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The 80′s Social Network.

It’s not a five star restaurant or anything, but Sonic is gnarly dude.

Sonic, by far, has the best ice around. I mean, it’s awesome to the max. Ha! Remember the eighties?

Ok, back to Sonic. What about the styrofoam cup! Between that and the ice it’s totally tubular.

Did you know the first Sonic opened in 1953?

And that the original name was Top Hat? And that in 1987 (a year before I graduated high school) the 1000th Sonic opened up?

Yep, I graduated in ’88. The year George Bush, Sr. was elected President, CD’s outsold albums for the first time, a gallon of gas was between .82 to .98 cents, and one of the top songs of the year was Push It by Salt N Pepa!

“Cantcha feel the music pumpin haaaud like I wish u would now Push It. Dun du nuna nun. Push it good.”

Sorry. I feel old now…

But I do have fond memories of Sonic. Living in the country, there wasn’t a big choice of places to go for teenagers at the time, so the big thing was cruisin Sonic.

Not just once.

Not even two or three times.

I’m talking hours of endless circles. I’ll have to admit, it was rad. You had friends everywhere and the possibilities were endless. It was the place to hang dude.

It’s not like we had Facebook or iPhones!

Sonic WAS our social network.

Driving around for hours to see who you could run into from high school or any school for that matter. It was conveniently located in a town that was in the middle of two other small towns. I don’t think there was another Sonic for a good 45 minutes away. It was on.

I was a teenager once.

I remember.

Totally, fer shur!

The Last Dance

Just around the corner on the outside of the Houston Skyline lies an intersection. It’s surrounded by four traffic lights, a street light and a grassy knoll that sits just off the right side. It was perfectly framed through the plate-glass window I was looking through. You could just make it out through the writing on the glass advertising the great burgers the place sold. I had just sat down to eat my lunch. That was the first time I ever saw Bennie. He was a little man who wore a brown suit that was too big for him. His shoes had no socks or shoe laces, and the tie he was wearing hung past his waist. He had a felt-covered hat on that looked like something out of the thirties. I don’t know why, but my first thought was that he was homeless, although he carried no sign and he wasn’t asking anyone for money. The little man in his late sixties or early seventies had his left arm extended in front of him and his right arm bent at the waist, like he was holding on to someone. His slow motion took me a second to figure out. He was dancing. Even his face appeared to be pressed against another. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as I sat there eating my salad. I watched him for about an hour, finished my lunch, and went on my way. As I left that day, I kept him on my mind, enough so that it brought me back the next day.

The weather was bad as it had been raining most of the day, so I really didn’t expect to see Bennie there. Much to my surprise, as I turned the corner, there he was, dancing in the rain. I had thought to myself that if I saw him again, I would invite him to have a burger with me. I covered my head with my jacket and crossed the street to ask him if would like to have some lunch with me. He continued to dance, his eyes were closed and I got no reply, so I turned around to head back across the street when he spoke.

“Could I have a cheeseburger?”, he politely asked.

I turned and said, “Sure, if that’s what you’d like.”

“I’ll join you just after my dance”, he said.

I crossed the street and positioned myself in line and ordered us two cheeseburgers, fries and two milkshakes. I waited at the counter for the order and by the time the food was ready, Bennie had made his way to the same table I sat at the day before. He was dripping wet.

“I’ve watched you dance before,” I said, “and your quite good, but you’re going to get yourself sick if you dance in the rain”.

He looked at me and said, “The rain washes us clean, the sun helps us to grow, and love, my friend takes us where we want to go”.

“Fair enough”, I said.

We didn’t talk much after that, but he did tell me his name, mostly keeping his head down the whole time. After we finished eating he stood up, extended his hand to me and thanked me for his lunch. It was the first time I really got a close look at Bennie. My first assumption had been right, his face was unshaven, his clothes were coming apart at the seams, his little hands were worn and dirty, and his face looked very tired. He obviously hadn’t taken a bath in sometime. “Listen”, I said, “I come around here quite often. Would you like to have lunch again sometime?” He smiled and said,
I’m here everyday at noon.” “Good,” I said, “I’ll see you again soon, Bennie”.

It was a few days before I made it back to that side of town, and although I hadn’t seen Bennie, he was on my mind for some reason. As usual, when I pulled up, he was there in his favorite spot dancing. As I got out of my truck, I noticed he stopped a second and recognized me. I have to admit, that brought a smile to my face. I yelled out, “I’ll be at our favorite table!”

I ordered his favorite meal and when Bennie finished his dance he joined me. I had stopped the night before at the drug store and bought him some shaving crème and a razor. In a bag, I had brought him a pair of socks and t-shirt and some clothes to wear. I placed them on the table and told him that the bag was for him. He never looked at them. He was a little more relaxed this time and asked me my name. I had told him my name the first time we met but he didn’t remember.

“You like music?” he asked. “Yea, I love music,” I replied. “You like Jazz?” “One of my favorites,” I replied.

Bennie then opened up like a music box and talked for a solid hour about all the greats like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and even sang a few lines for me. I got a kick out his love for music. After we finished our burger, he, like before, extended his hand to me and thanked me for his lunch. He picked up the bag I had brought for him and placed it under his arm and said good-bye.

I didn’t see my friend again until the following week. He joined me again for lunch. He looked tired and he was wearing the same clothes. Nothing that I brought him. His face was very stubbly and he sat quietly with a slight shake. He was eating his lunch with a good appetite. I wanted to ask him if he had any kind of family. Maybe with the hopes of helping him find them, but couldn’t bring myself to ask the question. Instead I asked something silly, “Ever been in love Bennie?” He finished his bite and smiled at me. What’s her name son? he replied. “Excuse me?” I asked. “She does have a name, doesn’t she?” “Yes.” I replied with a chuckle . “Let me tell you something about love” he said. The key to a woman’s heart is to wear her favorite suit. “Wear her favorite suit?” I asked. “Yes, a woman has many interests.” “You have to find the one that leads you to her heart.” He went on, “For my love, it was dancing.” “I met her when I was twenty at a dance that a friend and I attended.” “I didn’t know a thing about dancing, but we had heard it was good place to pick up girls.” “I wanted to play sports or maybe be the president”, he said with a smile, “but that all changed when I saw her for the first time”. “If a woman cares enough about you to lead you to where her heart lives, you better listen and learn.” “So I learned to dance.” “I married Connie a short time later and over a few years we became very good at dancing, so much so that it became a dream of ours to dance on the big stage.” He could tell that I wanted to ask the question about where she was, so he went on to answer the question without me asking it. “We had a child after we were married, so we set our dream aside for a while, so that we could raise our son. As he got older he began to get himself into trouble running the streets. He would stay gone for several days at a time and it took its toll on us. One night he left and didn’t return. We had all but given up hope when Connie received a call that day from one of his friends saying that they thought they had seen him. Connie went to find him and while driving the car she was broad sided by a drunk driver who ran a red light and she was killed.” He then described her to me with such emotion and with such vivid animation that I felt that she was sitting there with us eating lunch. “She was tall, with long flowing hair, a funny smile and a soft voice. She could dance like an angel and sing like Billie Holiday,” he said. He was growing tired and I could see by looking at him that he was feeling just about every emotion that God ever intended for us to feel in a lifetime. He stood up, shook my hand and thanked me for lunch. I thanked him and told him I would see him soon.

As I lay in my bed that night remembering every word of Bennie’s story it occurred to me that the reason he wasn’t wearing any of the clothes that I had brought him, was because he was wearing her favorite suit. He had been wearing it for some time too, and as I fell asleep, I took with me the vision of he and his beautiful wife dancing. I saw Bennie for the last time on December 11th. It was my birthday and I wanted to see him, so I drove to the diner. As I turned the corner I didn’t see him. I parked my truck and went inside. Bennie was sitting at our table. His face was clean-shaven, his suit was clean. He was wearing the socks and belt that I had brought him and the t-shirt just under his freshly pressed shirt he always wore. His hair was perfectly groomed and he looked ten years younger. “Bennie! You look great my friend!” I exclaimed. He smiled and said, “You’re late.” I got the feeling he had been waiting for several days. I told him to sit tight and I would order our favorite meal. I returned with our burgers, but he didn’t eat much. He looked anxious. I finished up my burger while he watched. We sat in silence for a few moments and then he spoke. His eyes were focused and his expression quiet. “For twenty years I’ve been coming here to dance”, he said, “and twenty years I have been invisible, not because people couldn’t see me, but because I didn’t allow them too”. “I never came here to dance for them, that was a dream that was shared by two and lost long ago.” “I came here to dance with her.” He then looked out across the street at where he had danced for so many years and when he turned his head back to look at me he had a tear running down his cheek. “I have saved the last dance for her everyday at noon, right there at that intersection. That’s where she left me, and what a dance it has been.” He then asked me, “Who will you save the last dance for?” Bennie then stood up, but he didn’t extend his hand to me as usual. We stood and looked at each other for a few moments. I wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out, and he could see it on my face. I put my hand out for him and he grabbed my arm and pulled me close and kissed me on my cheek. He turned around and walk away.

When I first met Bennie I never knew that I would be the one being saved. His wondrous stories of love and life will change my life forever. He had the spirit of an angel, the wisdom of a wise man, and the heart of a child. Bennie opened his heart and aimlessly pulled his bow back and shot. I was just the lucky one to be in its path. I drive by from time to time but have never seen him again. A few weeks ago I stopped to eat our favorite burger, but I couldn’t bring myself to look through the window. I guess I’m a little sad, but there is a part of my heart that hopes that someone needed him more than me and maybe Bennie found his way home. I still miss my friend. When I finished my lunch, it began to rain outside. I put my jacket on, opened the door and stepped into the rain. I took a look at Bennie’s stage again. The light pole that erected from the center of where he once danced flickered on, and with the rain and dark clouds it became a spotlight where he once stood. It was beautiful. I walked across the street, stood under the light, took my jacket off and whispered, “This is for you.” I extended my left arm straight out and put my right arm around her waist and I danced. I danced for Bennie, I danced for my children, I danced for the ones I love, and I danced for all that loved him.

All the world is a stage for those who care to watch. The next time you turn the corner and see someone dancing, it might be worth a second look. Who knows? Maybe they are saving the last dance for you.

Copyright 2011, Mark Rash. All Rights Reserved.

My Favorite Lotions in the World

I have a confession to make.

My hands are so dry since I’ve gotten older! I mean, I used to put on lotion for the fragrance, but nowadays and especially when I’m in desperation mode, it’s a must to lather it on the top portion of my hands. And I do this several times a day or more, especially during the winter.

Which leads me to two of my most favorite lotions in the entire world:

1. For dryness – Nivea Creme.

The first time I found this creamy-sensation-of-a-lotion was near the checkouts at Wal-mart. It came in this cute little blue tin and I grabbed it for my purse (no I wasn’t shop-lifting – I bought it first). I was oblivious to the fact that I was about to experience the best lotion ever. When I finally ran out, which didn’t take long, I found this jar of it.

Mary Kay would probably slap me for this, but I even put this on my face (not recommended for the oily skinned). It works miracles as an eye cream and other problematic dry skin areas on your face. It’s also good for sunburns.

2. For fragrance – Jasmine Vanilla from Bath & Body.

This lotion smells like heaven.

It has Natural Soybean Oil and Glycerin.

I’m addicted to it.

Oh, and if you go to their website, it’s on sale for $6.50 a bottle.

The Greatest Fans on Earth

Someone asked me the other day what I wanted to be when I grow up.

When I was 10 years old my life was consumed with a game called baseball. There was nothing more I wanted to do than play ball. It started with a simple walk home from school one day. I walked home everyday and when spring came that year so did the fresh-cut grass and a smell I can remember to this day. I used to sit in the bleachers and watch the guys throw the ball around, and try to gather up the courage to ask my parents to play. The only scary part of asking them was I knew what the answer would be and I knew I wouldn’t like it. We were less fortunate than some other families and I knew my parents wouldn’t be able to afford the uniform, glove and shoes it took to play the sport.

After about a week I finally did ask my parents if I could play. It was at the dinner table where we usually talked about events of the day. My mother, the one that usually made all the decisions in our family, looked at me and said “son, there is nothing I would love more than to watch you play ball, but we just can’t afford it”. I remember looking at my father as I was pleading my sales pitch. He had an expression I remember to this day. It was one of frustration. I knew he wanted me to play and I knew he felt bad that I couldn’t, so I left it alone. About a week passed since I’d asked them to play when my mother found a way to get me into the game. She borrowed some shoes and a glove from a friend who had a son that played and had extras. They somehow came up with the money to pay the fee and I was in.

That year was one of the greatest of my life. I made the all-stars and played every game. The following year, I had spotted a glove in a store where my mother and I were and I begged her to buy it for me. The one that I had borrowed was bigger than my hand and the webbing was worn and loose. She told me that I would have to make do with what I had. I occasionally would ask from time to time for that glove, but was always greeted with the same reply. When the season began I was as happy as any kid on earth I guess. I was playing the greatest game on earth and I was good at it. Again that year I made it to the all-stars. We had made it into the finals and I had hit a home run to put our team up with one inning to go. We had two outs and were up by one. We just needed one out to accomplish what no other team in our area had ever done. Make it to the regionals. They had two guys on base when the batter hit a hard fly ball that I picked up off the bat and had a good jump on. I stretched out and made the catch and as I was falling to the ground the webbing of the glove broke and the ball fell out of my glove. All I could think of as I lay there on the field crying was that If my parents would have just bought me a glove that fit then I would have made the catch. I laid there until almost everyone had left. That’s when my father walked out and stood there with me. He never said a word and we looked at each other, words were exchanged but never spoken. The look on both of our faces was enough said.

I lost interest in the game after that. In fact, I didn’t pick up a glove at all. My mother and father were constantly asking my brothers to try to get me to play ball with them in the yard but I really didn’t want to. The fresh green grass gave way to the brown sod of winter and Christmas was soon on us. My parents had already told us that the Christmas was going to be tough and so should we. None of my brothers or sisters asked for anything and we were gearing up for a nice Christmas dinner together to enjoy each other’s company.

That Christmas morning was the only year I can remember my father having to call me down to the Christmas tree. I was usually the first one there to see what was going to be there. Much to my surprise there were some things there and it was nice. I was helping my brothers and sisters clean up the mess we had all made when I kept hearing this popping noise coming from the other room. Everyone seemed to know what it was but me, and by the look on his or her faces they did. As I stood up to walk in the direction of the sound, my father came around the corner. He had a ball in one hand and in the other was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was the glove that I had asked for, it was the perfect color, it had the perfect smell and as he stood there throwing the ball into the glove it had the perfect sound. I know what that glove cost and I know that every one of my brothers and sisters did without that year so that I would play what I was born to play. Me and my dad played catch in the front yard that year under a grey sky, there was no green grass, no bleachers or bases to run. Just me and the babe playing catch together while the greatest fans on earth watched from the window of the second floor of our home.

So you asked what I want to be when I grow up….. I want to be that guy that I played catch with in the front yard, I want to be the people who gave up everything for me and watched from the window so that I could live my dream. I want to be my mother who always found a way to make me smile. If I can just be that then I know I can do anything in this life with a smile on my face and love in my heart.

Copyright 2011, Mark Rash. All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Week

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Lynette on Pinterest

My husband, the writer…

The first time I ever spoke to my husband on the phone, he introduced me to his talented writing abilities. From time to time, I will share them within the pages of my blog. This particular one reminded me of Father’s Day. Enjoy!

The Tallest Tree in the Forest

I have a walnut tree in my front yard.

The other day I bent down to pick up one of the nuts that had fallen, and it reminded me of something my brother David said to me the day our father died.

“The tallest tree in the forest fell.”

Our Walnut tree in the front yard.

I guess nothing in this life is as solid as the roots we spread that enable us to grown and become stronger, determining the lives we touch along the way.

As one of those nuts, I’m growing as well. Still, it’s hard at times without the other tree around.

We all have to learn to stand up for the first time on our own. We all have to be willing to accept that yesterday may not be tomorrow. I will watch that tree in my front yard shed its clothes every winter, only to put a new set on every spring. In doing so, all will be renewed.

I will sit under it this summer, like every summer, and be embraced by my fathers memories. A silly smile. Words that seemed to always make sense to me. Memories that enable me to grow. “Maybe so tall Dad, that I will get the chance to touch you again someday. I have so much to tell you. I have a grandson now. The kids are all grown up. You would be proud of them. I am alright Dad. You did a good job and I am trying to understand, like the other nuts in our family, why. But I know that someday I won’t have to ask that question anymore.”

“Until then, Pop…I’ll be right here, sitting under my tree.”

Copyright 2011, Mark Rash. All Rights Reserved.

I just need twelve more hours!

Ernest Hemingway was challenged by a man in a bar that he couldn’t come up with a short story using only six words. He responded with: “For sale, baby shoes, never used.”

Hats off to Hemingway for winning his bet in a bar.

I am a night owl from Hades.

It’s not that I can’t sleep. It’s that I love to stay up late. As a matter of fact, I’m constantly mad at myself during the week, because I look up and it’s midnight.

If only there were twelve more hours to sleep at night…

I can dream, can’t I?

Want to play along? All that’s necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. The full list and linky can be found here. And, here’s where I found it.

Corn, Tomato, Feta and Basil Salad

Yesterday, I found this recipe on Pinterest, and since I worked up the nerve to pinch the basil I grew from seed, I thought I’d go ahead and whip some up.  It’s really easy, too.

It’s a combination of fresh corn on the cob, feta cheese, cherry tomaters and basil!  I’m sure you never would have guessed that though.  : )

4-5 ears of corn, peeled and cleaned

1 large handful of cherry tomatoes

1/4 sweet yellow onion, diced

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 tsp butter

1 tsp olive oil

2-3 Tbsp feta cheese

4-5 leaves of basil, chopped

Clean the corn and cut the kernels off the cobs.

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and stir.

Cook for 2 minutes then add the corn, garlic, tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.

Cook, stirring gently for 3-4 minutes then remove from heat. Top with feta and basil.

This turned out really good. I’m not very fond of ‘maters, but the combination of the other ingredients with them made this dish extremely tasty with a slightly sweet flavor.

This is a great side dish, but could also be a snack with some pita chips. Speaking of pita chips, these are my favorite!

I find these at HEB. The roasted red pepper hummus is found at Wal-mart in the deli section. The best hummus ever and really good with these pita chips.  This isn’t paid advertising, just me letting you know what I enjoy snacking on!

Enjoy your Saturday!

To pinch or not to pinch. That is the question.

This was among my first try at growing from seed this year, and I’m happy to admit the result has been glorious and aromatic!

I sit on my patio and just look at it. It’s sad, because as much as I hate to admit it, I’m really afraid to touch it.

I’ve read that pinching it off is a good thing – that it makes it more prolific and beautiful, but I haven’t worked up the nerve to do it!

I guess I’m afraid I’ll break it. I am in serious need of some garden backbone!

I do take lot’s of pictures though! I’m a proud basil grower, aren’t I?

Ok, ok I’ll go pinch it already….even if it’s green.  Oh yea, it’s not St. Patrick’s Day.  Never mind.

Here are a few ideas for using basil I found on Pinterest. I love this site, because it’s full of great photos from the internet and very inspiring. You can follow me by clicking here.

Lemon Basil Chicken

 

Basil Vinaigrette

Source: simplyrecipes.com via may* on Pinterest

 

Corn, Tomato, Feta and Basil Salad

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Feliesha on Pinterest

 

Enjoy!