Exciting few weeks

How could I ask for anything more? Summers in Cleveland never disappoint. The last few weeks my Cleveland Indians have been up and down but still very exciting! How can you beat 'beating' the dreaded Yankees, then Carlos Carrasco dueling CC Sabathia, Pronk's walk-off come back win all heading into the All-Star Break where Cleveland's representation consists of Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Perez and Manny Acta.

I was fortunate to experience a dear friend's very first ballgame at Progressive Field and trip to the Terrace Club for girls' night out!

On the man front, an unprecedented summer like no other, though absolutely nothing has panned out yet.

In the movie, "Pretty Woman," there was a scene where the twins were speaking of Edward's 'flavor of the month.' Ironically, it seems there have been different boys stepping up to the plate each month....May had a charming boy-next-door suitor who still remains a friend....June brought a social media pal, who again, still remains a friend. July just brought an unsuspecting charming friend who I met at a station party in a bar of all places, and I instantly fell for his smooth lines. I violated many of my rules, one being never meet anyone in a bar! I could not resist. Where will this go? Who knows, but all my friends say just have fun and savor each moment.

My mystery man tossed me a line like I've never heard before charming me to no end. We have
a mutual friend so when I thought he left without saying goodbye, I still had a glimmer of hope knowing both of us could track each other down through our mutual friend. And sure enough, I received an email from my mystery man ....which started this unsuspecting rollercoaster ride leading who knows where?!????! I've seen my mystery man a few times already. Fingers crossed.

On the home front, very proud that I am finally crossing a few things off of my 'to do' list including important doctor appointments.....for the first time in a long time I feel as if I am catapulting the highest mountains....with an uneasy background feeling of 'what if' waiting for all of my test results. What will be will be.


Finally, wrapping up this whirlwind stretch at the "Taste of Tremont." What a tremendous festival. If you've never been before, please go next year.... you will sample the greatest fare of foodstuffs, adult beverages and music like no other. This street fair a small slice of the pie encompassing what happens in Cleveland, Ohio all summer long. It's a great place to live. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world!

Shoeless was NOT going to stop me

You'd never know I was as old as my birth certificate says.

I don't feel that age.

I hang with younger kids.

I'm told I don't look that #.

And I've been carded at least 4 times over the summer. Whew hoo!

Thank you, Mom. That is one of many attributes and gifts you have given me and I so love you for it.

I had the honor of attending the Indians' game with 2 co-workers who realistically could be my daughters. But, I just have the best time whenever we go out.

I hope they have the same fun times.

Carrie and Caitlin are a hoot and we had just a crazy time.


Again, the folks in front of us totally eavesdropping on all of our conversations.



And they were enamored with the blond girls in my company. I am not blond. I'm ok with that fact! I kinda like my dark, Italian hair with my light blue eyes.

I must admit, I can not believe how I can still partake of the adult beverages.

After the game and great fireworks show put to music (where we screamed the lyrics at the top of our lungs), we met up with Bethany and her friends. Yet, more laughs and memory-making.


Now, in the midst of the fun and frivolity, my flip flop began giving way.


Those who wear flip flops regularly know what I am talking about. It starts feeling looser. You glance down and see that sure enough, it is getting looser and the spot between your toe is even giving way and may bust open at any moment.


You have to clench your foot and consciously lift your foot every time you take a step.


I could not have that happen.

The night was still young. I had at least 3 or 4 hours still ahead of me!

So, in fashion of my younger days --at college, or when we'd go to Browns' games at old Municipal Stadium, I yanked off the shoes and walked barefoot through the streets of Cleveland.

I did not care.

Threw caution to the wind and loved it actually.

From Progressive Field to Harry Buffalo.....through East 4th (which is AMAZING these days--love it!) down Euclid Avenue through Public Square....over to West 6th and the Warehouse District!


An amazing feat that my feet did not get sliced up or worse.


Each establishment we entered, I'd put on my shoes for a fleeting moment until we got in and then poof --slipped them off because with each step, the plastic support was loosening.


Quite a liberating feeling to dance on the dance floor at Dive Bar barefoot and play Foosball barefoot! Just like I was back at college roaming around campus at 2:00 a.m.


Into the Rooftop Bar. The shoes immediately came off as I was required to walk at least 36 steps to get to the rooftop, and once up there, up and down a few platforms.


No way Jose.


Once up there, what a beautiful sight of my fair city. The music blasting, pounding through your whole body, the drinks freely flowing, and a breeze that made it all worth it as you glance out at the city skyline.


Finally, the night had to come to some sort of conclusion.


I had been up since 5:00 a.m. My other friend actually had to go INTO work. She was a trooper drinking water all night.


We decided to head back together --walking.


Never once felt afraid or unsafe to navigate the streets of Cleveland in the wee hours of the morning --shoeless!


And once we left the Rooftop Bar, I was required to be shoeless for the rest of our trek as my flip flip busted into 2 pieces before our very eyes. Caitlin was nice enough to ask if I wanted to get a taxi.


Heck no, this was the perfect ending to our daylong adventure.


We walked back to our cars, having a wonderful conversation, I feeling as if I was a kid again.


And deep down inside, I think I still am!

Keep your eyes to the skies

Bittersweet times ahead.

Labor Day weekend ushers in the 'unofficial' end to Summer, though we may have weeks if not months left of nice weather!

I love Cleveland.

We always have a blow-out Labor Day weekend with the Indians usually in town, the Air Show, the Taste of Cleveland, live music all weekend long, the Oktoberfest, the Geauga County Fair, and so much more!

Speaking of bittersweet times, you know Mom is not feeling well if she skips the Indians Game.

Today was one of those days. Mom passed on the game and I went with a dear friend of ours.

I really enjoy the Indians' games this weekend because more than not, you will have air show planes buzzing by throughout the entire game!

You better keep your eyes to the skies: for the planes and the foul balls!

Sure enough, the roar of the planes kept the Indians and Twins on edge for half of the game but gave the crowd something to cheer.

What a treat!

I am determined NOT to let this weekend be the end of my summer. We've still got a lot of Indian summer living to do!!!!

Our Rock Hall Induction Experience

Another one crossed off our bucket lists!

What a way to characterize a history-making, once-in-a-lifetime experience! And to share this with my Mother! Now, that is sheer perfection!!!!!

Well, even though it has been crossed off our bucket lists, I sure hope we have one hell of a chance on making it to future Cleveland Induction Ceremonies! That's for sure. This is my element. OK, the music portion is my element. I am a vocalist. And a connoisseur of music, all genres. Later in this post, I'll get to what is NOT my element and what made our Rock Hall Induction Ceremony, at times, exasperating.

We lucked out. We are charter members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. However, when tickets to the general public went on sale, Mom and I got shut out --8 times!

We both tried the call in days.

We both tried the log in days.

We waited in line.

Finally, we just put our names on a list and hoped that in the end, they released a handful more tickets for Rock Hall Members.

Sure enough, the Thursday before Inductions, Mom got a call asking if we were still interested. Heck yea!

The tickets for the 'common folks' were quite expensive but well worth it.

We had one sticking point. Though Mom's recovery has been great and she is back, her mobility at times needs a little assistance. When we know we have to walk long distances or wait in line for a period of time, it's better for us to take 'assistance' of some sort. Hence we asked if they had a handicapped area. And they did.

We're going to the Rock Hall Inductions!

Now there is going to be a mix of ecstasy and disappointment in the lines that follow.

The ecstasy circles around the performances and the history being made. How could you NOT realize you are witnessing a little slice of heaven jamming to the finale with the guitarists of Metallica, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Wood, Jeff Beck, Joe Perry and so many other greats. I mean, come on!

From the get go, when the announcer counted down the seconds to the show open on LIVE TV and then said "Live, from Cleveland Ohio." Chills, that's all I can say!

Little Anthony and the Imperials opened the show sounding PERFECT! Everyone throughout the entire Public Auditorium, which looked lovely, was jamming.

Every act that performed thrilled the crowd and did not let anyone down....Wanda Jackson still jamming in her 70's....Cleveland boy Bobby Womack still has his set of pipes.....Mom and I REALLY enjoyed listening to the master, Jeff Beck who wound up jamming with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page during his performance...and then the entire auditorium got nuts when Metallica, all dressed in suits, started rocking the joint. I must admit, not Mom's favorites BUT she knew she was witnessing the likes of something never to be seen again.

The introductions were heart warming and informative. None of them were too long until the end when Flea ran wild introducing Metallica. Up to then, the show had retained its decorum and swiftness. Then Flea uncorked the swear words for the first time all night and went on longer than Metallica's acceptance speech.

We hung it out knowing there would be a master jam session at the end. That's the best part, hearing and seeing everyone jump up on stage and play together as one entity. The first jam session encore was a performance of 'Jailhouse Rock' while the finale was 'Train kept a rollin'.

It was great seeing the stars in the crowd as well the likes of Run DMC, Eric Carmen, local politicians such as the Kucinich's, Harlan Diamond, many local judges...the list is endless. A who's who.

Priceless. Pinch me!

A night never to be forgotten.

Now, comes the 'not so perfect part' of the night. Sure, the simple fact that we were there --that's enough.

But let me tell you, getting there was a cluster (I will leave off the F word that usually follows cluster!).

First of all, I really felt for the first time like I was a 'have-not.' There were the 'haves' who were being wined and dined and took home their Gibson care package bags. Then there were the 'have nots' who were treated like second class citizens. Let's face it, if it were not for the fans, these musicians might not be where they are today. The Rock Hall may not be as popular as it is today.

Getting into the Auditorium with a handicapped situation was IMPOSSIBLE. The red carpet was blocked by gawkers. There was no signage where to go if you could not do steps. We labored for a while as to where to and how to enter. Finally, we painstakingly made the trek up the stairs. Once inside, another major cluster. All the while, I was worrying we would not be in our seats on time because of the disorganization of the venue and possibly Rock Hall. You see, you had to be in your seat by 8pm or you got shut out until the next commercial break.

We were told over the phone by Rock Hall personnel they would escort us to the handicapped section. We spoke to 10 people associated with security and Public Hall who looked at us like we were speaking a different language. They directed us in circles. All the while, being a major worrier I was afraid we would not be in our seats at 8pm because of SOMEONE else's screw up.

They even sent us up the elevator unattended. We got up there and were standing alone in the corridor fretting. No one in sight. No help in sight.

Hadn't a clue where to go.

I hopped back on the elevator and went back downstairs to a place where at least there were people.

Got back down. Waited some more to grab someone's attention.

Finally, a beautifully dressed woman in red knew exactly where we should go. We haphazardly stumbled upon her as she was escorting in her party. If we would not have run into her, we STILL may be standing alone in the bowels of Public Auditorium.

They took us to the handicapped section which was on the floor in the back. It was also in a huge wind tunnel and behind a bar area.

We could not, at first, take part of the bar area. That was reserved for 'others.' I had to be escorted up 6 ramps to the commoners concession stand where I stood for 15 minutes worrying I'd miss the beginning of the show. Had to be escorted back down.

Finally, during the show a little man from the bar came and asked everyone in the handicapped section if we needed anything to drink.

The least they could do. Mom and I were lucky. I can walk. She can walk. However, she could not have walked up 6 ramps and neither could many of the other folks in our section.

Now this is what really got me. I am at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. That's why I am there. You have people sitting at the front tables who really did not realize they were witnessing history. I can not tell you how many people blocked the handicapped section view by standing at the bar all night with their backs to the ceremony, talking loudly at the top of their lungs making it nearly impossible to hear portions of the show. They did not care what was going on up on stage. They just cared about getting smashed at the bar and saying they were at the Rock Hall Inductions. So many people left BEFORE the end of the evening. What a drag.

It's a crime that many folks who really did not appreciate what they were witnessing got pampered to the max while those who should have gotten the star treatment were resigned to the 'back of the bus.'

I tried really hard not to let these folks get to me.....because I was at the Rock Hall Inductions with Mom and they were GREAT.....

I'm not in the 'in crowd' and probably never will be. Believe it or not I know a lot of people but apparently not well enough to get whisked away to events such as these, or loges at baseball games or anything like that!! And I guess I am ok with that. But it sucks (I know not the most educated word) when you see folks who misuse their power, or abuse their power and charm just to get something.

Then you had the directive no cameras, no photography yet there were people flashing all night. There was even a wall set up where people could stand to take pictures with the rock hall logo behind them. I play by the rules. Maybe that's why I DON'T GET AHEAD and am NOT in the 'in crowd'! I did not take my camera. We did not get any pictures. I followed the rules and again, got _ _ _ _ _ _. Then, I was hoping to buy some type of program or souvenir. If there were stands, they were not where we were ushered off.....nowhere in sight could I spend my money I set aside for this great night. That's the awful thing about it, I can afford to spend money on an event like this, but am not given the opportunity. I'm a 'have not.'

However, that said, foibles of the evening and all put behind us, Mom and I were at the 2009 Rock Hall Inductions, know how lucky and blessed we are...know that no matter how mortals treat us or how we feel, God is always on our side. Even if many of those dressed in monkey suits and long dress ballgowns did not realize what they were witnessing, we realized the enormity of this event, enjoyed it to the fullest, had a BLAST making history together, and savored every single morsel and moment!!!!!

There's no place like home!

I pride myself in being a world traveler.

I LOVE to travel and see this great country, this world in which we live.

When it involves a new ballpark, baseball stadium, sporting or music event, palm trees, sandy beach, the tropics and a cocktail--even better!

Somehow, everywhere I go makes me realize how lucky I am to be a Cleveland girl.

Mom and I were blessed to hit the big apple last week while I was officially on vacation. We have many sidebar stories --most of them great, a few of them atrocious! Many of them I will share over the coming days and weeks. I've been to New York before. I even sang on Park Avenue in the ritzy part. I enjoy seeing new places, experiencing new restaurants and happenings. Expanding my horizons!!!!!

This trip, I realized that Cleveland is the city for me --at least over New York. And I realized that my way of traveling is different from others. We were with someone else who was not as organized as myself. Hopefully, that won't happen again!

I enjoyed the skyline, Yankee Stadium, and just being 'on vacation.' The folks were even very nice to us, probably because everyone is nice to Mom.

My experience made me appreciate our weather (30 out of 31 days of sun in July), Lake Erie, Cleveland sunsets, lesser traffic jams, fewer 'wandering people,' cleaner streets, lower prices, less stress, all the high class restaurants inhabiting C-Town.......

But that is what makes this country great. We can travel, see new places, make memories, learn new things, and re-visit the places we absolutely adore!

NEW Yankee Stadium --here we come!!!!!!!!!!

Blown away!

I had yet another 'brush with fame' Wednesday. We had quite the crazy day at work. Baby showers, important visitors, lots of interns running all over the place. Quite a day out of the norm to say the very least!

I won't be able to express my thought as precisely as I'd like to...but basically, I was blown away and impressed by a very gracious, sweet young man. Braylon Edwards. He rocks! He was visiting and just won me over.

Soft spoken, funny, friendly, and so gracious to everyone 'gawking' and going up to him. And when word got to him that I was a HUGE fan but a bit embarrassed to go up and bother him, he welcomed me with open arms and said 'why were you afraid to talk to me....no reason to be!'

Thanks, Braylon!

This is something I've wanted to delve into but have not had the time or all the knowledge. But I'd love to see a story on the great athletes we have in town. Fans see them on the field and hear when something controversial happens or when they strike out four times in one game. However, what Cleveland fans do not see about their Indians, Cavs, and Browns (and Gladiators) is the 'behind the scenes' philanthropic activities many of these athletes pursue and are connected with on a daily basis.

Braylon not only dazzles fans on the field, but continues doing good for this community whether granting a young child's last wish before he dies and THEN paying for his funeral or donating literally millions of dollars to a certain charity. Braylon is not the only one. Many of the athletes in this town DO support Cleveland by their charitable actions off the field as well as on.

Thanks to all of you! Just yet another reason I LOVE THIS TOWN!