Touch of Ivory Soul..

Heard about the passing of Teena Marie this morn.
As I thought of the loss for her family,
I thought of the loss to me. Granted, I hadn't bought a
Teena Marie album (yes, ALBUM) in years-
Yet I'd started to see her on TV and my
Interest piqued again. How I danced to her music
Especially this song, "Square Biz"
And slowed danced all sultry to my
Boyfriend at time, to her duet with Rick James, "Fire and Desire."
For those minutes, I lost all consciousness and thought he my desire
Thankfully the song did end!
That's why "Square Biz" has the best memories!
Dancing in my skirt that flew out as I twirled, and my 4 inch heels
That I reasoned were 'just 'right'-in height.
Yea, another time, another place. When gas was less than a buck a gallon,
And I think apartment rent was less than $300-
Thank you Teena Marie-
And I know Heaven's choir just gotta bounce
Of a more soulful beat
RIP.

Somewhere Down The Road

Me and Barry Manilow. Yep. Still carrying on a thing with his older stuff and poofy hair. Barry doesn't know it tho. Just having a time remembering how much Barry's music stayed with me.

Especially the people I associate with the music. Honestly, I rarely listen to lyrics. Friends have called me me on the carpet because I don't. I lack heart I've been told. Naw. I'm the most hopeless romantic sap you'll ever know. I'd give you a card just because it's Tuesday.

I digress.

A song has just gotta hit me just right to get all into it. And yes, Barry Manilow is one of those singers with words got to me. Just like this song "Somewhere Down The Road." And back in the day, whenever this song came on contacts floated out of my eyes because the river of tears. Yes, they did. A lot.

This song was during my second stint in Kansas City. Attended a travel school which flew away with my money. That's whole another post. Anyway, I'd make almost weekly jaunts back to Des Moines, about 200 miles away. Not so much to see the family, even tho I got descent meals, but to see chums.

This was mid 80's, and well....I had places to go, people to see--one in particular. I liked him. He liked me. In fact we're friendly to this day. Chums on Facebook even. Never joined at the hip, yet joined in occasional lip locks. This was the 80's. Even now, I just smiled about him.

The first line of this song just sums it all up: We had the right love and the wrong time.

So sweet and nice while it lasted.

Barry Manilow--what kind of pie do you like? I owe YOU!

Still July. Still Donny Osmond.

Still Dallas, Texas. TX. HOT. Got Blue Bell Peaches and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream in the freezer and watermelon in the fridge. All is good and so on with the story....

Took a trip through time (aka my diary and my blog) because of Donny Osmond. My very first airplane trip took me from Des Moines Iowa to Las Vegas! You see, back in yester-century, namely the 70's, my own experience of Osmondmania was well in hand.

In fact, on this night, July 24, in 1974 I sat smack dab in THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE in the Tropicana Showroom, to see Donny, his brothers and sister Marie. My sweet Big Daddy Don tipped the 'd 40 bucks for our seats . I sat at the end of these steps that came down from the stage. I really didn't get it--at the time.

Looking back, I bet some of the other teenage girls in that showroom hated me for where I sat. I had no clue it was THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE. My dad probably just wondered what in the world he was doing there. The scotch and milk probably erased any of his thoughts.

Being in shock I was seeing the Osmonds so up close and personal, imagine when the moment came I realized I had THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE. Girls crowded around the bottom of the steps as Donny broke out in song--I honestly can't remember, maybe "Puppy Love"? Donny came to the steps, maybe even took a couple steps down. Girls went nuts. I went speechless.

Donny was right THERE! He sang. Girls screamed. He reached and squeezed hands. I finally gained consciousness and raised mine. Donny TOUCHED my hand! We looked into each others eyes. Donny's smile blinded me. For a moment we had--well, a moment.

I asked my dad what he thought of the whole Vegas thing. My dad as only my sweet Big Daddy Don could say: "I thought you were crazy."

And the picture below isn't from 1974, because that picture of Donny and me is so blurry. Way before digital-so this is photo is from 1978. Still Las Vegas Just eight days after Donny married the girl on the left, his wife of 32 years, Debbie .

Even now on this so hot July summer day 2010 in Dallas. I still gotta smile because I was sat in THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE!

MIssed July 13, 1985 being Saturday

What I remember about that day is, I lived in Kansas City, yet I was back in my Iowa, visiting--imagine that. I'm sure it had to be more some guy I was nuts about....I digress.... actually I was in the apartment I had been a roomie with my hometown 5th Steet Friend. I still chuckle how we turned in pop cans (that's soda cans to some of you) so we'd have enough funds to go out. OK, I digress again. OK, the 5th Street Friend was hosting a bridal or baby shower for a co-worker of hers. I came in toward the end of the shower because (a) I thought it would be over and (b) most importantly, I wanted to catch some of Live Aid on MTV. This was before anybody could really afford VCR's and the question still was: VHS or Beta?

I made it back to catch this performance which I've showcased on the blog before. That's OK, 'cause Tina Turner can be showcased ANY time. I loved this video! Ms. Tina and Mick--and ya just wonder, how much of a State of Shock they were ever in...

Nonetheless, it's Friday in 2010 and that's all that needs to be said....

So...

On this dreary and chilly Dallas afternoon, I'm walking thru The Home Depot, right? I got my squirrel food in one hand, since The Home Depot is the only place that carries the kind I prefer, , and my other hand is inspects carpet samples. The Home Depot associate comes and asks if he can help me. I, of course, say sure-if he can give me about 25 grand, I'd be just fine.

He laughed and educated me about carpet.

I bought this house in 2008. It has not been the most relaxing adventure. I love my little house. I have yet to do much to decorate it, due to the lack of a relaxing adventure--except watch a chum's husband and my chum put down laminate in one living space. There's carpet in the rest of the house, which I'd thought about ripping up and put more laminate down--now I wonder if just a prettier shade of carpet--would be be better. I shade of carpet I like--then again, I look at the corner the cats have decided to claw up, and laminate comes back to mind. Anyway, I want to tear down some of the wall, to make the two living spaces look more flowing--and the window I thought I once wanted, has now turned into a skylight in my mind.

So stay tuned to all of that.

The main jest of this post, outside of I did not drink all my 74 ounces of water, is while I looked at carpet, and learned of their twists and loops, from The Home Depot associate, a song I once disco danced to, on long ago Saturday nights at The Joker in Des Moines, Iowa, came on. For a minute, I thought it was about 1981 and the glitter ball was above, while I danced in my no shorter than 4 inch heels, and then in a next minute, I realized it was 2010 and menopause tapped me on the shoulder..

I'll ignore the tap and go back to 1981. Cue up Bonnie Pointer.

Stuff Part II

Dancing With the Stars: Shawn Johnson WINS!

I didNOT see that coming. Just knew it was Gilles. OK, I woulda been OK with Shawn winning, being a fellow Iowan and all. Honestly, I didn't think she had that big of a chance.

Wrong.

Congrats to Shawn for her DWTS trophy. Alittle something more sparkle go with her gold from Beijing.

Just something about those Iowa girls.

No Beggin' On This Friday

Cousin Sussers is doing fine from her quadruple bypass surgery. Her son, well--my 2nd cousin, I'll call him Second, gave me the good news. Sussers had all ready taken a few steps. Been sitting up in a chair. I kinda chuckle at that. Because the night before her surgery, I told Sussers they'd get her up real quick after surgery. Sussers schoffed.
Well, she ain't schoffing no more.
Second said his mom was still a bit woozy, but was eating.
That was good.
How the docs said Sussers came through surgery very well.
Then Second told me his mom dropped the "F-bomb"
Yea, I knew she was on the way to recovery.
So I wanted to remind her of something.

I told Second to remind his mom, my dear sweet Cousin Sussers, I would always be her cutest and always younger cousin. Hence, this ever so wonderful picture!

Second sent me an e-mail tonight to say when he told Sussers what I said, her heart rate went up 2 points and she rolled her eyes.
Yep, my Cousin Sussers feels much better.
For her, here's a little Temptations Ain't Too Proud to Beg. While I'm sure Sussers is past beggin' to get out of the hospital and bopped doctors upside the head with her tray as she lept to freedom from her window.

Yep, we're all family.

December 31, 1980 was Wednesday

Pulled out the diary--just had to see. Was gonna write about the party in the chicken coop during our senior year. Too much beer blurs all that memory. Just know it was a good time, while I added names to my Kiss List. My high school classmates know all about my list. The world--well, not so much. And yes, that's another post. :) So I thought of other kinda memorable New Year's and 1980 came to mind.

Not so much what happened, but the person I chose to spend it with. My boyfriend at the time. Let's see, let's call him Camaro. Why? Because he had a black white one with a black top. Said it reminded him of the girlfriend of his dreams. Camaro was black, she was white. He pined for her. They dated 8 months. She met a guy, married and a had a son. Camaro's transmission was so stuck in neutral.

And yea, I dated him anyway.

So that NYE's, he wanted me to wear a particular outfit, which actually belonged to my roommate. She said no. She always complained I looked better in her clothes than she did. She even said that this past June. I digress. Camaro wanted us to wear matching outfits. We didn't. We were headed to the place to party The Joker, in Des Moines. The best and biggest dance place in town. Today--I think it's a department store. To really get to the point of this story.

We got into a fight. Well, it was actually a continuation of the fight earlier in the day. It wasn't a done deal we'd spend NYE together. We came together, a cup of molasses wasn't as thick as the tension between us. We fought alot.

Yep, I remember this. We were dancing, me in all my jheri curl glory, and him thinking he the black John Travolta, when somebody called our names. A friend wanted to take our picture. Camaro ignored the request and kept strutting his stuff. She yelled from the side of the flashing light floor (it was 1980). He still ignored her, so I called his name.

Wrong thing to do. It was ON. He yelled at me. I recall his eye buldged from his reptilian head. Being the girl I was then--I screamed a word that rhymes with "Luck" and added 'it' at the end. It's in my diary, in bold letters. Kid you not. And we both stormed off the crowded floor. Friends were concerned.

We made up, because I dated the idiot --er--guy off and and on for a couple more years. Camaro was a bit different. He thought he was a warlock. OK. Fine, but I don't think most warlocks read how to be a warlock out 25 cent booklets from the drug store. Because of him, I went to my first adult bookstore. This was way before you could order it on the Internet or buy your own videos. You had to go to the places with the one lone blue light bulb hanging. I was curious what went on there. Then my curiosity ended, the day when some humpty dumpty not too cute guy asked me, while I stood trying to look composed at the wall of magazines. No Better Homes and Gardens there, this guy opened a centerfold of a girl hanging all her stuff out and asked, "You swing?" As I iced in place, Camaro comes into view, and I usher him out.

Where had my Prince Charming been? Using up his quarters, saved for laundry, in the peep shows. As we walked out of the place, Camaro asked, "So what did you tell him?"

Yea, and I dated him. I survived that New Year's Eve. Oh wow, I could tell you stories. And ya know, what else I wrote on that diary page? That the NYE's was OK, but not as good as the NYE 1975. Which wouldn't you know, was the party in the chicken coop?

Anyway, cue the number one song at The Joker. Not one of my favorites, yet makes me smile.

Saturday December Day in Dallas

For my chums in Iowa and parts North, it may be 61 degrees today. Just to rub that in.

Also I have watermelon in my fridge. Not sure where it was grown. Not too tasty Summer Sweet, yet there's still some crunch and munch there. Makes me happy.

Then there's Tom Jones. Yes, 68 year old "What's New Pussycat?" Tom Jones. I got around to watching his performance on Leno from the other night. I read the rave review of his new CD '24 Hours' last week. My thought, "Really?" My memory of Tom Jones is my mom, aunts and other females in her demograpic, camped out around the TV when his variety show came on. Hooped and hollered they did.

Then fast forward: 1975 and the Great Allentown Fair, in Allentown, PA. Tom Jones performed there, as were the Osmonds, later on that week. Females, including myself, were lined from the elevator door to the car that waited for him, outside the Sheraton. We all wanted to get a glimpse of him. My 17 yr old lips got glimpsed 4 times. Then sometime in the 80's, Tom held concert in Des Moines, Iowa. He was good, yet...there was just something not that filled with zip. Honestly, I kind of wrote him off. His time had passed--that sort of thing.

Well, then 2008 and I watch Leno. My mouth drops. "THAT's Tom Jones???! I've determined Tom Jones drinks from the same fountain as Tina Turner. The song is "I'm Alive." Tom Jones proves he is. And, now if you will excuse me, I need to go and buy me a CD--one that's not on the clearance rack at Wal-mart. I got some hoopin' and hollerin' to do.

Well--maybe one more Tuesday Thought...

OK--I had to make a quick mention when I realized Donny and Marie Osmond open their Vegas gig tonight---a Tuesday night at that. My chums who read this blog just chuckled, rolled their eyes and said, 'Yep, I knew it--Donny Osmond--again!"

Yes, there are 'grown up' things on everyone's mind. Our troops, so faraway from home. This history making election--if strategies will back fire. Sure, I wish Tom Hanks would call and say, "I like that story--lets get a movie deal together and make us some magic." I do agree only if Whoopi stars. So, yea, I got all this 'grown up' AARP stuff in my head---but....

Then there's the whole Osmond thing. What can I say? Good memories. Good times. No apologies. This picture was taken in Des Moines, about forever ago. My glasses could be mistaken for blue stop signs. The day this pic was snapped was a good day. Donny and family were pretty much in my own back yard. Meeting him- again, made up for our yuck concert seats that night. But ya know, I bet those concert tickets were probably at best, 10 bucks.

In Las Vegas, on this Tuesday night, I bet there a bit more than $10.

So I do need Tom Hanks to pay me movie rights for a movie that will win us the Oscar. Then I won't care about the cost of concert tickets or the fanciest cat food on the market.

Oh, and did I mention that Donny was not originally my favorite Osmond?

Stay tuned.

And Now Isaac Hayes...

Just talking about "Shaft"....Isaac Hayes' versions of "Close to You," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Walk On By"---give treat yourself to a listen. I'm sure The Carpenters, Glen Campbell or Burt Bacharach and buddy Dionne Wawick didn't think those songs would sound so sizzlin' with his dolop of hot buttered soul! .

Actually, I was going to post By the Time I Get to Phoenix here--my favorite--Then I came across something else. Back in the days of The Joker in Des Moines, Iowa, this was a great dance song! When this tune began, the way the crowd jetted to the floor, The Joker could have been in New York City...well, almost.....

Rest well, Black Moses.

With Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes both in Heaven...who's the headliner?

.....and so it's Friday!

Long, long ago in a decade far away--where my spandex skirt, four-inch heels and jheri curl where the norm (remember that gunky moisturizer/activator?)I counted the minutes and seconds to Friday. When my chums and I headed to the Joker on E. 14 in Des Moines, Iowa. Of course, we'd all ready been there for Thirsty Thursday the night before....however, that is another post. This night, Friday, was more the pre-lim for Saturday, while Thursday has just a reminder we hadn't forgetton to drink beer since the last weekend.

Yep. Fridays in Des Moines, Iowa. Where to get inside The J0ker was two bucks. Where the hum drum of the work week was quickly and solidly forgotten. Where I had the biggest crush for this skinniest guy because he could shake his groove thing so right to, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, by Michael Jackson, when he really was a genius.

Fridays. Yep. Kinda miss all that partying I use to do. I'd have to take out hazard insurance if I wore four inch heels now. That would be twisted ankle and fall flat on my face. 911 would be on speed dial.

Hmm.

But ya know....if somebody threw a disco night, a GOOD disco night, for folks that really lived it...make sure I get my e-vite...Thank God It's Friday!

As Much As Something Changes.....

I spent time in a bowling alley tonight. A Saturday Night. I didn't even bowl. A chum asked me to be her guest at a celebrity bowl-a-thon to raise funds for scholarships. Comedian Dick Gregory was in attendence as was some local Dallas celebs, from media to sports.

As I sat and chowed on nachos--which were good when the cheese was warm-unfortunately, once underneath the top chips, the cheese was cold, I listened as a dj spun tunes. He went all late 70's, early 80's dance music. OK--some of us would call it disco--yet, I digress--I surveyed the room.

I wondered if some of the folks remembered other Saturday long ago nights. When the music the dj played tonight was the music we hit the floors with. Danced all night--or at least to 2 am in Iowa, more procisely, the Joker in Des Moines, Iowa. I thought of the Joker's huge floor- that flashed red, yellow, blue lights. When THE song came on, smoke pushed it's way over the floor. Ahh...that was the time.

Some of the folks tonight, tapped their foot, bobbed their heads. Yep. It all came back. Was it really that long ago, that being in bed by 11 only happened when you were sick or old people? I just smiled.

Maybe the nachos weren't so bad afterall--the music warmed em up.

...One last thing....I mean it....

As I toodled around Des Moines, last weekend, I took in the city's growth. Some familiar places I see in Dallas--and take for granted--stood so tall and proud in Des Moines. Case in point, my chum D said, "There's On the Border-it's suppose to be good." Huh? Then there was a Fuddruckers, where D and her hubby, enjoy their burgers. I told her my favorite burger place in Dallas is Burger Island. There was the Cheesecake Factory--in Des Moines? Sure thing! After our toodling, I hankered to quench my thirst with a coffee drink. Imagine my surprise we had to travel miles--literally- to find one. What? Starbucks not on every or every other corner? Not being able to say, "Oh, well, I missed that one, but another one will just down the road a piece." Instead, I have look on a map to find one of the 10 Starbucks, Des Moines has, to get my Mint Mocha Chip Light Frap fix. Think of the gas used! Oh goodness--those poor deprived people! :)