My thoughts...

What can I say, friends & family? I am a content and happy person. Life is good. I can't complain! How many people can say that?!

Without boring you all to death, I must ramble for a few minutes. About...just things.

Today was a wonderful, lovely day. I woke up this morning and had coffee with Jamie and Grandma Dem (who came over to drop off something.) It was nice (although I'm not a morning person.) I then went to take my suit pants to the tailor for some alterations. After that...well, just the normal Saturday afternoon stuff.

What I really wanted to talk about is Jamie's Grandma, Louise. We went to see her today.

The lady is 89 years old (90 in March, I think) and she is just wonderful. She's the one I told you all about a few months ago - the one who said we needed knick knacks. Well, she's been in and out of the hospital the past few months and I'm sure she's very lonely. We sat with her for a few hours tonight. I took out a bunch of her photographs and we sat there and I watched her reminisce. It really made me SO very happy.

Long story short: she told me she had something to give me. I was curious. She took her walker into her dining room and gave me six antique green-glass finger bowls and two antique salad bowls. (She knows I collect green glass...although, apparently, they don't constitute a knick or a knack.) I was, honestly, very touched. She explained that the finger bowls used to belong to her late husband's (Jamie's Grandfather's) mother and that they were very old and very special. She wanted to give them to me because she knew that I would appreciate them, treasure them, and take care of them. It really meant/means a lot to me!

So...needless to say. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes hoping that this post isn't too boring for you, dear reader. I just had to get that out there. I was touched and very, very moved...

An 89 year old lady giving her "other grandson" (her words, not mine) family heirlooms. Both the sentiment, the "other grandson" thing, and the memories are breathtaking...honestly.

Life is good and I am, for now, speechless.

American Legion. Fun.

I've been going to the American Legion in Hamburg, NY a lot lately. I like it there. The people are nice, drinks are cheap, and they have Patsy Cline on the juke box. Keep in mind, please, that most of the people are also quite old. I like old people.

Sometimes, I'll be sitting there nursing my Seagram's 7 and a "new" person will approach me. They always do so in a "who is this young whipper-snapper" way. I don't mind. Inevitably, some "fella" a few barstools down will say, "That's Demerly's kid." Now...hahaha, I know that they're thinking of my Grandfather. They think I'm my Dad. They'll ask me my name and I'm immediately welcomed into their clique. After a while, I'll politely correct them and tell them that I'm Bryan's son Bryan's son. You catch my drift?

Oh...and sometimes they get me confused with the funeral home people in town. Then that's a whole 'nother story. I explain that they are second or third cousins. But then, just for my own amusement, I tell them that my Dad used to work in a funeral home in Pennsylvania (he did for many years). They'll say something along the lines of, "Yeah, that's what I said. I TOLD you that he was the funeral son's kid."

But wait!! It get's better!!

My Mother's father also frequents the joint. They call him "Kell". Just when they think they can't get more confused than they already are, I say, "You know that I'm Kell's grandson too!" By this point, they've all had about a gallon of cheap Genny and they give up on me...until I stop in the next time and, since they're CERTAIN they know me (even if they don't know how), they'll buy me a drink.

Oooh!! When my Dad comes to town, this can really be lots of fun!! I love the Legion.

Need a Halloween Costume??

Click on the video above...if you're still looking for a costume!!

(Hehe.)

My Dad.

My Father apparently reads my blog but doesn't know how to comment. He's a very smart man. He works at one of the busiest airports in the country...but he can't figure out how to post to my blog.

So, Daddy, here are some fool-proof instructions:

Step One: Click on "Comments" below.

Step Two: Leave a Comment

Step Three: Click "Anonymous"

Step Four: Click "Publish Your Comment"

You're done! It's as simple as that.

So, dear Father, I expect to hear from you very soon.

A Meme from Michael

My friend Michael tagged me with the following fun meme created by playwright Marisa Wegrzyn...

List 5 things that certain people (who are not deserving of being your friend anyway) may consider to be "totally lame," but you are, despite the possible stigma, totally proud of. Own it. Tag 5 others.

1) I listen to "old-school" Christmas carols all year long in my car.

2) I still dress up for Halloween and try to scare the children when they come to my house for trick-or-treating.

3) I call our dogs (and even Jamie) silly names. For example: Doogie, Jezabel, Bubalah, Chita, Lisa Ludwig, etc. (Honest!)

4) I have exactly seven half-read books on my bedside table and I can still "pick up where I left off" in each book.

5) I write letters to companies complimenting their products and/or services in hopes that I get free things.

OK- I have to tag 5 people. I don't know five bloggers who didn't already receive this request.

Well, I will tag the following:
Rosie O'Donnell
Ross the Intern
Perez Hilton
Spla-Choo
and my sister Katie who no longer has a blog.

Cukoo...cukoo...

I think I might be somewhat loony-toons. Really. I mean, not just right now, all the time.

Jamie tells me I am. But I don't think I even need his kind reassurance. I am kinda bizarre.

Take right now for instance: I went to bed early after reading 1.5 chapters in Rosie O'Donnell's newest book; I woke up at 1:15 a.m. and made some tea; I watched Desperate Housewives and didn't fast-forward through the commercials; I decided that I wanted iced tea instead so I poured the just brewed HOT tea over ice; I read some old blogs and decided it was time to post again; instead of sitting in our warm house, I took the laptop outside on the cold front porch and I am typing from there.

Does that make me bizarre? I don't know. I'm just, how do you say, odd.

Anyway, I thought I'd do a journal post. Write about what's going on or what I'm thinking about. (After all, I can't sleep now.)

It's almost Halloween and I still haven't decorated our house. Granted, I have a few things scattered here and there inside the place but none of our fancy, spooky things are outside yet. I suppose that I'm on track though. I think I STARTED decorating ON Halloween last year. We have some orange light-up trees that one can stick in the ground...but one is broken. We also have a ghoul and a strobe light that makes "him" look scary. There are other things that I'm obviously forgetting. I think I'm going to make a homemade spiderweb and hang it from the porch. Yes. I will. I just decided.

Speaking of spiderwebs!! I heard on the radio that if your dog or cat gets hurt and starts bleeding, you can temporarily stop the bleeding with spiderwebs. Apparently they clot the blood. But, I hate spiders so I'm afraid Jesse and Dodger will just have to wait until we get to the vet's office.

I think there's a spider on the porch. Honest! I'm going back inside. Hold on...

Oh! Guess what, dear readers? Rosie O'Donnell (my pretend best friend) replied to one of my questions on her blog!! I was very excited. You see, I told her that I'm going to Miami in November for an Arts conference and I wanted to know of some nice restaurants. She told me to go to Tuscan Steak or China Grill. I looked them up and, if I do go there, I'd have to refinance my car...so - thanks but no thanks!

Oh yeah, Miami. Although I'm excited to go, it's not going to be anything of a vacation. Three of us (myself and two women from Buffalo) are going to a marketing conference. There are about 25 different seminars we have to attend and, since nobody can comfortably be in two places at one time, it's going to be very busy for all three of us. I'll elaborate more when I have all my ducks in a row. For now, though, let's just say that I'm cautiously excited. I hate flying but Miami in November sounds nice, no?

Hehe...speaking of Yiddish-like-talking...did anyone watch Desperate Housewives tonight (Sunday?) It is a great show. I can't get enough of it!! (That's a lie: I missed half of last years episodes and bought the DVDs recently but I haven't "caught up" yet. It almost seems moot now, seeing how I'm watching the current season and all. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.) Oh no, I can't tomorrow! I have to decorate for Halloween. Well...maybe.

I'm sitting in the living room now admiring our furniture. I recently bought a mirror for over the piano and it's nice. I put two candelabras in front of it with the AMAZING bleeding candles from Yankee Candle Co. They actually BLEED when they burn. They're spooky!!

I love Yankee Candles! They smell so good.

Hmmm...I think it's about time to stop rambling. Food Network is having a Pilsbury cook-off contest right now and I think I have to watch it. I'll tell you who wins.

If you didn't think I was nuts before...you likely agree that I am, indeed, a but "touched." It's OK though. I know.

Is it too late/early to have a cocktail? Probably. Maybe I'll put my iced tea in the microwave. I'm too lazy to boil more water.

Stay tuned.

On Golden Pond

Jamie and I had the sheer pleasure of seeing O'Connell & Company's ON GOLDEN POND this past evening and it was...spectacular.

Without a doubt, it was one of the best productions I've ever seen.

I will post this now in hopes that both of you who read this blog might go and see the final performance of it tomorrow (today?), 10/14 at 2:30 p.m.

Call 716-839-3949 for tickets.

I'll elaborate on this "review" tomorrow. I just HAD to get the word out there NOW!! It's THAT good!!!

Mmm...Thanksgiving.

I am determined to make some fabulous side dishes and desserts for Thanksgiving this year. Let me just get that out there.

For a few months, I have been collecting recipes, buying lots of cookbooks*, and borrowing (stealing) as many cooking magazines from my Grandmother's house and work that I possibly could. My stomach is growling right now in anticipation of the delicacies I shall prepare.

* The cookbook fascination started a few years ago but recently I was made aware of a really neat website called "The Good Cook." (Have I already posted about this?!) The Good Cook is sort of like the old BMG cd sales thingy. You order four books for only a dollar and you have to purchase two more books over the course of a year or so. The catch: you will be sent their monthly selection automatically unless you deny it on time. (I've been good on denying them on time.)

Jamie and I have cookbooks that cover the globe but those covering (or soon to be taking over) the dining room table primarily have to do with "Family Gatherings", "Celebrations", "Pot Luck Suppers", and "Holiday Feasts." I am excited.

I think I will make my Pecan Crusted Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake for sure. And maybe something with kumquats. Nothing with mushrooms, though.

I hate mushrooms.