A New Year's Eve to Remember: My New Years Kiss with a Real Boyfriend

"AI Alex" stepping into the chilly Gulf water

The following story is from the first draft of one of the books I am writing about some of my life experiences. Since it’s New Year’s Eve, I thought I would share the story of my first New Year’s Eve spent with an actual boyfriend. But before we dive into that night, I need to give you a bit of backstory.

When TK and I met in the 6th grade, we quickly became friends who hooked up more than just occasionally, but we never became boyfriends. We had an agreement that if either of us hooked up with someone else, we wouldn’t tell each other. We always played the part of the inexperienced one with new partners. However, I was searching for something more meaningful.

During my 10th grade year, I met Alex. My relationship with Alex was definitely interesting, especially with my mom being completely overbearing and overprotective. Now, let me take you through that memorable New Year’s Eve night with Alex.

Towards the end of December, Mama decided to go to Kissimmee with a friend, leaving me under the supervision of my dad. Although my sister, Becki, wasn't living with us at the time, she would still come by occasionally. Becki was very close to my dad and would visit frequently just to see him. Daddy wasn't as overbearing and didn't mind when I would come and go, as long as I wasn't hanging out with Jon Lawrence anymore and I let him know where I was going and how long I would be there.

I had informed Alex that my mom was going out of town a week before she left. On the day Mama departed for Kissimmee, Alex called me and asked if there was any way I could get away for New Year's Eve. I had no idea how I would make it happen, but I said yes and began figuring out a plan.

Alex was a great guy. I was 15, and he was 21 or 22, so the age difference didn't seem too significant to me. Besides my friends Costa and TK, I had an affinity for older guys. But to my mom, Alex might as well have been 50. She thought he was straight from the devil, out to corrupt me. Little did Mama know, a neighbor—a 40-year-old man she was friends with, and the father of a girl in my grade—had already contributed to the delinquency of her son from the ages of 9 to 12 years old.

When New Year's Eve morning arrived, I lied to Daddy and told him I was going to spend the night with my friend TK, and he was okay with that. I actually had Alex pick me up a few houses down from my place, just in case Daddy was looking out the window, which he did frequently due to being super nosey. Alex and I drove over to Fort Walton Beach from Pace and checked in at the Red Roof Inn.

Alex made sure he grabbed everything we would need: drinks, snacks, and some provisions from the adult section at Spencer's. It sounds funny now, but aside from pharmacies where you could get basic stuff like KY Jelly, Spencer's was basically the only place in Pensacola that sold lube and toys for adult activities at the time.

Alex had a friend who invited us to a party where there were no adult beverages or substances, which I really wasn't interested in at the time because I was there to enjoy my time with Alex. I wanted to be lucid and not waste our time together or forget it. We had a great time at the party, though in my mind, I just wanted to be alone with Alex.

When Alex and I left the party, we stopped off at a park by the beach and went down to hang out by the water. I love going to the beach at night; something about it has a completely different feel than the daytime, plus it seemed romantic. The outside temperature was around 46 degrees, but with the wind and the fact we were next to the water, it felt even colder. Alex actually took his shoes and socks off. I wasn't complaining because, hey, he's already stripping down for me. I think he thought it would be fun to get his feet wet, but when he stepped into the water, he quickly stepped out, drying off his feet as best he could with his sweater sleeve before putting his socks and shoes back on. While the water was most likely around 60 degrees, which is normal for the Gulf of Mexico in December, the 40-degree air probably made it seem way colder.

While I'd like to say we made out by the beach, it was far too cold for that, and I'm sure Alex's cold and sandy feet didn't help matters. We just kissed a few times on the beach before heading back to the hotel. At the hotel, we stayed up most of the night enjoying each other's company, watching basic cable and cracking up at the "flavors" of the three lubes he had bought at Spencer's, with Strawberry being my favorite. The night was incredible, and I told him I wished we had one more night to hang out. By the time the sun came up, it was over. He had to get back to work the day after New Year's Day, and I was pretty sure my dad would get suspicious if I stayed out one more night.

When I returned home, my dad already knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be. I knew I should have called TK to tell him to cover for me, but I didn't want him to know I was out with someone else, as per our agreement on not telling each other about our hookups. TK had called to wish me a Happy New Year, which tipped my dad off to the fact that I wasn't at his house. In fact, no one knew where I was, which probably upset him. But something about my dad was that he knew which battles to fight with my mom over, and I was not one of them.

Daddy told me to be honest about where I was, and I don't know why, but I told him I was with Alex and that Alex was not the person Mama thought he was. He told me he wouldn't tell my mom, but unfortunately, somehow my sister knew. My dad probably called her to ask if she had seen me, and when my mom returned, I was already ratted out.

My relationship with Alex ended a few weeks later, not because we weren't getting along—it was quite the opposite. My mom didn't want us to be involved with each other. She met Alex over coffee and threatened him, which I didn't find out about until many years later. As much as it hurt, I see the end of our relationship as a blessing in disguise because had it not ended, I probably would have never left home and never made my way to New York and experienced all the things I did from May 1992 to March 1993.

Flash forward to December 31, 2024, and Alex and I are still friends and still appreciate the great memories of our brief time together. While this wasn't the first time I enjoyed a New Year's kiss with someone, it was the first time I enjoyed one with a real boyfriend rather than TK, my friend who was just a boy.

Potato Cheese & Corn Chowder: A Winter Comfort Food

Now that winter is in full swing, I thought I'd share my favorite winter comfort food recipe just in time for all those winter storms we may or may not get. No matter what, it's an amazingly easy and delicious recipe.

I toyed around with the recipe in the old Better Homes and Gardens recipe book and found ways to improve upon it, developing my own version of chowder. My version is pretty much foolproof. In the BH&G recipe, the milk is one of the first ingredients added, and unfortunately, 99% of the time, I burned or scalded the milk, which ruined the entire batch. My version saves that step until it's safe to go into the mix.

Ingredients:
7 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
32 oz chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1 16 oz can whole kernel corn
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

• Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain.
• Reserve 1 cup of potatoes and return the remaining to the saucepan. Mash the reserved potatoes, then return them to the saucepan.
• Stir in the broth, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk the milk and flour together until smooth, then add to the saucepan, stirring constantly.
• Stir until the mixture thickens, then add the cheese and corn. Stir until the cheese melts.

Bacon and chopped scallions make great additions as garnish.

This is comfort food, not for a calorie-counting day for sure. Enjoy!

Childhood Game Nights With A Built In Babysitter...my sister

My sister and I were very close when we were young. Despite the six-year age gap between us, I was a quick learner and could play games meant for older kids even at the age of three. This often meant that my nine-year-old sister could make up her own rules to ensure she wasn't bested by a toddler. When she was old enough to stay home alone, she became my built-in babysitter. What better way to entertain a child for hours than to play games?

At that time, the Atari 2600 was hugely popular, but we didn’t get our first one until many years later, just before they were discontinued to make way for the 5200 and 7800. Our family didn’t have a lot of money, so my mom discovered the joys of yard sale shopping. This was before thrift stores became as common as they are today, at least the ones people would actually shop at.

Yard sales, flea markets, junk markets, and trading posts were regular occurrences and treasure troves for a struggling family. New toys and games were reserved for Christmas or birthdays. Why spend $8 or $9 on a new game when you could buy the same game for $1? Aside from the tattered box, the contents were usually as good as new. These inexpensive investments became our go-to activities when we were bored, stuck inside on rainy days, or had no money for outings.

The family games, which excluded me due to my age, were Monopoly and Scrabble. Monopoly, intended for ages 8 and up, is a classic board game where players buy, trade, and develop properties to bankrupt their opponents. Scrabble, also for ages 8 and up, involves creating words on a game board using letter tiles to score points. I wasn’t interested in these games because their boards lacked the bright colors of the games my sister and I played together.

When my parents began to go out more, usually to places like the dog track or local restaurants, my sister and I would pull out the board games from the closet. These were the perfect times for her to rule supreme and beat me at games I only half-understood. We would sit in our small dining room with nicotine-stained yellow curtains that my mom made, at our round Formica table, on black iron straight-back chairs with pleather-covered cushions, playing my sister’s interpretation of the rules.
WABB blared from her top-of-the-line (sarcasm) Soundesign stereo system from K-Mart, located in her bedroom two rooms and a corner away. Our snack layout usually consisted of the cheaper version of Doritos, cheese-flavored Tostidos, along with French onion dip. Our beverages were generic sodas, not store brands but white-labeled products simply labeled COLA, GRAPE, DIET, or ROOT BEER in big, bold letters. GRAPE would fizz in three different colors as you poured it, but the liquid was always purple.

In my adult life, I've often talked to people about the games we played as children. Two games that frequently come up are Candyland and Chutes & Ladders, which my mom either never found or didn’t think we needed. Candyland, designed for ages 3 and up, is a simple race-to-the-finish game with brightly colored paths. Chutes & Ladders, for ages 4 and up, is a game of ups and downs, where players climb ladders and slide down chutes.

However, I became a fierce competitor at Yahtzee, intended for ages 8 and up. The Yahtzee cup was too loud for my liking, and my sister would shake it vigorously, knowing I hated the sound. Despite that, I loved the game. Our box was old and faded, with a bit of discolored hot glue stuck to it, which my sister convinced me was dried pee from when I was really little. I was gullible enough to believe her.

We also played:
Payday: For ages 8 and up, this game simulates a month of financial transactions.
The Game of Life: Also for ages 8 and up, this game involves navigating through life’s milestones.
Connect Four: Intended for ages 6 and up, this is a strategy game of aligning four checkers in a row.
Operation: For ages 6 and up, this game involves removing "ailments" from a patient without touching the edges.

Cousins' Games
My cousins had the Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud board games, which seemed more fun than the ones we had. Perhaps it was because they were TV games, giving me the impression of interacting with actual game shows, or maybe it was just a case of the grass being greener on the other side. They also had Simon and Perfection, but they wouldn't play those with me because I would get so anxious that I would have to pee, I actually had an unfortunate and unforgettable accident while playing Perfection.

Now that I’m almost 50, I wonder how many of those original games still exist in my sister's house from when we were kids. What do you say, Becki? Wanna challenge me now that I know the rules to all those games? 😉

Hooray for Hollywood!: The True Story of the Original GLOW Girl - A Memoir

Nashville, TN – Dec 27, 2024 – Step into the ring of 1980s professional wrestling with Hooray for Hollywood!, the captivating memoir of Jeanne "Hollywood" Basone, the first hired and original GLOW girl. This inspiring tale not only chronicles her life in wrestling but also unveils the behind-the-scenes scoop and the groundbreaking impact the internationally syndicated 80s hit TV series Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling had on women in sports entertainment.

In her memoir, Jeanne reflects on her childhood dreams and the aspirations that led her to audition for GLOW’s creator, David McLane, in 1985. This pivotal moment catapulted her into a cultural phenomenon, where she and her fellow GLOW girls broke barriers and shattered the glass ceiling for an entire generation of female wrestlers. With GLOW airing in over 100 major markets across the U.S. and broadcast internationally, Jeanne’s journey became a beacon of empowerment for women in the wrestling industry.

Featuring insights from fans, GLOW girls, rock ‘n’ roll rollers, award-winning producers, directors, and photographers, Hooray for Hollywood! offers a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrate the evolution of women’s roles in professional wrestling and sports entertainment.

Jeanne has been a media darling, gracing the pages of esteemed publications such as The Hollywood Reporter, New York Post, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and People magazine. She has also been featured in influential books on wrestling history, such as Sisterhood of the Squared Circle, and was named a “Lethal Woman” in her Playboy pictorial. Her journey has taken her around the globe for appearances, inspiring countless individuals with her story.

Join Jeanne in this incredible journey and discover how one woman’s story can ignite the spark of inspiration in us all.

"Fans of the squared circle, sensational behind-the-scenes storytelling, and all things pop culture will not want to miss one of the best memoirs ever written by a once-in-a-generation talent."
– A.J. Devlin, Screenwriter, author of award-winning “Hammerhead” Jed pro wrestler PI mystery novels.

"Hooray For Hollywood! will be enjoyed by book lovers, women’s wrestling fans, wrestlers, and industry professionals."
– Bob Harris, Writer and women’s professional wrestling archivist.

Hooray for Hollywood! will be available in bookstores in 2025 and online at Amazon and directly from Etsy store: glowhollywoodmerch.etsy.com.

For more information, to schedule an interview, or to request a review copy, contact: Jeanne Basone - jeannebasone@gmail.com jeannebasone.com

Saturday GLOWcase: James Paul Maher: A Devoted GLOW Fan from New Jersey

 

Welcome to the Saturday GLOWcase! In addition to featuring the wrestlers, cast, and crew of GLOW, I also highlighting the original fans of the show. Without the dedicated viewers, GLOW wouldn’t have thrived for the four amazing seasons that it did. Today, I am celebrating one of those loyal fans who made GLOW the iconic show it is.

James Paul Maher, circa late 1980's

James Paul Maher found GLOW purely by accident. One Saturday at noon, while flipping through channels, he stumbled upon WPIX Channel 11 airing Season 3, Episode 5, where Vicky Victory faced MTV. From that moment, James was hooked and watched every episode he could find. Although he caught Season 3 twice, the show was eventually dropped from his local station, so he never knew Season 4 existed. Hollywood, Sally, and Thunderbolt quickly became his favorite wrestlers, each leaving a lasting impression on him.

James always wished he could’ve gone to Las Vegas to see GLOW live. The closest he got was calling the GLOW 900 number, which cost him $20—a charge that initially got his dad in trouble until his mom called the number herself and found out the truth. Even though he wasn’t allowed to record GLOW on VHS, James got creative and recorded the raps from the TV using his radio, despite his dog barking in the background. His dad eventually helped him set up a better recording method without the noise.

AI James preparing to record the GLOW raps

James’s dedication didn’t stop there. In 1998 or 1999, he bought his first GLOW DVD from eBay, but without a DVD player, he watched it on his computer. He joined the original GLOW message board run by Ursula, where he chatted with other fans and even Hollywood, who sold him some personal videos. Hollywood was always very sweet to him, as was Tiffany Mellon, who sent him an autograph photo.

Through the message board, James also connected with PJ DiGiacomo from Somerville, New Jersey, and bought all four seasons of GLOW from him. PJ likely got his footage from Manzerman, who sold wrestling tapes online. James spent around $400 on his GLOW collection and kept adding missing episodes thanks to Ursula’s releases and his own hunts on YouTube for better quality footage. He transferred all the VHS tapes to DVDs, making a mostly complete collection with only a few missing skits, ending credits, and one televised match from Episode 91 of Season 4 (Roxy vs. Daisy rematch), which he has yet to find.

Hollywood and James

GLOW was a bright spot in James’s life when he felt like an outcast without many friends. It was a show where he could escape and forget his troubles for an hour. GLOW became an important outlet for him, especially since he wasn’t very close to his parents. He never imagined he’d meet his favorite GLOW girl, Hollywood, who has been incredibly sweet to him. Hollywood has visited him in Florida, picked him up in Tennessee for lunch, and done so much for him. In fact, today she picked him up for lunch while he was visiting Tennessee with our mutual friend and fellow GLOW fan, Rick Howard Jr., a few weeks ago. Hollywood’s kindness and generosity have shown James the beautiful person she is inside and out, and he couldn’t have asked for a better friend in his life.

James representing Hollywood with his GLOW belt

Over the years, James has also met several other GLOW girls, including Beastie and Lightning. He and I have been online friends for many years, and we finally met in person this past March on a GLOW cruise with Hollywood and Lightning from Miami to the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. We became even better friends and made many great memories on our trip, with hopes for many more in the future.

James as his CHARMING-GLOW alter-ego Malachy MacCharm

James’s story shows the lengths fans would go to engage with GLOW, despite the challenges. His dedication and creativity in capturing GLOW's essence highlight its enduring appeal. James’s journey from discovering GLOW by accident to becoming a devoted fan showcases the show's lasting impact and legacy.

A Disapppointing Christmas Surprise: The Casio PT-80 in Third Grade I wanted a real piano instead

As a kid, I loved visiting my Aunt Joan for many reasons, but one of the highlights was her Baldwin Fun Machine, which we all affectionately referred to as an organ. It was so much fun to play. The neighbors a few doors down from us, the Richardsons, had a piano that I loved to bang away on whenever I was over at their house. The mom, Karen, who played the organ at our church, promised one day that she would teach me how to play properly. From the age of 5, an organ or piano was always at the top of my wishlist to Santa.

When I was in the 1st grade, my mama told me that if I wanted a piano, I needed to commit to lessons before I could get one. I promised that I would and said Miss Karen would be the perfect teacher—and she might very well have been. However, I didn't get a piano or organ in the 1st grade. During my 2nd grade year, Mama said Santa was looking for a piano for me, and I believed her. But instead, I ended up with a new Huffy bike, just like my sister did.

We moved to Florida, and our house was slightly smaller, so we didn't have room for an organ or piano. But I still managed to keep them both on my wishlists. That year, I hoped once again for a piano-like gift from Santa. When Christmas morning came, I found a Casio PT-80 keyboard with a ROM-pack that had four pre-programmed MIDI-like songs under the Christmas tree. I was excited at first, until I tried to play it, or at least a few weeks later when the novelty wore off.

The Casio PT-80, while a thoughtful gift, didn't quite match my dreams. Its compact size and limited capabilities left me wanting more. The keys were perfectly sized for my fingers, but the keyboard was designed to be monophonic, meaning it could only play one note at a time. I couldn't create the rich, layered music I longed for. The pre-programmed songs were fun for a while, but they quickly became repetitive and dull, even after mama bought me a few more ROM-packs at Panhandle Music in Pensacola.

Though I tried to make the best of it, my disappointment was hard to hide. The Casio PT-80 was no match for the Baldwin Fun Machine or the Richardsons' piano. I yearned for a full-sized keyboard or piano, something that would allow me to truly explore my musical potential. My parents promised that one day I would get a full-sized instrument, but deep down, I knew it was unlikely.

Despite my initial disappointment, the Casio PT-80 played a significant role in my musical journey. It was my first real introduction to making music, and it sparked a lifelong passion for musical instruments. Every time I hear the electronic chirp of an old-school keyboard, I'm transported back to that Christmas morning in the 3rd grade, unwrapping my Casio PT-80 with a mix of excitement and longing.

So while my journey to a full-sized piano or organ took a few detours, the Casio PT-80 was an important stop along the way. It taught me the joy of music and the importance of improvisation, not just in melodies, but in life as well.

As the holidays roll around each year, I can't help but remember those childhood wishes. If you're ever thinking of the perfect gift, musical instruments, and gear hold a special place in my heart, especially an upright piano or perhaps a Baldwin Fun Machine in decent condition. Sometimes, the simplest sounds can spark the most profound joy.

An Unconventional Christmas Dinner at Chopsticks China Bistro

I hope you guys had a very Merry Christmas. This year, Terry and I decided to forgo our usual Christmas dinner traditions. I'm so used to cooking a turkey, dressing, and all the other fixings, but with our current medical issues and work schedules being a little out of sync, we needed a change of pace—something a little more relaxed and stress-free. So, after I got off work, I headed home to change, and we made our way to Chopsticks China Bistro in Peachtree City.

Chopsticks China Bistro has always been our go-to spot for a good meal, but we had never thought of it as a place to celebrate Christmas. As we walked through the doors, the familiar aromas of savory dishes greeted us, and a sense of calm washed over us. The restaurant was tastefully decorated for the holidays, with twinkling lights and festive decorations that added a touch of Christmas cheer.
We were quickly seated at a booth, and the warm, inviting ambiance made us feel right at home. The menu was filled with delicious options, and we decided to start with some classic appetizers: crab rangoons and egg rolls and crispy calamari. As we enjoyed our starters, we reminisced about past Christmas dinners and how different this year felt.

For the main course, Terry ordered the Curry Chicken with fried rice, a dish he could never resist, while I opted for the General Tso's Chicken, one of my all-time favorites since my sister first introduced me to it in my teens. The food arrived promptly, and the flavors were nothing short of amazing. The tender General Tso's Chicken was a symphony of flavors—crispy, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. Terry's Curry Chicken, paired with the perfect blend of savory spices, made me momentarily forget all about the traditional Christmas turkey and ham. Though I'm sure I will miss the week of leftovers and everything I make with them, like turkey salad and soup.

As we savored our meal, we couldn't help but feel grateful for this small, yet meaningful, change in our holiday tradition. It reminded us that Christmas isn't just about the big, elaborate dinners or the perfectly decorated trees—though we have one hell of a decorated tree at home. It's about being together and finding joy in the little moments, even if that means enjoying a delicious Chinese feast.
We finished our dinner with a couple of fortune cookies, which seemed fitting for our unconventional Christmas celebration. The fortunes inside were simple yet poignant, reminding us to cherish every moment and look forward to the future with hope and positivity.

This year, our Christmas may have been different, but it was perfect in its own way. And who knows—though I do love my traditional turkey dinner—maybe this will become our new alternate holiday tradition. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made when you least expect them.

A Christmas Memory: The Gumdrop Tree and Family Traditions

Merry Christmas!!! Christmas Day has arrived and over the course of this month, and part of last month, I have shared so many Christmas memories of my past—some from the books I am currently writing and others just related to the holiday. I will continue to share a few more Christmas memories until the end of the Christmas season, January 6 though maybe not as frequently. 

Christmas seems to have come so fast this year, at least for me. Today, a random memory from when I was very little came to mind. It’s from a time when some traumatic events happened in my life, so the details are a bit spotty and pieced together.

There was a period when my parents split up briefly when I was between two and four years old. My mom packed up and flew with my sister and me to stay with my grandmother for what was meant to be a vacation but with the intent to stay in Texas. However, that story is for another time. This story, which happened before I began kindergarten, is a significant memory for me. I'm not sure how long we were living in certain places because, in a short time, we lived in a few houses. We lived in a rented house off Cody Road, where I have a strange memory of possibly getting abducted by something like aliens sneaking in through a hole in the wall behind my chest of drawers. I might share that story in a future blog. We also lived at my granny's house on East Drive in Mobile, Alabama, my grandmother's trailer in Rockport, Texas, our little yellow rented house on Easter Lane, as well as the house we rented from the parents of my sister's friend Laura Moon, just two doors down from the yellow house.

After my parents got back together, we all ended up in the little yellow rented house on Easter Lane. This was shortly after we experienced Hurricane Frederick while staying with my granny until my dad found the yellow house. When we moved in, Daddy did everything he could to try and make amends to my mom, except buying her a replacement wedding band for the one she had lost many years back. When the Christmas season came along, Daddy took us all out to a few places to look for Christmas trees, something that became a tradition. Back in the 70s, places like department stores and hardware stores didn't carry real trees like they do now, and you basically only had three choices: an artificial tree from a department store, a Christmas tree farm, or stands that were usually set up in random parking lots or a vacant area next to a gas station. I know it sounds weird, but this was definitely a thing. Since I moved to Atlanta almost 30 years ago, the only business I recollect that still sets up like this each year is called Big John's.

This particular year, Daddy was going out of his way to make us all happy and wanted this Christmas to be special for us all. We didn’t go to a tree farm but to one of the aforementioned places that had trees set up in a parking lot, or next to one. I don’t remember how the decision was made, but I remember being able to pick out a tree, which I thought would be the one in the living room, but my dad had already picked one out. We all got back into Daddy's pickup truck and headed home, making a stop at TG&Y to buy some Christmas lights and some more decorations. When we got home, Daddy pulled two Christmas trees from the bed of his truck—one taller than the other. The taller tree went into a tree stand, and the other was not cut at the bottom. It was in a planter, complete with its roots—it was a live tree.

The cut tree was placed in our living room, where Mama and Daddy strung the lights and put the star on top before we decorated it. The second tree was placed in my bedroom next to my bed and strung up with a set of our older Christmas lights, the colors a little faded and slightly pastel but pretty all the same. Daddy let Mama decide on how to decorate this one with me. Mama asked what I wanted to decorate my tree with, and I said “candy,” not realizing there really weren’t candy decorations at the time. Nowadays, you can buy decorations molded from candy and ones that look like candy packages. Mama worked her magic, jumped into her yellow Pontiac car, and came home with bags of spice and gum drop candy. Mama was always a creative lady and very much loved making something ordinary into something extraordinary. She also bought silver decoration hangers and took me to my room to begin decorating the tree. Mama showed me all I needed to do was bend the bottom of the hanger slightly and push the bottom of the spice and gum drops onto the wire, then hang each one on the branches. This was really fun because, as tedious as the work was, the fact that we could eat our decorations as we went along made it go quicker. Once we were done, Mama asked if it was missing anything, and I told her a star. We didn’t have the money for a new star, and our actual star was on top of our living room tree, so Mama went into her bedroom and came out with something that resembled a baby doll but with wings and a cord coming from behind—it was an angel. This wasn’t just any angel; it was one from when Mama was a little girl. She got a chair, carefully put the angel on top of my tree, and plugged it into the end of the string of colored lights. While it looked pretty old and dated, I thought it was beautiful. When Mama asked if there was anything else we could add to the tree to make it even better, I said popcorn. We were country people, and I remember seeing popcorn strung on other trees, so it seemed like it might have been a good addition. Unfortunately, Mama said we didn’t have any popcorn because we didn’t have a popcorn popper. Keep in mind, these were the days before microwave popcorn was made. Most people, including us, didn’t have a microwave in our homes. I don’t think my family even knew what one was.

Throughout the Christmas season, I spent more time in my room, laying in bed and looking at the Christmas lights in the darkened room, insisting they stay on all night in place of my nightlight. I also wanted to make sure Santa knew there was a tree in my room. When Mama wrote my letter to Santa, I told her to make sure he came into my room to see it. I was so proud of that tree, and to this day, I still have visions of it. After Christmas, my Daddy dragged our living room Christmas tree to the back of our yard where there was a wooded area, but my Christmas tree was put on our front porch and watered each day until the ground was warm enough to dig a hole. My daddy planted my tree in the corner of my mama’s vegetable garden. Every time we went out there to pick cucumbers, cantaloupe, or something else during the summer, I would remind Mama of our gumdrop tree.

Regarding the popcorn idea, even though we couldn’t put it on the tree, Mama mentioned to my dad what I asked for and how much she missed popcorn. On Christmas morning, an unspoken Christmas wish came true thanks to the Christmas tree in my room. My mama opened up a box to find a brand new West Bend Popcorn Maker. She used that popcorn maker for years and probably still had it up until she passed away. Mama’s popcorn maker was a staple in our house. She would make popcorn for us to snack on at night, make popcorn balls for school functions, and sometimes just make popcorn during the day, just to have some.

This memory is a cherished part of my childhood, a blend of simple joys, creativity, and the warmth of family traditions. Each Christmas, I am reminded of the love and effort my parents put into making the holiday special, despite the challenges we faced. The little gumdrop tree in my room symbolized not just a festive decoration but a gesture of love and a source of lasting happiness.

Christmas Treasures: The Best (and Worst) Gifts of My Lifetime

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I find myself reminiscing about some of my favorite Christmas presents over the years. While every gift carries its own special sentiment, there are a few that stand out and bring back a flood of fond memories.

Before I started kindergarten, in the house at the end of Easter Lane, Santa brought me a purple AM radio with a three-foot hardwired cord and a purple and white microphone. It didn't get very loud, but I adored it. The batteries went dead pretty quickly, and my parents never replaced them. I think it's because I only used the microphone to hum into. Even without batteries, I loved lipsyncing to Olivia Newton-John, Juice Newton, and Dolly Parton records. That little radio holds a special place in my heart.

From the early 1980s to the present, I've received Masters of the Universe action figures as gifts from Grandma Manning, Santa, mama, daddy, and Terry. These figures have been a constant source of joy and nostalgia, keeping the magic of childhood alive.

When I was in the 4th grade, we got a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer for Christmas. It was awesome, and I still appreciate the experience of learning programming on it. It was my first introduction to the world of computing, and it sparked a lifelong interest in technology.

Among the best gifts I've ever received were my beloved puppies—Chip the beagle, Pickles the English Springer Spaniel, Peaches the Cocker Spaniel, and Pat the Golden Retriever. Each one brought immense joy and love into my life, even though, sadly, they were taken from me too soon. Animals are the best gifts because they offer unconditional love.

One year, I received a fish tank full of black mollies. My mom ended up taking over their care because I didn't have the time to invest in them, but it was a fascinating gift nonetheless.

In the 6th grade, I got an Emerson CTR932 dual cassette boombox. I carried it around the neighborhood, blasting out Madonna's hits. It was the ultimate symbol of coolness at the time.

Another cherished gift was a Nintendo NES system with a bunch of games from Santa when I was in the 6th or 7th grade. Those games are still some of my favorites. That same year, my mom gifted me a pair of fancy parakeets, Petey and Penny, that the next-door neighbor decided to get rid of. While I wasn't very fond of birds and my mom ended up taking care of them, it was still a memorable gift.

My sister always knew how much I loved music. She bought me The Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian" 45 record when I was in elementary school, and later, my very first CD, Michael Jackson's "Dangerous."

In the late '90s, I started building carnival ride models and had purchased a few kits made by IHC Hobby. Terry really went all out and bought a bunch of awesome carnival models for me. I still have them and plan to feature them on my blog in the future.

In 2010, Terry gave me a 4th generation iPod Touch. I used it for over a decade until I made the switch to listening to music on my phone, mainly because I could load up over 128 GB of music on it compared to the iPod's 16 GB. I still have that iPod and occasionally use it at home. It's a reminder of how much joy music has always brought me.

Dolly Parton's "Songteller" book, given to me by Terry, is another treasure. It's filled with stories and songs that showcase the incredible talent and journey of one of my favorite artists. It's a gift that keeps on giving.

One of my all-time favorite gifts has to be the FlashPad 3.0 that Terry gave me for Christmas a few years ago. I still love it so much! The way it combines light and sound in a game that's both challenging and captivating is simply brilliant. Even years later, it never fails to entertain me.

Growing up, my least favorite gifts were clothes, especially those from K-Mart and Walmart during my middle school years. However, looking back, I appreciate the practicality and thoughtfulness behind these gifts. While they might not have been as exciting as toys or gadgets, they were certainly useful and a testament to the love and care my family put into making sure I was well-dressed and taken care of.

Reflecting on these gifts, I'm filled with gratitude for the thoughtfulness and love that went into each one. Every present, no matter how big or small, played a role in shaping my holiday memories and reminding me of the joy and warmth of the season. 🎄✨

In a Holidaze at Aunt Joan's: Christmas Eve Memories and Dysfunctional Family Tradition

I loved going to my Aunt Joan's house as a kid, it didn't matter what time of year but the holidays were the best.

She lived on Garris Drive in Mobile, off Repoll Road. From our house on Easter Lane, there were two ways to get there. The first was the short route, driving from Tanner Williams Road and turning onto Eliza Jordan Road, which was long, bumpy, and dirt-covered. (It’s been paved since then). The second way was my favorite, usually taken if we had to stop off and pick up something from the store, usually K&B. A red-haired man I had a crush on worked there, as well as a cashier my dad was overly friendly with. The K&B stop wasn’t the highlight for me, although I did enjoy the purple neon glow of the store and the jolly eye candy of the red-haired man.

The real reason I loved the long way was that we would circle around and pass the Mobile Regional Airport. I absolutely adored the glow of the blue runway lights in the darkness, a shade of blue I always associated with Christmas. Nowadays, LED technology has taken over the runway lights, and the blue in modern lighting just doesn’t have the same magic.

When we finally arrived at Aunt Joan's house on Christmas Eve, there would usually be smoke billowing from her den's chimney and a few cars sitting in her driveway, with my uncle Billy's confederate flag proudly waving on the flag post in the corner of her yard. The smell of country cooking filled the air, not just from Aunt Joan's house but from all of the neighboring homes.

Aunt Joan's Christmas tree, from what I remember, was always a smaller artificial tree decorated with colored lights, a star, garland, and colorful ornaments—nothing over the top, but just enough to say "Merry Christmas."

Christmas Eve at Aunt Joan's was a big affair for the family. Her house was a large three-bedroom with two bathrooms, a spacious kitchen that opened into a large dining room, a mid-sized living room in the front, and a huge den, known as the family room, built onto the house. There was also a large gated back porch where we usually hung out during the summer when we weren't running around the 13-acre property. The dining room table was always filled with Christmas fare and plenty of country sides: turkey, ham, dressing, mac & cheese, fried squash, fried okra, turnip or mustard greens, black-eyed peas, and a lot of other dishes, plus Aunt Joan's amazing cornbread. My mom would bring along her specialty homemade sweets: fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, and pies—pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and pecan pie.

Over the course of a few hours, the house filled with not only Uncle Billy and Aunt Joan, but my cousins Lynda, Marie, La Shea, and Missy; my Aunt Beverly and Uncle Gene, their sons Brian and Darrin; my Uncle Mike and Aunt Cindy, their son Mikey; my granny; and of course my mom, dad, sister, and myself. Things would be festive and peaceful during dinner, but my uncles and dad enjoyed their alcoholic beverages, mostly starting with beer, though whiskey flowed a bit too, especially as the night drew on.

After dinner, everyone would gather in the den. Christmas albums by Alabama or another country artist played on Aunt Joan's huge console stereo as the gift exchange began. Since the family was so large, each person was assigned to give a gift to someone else. One year, my mom was chosen to give my cousin Lynda a gift. At the time, Lynda was into Legos, but my mom, not realizing the difference between Duplo and Lego—or possibly making a decision based on price—gifted Lynda some Duplos, much to her disappointment. I remember one year my granny gave me a gift: the Mickey Mouse Disco record, which I actually love to this very day.

As I mentioned, alcohol was flowing, and we all knew it was only a matter of time before something would break up the gathering. Usually, shortly after we all opened our gifts, just like clockwork, it happened: a fight. It started with screaming and ended with someone burning rubber out of the driveway, which was dirt and clam shells. By the way, this is one of the reasons, besides rattlesnakes and cottonmouths, that none of us ran around the yard barefoot throughout the year. If you've ever walked on clam shells without shoes, you will never forget the feeling.

Anyway, back to the fight: somehow, my Uncle Mike, who I loved dearly, was usually at the center of the argument. The more he drank, the more brazen he became. I usually sat oblivious to what was being said, usually in what I call the "Holidaze" but I always knew when it was time to go home. The moment the wrought iron gate on the back patio swung shut and we heard the shells in the driveway flying as the engine of Uncle Mike's vehicle roared and lulled in the distance before disappearing, my sister and I knew Christmas at Aunt Joan's was over until next year. It was time to go to the car, head home in silence, then go to bed and hope Santa didn't forget our house.

To this day, I think of the effort Aunt Joan made to make Christmas special for all of us. Even though it usually ended in disaster, we all still had a great time. As dysfunctional as we were, we loved each other very much and looked forward to getting together each year. The year my Aunt Joan and Uncle Billy moved out of that house and into a trailer next to their newly built gas station, Garris' General Store, marked the end of our family get-togethers. But those twisted, yet great memories live on.

Christmas Caroling??? Adventures: A Scout's Journey

When I joined the Scouts, I went straight into the Webelos, but one of the requirements before I could officially cross over, at least according to the scoutmaster, was to complete the courses in the Cub Scout handbooks for Tiger, Wolf, and Bear. It was a sort of crash course in scouting skills, and while I learned a lot, some of the tasks, especially those from the Tiger book, felt a bit redundant.

One of the skills I needed to master was essentially Community Training. The idea was to do something for the betterment of the community as long as it brought joy to people. Since it was Christmas and I was in the elementary school chorus, I decided to go Christmas caroling with some of the other scouts. Unfortunately, none of the other scouts showed up, so it was just my mom and me.

It was cold that night. Bear in mind, we lived in Florida, so the temperatures probably weren't that bad, but to us, it felt freezing. We bundled up, and I even wore a knit hat under my Webelos cap, which I technically hadn't earned yet. Months earlier, I had been trick-or-treating, so I knew where most of the older people in our neighborhood lived. I strategically avoided any houses with people I knew. The game plan was simple: knock on the door, and the moment it opened, Mom and I would start singing "Silent Night." Mom was my witness and had to sign off on all my tasks. She could have made it easy, but she didn't.

Things didn't go as planned. At the first house, no one opened the door. The second house was answered by a kid with snot hanging from his nose, who told us his mom was throwing up, which we could hear. The third door belonged to a grumpy old lady I remembered from a school fundraiser in the third grade. She snatched the door open and screamed, "WHAT THE F*** DO YOU WANT?" I started crying, and Mom, trying to console me, called her an old biddy as we walked home.

After that, Mom took mercy on me. She signed off on my task and spent 30 minutes making up stories about how we entertained the masses with our voices. Even though things didn’t go as planned, it's a memory that makes me smile because mama had a way of making things seem better when things went wrong.

Saturday GLOWcase: Helena Cameron, AKA Daisy from GLOW

 

This weeks Saturday GLOWcase is all about the Awesome Daisy of GLOW. I chose Daisy for this week in honor of her upcoming birthday, December, 25. Happy Birthday Daisy, I hope you enjoy your day.

When I first saw Helena Cameron, who played Daisy on Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), during her match in season 3, she instantly became one of my favorites. For nearly 30 years, I've admired her work, and I was thrilled when we became friends. Our time together at Knott's Berry Farm, shoe shopping, and hanging out on the Queen Mary are memories I cherish. Helena graciously shared her story years ago, and here's a refined version of her journey.

Helena as the awesome Daisy circa 2000

Helena Cameron's journey into the world of entertainment is unique and inspiring. Back in the late 1980s, she was working at Northrop but decided to take a leap of faith and switch to background work and extra roles in movies. One day, while filling out paperwork in a casting office, she had a chance encounter with Matt Cimber that changed everything. Matt came out of the back and asked if she wanted to be on a TV show. He asked if she wanted to join GLOW. Helena knew about the show because her ex's daughter watched it and always said she should be on it. Helena used to joke that if they pulled her hair, she’d get really pissed off. But the opportunity just kind of fell into her lap.

Matt gave her the details, and without hesitation, Helena and her friend Kell’e, who would become known as Beastie the Road Warrior, loaded up their car and headed to Las Vegas to sign up. Daisy, Helena's character, was created by either Matt or Steve. Daisy was pretty much your standard character: "You don't know where you live, you don't have any relatives, you don't know how old you are," Helena says. None of the wrestlers had characters when they arrived. Everyone wanted to be a beautiful, sexy someone. Helena jokes that she wanted to be a mermaid. No one wanted to be attached to a midget, especially one with a mole on her face, she laughs.

Daisy surrounded by the awesome ladies of GLOW

Helena's character started off as a “Bad Girl” doing the bidding of Gremlina, played by a woman half her size wearing snakeskin tights, a Gremlina-like hairstyle, and, as Helena stated, a huge mole on her face with hairs hanging from it. Daisy turned babyface when she turned on Gremlina, stuffing her into a trash can. But within the same season, she seemed to be back as a Bad Girl, though Helena perceives her more as a loner, someone on no one’s side. Daisy eventually became the GLOW champion during the season 4 finale, taking the crown from Cheyenne Cher. This was the final episode of all time. When GLOW ended, it was really sudden and unexpected. Helena and the other cast members didn’t find out until it was already over. They did a Pay Per View show featuring a few of the original GLOW girls along with new wrestlers who may have continued if the show had continued. Daisy’s last match was with Ninotchka during the Pay Per View, and she retained her crown. To this day, she is the current reigning Champion of GLOW.

Daisy's Family Feud Appearance

After GLOW ended, Helena went back to doing background work for a while. Eventually, she tried different jobs, including limo driving and stunt shows. Matt reached out to her again with a crazy request: "I want to blow you up in a box." She trusted him and went to Vegas to do a live stunt show at the Aladdin, where she reconnected with her friend Godiva.

Terry and I with Daisy at Knott's Berry Farm

Reflecting on her experiences, Helena acknowledges both the good and bad times. You're always treated horribly at one time or another in your life. Does the horrible outweigh the good? Sure, everyone has bad times. Helena had good times with Matt; she was fortunate. He was only bad to you if you let him be. They didn’t make any money, but it was an adventure. She met wonderful people and visited places she never would have otherwise.

Helena shared some insights into GLOW’s inner workings. They got their room and board, airfare, and a little per diem covered. During training, they made $100 a week for eight hours a day, and it went up to $250 a week when they started filming. They didn’t get residuals or any money from appearances like on Phil Donahue, which would have been SAG wages. Casinos recognized them because they looked so fake and ate there every day. They often got in trouble because they weren’t supposed to be around each other. The GLOW House was a house in Ventura. Helena's first roommate was Fiji. Later, she roomed with Godiva, Stinky, and Zelda. Eventually, Cher and Helena moved out of the GLOW apartments and got their own place.

Angel helping Daisy adjust the crown I presented to her

Since her GLOW days, Helena has embraced a new chapter in her life. She is now a proud mother of two beautiful children. She has also remained active in entertainment, popping up in episodes of shows like Pushing Daisies and Friends. Despite GLOW being all-female, Helena was also part of the “Transgender” choir featured in an episode of GLEE thanks to her beautiful Amazon-like stature.

A Christmas Memory: Rediscovering "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"

My sister and I spent a good portion of our childhoods glued to the TV, especially during the colder months. Despite living in Alabama and later in Florida, we felt the chill of winter, at least as far as I can remember. Snow was a rarity, although we did witness some flurries a few times in the mid-80s.
A few Christmases after our move to Florida, my sister and I were already settled down, having inspected all the treasures Santa had left for us and eaten breakfast. We began watching a random Christmas movie on TV that neither of us had ever seen before. It looked fairly recent but had a somewhat dated feel. That movie was "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear."

I only saw the movie that one time, but it left a lasting impression. I wished I could have watched it again, but it was never available at the video store where we rented movies and a VCR. I'm unsure if it was ever released on home video at the time, but even if it had been, it wouldn't have mattered much since we didn't own a VCR—we always rented one until years later when my mom finally bought one.
Even though I remembered the name of the movie, it never seemed to re-air, or if it did, it slipped past my notice. My sister and I recalled its title, but I'm unsure if it resonated with her as deeply as it did with me. I loved it and searched the TV guide every year, hoping it would come back.

"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" is one of those films that fly under the radar yet still tell a captivating story. The movie centers around a widowed grandfather, played by the legendary Mickey Rooney, who is granted one last Christmas on Earth to spend with his grandson. It was a low-key movie, not exactly a full-blown Christmas film, and had a tinge of sadness to it. The movie was released as a made-for-TV film in 1984 and, while it didn't achieve massive fame, it earned a special place in my heart.

While it may not be a traditional holiday classic, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" captured the essence of the season for me. The movie's nostalgic and heartfelt story resonated with my own experiences of Christmas, making it a cherished memory from my childhood. Despite the sadness woven into its plot, the film reminded me of the importance of love and the simple joys of life, especially during the holiday season.