184 Everybody loves ROCKY!

Everybody loves ROCKY!

What is it about Rocky Balboa that is so endearing? He is quiet in his demeanor (except in the boxing ring), somewhat sloppy in his attire, and unpretentious at best. Does he remind us of a cousin, uncle, or other relatives that exude love and comfort? Possibly this is the reason, but there is much more.

My husband and I fell in love with him with the first Rocky movie, starring Sylvester Stallone, decades ag--who could ever forget his impassioned call for Adrian (Talia Shire) after he won the big fight and searched the crowd for the love of his life.

While our children were too young for the first movie in 1976, they soon caught up with the series, Rocky II to V. The family including our son and daughter couldn’t resist the shy, awkward athlete. Our son even portrayed Rocky in a variety show his junior year of high school. Even though he was a little on the skinny side, he did a pretty good imitation.

The sequels up through Rocky V added to the epic love story as well as the rise to boxing fame and fortune with the rags to riches storyline. Even Adrian’s brother Paulie (Burt Young), who was a little too real, took part in the drive from the unknown to star stature.

Our children would rent the movies and have a Rocky marathon when the mood hit. Thus, continuing the family obsession with this story. 

Somehow, we never tired of the come-back theme even when he had to get in the ring to avenge the death of his enemy turned friend--Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) by a Russian.

On a visit to New York City, we waited to get tickets to a Broadway play late in the day so guess what was available-- Rocky: the Musical, based on the first movie. The play didn’t run very long but we enjoyed it. The audience was made part of the action as the boxing ring moved off the stage into the audience. It only lasted six months but we were glad we got to see it – true Rocky fans.

Several decades passed without a Rocky fix, and then the rise of Creed’s son, played by Michael B. Jordan, as a boxer brought us back to the big screen with Rocky Balboa as a mentor, uncle, dad, coach, or whatever he is considered to be in the first Creed movie.

We really didn’t have much hope that this new movie would rival the old but it absolutely did. The acting, the message, the emotions, all fit into the true Rocky mode of the fan base. 

Creed II came out the end of this year and it did not disappoint even with the return of the Russian and his son. Rocky’s love for his wife is still evident as he named his restaurant for her and he visits the cemetery regularly to talk to her, even taking a folding chair to sit and ponder the latest events in his life.

Rocky makes an attempt at the end of the movie to reconnect with his son who is played by none other than the actor Milo Ventimiglia, who stars in the TV hit series, “This Is Us.” Milo had played the part of the son in earlier movies, and Stallone had made a cameo appearance in Milo’s series.

That gave me hope for another sequel with the son taking a bigger role. Who knows!

While I know some people may consider Rocky frivolous and unimportant, there is something about the whole saga that whets the appetite for this type of story. The fight scenes can be a little bloody and disturbing, but the human angle draws the viewer into a life story that should be celebrated. It may seem somewhat simplistic and maudlin to some but not to others.

The plot pretty much remains the same with the underdog coming to the surface, but who doesn’t love that storyline!!

Rocky-Savvy Frances                    

183 New tricks

New tricks for Tootsie

I have a dog that loves to do tricks but hates to learn new ones. Well, Tootsie is 8 but I don't think that is the issue.

Tootsie can do many of the normal tricks--sit, stay, leave it. But she has never learned to shake or sit up. She barks enough so Speak is not a trick for her!

She also will roll over, high five, and circle around or through my legs. She can balance a treat on her nose but rarely can catch it. I think that trick might be easier for a dog with a bigger nose such as a labrador.

One of her favorites is to dance. It was her first trick because whenever she is excited, she makes lots of tight little circles. So she gets rewarded for being excited. Little kids love to see her dance!

Two of the hardest tricks to teach her were the ones in which she has to stay still. When I say Bang!, she is supposed to play dead until I say She's Alive! Sometimes I have to shoot twice saying, Did I miss? with a second bang, to get her to go down and stay completely down. She is so excited that she is shaking which only adds to the realism. I have to be really fast with her release because she doesn't stay down for long.

I also require her to stay in the down position and NOT eat the treat that is on the floor directly in front of her. She has to retain eye contact with me until I say Okay.

Tricks Tootsie has not been able to learn are Say your prayers and walking on her hind legs. The problem with learning new tricks is stopping her from going through every trick in rapid succession so she can concentrate on learning the new one. She loves her treats and becomes frantic to get them.

The book I own on dog tricks states that you can add another trick by building on one she knows but Tootsie gets stuck on the original one! I do better by starting a new trick that is different from others she knows. I did try to get her to use a skateboard, but that was too scary. Probably a dog has to grow up around kids using them to get started.

So what should we try next? Crawl, limp, jump through a hoop, or walk the teeter-totter? I'll let you know what works!

Savvy tricksters Tootsie and Trish

A good height to start!

Ha Ha!

182 Another holiday?

Good Grief! Another Holiday Already?

Dear Readers, would you like to help me redo the holiday schedule? I wish we could spread our celebrations out over the year. I feel like, in spite of trying to be vigilant about calories, I am on a food high from Halloween through New Year’s Day. 

Then we need to address the marketing and merchandising of these holidays earlier and earlier each year. The Neiman Marcus “The Christmas Book 2018” arrived on October 30. 

Yep, the day before Halloween. I was at the mailbox retrieving a CVS coupon for 25% off candy and there was the catalog. Of course, I still felt obligated to buy a bag of mixed mini candy bars just in case we had a trick or treater come by. [We didn’t! and the candy is gone!]

Then three weeks later it is Thanksgiving. We don’t do the sweet potatoes and marshmallows but mashed potatoes and gravy are a necessity with turkey. Calories!!

We do NOT do Black Friday. I am not setting a foot in a retail store that day. My sanity and my lower back can’t take it. Besides, what is the internet for? Just Google it (you know by now, I am addicted to surfing the web). Sometimes I buy, usually, I do not.

So…. We have had a sugar high, followed by two fattening meals with our nearest and dearest and the year is not over. Our anniversary is December 31. That date--though fiscally responsible tax wise [one can claim married for the year] seemed for many, many years to obligate us to do SOMETHING. 

About ten years ago, we realized we like to watch the many comedy specials and the NYC ball fall in the comfort of our easy chairs. Maybe a drink, but maybe not! Even our New York City friends and family do not go to Times Square to be (and I quote a near and dear relative) “herded and prodded and stuck in barriers like cattle with strangers in the cold” and should you leave your spot – too bad – “you move, you lose.”

About ten years ago, we realized we like to watch the many comedy specials and the NYC ball fall in the comfort of our easy chairs. Maybe a drink, but maybe not! Even our New York City friends and family do not go to Times Square to be (and I quote a near and dear relative) “herded and prodded and stuck in barriers like cattle with strangers in the cold” and should you leave your spot--too bad--“you move, you lose.”

Yes, I am getting to be sort of a Scrooge. I admit to mixed feelings about the whole holiday experience. Sometimes, I feel like a martyr--I want the bank open; I want the mail to come; I want to get my daily diet Coke at McDonald’s (still only $1). Other days, I enjoy the holiday experience as I use it as an excuse not to do anything but play on the computer and read or, if we are really energetic, we might take in a movie.

Now a few words last words about retail marketing and advertising. For a society moving away from print--HA! How come every newspaper has a tree worth of ads inserts? Some of the ads are for stores I never heard of. These go straight to recycling. The ads for Christmas start before Halloween and get more and more frenetic as the days pass. No, I have not done all my shopping. I will get to it soon. AND, lest we forget the “reason for the season,” we should not be dreading all we have to do. Sometimes it really irritates me; other times it seems merely amusing. I love this cartoon: 

And this one, too:

I have decided to say to NO, thank you for thinking of us, to that which I do not enjoy. We now buy one thing we both want. This year’s gift is a decent am/fm radio that actually gets the stations we want. We have created an EXIT PLAN for all events. This is probably the critical one that gets us through the various events. On arrival we let the hosts know that we have another commitment. [Oh, dear, I’ve let out our secret.] 

The other commitment may be that we want to watch Jimmy Kimmel or give the dogs a pat and a treat. How can we leave Max and Bogie too long? Just look at these faces!

However you celebrate, the Savvy Broads wish you health and happiness!

Glenne            

181 Music madness

A month of music madness

Christmas music fills the month of December with traditional and not so traditional carols and jingles. The airwaves are flooded with the familiar words of the holy and commercial season. No one can escape it and I am one who doesn’t want to--I love the music.

As I think of the holidays, various songs seem to resonate with each phase of life. Their lyrics sticking with us for decades no matter religion, language, or ethnicity.

The buying frenzy is infiltrated with tunes by Perry Como and Bing Crosby crooning about a picturesque holiday “White Christmas” with snow as well as family gatherings “No Place Like Home for the Holidays” that can’t be missed. Lovely sentiments pour out of the speakers with hopes that all will come true as projected-- I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

As children, the magic was palpable as we eagerly awaited Santa propelled by his trusty reindeer. “Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer.” 

Plus making a list to send Santa was on our minds, making sure we behaved at least for the weeks leading up to the big day, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

As we aged out of the Santa phase, the holidays became more about what we were doing over the holidays, such as short-term jobs, buying for that special someone, parties, and appropriate attire -- “Blue Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Music gave us more incentives to handle what was coming, “Sleigh Bells” and “Deck the Halls.”

Marriage and children added another dimension as we went back to the Santa days we go--hiding gifts, adding a few surprises, and trying to keep the true meaning of the holiday in the forefront, “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and “O Holy Night.”

Who could ever forget Gene Autry singing “Here Comes Santa Claus” in his very distinctive manner, or Roy Rodgers crooning a myriad of carols and jingles?

The music continues as children leave home and return with their children and we go back to Santa, doll babies, festive clothes, trees, food, etc. “Deck the Halls” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”

Even special stations are named Holly and the like and play the holiday music non-stop. And some of the songs are not so traditional as “Momma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Grinch.” Plus, we find the very young entertainers performing renditions of the more traditional versions of the songs – often as good but not always. Elvis’s “Blue Christmas” and the Hawaiian Christmas song just aren’t the same without his soulful crooning.

But Willis Nelson has a knack for singing any of the traditional songs and they sound great no matter how he does it.

And so it continues as we see a cycle of holiday traditions come back with the music scrolling through it all – in the stores as we shop, on the radio and electronic devices, and streaming through many different sources. Certain ones will bring back a particular or place where we remember hearing it or dancing to it--“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” with Brenda Lee. I personally prefer her version as I remember it as a teen, but others have made attempts that are admirable.

Or a church service where “Noel” and “Adeste Fideles” were sung with heartfelt gusto. The words come back to mind as we hear the familiar renditions. I often can’t remember what day of the week it is. but the lyrics of the carols come rushing forward.

Of course, Alvin and the Chipmunks have brightened the holidays with various renditions of many songs. I guarantee a smile will grace your face when the little rascals start to sing.

No matter what the preference in music styles and artists, holiday songs can be found by almost every artist. The only bad part of all of this is the day or week after Christmas, it all fades away until next December. Sometimes I would like the music to stay a little longer but then it might become ordinary!

                                   Frances

180 Manuscript estate planning

What about your papers?

A few blogs ago, I talked about estate planning but the frustrations I have encountered in my research about Judge Richard Parker, the judge who sentenced John Brown to hang in 1850, made me realize that I had overlooked an important topic.

Judge Parker's will made me wonder what kind of a lawyer he was! His will is dated July 24, 1888. Parker died five years later in 1893 so perhaps he was not at his sharpest when he wrote the will although he does follow the legal niceties well (from my limited knowledge, that is).

He does allocate certain items such as family china, silver, Bible and prayer books, and photographs to specific relatives. He had no children and his wife had died in 1887. He states in the will, "The residue of my property is of such small worth that it would be of but little help to any." So he divided it among his sisters' children and the children of his wife's sister. "Share and share alike," said Parker in his will. With so many heirs, all they could do was to sell everything and divide the proceeds.

But, Richard Parker, what about your correspondence, your journals and diaries, your ledgers, your business records, your books? Gone, all gone!

I have been tracking down his papers. Fortunately, one man made it his mission to collect everything related to John Brown, including Judge Parker. Boyd B. Stutler, 1889-1970,

created one of the most important John Brown collections in existence, and the West Virginia Archives acquired the collection in 1977. They received a grant from the federal government to digitize over 20,000 pages of the collection and make the digitized documents available to the public. 

Stutler also published an article on Parker in the Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society in 1953. Unfortunately, he provided no footnotes or bibliography in the article, but I was able to locate most of his sources in the West Virginia John Brown/Boyd B. Stutler collection.

The Handley Archives has a copy of a manuscript Civil War diary by Parker that is owned by the Library of Congress that purchased it in 1984. 

The University of Virginia owns the twelve-page catalog of Parker's books, so about 280 of his books were sold at auction. But having the list is a bonus! 

There is also a large collection of Richard Parker materials at the Chicago History Museum. Other items that I have not yet seen are at the University of Maryland and Stanford University. I am still searching to find more manuscript materials!

Maybe our personal papers would not be as valuable as those of Judge Parker, but I bet all of us have something that might be useful to future historians. Even If your children and grandchildren are getting all your photographs--can they identify all the relatives and friends pictured in them? Local archives might also like one or two of you and all your ancestors--of course, everyone should be identified. 

Diaries, journals, and business ledgers are often useful to historians. Letters describing war experiences and other important events are another item. Even if you don't want to give local archives originals of these materials, they would be happy with good copies.

I realize too that we did not specify in our will who gets our research materials about Civil War relics, Frederick County Courthouse history, and Judge Parker materials. More estate planning--and photo labeling to do!

So what about your papers? Don't forget to get them in order, labeled, and mentioned in your will!

Trish         

179 Walt, the Mouse, and Me

Walt, the Mouse, and Me

Ambivalent is the perfect word to describe my feelings about the whole Walt Disney enterprise. 

My grandfather, known as Pop-Pop, and I used to go to movies almost every Sunday afternoon that we could steal away from family. You Boomers will recall that Sunday afternoon drives with a stop by to see relatives were a very common happening. 

So, Pop-Pop and I went to matinees. We had an escape the relatives date! We saw whatever was on. Didn’t matter--saw war movies, corny slapstick movies, romances, film noir (not that I knew what that was), and Disney movies.

My first Disney movie was Cinderella. I was four years old. Oh, my, how entranced I must have been. I was sure that a fairy godmother was going to make me royal. I don’t think I gave much thought to the prince. It was so much more about the dress and the shoes and the ball. And the dress had to be blue! What great expectations Walt Disney gave me. False ones! 

The Disney movie was preceded by a cartoon. I remember the newsreels more than I remember the cartoons, but I am sure I saw many a Mickey Mouse cartoon. So this year is Mickey’s 90th birthday and Cinderella had to have been at least 18 in the film so she’s at least 85 years old. What a long and thriving enterprise Walt Disney created.

Why, you may be asking, am I still ambivalent about all this? Okay. I was probably a preteen or teenager before I could definitely say which picture was the Biltmore Estate and which was Cinderella’s castle.

[I was afraid to use a REAL photo of the Disney castle as I do not want to get sued. I understand that is a reality for using photos without permission.] Besides, when Disney decided on the parks, he bought up all the surrounding land (often under shell corporations) to protect the largest size area he thought could ever be needed) 

I lived in an ordinary house. I had no turrets and no fairy godmother. Why not? Remember: “If you wish upon a star, makes no difference….” Phooey! This is more like reality: 

While I maintain that Disney lets us confuse reality and imagination, here are some aspects of Disney that I appreciate and admire. Number one is MARKETING!

Walt Disney was truly an entrepreneur – stories, films, parks, songs – all ubiquitous. His castles and other parts of the parks are all about perspective. Next time you visit a Disney theme park, look at the size of the boulders and trees on the Matterhorn to make the mountain appear bigger than it really is. He was able, and taught his employees, to use perspective to make bigger, more impressive scenes.

And Disney’s attention to detail is exquisite. Did you know (I read it in a Disney magazine -which I did not purchase - at a bookstore) that there are vents on Main Street in the parks that pump out scents according to the season – usually vanilla until fall, then cinnamon. Crazy brilliant.

Another canny idea that Disney incorporates (and I am not sure I understand HOW he does it) but the parks and movies and the available souvenirs seem and are so accessible and yet carry with them a touch of being exclusive – a cut above the rest. Fans, therefore, WANT to interact with his brands.

Next, I chatted with an old friend of mine who worked for several years at Disney in Florida. He would not tell me his character, but here a few of his insightful memories.

• You are not an employee; you are a cast member (remember exclusive)
• Rules are strict – princesses must be between 5’4” and 5’8” and a size “very, very small”

• Cast members have extensive training--i.e. school--so almost any question can be answered
• Cast members could not point with ONE finger--two or more fingers or the whole hand
• Lost children were announced as “children with lost adults” (kind of thoughtful, actually)
• Social media and electronics (including cell phones) are banned at work; absolutely NO SELFIES at work
• All cast members are responsible for keeping the parks clean--all of them help
• If you leave something behind at a Disney establishment, it is stored for a few weeks. After that, cast members can purchase the items.
• Don’t get caught in the broom closet with another cast member. You will be fired on the spot.
• No gum chewing, no tattoos, no beards, no visible piercings. Only Gaston can have long hair. 
• Do not try to drink alcohol in the park--wait ‘til you get back to your Disney suite. There are undercover, plainclothes agents on patrol in the parks not only for alcohol but for pedophiles, particularly around water rides.

Now, a final word or two about Mickey Mouse. November 18th was his birthday; I am a bit late in wishing a happy birthday to him (or rather Steamboat Willy, his original iteration). 

Now, this date, if you follow – even for fun – astrological signs, here is a bit about Mickey. (Yes, still ambivalent!) Is it ironic that the Scorpio sign is an M? No--just coincidental, I am sure!

From a website called ScorpioMystique.com, I have paraphrased their findings. Scorpios live their lives as if they are the center of attention and always on a theatrical stage. In opposition to this element of their personality, they are focused on financial achievement through “unorthodox ways.” (No explanation given.) People find the Scorpio “mystifyingly mysterious” which makes him stand out among peers. Scorpios are deeply connected to family and friends and want to make the world a better place. (Well, yes and no!)

In the end, do I thank Walt Disney or am I still just a little cynical that so much positivity can seem like sugar overload and unrealistic dreams – particularly for little girls? But, whatever I think and whatever you think, here’s a belated wish to the

Savvy? Glenne                     

178 Coke or Pepsi

Coke or Pepsi

More and more restaurant servers will ask after a soft drink is ordered--we only have Pepsi or we only have Coke. Is that okay?

My answer is always no if it is Pepsi. I have no idea why I don’t like Pepsi while I love Coca-Cola. My husband will take either so he always makes me look bad.

 

 I don’t remember being asked that question until recent time. Why they don’t offer both, I guess, has something to do with expenses or market coverage. It is rare for an eatery to offer both popular cola drinks.

The history of soda-pop drinks is lengthy and complex with the changing of recipes and the addition of other popular flavors, such as Sprite and Dr. Pepper. (I grew up using the term “pop” but that seems to be a regional use of the word).

These types of drinks actually date back to the late 1800s, but the availability was not what it is today. Coke was developed in 1886 by John S. Pemberton while Pepsi followed in 1898 by Caleb Bradham.

Bottles and cans are part of the history that included recipes with tremendous amounts of sugar (pounds and pounds). Some people prefer glass bottles and swear that it tastes better. When plastic came on the scene, bottles were made of the softer material. Metal cans also cause various opinions to surface--some people cannot abide by the taste of the soda pop in a can.

Fountain drinks are also popular and some people swear by them. The combination of carbonation has to be just right or the drink will not have the taste we have come to love and desire. Sometimes I ask for no ice since it often melts too quickly and waters it down.

One major recent theme is the reduction of sugar in almost all of the offerings. Diet drinks were offered in the 1960s but the healthy aspects have plagued the drinks.

Soda pop was not a common drink in households in the 1950s and 1960s, at least not in mine. We were allowed a drink maybe on Sundays or on a special occasion. My maternal grandfather would always bring us ice cream and sodas (always Coca-Cola) on our birthdays. That may have started my preference for Coca-Cola.

Certain menu items seem to be paired nicely with sodas--pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers. But some people start the day with a soda no matter what they are eating.

No matter your preference--Coke or Pepsi--there seems to be a certain satisfaction in downing the caffeine-riddled concoction. Headaches, tummy aches, and other ailments seem to dwindle once a soda is consumed. That may not be accurately or scientifically proven, but it often works for me.

Just this year, Bloomberg noted the biggest cola rivalry in history is still in full swing no matter how the market changes. The cola drinks are still the most popular of both companies. 

Vending machines have also survived through the ages where the glass bottles used to be available through doors that were opened once the money was registered. Now the plastic bottle or metal can is dropped down a chute to land in the slot for retrieval. There is nothing quite like a cold cola on a hot day, arriving through the trappings of the magical vending machine.

So what is the most common answer when a server asks if Pepsi is okay? Don’t believe there are stats on that, but I will continue to say no. The serves often give me a stunned look since most people probably say it is okay (someone like my husband), but it is not okay to me. I like a Coke and that will probably never change.

                   Coca-Cola fan Frances

177 No clear answer

No Clear Answer

Glenne and I seem to produce a fair number of blogs in which we explore a topic of interest to us and then tell you about our research.

Well, I started out on another hunt. I have shared with you my obsession with collecting reading figures, some for real and the tacky ones in a virtual collection.

From the Ridgeway Virtual Collection

I also have a small collection of made in Japan very small ceramic dogs. It started with one my mother-in-law owned.

You can see by the ruler, mom is about 2 inches and the puppy is one inch. It is not a quality piece but I thought it was fun and mentioned it to my sister who found me another.

Three puppies at their feeding bowl--just about 3 inches. It is hard to find low quality pieces this small. I think even at the thrift store, they may throw them out, but I have found or been given a few more.

I keep them all on a small table with another statue that is in the same scale. 

Getting back to my original point--It may be difficult to read, but all but one say "Japan" or "Made in Japan" in black ink. So I thought I would research the marks to see what I could find out.

There is some interesting history involved in dating Japanese ceramics. Japan has been making ceramics since Neolithic times. In the 17th century, the Dutch East Indies Company supplied Japanese craftsmen with wooden version of European pots and exported the porcelain versions back to Europe. After the 1860s, the Japanese began flooding with porcelain ware that was cheaper than the European and American products but equal in quality.

In a much earlier tariff war, the McKinley Tariff Act of 1891 ruled that imported items must be labeled with the country of origin. From 1891 to 1921 the Japanese items were labeled "Nippon," the Japanese word for "Japan." In 1921 the United States said the the mark must be in English, hence the word "Japan." The words "Made in" were added over time.  The one definite dating is the phrase "Made in occupied Japan," which runs from 1945 to 1952. 

So I thought I had a few facts straight then I found the articles:

HOW TO TELL FAKE NIPPON PORCELAIN FROM AUTHENTIC NIPPON

FAKE MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN BANKS

After reading numerous web pages and finding the experts could not identify many of the marks since many small factories were lost during the war. And I also learned that the color of the lettering does not help with the dating at all--unless it is a blue rubber stamp as in the image above.

So I still know that my tiny dogs have very little value--I did see 3 dogs on a leash for $10 on eBay, but would anyone buy it? But now I know there is no good answer to the date but as cheap as they are, I am thinking 1950s or 1960s. Anything more recent would say "Made it in China"!

More befuddled than Savvy Trish