Author: zorazebic

Despite Hoax-Slayer advising this miniature creature is not a real threat, I’m happy I was not enchanted enough to touch the fluffy little blob!

© Zora Zebic 2016

Paying for our plate of french fries with gravy at an authentic retro diner called High Lunch Restaurant at 533 Dundas Street in London, Ontario, I noticed a 1950’s AMI Music jukebox. It took me back to my days as a pre-teen. We would save our allowances until amassing the required fortune to  pay for a plate of french fries topped with beef gravy. Ketchup would be swirled atop the gravy, to give it what we determined was a ‘classy’ look. A sprinkling of salt and pepper to make us feel adult, and we’d devour our feasts.

Some of us, most often me, produced treasured dimes and quarters to play records we believed were mysteriously housed in the small contraption. I was always ready to fetch cigarettes at the corner store for the smoking adults. The tiny tips of nickels or dimes were saved to trade for the treasured quarters to get 4 plays on the jukebox.

The small internal speakers produced sounds that were barely audible to us, we were told it was made so as not to disturb the other diners. Those were the days of my learning the magic of music. I chose which songs to play, despite the pleas from my friends to play their favourites. I found their songs too boring as I’d heard those songs so many times. The jukebox gave me a world of new music to explore!

On this jukebox I peered into the cloudy face to read some barely remembered flip sides, “Rugs Of Woods & Flowers” by The Turtles, “What Makes You Dream Pretty Girl?” by the Sandpipers, “Caution To The Wind” by Sandy Posey, and, “In The Chapel In The Moonlight” by Dean Martin. Yes, I was that child in the old CanAm diner on Tecumseh Road in Windsor, Ontario who annoyed everyone playing the flip sides of the records!

Someday, I’d love to own an authentic diner jukebox. I’d love the hear the songs again during dinner. My husband, and now you know another reason I love him so much, says he’d enjoy listening to the flip sides with me.

© Zora Zebic 2016

“Would you look at that!” I’d exclaimed, “I just bought one for $4 in a second hand store thinking I had had one before, and it was your footstool I was remembering!” Mom laughed as I took a photo of her old footstool and said, “I’m sure I’ve had it for a good fifty years.”

Isn’t it incredible I would recognize a small stool despite the little mountain of photo albums that had obscured it from view for years. I went back in time to my teenage years when I’d first paid attention to mom’s footstool. It is a sweet memory of a young girl.

I’d thought then how it was so old fashioned and how it had looked rather quaint beside her birdcage housing her pair of canaries. I’d watched as the birds had gazed down and had thought how maybe they were wishing they could fly down to sit on the leaves and peck at the flowers.

Mom’s footstool is rather faded after the many years of service it has given her. The faded flowers are still beautiful though and, I’d like to think her canaries spirits perch on the stool to keep her company.

© Zora Zebic 2016

While in London recently we were able to convince my mom, who is 91, to give up some of her time busking and share a meal with us. Yes, you read that correctly, busking! My mom spends time daily with her guitar and her many friends. Some folks come to toss some coins into her open guitar case or to spend time chatting with her. Little children dance with glee and clap their hands to her music. It means the world to mom, to entertain and the wonderful folks at Pita Pita on Wharncliffe Road South have blessed her with a spot for her to perform. They have fantastic food also!

Mom says her daily busking keeps her out of the old age home and in her own apartment. She does not want to give up her independence, and I agree. Mom’s home is crowded some with her many memories, along with some mementos of a friend who recently passed. She won’t keep the items for long as she will find a way to distribute the little treasures to those who come in to admire them. It is her way to say a long goodbye to a friend, letting a little of him go every time.

Mom, persuaded to eat she said she wanted to try the food at Boss Hog’s Smokin’ Chophouse. The special of the day was a burger and fries, along with a giant quarter of pickle for a mere $7. (See photo below.) Barry, my husband chose to give up the fries for a dish of roasted vegetables, and they were almost perfect. I say ‘almost’ only because I would have truly loved to have encountered some roasted garlic cloves. I ordered a bacon and cheese baked potato, and mom ordered her potato topped with butter and sour cream and a dish of coleslaw. The fries are great so don’t be deterred by our choices, our taste buds had minds of their own!

I was pleased to see the French’s Ketchup and Mustard duo among the condiments. Since Heinz packed it in and unemployed many in Leamington I have not purchased any Heinz products. Thankfully French’s seized the opportunity to make their product from the delicious tomatoes grown by Leamington farmers, who would have been devastated otherwise. French’s will also be moving production to Ontario. Hopefully all those who lost their jobs will find employment with French’s!

During our fabulous meal mom pointed toward the door and said, “Won’t you look at that!” I looked to see a small child sitting in a pig chair. The parents were at the cash paying for their meal so I wasn’t able quick enough to catch a pic of the child in the chair. Our visit with mom was a day filled with food, facts and fun.

© Zora Zebic 2016

I purchased this little green bottle with reservations of the veracity of the manufacturers claim. I didn’t purchase this hope for my face, I have my oily skin to thank for keeping many of those lines away. So far!

Sadly, the oil glands have not been there for me from the chin down. As I’ve aged I have averted my eyes from the mirror each time I see “the neck”, as I not so lovingly refer to that portion of my derma.

I can tell you, lately, I look more endearingly at my neck. The Drops of Youth is working, and it is almost spellbinding to see the remarkable difference. I’m not one to promote products, but this one, well, I am impressed and happy to share what I now call my “neck potion!”

I feel good to reclaim some of my youth, and a lady needs a boost every now and then. A man asked me today if I was married and I replied, “Of course I’m married, look at how beautiful I am!” I realize it is okay to toss about a little swanky charm. Besides, it isn’t every day a man makes such a query.

© Zora Zebic 2016

The photo above is the eye of a baby, one month of age. The baby’s eyes have yet to witness much of life. How beautiful it was for all of us to have had a time to view with innocence.

Anthony’s eye

Ed’s eye

Chris’ eye

Sarah’s eye

Steve’s eye

Eyes of a few of my friends depicted in these photos.

© Zora Zebic 2016

Early in the morning my husband and I stepped off our train in London, Ontario. We debated for a moment to hop into a cab to our bed and breakfast room but decided against it. Check in time was not until 1 pm so we thought it would be best to have breakfast first, to then call to ask to drop off our bags early. Our friend was in the hospital for an emergency surgery and we wanted to get there as soon as we were able.

We walked over the the Covent Garden Market which was a couple of blocks away. There we had a standard yet enjoyable breakfast. We thought to go sit in the shade for a bit to enjoy the local scenery. This gave me the opportunity to snap a few photos of colourful tree sculptures. I searched a bit on Google and found this Wikimedia link for the metal trees!

My husband called our host where we would lodge and the man agreed to allow us to drop off our bags early so we could attend the hospital right away. When we arrived at the Inn-Chanted Forest we were surprised to learn our room had been made ready for us!

There are times when our needs seem as out of reach as the moon, and other times the fates step in to offer an unexpected kindness. I tuck loving memories of these days away to ponder on at other times I may feel life is attempting to defeat me.

© Zora Zebic 2016