeah."

I hadn't thought about that in years. But I couldn't help laughing because stuff like that never happens to me. I'm no player! If you don't believe me, ask Brie. She'll be sure to corroborate that fact! Except it did kind of happen again in 1995...but that's a story for another day!

I Love Lucy

 This is subtitled "A Shameless Plug". 

Once upon a time, I inherited a car repair shop from my former next door neighbor, Mark. My car needed some work and he said, "Take it to my guy Matt. He's a great mechanic and will give you a good deal. Just tell him I sent you." I didn't know how much weight Mark's name held, but decided to try it anyway because I needed a good price on the work that needed to be done.

And guess what: it worked! I did get a great deal. But the thing is: Brie went with me to drive me back home. It turned out that she and Matt had worked at the Great Escape together when they were teenagers! So they reminisced and I think she was very instrumental in the good price too! To say nothing of the excellent service provided by Matt. So that place became our shop of choice.

Until Matt left for greener pastures and I can't say that I blamed  him because the shop went through a metamorphosis, and not in a good way.

Anyhoo: when my car needed work Brie actually messaged Matt to find out where he went. He said the magic words: ABC Transmissions. I knew nothing about this place but if Matt worked there, it must be all right.

What an understatement! The owner and everyone associated with this place always go above and beyond with us. Great service, great people, great price and...Lucy!

The first time I went there to pay when my car was ready, I entered the office. Lying In the corner was a behemoth that looked like competition for Cerberus, except with only one head. It looked at me and I looked at it, then it slowly rose and headed towards me. Fight or flight reaction went through me until Al, the owner said, "This is Lucy. Say hi to Rita, Lucy."

Lucy? Such a harmless name for a dog that could easily have torn me to pieces! She came over, sniffed me ( I was hoping she didn't smell my dogs on me and attack!) and then must have deemed me okay. Lucy was the biggest female dog I had ever seen. Al told me that she was a French Mastiff.  I tentatively reached out to pat her on the head, and she let me. I sat down and she came to sit in front of me for me to continue petting her. "Aww," Al began, "she really likes you!"

Thank God she did! She turned out to be a gentle giant. I noticed that she was wearing a huge pink collar with shiny decorations. She has spa days (wish I had one!) and knows she's pretty. Um...at first I thought she had a face only a mother could love. Never mind her head is bigger than both of my dogs put together! She is six years old and weighs 191 pounds. Her wagging tail alone could take me out at the knees. But she loves me and I have come to see the hidden beauty in her large jowly face.

So whenever I go there, Lucy greets me like an old friend. I sit down and pet her and tell her what a pretty girl she is. I admire her girly pink collar (which could wrap around both of my dogs) and talk to her as she sits her 191 pound self on my foot like it's a cushion. If I stop petting her, she turns her head around or looks up at me like, "Um...I don't think you were done loving me yet".  Yesterday, when they were changing a headlight for me (gratis) I was rubbing her back and sides and telling her stories about how spoiled my puppies were. She looked at me like she understood. Oh I'm sure Al and his wife spoil her too!

So my shameless plug is for ABC Transmissions on Saratoga Road in South Glens Falls. You can tell them Rita sent you! And don't be afraid of Lucy: she's a softy wrapped up in a huge body. I love Lucy!

Here are a couple of pictures so you can see what a French Mastiff looks like, although Lucy is bigger and more solid. Can't wait until I get to visit her again. But I hope it's just a social call! 🚗

The Piano

 There is a movie of this name that came out around 1993. Won 36 awards including three Oscars and a Golden Globe. But I never intend to watch this movie because it is sad.

"After a long voyage from Scotland, pianist Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) and her young daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), are left with all their belongings, including a piano, on a New Zealand beach. Ada, who has been mute since childhood, has been sold into marriage to a local man named Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill). Making little attempt to warm up to Alisdair, Ada soon becomes intrigued by his Maori-friendly acquaintance, George Baines (Harvey Keitel), leading to tense, life-altering conflicts."

If you don't want to know what happens at the end because you think you might see this movie, skip this next paragraph:

"At the end of the 1993 movie, Holly Hunter's mute character Ada McGrath throws herself into the sea tied to her beloved piano. But rather than allow herself to drown, she fights back to the surface and goes on to have a settled life with her daughter, Flora, and lover Baines, played by Harvey Keitel."

But that's not what this post is about.

In 1994 I saw ads on TV about an album called Pure Moods. It was a compilation album (in my case, cassette tape because I didn't have a CD player) and it had really beautiful songs on it. I loved this cassette and played it often; then I finally upgraded to a CD and it was even better. But after awhile other music took over and I forgot all about Pure Moods.

Until one day last year. I was having a day and Pink Floyd just wasn't cutting it. I perused YouTube and came across Pure Moods. I hadn't heard it in forever, so decided to go down that memory lane.  YouTube was kind enough to list all 17 of the songs. I remembered most of them, but not all so it would be good to refresh my memory.  As the songs played and I worked, I was glad I had put this on. Then came the 16th song...

As God is my witness, I had no recollection of ever hearing this song before.  I looked at the list: it was something called "The Heart Seeks Pleasure First" by Michael Nyman. It wasn't familiar at all. However, it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It's mostly just piano, and it turns out that it is from the movie "The Piano".

I stopped everything I was doing to listen to this song. And all I could think was, "I bet Robin could have played this song to perfection." No doubt: being the classically trained pianist that she was before she died. I wondered if she had ever heard this song before. I felt in my heart that she had.

I downloaded the song onto my phone. I have it as my ringtone. And when I'm having a day, I put on the half-hour extended version of this song and think of Robin. And I feel her presence, which makes me happy. 𝄞𝄠𝄟 And that's what this post is about.

I Just Wanted Something For Lunch

 I was at work yesterday waiting for lunchtime when I realized I had nothing for lunch. Well, I had a small can of pineapple rings, some peanut butter and Ritz crackers (yes I'm able to eat them again!) but you know I didn't want any of that. I decided to check the specials for one of the places I like, to see if that would work. And yes: they had a cup of baked potato soup, 1/2 a grilled cheese and ham sandwich and a cupcake for $11.95 as their special. I figured it had better be the best cupcake in the world as I eagerly dialed their number to put in my order. The phone rang and rang, no one picked up and then a recording came on. WTH? I checked the number again to be sure I was dialing correctly, it rang and rang, no one picked up and the same recording came on. Ugh! Could they be that busy? So I went back to their Facebook page and saw a note from 2/10 saying they were having problems with their phone so to dial this other number. I eagerly dialed that number: it was a fax machine! Ugh!! 

I thought about just driving over, but they are usually so busy if you don't call in ahead of time, you'll be waiting and I didn't have that much time to waste. Ugh! So no cupcake for Rita!

Then I decided I should just walk over to our cafeteria and get a nice chef salad. Then I remembered that they haven't had Spring Mix for a year; and how did I know if they used Dole salad mix, which has all been recalled? Ugh! No salad for Rita!

I finally hit upon just going to KFC for an extra crispy drumstick. Or hey: maybe a chicken pot pie! Those are good. So I got in my car and drove to KFC. And there was no line, so that was a good sign. I gave my order to the employee and then drove around to pick up my soda and pot pie. I paid, and the employee first gave me my card back, and then handed me my soda. I noticed that it seemed inordinately full, so I swished it around for a few seconds. "Excuse me," I began when I had his attention, "you forgot to put ice in my Dr. Pepper." "No I didn't. We don't have any ice as our machine is broken." For some reason this really annoyed me. "No ice? Isn't that something you should have told me beforehand since now I don't have a cold refreshing drink?" "I'm sorry."

Well so was I! Now I had my delicious chicken pot pie, and a warm soda which just didn't go together. Just my luck. 

So I drove back to work, sat back at my desk and only pouted for another minute or two about my Dr. Pepper. I mean it wasn't the employee's fault that the ice machine was broken.  I dug into my chicken pot pie. I could tell it was a different recipe but that didn't matter because it was delicious. However. along with this new recipe I saw they had added more peas! Ugh, I hate peas! So now I had to eat around them and move them aside so none would sneak into my mouth. Seriously!

Yeah I know: it's a first world problem. And you know what? I have the same problem today! One day I will learn to bring lunch from home every day. At least that way I know what I'm getting!

I Knew It Was A Bad Idea...

 It's almost the greatest concert of the year day! Okay, there's a little football game being played around it, but seriously: Snoop, Dr. Dre and Eminem? Count me in!

Anyhoo, in preparation for the Super Bowl, last night on CBS they had a countdown of the 10 greatest commercials of all time. I really had to think about if I wanted to watch this show: and it was because of Brie. I knew if they showed any of the old Budweiser commercials, the waterworks would come on. 

Before the show even ran the first commercial, she was reminiscing about her favorite Clydesdale commercials. Like the one where the puppy has a best friend that's a horse, the puppy gets sold to a new family, and at the end of the commercial all the horses chase the car and stop it so they can have the puppy back. At the end the horse and puppy are frolicking, and Brie is crying. And that's before they showed the commercial!

Or the one where the horse is chosen to be in the big parade so leaves the farm. The owner who sold him is so despondent. Then he finds out that the horse team is coming near his town so he goes to the parade. Sure enough: the horse recognizes him, leaves the parade and finds the former owner so they can have a mini reunion. Tears!

So I knew it was a bad idea to watch this show with her, but I wanted to see if any of my favorites would be shown. And they were:  like the Doritos commercial where the little boy suckers the guy into believing he has a time machine (It's the future!); the Mean Joe Green commercial with the little boy giving him his Coke after a loss, and even I get a little sentimental over the Bud commercials. They had the best ad agency in town.

So we watched it, Brie cried, I tried not to make fun of her and it was all good. Does that make me heartless? I don't think so. I'm just able to enjoy sentiment without getting too mushy. But I didn't make too much fun of Brie for having a little marshmallow center 😊 After all: one of us has to! And by the way: the Bud commercial with the puppy was number one. No surprise there!

So for those who aren't football fans: you know you'll be watching specifically for the commercials. I saw the new one for BMW featuring Salma Hayek and Arnold Schwarzenegger. That's a good one! Can't wait to see what else is in store.

I don't have any skin in the Super Bowl, but if I have to choose a team: Go Rams! Hey don't judge me: I like their uniforms 😃