Ronnieisms

ONE DAY AND I MISS HER

2007-02-08T06:13:00.000-08:00

I MISS MY HONEY. SHE WAS KIDNAPPED BY A BUNCH OF FRIENDS AND WHISKED AWAY TO SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH CALLED FLA. I KNEW SHE WAS TRYING TO GET AWAY TO FIND HER FORTUNE BUT IT WOULD ONLY HAVE BEEN A SHORT WOK. I HOPE HER GANG, THE CRIPS, DON'T GET IN A LOT OF TROUBLE WHILE THERE, BUT I'VE ALREADY INFORMED THE AUTHORITIES TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A VAN LOADED WITH A GAGGLE OF WOMEN CONSTANTLY GIGGLING. THIS VAN SHOULD BE SHAKING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SOMETIME THIS MORNING HEADING TOWARDS A MALL THEY PLAN TO HIT AND WALK OUT WITH AS MANY BAGS AS THE BAGS CAN CARRY. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE VAN WILL SIT LOWER TO THE GROUND AFTER THEY LEAVE THAT LOCATION. NO ONE IS SAFE WHEN THAT GROUP GETS TOGETHER, I FEEL FOR FLA. WHEREVER THAT IS. I JUST HOPE THAT THEY HAVE FUN WHILE IT LASTS NO MATTER HOW LONELY I AM. SO PLEASE BRING HER AND HER STOOL BACK, THEY'RE BOTH MISSED.

MY STEPSON'S LADY

2007-02-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

I DON'T USUALLY DESCRIBE DAVE AS MY STEPSON SINCE HIS MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR ALMOST 23 YEARS AND HER CHILDREN HAVE BECOME LIKE MY OWN. THE FEELINGS THAT I HAVE FOR ALL THREE OF HERS AND TWO OF MINE ARE NO DIFFERENT. WE ARE ONE FAMILY AND THE CHILDREN KEEP TRYING TO DO MORE FOR US OLD FOLKS THAN NECESSARY.

BUT, THIS IS ABOUT HIS NEW FRIEND, A WOMAN THAT CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS A LADY. THE GREATEST THING IS, HOW THE CHILDREN HAVE TAKEN TO HER AND SHE TO THEM. I WOULDN'T COME OUT AND SAY THAT MY GRANDKIDS ARE A LITTLE SPOILED BUT SINCE THEIR PARENTS DIVORCE THEY'VE FOUND OUT HOW TO WORK THE SYSTEM. I LOVE THEM WITH ALL MY HEART BUT I GET FRUSTRATED WHEN THEY DON'T EAT AND I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT I GUESS IT'S BECAUSE THE WAY MY PARENTS RAISED ME AND TOLD ME THAT "THE PEOPLE IN EUROPE WERE STARVING" AND I SHOULD FINISH EVERYTHING ON MY PLATE. ALSO, IF I OPENED MY MOUTH MY WIFE WOULD GIVE ME HER (DON'T INTERFERE) LOOK.

BACK TO MY SON'S NEW LADY. THE MOST ASTONISHING THING ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE KEEPS KOSHER. THAT'S NOT THE ASTONISHING THING, WHAT IS IS THAT DAVID HAS DISCOVERED HIS JEWISHNESS AND SO HAVE HIS CHILDREN. SHE'S CUTE, SHE'S SMART, AND SHE'S IN LOVE WITH OUR SON AND I BELIEVE HIS FEELINGS ARE THE SAME.

AS LONG AS HE AND THE KIDS ARE HAPPY, MY WIFE AND I ARE HAPPY AND THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN THAT.

Great Grandpa

2007-02-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

Twenty three months ago I became a great grandpa. I never thought anything could beat the feeling I had when I held my first grandson in my hands. I remember the nurse coming out with the baby and putting him in my arms instead of my son's, thinking I was the Father. The tears swelled up in my eyes and my body shook with a sensation I first felt when my daughter was born and again when my son, now a Father and a grandfather himself was born.

I look at my Great grandson Connor and I see four generations and the continuation of the family name. I've nicknamed him the "Bullvan" a little bull that runs like a fullback. Just having this little hunk run around my apartment has become one of the highlights of my life. The only negative is that he's about 35 lbs and it's hard for me to lift him also I'm afraid I might squeeze him too tight. His cheeks look like they're full all the time with the custest dimples. OK I'll stop, but I will add his photo so whoever reads this can see why I'm so proud of him.

Ronnieisms

2007-01-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

One of my close friends is leaving for a job out west. I've only known he and his wife about 5 or 6 years but he's become one of those people that you feel like you've known all your life. He's brilliant, (very) funny, considerate and very caring.
His knowledge of football is legendary and well known in the Johnson County area. I'll miss him and his wife but hopefully we can keep in touch via the web and maybe during a trip. I might even purchase a video camera to put on my PC.
As you get older, opportunities don't come along that will offer you the income to sustain the lifestyle that you've become accustomed to. I know that he's going to do well in his new job and will probably be running the company within a year but I, we will miss them both very much. So, Burt and Bonnie, stay well, keep smiling and keep the farting to a minimum.

A GREAT DAY

2006-08-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

I'm a part time photographer that does photographs at Golf Tournaments. It's something that I've done for about 20 years and since I don't play golf, this is my way of participating. This week I shot a tournament put on by my local and very large sports radio station WHB 810 here in Kansas City. It's about the 5th or 6th time I've done it and it gets larger every year probably due to the increase of their audience. We, my Grandson Brad and I started at 7am setting up the equipment we use for printing on the spot so that we can deliver the photos before the golfers are even off the course. This was an AM; and PM event, the first teeing off at 7:30am and the second at 1:30pm. We were so lucky with the weather, it didn't hit the 100 degree mark as forecast because of some great cloudcover, in fact it was rather pleasant. Had some very brief showers in the afternoon but still pretty nice.
The best part of my whole day was that I got to spend it with my grandson. It's been a long time since we worked together and I really missed those experiences we shared. But whatever differences we had have been forgotten and we're back again as a family and I now have a great grandson Connor to enjoy. Not to mention Brad's other half Tanya and her gorgeous daughter Alysia, what a charmer.
The day was great, the photos turned out wonderful and Brad and I had a great day.

My Grandson's Wedding

2006-07-12T04:53:00.000-07:00

My grandson Josh got married in Ridgefield, Ct. over the 4th of July weekend. Our party of twelve arrived at LaGuardia airport where we rented a 12 pasenger van, got our maps, assigned a driver (me), a co-pilot and headed into New York traffic for Danbury. It was to be an easy 1 1/2 hour ride but turned out to be close to 4 hours.
We ran into some bumper to bumper traffic when we, I, turned the wrong way and spent over an hour trying to get off the south and head for the north. During that sojourn I found that I had accumulated a couple of additional co-pilots all talking at the same time. After a mild (really bad)outbreak, I assigned one person to give directions.
The signage on the New York highways actually suck. Many of the signs had the paint peeling off and you could not read the number or direction. I'm sure that people traveling that road daily don't even notice it but for greenhorns like myself, visiting the big city, we need all the help available and the NY Dept. of Transportation needs an awakening slap on their signage.
After arriving at our hotel in Danbury, about 2 hours late, part of our party left for a private dinner at the brides (Kate) home in Ridgefield. My Daughter and her Husband had already gotten there so the 4 of us went out to dinner since we were not invited to the other affair.
The following morning I drove the younger folks out to the house to spend the day swimming and frollicking at the house of the bride which was set in the beautiful town of Ridgefield. I felt as if I were driving through our Mo. Ozarks. The scenery was beautiful, the area green and lush and their home set in a quiet park like neighborhood.
The area for the wedding was around their pool located just outside the house and about 20 feet below, but the scene beyond was absolutely beautiful, like out of a movie. As my wife Norma said "I feel like I'm in the Sound of Music". Down below the pool area was an area that was about 2 football fields long and just as wide. A large white tent was set up for the dinner and dancing, another tent where the cooking was going on and a small tent that covered the outdoor porta potties (that were actually the nicest I've seen). I can only describe the scene as picturesque.
That evening we had the prenuptial dinner at an Italian restaurant in town that had set up an outdoor area for us like a small tent. Just before dinner started a downpour arrived and soaked a portion of the area. The storm only lasted a few minutes, everything was dried off and a great dinner, hosted by Bill and Gayle, the grooms parents.
Everything went great except for a few in the party that had a little too much to drink. A good time was had by all, especially those just mentioned, who will remain nameless.
The wedding took place the next evening, near sunset, around the pool with this great background. A photographers dream setting. I can't wait to see the photos, they'll have to be great. The food was abundant and very good, the music was provided by a DJ who played just the right music for all age groups. A great evening. a beautiful wedding and a lot of tears. Seeing a grandson getting married is a very special moment.

OLD BUDDIES

2006-06-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

I grew up on Division Street in Chicago. The syreet that my sister Elaine Soloway writes about in her book "The Division Street Princess". I
I had many buddies that grew up together from playing in Humboldt Park or on the street, went to high school together and are now growing older in our 70s. It's nice to hear from these old friends especially from Harry Zwerling whom I spoke to a few days ago and now lives in Atlanta

and Fred Rosen of Sam's Wines and Spirits in Chicago, it's like speaking to family. It brings back the memories of childhood and what it was to all of us. We could go to the park without fear of getting shot, walk the strrets without getting mugged. Our parents were all hard working people trying to give their families more than what they had and for the most part, they succeeded. When we lose one of those old friends, a part of us dies also.

MY 22ND ANNIVERSARY

2006-06-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

I hear many people say,"My second marriage is better than my first". For me it's the absolute truth. I can't even remember my first except for my two grown children.

It's like my life started when I married my present companion and best friend. She makes my life complete, she starts my motor every day, she picks me up when I need it, she's the most caring unbelievable woman I've ever known.

I'm the luckiest guy in the world. We have a great family with 5 kids between us, all adults. Eight granchildren and one great grandchild and here's the best part, they all live here. All of our close friends that we see almost daily are so jealous because parts of their families live elsewhere.

As I start my 23rd year with my best friend I wonder what could we do to make it better. Winning the lottery might make it as a start.

I GUESS I WASN'T THERE

2006-06-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

After visiting my sister at her book signing last week, I realized something that I had never thought about until I read her book.
When I started High School and worked less at the store and more at the hot dog stand I was spending most of my free time with my Joven friends on the North side.
I didn't see much of my sister except in the halls at school or at home. I don't remember spending any time with her.
Shortly after graduation, about 6 months later, after trying Wright Jr. College for a few weeks I was in the Army, where I served two years. After discharge I settled in Kansas City, got married, raised a family and had a new life.
I guess that for 6 years or more I saw very little of my sister that I was crazy about but I guess out of site...
We spoke by phone frequently and saw each other about once a year but now I finally realize I didn't spend enough quality time with her. For this I apologize and I hope that the relationship we have now will make up for my absence.

BOOK SIGNING

2006-05-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

Just returned from a terrific trip to Chicago to participate in my sister's new book,"The Division Street Princess" signing. It was a successful program with about 100 people present and a sale of over 70 books. It was great seeing family and old friends and especially those that remembered me but had been misplaced in my internal hard drive over these 60 or so years. But, I was polite and used the words "sure I remember you" which made everyone very happy.
It seems that anyone that lived in or around Division St. during the late 30's through the 40s, came to the reading after they saw the article in the Chicago Sun Times. My sister who has a public relations background did a great job of getting the word out. The crowd exceeded her expectations.
We were going to stay until Sunday but driving in Chicago was too tough on me. We drove mostly the city streets since all the highways had some construction. Driving the city streets, especially during a holiday period is bumper to bumper at 20 mph. I had a calous on my right foot from constantly pressing the brake pedal.
As many times as I had gone back to Chicago, the driving had never bothered me, I guess age does make a difference. Next trip CABS.
This was a pleasurable trip since it was a fun time and not for a funeral of a relative or close friend.
Check out her blog. Elaine Soloway.

body 25 years ago

2006-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Division Street Princess

2006-04-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

That is the title of my sister's just published book. I received it yesterday, started reading it this morning and have almost finished it. The memories are so vividly written that it was hard for me to keep tears from eyes. Some of things she wrote, I didn't remember or simply shut them out. But the stories of the family are so real. I imagine that anyone reading it will be able to associate their own family especially if they came from the old country and grew up on their own Division St. regardless of city.
I'm so proud of my sister, to see her in print and have the family picture on the cover, I feel like I'm a brother to someone famous, but she's always been famous to me. She keeps telling me that she's three years younger than I, but I still think it's two. It's a fun argument we have whenever we get together. She keeps prodding me to finish my own story which I hope to do in the near future. I have to improve my writing skills before I do it in earnest.

Good Friends

2006-04-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

Having friends is always a nice thing but to have good friends, really good friends is a real mitzvah. I'm part of a group of six really good friends and 20 good friends. I differentiate due to the fact that the rgf*** see each other more than once a week and usually on weekends. When things were better a few years back we used to spend fun times at one of the casinos but as things change including income, we don't do that anymore. The gf** we see 3 or 4 times a month but the girls see each other every week at pan or mahjong. If one of us hurts, it affects us all, when there is good news we celebrate together. I guess that my wife and I are the luckiest of all since our whole family lives here in Kansas City and we can spend quality time with them when they feel like having us over. It's rare if we spend a weekend not doing something together. Staying at home will come soon enough. As long as we can walk, which is getting harder to do, we keep on running.
**gf....good friends
***rgf...really good friends

Getting Old Sucks

2006-04-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to find a part time job, something in sales. I've applied at five or six companies, filled out applications, expressed my over 50 years experience in marketing and sales and have even offered to start on a commission only basis (which is stupid) but not even a call back.
These people don't know what they're missing. Not only can I sell but I'm great with people and can easily put people at ease at first introduction. I can make them smile which normally relaxes them enough to hear my pitch.
I remember years ago, I was standing on the lanaii of my apartment on the 36th floor in Waikiki overlooking the ocean and confirming to myself that I can sell anything I set my mind to. As long as I understand the product and believe in it's merits.
I've learned to look people in the eye and listen to what they're saying so that I can keep a conversation positive. I know when to stop and close the deal and most important to try and sell add ons.
I've stooped so low as to offer to take check out positions or customer service which is the most aggravating of all.
I think my age is the negative I'm facing, I may have to lie.

My First Day in Hawaii

2006-04-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I had made arrangements with my cousin to stay in her condo in Honolulu while making plans for my permanent residence. I arrived at this gorgeous all glass hi rise at the intersection where Waikiki started. After showing I.D. to the concierge with a letter from my cousin and a little additional persuasion of a tip, he gave me the key. The building was both commercial and residential so you could legally live and work out of the same space.
I opened the door and walked into a studio apartment that was absolutely beautiful with a view of the ocean and the city below. That's the good news. The place was so small, how small was it? The living room and bed, not bedroom, were seperated by a partition. The kitchenette was a sink and stove set into the wall with a few cabinets above. The one closet had enough room for two hangers.
I shouldn't complain because I was using the condo, apartment, room, closet at no charge. My cousin who had purchased the place unseen had never been here and did not know how small it actually was. When she called and asked how everything was and I told her the size and that the furniture was painted on the wall, she was quite surprised since she and her husband and two children were planning on coming over to spend a few weeks. I told her that she might want to make other arrangements and I truly appreciated her allowing me to stay for awhile.
Being by myself, the size wasn't a big problem. In fact, a few weeks later I found a larger unit in the same building with a better view, a large bedroom, a very large living area and a normal size kitchen.
All I needed now was to get the tire store deal done so I could go to work and support myself.

Making Happy 1978

2006-04-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

It's July and I've just left my home in Lenexa, Ks. to start a new life in Hawaii. I arrived with two suitcases and hopes of living out my fantasies and the rest of my single life. I had sent a deposit to a man that owned a tire store in Honolulu with the intention of purchasing his business. Unbeknownst to me, if you're not a local or have strong local connections it's hard to get a bank loan, even with numerous letters of references. Interest at that time was around 21% and my application was being held up for quite awhile without any straight answer given to my questions.
While waiting I went to work at the store, which was a filthy mess, in hopes of cleaning it up and making it a much more pleasant place to shop. The owner, an older Japanese man had been there for many years and had gotten complacent in the stores appearance both in the retail area and the shop. He sold nothing unless you asked for it. If you came in for a tire repair that's what you got, no selling of new tires, no checking underneath the vehicle, no nothing.
After getting the store into a somewhat presentable fashion and making some displays I thought that it's time I tried to introduce the customers to me as the soon to be new owner. There didn't seem to be a problem and I started to sell, something that hadn't been done in quite some time.
I was selling exhaust jobs, tuneups, shock absorbers, waxes, tools and you name it. If they needed tires they bought a whole set, if they needed a shock absorber in one place, they bought a whole set especially after I told them that if they bought three, one was free and no charge for installation.
Well, to make this portion a little shorter, after about 6 weeks the owner changed his mind and decided not to sell, he was making a profit. I was not disappointed, in fact I was happy for him and me. I was going home each night with dirty hands and dirty clothes from going into the shop whenever a car was up on the rack. He gave me back my deposit and $1500. for the work I had done, for which I had received no pay.
Well I was out of the automotive business, now what. (next blog)

My Great Grandson

2006-04-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

Last night my Grandson Brad, his fiancee Tanya, her daughter Alycia and my great grandson Connor came to dinner. I wish that I could put into words the feeling that I had when I held Connor in my arms. Besides being a hunk of 26 lbs, he's beautiful. When he smiles, which is often, his dimples just explode. When he looks at me as if he's trying to figure out just who I am and how we're related, he stares right into my eyes without blinking. I want to squeeze him so tight that he would feel his blood coming thru my body. It's the strangest feeling, holding the next generation of the family and actually being lucky enough to experience that feeling of family continuance. My wife and I had these silly smiles on our faces all night while watching him run through the apartment, stare at us and smile like he really belonged. Last night depression could not enter our home.

Old Friends

2006-04-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

This morning I made a long distance call to one of the guys that I grew up with on Division St. in Chicago. We hadn't spoken or been in contact for about 6 years because of no reason. Out of sight....I wanted to tell him about my sister's book and looking through some of my old day timers I found his number. Jeri, his wife answered the phone and by her voice I felt a wonderful shudder go through my body. She was absolutely thrilled to hear from me and couldn't wait to call her husband Harry to the phone. I just wanted to get his e-mail address so we could keep in touch but we spoke for 30 minutes maybe more After that I e-mailed two more more of my old buddies. I guess that some of the old memories are very therapeutic.

2006-04-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to a Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon. It's like old home week for me. Over the 20 years I've been a member I've met so many people. I remember when I started and didn't know a soul at my first table. From that first meeting I always looked for a table that had no one that I knew so that I could hand out my card and introduce myself. I guess that's where my networking actually started. Today, when I go to a luncheon I cannot find a table where I don't know someone. Congressman Dennis Moore was in attendance today and gave me a solid handshake as he does everytime we run into each other. His wife was a good customer of mine when I was in the photo business and they live in Lenexa. I even had a campaign sign of his in my window and was cautioned quite a few times from my Republican customers that it could harm my business, it didn't. He votes the way he believes. I miss the old business and the many customers and families whose children I watched grow up. Still run into some of them from time to time and they all say they miss our store.

Ronnieisms: April 2006

2006-04-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ronnieisms: April 2006
In 1977 I had an experience while backpacking in the Smoky Mountains. We had been hiking along a trail that came to a fork. You could walk the outside trail which was about two or three feet wide or take the inside normal size trail. We decided to take the outer and as I came around a slight curve I saw the most amazing sight that I had ever witnessed. A valley, a few thousand feet (or so it seemed) deep, a green pature with animals grazing and an unbelievable rainbow, so bright and so vivid almost as if it was painted in the sky. I stood there shaking in my boots as if I'd walked into a holy spot and that's when I heard it. A booming voice telling me "Ron you will make people smile the rest of your life and you will be a 44 short or maybe a 46. Since that day I've attempted and succeeded to create the smile and have reached the 44 short plateau.

Ronnieisms

2006-04-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at blogging. I've been reading blogs by other family members and it seems a good way to voice your thoughts, get things off your chest other than hair, or just to share with others that may be interested in the daily frustrations of an old fart. I'm calling it Ronnieisms because thruout my life I've been a clown, trying extra hard to get people to laugh. To me laughter is contageous. Not only does it open doors of conversation but it allows people to know your personality immediately. I've lived an unbelievable life as some friends have described it and "not true" as others have said. During the upcoming postings I'll try to drop bits and pieces of my life that I call, "Making Happy".