Man Talk Part II- The Hammer Lane

Colin over at The Red Lion Pub reports that Den Mascot, Chauncey (above), has been getting a little big for his britches in my absence.  He's been working the room with impersonations of GSL's signature Night Moves such as the Ranch Hand Supreme and this pic above is of Chauncey doing GSL's trademark snarl. Colin reports some gal from the Jersey Shore and a Franco-Russian Temptress have been showing up every night all dolled up making inquiries...

*It has been rumored the Bob Segar ditty was based on some of GSL's early work.

Last week was a bear but I was finally able to get out of town Thursday evening and race across Ontario towards a meet with my illustrator up in Quebec City. Since it was last minute, I just fueled up the Den Cruiser and off I went. Through Toronto there is a 40 mile (65 km) parking lot that my GPS said is Highway 401 and this is middle of the day on Friday...or at least it was midday when I arrived at the front end of that parking lot. (Freshy, was that you making eyes at me from that white Jeep Cherokee?)

Dani and Jen. I see that enormous construction zone in the middle that is widening the parking lot with extra lanes. While I love Canada, they could use some guidance to alleviate these bottlenecks so use your considerable influence to get your highway department to install a Hammer Lane. I'll even show up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This is the lane that should always be to your far left unless you are passing. Contrary to news reports, I decreed the Hammer Lane go co-ed way back in 1979 although we have recently put a soccer mom on probation pending review for driving her mini-van 93 miles with her left turn signal only indicating a Den sponsored Hammer Lane refresher course .  The Den offers Hammer Lane guidance along with Parallel Parking pointers free of charge.

As I neared the exits for Guelph and Oakville, I used my Den Dogwhistle to put a little spring in the step of Scout and Serena. BTW: the Den Dog Whistle is just the Den Wolf Whistle with a silencer.

Daisy Duke after becoming the first woman to do a Hammer Lane Power Sweep
down Interstate 95 in South Georgia in 1979.

The trip to gorgeous Quebec City was too short but very successful. Details will follow although not sure when as I begin my National Guard Annual Training tomorrow and will be in the Dakotas doing stuff on Indian Reservations for Native Americans that also provides good logistics training. I'll check in if and when I can.

Memorial Weekend

Katie White of The Ting Tings

Busy as a beaver these days but wanted to make you aware of two new crushes that keep GSL's fires stoked. You may remember my mention of The Ting Tings during my Texas Hold 'Em post and this new vid is in HEAVY rotation at The Den. This Katie White is special and there is something about her that reminds me of Tabs too.

Now as for Florence Leontine Mary Welch; we have your answer and he has a scotch neat waiting on you at The Red Lion.

Mother's Day 2015

Mum with 1 month old GSL; November 1964

You have probably heard me say it before but I come from a line of strong, impressive women.  As a boy of about 4,  I remember being upset about being called 'names' by some older boys on the playground. I told Mum expecting sympathy and for her to go scold those name-calling boys.
Nope, she just told me about a little poem that they don't teach anymore....it's called 'Sticks and Stones'.  Ever since that day, I haven't once felt offended because "words will never hurt me..." Thanks Mum.

My Grandmother, Mary Lou Cooper (nee Long), on her wedding day 1937



My mother had a couple of fine examples to learn her great mothering tricks from and while she has endured considerable adversity she has never once complained. Ever.  The women up my line didn't do victim. No time for that nonsense. They got busy.

Here they are.

Grandpa Cooper, Great Grandma Long, Uncle D, Mum, and Grandma Cooper mid 1940s.

My Great-Grandmother Long (maternal grandmother's mother) became a widow around age 25 when her husband died in the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918. She had 4 hungry children and dreams of sending them to college that she didn't have the opportunity to attend. All by herself in 1918, she started an insurance company in Southwestern Ohio that put all 4 of her children through college and she bought a piano as she loved music and wanted her children to have the opportunity to experience the joys of musical performance. I can only imagine the pride she must have felt when attending her eldest child's, my grandmother, Mary Lou's Senior Recital at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music when she performed a piece by Chopin on piano. All 4 of G-Grandma Long's children graduated with distinction from college and were accomplished pianists. The insurance company Great Grandmother Long started in 1918 is still going strong and has provided comfortable homes and college educations for 4 generations.

I believe this is the room where my grandmother, Mary Lou Long, played Chopin's Polonaise-Fantaisie
for her Senior Recital at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Grandma Cooper was by all accounts a wonderful pianist and could play hundreds of songs by ear...everything from Christmas Carols to Mozart. She was a schoolteacher and taught piano and for 28 years was the Music Director of the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, Ohio. Her daughter, my mother, became a fine pianist and flautist in her own right but I know first hand that Grandma Cooper was especially proud of the day her son, my Uncle D, debuted at Avery Fisher Hall.

Uncle D in 1963. While my Grandmother was quite proud of my mother and spoke highly
of her musical attainments, I know Grandma was most proud of her son when
he debuted at Avery Fisher Hall. Her solemn tone of deep reverence when she said:
"Avery Fisher Hall" gave her away.

Yesterday, my mother attended the graduation of my beautiful niece who will begin her career as a school teacher this Fall in Denver.  I loved hearing the proud tone my mum invoked when citing my niece's academic honors.

A mother's influence is felt long after she's gone. I'm deeply grateful for having such wonderful grandmothers and a loving mother influence me.

My beautiful niece, M, who graduated yesterday with high honors with her proud grandmother in attendance.
She begins a career as a school teacher this Fall.
The Beat Goes On.