We Want the Puppets! We Want Kobe and LeBron!

Didn't you just love the Kobe and LeBron puppet commercials for Nike? "Kobe!Kobe!Kobe!" reverberating from your set?LeBron's clouds of chalk dust billowing throughout the scenes? 'Lil Dez talking a mile-a-minute? Kobe portraying the cool yet beleaguered superstar?

I remember when we saw the first commercial for the first time. What a hoot! I immediately identified with LeBron's hyper state, my husband with Kobe's laid-back style. The creators delivered something totally unexpected. Fresh. For all ages. Funny. Clever. Couldn't wait for the next one to be released.

I miss them. Maybe if I start repeating, ever so quietly, over and over again "We want Kobe! We want LeBron! We want 'Lil Dez!" others would hear and take up the chant and it would take on a life of its own and become unstoppable and it will spread all the way to puppet guys who would be inspired and they'd make some new ones and Kobe could rib his highly-touted competitor about his brand new ring and we would be surprised once again and laugh at the antics of these two going at it some more and.....

What'd you think?? Should we try it?? Are we that brave and bold and focused and determined??!! Hmmm. Let's be logical. The ground-swelling buzz would more than likely be drowned out by the next televised edition of Charlie Sheen's very public ramblings or the paparazzi shouting at Lindsay Lohan as she arrived for her next court appearance. Oh well, that's OK. Good memories are always better than sad choices.

A Wonderful Discovery: Grandview Cleaners

I have tried all the dry cleaners in the Tri-Village area. Trust me. Even given second chances as I just don't like to spend my time running around changing service providers. I also have this penchant for using coupons to save money when/if prudent to do so.

Located at 1445 Grandview Avenue (next door to Trattoria Roma, across from St. Christopher's church) you will discover the business established by Mr. Blackburn's parents in 1954. He and his wife have been the proprietors for many years now. They are so friendly, the kind of folks who have worked hard in their community and you feel good supporting them. And there is a loading zone directly in front -- no parking meter to feed!!!

I found my way to them about four months ago. The cleaners I was using was one of mere convenience. Minutes from the house but nothing special. When a coupon caught my eye, I decided 'why not?'. Even though their locale is not as close it is still in an area I patronize doing errands and shopping.

Image my initial, and very pleasant, surprise when I was asked, "When would you like this?" not "It will be ready ...... ". Their prices are wonderful, so far every garment, coverlet, etc, have been well taken care of, and all stains/spots clearly removed. Please give them a try. And tell them "Julie sent you". HA!!

Removing Words from the Dictionary ~ POOF!

Kinda spooky, don't you think?? With one stroke of the old delete bar a little tiny fragment of culture is erased.

Talk about power. Just like that =SNAP= a piece of vocabulary disappears from the planet. Takes a lot of nerve to decide a word is archaic. Or unnecessary. Just because it is not used by the masses. Constantly. Does that make it any less a word? Without a noble history? Or purpose?

I bought a 1966 Random House Dictionary Unabridged Edition for my desk at the library book sale. I love it! Big. Fat. Bulky. Bursting with the thousands of words between the covers.

We've all heard the term 'dumbing down' --come to think of it that term is probably in there somewhere --in reference to the current trends of our casual culture. I can think of no more glaring example than casting an infrequently used word into extinction. It's not spooky -- it is downright scary. Maybe nobody really frets about 'excuviate' ("to shed") being tossed into extinction. But the more important question to me is "What IF nobody cares?". Why not have fun by expanding your vocabulary and watch your friends' faces when you interject 'agrestic' ("rural") or 'nidderly' ("cowardly"), maybe even 'embrangle' ("to confuse") into a conversation.

OH! But you can't!!! Those don't exist anymore!!!!!

Mothers and Sons

It's not like having a daughter, you know. Guys don't want to go shopping or 'do lunch'. (Well, I take that back. Yes, they do because it's free. And it's food. The perfect combo for a male.)

They don't call everyday just to chat. Or just because. There's usually a reason when they do. Like they need money. Or permission to go on Spring break -- which takes us back to the money thing.

They aren't the ideal partner to gossip with. They put up a bored facade like they don't condone gossip. "Whatever" or "Who cares?" is a common response. But I've never seen one get up and leave when a particularly juicy tidbit is shared among friends. Hmmm. Have you?

The latest hair styles or new make-up techniques or what's hot in fashion accessories for the season are not topics they appreciate spending their time on either. Turns out getting a new pair of jeans that are cut just right or ordering this year's latest fleece outerwear jacket (I'm speaking from experience on this subject -an internet purchase from England with some Christmas money. Really??! England?? "My roommate has one.") is important. And acceptable.

But when he gives me a beautiful smile as he turns and bends down to wrap his arms around me in one big warm and wonderful hug, my heart rejoices and everything is ok. Balance restored. Small irritations erased. Head-frustrations disappear.

Oh, all right. ALL RIGHT. I confess. I'm sure glad I have one. (And he's just darned lucky to have me, too! HA!)

Propensity

Such a beautiful word. Feels good as it r-r-o-o-o-l-l-s-s off your tongue.

Just the sound of it causes you to lift your nose a bit higher while e-nun-ci-a-ting every syllable with your finest faux aristocratic British accent.

Now say it. Outloud. Pro-pen-si-ty.

Did you stick your chin up just a tad? Good. Now...raise one eyebrow ever so slightly (no, both simply will not do -- you want to look slightly superior, not surprised) as you dispense this fine piece of vocabulary while sharing an observation, dare I use the word 'judgement' (oops, I meant 'personal opinion'...) about someone you know. For instance: "Well! His propensity for alcohol certainly hasn't helped his weight problem any." OR "Without question you know her cholesterol would drop if she didn't indulge her propensity for chocolate so much!" (Hey! I heard that! Were you talking about me??)

Bravo! You did a fine job. Now practice the subtleties of the eyebrow thing. OH! And perhaps add a bit of the rolling of the eyes. Yes! That's it. By Jove, now you've got it!

Dust ~ UGH!

This morning found me dusting....yes, DUSTING....the bathtub. Never thought I'd be wiping down that porcelain fixture. We all use the shower these days. No little ones around who need it. With time comes change.

Dust. Who makes this stuff?? I WANT A NAME!!

Why does this fine, gray fuzz even exist? So we can sneeze? Be frustrated (there's lots of other things that fit that bill, thank you)? Does it support the vacuum cleaner or furniture polish or furnace pipe cleaning industries? An alien's master plan to crush our spirits and rule the universe?

Well if you see that alien or the Dust Fairy or whomever is responsible before I do, tell them to stop it. And I mean RIGHT NOW !!

Good to know when little people do appear again under this roof they won't have to wait for their bubble bath. No, sirree! Not in this house. Huh-uh.

Geez.....wiping off dust. Who'd have thunk it?

Thank You Notes

Sending hand-written missives with the specific motive of expressing appreciation for receiving a gift was a rule strictly adhered to by my parents. No excuses, no whining, no reason was ever acceptable in veering from that unquestionable, permanent, carved-in-stone social grace. One received thus one wrote.

In this day and age of electronic communication, and though a 'dinosaur' I well may be, I find myself still a happy proponent of our postal system. And to that end I still send hand-written letters and thank you notes. Plan to until the day I die. Even when my handwriting is absolutely atrocious and totally illegible. Even when no one could ever possibly read or interpret the scribble, I'll forever share my heartfelt appreciation via pen, paper and the post.

This household received a thank you from a relative about a week ago. Thanking us for the two holiday presents we sent, this cousin admonished me by asking a question smack dab in the middle of her note: "J, have you stopped writing letters? I miss your newsy notes..." The answer to her inquiry, No, I haven't. I obviously let other tasks in the last few months snare more attention than I should have, leaving no time for my usual (and obviously expected) 'newsy notes'.

When I read her message the first time I was slightly taken aback. But upon further contemplation I accepted her words as a compliment. How nice to know that taking the time to personally craft something is missed when you don't!

So write a letter....or two. And when you receive one in return you'll be the one who gets to sip a cup of hot tea while sharing a peek into the life and times of someone special to you.

Atrocious handwriting or not.