The Killing of Kennedy

After finishing the book, The Killing of Kennedy by Bill O’ Reilly and Martin Dugard, I am struggling with mixed feelings. I had been looking forward to reading this book because I read The Killing of Lincoln by the same authors and found that book fascinating. I am a history buff and after reading the Killing of Lincoln, I felt that it could be used in the classroom to teach history. The book made the subject matter come alive and reading the book was almost like a mystery book as well.

 

While reading the first book The Killing of Lincoln were laid out quite well, easy to understand, and the way the book was written kept my interest from page one, until I finished the book. I outlined fact after fact and stayed up long into the nights reading the book.

 

I started to read The Killing of Kennedy by the same authors, as soon as I purchased it. It was an easy read but written somewhat differently from the Lincoln book. As I read about what made Kennedy tick, I learned a lot about his sexual performance and escapades that I really didn’t want to know. These facts were not known to the public because the press kept it private. Maybe because of my age, I realized a lot more goes on in the White House then I care to know. Politicians are human and so is everyone around them. Power makes for a strange bed fellow if this book were to be used in a classroom; I would eliminate Kennedy’s affairs.

 

Maybe politicians could learn that they have to reach across the aisles and work with one another, and that includes the President of the United States. Besides a history book it should be read by politicians as well. They will come to see that some politicians use others and also think that they are more important than others.

 

The book laid out the facts of Kennedy’s presidency and Lee Harvey’s life as well. I knew most of what was written and it did jog my memory of facts that I had learned once and had forgotten over time. Lee Harvey Oswald was unbalanced and looking for fame. There really was nothing personal in his killing of Kennedy. Oswald wanted to do something big that would make him famous for eternity and Kennedy just happened to be in Dallas, Texas when Oswald was ready to kill someone big. As far as the conspiracy theory, that is up to the reader to interpret.

 

When I finished the book, I realized it was historically interesting. I also realized that most of the people during that time period are now dead and in the past as well.

 

The book was ok. Would I recommend it – sort of? But I know I wouldn’t re-read it but I would definitely re-read The Killing of Lincoln.

Wexford Dry Goods Company

I didn’t find this store – my daughter told me about this yarn shop. Finally after two attempts and being directional defunct, my daughter actually drove me to the shop, which is located near the new Giant Eagle/Market District in Wexford.

 

When we walked into the shop, I was taken aback, not just by the newness, but by the fact that the store was bright and airy and not packed with merchandise that a customer would bump into.

 

At one end, there is an area where one can knit or crochet or sew in the comfortable and inviting chairs and couch. There is even a table where a patron can set up a sewing machine.

 

One wall has shelves filled artistically with the most beautiful and colorful fabrics that would please any quilter or sewer. There are displays of needles and handmade stuffed animals, cards, tags and more. On another wall, my favorite, the yarn is displayed in different colors and shades. It dares a customer to leave the shop without choosing a few skeins for a winter project.

 

There are also some lovely antique looking tables and a wooden glass case with more interesting items on display. But it wasn’t the yarn and the displays that caught my eye…it was all the eclectic magazines. On both of my trips to the shop, I walked away with at least a half dozen magazines. They were magazines that I would have never come across on the shelves of a bookstore. They are the magazines that you find in a specialty book. But to see them in person makes any collector, reader or creative person purchase them. There were magazines like The Simple Things, Kinfolk, Mollie, Homemaker, Atlas Quarterly and others. Of these magazines my two favorite ones were Kinfolk and Atlas Quarterly. The photographs were amazing and the writing was outstanding. They were both pricey but for me, as a writer, they were well worth it. I know for a fact that I will keep them, look them over and over and will even share them with friends, on condition that they are returned to me.

 

But it also is the owner who will make you want to return. Carolyn McKeating is a friendly warm person who makes any customer who walks through the doors of the Wexford Dry Goods Company feels as if they are long lost friends or family. From the minute you enter the shop and Carolyn greets you, you feel like family and believe me, you’ll come back again.

Mayan Calendar Prediction

The Mayan elders have made a prophecy predicting the end of the world to be December 21, 2012. Since I have nothing to do with this prediction, I have learned that if I can’t change it then at least maybe I can enjoy a few things.

 

So here is my list of Ten Things That I Would Do to prepare for the end of time:

1.      Read a good book on my Kindle.

2.      Write a good story for my Blog or write in my journal or finish the novel that I am working on.

3.      Eat a good meal, including dessert.

4.      Give each of my cats plenty of love, brush them, feed them food and fresh water, and clean out their litter box.

5.      Wear clean underwear.

6.      Make a good Act of Contrition. (For non-Catholics) this is a prayer asking God’s forgiveness for the sins or bad things which I have committed. I would like to go to heaven.

7.      Pack a few essential things. For example – my electric toothbrush, floss, gum stimulator and picks.

8.      Shower and wash my hair.

9.      Say a good prayer to St. Christopher, former patron saint of travelers.

10.  Get a good night’s sleep.

The Central Diner & Grille

The sign above the door reads - The Central Diner & Grille and underneath it says Breakfasts/Lunch/Dinner/Late Night. The rather modern diner is located at 6408 Steubenville Pike.

 

What caught my attention, besides the extensive menu and choice of food, was the management’s food philosophy. It’s not just about good fresh foods, or the healthy and hearty choices, but it’s their promise to deliver to their customers the best products. The Diner buys fresh and local foods, which is an asset to the community.

 

The interior of the building is new, clean, bright and decorated with modern pictures and lighting fixtures. The wait staff is courteous and attentive. The manager is readily available to talk to as he goes from table to table visiting to the patrons.

 

The Mediterranean style menu covers everything from simple cereals, eggs, omelets, griddle offerings, specialty salads, wraps, paninis, specialty burgers, sandwiches, sides, appetizers, entrée dishes that covers roast, chicken, seafood, steaks, chops, Italian specialties, Greek specialties, an array of desserts that include Sarris ice cream, beverages and more.

Since I had a hard time choosing, my friends and I started off with Onion Rings and Jalapeno Poppers. The coating was delicious! They weren’t drenched in grease.

 

I ordered a Swiss Beef Burger with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese, served on the freshest and tastiest bun that I have had in a long time. The fries were coated with seasoning and delicious as well.

 

My two dining companions ordered the Vegetarian Panini filled with eggplant, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, tomato, fresh mozzarella and pesto sauce. They both assured me that their sandwiches were extremely tasty.

 

My only complaint is that The Central Diner should be out here in the North Hills area. They wouldn’t be disappointed, the tables and fountain would be packed. I know that I would be a frequent customer on a weekly basis.

 

If you are looking for a good meal in comfortable surroundings, try The Central Dinner & Grille on Steubenville Pike.

Real Holidays

When I was younger, I used to buy into the perfect holidays depicted on those Norman Rockwell prints. I have learned how to mask my disappointments when reality set in and taught me a hard lesson that nothing is perfect.

 

This perfect holiday and all that surrounds it is never just that perfect. No matter how many times I see those moving Christmas Ads on Television, I secretly get moved by the music and seeing those perfect gifts on TV from the jewelry stores and the Hallmark shops. I am embarrassed to say that I choke up and fight back the tears. That’s when it rushes in that there are no perfect moments because no matter how hard we try – no one and nothing is perfect.

 

After all these years, I now have figured out how to not worry about making everything perfect during the hectic holidays. When it comes to cutting down my Christmas tree, I just see whoever wants to come along. Sometimes, when it doesn’t work out, I just get a tree from one of the local nurseries. I stopped fretting because I know one of my kids will put the tree in the stand and someone else will help me decorate it as well.

 

Every year my daughters and daughters-in-law and I get together for our annual cookie exchange. Sometimes it is hard to find the right date for everyone to agree on. With nine individuals participating, it is a miracle to find that perfect date. In the end, it works out and the cookie exchange goes on.

 

Years ago, when my kids were little, I remember seeing a television ad of a mother and children in their kitchen baking holiday cookies together. The kids were laughing, the mother in her apron was smiling, the cookies looked delicious and beautiful and the kitchen was spotless. After seeing this ad, I decided to do this with all my little kids. I made the cookie dough and they rolled out the cookies and cut them with the cookie cutters. After they were baked, they decorated them with icing and sprinkles

 

I have a photo somewhere in one of my unorganized shoe boxes. It is a photo of my children, covered with flour from head to toe, the kitchen table and floor is covered with flour too. That moment was a mess. When I think back to how happy it made my children – even if it wasn’t a perfect Kodak moment – it was a moment frozen in time and it is still etched in my brain and heart. It is part of a memory that has lasted and I will always carry it with me. It will always put a smile on my face as I choke back a tear or two. And maybe just maybe this is my perfect moment in a not so perfect world.

The Lost Necklace

 

Last year, my one daughter-in-law made me a necklace, with some stones and three miniature frames with my family photos. It looked like an antique piece of jewelry, except for the black cord that tied the necklace.

The necklace was a beautiful piece of jewelry. What made it special was that my daughter-in-law took the time to shrink down the family photos of my parents, one of my brother and I, and one of the four of us.

 

Finally, I decided to wear it this past Sunday. I pulled the necklace out of my jewelry drawer and decided to wear it to church. Besides, afterwards, my daughter-in-law was having a home jewelry party and she would be pleased to see me wearing the necklace. Plus, maybe it would give some of her potential customers and idea to maybe order one.

 

A few hours later while sitting at Panera’s, I started to straighten my necklace and found that it was missing. It was no longer around my neck. I frantically looked around the floor of Panera’s, the parking lot and my inside my car. Sadly, it was all too clear that I had lost the necklace at church, or on one of the streets around the church. I wonder if I will ever find it. I doubt it, unless my prayers are answered by St. Anthony (patron saint of lost things). Or maybe a miracle will occur.

 

Maybe someone might find it, admire it, and wear it. Maybe they’ll decide it’s a rare antique piece with photos of a family from days gone by. Maybe they’ll adopt my family as their own, or be happy to just wear the necklace. Whatever, I hope that they enjoy and appreciate it, like I had.

Sitting Alone in the Kitchen

It’s early and no one else is in my daughter’s catering kitchen yet. All I hear is the hum of the refrigerator motor, and nothing else. I assume my daughter is either making a food delivery or is at Sam’s Club, picking up her food order. The other worker, Jeff, won’t be in for another hour or so. He comes in later, and stays after everyone leaves for the day.

 

Everything in the kitchen is spotless: the counters have been wiped down and disinfected. All the dish counters have also been scrubbed, and disinfected as well. Water has been drained from the dishwasher and the food in the trap has been cleaned out. Now we will have to just fill the dishwasher with hot water.

 

Since I’m the first one in, I will check a few things, place trash bags in the two empty large trash cans and make a full pot of coffee.

 

My daughter will arrive shortly and  we will tackle the last minute food that is needed for her Saturday wedding and for the two wedding showers on her calendar that she has for the weekend. Once we get busy, there will be more noise – the exhaust fans running, the radio playing, and the dishwasher will be in constant use. There will be the banging of the pots and pans, the chopping of the food, and chicken being pounded, so that it will be thin and tender.

 

But for now – I will just enjoy the humming of the refrigerator