“Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” Robert Schuller
“Take me out to the ball game” “Ain’t the beer cold” What a beautiful spring day for Opening day 2011; the weather a perfect 10, great seats and the Orioles won. This is the third year I rode the bus with Mt Washington Tavern owner David Lichty and the patrons of the tavern. What a fun ride to Camden Yards on the party bus.
“Get on the bus Gus” The first bus left, and the second bus was pulling off when Jimmy the bartender asked was Dave on the first bus, at that moment we looked out the window, there was Dave standing in front of the tavern oblivious that he had almost missed the bus. The laughter as the bus backed up so he could get on board. Mt Washington is still a great place to host a meeting, party or just have a cold beer.
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” Woody Allen
On Friday night, “something gotta hold on me” “in the midnight hour” “I couldn’t sleep; I was tossing and turning,” fighting allergies “all night long.” I was feeling “kinda blue” on Saturday morning trying to get dressed to attend Rosa Pryor’s gospel prayer breakfast to benefit her musical scholarship fund. I took a pill and laid back down waiting for relief. After an hour or so, I tried to get dressed. Finally, I took a plop- plop- fizz -fizz and crawled under the covers waiting for that magical relief.
“Mama said there’d be days like this” My Saturday was planned; breakfast with Rosa, then DC for David Scott’s birthday party at Ben’s Next Door and back to Baltimore for DJ Tanz’s birthday party at Dubai. I never got out of bed Saturday; I missed the breakfast and the birthday parties.
“There’s a sweet sweet spirit in this place and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord” Biddy Wood and Cleve Brister, said the successful breakfast was emotionally and spiritually uplifting. Congratulations to my friend Rosa for her efforts in promoting the musical talents of our youths.
“It’s a man’s world” Family and friends gathered at the Sheraton in Towson to celebrate the 77th birthday of construction magnate Randy Phipps. The party hosted by former Mayor Sheila Dixon, Wanda Watts and Cynthia Jackson was “off the wall”. The ballroom’s sunken dance floor was the ideal spot to watch Charm City dancers perform their latest moves. Council President Bernard “Jack” Young, Councilman Carl Stokes, Delegate Melvin Stukes and Comptroller Joan Pratt presented Randy with proclamations.
The menu of flounder stuffed with crabmeat, chicken marsala, spinach salad with an awesome horseradish dressing, string beans and potato salad was scrumptious.
Guests enjoying the party were Pless Jones, Jerome Fisher, Janice Dixon, Jasmine Dixon, County Councilman Ken Oliver, Tanya & Harvey Harris, Michelle Noel, Valerie & Pierre Stewart, Denise & Ivan Brown, George McKinnon and Betsy Gardner. Applause of approval when Randy appeared in his third color coordinated vest and bowtie for the evening, complementing his black tuxedo.
Celebration time! Happy birthday to you Charlotte Harper, my mommy Rev. Pauline Wilkins, Pat Roselle, Pinkie Lallal, Ora Washington, Debbie Allen, Biddy Wood, Connie Jackson, St Louis, Vhonda Williams Lewis ,The Place’s owner Donel and Tequila Sunset’s Libby Harris.
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Henry David Thoreau Congratulations to Ralph Wright on his appointment to the Baltimore County Council Redistricting Commission.
“Nobody knows my name” James Baldwin Little Billy died and nobody knew his name. Little Billy was a longtime friend of Maceo’s patrons, who enjoyed his engaging smile and gentle demeanor. I went to March on Wabash to the funeral of Little Billy. When I said” I’m here for Little Billy’s funeral, they said what’s his last name? Surprise, two men named Billy were having a funeral that day William Latham and Roland Thompson at the same time. Logic told me that Little Billy must be Mr. Latham since his name was William. Off to the church for Little Billy’s funeral. When the usher gave me the obituary I realized the picture on the obituary wasn’t Little Billy. I bolted from the church before the rumble gathering in my stomach developed into a loud burst of laughter as visions of “Good Times” Weeping Wanda flashed before me.
“I wanna know your name” As I hastily exited the church busting with laughter, Pigmeat Markham’s joke came to mind. “Judge your honor I am here to talk up for my best friend. The judge said, what’s your friend’s name, he said Bubba the judge said what’s his whole name, the guy replies Bubba; The judge said what’s his last name, the friend getting frustrated say look your honor he my best friend we be best friends since we was children his name Bubba that’s what his momma call him.”
Rest in Peace my friend Roland “Little Billy” Thompson and condolences to the family of William Latham; I was the lady in the back of the church laughing to keep from crying.
Rest in Peace Elizabeth “Maggie the Cat” Taylor, every man’s fantasy and every woman’s idol.
“I’m searching here and there looking everywhere.” Good friend Roslyn Smith informed me that the new casino in Arundel Mills is hiring. The website is ppecasinoresortsmd.com.
I’ll be seeing you Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch