A 1965 Elmhurst Adventure With The Kinks

Rode the # 7 through LIC, Sunnyside & Woodside along the El yesterday on my way to Elmhurst to visit Aunt Barbie Pins. Took some pictures, I'll add more later. Here's an old Elmhurst tale.

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I was talking with a friend about how much I love Ray Davies and the Kinks music. This reminded me of a frigid November Saturday afternoon in 1965 when I was eleven.

For some reason, I was staying over my Aunt Barbara's apartment in Elmhurst. I liked to wander around the neighborhood by myself, so I was window shopping along Roosevelt Avenue under the El, breezed past Jackson Avenue. I had a buck, which meant today I would buy one 45 single, and it better be a good one. When I was eleven, no decision carried as much weight and thought as buying a record. There was a small music store near the Jackson movie house. I tired out the clerk looking over the new releases and finally decided on "Till the End of the Day," by the Kinks, because I heard "Where Have All the Good Times Gone?" the flip side once and liked it fine. It was a unexpected gift buying a single when the B side was a good song too.

I ran a half mile to Barbara's apartment on Macnish Street, not breathing, said hi, and went straight to the Victrola. Saw something disturbing.

"Barbara, why is the record player unplugged?"

"It's broke.'
"Huh?"
OK now I was in hell. New music with no means of playing it. I dropped into a chair. Barbara saw the shape I was in and made a suggestion.

"Tommy, Joannie's not home, but why don't you go try Betty?"

Barbara, my Aunt Joan, and their friend Betty Mulhern, all lived in the building. Betty Mulhern was Emma Peel, Barbara Feldon and Serena, Samantha's evil cousin all rolled into one. If you didn't like brunettes, and saw Betty, you'd like brunettes. She danced every new dance, and her wild hair flew. She wore tight shorts on long legs, she wore clam diggers, she painted her pretty toes. Her eyes sparkled, her nose twitched. I couldn't make eye contact with her without my belly feeling funny.

I went down the hall and knocked on Betty's door. Music was playing.

"Hey Tommy, what's up?"

"Hmmm, I have a new record, Barbara's player is broken. Can I play it on yours?"
"Sure, come in."

I put it on. Betty was doing the dishes, and she started to sway her hips. All I could do was watch her move back and forth, back and forth.

I played both sides five times. Would have made it six, if Barbara didn't come in to retrieve me.

It's Just Another Full Moon

11th Street near Greenwich Street

Past two weeks, I've been in the West Village visiting a sick friend. On my way back and forth saw this and that.


"Try not to listen,
when I mumble like a loon,
It's just another,
full moon."

Ray Davies.

Bleecker at 11th Street

11th St

Casey

Hudson Street six pm

Casey

Support your local bookstore! 

Logos Book Store has a new supply of "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys -tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." If you're in Yorkville and want a treat for the big kid in your life - go to Logos Bookstore, New York, New York - my book's the ticket. If you're not in Yorkville, then order it online at Amazon , B&N, and other online booksellers.

If you like Jean Shepherd's 'A Christmas Story" you'll love my book, promise. Amazon's been shipping it out 3-5 days. B&N about the same.

Wishing You the Bluest Sky

Casey wishes everyone a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful New Year.

Casey's feeling poorly but she licked my nose for good luck (and because she loves me.)  As I left, Casey waved her paw at me with a little flip like a princess.

2015 will bring tons of new stories and photos from your Yorkville Nut. (me!) 

A win-win New Year resolution from Casey:

"Help someone in need, give it away, and you'll find better things."

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A few words from Monty the Bulldog who's still upset for not getting credit as the inspiration for the New Yorker cover below that followed Monty's portraits shown here on the blog in 2012.

Hello, Monty here, delighted to meet you. Thank you, to all my neighborhood chums who snagged a copy of Tommy's smashing memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." I hope his stories cheer you.

After you finish the book could you please write a few honest words about the book on Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble. 

You don't need to buy anything or give credit information to leave a remark. Your critique helps Master Thomas and your comments encourage others to check the item out. Please give it a shout.

Thank you, to the 44 readers who gave the book 44 five star ratings on Amazon, and the 19 readers who put 19 five star ratings on B&N.

The book is available locally at Logos Book Store at 1575 York Avenue; and online at Amazon, B&N, and other booksellers.

Cheerio!

Monty & his blue booties

Cats Fined For Necking In a "No Make-Out" Zone

Two felines were fined for necking in a "no make-out" zone. The authorities held back the names of the culprits but released these photos to discourage further incidents of public affection. 

The Shepherds of Our Nation are watching your every move. Be aware and keep it clean.