POPPIN’ JOHNNY ICE CREAM

THESE OLE FASHION ICE CREAM FREEZERS ARE TURNED BY THIS 1927 3 HORSEPOWER GAS ENGINE, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS A POPPEN’ JOHNNY.

THE THING THAT DRAWS ME TO THIS VENDOR IS AN OLD CHILDHOOD MEMORY OF VISITING GREAT UNCLE BILL, AND THAT HE HAD ONE OF THESE POPPIN’ JOHNNY ENGINES IN HIS BASEMENT. ON OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY VISIT, THE “OD” WOULD ALWAYS ASK UNCLE BILL TO TAKE US TO THE BASEMENT AND FIRE UP THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE ONLY FIRES EVERY EIGHT REVOLUTIONS OF THE FLY WHEEL MAKING THE POPPIN’ SOUND FROM WHERE IT GETS ITS NICKNAME.

I KNOW THIS OLD MEMORY WILL MAKE MY MOTHER SMILE, AS WELL AS MY TWO BROTHERS. THE VENDOR KEEPS THE ENGINE RUNNING AS A WAY OF ATTRACTING CUSTOMERS WITH THE POPPIN’ SOUND AND WHITE PUFF OF EXHAUST.

GETS ME EVERY TIME…..

“SUNNY & 80” (PERFECT ICE CREAM WEATHER)

THE PUNCH LINE
"Sarah Palin says she wants to be bipartisan; she would like to help Barack Obama. And I thought, hasn't she helped him already?" -- David Letterman

EXTRAVAGANZA

IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE AVI CASINO IN THE FALL AND IN THE SPRING THEY HAVE THE EXTRAVAGANZA. IT’S A COLLECTION OF VENDORS THAT SET UP TO DISPLAY THEIR WEARS.

THESE VENDORS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO QUARTZITE FOR THE WINTER MONTHS TO SELL. QUARTZSITE IS A SMALL ARIZONA TOWN AT THE JUNCTION OF HYW 95 AND INTERSTATE 10. IN THE SUMMER IT’S A SLEEPY TOWN OF LESS THAN 2000, BUT IN THE WINTER THE POPULATION SWELLS TO A COUPLE OF HUNDRED THOUSAND WITH RV’ERS SETTING UP ALL OVER THE SURROUNDING DESERT TO ENJOY THE WARM DESERT WEATHER AND BOONDOCK FOR FREE.

OFTEN CALLED THE LARGEST FLEA MARKET IN THE WORLD, THE VENDORS FOLLOW THE SNOWBIRDS AND SET UP SHOP. THE AVI EXTRAVAGANA MAKES A NICE STOP ON THE WAY TO, AND BACK FROM, THEIR WINTER IN QUARTZSITE. CONFIDENTIALLY, THERE IS A LITTLE LOOPHOLE BEING USED HERE BY THE VENDORS. THE EXTRAVAGANZA IS SET UP ON THE MOHAVE INDIAN RESERVATION AND FOR THE $25 COST OF A PERMIT THEY DON’T HAVE TO PAY ANY SALES TAX TO THE STATE FOR WEARS SOLD ON THE RESERVATION. HMMM……. WONDER HOW MANY OF THEIR QUARTZSITE SALES END BEING REPORTED ON PAPER AS BEING SOLD AT THE AVI?

OVER THE YEARS WE’VE BOUGHT OUR Z-COIL SHOES, A SET OF POTS, PANS, & INDUCTION HOT PLATE, CAR WAX, AND ASSORTED RV SUPPLIES AT THIS EVENT. THIS YEAR I BOUGHT THE SHAM-WOW TOWELS AS SEEN ON TV, WITHOUT PAYING THE SALES TAX OR SHIPPING. THE CAR WAX VENDOR WAS MISSING SO LOOKS LIKE THE AZ CAR WON’T BE GETTING A COAT OF WAX THIS FALL AFTER ALL.

TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN I FEATURE ONE OF MY FAVORITE FOOD VENDORS, ‘POPPIN’ JOHNNY ICE CREAM.

“SUNNY & 80”

THE PUNCH LINE
"Actually, sir, I do mind if you call me 'Barack-odile Dundee.' " - From David Letterman's "Top Ten Things Overheard During The Bush/Obama Meeting"

Village Players Community Theater

By Wendy

Just an update to let you know what I’ve been up to. I was asked by the Village Players Community Theater to run for office as a board member. I won. I was then elected treasurer by the board. (something that happens quite frequently). Then…auditions for the fall murder mystery and summer comedy productions were held yesterday. I have secured two roles and would like to forewarn all family and friends that you may be called upon to attend one of these performances. I am including my own synopsis after having read my two scripts.


Murder Medium Rare by Eileen Moushey

A murder mystery, dinner theater, audience participation play. I will be: Marjorie Richmond. Marjorie is a famous cookbook and entertainment author and expert. She is arrogant and condescending. She is about my age…50 +. She is a “bitch”. This will be hugely fun.

The dinner theater production will be held on Thursday November 6 and Saturday November 8. Tickets are already being sold for this Italian dinner being held at Voyager Village Clubhouse. They were being sold before I was even cast. It is a popular event and the clubhouse is a popular eating establishment. I will get information to you if you would like to attend…email me. Tickets are going fast


The Foreigner

A comedy in two acts will be presented in early August on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for two weekends. The likely dates are: July 30, 31 and August 1 and 2 as well as August 6, 8 and 9. We are actually having a meeting to finalize this in three weeks. I will be Betty Meeks, a 70 year old widow and owner of a fishing lodge about two hours away from Atlanta Georgia . (Yes I have to do a southern accent and my experience with Kim Ann Tucker is definitely going to help) This play originally ran at the Astor Place Theatre in New York City , then went on to various venues in cities across the US . Some members of our group have seen it in New York , Milwaukee and Minneapolis . It has always been well received.

Synopsis: Betty’s home and fishing lodge (think B&B) is the target of a takeover. She does not know this. A frequent guest brings a friend on his annual visit whom he portrays as a “Foreigner” unable to speak English and unfamiliar with our ways. Betty is intrigued, as are the other guests. I will not spoil the plot at this point. Suffice it to say, the ensuing action is hilarious and….we get to do special effects for this one. I have to say, this role is even better than Aida in “Over the river and through the Woods”

Callie or Nick may be familiar with “The Foreigner”.

We are looking at the possibility of combining a family weekend around the first or second weekend in August and having people see the play, hang out at our house, do the lake thing etc. Hans is thinking of leaving for a motorcycle trip the Monday following.

I am just giving you a really long advance notice…Mostly because I am excited about playing Betty. It is a big role and completely funny…something I have always wanted to do.

I read today that Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward built and appeared at their community theater in Connecticut . What a way to retire….give back what you know you are capable of to the people who live around you.

Wendy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAILEY !!!

Turbocharger

Back in the old days we drove a Buick Rivera that had a Turbo charger. We sure miss the power in freeway driving, and excellent gas mileage we got with that car back in 2000. So I got thinking about a Turbo charger to our current under powered car.

While investigating the possibilities I ran into vw turbo , a website selling Turbo chargers for you automobile. If you're like me and missing the power of '70's in automobiles now may be the time for you to visit vw turbo for a look see. The website is easy to use, just pull up your vehicle from the pull down menu, select the year of your vehicle and off you go to select a turbo charger for your current vehicle.

Good Luck and enjoy your new and Improved ride.

Dangerous Coffee Mug Cake

A while ago we heard from a guy we used to work with on the Miss Marquette. He was kind enough to send us a recipe for "Coffee Mug Cake".

Looks like a mug full doesn't it?? This is what it looks like going into the microwave.

This is what it looks like coming out of the microwave....

And this is what it looks like just before you take a fork to it and eat it!!

Here is the recipe for this single or double serving 5 minute cake:

1 coffee mug

4 T flour--not self rising

4 T sugar

2 T baking cocoa

1 Egg

3 T milk

3 T oil

3 T chocolate chips (optional)

Small splash of vanilla

In the coffee mug mix thoroughly the flour, sugar and cocoa. Add the egg and mix well. Pour in the milk and oil mixing well.

Add the chocolate chips and vanilla, mixing well. Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug but don't be alarmed...it will not overflow. Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate......EAT!!!

This is called the "Dangerous Coffee Mug Cake", because now chocolate cake is now only 5 minutes away at any time of the day or night....yup dangerous is the right word for this!!