From Mama's Kitchen: The Story and Recipe—Celebrating My Mama's Spaghetti

Hello, dear readers! (and my sister, Becki),

Today, I want to share a special entry dedicated to my mama's spaghetti, a dish that was loved by many in our family, even though it wasn't my personal favorite due to my aversion to tomatoes. This story is meant to highlight the uniqueness of my mama's cooking and to clarify that her spaghetti was truly cherished by those who enjoyed it.

A few days ago, I wrote about my humorous journey with spaghetti and how it was never really my thing. If it seemed like I was making fun of my mama's cooking, I want to set the record straight, that was not my intent. The story was not about her cooking, but rather my general dislike for the dish, no matter who cooks it. While I may have a love-hate relationship with spaghetti, I have great respect for my mama's culinary skills. She excelled in Home Economics during her junior high and high school years, and many of her recipes were based on what she learned during the 1950s and 1960s. Her spaghetti sauce was homemade, and though ketchup was added sometimes, it was never the main ingredient. This addition of ketchup was likely due to the occasional absence of tomato paste, adding a bit more acidity and texture to the final product.

To be fair, my dislike for spaghetti somewhat stems from my dislike of tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions—all of which my mama loved and used generously in her cooking. Despite my distaste for these ingredients, there were some dishes my mama cooked that I absolutely loved, like her fried pork chops, tuna casserole, and even liver and onions, which I enjoyed despite my usual dislike of onions.

Back to the tomato thing—although I didn't like tomatoes, I did love lasagna and pizza, both of which my mama and my sister were amazing at making. My sister, Becki Manning Dannelly, especially loved our mama's spaghetti. This post is dedicated to her.

Pheroldine “Dee” Manning Lyons' Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground beef (the ratio doesn’t matter because we got whatever was on sale or cheapest)

• 1 cup chopped onion

• 1 cup of bell peppers, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (she usually just used minced garlic from a jar or garlic powder)

• 1 14-ounce can of whole tomatoes, drained and cut up

• 1 14-ounce can stewed tomatoes, cut up, reserve the liquid to add to sauce

• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste

• 1/4 cup parsley (I don’t think she ever had any on hand and since you don’t taste it, it’s not important)

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (dark or light, she used whatever was on hand)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed

• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

• 1 bay leaf

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine onion, bell pepper, meat, and garlic; cook until meat is browned and onion is tender.

2. Skim off excess grease; add the rest of the ingredients along with 2 cups of water.

3. Simmer, uncovered, until sauce is thick, which usually takes a few hours. Your house will have a distinct tomato-ish smell; stir occasionally.

4. Remove bay leaf.

Serve over hot spaghetti pasta, or like my mama would do, just dump the hot spaghetti into the pot as a one pot wonder and stir it all together then serve on a plate…with a squirt of ketchup on top or grated parmesan cheese if we had it (and if the container wasn’t empty from my sister and I randomly eating handfuls of it).

Don't forget the garlic bread! Mama would use whatever bread we had on hand for garlic bread—hot dog buns, hamburger buns, sandwich bread, and if we were lucky, she made some from her delicious homemade sourdough bread.

This sauce recipe was sort of the same she used for her lasagna but without the bell pepper, which we didn’t get often because it involved a bit more work. But when we did, it was basically party night for our family. Especially since she doubled the ingredients to ensure she had enough meat sauce to fill her 9x13 baking pan that she used for everything from cake to casseroles. I’ll share her actual recipe for lasagna in the future, but for now, enjoy my mama’s spaghetti and feel free to make your own tweaks.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I'd love to hear your thoughts and memories about your own family recipes in the comments below. If you enjoyed this story and recipe, feel free to share it with your friends. Your support, whether through comments or contributions, means the world to me and helps keep this blog going!

Happy cooking!

Saturday GLOWcase: Celebrating Angel - The Badass Biker Chick of GLOW

Angel, played by Andrea Laird Micheil, was a gymnast from the age of six through high school and a Theater Arts major in college. She was working with a casting firm, performing as an extra in various TV and film productions when she went to an audition for athletic women for GLOW.

At the audition, she asked, "What does GLOW mean?" When they said, "Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling," she replied, "I can do that." They asked, "What makes you think so?" and she said, "I don't have to land on my feet anymore." The rest is history. Shortly thereafter, she was in Las Vegas at the Riviera Hotel, and two weeks later, she was teaching girls how to do somersaults.

Unlike most of the ladies, Andrea created her own character. She knew she would be a bad girl, and her badass persona really fit the character she became. "Angel, don't let the name fool you!" became her tagline. She performed as Andrea Jackson (a good girl) for one fight in Germany and as Hot Rod Andie for various promotions, including POWW, another David McLane promotion. Andrea made her debut during the second season of GLOW and quickly realized that many of the girls had no athletic ability whatsoever. Just two weeks after arriving, she was literally teaching them how to do somersaults. Doing backflips off the top turnbuckle was no easy task for most, but for Andrea, it was a breeze. She wasn't a wrestling fan and had no idea how to wrestle; aside from learning moves by watching wrestling on TV, she and many of the other ladies would have been lost in the ring. TV was their trainer.

The ladies watched wrestling moves on TV and then tried to figure them out in their hotel rooms or during rehearsals before taping days. Andrea would come to the ring and start teaching the ladies wrestling moves she barely knew herself, but she had confidence in spades. Some of the season one girls knew a bit thanks to their brief time with Mondo Guerrero and were able to learn from them as well.

I started watching GLOW after Andrea had already left the promotion, but I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2016 on the Queen Mary. We spent a week on the Carnival Imagination with her and many other GLOW ladies. I not only learned about her wrestling career and the friendships it afforded her, but I also got to know the real person behind her GLOW persona and her incredibly sweet husband, Stephen.

The first night I met her was the only time I talked to her about GLOW. After that, I was more interested in Andrea than Angel. She was more than the badass biker chick; she was intelligent, outgoing, and one of those people who isn't happy until everyone around her is having a good time. The night we met, she shared with me insights about her time with GLOW and the fact that she was one of the people involved in "selling" the show to TV stations before it aired. She also talked about the fate of a few of her fellow wrestlers, including her GLOW & POWW tag team partner Attache/Genie Beret.

Andrea shared a story about Matt Cimber and David McLane giving the ladies the choice to vote on whether they should go on tour with the Harlem Globetrotters or a solo tour of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. The show had just started airing, and they weren't yet well-known. Wrestling was becoming popular again, and characters were coming to life. Before the vote, Andrea gathered the girls and said, "If we want to be taken seriously as wrestlers, we should go on tour by ourselves." The Globetrotters, despite being good players, were more about comedy. They voted to go solo, but Matt Cimber wasn’t happy. That decision led to David McLane leaving GLOW and taking many of the ladies with him to start a new promotion while Matt continued GLOW with season 3 and 4, featuring a new cast and a handful from seasons 1 and 2.

Upon leaving GLOW, Andrea and the other GLOW ladies weren't allowed to use their GLOW names due to a tight contract. Andrea's character remained basically the same, though her name became Hot Rod Andie instead of Angel. Tina Ferrari was known as Nina, and some of the other GLOW ladies either used similar characters or created totally new ones. Michele Duze, who created the first Dementia in GLOW, played the Russian character in POWW.

She got yelled at for this but this is one of my favorite moments with Angel

After wrestling, Andrea did stunt work, acted in movies, and moved to Reno, NV, where she worked as a liquor sales rep. Sadly, Andrea passed away from Covid-19 on January 18, 2022. Andrea's presence in and out of the ring will be fondly remembered by all who encountered her unique persona.

As we reminisce about the legacy of Andrea "Angel" Laird Micheil, I invite you to share your own stories and memories of her. Whether you had the pleasure of meeting her in person, watched her dazzling performances, or were inspired by her strength and charisma, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave comments and share your cherished moments. Let's celebrate the life of this remarkable woman together!

Confessions of a Tabloid Enthusiast: Crafting Fantastical Stories

I've always loved fantasy stories and things that are too good to be true. My life reads a lot like that, but it's totally true. So, it should come as no surprise that I love tabloids. Not the celeb news though—I’m not a Perez Hilton, National Enquirer, or Star fan. I couldn't care less if Britney’s snatch is blue, Lady Gaga fired her crew, or they found Michael Jackson’s nose in Bubble’s poo. I don’t know those people, and I’m not interested in their drama. I don’t read much in terms of newspapers or watch the news unless something important is going on in the world that I need to be informed about, and even then, I somehow know what’s going on. Tabloids are just so much more fun to read anyway.

Give me Bat Boy or stories of a 500-pound infant and his mom who’s a mere 97 pounds. I don’t mind GLOBE or National Examiner—they feature stories of real people along with a little bit of celeb fluff. My favorite was Weekly World News, but the only thing that remained in print similar to WWN is the SUN and it's no longer printed wither. WWN is online now, but it’s just not the same as when I was a kid. When I was younger, I’d secretly ride my bike down to the Jr. Food Store, where other kids spent their money on candy, sodas, Slush Puppies, and bags of potato chips, while I spent mine on the Weekly World News and a cheap Faygo Root Beer. It would take me a week to read the stories in the paper completely and then a day or so to reskim it and enjoy the advertisements.

Did I care if the stories were made up? Nope. I loved that part of them. There was something magical about headlines like "Woman’s Breast Implants Explode Thanks to Low Flying 747." Did I believe it? At the time, yes. And even now, I’m sure there was some truth to some of the stories. The point of a tabloid is to go into them knowing there is a requirement to suspend your disbelief. You can’t deny the entertainment value in stories with headlines like "Grossed Out Surgeon Vomits in Patient" or "North Korean Sub Probing US Lake: Is Kim Jong Il Poised to Attack?"

Silly purchases? Definitely. Waste of money? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

During a period in my life, I even became a content provider for a tabloid paper. It was an incredible experience to let my imagination run wild and create the most random, outlandish stories. There was something so satisfying about concocting tales that were just on the edge of believability, playing with the fine line between reality and fantasy. I loved the process of making up these stories, knowing they would entertain and astonish readers, just as the Weekly World News had done for me as a kid. It was a dream come true to contribute to the world of tabloid journalism, even if it was just for a while.

What about you? Do you have any favorite tabloid stories or memories of reading them? Have you ever worked on something similarly creative and whimsical? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below!

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall - Hilarious LGBTQIA+ Romcom Book Review

I can't believe it's taken me this long to review "Boyfriend Material" by Alexis Hall, but I have to say, it's a hilarious and heartwarming read! Terry gifted me this book for Christmas 2022, along with the sequel "Husband Material," and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. 🌈

This LGBTQIA+ romantic comedy centers around Luc O’Donnell, who’s reluctantly famous thanks to his rock star dad. When Luc ends up in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, he needs some serious damage control to save his reputation. That’s where Oliver Blackwood comes in. Oliver is everything Luc is not—handsome, successful, and scandal-free. He’s an ethical vegetarian and totally put together. Basically, he’s perfect boyfriend material.

To fix his public image, Luc comes up with a plan: fake dating Oliver. But as their fake relationship starts to feel a lot more real, both Luc and Oliver have to decide if they’re ready to fight for their new romance, despite the scandals and consequences that might come their way.

The chemistry between Luc and Oliver is off the charts, and their journey from fake dating to real feelings is full of laughs, misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments. Alexis Hall does a fantastic job of blending humor with genuine emotion, making this book an absolute delight to read.

I actually read this back in April 2023 and just got around to writing my review, but the story has stayed with me ever since. If you’re into romantic comedies with a twist and loveable characters, "Boyfriend Material" is definitely a must-read. Huge thanks to Terry for this amazing Christmas gift—I flew through both this and its sequel, "Husband Material," pretty fast and can't wait to see what Alexis Hall has in store for Luc and Oliver in the future!

Rekindling a Love for Model Building: From Childhood Memories to Carnival Rides

As a kid, my sister Becki was always fascinated by cars and vehicles—a passion that far surpassed my own interest. I vividly remember our time in the little yellow house at the end of Easter Lane in Mobile. I was just about to start kindergarten when Becki began building model cars from kits she or our parents bought from TG&Y or K-Mart.

Becki was meticulous and fast when it came to building her models. I loved watching her progress; from box to completion, it never took her more than a few days before she moved on to the next project. These weren’t the snap-together models that started appearing in stores towards the end of the 1980s and early 1990s; these were the kind that required real effort and skill. I remember the sound of the plastic pieces being removed from the sprue, the bright light she aimed at her workspace, and the distinctive smell of Testors enamel paint and modeling glue. Once you smell Testors enamel paint or modeling glue, you'll never forget it.

Personally, I never had a strong interest in car models, but I appreciated the hobby for others. I loved that model kits were so accessible. There was usually a whole aisle dedicated to models, with kits and the tools to build, paint, and display the finished product available in stores like K-Mart, TG&Y, and Woolco. For many years, Walmart also carried a good selection of models, paint, and glue, but it seems they have since discontinued their model section. Thankfully, stores like Hobby Lobby, Hobbytown, and Michaels still carry a decent supply of paints, glues as well as model, ship, airplane and car kits.

Bobe's Hobby House, sadly permanently closed

Some of my best memories involved walking through Bobe’s Hobby House in Pensacola, Florida, which was owned by my friend Katie’s grandfather. There, I saw a box with a model of my absolute favorite carnival ride, the Skywheel. I begged my mama to buy it for me, but she flat out said no and bought me a small balsa wood airplane instead, which I destroyed within a couple of minutes of playing with in our backyard. A few years later, I saw the same model in the “Things You Never Knew Existed” catalog printed by the Johnson Smith Company and added it to my Christmas list. Unfortunately, model kits would never be part of my childhood. I'm not sure if my parents thought I didn’t have the attention span or feared the models would just sit and collect dust if they even made it to completion.

It wasn’t until the late 1990s, when Terry and I were living in Smyrna, Georgia, that I walked into a hobby shop on South Cobb Drive and saw that exact same model kit sitting on the shelves among thousands of others. The brand was called IHC, and the packaging looked quite basic with a drawing of a Skywheel and a brief description of what’s inside the box. It also mentioned the model could be motorized—how cool is that? My sister’s model cars were static and just cool to look at but never moved. While browsing the section, I realized that IHC not only created the Skywheel model kit but a whole line of carnival ride models like the Spider, a Flying Bobs-type ride called Thunderbolt, as well as a regular Ferris Wheel and other rides, games and concessions like one would see set up at a fair. I ended up buying the Skywheel, Thunderbolt, and Spider, along with some modeling glue, paint brushes, and other tools to work on my new models.

Out of the box, the models didn’t look like the pictures. They were basic colors that didn’t even match the actual rides, and the artwork that came with them was not self-stick decals but crudely drawn and colored renderings of generic art. However, the directions were good.

I assembled my Thunderbolt within an hour of getting home, but something about it bothered me—the colors, the artwork, the way the ride cars hung from the center point. Not sure what it was, perhaps a bit of everything, so I decided to disassemble what wasn’t permanently glued on and see about making it more realistic. Then my attention swayed over to the next model before I could really get it together again. Perhaps my parents knew I would do this, but I still enjoyed working on each one of them on and off. That year, Terry gave me several models that I hadn’t yet purchased as well as several motors for them. He’s always been good at picking up on what I want for Christmas and did a great job that year.

Though the IHC models weren’t exactly realistic, they were good for learning what modeling is about, and I soon discovered another brand called Faller. Faller not only made carnival models but detailed ones that looked just like the real thing, some even coming with lighting. Faller offered more than just carnival rides; they had roller coasters too. I purchased two roller coasters, completely assembled them, but unfortunately, they were destroyed during an incident in our old apartment.

IHC and Faller weren’t the only players in the carnival ride model game. Some individuals began creating their own kits, such as RAH Models owned by Ronald Hamm and Renauld's Midway Miniatures built by Warren Renauld, as well as the incredibly detailed working models made by Don Cummins. While the RAH models involved a bit more knowledge in what’s known as “kit bashing” to make assembly and theming more realistic, Ronald offered an array of rides that could fill an entire state fair if they were full-sized rides.

Over the years, I’ve not touched my models, many of which are unfinished or even taken apart for retheming but just not completed. I have, however, followed many groups dedicated to the hobby and am friends with many very talented men who create their own carnival models from various items as well as IHC, RAH and Faller kits. My friend Kenny Littlechild, for instance, has created a layout of rides that are elaborately detailed yet made from long matchsticks, cardboard, and other basic items.

Being that I enjoy working with my hands, writing, and a million other things, I have decided to start working on the old ride models I already have, get them complete, and move on to more—perhaps even recreating a classic layout of my favorite years from the fairs I have attended.

I will be sharing photos of my completed models as I finish them. Though I wouldn't hold my breath too long, as it will probably take me a while for some of them since many have suffered damage from being shuffled around and stored in closets and under beds. Stay tuned for updates and progress pictures!

Black Box Dreamland & Mixed Up

Black Box's debut album Dreamland (1990) and its follow-up Mixed Up! (1991) are iconic gems of the Italo house and Eurodance genres. This came out when I was in high school and I happened upon it in a used CD store in Pensacola and the cover drew me in. Dreamland features the unforgettable hit "Ride on Time," which became a global dancefloor anthem. The album also includes the biggest tracks of Black Box's history "Everybody Everybody" and "Strike It Up," both featuring the powerful vocals of Martha Wash, who was initially uncredited. The album was produced by Groove Groove Melody and released under RCA Records.

Mixed Up! is a remix album that builds on the success of Dreamland. It includes remixes of popular tracks like "Ride on Time" and "Everybody Everybody," offering fresh takes on these dance anthems. The album showcases the production talents of Groove Groove Melody and features additional remixes by artists like Steve "Silk" Hurley. The vocal contributions of Martha Wash remain a highlight, adding depth and energy to the remixes. This one flew under my radar until I took a stroll through Camelot Music in Lenox Mall in 1992. Realizing it was an album of remixes, this was a no brainer for me to pick up.

Both albums are essential listens for fans of house music and Eurodance, capturing the vibrant club culture of the early '90s. The combination of infectious beats, memorable hooks, and powerful vocals makes these albums timeless classics that continue to resonate with listeners today.

Buy & Save on these and other great NEW & used CD's, Records and Tape on eBay.

Spaghetti Chronicles: From Depression-Era Dishes to Casserole Bliss

Spaghetti seems to be a classic "Italian-American" dish, despite its Italian roots. I've never understood the draw of this generally bland and uninspiring meal that is found in typical American homes, I'm not talking about the ones that do it right with actual Italian recipes but the ones that do it with few ingredients. I guess the appeal lies in its simplicity: a cheap, three-ingredient, one-pot wonder. Boil pasta, brown meat, add sauce, mix together, and eat. A blessing for the time challenged or those clueless in the kitchen.

As a kid, I dreaded the nights I'd walk into the kitchen and see a boiling pot of pasta and a bottle of ketchup next to the stove. This always meant one thing: I would be eating garlic bread for dinner and essentially going to bed hungry. I'm not exactly sure where my mom picked up her recipe for spaghetti, but I assume it may have come from her mother, a woman not known for her culinary skills. Of course, my mom's recipe included more than just ground beef, pasta, and ketchup; it also had LOTS and LOTS of bell peppers and onions. The sight of ketchup was enough to make me lose my appetite.

This could have been me

While working on this blog, I discovered that ketchup-based pasta dishes date back to the Great Depression. In fact, it's a main ingredient in a dish known as Depression Spaghetti, which was more widespread than I thought. I have a feeling it may have been featured in a swanky magazine like Good Housekeeping or Harper's, possibly as an ad for a ketchup brand disguised as a recipe.

My disdain for spaghetti was solidified at a Cub Scout Camp-o-ree. I walked into the main bathroom and my spaghetti days were over. Some kid had puked and left what appeared to be two pots of spaghetti in the restroom. It must have been a violent ordeal because it was EVERYWHERE, and the smell was a cross between Spaghetti-O's and... well... vomit. I couldn't imagine why there was SO much in the bathroom. It was almost like he came directly from a spaghetti eating contest or that's what he had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a few days, perhaps the reason his body rejected it.

Terry loves spaghetti, but we rarely have it. I hate it to the point that I have to clear my mind of everything and hum while I eat it. It took me a long time to overcome my aversion to spaghetti pasta. I mainly poured meat sauce on garlic bread and called it a meal.

Just for shits and giggles, here's a copy of Depression Spaghetti I found online. Brave enough to try it?

Depression Spaghetti

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 lb ground meat, browned with diced onion

• Spaghetti noodles, boiled and drained

• 1/2 stick butter, melted

• 24 oz bottle of ketchup

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil spaghetti noodles until tender, then drain.

2. Mix with browned meat and onion.

3. Add melted butter, ketchup, sugar, and salt & pepper.

4. Stir well and serve.

If you hate it, don't blame me... I don't eat that stuff. It's a meal for less than five bucks anyway. Now if you're looking for something that's an amazing no-fail meal, follow the recipe below and let me know what you think!

Easy-Bake Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-ounce) package of spaghetti

• 1 pound of lean ground beef

• 1 (16-ounce) jar of spaghetti sauce

• ½ cup butter, sliced (divided)

• 1 (8-ounce) container of cottage cheese

• 1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese (softened)

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 1 (8-ounce) package of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Start by gathering all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the Spaghetti: Boil a large pot of lightly salted water and cook the spaghetti until it's done but still a bit firm (about 8 to 12 minutes). Drain it.

3. Cook the Beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5 to 7 minutes). Drain off the grease, then mix in the spaghetti sauce.

4. Layer it Up: Put half of the butter slices in the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spread half of the spaghetti over the butter. Mix the cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream in a bowl, then spread this mixture over the spaghetti.

5. More Layers: Cover with the rest of the spaghetti and top with the remaining butter slices. Pour the beef and sauce mixture over the top, spreading it out evenly.

6. Bake and Finish: Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and nicely browned.

7. Enjoy: Serve it up and enjoy your delicious, easy-bake spaghetti casserole!

I hope you found this story entertaining! If you did, I'd love to hear your thoughts and any fun spaghetti stories of your own in the comments. And if you happen to try any of these recipes, a little token of appreciation in the form of a comment or whatever would be most welcome. 😊

Minibar Madness: A Wild Night of Thievery in New York, 1993

Back in 1993, I had quite the experience that I shared on the Steve & Vikki morning show in Atlanta a many years ago. Over the years, I have told abbreviated versions of the story and I've been asked to elaborate on it, so here it goes. As I've mentioned before, I was a hustler in New York when I was 16. Toward the end of my time being a big ol' ho and homeless, I found that the easiest marks, aka "Johns," were the out-of-towners.

I was wearing something that looked like this, in January

One night, I noticed a sad, alcohol-ridden couple partying it up among themselves at the Ninth Circle on a slow night. They ended up gravitating towards me—well, the woman did, really. She started talking to me for her friend, her breath reeking of Frangelico. She then asked what I thought of her friend. I said something like, "His shoes are small and don't match his outfit," which she apparently thought was the most hilarious thing ever said. Next thing I knew, her tongue was in the back of my throat. LADY, BACK OFF! I ONLY ALLOW DICKS THERE!!! Apparently, this warranted her friend to troll over and feel me up. Then she asked the question, "Are you a hooker?" and I replied, "Me? Why would you think that?"

Perfect casting if my story were made into a movie

Next thing I remember is my friend Sunny Oz yelling across the bar, "Have fun with the breeders," as we made our way up the stairs and outside into a cab. What the bloody hell have I done? I am in a cab heading to a hotel in the financial district, sandwiched between the two oddest people I could ever have met in a gay bar. I had visions of blowing the Iron Sheikh driving the cab to get out of this mess.

We ended up at the Marriott Hotel in the financial district and into the elevator we all went. When the doors closed, the elevator went up and stopped. She got off and screamed, "Have fun!" He and I went up another floor and into his room. He passed out almost instantly. I was bored and hated the Marriott TV channels. I looked around and saw the minibar. It's like a vending machine—you pull, it dispenses, and apparently charges the room. I found this out by flipping channels to the room info screen on the TV and seeing $375 in charges to the minibar after I'd filled my backpack with random crap like candy, nuts, and airplane-sized liquor bottles.

A few hours later, I showered before he got up. Once he was up, with a hangover from hell and ready for his shower, I told him I needed to get home before my parents realized I didn't come home. I loved the fact that he didn't know I was homeless and could use the "I'm in high school" approach to get out of there quickly. He said he thought I was at least 21 up to this point and offered me "hush" money. Who knew being underage could be so lucrative? I hit the door ASAP without the contents of my bag clinking together and power-walked out of the hotel and down the street to the train uptown to hang out and blend in with the rest of the city.

I often wondered if he disputed the charges and how he explained it all. There was a little more to this story, though it will be in the final draft of my book. Anyway...Good times for sure, but definitely not for someone over the age of 18.

I hope you enjoyed this wild tale from my past. Do you have any crazy or memorable experiences you'd like to share? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Your stories make this journey all the more special. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support my storytelling journey, any small token of appreciation is always welcome. Let’s keep the joy of sharing memories and stories alive together!

Saturday GLOWcase: Rick Howard Jr.'s Passion for GLOW

Today, I want to shine a spotlight on my friend Rick Howard Jr., a devoted fan of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) and someone I've had the pleasure of knowing online for many years. Rick and I finally met in person in March during a cruise with the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, and it's a memory I'll always hold close to my heart. Here's Rick's captivating story about being a GLOW superfan, based on the information he shared with me.

Rick with Hollywood

When GLOW debuted at midnight on a Saturday night, Rick's dad waited until his mom fell asleep and woke him up to watch the new show with his firstborn son. Little did Rick's dad know that this would spark an obsession that would shape Rick's childhood and beyond. From that night on, Rick's life revolved around the vibrant, action-packed world of GLOW.

Rick and GLOW's Lightning

Rick immediately fell in love with Spanish Red, who resembled his fourth-grade teacher—a woman he had a childhood crush on. It wasn't long before Rick had all the neighborhood kids hooked on GLOW, thanks to the episodes he faithfully recorded on VHS every Saturday. Every Sunday morning before church, Rick would dash to the living room to rewind the tape, ensuring they could watch the latest episode right after church.

Rick's dedication to GLOW was evident in every aspect of his life. He had his boom box ready to record every rap from the show, which he and his friends used during their reenactments. One day, Rick's dad had a special surprise for him and his siblings—he had built a wrestling ring in their basement, allowing them to transform into GLOW wrestlers more effectively. Rick's 10th birthday party was even a battle royal wrestling party, a testament to how deeply the show had integrated into his life.

Rick's favorite character recreations were Spanish Red, complete with a towel as a cape and a plastic rose, Hollywood, with a feather hair clip he won at the fair, Debbie Debutante, and Sally the Farmer's Daughter, complete with his crop top. His brother often pretended to be Ninotchka, with a fake cigar, and his little sister played Little Egypt, Little Fiji, a Southern belle, or a character they created named Ballarenor.

Despite his love for GLOW, Rick's school performance suffered. He frequently daydreamed about the show and sketched cartoon drawings of his favorite wrestlers, including Hollywood and Vine, Spanish Red, Debbie and Susie, and Sally. Even when he joined the wrestling team, Rick couldn't resist incorporating GLOW moves, which often got him into trouble for using the leg scissors.

GLOW wasn't just a show for Rick; it was a source of courage and inspiration. It taught him to stand up for the underdog and to never let anyone tear him down. Much like Rick, hundreds of miles away, I was also impersonating GLOW wrestlers as a kid, drawn into the same thrilling world. Rick's story is a testament to the profound impact that a TV show can have on a person's life, fostering creativity, resilience, and a sense of community.

Rick's "Mama Bear" GLOW Character

Having shared these memories and bonded over a mutual love for GLOW, Rick and I have developed a strong friendship that will hopefully withstand the test of time. Meeting Rick in person on the GLOW cruise was a highlight, and our connection only grew stronger. I hope our friendship will always remain as robust and vibrant as the GLOW stories that brought us together.

Rick with our good friend James, waiting to board the Norwegian Encore

Rick Howard Jr.'s journey as a GLOW superfan is a heartwarming reminder of the power of passion and the bonds formed through shared interests. It's been a joy to feature his story and to celebrate the incredible world of GLOW that continues to inspire fans like Rick. Our enduring friendship is a testament to the community and connections that GLOW has helped create.

I hope you enjoyed reading Rick's inspiring journey as a GLOW superfan. Do you have any memorable experiences, personal stories, or favorite GLOW memories? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Sharing your stories makes this journey all the more special. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support my storytelling journey, any small token of appreciation is always welcome. Let’s keep the joy of sharing memories and stories alive together!

Memories of Gooding's Million Dollar Midways at the Pensacola Interstate Fair in the 1980s

I originally posted this story a while back and thought it deserved a revisit for accuracy. Interestingly enough, shortly after I shared it, a certain carnival Facebook page decided it was good enough to copy and paste as their own. And when someone pointed out their blatant theft, they blocked me. Classy move, Pounce-Matics Amuse-Matic. Maybe consider coming up with your own content for your pages?

After my parents moved my sister and me to Pace, I didn't realize that we would no longer be going to the Greater Gulf State Fair in Mobile. When fair season began in the area, the Pensacola Interstate Fair was much closer. To my parents, a carnival was just a carnival—all the same rides, food, and blah blah blah. The fairs in Pensacola and Mobile either overlapped or ran at the same time, and we thought the company that owned the rides was the same one that brought rides to both locations. Somehow, we believed Mobile would get the bigger, better, and flashier rides. To a kid, the grass is always greener everywhere else.

Something with the Gooding's logo. Source Unknown.

I really didn't know at the time that there were a whole lot of carnival companies crisscrossing the country, playing different fairs simultaneously. In Mobile, we'd seen Al Kunz's massive Century 21 Shows, which held that spot for many years until Conklin took over, with additional rides booked in from Cumberland Valley Shows. When Conklin took over the fair in Mobile, it seemed to be a seamless transition because Century 21 had many of the same rides Conklin had, such as the Himalaya, Skywheel, Sky Diver, Trabant, Scrambler, and other classics. The only difference you noticed was the addition of newer, more massive thrill rides like the Enterprise, Wave Swinger, and Rainbow.

In Pensacola, we got Gooding's Million Dollar Midways. Gooding's was a massive carnival in terms of the number of spots they played each year. They held contracts with many large fairs and supposedly had enough units with enough rides to play over 10 large fairs simultaneously. In reality, Gooding's Million Dollar Midways didn't own many rides. Rumor had it, the only equipment they owned were ticket booths, generators with their logos painted on, an office trailer, and maybe a girly show. Their business model was based on booking rides from other carnival companies to fill a midway. This meant that you not only had rides from Gooding's—if they actually existed—but also from Link Shows, Royal American Shows, Cumberland Valley Shows, possibly Reithoffer Shows, and several others that had a good working relationship with Milt Kaufman, the owner of Gooding's. Essentially, their fairs could be considered an "Independent Midway" of sorts.

As we pulled into the parking lot, my eyes were transfixed on what makes a fair a fair for me—the Skywheel. That lot could've had no more than two other rides, and I wouldn't have cared less because the Skywheel was the ride I loved the most, something that hasn't changed over the years. Not only was there one Skywheel, but there were two—both at opposite ends of the midway. As we walked the midway, I saw many differences compared to what I'd seen in Mobile. There were many duplicates of rides throughout the midway: two Zippers, three Scrambler-type rides, two Paratroopers, five music-type rides, three Ferris Wheels, and so on. This fair was bigger than Mobile, but only because they had multiples of the same type of rides. The Wave Swinger was the only ride I remembered from Mobile that Goodings didn't feature on the midway, though it was in the commercial. Instead, we got a Chance Yo-Yo and a Watkins Swinger, except for the last year when a Wave Swinger made an appearance.

Pensacola's rides weren't as flashy, and the color schemes didn't really match, but the fair was definitely solid. 1991 was the last year Goodings held the contract for the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Reithoffer Shows took over the following year. Goodings went out with a bang that last year. The midway was filled to capacity with pieces booked in, ranging from classics to modern rides of the time.

For those interested in ride line-ups, this is what I remember from Pensacola the last year Goodings played the fair. Keep in mind, this was 1991, and I had no clue who owned what other than the Giant Wheel owned by Link and the Wave Swinger, which was either Deggeller's or CVS's ride:

• Skywheel

• Tilt-A-Whirl

• Geister-Bahn

• Zipper

• Fantasy Fun House

• Super Sizzler

• Scrambler

• Sizzler

• Spider

• Force 10

• Paratrooper

• Crazy Dance (owned by Royal American)

• Giant Wheel (owned by Link Shows)

• Magical Mirrors

• Super Jets

• Sunshine Speedway

• Hampton Umbrellas (5 of them)

• Mini Scooter

• Gravitron

• Wave Swinger

• Round Up

• Thriller Dark Ride

• Lil Scrambler

• Reverchon Himalaya (with 7-8 seats tied off)

• Flying Carpet Funhouse

• Pirates Den Dark Ride

• Ghost Hunters Walk-Thru

• Amor Express The Love Machine

• Music Fest

• Alpine Haus Funhouse

• Musik Express

• Boomerang

• Roll-O-Plane

• Bumper Cars

• Bumper Boats

• Flume Ride

• Kiddie Bumper Boats

• Glasshouse

• Loop-O-Plane

• House of Fun Funhouse

• Ghost Train

• Raiders

• Enterprise

• Eli Hy-5 Wheel

• Sea Dragon

• Swinger

• Eli Eagle Wheel

• Space Rader (Ring of Fire)

• Flying Bobs

• Sky Diver

• Racing Coaster

• Kamikaze

• Hurricane

• Toboggan

• Carousel

• Trabant

There was talk on the news that there were over 120 rides and attractions, but realistically, I can only remember maybe 85 at the most, collectively among the years I saw them. Unless they were including pony rides, concessions, kiddie attractions, games, and the sideshows. Gooding's seemed to feature an obscene amount of glass houses, funhouses, dark rides, and walk-thrus, so a good bulk of my not-remembered attractions may have included those. There may have been more out there, or I may have some of the lineup from the year before mixed in. I really wish I'd had the foresight to take photos at carnivals the way I do now. Up to that point, I'd never seen a midway packed out like I did that particular year. Back in the day, I never really thought about what was actually owned by the shows that were booked in and what wasn't. Now that I have more knowledge about rides and carnivals, I can safely say that if Gooding's Million Dollar Midways owned anything featured at the fair, it was most certainly not the larger and newer rides. The following year, Reithoffer definitely came in with a bang to top Gooding's last year and did rather well. They brought in most of the Blue and Orange units, as well as their Green unit, which was dissolved and broke off as a separate show in the late '90s. In addition to the three Reithoffer units, they also booked in much of the entire All-American Midway, as well as a few independently owned rides, such as someone's Chance Rok-N-Rol.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my memories of Gooding's Million Dollar Midways. Do you have any carnival or fair memories, personal stories, or experiences you'd like to share? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Your stories and memories make this journey all the more special. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support my storytelling journey, any small token of appreciation is always welcome. Let’s keep the joy of sharing memories and stories alive together!

A Shamrocking Good Time with "Go Luck Yourself" by Sara Raasch - A Holiday Romance to Remember

Hey everyone! If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm a massive fan of holiday-themed reads. So, when I got my hands on an early copy of Go Luck Yourself from Bramble/Macmillan, I was beyond excited! 🎉

Since I adored Sara Raasch's last book, Nightmare Before Kissmas (which I eagerly reviewed back in October), I couldn't wait to dive into her latest festive adventure. And guess what? It totally lives up to the hype!

Sara Raasch, a New York Times bestselling author, brings us this merry, mischievous follow-up. This time, there’s a new holiday rivalry brewing, and it’s absolutely delightful! Can we also take a moment to appreciate those stunning shamrock green sprayed edges? Gorgeous!

The story is an enthralling enemies-to-lovers romance that pairs the spare prince of Christmas with the crown prince of St. Patrick’s Day. Someone’s been stealing Christmas’s joy, and the only clue is a single shamrock. With Coal busy and their dad having a midlife crisis in the Caribbean, Kris volunteers to investigate St. Patrick’s Day to distract himself from his own romantic woes.

Going undercover as an ambassador from Christmas, Kris's journey is anything but smooth. It turns out Prince Lochlann Patrick, Crown Prince of St. Patrick’s Day, is the same guy Kris has been feuding with for months at Cambridge. Despite trying to play nice for the tabloids, the tension between them is palpable. Kris can’t talk to Loch without feeling a mix of frustration and, surprisingly, attraction. Yep, Kris might be in trouble.

Raasch perfectly blends holiday magic and romance, creating an engaging and heartwarming tale. The chemistry between Kris and Lochlann is off the charts, with the perfect mix of humor, tension, and festive cheer.

If you’re a fan of holiday romances with a twist, Go Luck Yourself is a must-read. Huge thanks to Macmillan & Bramble for the early access!

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you read Go Luck Yourself or any of Sara Raasch's other books? What are your favorite holiday romances? Share your memories and stories in the comments below.

Your recommendations—or even a small token of appreciation—would certainly make my day and help me continue sharing the joy of reading. Let’s keep the spirit of storytelling alive together! 🎶✨

Thank you for joining me on this festive literary adventure. Let's celebrate the magic of books and the memories they create! 📚💖

The Magic of the Waterbeds My Sister and I Got After Moving to Florida: A Nostalgic Look Back

Back when my family first moved to Florida, my parents decided to surprise my sister and me with waterbeds from Waterbed Gallery. It was such an exciting moment! I got a super single, while my sister was treated to a queen-sized bed. Both of them were full motion, which was a blast at first. The gentle swaying motion of the waterbeds was something we quickly fell in love with, making bedtime a fun experience. The feeling of the water gently rocking us to sleep was like nothing we’d experienced before.

One of the coolest features of our waterbeds was the heater. During the hot Spring, Summer, and Fall months, we discovered we could turn off the heaters to stay cool while we slept. It was like having an internal air conditioning system built right into the bed! This was incredibly useful during our summers spent under the Florida sun. We were always warm to the touch, whether from a tan or a fever, and the cool bed offered such comfort. When the temperatures dipped in the winter, we’d switch the heaters back on, making our beds warm and cozy. It felt so luxurious to snuggle up in a heated bed on a chilly night. The flexibility of adjusting the bed’s temperature to suit the season was something I absolutely loved.

My granny would come to visit and she would often sleep on my waterbed. Despite it being quite different from a traditional mattress, she really liked it, often stating that her back didn’t hurt as much. Though I would be sequestered to the living room couch while she was with us, losing my bed for the duration of her visit, I loved having her stay. It was worth it to see her so comfortable and happy on my unique bed.

That waterbed lasted over 10 years and through three moves before it finally sprung a leak in one of the seams that couldn’t be patched. It was a sad day when my dad and I realized it was beyond repair. When we priced a new waterbed mattress, it turned out to be too expensive to justify, especially since I was in and out of town a lot by then. So, we opted to buy a conventional mattress and use the waterbed frame as my base. The waterbed had served me well, and I had to let it go. Its durability over the years was impressive, but all good things eventually come to an end.

Not to mention, kids in the neighborhood were super jealous of my waterbed and always wanted to sleep over. But I hardly let anyone on my bed because I was afraid they would mess it up. Years later, my boyfriend in Kentucky had a waterbed too, but his was motionless and definitely not the same. Looking back, my waterbed was one of my favorite beds ever. It had that unique mix of comfort and fun that’s hard to beat. Of course, nowadays I sleep on a Serta iSeries memory foam mattress, which I love for its support and comfort. But there will always be a special place in my heart for those waterbed days and the fond memories that came with them. From the gentle rocking motion to the customizable warmth, it was an experience that brought joy and comfort in equal measure.

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the magic of waterbeds. Do you have any fond memories, personal stories, or experiences with unique beds? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Your stories make this journey all the more special. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support my storytelling journey, any small token of appreciation is always welcome. Let’s keep the joy of sharing memories and stories alive together!

Dale Kristien's The Beauty of Broadway: A Must-Listen for Phantom Lovers

Dale Kristien, The Beauty of Broadway

Dale Kristien holds the unique distinction of being the only actress to perform the role of Christine for eight weekly performances in the original Los Angeles production of The Phantom of the Opera until it closed. Her journey as Christine began as the Alternate Christine on Broadway, stepping in for Patti Cohenour who replaced Sarah Brightman. It’s a shame that replacement performers often don't get the chance to release a cast recording, especially when they possess a voice like Dale Kristien.

A page from Phantom's LA program featuring Dale with Michael Crawford

After the LA production of Phantom ended, Dale recorded an eleven-track CD for Prima Records titled The Beauty of Broadway. Naturally, she included a few Phantom tunes. Her renditions of “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and “Think of Me” are stellar, complete with her breathtaking cadenza and HIGH C. The album also features her duet “All I Ask of You” with her Raoul co-star, Michael Piontek. The other eight tracks span various shows, from Peter Pan and The Secret Garden to Irene. One of the most epic moments on this CD, besides the Phantom tracks, is her incredible vocal duel with her former Carlotta, Leigh Munro, during “Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide.

Dale’s voice is unique, lighter in tone than most actresses who have portrayed Christine. However, this lightness does not equate to weakness by any means. I highly recommend this CD to any Phantom fan who appreciates an outstanding Christine, as well as fans of classic musical theatre.

Buy & Save on this and other great NEW & used CD's, Records and Tape on eBay.

I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Your stories make this journey all the more special. If you enjoyed this post and would like to support my storytelling journey, any small token of appreciation is always welcome. Let’s keep the joy of sharing memories and stories alive together!

Kid Beats Mom Over French Fries

In a shocking turn of events, Dennis Hickman went berserk and repeatedly clubbed his disabled mother, Sheila Ross, because she wouldn't share her French fries with him. Family and friends have stated that the troubled man has a history of violent and bizarre behavior. Following his rampage, Dennis was charged with first and second-degree assault.

Sheila Ross, Dennis's 52-year-old mother, suffered injuries to her head, wrist, and leg. Fortunately, she was treated and released from the hospital the same evening. Despite the severity of the incident, Sheila claims her son went crazy but isn't crazy and simply needs help.

The altercation began when Sheila denied her son the last remaining French fries from her meal. In a fit of rage, Dennis grabbed a bat and started swinging. His rampage didn't stop there; he kicked down the door, slashed his mother's tires, bashed in her mailbox, and hit her car multiple times.

In a heartfelt statement to the police, Mrs. Ross said, "He's my only son. I love him, but I can't be abused." This incident highlights the complex and often painful dynamics within families dealing with mental health issues.

Family and friends have expressed their concern for both Sheila and Dennis, hoping that this incident will lead to the help and support Dennis needs to manage his behavior and mental health. The community remains shocked and saddened by the events, but there is a collective hope for healing and resolution.