Elaine decided to join me at the AARP meeting today because her birthday is in November, and the whole group would sing Happy Birthday to her... and they did. A couple at the meeting will celebrate their 67th anniversary this month. Think of that! And they still hold hands!
My buddy in Crime Prevention, Bruce Lohr, talked to us about cyber crime. You can be a victim even if you don't own a computer. You can have your identity stolen (happened to one member twice.) You could have your credit card compromised, etc. Bruce is an expert and a great guy.
The ladies auxiliary for the American Legion made us a great Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey, mashed potato, green beans, stuffing, gravy, side salad, and pumpkin pie, just like Grandma used to make every Thanksgiving Day. The only thing missing was the cranberry sauce.
I'm sure that Baltimore natives would have liked to have sauerkraut with the turkey. It's their custom. Not mine. But it's not bad. I'll take it.
What I don't know is how my beloved grandmother made a big Thanksgiving Day dinner every year for those of her fifteen (count'em) children who could make it... and for me too.. and for spouses and friends. And she did it on an old cast iron stove. Her pies were the best feature. Pumpkin, squash, apple, lemon meringue, cherry, and rhubarb. How did she do all that cooking? She was surely "Wonder woman."
At the meeting, I was emcee this month and I told two very old jokes:
At the Viewing
Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"
Artie said: I would kike them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."
Eugene commented: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."
Don said: "I'd like them to say, 'Look, he's moving!"
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Please, Lord
Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God. Looking up, he asks the Lord... "God, what does a million years mean to you?" The Lord replies, "A minute." Smith asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?" the Lord replies, "A penny." Smith asks, "May I have a penny"?" the Lord replies, "In a minute."
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Both of these jokes came from my Toastmasters buddy, Allan Kaufman
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This evening, Elaine and I went to the "CLV Express to Boston, Massachusetts." I've already mentioned what the food would be, so let me tell you how it tasted:
Sam Adams Beer (very good.. but loses it's taste after the first one... this is because I am really "into" IPA (India Pale Ale)
Meatball with Marinara Sauce (very good.. I hope it didn't include garlic.. for Elaine's sake.)
New England Calamari: (I never had it before, but I found it very good deep fried.. just a little chewy.)
New England Clam Chowder: (OK, but it should have been called: Clam Shadow Soup. But, of course, I was weaned on New Bedford Quahog Chowder... so, nothing can equal that!)
Lobster Roll: (Exactly right this time! Not chewy like the last time CLV made it up.)
Baked Beans: (OK, but it was the Chef's Rhode Island Baked Beans, not Boston Baked Beans)
Corn: (Soggy and kind of tasteless, but OK)
Indian Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream: (Very nice.. I think that I have had this before. I understand you can buy it in a can. I'll look for it.
All in all... Elaine and I enjoyed the food, and the good company of two CLV ladies whose names escape me at the moment.
Entertainment
"Mash the Windows!" Is the name of the fiddle and piano duet that played Scotch-Irish jigs and polkas. We also had a couple of "sing-alongs"... very nice. It was designed to recognize the Irish influence in Boston.
One of the songs they played was my favorite: The Teddy Bears' Picnic.. some of the lyrics follow:
"If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a big surprise
If you go down to the woods today, you'd better go in disguise
For every bear who ever was there, will gather there for certain
Because today is the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic."
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