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Sunday Has Arrived And Diane Must Go…Darn!

So what if I don’t know what “Armageddon” means? It’s not the end of the world.

Yesterday was great as Sue got to go out and about, see friends, and crash early.  10:00 AM and she was still asleep!  All up and coffee is served…we sat around the table until noon and decided to go to Mama’s for lunch/breakfast…hope it is not too crowded!

This photo was taken at Dad’s 25th year celebration with Ralph’s 5, 10, and 25 cent store.  Dad started in 1932 and 1957 was 25 years! Seated are Paula, Mom, Dad, and Caroline (Paula’s Mom/Ralph’s wife), and standing is Ralph David Lebowitz.

Ralph was such a great guy.  During WWII, he entered the Army just getting in under the age limit.  While he was in the service, Dad watched the three stores for him and ever since then they were almost like brothers.  He was a GOOD man!

Paula, Mom, Dad, Caroline and Ralph (standing)

They got along so well but, alas, all things come to an end. Dad was the buyer for toys, stationary, hardware, and house wares…Ralph took care of everything else.  So is it now 1958…the hula-hoop comes out.  Dad placed a large order of hula-hoops!  They have five stores and dad orders 100 gross of hula-hoops.  14,000 plastic rings.  Ralph finds out, hits the ceiling and fires Dad on the spot!  I remember Dad coming home mid afternoon heart broken.  Two days later Ralph is on the phone apologizing and begging dad to come back…they sold 100 gross, 14,000 hoops in a single day! Ralph wanted more!

Did You Know? A hula hoop is a toy hoop that is twirled around the waist, limbs or neck. The modern hula hoop was invented in 1958 by Arthur K. “Spud” Melin and Richard Knerr, but children and adults around the world have played with hoops, twirling, rolling and throwing them throughout history. Hula hoops for children generally measure approximately 70 centimetres (28 in) in diameter, and those for adults around a metre (40 in). Traditional materials for hoops include willow, rattan (a flexible and strong vine), grapevines and stiff grasses. Today, they are usually made of plastic tubing.

Dad got a title “General Manager” and was never “fired” again…we laughed about that for years!

Time For Lunch Mexican Style

So, time for lunch!  We tried Mama’s but alas, 35 minute wait so we went to Taco Surf and had a great lunch! It’s funny as Sue and I have driven by it for almost 30 years and just started going there in the past six months…what were we thinking?

Heading Home

We returned home and waited until 3:00 PM to take Diane to the airport.  Long Beach is only about seven minutes away from our place so it is an easy delivery!  She is off and running!

Off she goes into the wild blue yonder!

We returned home and hit the TV room. We watched Gilmore Girls until 10:00 PM and then crashed…full day tomorrow and we want Sue to get over her cold!

The visit with Diane was super…I am lucky to have a wonderful sister-in-law like her!


About Paul

Just an old retired guy trying to finish out my last years on this planet. I lost my best friend and wife in early 2020. I was blessed again by reconnecting with Dr. Mary Côté, a long-time friend. Mary and I got married July 28th, 2021, and are enjoying life together and plan to spend the rest of our lives being a blessing to our friends and family.
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