Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool (1960)

1) Next Wednesday is April Fool’s Day. Do you have any pranks planned? Do you expect to fall victim to any April Fool’s Day mischief? Yes! Every year my virtual dog “Happy” pranks me. I try to get him to stop but he just love April Fools Day.

2) When she was a kid, Crazy Sam would fool her mom by putting bubble wrap under the bath map so there would be a POP! when her mother stepped on it. When you encounter bubble wrap, do you always indulge in a pop or two? Oh yes. I jump up & smash all those bubbles. Then my neighbor yells that was about time I got a gun. He starts shooting his guns off. Although the casualties are general bad since he’s also blind.

3) While we’re using this song to celebrate April Fool’s Day, it was written about another subject entirely: heartbreak. The lyrics tell us that at some point, we each get our hearts broken by someone who doesn’t love us as much as we love them. Do you think that’s true? Relationships are complicated. Everyone has someone we’ve not over. Although even though I will end up divorced for the third time, it was not a love issue. But since I found out why she left by watching her fucking makeup show.

4) In 1962, this week’s featured Connie Francis published a book aimed at teens called For Every Young Heart. It addressed topics like going steady and schoolwork vs. social life. Do you ever read advice columns or self-help books? I read “Ask Amy” daily. I’ve read her after Ann Landers retired.

5) Connie Francis can play the accordion. Sam has never met anyone adept at this complicated instrument — not even in her high school band. What about you? Do you play the accordion, or do you know anyone who can? Yes. They are called “Polka Bands”. If there are genres more obnoxious I’ve yet to hear it.

6) In 1960, when this record was popular, Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird was published. Have you read it? No. I saw the fuckin’ film if that helps.

7) Also in 1960, one of Life magazine’s best-selling issues had Sophia Loren on the cover. At that time, she was an international film star and considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. Who do you consider one of 2020’s most beautiful women? The Queen.

8) A 1960 issue of Vogue acknowledged how expensive it had become to maintain a fashionable wardrobe and asked, “If you were to buy only one thing, what would it be?” If it’s good enough for Vogue, it’s good enough for Saturday 9: If you could purchase only one new article of clothing for spring 2020, what would you buy? A WTIT Thong. It is both practical and stylish.

9) Random question: When someone makes you really angry, are you more likely to respond with stony silence or a big noise? When I was younger I would do the noise thing. Now? I haven’t the time to fix anyone but me.

This whole period is so strange. I gotta get some groceries today. But I’ve got my hand sanitizer and such. Since I live alone this is SO boring. But two people check in: Harvey Wallbanger and the Queen. My oldest son, Ben I both hear from a couple of times a week. He’s been helping me navigate my 401K & retirement. I know nothing about Wall Street. But I watch MSNBC a lot. The first day whens the Dow lost 880+ points, I called Ben. I asked him to get me out. He did and I asked how much I lost. He said less than 5%. Had I waited it would be about 30%. I was both smart & lucky. Call me if you get bored. Meanwhile, we will return. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Buttons & Bows (1948)

1) The lyrics extol the beauty of “rings and things and buttons and bows.” When you’re getting dressed, do you give much thought to accessorizing? Off and running with a question that is sexist. And yes I’m guessing you know some drag queen or other, blah blah. So go ask him. I don’t wear jewelry.

2) Dinah Shore sings that she doesn’t want to live where the cactus hurts her toes. Sam can sympathize, as she has a blister on one of her toes from where her winter boots rub. Do you have any aches and pains to report this morning? Always. We are still trying get me off the oxicotin. I was on 40mg twice a day. We’ve lowered it to 15mg X2. My doc wants me now to do 15 morning at 10. She is being very careful. I asked to up the antidepressant and she did. I am not depressed that she left. She had to. We were not working. But being retired it is a bit lonely. She sent me an email that she missed talking to me. How big an ass do you need to be? Not “I miss you” but misses talking. That sums it up. I did not respond at all.

3) Dinah was such a popular entertainer that people were surprised to learn she earned a degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University. What is something we’d be surprised to know about you? Have I told you about my neighbor’s husband? He was suppose to midnight. It gave his wife a quality night. So he comes home and he’s pissed as hell that we naked. I told him we were checking for cancerous moles. He apologized and offered me a beer. He should have called first.

4) Dinah’s was the best selling version of this song, which was introduced by Bob Hope in the movie The Paleface. Hope had success early in his career as a song-and-dance man on Broadway. Are you better at telling jokes, singing or dancing? I’ll go with jokes.

5) Both Bob and Dinah donated their time to entertaining the troops in WWII. It was during a USO tour that Dinah met and fell in love with actor George Montgomery, who was serving in the Air Force. They were married for 20 years and had two children. Their daughter followed her parents into show business and became an actress. If a young person asked you for career advice, what would you tell them? Do something you love an DO NOT marry young. Get your career established.

6) Dinah was an avid golfer and even sponsored an LPGA tournament. She was also an excellent cook who hosted TV cooking segments. Which would you find more relaxing — an afternoon on the golf course or in the kitchen? I used to golf, but I haven’t in years due to my back. I like cooking (very) simple things. But I’m not thrilled with it. Sam, I’m gonna pass on this one.

7) In 1948, the year this record was a hit, Scrabble was introduced. Do you prefer word games, card games, board games or jigsaw puzzles? Word or board. The only board games that I’ve played in the last decade was Beatles Monopoly and Game of Thrown’s Monopoly. One each. I got The Beatles one and Kathy left with the other.

8) Also in 1948, LPs (33 1/3 rpm records) were introduced. Do you have any vinyl records in your home? Around 2,000. If any of you want to give me yours let me know.

9) Random question — Which of these would you consider the greatest insult: to be called boring, untrustworthy or stupid? This is a “where should I stab you” question. I just don’t know. Or care.

Hope to see you tomorrow. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Secret Valentine (2008)

1) The lyrics talk about a song that’s so romantic it “turns out the lights.” Are the lights on in the room you’re in right now? Just because I wanna see what I’m doing & because those French twins are visiting.

2) In the video, our heroine’s Valentine’s Day adventure begins with a note slipped into her pocket. What’s in your pocket right now? Not a gun, I’m just happy to see you.

3) This week’s band, We the Kings, are proud sons of the state of Florida. Bradenton, to be exact. They even called one of their CDs Sunshine State of Mind. Have you ever been to Florida? If so, where have you visited? When I was 12 my mother took us on a cruise to the Bahamas. Obviously we left from Miami. We did stay in Florida for almost a week before we cruised. The highlight? My mom brought no sunscreen. We had 3rd degree burns. My brother was 9 and sister was 6. So I’ve never returned. Wonder why?

4) Lead singer Travis Clark has a pierced lip but doesn’t always wear a lip ring. Do you have any piercings? If yes, are you wearing jewelry in your piercing(s) right now? I don’t do jewelry. I wore wedding rings in my first two marriages. And I did wear one in this now fucked up situation. I lost 40 pounds now that I’m retired. My doc was scared so she ran every conceivable test on me. Turns out that I don’t do fast food other than an Egg McMuffin. I do fruit and cook lunch 6 days a week. I lost it from eating healthier. Who the fuck knew that? Oh, I stopped wearing it because of the weight loss it kept falling off.

5) The band’s name comes from a cheer they did when they attended Martha B. King High School. Have you attended your high school reunion? I recently post a pick from my 50th. We had six guys (including me) who recorded on WTIT. They weren’t Howard Stern wannabees. I did not join this male only school wanting to be there. My mom like the prestige. Period. The guys were great but the school was WAY too tough for me. In college I maid the dean’s list. Here is the pick of us: From left: Bull Durham, me before I recently cut my hair, Carter B & Teddy Q.

6) Hearts are the symbol of Valentine’s Day, so here’s a little heart trivia: whales have largest heart of any animal. When we say a person is “big hearted,” it means we think of them as generous. Think about the people in your life. Who would you describe as big hearted? I am lucky. My brother, my sister and my oldest son, Ben. But all four of kids now are raising theirs. I recently found out an 8th grandchild is on it’s way.

7) It’s estimated that 9 million people buy Valentine’s Day presents for their dogs and cats. Have you ever purchased a holiday gift for a pet? BWAHAHAHA!

8) Valentines to teachers are also big sellers. Did you ever have a crush on one of your instructors? In 8th grade with Miss Walsh. We flirted. But her when her husband walked into our “tutoring session” he did not expect her head in my lap. The guy was such a jerk about it. I mean what’s a quick bj between friends?

9) With the popularity of e-cards, fewer Valentine messages are sent via the USPS. What’s the most recent thing you dropped into a mailbox? I sent an updated will to my son before we moved. Now I have to do it over again. I actual did that the Legal Zoom will and made simple changes like taking Kathy out of it.

Was it good for you? We will try to better the next time. Here on the Tape Radio blog. Same time. Same blog.
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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Two Divided By Love (1971)

1) Sam’s teacher told her she’d use math every day. What’s the last math problem you solved? (Did you add to/subtract from the balance of your checkbook … use division to figure out how much you’d save with 25% off that sweater …) I think it comes down to tipping these days. And man, you wouldn’t think so, but strippers expect big ones, so to speak.

2) The lyrics tell us that if you take away the rain from a flower, the flower just won’t grow. Do you have any indoor houseplants? Could they use a drink of water this morning? No plants. I am barely housebroken myself.

3) This week’s artists, The Grass Roots, are introduced in this video by country music superstar Kenny Rogers. Who is your favorite country music singer? Carrie Underwood. It’s an Idol thing. When watch them discovered you never know. I’m not huge into country, I’m more of a country rock person: Eagles, Poco, later Byrds, CSNY etc.

4) The two unmarried members of the group — guitarist Warren Entner and drummer Ricky Coonce — competed for a lady’s affection on a 1968 episode of The Dating Game. Neither of them won! She chose Bachelor #1. Anyway, have you ever appeared on a game show? Do you know anyone who has? My dad appeared on a local cable show in the 80s. The host to my high school and asked my dad how my brother and I were doing.

5) The Grass Roots were originally called The 13th Floor. They chose this cheeky name because many high rises do not have a 13th floor since 13 is considered an unlucky number, and they were thumbing their noses at superstition. Are you superstitious? Not particularly. I’m huge with The Grass Roots. Trivia: Gal is correct that a band named 13th Floor were the Grass Roots for a short time. They weren’t the first band called the Grass Roots. And the 13th Floor singer went into the army and was replaced by Rob Grill. The first band were studio musicians. The second band wanted to write the music. The record company that made up (at the time) the fictitious band wanted control. That’s when the 13th Floor come in.

6) At the time of his death in 2011, group leader Rob Grill was still playing music, touring with a reconfigured Grass Roots. His widow Nancy referred to him as “one lucky son of a gun” because he’d been able to support himself as a musician, doing what he loved for 45 years. In what ways do you consider yourself fortunate? Rob Grill picked out his replacement before he died. Yes I am very fortunate. It’ll be better when Kathy is finally gone. I mean, we get along great still and I let her stay an extra week. But last night she said it would be today. I’m guessing tomorrow.

7) In 1971, the year this song was released, Walt Disney World opened in Florida. The Epcot Center was added in 1982. Have you ever visited this, or any, Disney theme park? No. The twins have tried to get me there. But since we just started hanging out again, I don’t want to push it.

8) Fresh chicken was just 43¢/lb. in 1971. Do you prefer the breast or drumstick? I’m a bit of a breast guy.

9) Random question: Do you work well under pressure? I could not be worse. I was pretty could until my 50s.

That’s a wrap on the Tape Radio Blog. Come back now. Well not exactly now. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Waiting All Day for Sunday Night (2012)

1) This week’s Saturday 9 has a football theme because there’s a big game Sunday. Will you be watching? Yes. It’s odd as a Pats fan, not being there. I know it’s better for the game.

2) The Super Bowl is a big day for food consumption in the US, second only to Thanksgiving. What’s on your menu this weekend? My soon to ex is moving out. I’ll eat whatever she leaves me. But on the bright side, The French twins return to the blog.

3) The NFL has decreed that the Super Bowl will never be played in a city that has a median February temperature of less than 50º. Would your hometown qualify for the Big Game? In New England, hardly. It’s less than 50 till May.

4) This version of the NFL theme song mentions the Steelers and the Broncos. During the regular season, which team do you root for? How did they do in 2019? I wish I saw this shit coming. Did I mention the Pats?

5) This version of the Sunday Night Football song is by Faith Hill. She also has ties to the MLB, since her husband is Tim McGraw, son of the Mets’ pitcher Tug McGraw. Which sport do you prefer — baseball or football? This is tough, but football. If my baseball team is not in the playoffs, I don’t watch. Football? I enjoy watching games even without a rooting interest.

6) Faith has performed live at more than one The Super Bowl in the past, performing both “America, the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” What’s your favorite patriotic song? “This Land is Your Land”. It should be our anthem. Woody wrote a song that’s much easier much than the war tone that we sing now.

7) She has a perfume line with Coty that was a big seller at CVS during Christmas 2018. What’s the last item you bought at a drugstore? Drugs. Imagine that.

8) Faith Hill is the producer of a talk show on CMT called Pickler and Ben. Is the TV on as you answer these questions? If so, what are you watching? I do this to tunes. I’m listening to My Chemical Romance. They are a rock band from the 00s. After a decade apart they are going to tour. They said they are “aging millennial’s fave band”.  Aging millennial seems an oxymoron. But most of them are just regular morons. Except my grandkids. The oldest sets off to college next year. Ugh.

9) Random question: You’ve got a chip in your hand and three dips to choose from — guacamole, salsa, and onion. Where does your chip get dipped? This sounds like one of my questions. Apparently if I want my chips dipped again, it will be with a different dip. My soon to be ex is packing upstairs. Fortunately we were always better at the “friends” part than the rest.

My biggest mistake was getting back together with my wife after a five month separation in 2016. That was devastating, when she left then. This time, not-so-much. We never solved our problems. We did a year of marriage counseling back then. It solved nothing. I’m living in a great place in everyday. I’ll be happy after she’s out. Although she did my me a great seafood dinner this week. Oh and I did a smart thing. I had a doctor appointment this week with my PC doc about my neck operation. I asked for depression meds prophetically. I’ve used them only twice before after my last two marriages ended. I’m not depressed, but who knows? I went out with a Bouncing Billy last week. (as I typed this he called to ask me to watch the Superbowl with him. I said yes.) We saw his son and met his new GF. He asked me how I was. I replied, “I had my 12th spine surgery on New Year’s Eve. My wife is moving out. What’s new with you?” He was laughing hard until it dawned on him that I was serious. He suddenly stopped and asked how I was doing. I told him if I was down I would not have told him like that. Okay, enough about me. How are you? We will be back. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Heart to Heart (1964)

From left: Bouncing Billy, Rock Rolling, me & Gregorius Greg. First time at the new place.

1) With whom did you most recently have a “heart-to-heart” talk? It must be my lady, Kathy. Marriage is like that. But I have had some pretty good “heart-to-hearts” with my son, Ben. Other than my kids, my dad was my confidant. I told Ben that I felt very lucky to be so close with my dad and when I lost him my first thought was how close that I am to Ben, my son James and my daughter Heather. I also have those crazy WTIT guys – Billy, Greg, Rock & Harvey. Billy and I were close growing up. He did the first ever WTIT recording with me. He was with us initially from 1967 to 1974. He disappeared for a decade and came to the first recording of what would be our new group with Johnnie (as always), Cos on his first tape and Bob & B.B. That was in 1985. Again Bill disappeared from my life. But in 2013 I sent him an email asking to have a drink. I asked him if he wanted to “join the band” again. His return made Johnnie’s death a lot easier to deal with. Though I never asked, he explained that once he became a cop that’s who he hung with because of the hours and such. He’s now been here longer than he was in the first place.

2) When this song was on the charts, audiences were tuning in to a TV show called Hart to Hart. Are you familiar with it?  I watched it a few times but thought it was too slick for my taste. Probably why the only actor who I did not like as James Bond was Roger Moore. I still loved James Bond, but Sean, Pierce, Timothy, George and Daniel were much better IMO. I still don’t like Bond as a blonde, but I’m gonna hate the woman who is taking his place. I love the idea of an African-American, but not with a woman.

3) In the music video, Kenny Loggins plays an illustrator. It’s said that the hardest thing to draw is a straight line, because all the joints in your hand have to work together in sync. Can you draw a straight line, without the aid of a ruler or a straight edge? I barely can sign my name. I draw a good Charlie Brown, but that’s it.

4) This video also prominently features teddy bears. A 2018 article in the NY Post estimates that 4 in 10 adults has a plush toy of his/her own. Are you one of the 40%? No, but my son Ben LOVED them. But not now, in his forties.

5) Kenny Loggins performed in a tribute to Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall. Do you have a favorite Aretha Franklin song? If you don’t say R-e-s-p-e-c-t, than you are missing something. Ears, perhaps. They are filming her life story with Jennifer Hudson as Aretha. Perfect choice.

6) Kenny co-wrote this song with Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers. You can also hear Michael on the background vocals. Do you have a favorite Doobie Brothers song? Yes. “China Grove”. I enjoyed both front men for the band.

7) The third cowriter is David Foster. 1982 was a big year for Foster, since Chicago had a big hit with another of his compositions, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” Do you have a favorite Chicago song? Yes. “If She Would Have Been Faithful”. I first heard it as I went through my first divorce. While my wife was faithful in a cheating sense, but when I needed her most she not only showed no support but threw her credit cards in my face when I started talk of (of all horrors) to live on a budget till I found a job. “I never want to live like that” and tossed them. I destroyed them. She married a rich insurance dude. Had she been “faithful” I could still be with her. *shudder* She’s the mother of my children. Even when you divorced, they are still there.

8) In 1982, when this song was popular, Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide killed 7 people in Chicago. In response, tamper-proof packaging was introduced. What’s the last thing you opened that required you break a seal? Medicine.

9) Random question – You’re having a party. Which guest annoys you most: the one who arrives 20 minutes early, or the one who shows up 20 minutes late? The early bird. You are usually getting everything perfect and boom the doorbell rings, early.

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Kathy has two women that she virtually met through he YouTube show. They are here for two nights and the touring elsewhere, and next weekend come back for a night. It’s great to be all moved in. We have a housekeeper once a month to do the heavy lifting cleaning. She called out on Thursday. She did not know that we needed her badly. But her car broke down. Kathy cleaned. It should be interesting for sure. I would imagine that I’ll only deal with them at dinner. I’m working on Harvey coming up from Atlanta for a week. We finally have room. We became BFFs in 1992 during that first divorce. In fact my first move was to an apartment Harvey & I rented. We work so broke but had the time of our lives. (So broke that we once search out couch for money to buy a can of tuna – that broke!) But both of us did well with ladies and they’d cook for us. It was like college again. But better, since we were so much smarter. Harvey threw himself a 40th birthday party. Odd for him. Turned out that both his dad (drowning) in his thirties and his grandfather committed suicide in his thirties. John did not expect to hit 40. I think he’s 64 now. I hope all is well with you. We will return to the Tape Radio Blog. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: The Addams Family (1964)

1) One of TV’s spookiest families was inspired by a series of New Yorker cartoons. What’s the last magazine you flipped through? Whatever was at my dentist’s. Crap signal for my iPhone.

2) The Addams’ butler, Lurch, was originally conceived as a mute. But then actor Ted Cassidy ad libbed the line, “You rang?” and Lurch had a voice, and a catchphrase. Can you think of another catchphrase connected to a TV character? Fonzie – “Hey”. Sheldon – “Bazinga”, JJ Walker – “Dynamite”. I could go on. But I HATE them all except for the Fonz. Great character on a great show. He graduated from my college the year before I got there. If you never saw his first movie after Happy Days do. It was called “Night Shift” with Micheal Keaton & Shelly Long.

3) Now here’s the most important question of the week: Do you prefer The Addams Family or The Munsters? Watched both as a kid and still like them. However, the Munsters were slapstick while Adams Family was cerebral. I hate slapstick (although I did like The Munsters). Jerry Lewis & Adam Sandler are my least favorite actors. Although Lewis’ serious film about being a Late Night type talk show host was excellent and so was he.

4) What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen? For its time, Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. My late Aunt Helen LOVED horror. She took me & I nearly – well you get the idea.

5) Thursday was Halloween. What goodies did you give the trick or treaters? Hershy bars and Reese’s Peanut Butter cups.

6) Are you attending/have you attended any Halloween parties this year? No.

7) Did you carve a jack o’lantern this year? No.

8) Do you eat candy corn all year around … only at Halloween … or never? Never. I don’t eat much candy. My wife craves sugar. She cannot understand that I don’t need a cone when we pass a dairy.

9) In 1964, when The Addams Family premiered, one of the most popular store-bought Halloween costumes was Bambi. It came with a plastic mask held on by a thin elastic band. Tell us about a memorable Halloween costume from your childhood. I never like them. I mean I musta at the time, but I don’t remember any. In 1999 I won the work contest. My son gave me a fantastic Klingon Mask. I still have it and won “Best costume” at a Star Trek convention type thing where they have recreated every thing from the original set. Sitting as a Klingon with Walter Koenig & Nichelle Nichols in NY. As you can see I added a lot over the years. I was asked to pose for pictures with people all weekend. Although the pic with Bill Shatner in Hartford was neat too. He wasn’t but the pic rocked.

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We are moved in about 90%. Enough to show the house of the my son & his family was great. They loved it. We had our first recording in the brand new “Jumping Walker Studio” from Bloomfield”. All four of us recorded for the first time and this will be our 2019 yearly pic on the “Wall of Shame”. We have 34 pictures from 52 years. Some were not taken because we didn’t record. Johnnie Walker lost them two years in a row. But having pics from age 15 to nearly 68 (I turn it tomorrow) is awesome, not as big as having all the recordings interview girlfriends in 1968 to the birth of my first child in 1974 through grandchild and now retirement. Knowing that I will live in this house for the rest of the journey is awesome. For the story if interested email me. I can’t tell you here.  Or call me. I’ll even give you my cell number if you ask. Back to the house: The sun risings over the mountain that we see there. The fall colors from being high up is breath taking. The house doesn’t resemble what the owners who lived here since building it in 1977. They updated everything constantly. The inspector said no one has better insulation in

We are pointing at the new Jouhnnie Walker sign. Looks great! Expensive? Nope. $20 at etsy.com.

their attic than we do. The windows can’t be five years old. Best I’ve seen. The washer is a top-of-the-line Maytag. The dryer rocks as well. The dishwasher practically clears your table. The radio studio is already my favorite of all time. I know. “I am not worthy”. But sometimes luck plays a major role in your life. I expect a long, healthy experience living with my best friend. Kathy and I hit a decade in 2020. I gave up those French twins, though. I miss them. I loved writing this blog as a jaded single guy. But after I met Kathy it felt wrong. So then you got the real me. I wish we all could meet for a drink or coffee. Oh, I couldn’t renew my drivers license. Turned out Rhode Island had some reason to block it. It cost $10 to find out the reason. It was a speeding ticket n- wait for it – from 1996! My son graduated from Bryant University and I drove him back and forth. This ticket an this house have a connection. Maybe someday I won’t be as cryptic. I’ll be back to this here space. Same time. Same blog.

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