Never do I know where my old shoes will take me. It was Wednesday when I returned to a Jewish life off of Bolsa Chica and Warner Avenue. A Reb in San Diego had told me that a relative lived in i in Huntington Beach. He too was a Chabad Rabbi. I parked a few blocks from the temple and a nice gentleman let me inside the front door. Another asked my blue eyes and blond hair my religion -- since nobody suspects I am Jewish. It was the Jewish Day of Atonement.
I stood for three hours and enjoyed the Jewish rhythms of the past. ms of the past. Just before we prayed for our dead fathers and mothers, the Rabbi Berkowitz' second story was the one that made the congregation laugh. It was about the Democratic hopeful Donald Trump who had entered upstate Utica,New York. His last stop was inside an old beaten up Trump who tried to drum up votes inside a Assistant Living Center in upper-state Utica, New York.
Today the city looked like a war zone with Crock pots everywhere and streets that led to nowhere. The buildings had long lost their day during the heights of the Syracuse Sentinel days. It was then that Donald Trump entered and sat down next to a girl past beyond prime. She had been watching the I love Lucy Show for the fifth time inside the T.V room. Fifty or there-abouts glued to the T.V. The A/C was off of course to save the electric bill. He spoke to an elderly lady watching T.V. A care-giver was giving her a cup of pills with water. Her diapers had half slipped down.
"Do you know who-I-am?" He repeated it a few times until he shouted.
"Look at my blond curly hair, now do you know?" She gave a quizzical look at the man and continued with I Love Lucy show. Just then, Pearl sat down beside her and Donald trumpeted the same story with similar results. After the movie in which chocolate covered the face of Lucy, Pearl took him aside.
Kind sir, don't you worry. All of us have memory problems. At that point bingo games begun in activity room. Now the Trumpets of religion came into his life. He had forgotten but a long-lost Jewish Grandmother came on a cloud to speak to him.
"Donald, it is time you become a Jew. You can rekindle the memory problem of these inmates. Do you witness this number on my right arm. Yes, I died inside Auschwitz in 1943 when the last remaining Berlin Jews were carted off to trains on their way to the gas chamber. Now is your turn to turn in a good deed."
Donald sold one of his many hotels and kicked out a few walls at the older than time assistant living center. He dropped in air conditioning, large portions of fish food, as well as a bus that took them to various football games or the Atlantic City to gamble. He did not stop there. Each patron had his medication reduced and soon the short terms memories to return.
The Reb's next story dealt with the Jewish Day of Atonement -- a day when Jews around the world become one. It is a day when all Jews come together from all walks of live and ask our God to forgive the sins of the living, our forefathers, ancestors and those who gas chambered to death inside gas chambers.
'Now I don't believe in sports, but the name of Koufax, Sandy that is, will live in each Tabernacle until time goes by. It was a day that Dodger pitcher left his team uniform and returned to his God in heaven to become a player on God's team. Dodger pitcher chose to worship his God, Hashem, instead of the World Series game in Minnesota.
He told each member that on this Sunday, he could not pitch. Instead he walked over to a hotel to pray until a knock on his door beckoned. It was a local Rabbi. He allowed him to enter. "Mr. Koufax, what you did today will be remembered in the lives of all Jews. Rabbi Joab was astonished to see him wrap the Jewish film the correct way.
But my day did not end on Wednesday. No, I no longer am a Jew for a Day.I spent the entire Sabbath inside the Shul. and of course the old time hymns returned to me. Why even today, three days later, I still sings the songs of yesteryear when my Grandpa Schneider and Goldberg made me a Jew for a Day. (Not edited or finished.)
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
A Fish Surfs the Huntington Pier
My moods change as frequently as the winds. Today in Huntington Beach was no exception. I woke up with my nose clogged-up inside the Five Points Senior Apartments -- but a little asthma did not stop me today...Yesterday I honored the Jewish Day of Atonement and enjoyed Chabad on Warner Avenue.
I needed to get out of here. Earlier I had finished a $4.95 Costco Chicken and three Trader Joe's Eggs. My only regret Trader Joes did not carry candles. The manager told me they didn't consider the Day of Atonement a holiday but "would carry them in the future".
As a reborn Jew, I needed to plant candles for my parents, Edith and Harry a felt upset the Trader Joes did not fell that the holiest day of the year had not been a holiday. I felt sure they still went for the saw-buck rather than God.
The pier beckoned. I took my two mile walk and entered the pier. It was going on six o'clock and I made my way around Ruby's restaurant and sat on a bench. The same three Vietnamese had their fishing lines out. A man swung his line around and it landed. Four Mackerel danced in front of me.
He picked each up with a prong and removed the fish from the line. The silver bananas did not stop thrashing until he deposited them inside his bucket...Why yesterday I saw one Mackerel do the twist to the beat of a a big band number. Ruby's has a speaker that broadcasts big band sounds.
The electric wheel chair was busy also. Inside the man pressed a button and the automatic fishing pole slung the line over the pier into the water. Within a few minutes he caught another Mackerel. He smiled an calmly dropped the food inside his bag pack.
The fog slowly began to lift, just like my spirits. my day had just begun. A young kid swung around the end of the pier dancing on a skate board. I heard a thud, and the next moment the board slowly came my way, made a turn inside the bench, just missed the wheel chair and landed into the drink.
The young kid came my way. He looked for his skate board and turned my way. "Did you see my skate board.?
"Yes it slid down into the deep, a centimeter too small to be stopped by railing. ."
"The young man pulled out a cigarette and we began to chat. I whipped a few drops of dew from the upstairs roof at Ruby's.
"Hey kid, got a name...was the board expensive?"
"Hell no, it was only a penny board. Got a bigger one back home."
"Go to college?"
"Golden West for three days a year ago. Not my thing. I work at Pizza Hut in Westminster and do about everything there. I take orders, make the pizza, and do about everything a manager does."
"Is your pay about ten or eleven?"
"Hell no! I git only nine, but did take classes in Electricity early on. Society stinks, and think I will go to the mountains and hang out."
All of a sudden strange things happened. The wheel chair went over the side railings--with the man and bait. And then it happened...a n d you will not believe this. A large one pound or more Mackerel slid up on the penny board and with his tail kicked it up to the young kid. And by God it was the same darn fish that had done the twist the day before.
Just then a swish of water drowned us. The man with the wheel chair landed at my feet. Yet he stood up and now could walk.
I needed to get out of here. Earlier I had finished a $4.95 Costco Chicken and three Trader Joe's Eggs. My only regret Trader Joes did not carry candles. The manager told me they didn't consider the Day of Atonement a holiday but "would carry them in the future".
As a reborn Jew, I needed to plant candles for my parents, Edith and Harry a felt upset the Trader Joes did not fell that the holiest day of the year had not been a holiday. I felt sure they still went for the saw-buck rather than God.
The pier beckoned. I took my two mile walk and entered the pier. It was going on six o'clock and I made my way around Ruby's restaurant and sat on a bench. The same three Vietnamese had their fishing lines out. A man swung his line around and it landed. Four Mackerel danced in front of me.
He picked each up with a prong and removed the fish from the line. The silver bananas did not stop thrashing until he deposited them inside his bucket...Why yesterday I saw one Mackerel do the twist to the beat of a a big band number. Ruby's has a speaker that broadcasts big band sounds.
The electric wheel chair was busy also. Inside the man pressed a button and the automatic fishing pole slung the line over the pier into the water. Within a few minutes he caught another Mackerel. He smiled an calmly dropped the food inside his bag pack.
The fog slowly began to lift, just like my spirits. my day had just begun. A young kid swung around the end of the pier dancing on a skate board. I heard a thud, and the next moment the board slowly came my way, made a turn inside the bench, just missed the wheel chair and landed into the drink.
The young kid came my way. He looked for his skate board and turned my way. "Did you see my skate board.?
"Yes it slid down into the deep, a centimeter too small to be stopped by railing. ."
"The young man pulled out a cigarette and we began to chat. I whipped a few drops of dew from the upstairs roof at Ruby's.
"Hey kid, got a name...was the board expensive?"
"Hell no, it was only a penny board. Got a bigger one back home."
"Go to college?"
"Golden West for three days a year ago. Not my thing. I work at Pizza Hut in Westminster and do about everything there. I take orders, make the pizza, and do about everything a manager does."
"Is your pay about ten or eleven?"
"Hell no! I git only nine, but did take classes in Electricity early on. Society stinks, and think I will go to the mountains and hang out."
All of a sudden strange things happened. The wheel chair went over the side railings--with the man and bait. And then it happened...a n d you will not believe this. A large one pound or more Mackerel slid up on the penny board and with his tail kicked it up to the young kid. And by God it was the same darn fish that had done the twist the day before.
Just then a swish of water drowned us. The man with the wheel chair landed at my feet. Yet he stood up and now could walk.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Surf City Pier
A change was needed. I pulled myself up and out of my couch. It was going on Seven. My buddy told me that Yellow Tail had been biting off of the pier, and I just love Sushi. I parked my car away from the hungry meters and on Main. A fire truck had parked at the pier's entrance. Before it hung a man on a Palm Tree giving it a hair cut. Another man threw him a rope -- that he caught and began his descent.
Up-ahead an Asian slid a yellow rope with an octopus hook at the end. He wished to get some muscles and barnacles. His fishing line did catch a small mackerel, which he left for the birds. A stronger than normal southeastern hit me in the face. It came from Mexico and the flags flew the other way.
I continued to walk until Ruby's came into view. Several Asians had their lines in the water. I decided to sit down and read my O'Henry book. 30's music was playing in the background. I felt serene for the first time in quite-a-while. A window washer came over and asked me to leave. He held a long pole with a scrubber and two hoses at the end. He cleaned the upper windows using a zigzag motion.
Al-awhile another man drilled a hole inside the metallic railing -- to provide stability.
I decided to head back to my car. Up ahead a muscled man wearing scuba gear readied himself for the drop. He fastened several ropes and other gear before placing the round helmet over his face. Slowly, ever so slowly a line took him down to the deep.
Inside the truck his boss yelled, "it is number 32." I walked over and asked him what was going on.
"We are clearing the pilings of muscles and barnacles. If we don't they will eat away until the pier slopes the wrong way."
Just then I heard a fog horn. Clouds covered the once clear sky. Somebody screamed that the "rain was a-coming." I stopped at Starbucks to finish a short story and then walked to my car. I had to return, shower and get ready for a Rodger's Senior Center lunch.
It was nice to see that a few ladies showed up to hear me play.
Edith asked me to play, Only You.
"Got to work on it Edith. Next week, OK?
The heat wave was over. I looked forward to a little rainy weather as I am sure you also did.
Up-ahead an Asian slid a yellow rope with an octopus hook at the end. He wished to get some muscles and barnacles. His fishing line did catch a small mackerel, which he left for the birds. A stronger than normal southeastern hit me in the face. It came from Mexico and the flags flew the other way.
I continued to walk until Ruby's came into view. Several Asians had their lines in the water. I decided to sit down and read my O'Henry book. 30's music was playing in the background. I felt serene for the first time in quite-a-while. A window washer came over and asked me to leave. He held a long pole with a scrubber and two hoses at the end. He cleaned the upper windows using a zigzag motion.
Al-awhile another man drilled a hole inside the metallic railing -- to provide stability.
I decided to head back to my car. Up ahead a muscled man wearing scuba gear readied himself for the drop. He fastened several ropes and other gear before placing the round helmet over his face. Slowly, ever so slowly a line took him down to the deep.
Inside the truck his boss yelled, "it is number 32." I walked over and asked him what was going on.
"We are clearing the pilings of muscles and barnacles. If we don't they will eat away until the pier slopes the wrong way."
Just then I heard a fog horn. Clouds covered the once clear sky. Somebody screamed that the "rain was a-coming." I stopped at Starbucks to finish a short story and then walked to my car. I had to return, shower and get ready for a Rodger's Senior Center lunch.
It was nice to see that a few ladies showed up to hear me play.
Edith asked me to play, Only You.
"Got to work on it Edith. Next week, OK?
The heat wave was over. I looked forward to a little rainy weather as I am sure you also did.
A Bud Light Volleyball Tournament
Sunday I slept in. That weekend I drove two hundred miles -- far too much for one reaching eighty. Saw a great film about a mobster in West Los Angeles. The mobster's name was Whitey Bulger. I slept on the coach until about two, and decided to go to the pier. I heard a volleyball tournament was going on there.
I parked on main street a block from the parking meters. I took a plastic gallon bottle of tea along with a beach chair and umbrella. It felt good to get away from my apartment and the 405 freeway -- Surf City is great for waves but terrible for its mass transit -- it has none!!!
I shared the pier's shade with many kids in the 2-A volleyball tournament. I gulped a few drags from my Ginseng tea bottle. Wal Mart has them on special for $2,75. I drink two quarts or more each day -- and that has made a lot of difference. No sodas for this senior who wishes to make it to 120 like his dad Moses.
My eyes glued to two teams. One of the teams were young teens -- perhaps still in high school. I'll call them the Cutie Pie brothers. The second-two-man-team looked to be in their thirties. One was all beefed up and will call him Muscles and the other was Clean Cut.
Each team kept winning. For the first time, I saw what it took to become a champion team. Each team anticipated the next shot. Of course a good set meant a clean spike -- unless the opposing blocker knew the direction of the hit...An off set meant that the man at net had to retreat and get ready to dig the hit. The net players jousted for the ball like the knights of old.
Quickness, not speed mattered. Each player was deft with his hands. The announcer made sure each court had players. It was going on four o'clock and the semifinals were about to take place.
"Will Walters and Green go to court three. The losers on court one will keep the score and judge the match"
While the new teams practiced, I retraced my steps of yesterday. I had great time with my daughter who saw my apartment, and I dare say might wish to move here. I then thought about Bobby Barber who passed on a few months earlier. I had partnered up with him many times, and miss seeing the best dressed man on the beach.
I took another swig of my Ginseng Tea. It had provided energy for the last two weeks. The movie about James Bulger swept through my mind. Can you imagine that I probably swept pass him in Santa Monica. I played volleyball and used the library for over eight years.
Since the 405 was no more than a shopping center of cars, I took my daughter to wee the two hour movie and the $24 was worth it, every penny Johnny Depp gave a most believe-able performance. It was the first time ever i had ever been to a movie with my daughter.
Teams were ready to play the first semi-final. Each of the Cutie brothers could not have weighed more than one hundred and twenty pounds. They were all beef a muscle, but how they could jump and hit.
I decided to get a ring side seat at the net. I moved my rainy day umbrella and watched. It was their eyes that I glued onto. Their eyes watched the hands of the opposing team. Too bad the brother teams was four inches too small. Height in volleyball makes a difference.
The Cutie brothers lost by a few points. Their mom told me that each was seventeen, and unbelievable that they made the semi's. They kept score for the final game where Muscles and Clean Cut barley beat the other team by two points. The young man next to me must have been close to seven foot and had lost earlier to the winning team.
'Don't understand why we can't drink beer on the beach."
"Don't you mind. Beer Gully is right behind you. You can walk on Main Street and find beer everywhere. My brother liked Peros or the Beer Company. The various bars and restaurants make sure there is pomp and ceremony every weekend. Many of those who partner with Mr Suds or Mr. Barley end up in the gully. (Not Edited yet.)
I parked on main street a block from the parking meters. I took a plastic gallon bottle of tea along with a beach chair and umbrella. It felt good to get away from my apartment and the 405 freeway -- Surf City is great for waves but terrible for its mass transit -- it has none!!!
I shared the pier's shade with many kids in the 2-A volleyball tournament. I gulped a few drags from my Ginseng tea bottle. Wal Mart has them on special for $2,75. I drink two quarts or more each day -- and that has made a lot of difference. No sodas for this senior who wishes to make it to 120 like his dad Moses.
My eyes glued to two teams. One of the teams were young teens -- perhaps still in high school. I'll call them the Cutie Pie brothers. The second-two-man-team looked to be in their thirties. One was all beefed up and will call him Muscles and the other was Clean Cut.
Each team kept winning. For the first time, I saw what it took to become a champion team. Each team anticipated the next shot. Of course a good set meant a clean spike -- unless the opposing blocker knew the direction of the hit...An off set meant that the man at net had to retreat and get ready to dig the hit. The net players jousted for the ball like the knights of old.
Quickness, not speed mattered. Each player was deft with his hands. The announcer made sure each court had players. It was going on four o'clock and the semifinals were about to take place.
"Will Walters and Green go to court three. The losers on court one will keep the score and judge the match"
While the new teams practiced, I retraced my steps of yesterday. I had great time with my daughter who saw my apartment, and I dare say might wish to move here. I then thought about Bobby Barber who passed on a few months earlier. I had partnered up with him many times, and miss seeing the best dressed man on the beach.
I took another swig of my Ginseng Tea. It had provided energy for the last two weeks. The movie about James Bulger swept through my mind. Can you imagine that I probably swept pass him in Santa Monica. I played volleyball and used the library for over eight years.
Since the 405 was no more than a shopping center of cars, I took my daughter to wee the two hour movie and the $24 was worth it, every penny Johnny Depp gave a most believe-able performance. It was the first time ever i had ever been to a movie with my daughter.
Teams were ready to play the first semi-final. Each of the Cutie brothers could not have weighed more than one hundred and twenty pounds. They were all beef a muscle, but how they could jump and hit.
I decided to get a ring side seat at the net. I moved my rainy day umbrella and watched. It was their eyes that I glued onto. Their eyes watched the hands of the opposing team. Too bad the brother teams was four inches too small. Height in volleyball makes a difference.
The Cutie brothers lost by a few points. Their mom told me that each was seventeen, and unbelievable that they made the semi's. They kept score for the final game where Muscles and Clean Cut barley beat the other team by two points. The young man next to me must have been close to seven foot and had lost earlier to the winning team.
'Don't understand why we can't drink beer on the beach."
"Don't you mind. Beer Gully is right behind you. You can walk on Main Street and find beer everywhere. My brother liked Peros or the Beer Company. The various bars and restaurants make sure there is pomp and ceremony every weekend. Many of those who partner with Mr Suds or Mr. Barley end up in the gully. (Not Edited yet.)
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Surf City Heat Wave
A different kind of a wave greeted Huntington Beach this week. Her name was Linda and entered without a green card from Mexico. The mountains of fluffy pillows in the sky told me it was a Monsoon with its stuffy humid winds. It blanketed Surf City until Sunday, the 14th of September -- and even though Linda left with us barely alive, heat still grips Surf City.
While during the heat wave, the manager of my apartment told me to use graphite on my lock. Thanks to my daughter and almost a trip to Kaiser, she relented and placed a new lock set on my door. Now I don't have to use graphite on my $1600 apartment.
Wal Mart, and sold out of hundreds of fans and Air conditioners.
I found myself at Wal Mart on Tuesday. I needed two cashier's checks, one for Verizon and the other Edison, since no longer do I trust our banks or our president A lady in line seemed upset because the huge outfit ran out of fans and AC's. Of course I jumped in with my story about the my AC disaster at the Five Points Senior Center..
Only in American will a landlord disconnect our air conditioner in the library. It had been turned off for a long time so almost all of the patrons no longer ventured into the now, 90 degree room. What a shame for people who were brought up on apple pie, Ed Sullivan, and a visit to their local library.
Why back in the day, Mom drove me every week to check out books. San Diego built a ten story one to get the homeless off the street and also to compete with Disneyland for guided tours. And of course all libraries have an AC.
The Five Points Senior Apartments showered me with the many extras the complex had to lure me in. I saw a AC inside the third floor library and assumed it worked, and why not? I complained with a note to an-always-smiling and radiant manager Helen. She came to my door with an explanation.
"Mr. Garrett, the manager told me that that "too many residents had forgotten to turn-off the air-conditioning when not in use. You still have your air-conditioned apartments." Today she warned me to eat my food in my apartment only. Was this Poland in World War two?
Now even an old man of 76 can smell a lie. It was turned off to save money. The owners wished to not only save money, but hoped some tenants would move out so as they could increase the rents.
The book of Exodus states that stealing is not only a crime, but is punishable by death. Not only that, but it stresses that our fathers should be respected and loved. What say you owner Mark?
Even the lock to my apartment got stuck, and I had trouble entering the apartment a few days ago. The maintenance man, an old fart named Jerry, told me to play with the lock and that the owners would soon change them. Its all about the bottom line, and as Joel Grey sang in a musical Cabaret, "Money makes the world go round."
On a brighter note, the Jewish New Year went off without a hitch. Luckily, the many drivers became Monday Jews and took the day off. The roads returning from San Diego at rush hour were no problem, but from the 55 Freeway on, it was stop-and-go..
I turned on Beach and drove towards my apartment. The door opened without a hitch. of course I had unlocked it -- just in case.
Just in case you are still wondering, Helen rules the roost. Why just the other day she warned me to only eat in my room, and not anywhere inside or around her apartments. Now all I wished for was a new postal box key and to find out if her rooms, like across the streets were treated for mold.
All of a sudden, she screamed not to eat inside the building and a new key set would be only thirty five dollars since she lost her awhile back. I wondered if she had suffered with early dementia.
While during the heat wave, the manager of my apartment told me to use graphite on my lock. Thanks to my daughter and almost a trip to Kaiser, she relented and placed a new lock set on my door. Now I don't have to use graphite on my $1600 apartment.
Wal Mart, and sold out of hundreds of fans and Air conditioners.
I found myself at Wal Mart on Tuesday. I needed two cashier's checks, one for Verizon and the other Edison, since no longer do I trust our banks or our president A lady in line seemed upset because the huge outfit ran out of fans and AC's. Of course I jumped in with my story about the my AC disaster at the Five Points Senior Center..
Only in American will a landlord disconnect our air conditioner in the library. It had been turned off for a long time so almost all of the patrons no longer ventured into the now, 90 degree room. What a shame for people who were brought up on apple pie, Ed Sullivan, and a visit to their local library.
Why back in the day, Mom drove me every week to check out books. San Diego built a ten story one to get the homeless off the street and also to compete with Disneyland for guided tours. And of course all libraries have an AC.
The Five Points Senior Apartments showered me with the many extras the complex had to lure me in. I saw a AC inside the third floor library and assumed it worked, and why not? I complained with a note to an-always-smiling and radiant manager Helen. She came to my door with an explanation.
"Mr. Garrett, the manager told me that that "too many residents had forgotten to turn-off the air-conditioning when not in use. You still have your air-conditioned apartments." Today she warned me to eat my food in my apartment only. Was this Poland in World War two?
Now even an old man of 76 can smell a lie. It was turned off to save money. The owners wished to not only save money, but hoped some tenants would move out so as they could increase the rents.
The book of Exodus states that stealing is not only a crime, but is punishable by death. Not only that, but it stresses that our fathers should be respected and loved. What say you owner Mark?
Even the lock to my apartment got stuck, and I had trouble entering the apartment a few days ago. The maintenance man, an old fart named Jerry, told me to play with the lock and that the owners would soon change them. Its all about the bottom line, and as Joel Grey sang in a musical Cabaret, "Money makes the world go round."
On a brighter note, the Jewish New Year went off without a hitch. Luckily, the many drivers became Monday Jews and took the day off. The roads returning from San Diego at rush hour were no problem, but from the 55 Freeway on, it was stop-and-go..
I turned on Beach and drove towards my apartment. The door opened without a hitch. of course I had unlocked it -- just in case.
Just in case you are still wondering, Helen rules the roost. Why just the other day she warned me to only eat in my room, and not anywhere inside or around her apartments. Now all I wished for was a new postal box key and to find out if her rooms, like across the streets were treated for mold.
All of a sudden, she screamed not to eat inside the building and a new key set would be only thirty five dollars since she lost her awhile back. I wondered if she had suffered with early dementia.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
The Rodgers Senior Center
I change gears and leave the Huntington Library at ten thirty every day. The Senior lunches at the Rodgers Senior Center are something to behold. No, it is not the lunches, but the joy of breaking bread with old timers like me.
It is off of Orange and Seventeenth Street, a few blocks from the beach. It has been humid and hot this week, and John's head is down but not quite out yet. We look forward to the new and larger Senior Center with air conditioning.
I arrive early to play a few ditties on their grand piano. There is something about music that uplifts me and those who listen. One lady did a Charleston using a cane as one leg. What a sight! Then..."Will everyone please rise...Will you join me in the pledge of Allegiance?...Thank you, you may be seated."
That was old John. A ninety two year veteran of World War 2. Lunch begins promptly at eleven thirty and not one minute more. . Even the torrid weather and the fact my landlord at the Five Points Senior Apartment won't hook up the libraries air conditioner could not deter me.
It is nice to have a change of pace after computer work in the library. And the folks are so friendly. as soon as I hit the piano my mood goes into overdrive. I watch the Patrons tap their shoes to the sound of my music. It thrills me that I can entertain with my fingers and not my mouth.
I usually break-bread with the Swede. In the sixties, his New Port Beach company made parts for several airplane companies. His company is still called TEC and is located off of Balsa close to the freeway. Thirty people worked for him, but today in the computer age, he employees about ten.
"Today the orders come in on our computer. Before we build the part, we send them, again by computer, what the part will look like. Our computer builds it. Sometimes I drive to San Diego to deliver the parts to one of our main customers."
Would you gentleman like milk. A volunteer brings the cartons of milk a few minutes before Randy's great lunches are served. We dip the straw into the cartoon and sip the calcium into our blood streams. Randy's Senior lunches contain all the ingredients seniors require.
The piano is just what I need to check mate my day. Several arrive early to hear In the Good Old Summer Time or Casey and over one thousand songs I can play. Of course God gave me a musical ear and a Mom who knew that music was dear to any ladies heart.
I finish fifteen minutes medley with God Bless America and America ending the medley of songs. The main dish was Zucchini with egg-yuk...But I adored the cucumber salad graced with tomatoes.
Bessie, as usual, sits down at the table to work her crossword puzzle. She waits for her bridge game in about thirty minutes. I wished to probe, like a good old sub, about her life, since the stories of other lives make mine more rewarding.
"Where did you meet your husband Bob, and why did he have to die so young?" She smiles and puts the crossword down.
"My Dad was an electrician. I was born in 1934 in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. We lost our house during the depression. We were wiped out but it did not stop my Dad. We had a large house in Hollywood but the depression wiped us out. Luckily we owned a small one bedroom cabin in the Laurel Canyon in the village. Dad got small jobs and we all took a hand to make the little old cabin into a three bedroom house."
'My sister put up wallboard and I pounded the nails. In no time we were living well again. I went to Fairfax High School." At the mention of Fairfax my jaw opened wide.
"You kiddin aren't you. Well I went to Hamilton High and we hated those Pathfinders. But you certainly knocked the hell out of us in football...Did you ever go to Cantor's Deli?"
"Sure did George. They made the best pickles and pastrami sandwiches in town. Mom always gave me extra money. I also went to Hollywood High School."
"When did you meet your husband."
I was only eighteen and he began to work as an electrician for my Dad. Soon something electric that drew me to him. No longer did fix plugs and other things but began a family. We moved to the Huntington Beach area in the fifties. It was called the driftwood trailer court but later, the city gave us money to leave. We received $80,000 and my son built a triplex with the money. I live in one of those units today.
"Anybody want more salad...salad."
" I do but have nowhere to put it." i walked to get a salad cup and on the way back three lovely ladies thanked me for the piano and told me they come early to listen to me." Now I didn't know I had a following."
She spoke about how Bob supervised the electrical work at the Hoag Hospital and also worked little league. He developed high blood pressure and had a heart attack. When the money dried up, I worked for a CPA for eighteen years. I keep busy every day since my mind keeps my body alive.
She told me that she would bring pictures of her FAMILY and I would use them for my mini-book on her life.
.
It is off of Orange and Seventeenth Street, a few blocks from the beach. It has been humid and hot this week, and John's head is down but not quite out yet. We look forward to the new and larger Senior Center with air conditioning.
I arrive early to play a few ditties on their grand piano. There is something about music that uplifts me and those who listen. One lady did a Charleston using a cane as one leg. What a sight! Then..."Will everyone please rise...Will you join me in the pledge of Allegiance?...Thank you, you may be seated."
That was old John. A ninety two year veteran of World War 2. Lunch begins promptly at eleven thirty and not one minute more. . Even the torrid weather and the fact my landlord at the Five Points Senior Apartment won't hook up the libraries air conditioner could not deter me.
It is nice to have a change of pace after computer work in the library. And the folks are so friendly. as soon as I hit the piano my mood goes into overdrive. I watch the Patrons tap their shoes to the sound of my music. It thrills me that I can entertain with my fingers and not my mouth.
I usually break-bread with the Swede. In the sixties, his New Port Beach company made parts for several airplane companies. His company is still called TEC and is located off of Balsa close to the freeway. Thirty people worked for him, but today in the computer age, he employees about ten.
"Today the orders come in on our computer. Before we build the part, we send them, again by computer, what the part will look like. Our computer builds it. Sometimes I drive to San Diego to deliver the parts to one of our main customers."
Would you gentleman like milk. A volunteer brings the cartons of milk a few minutes before Randy's great lunches are served. We dip the straw into the cartoon and sip the calcium into our blood streams. Randy's Senior lunches contain all the ingredients seniors require.
The piano is just what I need to check mate my day. Several arrive early to hear In the Good Old Summer Time or Casey and over one thousand songs I can play. Of course God gave me a musical ear and a Mom who knew that music was dear to any ladies heart.
I finish fifteen minutes medley with God Bless America and America ending the medley of songs. The main dish was Zucchini with egg-yuk...But I adored the cucumber salad graced with tomatoes.
Bessie, as usual, sits down at the table to work her crossword puzzle. She waits for her bridge game in about thirty minutes. I wished to probe, like a good old sub, about her life, since the stories of other lives make mine more rewarding.
"Where did you meet your husband Bob, and why did he have to die so young?" She smiles and puts the crossword down.
"My Dad was an electrician. I was born in 1934 in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. We lost our house during the depression. We were wiped out but it did not stop my Dad. We had a large house in Hollywood but the depression wiped us out. Luckily we owned a small one bedroom cabin in the Laurel Canyon in the village. Dad got small jobs and we all took a hand to make the little old cabin into a three bedroom house."
'My sister put up wallboard and I pounded the nails. In no time we were living well again. I went to Fairfax High School." At the mention of Fairfax my jaw opened wide.
"You kiddin aren't you. Well I went to Hamilton High and we hated those Pathfinders. But you certainly knocked the hell out of us in football...Did you ever go to Cantor's Deli?"
"Sure did George. They made the best pickles and pastrami sandwiches in town. Mom always gave me extra money. I also went to Hollywood High School."
"When did you meet your husband."
I was only eighteen and he began to work as an electrician for my Dad. Soon something electric that drew me to him. No longer did fix plugs and other things but began a family. We moved to the Huntington Beach area in the fifties. It was called the driftwood trailer court but later, the city gave us money to leave. We received $80,000 and my son built a triplex with the money. I live in one of those units today.
"Anybody want more salad...salad."
" I do but have nowhere to put it." i walked to get a salad cup and on the way back three lovely ladies thanked me for the piano and told me they come early to listen to me." Now I didn't know I had a following."
She spoke about how Bob supervised the electrical work at the Hoag Hospital and also worked little league. He developed high blood pressure and had a heart attack. When the money dried up, I worked for a CPA for eighteen years. I keep busy every day since my mind keeps my body alive.
She told me that she would bring pictures of her FAMILY and I would use them for my mini-book on her life.
.
Huntington Beach Part 2
I just knew that the manager or somebody would reply the way they did to my letter. I requested the AC be turned on inside our library at the Five Points Senior Center. Clean cool air was why I joined the First Time Widows Senior Apartments. I had been taking a nap when my door knocked -- I mean somebody knocked on my door. Since I was half naked, I half opened it and there was manager Helen.
'Sorry Mr Garrett but the..."
"I expected as much."
"The owners told me that the residents, in the past, forgot to turn the AC off. So she will not put it on."
I thanked Helen but she did not ruin my day. Like many landlords, they cut and slice the deck to put more money into their coffers. She does not care if some people die because of this heat wave and a cool AC can give them the lift they sorely need. It is all about money.
I entered the Huntington Park Library and sneezed, for the first time in quite awhile. Earlier I had sprayed cleaning fluid on my front window. Spots covered every part of the window. Of course these are the same spots that end up inside your lungs.
I could have had a better night if the owners of the (714) 848-3883 or Five Flags Points had notified me that the library was not included in the package deal. In fact, Helen never gave me a copy of the lease or the mail box key -- I had to ask for it later.
Of course Xmas is a couple months away and the Surf City Scrooges are already at it. Verizon was another one to awaken me this morning. Sharply at seven, a voice machine called and warned me my phone service would be interrupted if I did not pay the $29. Now who in God's name are these people who treat seniors like kids. .
When I left San Diego, Asthma climbed to number 5 as the leading cause of death. Alzheimer's climbed to number 3. Of course foul air sits everywhere, particularly off freeways and busy streets like Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach.
And why is the In 'N Out the busiest eatery in town. Why there store is cool...real cool. and the meat is fresh brought in daily. They sprinkle heaps of salt and pepper on the meat before they inflate in with cheese and onions. It looks big and scrumptious but I have weight their meat with Big Mac's. Theirs is only a half an ounce larger.
People short of air go to any lengths to energize themselves. Starbucks, Coffee Bean, and even Trader Joe loves hot humid days when they can fill everyone with sugary and high octane drinks -- and so goes the fattening of America
Back in the day when I grew up in the forties, we had no fast foods. Mom took her ration card and bought our meats and staples at the butcher and market. I can't remember one fat person in grammar school....Hell, we were just too busy enjoying life. We biked, roller skated or just walked. We played games and did not listen to a smart phone 24 hours a day. We even learned to speak with one-another.
But everything is not bleak -- as Charles Dickens would say. I did meet another lady at the Rodger's Senior Center -- but I don't know if it was a set up by Irene. Yes her name was Sue. I had just sat down with Billy when I noticed a rather attractive grey-hair sitting by herself at a table in back of us.
"Miss, we would love to have you join us." Slowly this love women stood up and came towards us. Now I have never seen one so relaxed and in tune for life. To save time and not to interrupt our conversation, I will summarize it.
"I'm from Los Alamitos. I used to work for an insurance company and love horses. I am here for the our singing group. I live in Santa Ana with a dog and cat..." At that moment two others joined and hogged the conversation. Hog, one who does all the talking, spoke about Susie's dog.
"Why when your Labrador shows up, all the other dogs go crazy. You have done a great job bringing up Ed. My dog needs to splash his scent everywhere to be noticed, but not yours."
Well I was trying to digest my beef with rice and the scent of dogs ruined my appetite but I did get a second from our new chef who has done a great job. We all love his food. I returned to my apartment and put on the AC when there was a knocking at my door....That is when Helen told me the library was not longer in use due to hot weather.
Back in my day, the library was treated with the same respect as the church. No longer, it means extra coins out of the owners pockets--as if they needed more. And wouldn't it be nice if we had a place to cool off and enjoy reading a book for a change.
'Sorry Mr Garrett but the..."
"I expected as much."
"The owners told me that the residents, in the past, forgot to turn the AC off. So she will not put it on."
I thanked Helen but she did not ruin my day. Like many landlords, they cut and slice the deck to put more money into their coffers. She does not care if some people die because of this heat wave and a cool AC can give them the lift they sorely need. It is all about money.
I entered the Huntington Park Library and sneezed, for the first time in quite awhile. Earlier I had sprayed cleaning fluid on my front window. Spots covered every part of the window. Of course these are the same spots that end up inside your lungs.
I could have had a better night if the owners of the (714) 848-3883 or Five Flags Points had notified me that the library was not included in the package deal. In fact, Helen never gave me a copy of the lease or the mail box key -- I had to ask for it later.
Of course Xmas is a couple months away and the Surf City Scrooges are already at it. Verizon was another one to awaken me this morning. Sharply at seven, a voice machine called and warned me my phone service would be interrupted if I did not pay the $29. Now who in God's name are these people who treat seniors like kids. .
When I left San Diego, Asthma climbed to number 5 as the leading cause of death. Alzheimer's climbed to number 3. Of course foul air sits everywhere, particularly off freeways and busy streets like Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach.
And why is the In 'N Out the busiest eatery in town. Why there store is cool...real cool. and the meat is fresh brought in daily. They sprinkle heaps of salt and pepper on the meat before they inflate in with cheese and onions. It looks big and scrumptious but I have weight their meat with Big Mac's. Theirs is only a half an ounce larger.
People short of air go to any lengths to energize themselves. Starbucks, Coffee Bean, and even Trader Joe loves hot humid days when they can fill everyone with sugary and high octane drinks -- and so goes the fattening of America
Back in the day when I grew up in the forties, we had no fast foods. Mom took her ration card and bought our meats and staples at the butcher and market. I can't remember one fat person in grammar school....Hell, we were just too busy enjoying life. We biked, roller skated or just walked. We played games and did not listen to a smart phone 24 hours a day. We even learned to speak with one-another.
But everything is not bleak -- as Charles Dickens would say. I did meet another lady at the Rodger's Senior Center -- but I don't know if it was a set up by Irene. Yes her name was Sue. I had just sat down with Billy when I noticed a rather attractive grey-hair sitting by herself at a table in back of us.
"Miss, we would love to have you join us." Slowly this love women stood up and came towards us. Now I have never seen one so relaxed and in tune for life. To save time and not to interrupt our conversation, I will summarize it.
"I'm from Los Alamitos. I used to work for an insurance company and love horses. I am here for the our singing group. I live in Santa Ana with a dog and cat..." At that moment two others joined and hogged the conversation. Hog, one who does all the talking, spoke about Susie's dog.
"Why when your Labrador shows up, all the other dogs go crazy. You have done a great job bringing up Ed. My dog needs to splash his scent everywhere to be noticed, but not yours."
Well I was trying to digest my beef with rice and the scent of dogs ruined my appetite but I did get a second from our new chef who has done a great job. We all love his food. I returned to my apartment and put on the AC when there was a knocking at my door....That is when Helen told me the library was not longer in use due to hot weather.
Back in my day, the library was treated with the same respect as the church. No longer, it means extra coins out of the owners pockets--as if they needed more. And wouldn't it be nice if we had a place to cool off and enjoy reading a book for a change.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Huntington Beach Today
Those who wish to stay in San Diego for more than a month may wish to see other California popular beaches. I have written about Hermosa and Santa Monica Beaches but there is something about Surf City or Huntington Beach that is unique.
Sorry but there is noway to get here except by camel, horse or stage, Now kidding aside, you may try your automobile, but first check you tires. The freeway from San Diego has many dips, cracks and bottle necks. It depends what time of the day you decided to drive here.
Particularly in Irvine, the roads become your tires worst nightmare with rocks, gridirons and and roads half finished The worst are in the Irvine area. Goodyear and Firestone tire stores are always booked in advance. Huntington Beach makes their money on cars, not trains like San Diego or Los Angeles. Amtrak does not stop at Buena Park but Metro-Link does. The stop is just above the Five freeway and there is a 29 A bus that picks you up and takes you for the long over one hour ride into Huntington beach.
But what I love and is unique only to Huntington Beach is Main Street and its long pier. My Sundays are not complete unless I ride the two miles and park my car on Main, just above the fat one dollar-and-fifty-cents an hour meters. I never, and I do mean never leave my car without rubbing tons of sunscreen over my head, ears and face. The busiest and fastest growing health care industry is dermatology.
No longer do I stop at Coffee Bean up Main since I wish to partake in the lovely breakfast at Whole Foods in the Bella Terra Shopping Center on Sundays. Why I have never ever eaten leaner tastier bacon than at the Whole Foods Sunday brunch. It is the only day I break my weekly fast on pig food since I am Jewish and with a link to Levi, the son of Jacob.
For those not as smart as I, Hashem or God changed Jacob's name to Israel. But let's not interrupt my Sunday breakfast, I load up on bacon and with two scoops of scrabbled eggs and potatoes, I gorge myself watching Sunday football on one of their flat T.V.'s. But lets return to Main Street where Surf City began.
Under the pier and about thirty feet from the shore line is where I set my chair. Its about eight o'clock and usually a south-westerly breeze cools me off during the frequent summer heat waves. But it is a wave a different kind I watch today. They are ten footers today and oh my how these black dots love to skim and dance on the tip of them...Wait a second, a man with a camera is wishes to speak to me.
"Did you see that! Those kids were caught in an undertow and drifted out. Two lifeguards pulled them in. One kid needed some mouth to mouth."
"Well I have never seen the surf so high. The kids probably had a-few too many Buds before the plunged in...I dare say they probably never have ever swam before....Have a good day"
The salty breeze kicked my mind into orbit. My World War 2 book highlighted the the major battles during World War Two.
Nature called so I walked to Jack Shack for to relieve myself. Two seven year old twins played volleyball with their Dad's, and they were good, quite good. Back to my beach chair, another man spoke to me. We peppered the volleyball and at eleven, I needed to return to my apartment for my nap.
Not to leave World War 2 just yet, my second wonder of Surf City is their library off of Talbert. It is four levels and the uppermost reaches Mount Sinai. New York Times microfiche goes back to the 1861. But I am interested in the making of World War 2 and how Churchill and Roosevelt teamed up to collar the Nazi's in Operation Overlord.
Since I am at the library now, I wish to continue with my research on World War 2. See you next time.
Sorry but there is noway to get here except by camel, horse or stage, Now kidding aside, you may try your automobile, but first check you tires. The freeway from San Diego has many dips, cracks and bottle necks. It depends what time of the day you decided to drive here.
Particularly in Irvine, the roads become your tires worst nightmare with rocks, gridirons and and roads half finished The worst are in the Irvine area. Goodyear and Firestone tire stores are always booked in advance. Huntington Beach makes their money on cars, not trains like San Diego or Los Angeles. Amtrak does not stop at Buena Park but Metro-Link does. The stop is just above the Five freeway and there is a 29 A bus that picks you up and takes you for the long over one hour ride into Huntington beach.
But what I love and is unique only to Huntington Beach is Main Street and its long pier. My Sundays are not complete unless I ride the two miles and park my car on Main, just above the fat one dollar-and-fifty-cents an hour meters. I never, and I do mean never leave my car without rubbing tons of sunscreen over my head, ears and face. The busiest and fastest growing health care industry is dermatology.
No longer do I stop at Coffee Bean up Main since I wish to partake in the lovely breakfast at Whole Foods in the Bella Terra Shopping Center on Sundays. Why I have never ever eaten leaner tastier bacon than at the Whole Foods Sunday brunch. It is the only day I break my weekly fast on pig food since I am Jewish and with a link to Levi, the son of Jacob.
For those not as smart as I, Hashem or God changed Jacob's name to Israel. But let's not interrupt my Sunday breakfast, I load up on bacon and with two scoops of scrabbled eggs and potatoes, I gorge myself watching Sunday football on one of their flat T.V.'s. But lets return to Main Street where Surf City began.
Under the pier and about thirty feet from the shore line is where I set my chair. Its about eight o'clock and usually a south-westerly breeze cools me off during the frequent summer heat waves. But it is a wave a different kind I watch today. They are ten footers today and oh my how these black dots love to skim and dance on the tip of them...Wait a second, a man with a camera is wishes to speak to me.
"Did you see that! Those kids were caught in an undertow and drifted out. Two lifeguards pulled them in. One kid needed some mouth to mouth."
"Well I have never seen the surf so high. The kids probably had a-few too many Buds before the plunged in...I dare say they probably never have ever swam before....Have a good day"
The salty breeze kicked my mind into orbit. My World War 2 book highlighted the the major battles during World War Two.
Nature called so I walked to Jack Shack for to relieve myself. Two seven year old twins played volleyball with their Dad's, and they were good, quite good. Back to my beach chair, another man spoke to me. We peppered the volleyball and at eleven, I needed to return to my apartment for my nap.
Not to leave World War 2 just yet, my second wonder of Surf City is their library off of Talbert. It is four levels and the uppermost reaches Mount Sinai. New York Times microfiche goes back to the 1861. But I am interested in the making of World War 2 and how Churchill and Roosevelt teamed up to collar the Nazi's in Operation Overlord.
Since I am at the library now, I wish to continue with my research on World War 2. See you next time.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Huntington Beach's Headaches
I planned to get new tires for my car today. I had taken my medication for asthma. The dust bowl had settled into Huntington Beach deflecting the ocean breezes back to Japan. Of course it is more of the same.
It is four o'clock and the temperature here has risen to 94 degrees with a heavy wind factor.It would be only in the eighties later tonight. I wiped my front and back windows of my car since they were covered with dirt and dust -- making vision difficult.
The blond girl in front of me has sneezed every fifteen minutes. The lady next to me coughed up a storm. Just too many cars and not enough rapid transit.
It was going on eight o'clock but I could tell that middle east had come to Surf City. This minute, the gal next to me is coughing and sneezing, it is that windy. Few homes have AC's but even I am in trouble since mine has mold. Even the library's AC is turned off -- to save money. And what a shame for the senior citizens. Bad air means sickness and death. I am speaking about the Five Points Senior Apartments.
Yet at one o'clock I got a reprieve. The I HOP had their Scrabble Tournament at one o'clock. I ordered a malt, and some coffee in order to wake up my sleepy mind. After one hour I was ready to play, but even the letters looked a bit weird to me. And that is what bad air does to the mind. The Starbucks, and fast food places harvest a large clientele. You can watch the heavy weights enter Trader Joe's.
You would think that the Huntington Beach library would offer a place to cool off-not so. It does not have double doors and windows can't remove the hot air outside, and to think that the city wishes the OK to build more Senior facilities off of Beach Blvd -- why the residue from rubber and carbon make it unhealthy. Why not build the apartments where the current Senior Center is located.
Huntington Beach is one of the few cities that does not have a rapid bus to the train station. Instead it uses the 29 A bus to take passengers to the Metro-Link station. As the manager of Allen Tires told me, it can take over three hours to commute to Los Angeles. Or just possibly the city fathers wish to make everyone drive cars to butter up the automobile business.
It is time for apartments to be built for all seasons. AC's spill out dust and grime but with a little effort, we can make our apartments livable. And remember what you clean off your car windows filter inside your lungs which involves the immune system.
It is four o'clock and the temperature here has risen to 94 degrees with a heavy wind factor.It would be only in the eighties later tonight. I wiped my front and back windows of my car since they were covered with dirt and dust -- making vision difficult.
The blond girl in front of me has sneezed every fifteen minutes. The lady next to me coughed up a storm. Just too many cars and not enough rapid transit.
It was going on eight o'clock but I could tell that middle east had come to Surf City. This minute, the gal next to me is coughing and sneezing, it is that windy. Few homes have AC's but even I am in trouble since mine has mold. Even the library's AC is turned off -- to save money. And what a shame for the senior citizens. Bad air means sickness and death. I am speaking about the Five Points Senior Apartments.
Yet at one o'clock I got a reprieve. The I HOP had their Scrabble Tournament at one o'clock. I ordered a malt, and some coffee in order to wake up my sleepy mind. After one hour I was ready to play, but even the letters looked a bit weird to me. And that is what bad air does to the mind. The Starbucks, and fast food places harvest a large clientele. You can watch the heavy weights enter Trader Joe's.
You would think that the Huntington Beach library would offer a place to cool off-not so. It does not have double doors and windows can't remove the hot air outside, and to think that the city wishes the OK to build more Senior facilities off of Beach Blvd -- why the residue from rubber and carbon make it unhealthy. Why not build the apartments where the current Senior Center is located.
Huntington Beach is one of the few cities that does not have a rapid bus to the train station. Instead it uses the 29 A bus to take passengers to the Metro-Link station. As the manager of Allen Tires told me, it can take over three hours to commute to Los Angeles. Or just possibly the city fathers wish to make everyone drive cars to butter up the automobile business.
It is time for apartments to be built for all seasons. AC's spill out dust and grime but with a little effort, we can make our apartments livable. And remember what you clean off your car windows filter inside your lungs which involves the immune system.
Love at the Roller Rink...part 2
I first met Roberta on July 27th, my first month at the First Time Widows Senior Apartments, or the F.T.W. in the future. It was love at first sight when she set her sails on Bob and even though he could skate rings around her, it did produce a an eternal ring-which she proudly wears today......We met again this past Sunday and had long two hour chat in the steaming Library of the Five Points Apartment building. The third floor library sits on the third floor and is wired for air-conditioning but it is no longer in use. The sofa chair's light fixture is there for show only.... Roberta is petite and thin, ever so thin and wiry. She is constantly removing the mucus from her nose since the rooms with southern exposure hold the humidity and mold inside.
"See You've combed your hair and you are right on time at three."
"I combed it just for you George."
"How are things going?"
"I can't stand the Bank of America. I wanted to remove my money and the dingbat teller told me I had to wait until the seventh of the month. The nerve. Don't they respect seniors anymore. Back in the day, the banks respected us and the tellers spoke good English.
"I wished to transfer my money to Chase. I can walk to Chase down the street and they treat me a lot better. I never carry money and don't need to since social security sends my rent to the apartment. Also, my groceries last a month. I still walk three miles a day, but not one step more."
She wipes her nose time and time again since the apartments probably need cleaning and are host to mold. Yet she is still livid and vibrant.
"Tell me more about your husband and where you first lived."
"Like I told you, I kissed Bob on our fist date. I have never felt the same for any other man. Since the age of seven her worked as laying floors. He continued even when we moved to California."
'You told me that you worked as a nurse. Where?"
"I worked at the Veterans Administration here for fourteen years. I dealt with many patients with memory problems and saw some die on my lap."
"What is the one thing you would like changed in Huntington Beach?"
"Transportation stinks here, just like our president. I can never go when I wish to go but go and only when the shuttle is available."
"What do you remember as a kid growing up in Utica?"
" My Mom watched us do the dishes, all seven of us. I was the first born and then came the twins. We set them on a rack to dry. One broken dish meant a strap from my Mom who watched us work."
'Dad distributed the Union Syracuse newspaper and was always relocating us to set up a new distribution area. Since we had only two bedrooms, Dad watched over us and made sure that we went to sleep and didn't fool around."
"But as I told you George, It was my mother-in-law I remember the most. She was gorgeous and I admire how she took care of her fifteen kids and husband without any fanfare or emotion. She had a job to do and she did it."
"Anytime her husband came home late from the local tavern, he would crash beside the door. She would carry the lug inside and put him to sleep and awaken him for work in the morning."
"How often do your seven kids see you?"
"They don't and I have to watch my money!"
I returned her to her humid apartment on the second floor and decided to head for the beach. The apartment library was too hot.
I parked on Main and took my book on World War 2 with me. My spot is under the pier and close enough to watch the surfers skim the ten footers. Too bad I never learned to surf. Next time I will bring food and a drink with me. It is one place to forget about time.
By and by, the Widows apartments are the Five Points off of Main and Florida Streets.
"See You've combed your hair and you are right on time at three."
"I combed it just for you George."
"How are things going?"
"I can't stand the Bank of America. I wanted to remove my money and the dingbat teller told me I had to wait until the seventh of the month. The nerve. Don't they respect seniors anymore. Back in the day, the banks respected us and the tellers spoke good English.
"I wished to transfer my money to Chase. I can walk to Chase down the street and they treat me a lot better. I never carry money and don't need to since social security sends my rent to the apartment. Also, my groceries last a month. I still walk three miles a day, but not one step more."
She wipes her nose time and time again since the apartments probably need cleaning and are host to mold. Yet she is still livid and vibrant.
"Tell me more about your husband and where you first lived."
"Like I told you, I kissed Bob on our fist date. I have never felt the same for any other man. Since the age of seven her worked as laying floors. He continued even when we moved to California."
'You told me that you worked as a nurse. Where?"
"I worked at the Veterans Administration here for fourteen years. I dealt with many patients with memory problems and saw some die on my lap."
"What is the one thing you would like changed in Huntington Beach?"
"Transportation stinks here, just like our president. I can never go when I wish to go but go and only when the shuttle is available."
"What do you remember as a kid growing up in Utica?"
" My Mom watched us do the dishes, all seven of us. I was the first born and then came the twins. We set them on a rack to dry. One broken dish meant a strap from my Mom who watched us work."
'Dad distributed the Union Syracuse newspaper and was always relocating us to set up a new distribution area. Since we had only two bedrooms, Dad watched over us and made sure that we went to sleep and didn't fool around."
"But as I told you George, It was my mother-in-law I remember the most. She was gorgeous and I admire how she took care of her fifteen kids and husband without any fanfare or emotion. She had a job to do and she did it."
"Anytime her husband came home late from the local tavern, he would crash beside the door. She would carry the lug inside and put him to sleep and awaken him for work in the morning."
"How often do your seven kids see you?"
"They don't and I have to watch my money!"
I returned her to her humid apartment on the second floor and decided to head for the beach. The apartment library was too hot.
I parked on Main and took my book on World War 2 with me. My spot is under the pier and close enough to watch the surfers skim the ten footers. Too bad I never learned to surf. Next time I will bring food and a drink with me. It is one place to forget about time.
By and by, the Widows apartments are the Five Points off of Main and Florida Streets.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Perfect Day in West L.A.
Coffee Bean, across from the Westside Pavilion, is the scene of this story. She sits in Bean's patio sipping a Mocha. On the side of the building sits a barber shop. I peer inside and see a lady cutting a ladies hair.
Back in the day, my parents took us to the then drive-in to see a open air movie. I didn't care much for the film, but enjoyed buying cracker jacks at the candy counter. It was fun sitting in the back seat of my Dad Harry's brand new Packard. Now it is a large inside shopping center with a movie theater.
Across Pico hides a small barber shop. I had a two month growth of hair and felt uneasy removing my cap. My ex girlfriend Gloria told me that "the two things a women looks at in a man: his head and then his shoes.
I open the door of the little old barber shop. A sweet faced blond lady works on her patrons hair. Her hands scrub, polish, cut and color the vestiges of old age. This dam is a few years older than Father Time. old age from this dam a few years older than time.
"Where is Max?...Oh... back Friday. Do you cut hair and how much?"
"I charge 25 dollars but Max only charges 18."
"Well that is a bit steep for one who only two months ago was homeless."
I returned to my daughter who was submerged into her drink. Like all good Jewish fathers, sometimes she needs a coach for life's directions.
"Dad, I never got you a Father's Day gift. Let me buy you that haircut."
Well the next thing I know I am having my hair cut by the lovely lady from Mexico. She is reshaping my head with all sorts of shavers and other contraptions. I asked Chattel where she had been born.
"I lived in a city just outside Mexico. My grandparents lived in the big city. With a permit, we came here in the 70's for school. school. I went to University High and later Santa Monica City College. That is where I learned to cut hair."
All-awhile, my daughter huddled in the corner laughing and reading a book. I looked at the mirror but didn't need to, since Chattel played with my head like it was a Stradivarius violin. Why she made me look better than...than Robert Redford.
I gave her a twenty and told her to keep the change, and that I would return. My daughter, her dog Oscar and I walked up the street a bit before returning. She seemed happy to have bought me a hair cut -- although she demanded that I pay her back.
"Dad, let's go to Santa Monica. I wish to feel the wind and take in the shops."
I parked a block west of the Santa Monica new library. I covered my head and face with suntan lotion, and began to walk up the street where the police were collecting data from an earlier accident. I turned around and wondered why my daughter had not followed me. She crossed Santa Monica Blvd and screamed that she would be at Goodwill for a few seconds.
"I wish to throw away my old clothes and begin a new life."
..I sat on a ledge next to Philz Coffee and took in the walkers in front of me. Everyone stepped with a hop and a special flare. A few leggy ladies appeared to be on a runway showing off the latest fashion.
It was colorful to say the least. Even the homeless had a bounce in their step. And why not? It was September First, with the first smell of fall on the way. The sky was a radiant blue and little white clouds smiling down on us. The breeze was just enough to clean the souls.
Then I saw what life is all about remove herself from the Thrift Shop. I placed her new clothes inside my trunk and we continued to walk toward the Third Street Mall of hidden treasures. I have never seen so many people of different shapes and sizes. Rebecca saw a Gypsy.
"Dad is it worth five dollars to have her read my palm."
"Go for it."
I watched a violin player yearn for a few dollars and men passing out samples of perfumes and other items. She had a smirk on her face.
"Dad she told me exactly where I have been. She knew the last three years were hollow ones, but told me that the next three would be bright if only I would remove the past and start anew."
We returned to my car where a lady tried in vain to get her shapely legs inside here large black SUV. I have never seen such lovely legs.I drove Rebecca home and took off for Gelson's in Century City, before returning on the busy 405 and Huntington Beach.
Nuts and Bolts: With the Jewish New Year approaching while Rabbis practice blowing into their Shofars , it is time to remove the old scuffed up tennis balls with fresh new ones that bounce. And why not begin the year by leasing a boat and bringing the lost souls from the wars in Arabia to our lands. Was it only a few years ago when we forgot the millions of Jews and Catholics who had been incinerated by Hitler. Why not now, eh?
Back in the day, my parents took us to the then drive-in to see a open air movie. I didn't care much for the film, but enjoyed buying cracker jacks at the candy counter. It was fun sitting in the back seat of my Dad Harry's brand new Packard. Now it is a large inside shopping center with a movie theater.
Across Pico hides a small barber shop. I had a two month growth of hair and felt uneasy removing my cap. My ex girlfriend Gloria told me that "the two things a women looks at in a man: his head and then his shoes.
I open the door of the little old barber shop. A sweet faced blond lady works on her patrons hair. Her hands scrub, polish, cut and color the vestiges of old age. This dam is a few years older than Father Time. old age from this dam a few years older than time.
"Where is Max?...Oh... back Friday. Do you cut hair and how much?"
"I charge 25 dollars but Max only charges 18."
"Well that is a bit steep for one who only two months ago was homeless."
I returned to my daughter who was submerged into her drink. Like all good Jewish fathers, sometimes she needs a coach for life's directions.
"Dad, I never got you a Father's Day gift. Let me buy you that haircut."
Well the next thing I know I am having my hair cut by the lovely lady from Mexico. She is reshaping my head with all sorts of shavers and other contraptions. I asked Chattel where she had been born.
"I lived in a city just outside Mexico. My grandparents lived in the big city. With a permit, we came here in the 70's for school. school. I went to University High and later Santa Monica City College. That is where I learned to cut hair."
All-awhile, my daughter huddled in the corner laughing and reading a book. I looked at the mirror but didn't need to, since Chattel played with my head like it was a Stradivarius violin. Why she made me look better than...than Robert Redford.
I gave her a twenty and told her to keep the change, and that I would return. My daughter, her dog Oscar and I walked up the street a bit before returning. She seemed happy to have bought me a hair cut -- although she demanded that I pay her back.
"Dad, let's go to Santa Monica. I wish to feel the wind and take in the shops."
I parked a block west of the Santa Monica new library. I covered my head and face with suntan lotion, and began to walk up the street where the police were collecting data from an earlier accident. I turned around and wondered why my daughter had not followed me. She crossed Santa Monica Blvd and screamed that she would be at Goodwill for a few seconds.
"I wish to throw away my old clothes and begin a new life."
..I sat on a ledge next to Philz Coffee and took in the walkers in front of me. Everyone stepped with a hop and a special flare. A few leggy ladies appeared to be on a runway showing off the latest fashion.
It was colorful to say the least. Even the homeless had a bounce in their step. And why not? It was September First, with the first smell of fall on the way. The sky was a radiant blue and little white clouds smiling down on us. The breeze was just enough to clean the souls.
Then I saw what life is all about remove herself from the Thrift Shop. I placed her new clothes inside my trunk and we continued to walk toward the Third Street Mall of hidden treasures. I have never seen so many people of different shapes and sizes. Rebecca saw a Gypsy.
"Dad is it worth five dollars to have her read my palm."
"Go for it."
I watched a violin player yearn for a few dollars and men passing out samples of perfumes and other items. She had a smirk on her face.
"Dad she told me exactly where I have been. She knew the last three years were hollow ones, but told me that the next three would be bright if only I would remove the past and start anew."
We returned to my car where a lady tried in vain to get her shapely legs inside here large black SUV. I have never seen such lovely legs.I drove Rebecca home and took off for Gelson's in Century City, before returning on the busy 405 and Huntington Beach.
Nuts and Bolts: With the Jewish New Year approaching while Rabbis practice blowing into their Shofars , it is time to remove the old scuffed up tennis balls with fresh new ones that bounce. And why not begin the year by leasing a boat and bringing the lost souls from the wars in Arabia to our lands. Was it only a few years ago when we forgot the millions of Jews and Catholics who had been incinerated by Hitler. Why not now, eh?
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