Sentimental Journey...

Santa Monica Pier


Dad's Rocketdyne pic--2nd on left side, arms folded--
rocket gang!


Thanks for the suit, Ma!

'Headlight' Nan
Apple Valley desert

When my brother visited with me recently
from Arizona, he brought along a folder of
family photographs, many of which I'd
not seen before.

I couldn't believe how funny some
of them were. In many, I had a 'caught in
the headlights' expression on my face.
Michael remarked that I still fell into
the expression when talking about things.
Ha-ha...

We reminisced about our childhood in Santa Monica:
our house on the opposite side of the upper middle-class
neighborhoods, and how that kept so-called friends
from coming over for birthday parties; how I got
swept up in a rip-current when I was about 5-6, and
was saved by a lifeguard; the jelly-fish sting I got
one day; inner-tube wave riding; buying candy cigarettes
at the corner grocery;Mike's funny Messenger bike
and my new one...ouch!

Those were the days of tracking sand back to the
house from the beach, fishing from Santa Monica Pier,
buying Creamsicles from the Good Humor truck, and
catching gross spiders in a glass jar.
We played cowboys and indians--I was always 'arrowed'!
Mike cut my hair when I was 3 and whacked away my blonde hair.

There were times when we really got into it, typical name-
calling. We are like night and day in some ways.
He's a used-to-be brunette, and I'm a platinum blonde.
He loves to read historical books, and I like 'cozies'.

I said goodbye to Michael yesterday as he stepped curbside
at Regional South West Airport. A big hug, some"I love you's",
and he was off.

Yes, Mike's the Moonlight to my Sunshine...

Smile...!

Speed Traps. Photo enforced red lights.
These are things which drive the average
motorist nuts--even good drivers.

Most everyone, except law-abiding, hat-wearing
senior citizens, exceed the speed limit.
Drivers in a rush zip around those elderly
drivers, hardly ever honking at them.

I usually drive in Sunday mode: Relaxed, often
waiting patiently for the local egret to cross
the street corner .
If at all, I’m usually over by 5 m.p.h. to keep up
with the flow of traffic.

Our city has installed photo enforcement at
most major intersections.
It’s a tricky thing.
Your car will be flashed if your corner-turn stop
isn’t long enough.
I stop for at least 5 seconds. No tickets for me.

Green to yellow is dicey.
Naples intersections are wide--a nervous anxiety
overwhelms me when the green light has been on
for awhile, and my car is still a couple hundred yards
from the signal.

Do I slow down, anticipating the change, or
boost the speed to make the light?
The car behind me might decide that kissing
my car bumper will excite me enough to quickly
cross the intersection.

Many drivers act as though they’re driving in
the middle of no-man’s land, or the Autobahn.
Speed of light doesn’t register on the radar detectors…
warp speed is for test pilots or the Space Shuttle.

I think some drivers are Starbucked to the gills--
cranked up and ready to shred the highways…
Maybe I should wear a hat while I’m driving...

Who Nose?

We’re approaching runny nose season.
My first encounter with a drippy faucet
was yesterday.
I’d just paid for a magazine and the bookseller
cordially bagged the purchase--after he had
sneezed an Oscar-worthy sneeze into his hand
and wiped his nose with his bag hand.

Yikes! I took out a Kleenex and used it as
protection for holding the bag.
I imagined all the germs enjoying Pastel Journal,
multiplying into little pods, like in the movie,
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers...

When I got home I sprayed Lysol into my car
and on the magazine.
Over the top? Heck no!
Not with swine flu flying around.
Even ol’ Harry Reasoner couldn’t escape the virus.

“Season” is fast approaching when thousands of
people, particularly ‘snow birds’ descend on Naples.
This coastal town will soon be bumper to bumper--
on the roads and the beaches.

So far, there have been very few cases of the flu
in our town on the gulf.
So travelers, please be healthy when you decide
to travel anywhere.
Don’t fly, especially--keep the town you intend
to visit a healthy place.

Thanks. Ah-Choo…