Tango Fire - The Fourteenth Installment.

               Tango Fire

              Memoirs    

       Copyright@L.Hadley 2026   

         Updated - Mon. Oct. 05 - 2026 - please - go to chapter 203 - of the 16th Installment.  

       Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

       For the new segFriment of this exciting story - please - click here - every Monday - Wednesday and Friday - of each week. 

                        Chapter 121 

          During the following winter - Jack and I were engaged for a short time then we got married by the lovely, gray-haired Justice of the Peace in Columbus, Ohio. We stayed there briefly at my parents - beautiful ranch house in Bexley. My new husband just finished the last six months of his U.S. Army duty, so we were getting ready to head West to continue and finish our higher education. He wanted to live out West - having lived in Nevada shortly before he enlisted in the army. 

      We were heading for San Francisco - though - where he enrolled in graduate school - immediately - not having to wait a year to establish his residency - due to him just finishing his army duty. I would have to wait a year to establish my residency - if I desired to enroll in a graduate school - since I finished my undergraduate degree from Ohio State University.

      It was a clear, brisk winter morning when we started out on our way to California during that memorable January 1st of the New Year - following a small New Year's Eve party - the night before.

      "I am really glad that we are going to California," the car radio system played "The Black Magic Woman" - my favorite hit.

      "If the weather holds up, we can take the summer route to California which is faster," Jack was listening to me while he was deftly driving our van - loaded up to the gills.

      "Columbus and Ohio State started to get on my nerves - big time,"

      "I didn't feel that way at all. Your parents were nice enough to stay out of our way."

                        *      *     *

       We drove - as fast as we could but - safely -with short stops to eat and rest - until we decided to spend the night in Illinois at a nice Ramada Inn hotel. As soon as we unloaded our stuff for the night - before we left the room to grab some dinner - we saw the weather forecast for the next day - following Jack turning on - the room's large screen TV.

      "The heavy snow will start late tonight, and it will not let up for the whole day tomorrow."

      The heavy-set weatherman was making all sorts of faces when he announced that.

     "We need to escape that snow. Early tomorrow morning we shall go - way south from here - until we get to Missouri - then - towards the real South of the U.S. which is Arkansas. We will be taking winter route to the West - after all," said Jack as we were leaving the hotel room - to eat dinner. We were hungry and ready to eat.

                      *      *     *

      Early the following morning after we ate a good dinner in the hotel's restaurant - consisting of baked chicken and fresh salad - Jack and I got up early and headed south - towards Missouri.

     "We will try not to stop for any long breaks until we reach Saint Louis area. One can't trust any small towns where everybody knows each other, they dislike any strangers going through and everybody plus 'their brother' - is a 'sheriff's deputy' with a gun."

     "They wouldn't be crazy about my accent as well,"

     "That's right - so don't say anything more than necessary,"

     "How does it feel to be 'an outsider' in a strange land?"

     "It's nice to go through Saint Louis - though," I added. "That famous 'Saint Louis Blues' is a great tune - loved all over the world."

     We got through the series of small towns - intact - until we stopped at the nice Hilton Suites Hotel - close to the Queen City - Saint Louis. The hotel was quite busy due to some medical convention going on. No small-town elements - at least - visibly present.

     Jack and I unpacked some stuff for the night and following the good dinner (the famous Saint Louis - sea food tasted heavenly) we found ourselves in a swanky musical club with many couples dancing on the dance floor.

     "God - I wish you liked or could dance - so we could twirl on the dance floor," I took a sip of my Grasshopper - a minty drink which I usually ordered. It had enough creme-de-mint to make it strong.

      "I - already told you that I don't like to dance; I think that the guys dancing on the dance floors - look goofy and stupid."

     "Since when you became so macho? Is it fun for you to get together with your bodies to watch the sporting events?"

      I got up to go to the bathroom but on the way back I stopped closer to the dance floor to watch the dancers for a moment. The sound system was very good - they played old hits. Some dancers danced a good Swing or Lindy Hop - but quite a few of the couples on the dance floor - didn't move good at all - moreover - they had fun after a few drinks, so they didn't care how they "projected" their lousy dance moves - for others to see.

      It was a big sized dance floor, so I moved towards the side where several couples did good dance moves of the slow Swing since the system played a long version of my favorite "Saint Louis Blues" - well arranged.

      I strongly wished that I was dancing on the dance floor. Then - as if my "dance prayers" were answered - one of the couples moved closer to me and the familiar appearing male partner started talking to me - after he - politely - sent away his woman partner - he talked to her as if she was a wife of his boss - which as it - subsequently - turned out - she was. 

     He came up closer and called me by the name he could only know if he knew me from Eastern Europe. I took another look at him and recognized my ex-dance partner from ten years ago - when we were "burning up" the dance floor at the University of Warsaw - dances.

     "Julius Meravski - what are you doing here in Saint Louis? Are you Doctor Meravski by now?"

    "Maratchka Diamond - what are you doing here in Saint Louis?"

    "I am Maggie Osborne in this country - but let's dance now this slow Swing before it ends - then I will fill you in - on the highlights of my events which happened in the last ten years in the U.S." 

     "You dance and look as beautiful as ever," said Julius as he led me in his advanced Swing moves - which I easily followed.

     "Let's not show off too much - these people don't know too many 'studio moves'",

     "Here is my husband. He just came up to the edge of the dance floor",

     "Good looking guy. He looks successful. You did well in your 'new country'",

     "You never asked me for a date when we were dancing at the University Dance Student Club",

      "I didn't have the nerve. You always carried yourself as if you knew that every attractive guy at the University and the rest of Warsaw - wanted to date you," 

      "Hey - did you forget that your girlfriend always watched us like a 'hawk'. Are you still with her - b.t.w.?"  

      "We got married. She finished medical school - as well - but at that time - she stuck to me like 'a chewing gum to the sticky surface'",

      "Listen - here - I don't like any derogatory remarks about other women - especially - about an accomplished woman like her".

                           *      *     *

                         Chapter 122

      It was a fun and a memorable night at Saint Louis hotel - when the two of us - Julius Meravski and me - related a series of true stories to my new husband - Jack Osborne. The tree of us snacked on good finger goodies and sipped some good wine. It turned out that Julius and his wife were newly established family docs in Chicago area where they had quite a few Polish speaking patients. He came to the Saint Louis medical convention by himself, so we met by accident. Sometimes I believe that some important events happen by design rather than by pure accident.

     I never thought at that time that a few years later - Jack and I will look them up in Chicago where Jack accepted a good position at the top television station - upon completing his graduate work at San Francisco State University. We were friends with Meravski and his wife for many years - however - after Jack and I separated following close to twenty years of mostly good marriage - our friendship with the Dr. Meravski's family -"fizzled out" - to some extent.

                            *       *      *

     Let's fast forward twenty years - so I live in Pittsburgh's - Squirrel Hill - where I continue to listen to talk radio which I did in Chicago a lot - as well. In Chicago - however - the talk radio stations always have a lot of different callers; that's the way the talk radio stations want over there - whereas - in Pittsburgh - the same callers/listeners - call the local talk stations - compulsively - all the time - ad nauseum.

     Here - locally - the well-known Leftist/Socialist veering - talk radio host who is strongly disliked by more than half of the listening audience - for a lot of different reasons - has his favorite obsessive/compulsive callers who "drip various hate venoms from their fangs" - each time they get on the air during his part-time shifts. The other radio hosts - wisely - avoid those sorts of hateful elements - like a plague - so they keep the haters from spreading their hateful poison - onto the airwaves - whereas - the aforementioned Leftist/Socialist veering talk radio host - kisses up to them - galore.

                         *        *      *

       The talk radio hosts - change in this medium sized talk radio market. Some new ones come and stay - some leave - some old ones - go away - for a while or permanently. Some come back - some don't.

       At any rate - our oldest niece - Allison - born in this country - a very smart and beautiful woman - was visiting me with her boyfriend a few years ago - the same guy who - subsequently - became her husband - shortly after this visit - then he became the father of her little boy - who looked just like her - when she was little. He is a little older now.

       I remember that during her visit which stands out in my mind - in view of the facts which happened - later - the TV was on with the local news analysis show done by three "local - mini celebrities of sorts".

       "I don't like the way this middle guy looks," she said on her way out of my apartment. "I - also - don't like the way his propaganda speech exposes his Leftist/Socialist talking points. Can't trust those Leftists. A lot of them are 'closet' Marxists - fervently dreaming of forcefully shoving their Communist 'paradise' - down the throats of the population. He looks like an alligator - though - with his 'bug out eyes' and short neck - and he is fat - too".

      "That's what you get for wanting to be famous and shoving your snout in front of every TV camera or microphone - known to mankind. Everybody comments on your appearance and your activities," she added as she closed the front doors.  

                        *       *      *

        Let's fast forward another several years. The Leftist agenda - supporting - the same - local celebrity - now - has a part-time gig as a host for an out of town - talk radio station; on occasions - however - he substitutes for a regular - full time - talk radio host at the talk radio station.

        One spring afternoon in the late spring - he gets on the air and starts his typical, hateful and vicious speech - directed against the state of Israel - thus anti-Semitic - in nature. That afternoon - though - he sounded more virulent and nasty - than normally. He even started from the biblical times - strongly objecting to calling the Jews - "God's chosen people."

       Allison called me right away.

       "We - immediately - sent out tons of emails - so many important people - as well as the transcripts - as well - locally and all over; important people are well informed of the 'hate fest'. His steady haters/callers - though - will be calling his show - momentarily - as always. He attracts those vicious haters - like crazy. They will be spewing the same, ugly propaganda which they repeat - ad nauseum - like a 'clockwork' - on a regular basis each time he entertains a radio shift."

                       *     *     *  

      In Chicago's talk radio scene, many obsessive/compulsive callers to the stations are "diplomatically" - dissuaded from calling the stations with their worn out, repetitious -"drivel - pearls of wisdom" by the talk radio hosts' producers - (glorified phone operators) - who frequently - say to the nuisance callers - off the air - of course - something like: "Get a life. Stop calling the station - we need new callers. If you need some 'rent-a-friend' - professional helper - to talk to - find yourself some psychologist - and call them."

                   *       *      *

                  Chapter 123

      Work of fiction. Any similarities to the real people or circumstances are purely - coincidental.

       At any rate - we thought that the aforementioned - obviously - anti-Semitic part-time radio host - was done with his "hate fest" episode - on the air - which antagonized the advertisers, the management and tons of listeners; everybody thought that he was done with spewing his hostilities against the parties listed above. However - lo and behold - that was not the case.

      A lot of his co-workers told us that they were aghast at his spewing his hatreds - on the air - even if they didn't confront him about it. However - we have documented - all that's necessary.

     Not that this small digression - has much to do with his memorable, arrogant, nasty - on the air - politically and morally - self-indulgent - "fit" - but the same - aforementioned - part-time - Leftist/Socialist slanting - radio host - frequently - "sports" - a laugh - which sounds - high pitched, phony and forced - according to many who listen to his Leftist propaganda. He - usually - laughs like that - together with his favorite callers/haters - who constantly call his part-time radio shifts. 

      During - the memorable Oct. 07 - 2023 - weekend - however - the same host - unleashed his virulent hostility - again - at Israel and the Israeli politics - which - of course - includes all the Jews. This time around - he and his loyal callers/haters - especially his most favorite one - the ugly sounding individual full of nasty gall - arranged - for the on the air - Hamas'es apologists - speakers who - lamely - attempted to justify the terroristic crimes of Hamas - the terroristic "outfit" - backed by Iran. His favorite callers/haters - to his radio shift - kept inviting those kinds of speakers - during that whole weekend - the Hamas apologists.                           

       The Hamas/the radical Islamists' faction - during that weekend - clearly displayed their terroristic "sample" - to the rest of the Western world.

                            *      *     *

     I always love to sublet - mostly - for the summers - a nice condo overlooking the glorious Old Orchard Mall - the lush park resembling - strip mall - full of terrific, trendy eating venues/coffee shops - at a nice suburb of Chicago - Skokie - where my best Chicago friend - Milochka/Millie - whom I knew since we were kids in Eastern Europe - has owned her townhouse - within the walking distance of the mall.

    During that summer morning I had my early morning coffee and a delicious blueberry muffin which - Millie and I bought almost every morning - for the next morning - during our breakfasts at the Old Orchard's - gorgeous coffee shop where Millie and I had a breakfast on the outside patio from where we could watch and comment upon various people walking by the mall alleys.

    My sound system on my large balcony played my favorite, popular Chicago's talk radio station - low - since it was early.

    Millie just called me to tell me that she will be a little late. From my sunny, large balcony covered with nice flower planters - I could watch the small section of the Old Orchard's parking lot and various people getting out of their cars and walking towards the mall. I was hoping that not too many tourists will show up with their - sometimes - unruly - bunches of kids.

    There was another call that morning from the close acquaintance - a well-known Chicago talk radio host.

     "Those - obsessed to be on the air - callers - still call the station - even after my producer told them - off the air - in a diplomatic fashion - of course - to stop calling the station since we need the new callers."

     "I guess we will have to 'hose them down' - firmly - but in a polite and always diplomatic - manner. No other way to get rid of them - of course," he laughed briefly.

      "Wish us luck with getting rid of that 'pain in a butt' - element," he said and hung up the phone after we said our respective 'talk to you later' - to each other.

     During our daily breakfast later that morning - Milochka/Millie was going to hear that latest piece of news. The glorious summer was going by - entirely too fast.

                            *      *     *

     I got to the coffee shop a bit early that morning and picked my favorite table with a big, colorful summer umbrella located - kind of - in the back of the big patio but with the view of the people milling around through the mall/park. It was a lovely summer morning with a light breeze which moved gently my flowery summer dress as well as the flowers tastefully arranged between the neatly trimmed shrubs. 

     I put my white summer jacked onto the light chair - to "mark my table" since I needed to go inside to get our croissants and coffee in a decorative jar which kept it hot. I also got me some cappuccino as well. The music system always played softy - some good, popular jazz pieces.

    Just right when I took a bite of my tasty croissant with a dab of raspberry jam - I saw my best friend Millie coming towards me. She always took long steps ever since we were kids and she dressed in a sporty, casual manner. 

    There were a few people sitting on the patio. It was a lovely summer morning with a light breeze gently moving the flowers and decorative plants.

    "I am glad that you put some lipstick on this morning," I made a comment instead of our customary morning greeting.

    "I told you many times that I don't like to wear make-up. I would never look as good as you always look - anyway," she laughed a small laugh.

    "It's not always that easy to look good. I got a lot to tell you."

    "You always do. Okay - talk - talk - talk - I will listen as I always do."

    "Larry told me yesterday that since 'the new sheriff in town' - arrived - that is - the new management - they started to make changes at the radio station - they suggested to all the radio hosts - to get rid of the same, repetitious callers in order to be getting - the new ones."

     "They can get some new radio hosts - as well - while they at it. Only a few of them are true professionals - worth listening to," said Millie as she bit her fresh croissant and took a sip of her - freshly brewed - coffee.

     "One of them - the newer one - I guess", she continued, "is not a hateful anti-Semite or anything like that - but he constantly talks about himself and his family. That can get on your nerves - as well."

                         Chapter 124

        Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

        A few weeks later - towards the end of that summer - my close acquaintance - the well-known - talk radio host - called me while I had my customary morning coffee with a croissant on my lovely balcony.

     "Hey, Maggie - 'the new sheriff in town' - our new management team found an effective way to 'smoke out' those - anti-Semitic, Israel hating - persistent callers to our radio station like obsessed. The new management got rid of the haters' - 'favorite' part-time host - that Leftist whom nobody liked - anyway - so nobody misses him and his hateful callers."

     "You don't say. No kidding - that needed to be done a lot sooner."

    "The timing had to be right - though. Better done later - but effectively," he laughed, and we said our customary - "talk to you soon".

                           *      *     *

     Before the summer was done - my close acquaintance - the well-known talk radio host - called me each week during the mornings - so I had new, exciting pieces of news to share with Milochka/Millie - during our breakfasts at the lovely Old Orchard Mall. During that breakfast - at the end of August - Millie/Milochka and I discussed our arrangements with my rental condo since the owner would arrive from abroad a week after I leave - so Millie would pick up the mail and put it inside the condo. I was renting that nice condo several summers - and so far, so good. It was working out very well for all the parties - involved.

     "They are trying hard to get rid of some part-time hosts who attract - their favorite hateful callers which are anti-Semitic haters - for the most part - but they despise other 'layers' of our society - as well", I said as I was slowly drinking my tasty cappuccino - that August morning close to the end of the summer.

     "They will have to 'weed them out"', said Millie philosophically - as if we didn't know it.

     "That one vicious element who keeps calling the talk radio station's hosts - like obsessed - is particularly obnoxious - on most occasions - according to Larry," I said as I spread some peach jam onto my delicious peach muffin - the specialty of that trendy restaurant attached to the big, luxurious department store - the "superstar" of the mall.

     "Larry told me that their gay Leftist part-time host always insists that the management discriminates against him."

     "Did he forget how he - notoriously - offends tons of advertisers and more than half of the listening audience during his memorable radio shift/fit - angry radio shifts - during which he 'hates' on the management and on the major advertisers in a rude and particularly obnoxious fashion - on the air?"

    "According to Larry - who knows all the 'ins and outs' of the station - he makes himself into a 'poor' - victim - whom the management dislikes. 'Boo-hoo - cry him a river! Cry him a crocodile tears - river!'"

    "But the management fired that 'normal' white guy - quickly - just took his name off the schedule - after him - working for the station - close to fifteen years. They would never do it to any minority or gay - 'on air' - haters/radio hosts."

                         *      *     *

      After I got to my sleeping room of the all-night train - ready to take off - back to Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill - from Chicago - in the early evening - like every night - I immediately called my Skokie's "bestie" - Milochka/Millie - to give her a report.

     "The sleepers' - tickets' - lounge was not too crowded; presently - I am in my small, clean sleeper roommette - and the nice-looking train conductor will bring me some complementary wine and good dinner in a little bit,"

     "How many times did he wink at you?" Milochka/Millie always joked about things of that nature.

     "I don't know. He told me that 'I am in good hands' so I will make sure and lock my door from the inside. Anyway - at the moment - I am adjusting back to listening more to the 'provincial' talk radio hosts - after the whole summer of the classy Chicago's 'talkers'".

     "Some of the newer Leftist radio hosts they hired - get on many people's - nerves - since they're incompetent - but their - 'old timers/Leftists hosts' - also - frequently - spewing their repetitious, Leftists' - propaganda - as usually - definitely - get on a lot of listeners' nerves.

     "Okay - I know that you - guys - will be doing stuff - about it. Call me when you get to your place in Squirrel Hill,"

     "I already miss Skokie, Old Orchard and you - but time will go fast till next summer." 

                       *      *      *

       A few weeks later I was on the phone with my close Chicago acquaintance who is a well-known talk radio host.

      "They do funny stuff - here - at this talk radio market. They hired this Leftist slanting, aspiring digital editor - a digital 'social climber' who - intellectually and otherwise - 'doesn't have a pot to pee in and the window to throw it out'. They aspire to be another 'Christianne Amanpour wannabe' who - according to many comments on the social media platforms - is 'a rich, hypocritical Marxist.'"

      "Do they get on many listeners' - nerves?"

      "Big time - most listeners can't wait till the station management 'smokes them out' and gets some more competent talk radio hosts - which - B.T.W. - one of the newer ones - so far - so good - is doing a good job."

      "What about the other Leftist?"

      "Evidently - it's hard for them to deal with him and his callers/haters - maybe they need to take some effective lessons from your station's - management."

                       *      *     *

        I called my "bestie" - Milochka/Millie a few days later.

       "Max promised to instruct his cleaning lady to go into my top floor unit - every month and clean it. She made it easy on herself - while Max didn't check - typical for him - if it doesn't - personally concern him he doesn't 'stress himself'. She and I had to work extra hard to - finally - clean my unit."

     "Squirrel Hill is getting on my nerves. Next summer I will buy that Skokie rental unit since Skokie doesn't get on my nerves - nearly as much as Squirrel Hill does," I added.

     "You say that every summer,"

     "The politics here - stink on ice - as well. The local incumbent - shows her incompetence each time she screams into the microphone - instead of delivering a professional, polished, energetic political speech - like her - current - opponent - presently - does." 

     "She - promises to represent the Squirrel Hill constituents properly - since the incumbent is - mostly - extremely - unpopular around here - for a lot of valid reasons."

     "One time last year - I personally - heard her Chinese constituent - an older lady - tell her in her face - in front of numerous people - that she hates the incumbent's - Leftist/Socialist politics - the Red China style".

     "How did she respond?"

     "Well - you know those politicians - they must be used to - at least - half of their constituents - 'strongly desiring' to vote them out of office - A.S.A.P. She just smiled her typical, politician's phony smile and didn't respond."

                         Chapter 125

       Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

      "Hey - Millie - I got tons of news to tell you, but before I forget - Larry just called me yesterday and among other hot news from his radio station in Chicago about which we will talk another time - he told me that since his station got rid of their part-time Leftist host/hater with his haters/callers calling the station like obsessed - everybody there feels a lot more relaxed in every way."

     "I notice that lack of tension when I listen to them - which I do often - but not obsessively. Are you coming to Skokie for this Thanksgiving?"

     "No way - the train will be crowded like 'sardines in the can'. If you want to see me - why don't you drive here with Maurice. Max would love to see you again - you know that he has always liked you."

     "Stop it with 'Max likes you' - neither he nor I - want to go through another divorce."

     "Who is talking about getting married? It's more fun if no big commitments are needed. Surely - you are not worried about your reputation - your kids are almost grown - anyway."

     "Last year - Max and I and Allison with Cyril who was then - 11 - all of us - went to an early season of 'Seven Springs' - a lovely mountain resort's - early season's - Thanksgiving weekend - and it was great. They had entertainment for kids and adults."

      "You - guys - are doing it this year - as well?"

      "No - this year - we have 'complications' - namely - Cyril won't go anywhere without his 2 teenage bodies - who get on Max'es nerves. His patience virtues are short. He can't be within earshot of the loud teenagers."

       "We will - probably - go out to Thanksgiving lunch - since several nice restaurants will have that going - like last year," I added.

       "Not to change the subject or anything like that - but since you listen to Chicago radio 'talkers' - do they still have any of those hateful, persistent, obsessed callers to the station - left - since they 'smoked out' that hateful Leftist, part-time host - with most of his hateful 'followers' - who were calling the station - ad nauseum?"

       "There are - considerably - much less of them; they get on most peoples' - nerves - who respond - according to the listeners who call the hosts about them, but there are many who don't respond - to whom they sound like 'nails down the glass surface' - they only say that if the radio host - asks them".

       "So, you're saying that almost nobody in the listening audience misses that hateful Leftist host?"

      "It sure appears that way."

                            *      *     *

      "Hi - Millie - the time seems to zoom by this year. I can't believe - that the winter holidays are almost here."

      "Speaking of which - how did the Thanksgiving lunch go a few weeks back?"

      "Not bad - all things considered - the teens didn't get on Max'es nerves too much - it was just an hour and a half - long lunch event."

      "You mean - if the event lasted longer - it could be a different story?"

      "You know our family history well - but before you ask me to come to Skokie for the winter holidays and our traditional New Year's Eve party - I want to suggest to you - again - that it's much easier for you and Maurice to get in the car and take turns driving - rather than for me to 'pack' myself into a crowded train. Think about it and start working on Maurice."

      "In the meantime," - I added - "This - here - talk radio station - is getting on my nerves since their Leftist veering host - loves to - constantly - have a long public 'chat' - on the airwaves - that is - with his favorite caller - a hater - as they - together - 'hate' upon various issues of the day - especially the global politics." 

     "That just makes one's 'skin crawl'", I laughed and added more - that I hardly listen to those kinds of haters anymore - since the other radio hosts "talk professional talk" - thus - they are worthy of listeners' attention.

                         Chapter 126

            Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

     The New Year's Eve Day and an early evening - was - on the warm side - so Millie and Maurice had decent weather driving from Chicago area to Pittsburgh's - Squirrel Hill. They made it in a good time - a little over eight hours - with short stops.

     "He said that they will be here by 7:30 pm and there they are," said Max to me - then he added that it was the first time that Maurice was driving this way so he must be "quite intelligent" to find Max'es mini mansion - right away.

      Millie and Maurice parked their Chevy sedan in the parking space marked "for the visitors" in Max'es big back yard - most of which - was converted to assigned parking spots.

      Max and I went out to the back yard to greet them. We were both happy to see them - especially me.

      "It's a nice place you have here," said Maurice and shook Max'es hand with a smile. They hugged briefly. He was dressed in a sporty attire - so was Millie.

      Max winked at Millie and told her that she looks great.

      After Maurice and Millie took their stuff to the basement of a mini-mansion - a finished one -  with light furniture and the hard floors - to have two spacious guests' rooms, a shower and a small kitchen counter - to make a morning coffee - in a hurry - all of us went back upstairs into a big rental unit on the first floor; it was - presently - barely furnished - since it was currently - not rented. It had two big rooms and a big kitchen with a big bathroom. 

     Max always lived in a unit on the second floor - while I - usually rented from him a charming, small apartment on the third floor.

     That large first floor rental unit of Max'es mini mansion was currently decorated for New Year's Eve party. The light table with 4 light chairs - was full of delicious - mostly finger - foods and the ice bucket had 2 bottles of chilled champagne - just "waiting" to be popped. Max - also put into the corner - an old TV - to watch the Time Square - midnight concert - later on.

      "I like the music - you guys - play," said Millie - after she and Maurice - freshened up in their guests' "headquarters" in the basement. All of us sat down to the table to have something to snack on and drink some soda, coffee and tea - saving the champagne for later.

      We could see the New Year's Eve fireworks in Squirrel Hill through the big windows - since it was a high first floor. Our mood was good - we were ready to celebrate.

      "Does anybody want a beer?" Asked Max but he knew the answer rapidly - since all of us answered in unison that "it's a great idea" - whereupon - he went to the big kitchen and got us 4 chilled Coors with 4 wine glasses.

      "Do you - guys - like this music? It's the same stuff you always play at Maurice's house and at Millie's townhouse - some old Polish hits from our respective 'younger years' - in Poland."

      "You have to admit that they have a lot of talent in Poland," Maurice said and laughed after he took a big "swig" of his chilled beer.

       He and I used to have those sorts of talks - all the time each time we got together at Millie's townhouse.

       "They do that. That's for sure, but it's much better - not to live there. I don't miss Poland at all."

       "One of her closest friends - though - goes to Poland from Chicago - every single year."

      "She does that because most of her family - still lives there. They love Poland - it's their country."

      The time till Midnight at the New York's Time Square went very fast for us. We talked about our 'past' lives in Poland and had tons of fun - as always. One bottle of champagne was still left unopened - at the end of the evening.

                          *      *     *

        The next morning, we cleaned up the mess and went to eat breakfast at a lovely eatery in Squirrel Hill. They were all packed to go back but before they did that - we were to stop at the Waterfront Mall - so we could walk around a bit and have lunch - before they got on the way - back to Chicago. Max followed us to the Waterfront Mall - in his - almost new - Ford Explorer.

      "This area of Squirrel Hill - reminds me of Chicago's Skokie but it's hilly and smaller,"

      "Skokie could use some hills since it's flat like a pancake," Millie had ideas how to improve things.

     "The whole Chicago area - is mostly - flat like a pancake - which comes handy during the icy winters when the hills can be a problem."

      It was a warm winter day, so we set outside at the table with a big umbrella at the eatery at Waterfront Mall. The salads were fresh and delicious. They liked the Waterfront Mall since it looks and feels quite a bit like a big Old Orchard Mall in Skokie.

     "Do you remember that insane, idiotic maniac - obsessed to the max - radio host - in Chicago who set out to 'kill the disco' - and that's all he ever talked about - obsessively - no matter what topic was discussed - just like some obsessed callers to the station - here - locally"?

     "Sure. He made a 'radio hosts' history for a while - then - largely - disappeared from the radio scene; that's how all  the obsessed callers to talk radio stations - also - end up."

     "Well - we have a type like that - here - locally - 'the stomach curler' - who calls the local radio hosts - obsessively - but most radio hosts - wisely - avoid them - like a 'black plague' - and don't want to touch them - even with the 'ten foot pole' - except for one of the radio host's - the Leftist part-timer - who - evidently - likes those sorts of nasty, obsessive pervs."

    "Surely - you are not suggesting that there is any 'serious affinity' or similarity between the two of them - or anything like that - now? Do you?"

                                       *      *     *

      "Hey, Millie - I can't believe that it's April already. We just celebrated the New Year's Eve. Do you, guys, listen to Chicago's WGN (World's Greatest Newspaper - Chicago Tribune) - a big talk radio station - which syndicates Rich Valdes's 'America at Night'"? 

       "Maurice loves that syndication. He is more of a 'night owl' than me - but I listen to it as well - at least a couple of times a week."

       "Did you, guys, catch that broadcast on April 4th - by any chance - when a Pittsburgh's listener complained to Rich Valdes that Pittsburgh's KDKA's weekends' programming presents - way too many - Leftists - radio hosts."

       "As a matter of fact - we were listening to that broadcast. Maurice said that the listener in question was too 'diplomatic' about his complaints - however - according to Maurice - the listeners understood it as - way too many - Leftists/hacks - have the shifts during the weekends."

       "You don't say. People must put 'two and two - to arrive at four.'"

       "Soon the summer will be here, and I will be in Skokie - it will be - about the right time for me to take a break from some Squirrell Hill's talk radio types - especially the 'shock jocks' - who get on many listeners' nerves a lot since those types can - get on anybody's nerves."

       "I know exactly what you mean. When they fired that anti-Semitic hater - that part-time radio host - here - in Chicago's talk radio area - Skokie was happy - since a lot of the Jews live here - but not only the Jews were happy - other nationalities who live here - also - don't like the haters - spreading their venom from their respective - on the air - platforms. The same thing happened quite a few years back - when the Nazis - tried to march through Skokie. 

       "Speaking of 'shock jocks' - remember the one who was a partner with the 'disco hater' for quite a while - he would often imitate Maya Angelou - on the air. He sounded just like her - he was hilarious."

       "I sure do remember this colorful radio type."

       "He just listed his big house - a few years ago - in Chicago area for close to 5 million dollars."

       "You don't say. We have some of our local 'shock jocks' - here - locally. They use the expressions on the air like 'fart' and 'suck' - as if more civilized expressions were off limits to them."

       "Not to change the subject - but Larry called me the other day and he doesn't call me here as often as he calls me when I am in Skokie. At any rate - he related to me that the producer who screens his station's host's calls - informed a persistent - pain in the butt - caller/hater - to the station - diplomatically - off the air - of course - that they should stop treating the radio station like a 'psychologist's office' in terms of dragging out personal details - some of them - revolting ones - from their personal lives - since most listeners - either - don't care or they might make fun of the episodes of that nature."

                            Chapter 127

       Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances are - purely coincidental.

      After my best friend - Millie - answered the phone - I could almost see her in the big kitchen of her townhouse - since she told me that she was in the middle of making some buckwheat pancakes - my favorite. I could even hear her pots and pans make small noises.

      "Do you - guys - ever listen to Amy Jacobson and Dan Proft's talk show - 560 Am - "The Answer" which comes early - like 5pm till 9am - Central time - which would be an hour later - in Pittsburgh's - Eastern time zone?

      "Sometimes they have a good show, but ever since Dan Proft attempted to go 'solo syndication' and flopped - a few years ago - we don't listen to them on a regular basis."

      "Amy Jacobson's father - Walt Jacobson was a famous Chicago TV anchor - until he retired after 20 years at several big Chicago's TV stations. He was a long-time partner with Bill Curtis - another television legend. Sometimes - however - the television communication skills - do not translate to outstanding radio skills."

      "Hey - in another short 6 weeks - we will be sitting - outside - in our favorite coffee shop's terrace - at Old Orchard Mall and eat our favorite breakfast muffins which always go great with their super good - coffee. There is - usually - a nice, light breeze - over in that whole area. It's - probably - there - because - almost every night - unless it rains - the crews wash down all the outside furniture of the mall. I am ready for Skokie - it will be nice to 'change the scenery' - in another words - to get out of Pittsburgh - for the summer - for a lot of reasons - one of them being that several talk radio hosts - here - locally - get on my nerves. You will get more details - later on,"

     "For now - however - put that dollop of sour cream on the top of your pancakes - back to the container and put some plain yogurt on them - instead."

     "God - I need you here ASAP - to help me with my diet for the coming summer - but not to be changing the subject - or anything like that - they just  - diplomatically - 'discouraged' the persistent caller to the talk radio stations in the area - by one of the producers - reportedly - telling the caller in question - 'to stop being a persistent nuisance - just like a 'jack in the box' - and stop popping up after they attempt to put 'the jack in the box' back into the box since the station needs new callers to the station'",

     "I remember when your kids were little - that was one of their most favorite toys - they were always trying to put the stubborn 'jack in the box' - back in the box - to no end."

     "You forgot the rest of their 'jack in the box' - drama. The aforementioned 'jack in the box' toy - emitted most annoying 'ping' sound - which the kids loved but it drove all the adults within the earshot - crazy. Lo and behold - one time when they were playing excitedly with this toy - laughing at that 'ping' sound - the springs on that toy - 'jumped' so the 'ping' sound could not be restored."

     "Don't you think that some annoying people's voices sound just like that sort of an abrasive 'ping' sound?"

     "Without a doubt - they also sound like the 'nails downs the black board' to the listeners - since those callers are obsessed with 'spewing' - on the air - many conspiracy - drivels - offensive to many groups of listeners. 

     Those sorts of callers are constantly trying to 'get the airtime' to shove their hateful slogans onto other listeners - especially this one obsessive Israel hater - caller to the station - who knows that she makes tons of the listeners' - collective skins - crawl - big." 

                            *      *     *

     "Hi, Millie - why does the time drag each time I am waiting for something? Still - even though the time 'crawls' - it's only two weeks which are left before I buy my tickets for the sleeper train taking me to Skokie."

     "I know - times goes slowly when you're waiting - but I can hear this fabulously orchestrated tango playing close to your phone. Which one is it - since you are a big expert on tango?"

     "This one is a very unknown one - it was just posted on YouTube a few days ago and it's already generated several thousand 'clicks'. The title is 'Annabella' - composed in 1937 - and the composer - L. Nicolas - is not very popular at all - still - it's getting better each time I listen to it. The instrumental arrangement of the orchestra is phenomenal - it doesn't even any need vocals." 

     "I wish that the local talk radio - though - would get more of the interesting new radio hosts. Some of the new ones are OK but some - really get on mine and other listeners' - nerves - galore. I am talking about this new Leftist woman - radio host - who constantly invites her Leftist buddies to publicize their various Leftist/Socialist leaning - social causes. A lot of the listeners need her amateurish Leftist propaganda - like they need an extra hole in the head. That just makes one's skin crawl."

    "At any rate - what's new on your side of 'the world' as far as the talk radio - goes?"

    "We have been listening to Rich Valdes's 'America at Night' - he's had some interesting guests come on."

      "I know - I catch his show frequently. It's getting better - no that it was not good from the beginning. The only thing is - that it's coming late at night."

                              *      *     *

       "Hey - Millie - did I tell you about how many times this place - gets on my nerves - especially those persistent, goofy callers to the local talk radio station - get on my nerves - big time?

       "You mentioned that some 'types' - calling all the time - non-stop - work your nerves; that's why I am glad that - basically - Rich Valdes's broadcast is one of the fewer ones which entertains some interesting callers that call from all over the U.S. talk radio stations; Valdes has an enormous syndication number. His predecessor - Jim Bohannan - was 'tactful' to die when he did - so Rich Valdes - 'lucked into' these huge radio stations' - syndications." 

       "At any rate - this one persistent caller - the aforementioned - 'local Yokel' - who calls - ad nauseum - to several local radio hosts - here - locally - and he always 'micromanages' his calls - to kiss up to the radio host 'on duty' - lest - some of them - especially the politically Left leaning ones - will 'growl and snarls' at the caller in question - if they don't comport tightly to the host's 'Leftist politics' - agenda planks'".  

       "I know the type. They have to have their 'airtime' - as if most listeners - really - give a 'rat's pajama' about their various 'political hypotheses' as well as their lives - in general. The same goes for the talk radio hosts. As soon as one goes off the air - the listeners who - obsessively call the radio station - immediately start calling the new one. I am glad that they don't do it a lot in Chicago talk radio."

        "That one steady caller - a 'local Yokel' who lives out 'in the bunnies' - can really get on one's nerves; he calls several radio hosts - some can't stand him - which is mutual - I am sure; he made some money in the stock market - of which he constantly boasts - ad nauseum; thus, he recently bragged - again - how much he pays in taxes - as if anybody gives 'rat's pajama'. If he is that much of the 'sophisticate', why doesn't he buy a small condo overlooking Lake Michigan - at the Magnificent Mile's - Michigan and Walton Avenues - area - it would only cost him - not excessively for him - a quarter million dollars - for a 'chicken coop' size."

                             *     *     *

     "Hi, Millie - I got something fun to tell you about my sister's visit to Chicago from Israel - a few years ago,"

     "I remember - she took us out to lunch at Old Orchard Mall which she loved."

     "Yeah - but before we did that - she and I went to visit - my close friend Alice - for an early lunch. Alice has a glorious penthouse on Lakeshore Drive - close to the Drake Hotel,"

     "That's a gorgeous area - you have some awesome friends,"

     "You met her too a few years ago - anyway - before we headed to her penthouse for an early lunch - we stopped for coffee and cookie - at Bloomingdale's first floor coffee shop - which is across the street from Michigan and Walton which leads easily to Lakeshore Drive."

     "Guess who sits with her coffee next to us? I have not noticed her but my sister - immediately notices everything about everything."

     "Let me guess. Some famous mega star?"

     "It was Liza Minelli who had arrangements to perform with her musicians several nights in Chicago while Jack always had free tickets from his television station - for concerts like that."

     "Did you - guys - ask for her autograph?"

     "No way - we let her drink the coffee in peace. Who wants to behave like small town idiots? She looked very short, slim and unassuming - nothing like the talented Goddess she turned out to be - later - during her performance."

                      Chapter 128

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - is purely - coincidental.

                       *     *     *

      "Hey, Millie, you need to check out the satirical, an hour-long feature called 'Smack Down' - it just started appearing recently on Real America's Voice - network."

      "I heard about it,"

      "God, it's hilarious. Pastor Darrell Scott and Rev. James Davis - two good looking, Black political commentators/satirists - poke fun at Joe Biden and the Democratic politics. It always ends with the 'Smack Down' - some hilarious political event happening during the week." 

       "Is it on Saturdays and Sunday nights?"

       "Yeah - look up Real America's Voice channel - it should be available in your area - I would think. Anyway - this week - they had a Black pastor - a candidate for the political office - coming down hard - like there is no tomorrow - on pres. Biden's politics - harming the Blacks. He was funny but his political pitch made sense." 

      I have to tell you about something else - though - you know that various persistent callers to the talk radio stations become known to the talk radio hosts as well as to the listeners - as far as their political positions are concerned as well as their personalities' traits - which come out during the talk radio conversations."

     "Their respective political positions become obvious - immediately - after listening to their exchanges only a few times; they get to know each other - so do the listeners,"

     "Anyway - some callers to the station - really dislike some radio hosts after experiencing some disgusting 'radio encounters' with the talk radio hosts - thus - the aforementioned callers avoid the abrasive radio hosts - like a plague - and nobody blames them,"

     "It's just like the real encounters - however - in the talk radio world - they don't ever have to meet the radio hosts they dislike - face to face - which is great. Thank God for small favors. Who wants to be meeting them in person after getting to know their overbearing radio personalities - through their radio voices - that sound to the listeners which dislike them - like the 'nails dragged down the chalkboard'." 

                      *      *      *

     "Hi Millie, I can't wait to be by that big Chicago's Lake Michigan's beech running between Sheridan and Fargo and Sheridan and Jarvis. It has to be one of the nicest and the best designed ones in the city; at the beginning of each summer - Lake Michigan's - sweet water - still clean after the winter ice - shimmers in the sunlight like emeralds or blue sapphires."

     "I know - that long and spacious beech is beautiful - especially the long pier there - but you have a group of friends who live near-by - whereas - for me it's a big 'shlepp' from my Skokie's 'quarters',"

     "The place is gloriously nice every spring and early summer - before the summer's tourists' crowds descend on the area which makes it packed most of the time - especially during the weekends - until it become lovely again - every September when the tourists and the bored school kids of all ages - go back where they came from."

     "I have to tell you something about the local talk radio 'scene' - namely - one steady caller to the station - made a 'mistake' of calling the wrong radio host who - 'bit his head off' - on the air. What ensued was - that - subsequent to that - the aforementioned caller started to avoid that radio host like a proverbial 'plague'. Lo and behold - the caller had an opportunity - to 'turn the tables' quite a bit - onto that host who - then - 'invited' that caller to call him - again - as a 'goodwill gesture'- perhaps. The chance of that happening would be akin to a chance of the legendary 'snowball' making her home - in the very, very hot place - indeed."

                         *      *     *

    "Hi, Millie - how you doing? Do you remember where I and Jack had a deli/bakery in Lakeview area right by the famous 'Music Box Theater' - renovated to look 'new vintage' - which plays old movies?"

    "Sure - I remember your fabulous products and your deli/bakery which was nicely rehabbed - as well."

    "At any rate - to make long story - short - being located by that famous 'Music Box Theater' - hardly justified the high rent we had to pay for that space and eventually - after several years - we closed our business and sold all our beautiful equipment - at a loss."

    "I know - it was a hard passage for you."

    "True enough - but worse things could happen in the life's journey - thus - you know me - I 'make my lemonade from the life's - lemons'."

    "Enough cliches for the day. Tell me what's going on with your station's talk radio."

    "I am glad you asked - since they had some big changes. In a nutshell - their steady daily schedule of the daily hosts underwent a big change. One steady, established host - was left without a shift - since another host - 'a local superstar' - needed a shift. Kind of the situation which could be best described - as 'whatever Lola wants - Lola gets' - sort of thing."

    "Those kinds of things happen in any business - especially - in a 'glamorous' - talk radio field".

    "I know but the radio host which they took off the schedule - is - obviously - a white male - whereas if they were 'minority' or 'gay' - their groups would scream 'bloody murder' - no less."

                         *       *       *

    "Hi Millie, don't forget to watch 'Smack Down' by Pastor Darrell Scott and Rev. Jim Davis - this week. I think they have a Sunday - encore - repetition if you missed the one on Saturday,"

    "I know - I saw it - it was hilarious to the hilt - I want to see it again,"

    "They not only poke fun at Drew Barrymore's kissing up to vice-pres. Kamala Harris's - clip, but they also show clips of famous television personalities - making fun of it. They had a short video of a young, new Black television satirist - evidently - the Charlemagne - the God - 'wannabe' - showing him ridiculing that Barrymore/vice-pres. Harris's - clip - while he swore a lot - regarding that clip - but he was funny - notwithstanding his profuse - cursing."

    "Megyn Kelly - an ex-Fox star with her own, great show - was also ridiculing the same clip by Drew Barrymore's - a phony, forced and pandering one - to the max - a clip in which Drew Barrymore swore up and down that she likes Ms. Harris's - ugly 'cackle style laugh' of which almost everybody and 'their brother' - makes fun - galore."

    "Hillary Clinton - also laughs in that 'cackle laugh' fashion - which many people find - super disgusting."

                         *      *      *

     "Hi, Millie. The summer is almost here. It would be good to get seasonal tickets to Millenium Park summer concerts. Last summer - if you remember - it was hard to 'cherry pick' only the events we were interested in seeing."

     "That makes a lot of sense. I was thinking about the same thing. I will do it ASAP and we'll figure out money later. My girls might be interested in the musical events which don't interest us. Heck - it feels like only yesterday when Emma was much younger and sipped 'only a foam' from our beers - while she was bored during 'our' musical events at the glorious Millennium Park during the summers - thank God - she could talk on the phone to her 'bodies'. Anyway - I talked to 'your' Larry at the party the other night. My neighbors own a radio station - locally. It's a small world."

     "My ears were burning. Did you - guys - talk about me?"

     "Only positive stuff. He told me - though - that he can't get rid of the persistent caller to his talk radio station - consequently - he tried his 'diplomatic' and 'subtle' approach - again - when he told them that they remind him of his small dog - 'constantly barking her apoplectic bark at the parties - she dislikes'".

                        *       *      *

                     Chapter 129

     Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances are purely - coincidental.

      "Listen, Millie - since the last time I talked to you about the seasonal commitment to Millenium Park concerts - I checked their summer line-up and it truly - 'stinks on ice' - big time".

     "I know - I was going to suggest Ravinia Park - seasonal summer tickets - instead of Millenium Park - that is free - anyway; seasonal tickets to Ravinia Park summer season would be less money than 'cherry picking' since they have an exceptionally varied and really good - line up - this summer."

     "That sounds super. Since the last time I was there - they expanded a lot their various food and drinks - venues - yummy. It's going to be a super good summer coming up."

      "No doubt about it. Last weekend - on a Sunday I was doing a lot of yard work by my townhouse, so I listened to WGN's - Saturday's - 'best of the week' of their weekly talk radio hosts. I kept switching between their respective - interesting 'bits and pieces'."

      "WGN features some extra podcasts over the weekends but not 'the best of'. You must have listened to their podcasts - since they don't have 'best of the week' feature - which I wish they did. Here on my 'end' - their big talk radio outlet - currently - don't have 'the best of' weekly feature. Hopefully they will have it - again - so I - kept 'toggling' back and forth - over the weekend - since the other two - smaller - talk stations have their 'best of the week' - during the weekends."

      "The local big talk radio station's - weekends' programming became boring and repetitious - thus - not interesting at all. Not that it was ever 'sparkling and effervescent' or anything like that - but - lately - it became - outright - tedious/stale/boring. I will give you more details - another time."

                             *      *     *

    "Millie - do you remember that big summer concert - at the Grant Park's big yearly event - 'Taste of Chicago' during which the opening act's second-rate female vocalist - didn't want to get off the stage with her musicians - while they decided to play much longer than scheduled?"

    "I sure do. The featured super star had to wait extra time to - finally - take the stage."

    "I remember he said something like 'I don't have to put up with this. I sell enough various money-making pieces of my music.'"

    "Yeah - the stage manager for this concert must have been taking an extra-long lunch break or something like that."

    "There is another twist to this incident - namely - Jack was doing camera work for his television station so he was behind the stage - consequently - he told us later - that it was upon his suggestion - in the absence of the stage manager - Jack suggested that anybody belonging to the regular crew - who looked like the 'stage manager' - would - at the long, last - 'smoke out' - off the main stage - that second-rate vocalist with her musicians - so the superstar could - finally - perform." 

     "In the meantime - Larry told me that their persistent, nuisance caller to the station - who has a need to share with the listening audience - their personal life's - details - about which - nobody gives a 'hoot' - was - finally - told by the producers - that they are a 'big nuisance' and they should stop calling the station and irritating most of the listening audience."

                             *     *     *

       "Millie - listen - did I ever tell you about this fantastic summer when my oldest sister visited me in Chicago for the second time?"

       "I - vaguely - remember that summer - you and your sister stayed several days at the Hilton by the famous Oak Brook Mall - while you - guys - waited for Max with his Ford truck - to arrive from Pittsburgh - so the three of you could go vacationing in the U.S. for a week."

      "There was a shuttle going every hour - from our nearby - Hilton - to that glorious, huge, three level, open Oakbrook Mall - full of nice plants, beautiful stores - galore - and fabulous restaurants."

      "While she was buying nice things for her family in Israel at that mall - I got me some stuff - as well. At that time, I had a good job in Chicago as well as a nice apartment while during her first visit - it was still a struggle for me - while she fully enjoyed her - well deserved - 'dolce vita' with her close family - in Israel."

      "In any event - every night for several nights before Max joined us with his Ford truck - she and I shopped during the day - then we took a hotel shuttle - there and back - to eat a yummy supper with a glass of wine (nobody was driving) - in one of Oakbrook Mall's beautiful restaurants. I think that their Italian restaurant - 'Maggiano's - Little Italy' - 'takes the cake' - literally and in every other way."

      "As far as 'here and now' goes - here - locally - the overly persistent and pushy - callers to the talk radio station - alternate - between bringing up tons of revolting, and gruesome stuff - either episodes from their personal lives - about which nobody needs to know or cares - or political half-truths - equally revolting - onto the air waves - which make many listeners' - collective skins crawl - while the same - aforementioned - nasty parties - occasionally - shed their phony, crocodile tears over some events which shouldn't influence them at all."

                           *    *     *       

                   Chapter 130

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

         It was about eight in the evening; the middle of June's - night was beautiful. The slight wind caressed our new, flowery, silky summer blouses which my oldest sister and I - just bought at the Oak Brook Mall during that morning. It was nice to know that we still have several days to talk - non-stop and enjoy Oakbrook Mall - before our oldest brother Max - arrives from Pittsburgh - so we can "pack" ourselves into his Ford truck in order to spend several days together. We planned to visit some close friends in Columbus, Ohio where I graduated from the Ohio State University.

       "You guys look and smell great - like 'movie queens,'" said a young, handsome shuttle driver with a wink and a smile; he was clad in a Hilton Hotels uniform - as he stopped to pick us up from the front of the Hilton Hotel - to drive us - for a few minutes - to the nearby Oak Brook Mall's - fine Italian restaurant where my sister and I were to - leisurely - enjoy our supper. The shuttle driver knew to take us back with his last shuttle route at 10pm.

        "You are going to get a tip from us - on the way back - anyway - but thanks - for saying that", my sister always expressed herself clearly and distinctly. It was - actually - true about all the women in our family.

        Once we got to the nicely landscaped restaurant - we chose the table outside - in the corner of the big terrace - to watch some people dining there. The sound system played soft jazz - in low tones. The place smelled great of Italian food.

        After we ordered a half of the baked chicken and a garden salad - we started to sip white wine - from the half a bottle - we ordered and were promptly served.

       "I hope that we won't be too full to order one of their deserts; they all looked great at that big photo - up front."

       "If we are too full - we can take it with us - to eat later; it's a beautiful place - here - I am having a great time with you - before Max arrives."

       "I know what you mean - Max has always had a 'Napoleonic Complex' of sorts."

                          *      *      *

        It was a late night the same evening when my "bestie" - Millie called me. My sister Tina was talking a long, relaxing bath while I watched Chicago's late news.

        "We had a totally fabulous night at this - here - Italian restaurant. I wish you were here with us. Now - I am watching the late news while she is taking a bath. We'll be snacking on the half of slice of cheesecake - you know how she keeps her figure - nice".

       "You are also 'no slouch' - as far as good figure goes. Are you watching the news about this ex-U.S. congressman - the son of a famous Leftist, Chicago's big political celebrity?"

       "They said that he had to resign from the U.S. Congress - his political career is 'in shambles'. Evidently, he didn't think about it when he 'splurged' on a 43 thousand dollars' worth - Rolex watch. 750 thousand dollars worth of the voters' contributions - illegally spent - can buy a lot of expensive 'goodies' - but a jail time - as well.

       In any event - remember - how it was a big item in Chicago and in the national news - that while his famous politician/father was 'counseling' the ex-pres. Clinton about the extramarital affair - which almost brought down his presidency - he - himself - had an extra marital affair with a young mistress who bore his child - while his wife - forgave him. It was a big story at Jack's TV station - constantly covered - while Jack worked there for quite a few years."

     "If you - guys - have the same plan - 'shopping and dinner' for tomorrow - maybe I will drive down to Oak Brook Mall for lunch - to meet you - both."

     "That would be super nice - Millie - Tina and I would love to see you again and buy you lunch."

                        *       *      *

      "It was a great week with my brother and sister - now - however - it's good to be 'back to normal' - but she and I didn't expect to live out - again - many memories when we visited our parents' ex-ranch house in Bexley - currently owned by a lovely older lady who - of course - totally redecorated and changed it around."

     "Tell me more details about visiting that house which your parents owned - but I have to tell you that I listened to the weekend talk radio programs - at your 'neck of the woods' - as you requested - whereupon - several of our Chicago friends and I - listened - again - to the transcripts several times. We came to the conclusion that - for the most part - 'your' talk radio's weekends - 'stink on ice - big'. Now - tell me about visiting your parents' - house."

      "In a way - it was good to know that the lovely ranch is in good hands - even if - there is physically - nothing connected us to it anymore - but if it looked neglected - like 'a pigsty' - we would feel bad about it since our parents loved it for many years and took good care of it." 

     "Chicago is getting ready to put on tons of its summer fests and concerts of all sorts."

     "I remember well that feeling of expectations of them - each time at the late spring - plus - of course - their distributed advertisements - promoted the coming summer fun - the ads made people happy - during the long Memorial Day Weekend - officially opening the new summer season."

                          *        *       *

     The Skokie's lovely - open air - Old Orchard Mall - frequently hosts various festivals during the summers. They - usually - start from the long Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. 

      My other Skokie's - "bestie" - Alla/Alice and I - went to the music festival - presented at Old Orchard mall during the long Memorial Day weekend. The atmosphere was super good around us. It was a lovely Friday night at the end of May - people were happy to have three-day weekend ahead of them - with the Chicago area weather - fully cooperating.

     The three musical stages set up in a good distance from each other - put on different kinds of music for different audiences - thus Alla/Alice and I - immediately picked the stage which had a good looking, middle-aged vocalist singing the all-time hit - "The Autumn Leaves" in French. We were lucky to find a bench close to the stage so I could run out to purchase us some "festival food" to snack on and some beer in plastic cups.

      "His French is very passable," said Alla/Alice upon my return with the snacks - (two warm pretzels and 2 beers in tacky, plastic cups). 

       "He is very cute as well - we would say - at the University of Chicago - that 'he could eat crackers in my bed'",

      "I didn't know you that you know French,"

      "I took two years of French in college so I can handle it - it's not like you know Spanish - which is - almost perfectly - since you studied it several years in Mexico City."

       "Before Mexico City University - I went to Ohio State and there - we would say about 'an eye candy' like him - that 'he could put his shoes under my bed', but speaking of Mexico City University - what's ironic is that - in many people's opinions who know Spanish - the 'classic Spanish' the way they speak it in Madrid, Spain - has their speech full of the strange lisping sounds; it's because one of the past Spanish kings - had a speech impediment - thus the way Spanish is spoken in Mexico by people who speak it well - sounds a lot better." 

                        *       *      *

       "Hi, Millie - your phone was busy for a long time - but I can't wait to talk to you about the talk radio - here - in my 'corner of the world'."

       "I love to listen to 'our' Lisa Dent on Chicago's WGN Talk radio - almost every day."

       "I know - she is a 'dynamite' good - host. I listen to her too - frequently - as well - and I wish that they would - finally - at the long last - get a good woman host - here - but so far - no such luck."

       "Their big 'superstar' - here at this local talk radio station - has a funny, 'squirrely', high pitched laugh which can get annoying at times,"

       "You don't say - you do get to know their voices and other quirky habits - more than you ever want to know or need to know."

       "A few days ago - however - I was happy to hear his familiar, 'squirrely', high pitched laugh - instead the other host's voice which - literally - sounds like 'the nails scraping the blackboard' due to the hateful stuff he says on his radio platform - 'dressed up' as free speech - which he 'digs up' from various sources - as do his haters/callers who - exclusively - 'pour hate' only when he has a talk radio shift.

       They - the radio hosts who are not popular - downright - resented by many segments of the listeners as well as by many advertisers - sometimes - get pushy with the management's schedule - and try to 'squeeze' themselves into the spots - they are not scheduled for; which is annoying - to no end - since those hostile radio hosts - for sure - attract many - 'lunatic fringe' - callers to the station - who call the radio station - only when those hostile radio hosts have their radio shifts - which gets on - most listeners' and advertisers' - nerves - galore."

       "What's nice about Lisa Dent and other Chicago 'talkers' is that they don't take any rabid, disgusting/hateful calls - from the pseudo-sophisticated callers - who should know that they get on many listeners' and advertisers' - nerves - galore",

       "Just like your Emma says that many vicious people 'bug her - a lot - and they get on every last one of her nerves'."

       "At any rate - I have some travel plans to share with you - it will be nice to 'change this - here - talk radio - scenery - for a while.'"

                         *       *      * 

                        Chapter 131

       Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

      "Hello, Millie - it's good to hear you voice. I have some news for you. I will be in my rental condo - across the street from Skokie's Old Orchard Mall - a week later than - originally planned due to the logistics with the owner,"

       "A week is not long. It's going to be a fun summer. I can't wait."

       "Not nearly as much as I can't wait. This area here - this time of the year - when I am ready to leave for the summer - starts getting on my nerves quite a bit. I miss Chicago's 'talkers' - since a lot of the ones - here - locally - 'work my nerves'. Most of them - here - though - the smartest and the most successful ones - are great people. I will give you more details at another time. In the meantime - I was looking up Chicago's talk radio legend - John Kass."

       "I used to listen to him all the time. If I remember correctly - he was sick for a while - now - however - he is coming back."

       "He has a terrific website - JohnKassnews.com; the last time I looked - he had an interview with Mollie Hemingway whose last book 'Rigged' is selling like crazy. She is a senior editor of 'Federalist' - an awesome thinker."

                        *      *     *

      "Maggie - I had to call you - to tell you that - the group of us - here - in Chicago area - have been listening - again - to 'your' talk radio's - weekends' - line up - and it still - 'stinks on ice' - the way you say it,"

      "Hey - Millie - the most irritating 'factor' over the weekends - has to be this newer host - manning the 'mike' during the Saturday afternoons. They constantly invite the same, goofy sounding, Leftist guests - promoting their Leftist causes and venues - to no end. Moreover - the host still sounds phony, amateurish and exaggerated - plus - they 'sport' this constant laugh - 'hyena style cackle' - like Kamala Harris does - no matter if the material they present is funny or not."

    "You told me a while ago that they were 'sporting' their constant laugh - as well - at the local television station's /community affairs - feature - and the comment/suggestion they were persistently offered was - reportedly - 'to stop laughing like a damn hyena - all the time - since it gets on the audiences' nerves a lot'."   

                      *       *      *   

      Every summer as soon as I quickly unpack my basic summer stuff at my summer rental condo across the street from the lovely, open air - Old Orchard Mall in the heart of Chicago's - Skokie - the first I do - I go out onto the big balcony full of flowers to have a long look at the sprawling Old Orchard Mall/Park - as if it were some sort of a being which I missed all winter and spring.

      The morning after I unpacked my summer stuff - I waited for my Skokie's "bestie" - Millie/Milochka - at our favorite coffee shop in the middle of the Old Orchard Mall - where we - usually - sit on the big terrace with the tables that change the colors of their umbrellas - every summer. 

      Since Millie's townhouse is within an easy walking distance from the Old Orchard Mall - I - usually - see her a short time after I get to our favorite coffee shop.

     "Every summer - you look good - while I get older," she greeted me. "How was the train trip?"

     "That's not entirely true but - Okay - you could use more lipstick - as usually; the train travel was very good - as almost always - however - you can't even imagine how good it feels to me - to get the hell out of my 'other place' for a summer,"

     "At the end of the summer - you start missing the hills - admit it."

     "Maybe - a little bit - but I got tons of news for you regarding our Ravinia's summer schedule of the coming events. I was glancing at the reviews of the concerts coming this summer."

                          *       *      *

      A few days later - Millie and I sat on the blanket - in the lawn area of the gorgeous, open-air Ravinia Park - while the pair of older, seasoned "rockers" took the stage a half hour before. They sounded only okay - but nothing overly impressive. 

     Since the weather forecasters predicted the possibility of the rain - we were not too disappointed when it started raining - so we decided to leave the park rather than upgrade our tickets to the pavilion seating.

    The rain let up considerably during our ride back to Skokie from Highland Park. Millie drove her Chevrolet sedan with her usual confidence and skill.

     "Let's stop in the 'Jewel' to get something for dinner - then we can go to my house where Maurice will be happy - not to cook - to take him away from his television sports' - broadcasts."

     "That's sounds like a plan to me - but I am buying us some decent wine for our dinner. Nobody needs to drive anymore after we get to your house."

      After we fixed our Salisbury steaks dinner for dinner - accompanied by fresh garden salads and a glass of red Israeli wine - Cabernet Sauvignon - by a famous Carmel winery - located close to the beautiful port city - Haifa - all three of us started our - usual - fun "gab" - mostly about fun things which happened during our younger years in Europe. It was always entertaining gathering for the three of us at Millie's - nicely decorated - in a traditional style - spacious townhouse.

       "You - guys - don't listen as much to the talk radio - here in Chicagoland - as they do in 'my area' - which is more provincial in nature."

      "That's true - but we like Rich Valdes's syndication."

      "They don't get any crazy, exhibitionistic callers who - who consider themselves 'big experts' on every matter known to mankind - who want thousands of listeners to hear the gruesome and revolting details from their personal lives - which belong in the psychologist's office - anyway."

      "I'm glad they don't let those types on the air - around here - but there are other ones which 'make one's skin crawl' - no shortage of that - for sure. We'll talk about them. The summer just started."

                         *      *     *

                        Chapter 132

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

     The summer evening at the end of June in Ravinia Park - felt great. It was a warm but not hot or humid summer night - with a light breeze. Millie, I and her brother Maurice sat on the blanket on the grass - almost at the line to the Pavillion sitting - covered by the roof. The sound system was terrific even if the orchestra accompanying the singers - was small. 

     It was an early evening when the concert began - we got to Ravinia an hour earlier to eat the pieces of baked chicken with rolls - washed down by white wine. The only thing we needed to buy from the well-stocked Ravinia's food vendors - was soda drinks.

    Maurice - drank the mineral water since he was driving that night.

    "I am no expert on the male singers' voices but, the baritone sounds better to me than the tenor as far as the male singers are concerned", said Maurice.

    "I agree with you," said Millie, "but the most famous male singers in the world - like Pavarotti or Andera Boccelli - are - almost always - the tenors,"

    "My best taste of female singers' voices - goes to the lower ranges - like mezzo or alto. The very high ranges - like soprano or coloratura soprano - get on my nerves," I added and stopped talking since the handsome singer appeared on the stage and expertly adjusted the microphone - then nodded to the orchestra conductor to start the instruments.

       A young, good looking and confident appearing singer - an Italian looking type - started to expertly "belt out" an Italian classic "Return to Sorrento" which was composed for the tenors; his strong tenor and a magnificent stage presence - all came out - super good - with the orchestra enhancing his performance instead of overly loudly "upstaging" him - which happens frequently in the outdoors settings. 

      "With his looks, talent and confidence - he has a lot of 'currency' to 'spend' - to move ahead - his life's goals - but mainly - with his singing career",

      "True, but the 'currency' will go fast just like his youthful good looks before the typical 'life's passages' will start to 'chip away' at them."

      "'Chip away' - my foot - he is having a great time - in the interim."

      The concert was over a bit earlier since it was during the week - and not during the weekend.

      The three of us - Maurice, me and Millie - sat around her dining room table of Millie's traditionally decorated, spacious Skokie townhouse - as we snacked on some light goodies and sipped a bit of wine; we - usually - engaged in our customary fun talks - mostly about our lives in Eastern Europe.

      "Our mother used to read to us the fables by LaFontaine," said Maurice.

     "They were not gruesome and scary like the Grimm Brothers' 'Tales for the Kids'".

     "I like the one about the pair of venomous snakes - a male and a female - who were hissing and spraying their venom around - as if it was going out of style. Luckily - the effective 'Snake Charmer' came around and removed their fangs full of poison so they could still hiss loudly - in an obnoxious fashion - but all the venom - was gone - this way - they could effectively play their 'victim card'".

                             *       *       *  

     The three of us decided to go to a big Chicago summer festival held every summer - "The Taste of Polonia" - lavishly put on by the Copernicus Center - a sizable entertainment venue - producing many impressive Polish and international events. 

     They had many sound stages during that weekend afternoon - but the cover band we were interested in - did Bruce Springsteen's covers - and they took the stage in the afternoon on the other side of the vast picnic area. It was a nice summer day - not overly hot or humid. 

      We were eating some hotdogs which went well with the beer in the plastic cups which all of us could enjoy since we took the public transportation that afternoon.

      "That smell of their national dish - 'Bigos' - reminds me of our Polish summers," said Millie and laughed.

      "I know it does - but rich people in Poland - hardly if ever - eat 'Bigos' which smells strongly of sauerkraut - they much preferred pork chops - by far - as I can remember."

      "It's noisy enough here - still - talk in a lower voice - they all speak English".

      "So what? I can tell the truth. There is nothing offensive about the truth."

      The band sounded good, so Maurice enjoyed himself. The place was not overly crowded since it was an afternoon. I always liked the venues which were not overly packed "to the gills" like "the sardines in the can".

      "I am watching all the various types of people here so we can - really - talk when we get to your house after the band finishes their gig".

                           *      *     *

      "Hey - Millie - I know that you're getting ready for our lunch at Old Orchard - so I will be quick,"

      "Okay - but make it snappy,"

      "Anyway - the Leftist, part-time radio host - who - usually - 'spits' his anti-Semitic, pro-Hamas - political talking points during his talk radio shifts - which - B.T.W. - attract the same types of pro-Hamas - callers to the station - had some Karma - recently - come back and 'bite him'; namely - he took the whole radio shift to complain about his health problems; that made his radio shift as interesting as 'watching the paint - dry'- according to the listeners who only listen to his radio shifts - just to secure - the transcripts."

      "Does he still take the calls from that annoying 'star caller/hater' who constantly quotes their 'cockamamie, off the wall - crazy' - conspiracy - theories?"

      "Most definitely - he does - while other radio hosts - avoid them - like a plague. At any rate, you will get more details - soon."

                       Chapter 133

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

    "Hi, Millie - I just looked at the Ravinia Park's coming attractions this summer - coming imminently - and Ruth Page Ballet (Chicago's pride) - doesn't interest me,"

     "I looked at their events coming soon, and Michael Feinstein's concert/recital sounds very good,"

      "I was thinking the same thing - I like his vast repertoire of Standard American songs from the classic American Songs' Book; his piano skills are also considerable, and he sings in a relaxed but skillful style."

     "Emma saw him on TV a while ago and she would be interested in that event. Maurice will be out of town for some sporting event."

     "I talked to Larry yesterday and everybody at their talk radio station is glad that they got rid of their Leftist host - last year - the one who loved to hate on Israel a lot. His callers/haters are not missed at all - as well. Nobody in the listening audience or otherwise - is asking about them - anyway. 

     "That's how it goes."

     "Larry also mentioned that the same Leftist host whom they 'canned' - since he was not popular with his co-workers (and that's being extreme generous to his lousy attitude) - not even mentioning the station's advertisers - as well - did try to come back.

     "You mean - they groveled and crawled - but the station didn't take them back? What a shame." 

                     *       *      *

     The cloudy evening at Ravinia Park didn't scare us - since we upgraded our tickets to the Pavillion seating with the roof. The acoustics at Ravinia are always excellent.

     Millie's daughter - Emma - a good-looking, tall and tanned college senior - home for the summer - came back from the well-stocked Ravinia's -food vending stands with a tray holding warm pretzels (our favorite snacks) and plastic cups of beer for us - but a tall plastic cup with ice of Coca-Cola - for her.

     She called me by my first name just like all my old friends and my family did. I have known her ever since she was born.

    "She could have had a beer as well - since she turned twenty-one recently," I said and added - "as if she doesn't drink that stuff away at college,"

    "It's not proper to drink beer in front of her mom,"

   "They know more than we do - these days - and if you want to know something beyond your knowledge - I am sure - that they will 'enlighten' you."

      During the intermission of Michael Feinstein's tremendously fun and entertaining - performance - I noticed that Emma continued keeping her cell phone - in the "vibrate" - function.

      "My nieces could take some lessons from you on cell phone etiquette,"

      "I don't get to see you much since you spend most of the year - at your 'other' home; maybe you can move back here,"

      "Thank you for saying that - but each time I look at you - all grown up - I remember you as a chubby 'being' at nine months of age - while you already walked - kind of like a drunk - but still - early. Moreover - you talked in short sentences - never mind - that your baby talk was - at times - hard to decipher,"

      "I remember the summer barbecues at mom's back yard,"

      "You were already three years old at that time,"

      "Don't start reminding her of that outing when I yelled at her," Millie laughed but she meant business - I knew my friend.

      "There is no need to remind them about those sorts of things. They remember."

                          *       *      *

      The Fourth of July weekend was very hot - but all the fireworks spots of every kind were getting ready to shoot their fireworks displays all over the Chicagoland area.

      Emma and I were sipping our iced coffees at the "she-she-poo-poo" - upscale coffee shops' patio - under a big umbrella which was located in Michigan/Walton streets - area - 2 blocks from my close friend's - Alice's big penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan's beach on Chicago's - Lake Shore Drive.

      "So how do you know these people", she wore a lovely, flowery, light summer dress and looked like a beautiful summer model - complete with the Italian design sandals showing her polished toenails and shapely feet.

      "To make a long story - short - her son was my primary care doc for quite a while - while she has been working as his office manager. She and I became close friends/confidants - right away."

      "Speaking of her son, however," I added, "he will be there - for his mom's Navy Pier fireworks party - clearly visible from his mom's penthouse's huge windows. He will - most likely - 'drool all over' you since he has been recently divorced for the second time."

     "I don't date older men, so I won't be starting now. How did they make all the money to live in a penthouse like that?"

      "They had a smaller penthouse in Sheridan/Lunt area - also overlooking Lake Michigan but they upgraded to this place. You will love all the Japanese style artwork matching their light furniture and most fabulous food and drinks Alice prepares for every 4th of July - party."

     "Speaking of dating - are you dating anybody interesting?"

     "I am - you know the son of that big talk radio station's owner - the neighbor who lives next door - he is a cute guy - goes to the University of Chicago."

     "As long as you keep it all light and don't get hung up on any big deal - long term relationships - there might be something even better for you - out there,"

     "Without a doubt. Is that what you did when you were dating - always looking to 'trade up'''?

     "If your date's father was single - I could think of dating a guy like him. He is a brave player with his positions - clearly stated - and he is not some wishy-washy - opportunist - 'with them and with us' - type. I will never forget what he did after he got the transcripts of the talk radio - broadcast - from Oct. 07 - 2023 - by the radio host - spewing his pro-Hamas, hateful, anti-Semitic propaganda/half-truths - so his 'fan base' - consisting of the same sort of hateful callers - could also spew their Israel hating and Jew hating - warped data. Some of the same haters - are equally obsessed with calling other talk radio hosts - as well - and they 'sprinkle' their on air - talk - with their personal lives' details - as if anybody - gives a rat's pajama - about their personal lives. At any rate - your boyfriend's father - immediately - forwarded the aforementioned transcripts to all the big radio execs in Chicagoland."

     "I remember - mom mentioned that. He is not even Jewish so - it's it was mighty nice of him to do it."

                          *      *     *

                        Chapter 134

         The work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

      "So, you - guys - had a good time - tonight?" Alice's son tried to not act like an idiot - smitten with Emma's beauty. He - confidently - drove us in his new, black Mercedes thru - finally cool - Chicago night - as he turned onto the Lakeshore Drive from Michigan Avenue. He was driving us to Howard station from which we - easily - caught a small but quick - Skokie Swift/Yellow line train - taking us to the very heart of Skokie.

     "It was a really great night. Please - thank your mother - again - doctor."

     "Hey - Emma - you don't need to call him 'doctor' - he is not seeing any patients tonight."

     "That's right - you can call me 'Neal' like Maggie always does."

     "If you go out with him - even - once - he will have you where he wants you," I gave Emma a totally unsolicited advice after Neal dropped us off at the Howard station.

     "A lot of women want to date him - that's - probably - what broke up two of his previous marriages - but - on the bright side - he is still not old - which gives him an opportunity in that area," I added.

                      *       *      *

     "Listen, Millie - I hear that Emma had a great time at my friend's 4th of July party," I was almost ready to meet my friend for breakfast at our usual, lovely coffee shop at the very heart of sprawling Old Orchard Mall - decorated with summer greenery. It was a lovely summer day - sunny with some breeze.

      "Tell your friends to fix her up with your doctor friend's - that younger friend doctor - who has a solid personality since they get to know each other,"

     "Consider it done - you can come with us to their next summer party; I have to tell you something else - though - about the talk radio station at another place - not the Chicagoland's "talkers"; they really get on my nerves a lot - lately. 

      First, they hire them and give preferential treatment to some new sycophants/'ass kissers' - the types which are playing it safe all the time - then - the station ignores them or makes them quit; the 'ass kissers' - however - are the types who are 'with them and with us' sort - who avoid taking a stand; those types of radio hosts are 'kissing up' to all the callers - even the notorious haters calling the station - ad nauseum.          However - the haters/callers have their favorite main hater/host - currently - away for a while, so 'his' callers try to keep their hostile slogans 'on the leash' a bit - until he comes back. Luckily - they also have a few brave radio hosts - not afraid to state their political positions with clarity and courage. Their respective positions become obvious - anyway - after listening to them for a while."

                         *      *     *

     All our Chicago friends looked forward to going to Ravinia Park's promising "ABBA Music" - concert featuring the famous "cover" music of the legendary ABBA's group - musical hits.

     It was a nice summer evening - we had to get the pavilion seating tickets since the concert tickets were going fast and it's fun to sit in the pavilion section - anyway.

     My Chicagoland's friend's daughter - Emma - home from college for the summer - was in charge of getting us snacks whenever she went with us to a Ravinia concert. Their concession stands are exceptionally well stocked with all kinds of goodies to eat and to drink.

     "I love it when they play that short musical hit by ABBA - ending with a phrase 'it's a rich men's world'. It's good to listen to over and over," said Emma as she unloaded her big tray full of ice cream bars and soft drinks. She wore her summer clothes well since she was a tall, good-looking girl with an attractive summer tan.

      "Do you remember that first 'Mamma Mia' movie version - the best of them - where Pierce Brosnan demonstrated his lack of singing voice and singing talent?"

      "I sure do. We had a super fun New Year's Eve party that year", I reminded Millie, "We played that movie several times in a row and Emma - who was about two at that time danced - with her chubby butt going up and down - each time they played that super popular hit - 'Mamma Mia'".

                     *      *     *

      The memorable 4th of July weekends' festivities are - every year - lavishly produced by Chicago's Grant Park which offers many sound stages with different - known and unknown - kinds of musical bands - usually good - which are paid well by the city of Chicago.

      During that 4th of July, memorable weekend - my Chicago acquaintance Sheila - who always says stupid, unnecessary and - most likely - not quite true - things about the people we knew - and I - got lucky to find a shady lawn space by the sound stage with the unknown band which played well the Latin hits - "covers".

      A group of dancers danced decent steps by the band - to the sounds of the gorgeous Bolero/Rumba - a big hit that summer - from the movie "Mambo Kings" - titled "Maria of My Soul".

     "Go over there and grab some good dancer to dance this,"

     "O.K. but give me good energy so that decent dancer will not have a B.O. or act rude - you never know - when you come up to the stranger,"

      Lucky for me when I came up close to the dancers, I noticed that a youngster who took Latin dancing - group classes - from the same dance studio where I took private lessons from the studio owner - was looking for someone to dance this Bolero/Rumba. I barely knew him - from the studio but he noticed me right away.

      "You want to dance this?"

      "Okay - but don't show off with too many fancy steps Dominick showed you in the studio".

       "Hey, Millie," I was giving my usual - "report" to my Skokie "bestie" - later that night, "that youngster not only danced and led nice Latin steps, but he wore a gorgeous cologne and behaved well. Sheila - on the other hand - got on my nerves as usually - with her stupid idiot talk about people - the same stuff - not worth repeating." 

                        *       *      *

     "Hey, Millie, guess who I ran into when I was getting into the Humbold Park musical fest a few days ago?"

     "No clue - who was it?"

     "Your neighbor - the successful Chicagoland's talk radio station owner - and his wife."

     "You didn't mention to them that Emma dumped their son because she is dating a doctor introduced to her by your friends?"

     "Why would I say stupid things like that to anybody? And anyway - that Porto Rican music fest was really good. The top-notch Salsa band from Porto Rico played very good and I also 'hooked' up with a couple of good Latin dancers from my Latin dancing studio - who are Porto Ricans. The rum drinks and Porto Rican empanadas they sold - were good - not the best I ever had in Chicagoland - but good - nevertheless. On the way back I was happy to catch a ride with your neighbors since that area is not overly safe even if it's not too late - which it wasn't. At any rate - your neighbor Steve mentioned that the transcripts of the radio shift he received - from the late spring of last year - he meant the transcript from the third week of June of last year - ''would have 'the Chicagoland talk radio' - for sure - fire - that hateful and vicious - radio host''. We stopped at Steven's house for a brief 'night cup' since we all live within a walking distance in Skokie. He and his wife served us all no less than 'Courvasier' - the best brandy - in big brandy snifters. Then Steve said that the transcripts of the radio shift from the third week of June of last year - pointed to that radio shift's host expressing his extreme anger directed towards the radio station, the management and the listeners - which was noticed by the advertisers - no doubt. Anyway - Steve said that when the news reader read the news - during that shift - it was clear from the transcripts - that his voice - reflected his undeserved - "dumping on him" - a humiliation which had to go on the 'back burner' of his feelings - evidently - since his 'bread and butter' issues keeping him working - have to take the precedent over his feelings. In any event - Steve concluded that the aforementioned angry/hateful - radio host - which is obvious from the transcripts - will not be 'winning any popularity contests at that radio station - anytime soon'". 

                        Chapter 135

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

      Chicagoland's splendid open-air concert venue - Ravinia Park's - magnificent acoustics magnified "Gypsy Kings"' - a long time, lasting in popularity hit "Bamboleo" which is a newer version of an older, fabulous tune - "Caballo Viejo" ("An Old Horse") - during the intermission of "Gypsy Kings"' - concert. The weather during the summer night was nice - but Millie, Emma and I - appreciated the pavilion seats which are always better than the lawn seating.

      "I hope that all the ice cream bars I got for you - guys - didn't get mixed up," Emma - who always looked glowing and good - brought us a lot of ice cream bars from the concession stands - invariably - well supplied. She wore attractive summer clothes and didn't need much make-up to showcase her good facial features.

       "In another month - the summer will be almost done. Emma will go back to college," my best friend Millie - Emma's mother - always came up with the so-so - not good - news of this kind.                

       "Must you remind me that this glorious summer will be ending soon,"

      "But you also - always - love the fall - as well - especially if it comes after some exceptionally hot and bothersome summers - which this one is not."

      "Does your new boyfriend - that doctor - plan to visit you at college?"

     "So far - he says that he will - but I am not 'putting all my eggs in one basket'",

     "I like this kind of talk - it's not the way it was when your mother or I were your age and dating. Whenever we dated some doctor or lawyer and that broke up - our parents let us know that we 'missed an opportunity of a lifetime'",

      "'Opportunity of the lifetime' - my foot - there is 'more where he came from'",

      "Don't listen to what she says - she likes him a lot and so far, he has been behaving very correctly - I have nothing against him."

      "So far - so good - right Emma? Hopefully - in time - it will continue on the positive side - even after the times passes."

     I changed the subject - "I have been listening to Rich Valdes's great nighttime talk show - which starts 9 pm - in this Central time zone - with it ending at midnight - which is earlier than in the E.S.T. zone; to his credit - he handles well all sorts of - at times - unruly and hateful - callers - to the station - without him insulting them - by calling them 'lunatics' or other abusive names - the way several radio hosts indulge in - at the smaller talk radio markets," I spoke in the whisper to Millie - after the terrific "Gypsy Kings's" - concert continued at Ravinia Park.

                        *      *      *

     The Lincoln Square/Giddings Plaza area in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood - has always been mine and my Chicago's friends' - top place to visit. We love the coffee shops, and other quaint establishments - plus food venues of all kinds - but the big "star" of the area - has been - "Gene's European Sausages Deli" a big, fancy - deli/bakery with great selections of wines and beers - from all over the world. They also make their own sausages on the premises - which taste good.

     Millie, I and Emma had a delicious lunch on the "Rooftop Beer and Wine Garden" - recently added - a successful - open air - eating area on the top of the three-story building housing "Gene's Sausages Deli" with the rooftop cafe area having a good, clear view of Lincoln Square/Giddings Plaza - a small, town square - resembling - part.

     "I will miss 'Cafe Selmarie - Deli/Bakery' - which just closed recently after being a major attraction of this area for the longest time," said Emma and added, "I remember their delicious cookies and bars - you and mom frequently bought for me when I was little."

     She wore a lovely, summery - silk blouse of blue color which matched the color of her deep blue eyes. We were picking nicely arranged various cheese slices from a large cheese board for the three of us - arranged with crackers - embellished with some fresh vegetables - accompanied by a glass of white wine.

    "It's nice to come to the city - at least - a couple of times during the summer - even if Skokie has everything and anything - we need minus the big problems - the city has," said Millie.

     It was a pleasant summer afternoon with a light breeze. The traditional tunes played in low volume at "Gene's Rooftop Wine and Beer Garden" always included Frank Sinatra's "My Kind of Town - Chiago Is"; it was still the time of tourists' visits to all the nice parts of Chicago - at the end of August - albeit - they were "thinning - themselves out of the city and - soon - making themselves scarce," - until the following year.

                        *       *       *

      "Hi, Max - how are things in Squirrel Hill?"

      "Right now - everybody is talking - ad nauseum - about the recent attack on ex-pres. Trump. The Libs - will want to take away people's guns - as usually - no doubt. That's just makes one's skin - crawl. How is everything with you?"

      "I am ready to come back in about 3 and a half weeks so - please - make sure that Jolene starts cleaning my apartment - upstairs - thoroughly - before I come back."

      "Tell Millie to come to visit you - sans Maurice - this time."

     "She is not ready for marriage."

     "Neither am I. You have not been telling her that I am ready to marry again - have you?"

     "You need to be finding your own dates. With that nice mini mansion - you own outright - in Squirrel Hill - you would not be in a bad position to 'bargain'".

     I - tactfully - didn't remind my big brother Max about his - many - less than favorable - personality traits.

                         *      *     *

     "Hey, Millie, the guy from whom I have been subletting this beautiful Skokie condo for the last three years - wants to sell it to me for a very, very favorable price", I was chatting with my Skokie "bestie" before meeting her for breakfast at our favorite coffee shop at the big and sprawling - Old Orchard Mall - right across the street from my summer rental.

     "Oh, my God - that's good news. What are you waiting for? For the 'audience to clap', or what?"

     "I told him that I am very interested - however - I have to go back to 'my other place of residence' to wrap things up - there - and evidently - that will go well with his plans to transfer his international business - abroad."

      "One way or another", I added, "It will be executed - next summer".

      "That sounds super. Listen - I was listening to your other talk radio station - not the one in the Chicago talk radio market - but the smaller one - and the radio host whom you don't particularly like - had some rough words for the steady caller with an abrasive, raspy voice who is generally - nasty and vicious - in expressing his political opinions about his political opposition. The host called him 'an idiot' and told him - not to call the station - anymore. I am sure that the aforementioned radio host got a lot of favorable cheers from many listeners - even if that nasty sounding - caller - with his - trademark - nasty, raspy voice - will be calling other - radio hosts - who use him to 'pour some dirt' - onto the listeners who disagree with their respective, political stances."

      "Still - that's a super good news. There are more of those persistent callers to the station - just like him - who also call the radio station - ad nauseum - who also need the same sort of 'sobering up', honest treatment from the other radio hosts."

                        Chapter 136

      Work of fiction - Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

        "Hey, Maggie - I was listening to that new Leftist radio host in the other - smaller talk radio market - and their radio shifts - are tedious and boring - full of the Socialist/Leftist propaganda - which is 'oozing out' - ad nauseum - from her radio shifts. Not only she doesn't take any listeners' calls (evidently, it's not as easy as it seems) but she also sports that ugly - 'hyena style' - cackle/laugh - just like HRC and Kamala Harris."

      "I know - but this weekend the other Leftist part-time host is coming back. His steady callers to the station are - mostly - hostile - anti-Semites - who hate Israel, so they always repeat the same, worn-out political slogans - ad nauseum. They're eagerly waiting for that Leftist host to come back - while they 'sharpen their ugly claws and fangs'".

      "They don't have those types so much - here - in Chicagoland talk radio area - thank God. The talk radio hosts - around here - are of a different brand - which is a big city style - mostly nationally syndicated, famous - talk radio hosts. In the smaller talk radio markets - the same callers - call the station - ad nauseum - instead of the station - getting the new callers."

      "Did you see that delegate to the Republican National Convention - the other day - from the town - still beautiful - but - according to that delegate - well on the way to become another 'San Francisco' - due to the Wokes/Leftists - currently managing it - hopefully - only till next elections. However - for now - they manage this city - 'right it into the ground' - according to many comments of that sort by many local people expressing those types of concerns - either - to the local talk radio stations or posting those sorts of comments - on-line. The local police can't arrest any drugged, criminal vagrants - who mess up the downtown area - in a hurry - due to the current mayor being the Woke/Leftist - which is a prime example - of the 'factors' - contributing to the crime - way - up - and on the upswing."

       "Oh, by the way - my neighbor Steve who is the chief of a big talk radio station in Chicagoland and several of his - colleagues - also in the same business - listened again - the radio transcripts from Oct. 07 - 2023. They forwarded those transcripts to the talk radio execs - in New York and Los Angeles. All of them - subsequently - concluded that not only the radio host - leading that radio shift is an enormous - Israel hater - but also - his main 'adherent/appendage' - the caller whose call the host takes - first - is a huge Israel hater in their own right; the host takes their call to the station - first - during that shift because of his obvious admiration for them - which is on full display; that caller sounds on the transcripts - as even bigger Israel hater - than the Leftist radio host; they are a huge Israel hater - 'in their own right.'''

                       *       *       *

     "Hey, Millie - listen - do you remember when the city of Chicago put on - lavishly and extravagantly - their big summer fest - 'Taste of Chicago' almost every June?"

     "Of course, I do - but they don't do it like that - for the last several years - as you know - they produce a smaller, main 'Taste of Chicago' in September - which follows the smaller - usually - 1 day lasting - 'Tastes' in many neighborhoods - all of them familiar to you."

     "When Emma was little - she also loved our most favorite 'Taste of Chicago' treat - ears of corn cooked in the husks - over big charcoal grills - right in front of the entries to the Grant Park; the smoky flavor of that corn - is truly fabulous. Your Emma loved it when she was little; even though she already had permanent teeth - she still got the corn kernels all over her face."

     "That one summer - two Chicago mayors - ago - 'Taste of Chicago' featured a new, young performer who just got a totally undeserved Oscar for an equally - overrated and boring - musical - which 'never ended' - according to all people who 'suffered through it' - in the movie theaters. Anyway - she was performing during that 'Taste of Chicago' fest in June of that year - which lasted longer than - today's 'Tastes'. For some stupid reasons - the Chicago mayor announced to the Chicago press - that the city of Chicago was to pay her close to $140 thousand dollars for an hour of singing at that festival."

      "Shortly after that - there was a break in - into her family house. The criminal elements in Chicago - don't need any special 'invitations'".

                          *      *      *

      "Hey, Maggie - some talk radio "talkers" - around here in Chicagoland area - are making fun - galore - at the way Kamala Harris constantly laughs - while her annoying, ugly - 'cackle style - hyena resembling' - laugh - irritates tons of people."

      "I know - they constantly - talk about it - as well - in a smaller talk radio market. That sort of cackling, laughing style - is ugly and revolting - not to say anything overly critical - of course."

       "That's a 'trademark' of Hilary Clinton's - style laughter - which a lot of people - know well and ridicule - to no end. However - on the smaller scale - they got a new Leftist, part-time host in the smaller than Chicagoland's - talk radio market - and she also constantly - laughs like that - no matter if her material is funny or not. She must love her own - 'hyena style - cackle laugh' - a lot. Not to change the subject - but very recently - another obsessed with hatred for Israel - Leftist/listener to the station whose constant, obsessive calls to the station - are familiar to all the listeners and to the radio hosts - and who - usually calls the part-time Leftist radio host - Israel hater like her - called another talk radio host - a mostly solid and well-respected radio host - with her obsessive, worn out, Israel hating - propaganda. He - however - 'rubbed her snout in mud' - in a subtle but obvious fashion - by - tactfully yet decisively - cutting her off the air - while during the next night - during his radio shift - he ignored her annoying calls to the station - altogether - while everybody knows that she is simply - 'dying' to call the radio station with her 'conspiracies' theories - that are fully - 'cockamamie' in nature."

                            *       *      *

    "Remember - when you were little you loved to come here to see the huge Christmas tree - here - at the Bloomingdale's", I asked Emma as we were having our customary, delicious Latte in our favorite coffee shop - downstairs of the Chicago's famous, beautiful department store - Bloomingdale's - in Michigan Avenue and Walton Street's - area. We always did it before we went to Alice's penthouse for a scrumptious, well catered - meal.

    "I remember it as if it was yesterday. That tree reaching the fifth floor always looked to me like a huge, glorious mountain," Emma looked lovely as always in her summery, floral top.

    "The summer is almost over, and it went like a blink of an eye."

    "What's Alice fixing for us for lunch?"

    "She said that we will eat salmon which her steady caterer got fresh from NYC".

    "She doesn't cook anymore?"

    "Not usually - even though she is a great cook. These days - she likes to get food from her favorite caterer - the top-notch Chicago firm". 

      For the next segment of this exciting story - please - click here - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday - of each week!    

                           *      *     *

                         Chapter 137

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

        "Hey Maggie, I miss you like crazy. Emma's gone back to college - 'out of the nest - gone'. You are not coming back to Skokie for a year, but Squirrell Hill is beautiful - right?" 

      "I miss Skokie - as well - even though Squirrell Hill is nice - as always. Time will go fast for us."

      "How was your train trip?"

      "It was great since the suite - instead of a small roomette when going back - from Chicago - is well worth the extra money. Going towards Chicago - the tiny roomette is okay since the morning meal is just a quick breakfast - whereas - leaving Chicago - the suite is much better - not only for eating a great dinner with wine - but also sleeping is easier - with the noise of the doors shut by people exiting - not disturbing the sleep - which is a good experience on the moving train; not to change the subject - but the talk radio - here - instead of the Chicago's 'talkers' - can get on one's nerves - especially annoying are the same - persistent, Israel hating, well-known to everybody at the radio station - callers to the station - obsessed with their many 'off the wall' - conspiracies' - theories - which get on many people's - nerves - big time!" 

      "Yeah - that Israel hater on that tape with the transcripts from Oct. 07 - 2023 - is well known in Chicagoland area since the tape with the transcripts from Oct. 07 - 2023 - has been widely disseminated by our neighbor and friend - Steve - among all the top talk radio 'players' - in Chicagoland area. One of Steve's radio execs - colleagues - remarked - upon listening to the radio shift's transcripts - from the weekends' programs at the smaller radio market - that the steady/hateful caller to the weekends/evenings talk radio shift - must have had a most awful life experience or two - which - evidently - screwed them up badly - so they are fixated on hating Israel - to the point of - each time when they get on the airwaves - to talk to the talk radio hosts on specified subjects - other than Israel - the rabid Isral/hater caller swtches to hating on Israel thus - the listeners conjure up - the caller's 'mouths foaming' in the ugly fashion - out of all the hate they 'nurture' inside; occsionally - however - they are looking for some "love and compssion" due to the "stress" they feel inside - what a shame! 

    How is Max doing - not to be changing the subject - of course?"

    "He stopped covering his gray hair - which looks stunning with his brown eyes. You said that he looks like DeNiro - a while ago - he still does." 

                           *       *      *

      "Hey - Millie - remember when I told you about my Squirrel Hill acquaintance - who ran a successful - bookstore, coffee shop and a small lecture hall - all of those - under the same roof - a big space which was costly to lease in Squirrel Hill?"

      "I sure do. Is she still there?"

      "Not in Squirrel Hill - she said that the rent was too high - to justify the "foot traffic" with money. After she moved to another nice area - close to Squirrel Hill - she is doing much better since the rent is lower and the "walk-ins" also spend money - plus - she retained most of her clients from the near-by - Squirrel Hill - the ones worth keeping - anyway. In any event - I wish you were here last weekend - you would love the entertaining event - the New Grand Opening - she put on. I will tell you about it later in detail - but before I forget - did you see Pete Buttigieg - that puny 'peep squeak/attack dog' for Kamala Harris - barking furiously/apoplectically - at Fox's Network - Shannon Bream - last weekend?"

       "I wouldn't miss it for the world. I couldn't believe that - evidently - Bream came to do her show - unprepared; however - later in the same news show - Molly Hemingway - a powerful 'fire brand' who runs 'Federalist' - totally, verbally 'eviscerated' that Leftist - Juan Williams. The happy expression on Shannon Bream's face - could not be missed."

                         *      *     *

       Hi, Millie - do you have a minute to hear how Nicole and I hosted the Grand Opening to her newly rehabbed business in a new location - close to Squirrel Hill?"

       "I am dying to find out - how did everything go?"

       "We expected a lot of people - her newly advertised clientele as well as her steady ex-Squirrel Hill - patrons. I wish you were there - the caterer provided tasty, fancy little sandwiches and good champagne. The soft jazz music sounded great but - to me the smell of a new place is like the scent of the best French perfumes."

     "All that sounds good - both of you - guys - probably - looked great - I am dying to look at the photos very soon."

     "OK - you will get them - promptly. The most important, successful aspect of this Grand Opening or Grand Re-Opening was that the people who showed up - all appeared very decent - some familiar to her - some not so much - but 'the cat didn't drag in' any nasty types which is always a risk - when one opens the doors to the public. Not to change the subject - but - lately - we have been listening more - to the Salem Network talk radio station and the Fox Affiliate talk radio station - also available - here - in town - both of which - feature many famous - nationally syndicated 'talkers' - who are also syndicated in Chicagoland - talk radio".

                         *      *      *

       "Hi, Maggie - I have something important to tell you. Are you sitting down?"

       "Nobody died or anything like that?"

       "No - thank God - nothing like that. Emma told me yesterday that she - sort of - put her doctor friend - 'on the back burner' - while she renewed her friendship with Paul - the son of our neighbor/friend - Steve - the talk radio broadcasting - chief."

        "It's probably a good idea - it would take her doctor friend - at least - ten years to complete his training as a surgeon. In any event - she is all raised and makes her own decisions. You have done your part - especially once she graduates from college - next year."

        "I have been listening to Lisa Dent - Chicago's premier 'talker' - almost every day."

        "I know - I listen to her show frequently - as well. She is a real talk radio pro - who sounds sparkling and effervescent - every day of the week. I'm sure that that's not as easy as she makes it appear."

        "This - here - smaller talk radio market's - hosts get on my nerves a lot. Not that the several of the local radio hosts - the newer ones and the established ones - are not good - but some of them are too hyper when they get on the 'air waves' - as if they don't listen to their own radio presentation - to correct their obvious flaws. They are still - good people - notwithstanding their flaws - whereas - the Leftists/Israel haters - radio hosts with their callers who always 'sport' the same - ugly, hateful political 'persuasions' - of all sorts which - do get on a lot of listeners' - nerves - tons - of which they - constantly - let the talk radio management - know."

                        *       *      *

       When the phone rang during the late summer morning - in my cozy, third floor apartment of my brother's rental mini-mansion -   with a good view of my hilly city - I knew that it was my best friend - Millie who lives in a big townhouse in Skokie - a Chicago suburb - a part of 9 million strong - Chicagoland - which includes the city of Chicago plus the suburbs.

      "Hey - girlfriend - I will call you back in a couple of minutes - as soon as I finish fixing my Latte which just got ready in my expresso machine,"

      "Okay - don't rush too much - its - probably - hot. I do wish that I was there to drink it with you - the way we do it every summer - almost every morning - at the Old Orchard Mall - anyway - you know well - my neighbors - Steve and his wife - extremely lovely people," she continued after I called her back, "he is in charge of a big radio station which reaches all 9 million households in Chicagoland - he has been doing that for a long time - moreover - his wife is also business savvy - just like him,"

       "Not to interrupt - but do they know that Emma is back with their Paul?"

       "They sure do. They have always liked Emma a lot. Who wouldn't like her? She has got a hell of a personality and the looks - if I may boast."

       "You may boast. You have done a good job of raising her - proud mom - anyway - what went on with your neighbors?"

       "They stopped by in the evening - so we had a small glass of white wine, and we talked a few hours - the way we always do. They told me that they listen to the transcripts of the weekends' - evenings' programming - line-up - of the smaller talk radio market; thus - they concluded that the evenings there - 'stink on ice' and need to improve - tons - they especially took note of that Israel hating steady caller to the station - 'digging up' their own hate materials. They said that the caller in question - makes 'their skin crawl' - thus they would know how to 'fix those numerous flaws in the weekends' - programming - which would increase the listenership and add new advertisers".

       "I wouldn't disagree with them at all. From their 'mouths to God's ears' - as the saying goes. What else they said?"

       "They said that most callers to his shift - are - generally - hateful - to some segments of our population - whereas - some callers sound - obviously - inebriated with alcohol - or some other drugs - which their speech pattern indicates."       

        "I just heard on the news that Kamala Harris picked that old fart looking Leftist governor of Minnesota for her running mate - the same Leftist governor - who let their local Leftists - burn down - a big chunk of Minneapolis - to the tune of half a billion dollars in damages (mainly to minority businesses) - during the George Floyd violent riots in 2020."

                         *       *      *

                       Chapter 138

        Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances are - purely coincidental.

      "Hey - Maggie - I got to tell you something which will - highly - interest you. Are you busy?"

      "Not for you - girlfriend. I am eating a banana walnuts muffin while I sip my morning Latte - and I miss you like crazy."

      "Those banana walnuts muffins in Chicagoland's/Skokie's - Old Orchard's coffee shop where we eat them almost every morning during the summers - are super phenomenal,"

     "I know - this hilly town is not exactly a 'provincial area' but their banana walnuts muffins - take the 'back seat' to the Chicagoland's - banana walnuts - muffins and cakes. At any rate - the internet is 'buzzing' with numerous comments to the effect that Kamala Harris's - new running mate looks like an alcoholic - due to his fat face - frequently appearing red and flushed when photographed with her. Plus - they look super mismatched in their respective photos - together."

      "Did you see that clip a few days ago on Real America's Voice when the TV hosts were making fun - galore - of Harris's - phony and forced - phone call to gov. Tim Walz - to inform him that he would be her choice. The aforementioned TV hosts - were harsh in their commentary - to the effect that - if one needed to puke but couldn't - they didn't have to stick their finger down their throat - instead - they could glance at that phony/baloney - disgusting clip of her."

      "Speaking of harsh and disgusting phenomena - my neighbor Steve who runs a top radio station in Chicagoland - was listening to the weekends' - talk radio transcripts and he commented - that one distinct caller/hater - consistently - loves to quote many ugly, gruesome and revolting episodes of all sorts - some of them - out of their personal lives - as if anybody - 'gives a hoot'. Steve further concluded that their mind and psyche - must be full of that stuff. They - evidently - think that they come off as 'interesting' - talking ugly trash like that - onto the airwaves - but according to many listeners' - feedback - those gruesome and sordid details are just as interesting as picking through the trash pile which set in the sun - a few days. I will call you tomorrow morning to finish what else he said - but now - someone is at the door - I will tell you tomorrow who it is."

                          *       *      *

     "Hey - Maggie - yesterday during the time the doorbell interrupted our talk - would you believe - several neighborhood kids asked me if I wanted to take a cat which wondered into our area. I told them that it probably - has a chip implanted - so they should take it into the near-by vet's office. He is good about checking those things for the neighborhood kids - since he 'knows' - their pets. However - that episode reminded me about Emma's cat which we 'acquired' the same way - quite a few years - earlier. Moreover - our cat - was supposedly - neutered - by the same neighborhood vet - but he kept spraying our nice living room couches which I had to be replacing - since the bad smell and stains - can't be removed - they always come back on humid days."

       "I remember Emma had that yellow colored, gorgeous, big cat for a long time which always walked around as if he owned the place,"

      "He was twenty years old - in human years it's 140 years old - when he started to get sick and required surgeries - finally - the vet told us - like two thousand dollars in vet's fees - later - that there is nothing else he can do."

       "Did you guys - cry when the vet - finally -put him to sleep?"

       "Emma and I - both cried - but the vet said - that Honey (the cat's name) had a great, long life - and 'nobody lives forever' - yes - he discovered America - anew - as if we didn't know it."

       "At any rate - I wanted to quote a few YouTube chat's comments placed by the viewers - from Fri. Aug. 09 - 2024 - Arizona rally for Harris/Walz - which - according to many commentators - consisted of "bought crowds" which were also electronically - enlarged - for the cameras; the organizers strictly checked that only Harris/Walz 'friends' could get in. Even though - some hecklers 'slipped in' - the numbers of the crowd - were exaggerated - ordered and delivered by Harris/Walz - people."

      "I saw some harsh viewers' comments on YouTube - in the chat section - here are some of them: 'Bye - can't stand her voice (Kamala's) - will cackle - momentarily'; You put 2500 people in jail in California (Kamala's California record) - for dope - goodbye!; Cameltoe (offensive nicknames for Kamala Harris and gov. Walz) and Tampon Tim;' - there were tons of comments of that nature."

      "Emma said that many students strongly dislike the - Harris/Walz - duo of the candidates - at the university - since Walz is extremely ugly looking - whereas - J.D. Vance is handsome and well spoken - so they 'pull for him'."

                            *      *      *

      "Does Steve's son - Paul live at home?" I asked my best friend Millie who has a big, fancy townhouse in Skokie (Chicagoland's suburb) - during one of our frequent chats.

      "No, he doesn't. He has an apartment close to the University of Chicago campus and he doesn't visit his parents too often. According to his mom - my neighbor and best Chicagoland's - friend Jeanne - she is happy that his grades are decent, and he is 'out of her hair' - quite a bit - with his numerous demands/requests; she is glad that he is busy with his friends."

      "Emma mentioned that he would like for her to transfer to University of Chicago - so they could share an apartment,"

     "It's not that I 'volunteer' any unsolicited advice - but I don't think it's a good idea,"

     "Neither do I - but Emma - usually - does what she thinks is right. She will - probably - come to her sense and change her mind about this possible - stupid move - since she will lose the credits for her upcoming - soon - graduation - if she does that. So far, we have been lucky with her decisions - so let's just think positive. Anyway - I have been listening to the recent weekend's - extremely long - like five hours long - talk radio shift - at the smaller talk radio market. Of course - I listened on and off - since the aforementioned talk radio shift was extremely tedious and - mostly - boring; they rarely have - even 4 hours long talk radio shifts in Chicagoland talk radio programming - let alone - a tedious, pukey 'marathon' lasting the whole 5 - never ending - hours - to suffer through - since the host and his 'loyal' Leftist callers - mostly - repeat - the same political 'drivel' - ad nauseum."

      "I was so glad that I had to miss it - but the people who - customarily - ensure the transcripts - told me that it was a super grueling experience - boring to the max and (way, way - too long) - instead of being an entertaining one - which this Leftist host's - radio shifts - never are - anyway."

     "I was going to call them to mention it - that his radio shift - drags 'forever' and never ends. Next time when it happens - I will call them from Chicagoland's talk radio area - for sure." 

                             *      *     *

     "Sometimes - I want to speed up time - so I can be going to Skokie for the summer since the local talk radio hosts - many of them - get on my nerves," I was talking to my best friend Millie who also listens to a variety of talk radio 'talkers' at various - popular - talk radio markets".

    "I also miss our summers at the glorious Old Orchard Mall/Park - but it's - also - a pretty place during all the seasons."

    "That's for sure and the time doesn't need to be 'rushed' - since it goes fast - anyway - but not to change the subject - the other evening I was listening to the local talk radio shift which has many of the same callers to the station - calling all the time - ad nauseum - and - usually - they repeat the same, worn-out, boring - political slogans. At any rate - the steady caller who claims to be an old friend of the radio host that - constantly - assures the listeners that he is a Progressive/Leftist/Socialist - got a customary, on-air call from the steady caller who always -   announces onto the airwaves that he 'hates the Progressive Lunatics' - then he - invariably says to the same Progressive/Socialist/Leftist host that he 'loves' the aforementioned Leftist host - who admits as we mentioned - that he is a Progressive/Leftist/Socialist. The same caller - does the same 'trick' - ad nauseum - after he offends that Leftist talk radio host - he tells him that he 'loves' him. That - identical - caller calls the station - way too much - he calls every talk radio host - there; the same constant, obsessive calling to the station - is done by another compulsive caller - ad nauseum - who is a big time - Israel hater; however, if that first steady caller talks like that to his 'friend' the radio host - whom he allegedly - 'loves' - we wonder what he does to his enemies - 'cuts them in little pieces and feeds them to sharks in the sharks' tank?'"

      "The first caller - who 'hates the Progressives' - is the same, 'celebrated' Black caller who constantly calls all the talk radio hosts - down there - at that smaller talk radio market - but he is - especially - 'buttered up' by the local, celebrated in a big way - 'shock jock' - for some mysterious reason - at the same - aforementioned - smaller radio market. However - for certain - most listeners - have enough of the compulsive, repetitious callers to the station - to spread their repetitive, worn out - political 'drivel' - via the airwaves; the listeners - frequently - express that view - onto the airwaves - directed at various talk radio hosts."

      "Still - there are some radio hosts - in that smaller radio market - which are super good. One could listen to them for many hours. I will give you more details - next time."

                        Chapter 139

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are - purely - coincidental.

         "Hi - Maggie - the last time we talked - I told you that Emma needs to 'come to her senses' about transferring to the University of Chicago - and she did."

       "That's great. That's what friends and confidants are for. Once you share some urgent mini crises with them - they will give you - good energy. I have to tell you something about some steady callers to the smaller talk radio market. They get on my nerves and the local listeners' - nerves a lot - as well."

       "I know - I listen to the smaller market - as well - when I am not enjoying my Chicagoland's classy - 'talkers'. That one guy calling the smaller talk radio market - all the time - sounds totally obnoxious - his raspy voice sounds awfully nasty - as he constantly self-aggrandizes himself and his 'alleged' - global business - savvy. If he is that accomplished, why is he groveling and kissing up to various talk radio hosts - to get onto the airwaves - to talk to the talk radio hosts and their listeners which - evidently - gives him some big 'hi' of some sort. There is this other compulsive caller - at that smaller talk radio market - the virulent Israel hater who calls - ad nauseum - all the radio hosts there - as well - while most of the talk radio hosts - avoid her calls - with the exception of that Leftist talk radio host there - the Israel hater - like herself."

       "Some talk radio hosts use those hateful callers - to 'dump' onto the listeners whose political views - they dislike. It's as obvious - as the day is long."

       "Not to continue in the negative mode - quite a few radio hosts in the small talk radio market - sound really, really good - and one could listen to them for hours. Their talk radio shifts - zoom by fast - like a 'blink of an eye'".

                         *       *      *

       "Hi, Maggie - did you hear Larry Elder - the famous talk radio host - recently - interviewing a young Black woman/voter - regarding Kamala Harris/Tim Walz political duo?"

       "I sure did. The neighbors and friends recorded that broadcasting fragment in which the aforementioned Black voter said that all her friends - including herself - with their friends and families - would never vote for Harris since they can't stand her phony demeanor - on and off - camera - with her ugly, cackling, witchlike laugh - and her California record of her Leftist/Socialist politics; plus in - general - they hate everything about Harris/Walz - candidacy - since it's Leftist/Socialist/Progressive/Marxist - to the max."

       "The Mainstream Media - however - is totally, shamelessly - biased in favor of Harris/Walz - and it's appalling - according to many, many American voters as well as according to the 'heavy duty' talk radio hosts - on the order of Mark Levine, Mike Gallager, Dr. Seb Gorka and others. 

       In the meantime - the Rasmussen polls - which have been - mostly accurate - show Harris/Walz - consistently - trailing - the ex-president Trump - especially after the carnival style DNC Convention 2024 - was finally - over. The Real Clear Politics - daily polls - show a big drop in Harris/Walz - numbers - since the DNC Chicago 2024 - ended - notwithstanding - the Mainstream Media - always trying to "bury" the negative numbers of the Harris/Walz - political candidacy. 

                           *      *     *

       "Millie - did you hear Kamala Harris give her 'coronation' speech at the conclusion of this huge, pageant like, carnival resembling - Democratic National Convention - Chicago 2024?"

       "I heard the recaps since the speech came late - on purpose - I guess. In the interim - Fox News and the political Right leaning news establishments - are criticizing her speech - galore - whereas - most of the Mainstream Media outlets - are shamelessly - glamorizing her and Walz and the speech she made at the conclusion of DNC Chicago 2024 - main event; in the meantime - both of them are begging for money on YouTube."

       "Are you sending them any money - anytime soon?"

       "How do those folk proverbs go? 'When hell freezes over' or 'when the snowball does not melt in hell'?" 

       "Many people comment on various media platforms that the Clintons' - speeches at the DNC Chicago - 2024 - remind them of all the Clintons' - sordid and perverted past 'peccadillos' of all sorts - which were splashed all over the mass media outlets - in the U.S and abroad - during 'their' - Clintons' - many, past news cycles - now come back to life in 2024." 

                            *    *     * 

      "Hey - Maggie - did you see the very soon -   coming itinerary of Harris/Walz political duo of candidates?"

      "I sure did and it 'stinks on ice' for several reasons," my Skokie "bestie" - Millie - and I discuss the current politics each time we call each other - which is - often.

      "She is getting on the bus with Walz - to go to Georgia - in a few days - to hit the restaurants and coffee shops; they will also - be in Pittsburgh's Labor Day Parade 2024 since Western Pennsylvania is important to them. A lot of voters in West Penn - will not vote for them since it's 'Trump's turf'. When they - recently - 'raided' West Pennsylvania on the bus - especially when they 'invaded' the popular restaurants - in the county which is 'Trump's' - people resented their audacious incursion - since almost everybody in the restaurants - had to - suddenly - leave. Harris/Walz - wanted to talk to people who would vote for them - since everybody else there - a lot of people - were - 'making faces' at them."

                             *      *     *

      "Hey, Millie - did you see the big headlines in NYTimes today?"

      "I sure did. They are - usually - 'kissing up' to the Leftists/Socialists - but today - their editorial board called Kamala Harris - a 'phony' - which is only - an honest to God - truth."

      "According to RealClear Politics polls - the Dems' - 'bump' in stats - following their DNC Convention 2024 - is 'dissolving' like a capsule of Alka Seltzer in a glass of soda water," my best friend in Chicagoland's - gorgeous Skokie suburb - and I - discussed the current political "developments" - at least several times per week - usually - during our respective mornings' - coffees.

       "I am having my morning Latte with a croissant and dreaming of the coming summer in my rental Skokie's condo - across the street from the glorious Old Orchard Mall,"

       "I am doing the same. After I have my morning coffee - I usually - walk to the Old Orchard Mall. It's only ten minutes long - leisurely walk."

       "The Trump/Harris debate is coming on Sept. 10 - 2024. We need to tape it - for posterity. Did you hear that she wanted to have notes on her body - in lieu of the teleprompter - her 'best friend'?"

        "You know that 'The New York Post' paper - usually - offers the details which - most of the Mainstream Media tries to hide - to prompt Harris/Walz ticket?"

                         Chapter 140

     Work of fiction - any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

        "Maggie - I can't believe that it's Labor Day - already. Every year - I wait for it at the end of each summer. All the kids - out of school - hanging out all day in Old Orchard Mall - are back in school. The tourists who love the gorgeous Old Orchard - are also gone. Thank God for small favors."

     "I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes - Emma wanted to emulate some 'unruly kids' - squads' at Old Orchard - when she was a kid. I remember."

     "Without any doubt. At times - I envied you that you didn't have to put up with a teenager and live through it."

     "Life offers different challenges to everybody - at every stage of their lives and in every situation - that's for sure."

      "In any event - Megyn Kelly who has well over 2 million followers on YouTube platform - totally 'annihilated' Kamala Harris's first interview with CNN - very recently - while Harris had to hold Tampon Tim's - hand/security 'blankie' - for 'reassurance'".

     "I just love Megyn Kelly style and delivery - of her political commentaries. She can - successfully - swing in every political direction -   and hit everybody famous in politics and in other areas".

     "Kelly is an accomplished litigator with many years of work in mass media platforms. In the meantime - every hateful, stupid bitch imitates her style - and makes a big idiot out of herself - as they grovel - to get to talk to various radio talk show hosts - to show off their purported - 'grasp of political and global - interactions of the countries' - global political players'."

    "Oh, that's just like that Israel hater - who obsessively - calls - mostly - the same Israel hater - radio host - at the smaller talk radio market - we - usually - talk about - since a few other talk radio hosts - want to take their obsessive, Israel hating - calls. Steve - the Chicagoland's talk radio's - big exec - has listened to the older transcripts from that smaller talk radio market - thus he noted and substantiated - from the older transcripts - that the aforementioned caller - Israel hater - shared on the air waves - that their teenage son - blew his brains off - right in front of them - as if anybody needs to know that nasty and gruesome info - which belongs in the psychologist's office - anyway. No listeners or the host - offered them any "sympathy or warmth" of any kind - if that's what they were looking for; thus, Steve postulates - that the incident - made that caller - a virulent and obnoxious - Israel hater." 

      "Well - it's a good thing that they didn't 'blow their brains - off' - as well - while they were at it."

     "Not to change that morbid and disgusting - subject, but the city of Chicago puts on a lavish, glorious Jazz Festival every Labor Day. Alice and I - usually - go earlier - as soon as they start playing - so we can get out - before people get 'frisky' and bothersome - later on. Afterwards - we have an early dinner in one of the super good, famous eateries on the order of the prominent - 'Purple Pig' on Michigan Avenue by Grant Park - and we talk about the summer with you and Emma - which just ended".

     "I will go with you - in the spirit - next time I talk to you - I want all the details about the Jazz Festival's best musicians - as well as - about what you ate and what you drank for dinner - since you will be within the walking distance from Alice's - penthouse - off Michigan Avenue."

                              *      *      *

     "Hi - Maggie - I got tons of news for you about me and Alice - celebrating the Labor Day 2024 in Chicago - which - b.t.w. - every year puts on magnificent musical entertainment showcases of many kinds."

     "I can't wait to hear about the Jazz concert and the early dinner - afterwards."

     "I will not ramble - so Alice and I met by the Cultural Center which has good, small concert chambers - under one roof. The Center also offers some short jazz performances, but we decided to go to another stage - nearby - of which there were four - with good jazz performances. Alice looked great as always - dressed in her fashionable attire full of the understated elegance. You know how she walks around as if she 'owns the place'".

     "So do you - come to think of it,"

     "Anyway - we decided to go for a jazz show to another place - close by - in the Millenium Park's - Von Freeman's - stage. The jazz quarter was good sounding - not outstanding - but good. Everybody was in a good mood - the way Sunday feels - before Monday holiday day off. When the performance was over - it was close to 3pm in the afternoon - so we headed to 'Purple Pig' - a fantastic eatery - a few blocks down North Michigan Ave - not far from Michigan and Randolph - where all the action takes place."

      "First tell me what you ate - then tell me what you drank,"

      "First of all - the place - tastefully decorated - was not crowded since most people would come later - which was nice. We ordered a super good tortellini's dish filled with cheeses - and a glass of white wine each - since Alice's penthouse is within a walking distance - while I - easily connect from downtown Loop - to Skokie Swift little train - which takes me almost home - thanks to the efficient public transportation network in Chicago. I have to tell you that their chef made the outstanding sauce for their signature tortellini dish. Anybody can fill the tortellini pasta with good cheeses - but to make a good sauce - requires tons of culinary skills."

     "I wish I was there with you, guys. Not to change the subject but gov. Tim Walz always looks like an idiot and acts in a similar fashion. Not to state anything unfair or anything like that - mind you."

    "I know - he acts goofy in front of the cameras."

    "That 'Odd Couple' - Harris and Walz - do get on many people's nerves a lot."

    "Their yard signs start appearing in my hilly town's - premier area. Most people - here - strongly dislike 'Harris/Walz' ticket - but they are clever in expressing their political preferences - keeping the 'poker faces' when asked about them - however - when they vote - they vote their conscience."

     "Big size rumors circulated after the last elections - to the effect - that this county and Philadelphia county - 'helped' Joe Biden - 'squeeze by' - and that's why he appropriated extra funds for this area. Still - the Democrats turned their backs on him and pushed Harris - ahead."

    "I know - Megyn Kelly - an awesome podcaster with a huge - on-line - following - had a devastatingly funny commentary - very recently - regarding how the Democrats - 'stuck it' - big - to pres. Biden."

                            *       *      *

     "Hey - Millie - you are so lucky that the ex-pres. Obama - doesn't 'shut off' the Chicagoland's main traffic arteries - the way he did it a few years back - which even - his political 'disciples' - read - rich Socialists/Elitists - hated."

     "I know - I watch the national news - so I see how Kamala Harris is 'paralyzing' your hilly town by taking over - downtown and major transportation routes around it - in addition to the major downtown hotel."

     "In the meantime - several local, popular talk radio stations were harshly critical of her and Joe Biden's - recent moves - to 'shut down' a big steel producing - facility in the area which employs a lot of people."

     "In addition - YouTube has several of Kamala Harris's - brilliant, funny impersonators - poking fun at her - galore - and 'landing' many effective, satirical punches - on her and her Leftist/Socialist - politics."

                        Chapter 141

     Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

                            *       *      *

     "Answer the phone - Millie," I couldn't wait for my Skokie - Chicagoland's - "bestie" to pick up her phone. I was sipping my morning latte and nibbled on a delicious pumpkin spice - muffin - my favorite flavor - every fall.

     "I can't believe how Kamala Harris makes a big 'nuisance' out of herself in your hilly town's - downtown after taking over the biggest hotel in town - according to many comments of that nature - on line - and according to other media outlets," Millie had an idea about the topic of my latest call to her - after she picked up her phone.

     "I saw her on CNN", she continued, "they showed how she went to the Spice Shop - in town - which she knew - supports her politics but, in the meantime, she made another one of her 'trademark' - 'word salad' - political speeches - this time - for the network which - supposedly - is friendly towards her - still - many other networks - 'jumped' on her blunder - like there is no tomorrow."

     "I caught briefly the part which showed her - 'pressing flesh' in Pittsburgh's - Spice Shop - totally phony and staged - scene - thus I noticed that her hair looked stringy and not washed all the way. Since she has a presidential suite with three bathrooms to her disposal - consequently - her hair - needs to be washed properly and shiny - since the TV cameras - thoroughly pick up - all those ugly details."

      "Are you - guys - also inundated like crazy - with all sorts of political ads on TV with the presidential types of ads - showed - ad nauseum - almost every minute?"

     "We sure are. They do the same thing here - as well. Those political ads get on everybody's nerves."

     "Hey - I forgot to tell you to check out Megyn Kelly's - recent - video about Kamala Harris's - luridly and openly - 'promoting' her extra-marital affair with Willie Brown - an ex-mayor of San Francisco. According to California press - Ms. Harris - repeatedly - went out of her way to - 'rub' that dirt - into Willie Brown's - wife's - face."

     "That's a disgusting and revolting behavior - she acts just like that obsessive caller to the station in a smaller talk radio market - that Israel hater - whose calls are mostly - accepted by their talk radio host - who is - also - an Israel hater - like her."

                         *       *      *

      "Listen - Maggie - I was listening to the smaller talk radio - most of the afternoon - yesterday - and lo-and behold - some callers to the station 'revealed' a lot of details regarding Kamala Harris's - visit to the city's Spice Shop - recently,"

      "I know - this morning Selena Zito - a nationally and internationally respected - Wall Street Journal correspondent - explained - while she was on the same smaller talk radio station - about the owner of that Spice Shop - being 'rabidly', obsessively hateful - towards the Republicans - so that's why Kamala Harris - evidently - chose to visit his shop," every morning Millie and I discuss the recent political events during our "morning coffee time" - talks.

      "That's only half of the story - according to the callers to the aforementioned talk radio station - after Kamala Harris put on a phony, political 'approval' show at the Spice Shop - with the 'political plants' - people - paid by Harris -  her vast entourage - following her - in several big busses (all of this - complements of the suckers/taxpayers - mind you) - on the same day - Harris stopped next - at the Primanti Brothers - a big, gorgeous venue - close to that Spice Shop; then - the Harris and entourage 'group' - chased away all the paying customers - so that her phony group, paid by U.S. taxpayers - that is - 'political plants' - (several busloads - full of 'her' people) - paid by U.S.  taxpayers - could put on a phony show of the admiration - for vice-pres. Harris. It would not be any exaggeration - to say that tons of people - from around here - are happy that she is finally - at the long last - gone out of here. The same big group of people - more than half of the local people - fervently hope that she doesn't come back here - in any 'way, shape or form'.

     However - that's - still - not the end of it - Selena Zito informed all the listeners of the aforementioned talk radio station - in the smaller talk radio market - that the owner of the Spice Shop - wrote her a note - disapproving of her 'expose' - as if she didn't come up with all the valid facts."

      "I know that Selena Zito has tons of followers on all her mass media sites - thus - all those priceless/outrageous - facts about Kamala Harris - quickly went to all the important places."

                        *      *      *

    "Maggie - that recent presidential debate - was a disgraceful fiasco - for several reasons. According to many social media platforms' - comments to that effect - Harris was given her debate questions - ahead of the debate - the way the Dems - usually - cheat - then - deny it. Plus, that Leftist oriented couple of alleged 'moderators' - turned out to be Harris's - Socialist supporters. Hopefully - they will get fired very soon - following a huge backlash on all the social media platforms - with millions of people - expressing how - appalled - they are."

    "Yeah - all this - just 'stinks on ice'. Not to change the subject - you know how this smaller talk radio hosts get on my nerves."

    "I know - I listen to it - frequently - as well. That newer radio host who currently - gets a lot of radio shifts - until those station's moves change - which they do - frequently - sounds like an old maid who just got a microphone - they frequently repeat in a triple cadence - 'oh my, oh my, oh my' - in addition - every caller to the station - even if they sound like 'certifiable' idiots - nevertheless - gets massive 'buttering up' from that host. That can get on listeners' - nerves - a lot."

      "The thing is - that - lately - Rich Valdes - the nationally syndicated radio host - has been entertaining interesting guests - plus - his lady announcer sounds terrific - and differently - each time - they are on the air."

                         *      *      *

      "Hey - Maggie - did you know that Chicagoland has a big chunk of Ukrainian population and prevailing majority of them - support pres. Zelensky's war efforts."

      "Sure - I know - that; many of them listen to the smaller radio market's - callers - to the station - re: the war in Ukraine - a lot of them contact Steve - on a regular basis - each time some obsessed, hateful callers call pres. Zelensky 'a nazi'; they are - usually - the same haters who hate Israel. They are well known in Chicagoland talk radio - sphere. The Ukrainian listeners - told Steve - repeatedly - that those obsessive callers/haters - 'make their skins - crawl.'"

       "They - obviously - must know - that they make many listeners' - skins crawl - but evidently - they love the attention - since after they hate on a particular group - then they 'crawl and grovel' - in order to get back - 'into good graces' of the groups' - they - previously - hated on - like there is no tomorrow."

       "The chances of that happening would be the same as that - of a proverbial 'snowball' - not melting in hell."

                           *      *     *

       "Maggie - did you hear the news about the Hezbollah terroristic killers getting closer to finally - meeting - 'their 40 virgins in paradise' very soon? I also heard the two non-Jewish talk radio hosts commenting that the Israelis needed to double those sorts of anti-terroristic operations."

      "I know - very soon - the Israel hater/caller will get on the airwaves during their Israel hating - radio host's - shift - so she can cry her 'famous, phony and disgusting, crocodile tears' - over the 'terroristic lives lost' - due to the Israelis defending their lives."

      "I am so glad that Rich Valdes - does not allow any psychotics like that one - onto the airwaves while he is hosting his super good, syndicated radio show - every night - Mon. through Fri."

      "I know - the more we listen to his talk radio show - the more we like it. He and his people - make sure that they vary their radio presentations - whereas - many talk radio hosts in the smaller radio market - repeat the same, worn out 'formulas' - ad nauseum - to no end." 

                         *       *      *

      "Hey - Maggie - are you listening to Carl Jackson substituting for Dennis Prager radio show?"

      "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Carl Jackson is a super 'talker' from Orlando, Fla - but his famous substitute 'gigs' for Dennis Prager - give him repeated exposures to millions of listeners - nationally and internationally."

      "What's funny is that - for several years - I always pictured him as a somewhat shriveled up, not outstanding looking guy - until - recently - I saw a photo of him - showing him to be an extra good looking Black guy - in his early forties."

     "It's - usually - the other way around in a radio world - but speaking about ugly and shriveled up - looks - Kamala Harris's husband will fit the description to a 't'."

     "Only Kamala's - husband's - ex-wife - knows the secret re: their good-looking children - but coming back to Carl Jackson - it's a good thing that he is Black - so when he repeatedly 'loads' onto Kamala Harris's - politics - especially onto her Marxist intentions to cripple the U.S. - nobody can accuse him of being the 'racist'". 

                        *       *      *

                      Chapter 142

       Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

        "Millie - you know that we have here - locally - a lovely mall/park which reminds me a lot of the Skokie's - glorious Old Orchard mall/park. It's smaller than Old Orchard - but just as lovely".

      "I remember we were there last winter, and it was nicely decorated for winter holidays,"

      "You should see it now. The big hanging planters with different colors of flowers - coming down from the big planters - look stunning. Soon - however - the fall will 'do its decorating' - for the winter season."

      "Every fall and winter - Old Orchard mall's designers - come up with phenomenal seasonal decorating ideas."

      "Not to change the subject too much - but last evening Steve and Jeannie - came up for a little bit so we 'talked shop' about talk radio. They said that since the station - let go of their Israel hating radio host - things got much better in every way for the station - especially - in terms of the sponsors coming back (not necessarily the Jewish ones) - who detest the Jew haters."

     "I imagine the station is getting much less of the - Israel hating calls - as well; they got 'scarce' along with the Israel hating - callers - when they 'canned' that Israel hating - radio host - whom nobody misses at all."

     "Big time improvements in that area."

                         *      *      *

      "Hey - Maggie - I hear that Kamala Harris will make a 4th trip to your 'turf' in only two months - time,"

      "At least half of the people around here - wish that she stopped coming here since she and her staff are 'cramming her visits down the throats' of - at least - half of the people who live around here".

       "A while ago - Drew Barrymore produced a clip in which she totally - 'kissed up to no end' to Kamala Harris's - ugly and disgusting - cackle 'style' - laugh. I mentioned to you before - that a Black comedian - Charlemagne tha God's - 'wannabe' - expressed his 'displeasure' at the phoniness and forced 'kissing up' - of Barrymore - in many vulgar expressions of criticisms. While nobody would mistake him for being 'being diplomatic and subtle' - still - his severe criticisms - resonated with thousands of people expressing their comments - to that effect - on various social media platforms."  

     "Did you notice that Harris doesn't go to Chicagoland area - as she is - evidently - certain that she 'has that area where she wants it'",

     "Chicagoland's - Cook County's - Elections' political machine - according to many such comments on many social media platforms - always - 'adjusts' - the votes cast in each important elections - to heavily favor the Democrats".  

                           *       *      *     

     "Hi, Maggie - I am so glad that the fall is finally here."

     "You know that I always wait for this time of the year - then - once it gets here - it goes - way too fast - before the winter starts. I always like the beginning of the winter - though - before it starts to get on my nerves."

     "The fierce Chicago winters can really get on people's - nerves."

     "I do remember one memorable fall which came after an exceptionally hot summer - which was one of the hottest on record."

     "Who could forget that unusually hot summer which felt as if it will never - ever end? My electric bills for the deli/bakery that summer - ate up all my earnings - for sure. As soon as the fall came that year - my utility bills were immediately cut in half - so I could make some money."

    "If you remember the fall - which came after that hellish summer - felt like a real paradise on earth."

                           *       *       *

      "Listen - Maggie - last night Steve and his wife Jeannie and I - all of us listened to the smaller talk radio market's - weekend's shift by that anti-Semitic, Israel hating - radio host."

      "We were listening to his shift - as well. Many of the callers which only he gets - are the Israel haters - Jew haters - like himself."

      "Steve said that he wouldn't last at Steve's - talk radio stations."

      "Not to say anything derogatory but did you - guys - notice that the Jew haters and Israel haters - are usually - homely looking - and for sure - vicious looking."

      "This one seems to 'sport' a really good self-image - in spite of his - ugly, goofy looks - the way he talks about himself on the radio - he views himself - as handsome."

      "As someone smart stated that anti-Semites and Jew haters - are - usually - ugly - to look at - even though the famous Nazi doctor - Joseph Mengele - might have been an exception to the rule - since many eyewitnesses describe him as - 'handsome'."

                          *      *     *

       "Hey - Millie - remember those outstanding pumpkin pies - Jack and I - sold tons of - in our deli bakery every fall?"

       "Do I remember those pumpkin pies? Emma always loved your pumpkin cookies ever since she was little."

      "It was difficult to produce a lot of pumpkin products every fall since our bakery was small, but we managed every fall for seven years."

       "Your pumpkin pies and other pumpkin products - not only tasted great, but they also looked - glowing."

       "We were cooking the pumpkins down instead of using the canned stuff - that made the process - labor intensive and slowed down the production - considerably."

      "I know - you told me - that you - guys - needed to expand the business operations but Jack didn't want to take on the additional debt."

       "I miss those times - but things always change in many ways. Sometimes - the events are meant to happen - even though - it might not be clear - why they happen at certain times."

       "In any event - fall seems to go fast - like every year. On the bright side - I rarely miss the fierce Chicago's winter wind which frequently - accompanies - the bone chilling, long and cold winter days which feel like they'll never end - around Chicagoland."

                            *      *      *

       "Millie - are you watching a new 'rising star' on YouTube - DeVory Darkins?"

       "I love his videos - the newest one was posted on Sept. 30 - 2024 - and it is titled: 'Kamala Turns 'All the Smoke' Podcast into Awkward Disaster'".

      "It quickly generates 380 thousand viewers' clicks - with most comments - devastating towards Kamala Harris."

      "I know - I watched that video several times; the viewer's comment which stands out in one's memory goes like: 'Still cackling - like a moronic hyena' - and while it's not a subtle or diplomatic expression of disapproval - it - resonates with millions of people since it does reflect this viewer's - honest view of Kamala Harris - as well as that of many others' - posting those sorts of comments by the above mentioned - video."

      "Devory Darkins - the owner or that website - surely knows how to present his material in a convincing/interesting/common sense - fashion. It's not easy. Plus - the fact that he is a good-looking Black guy - also adds weight to his videos' - sharp commentaries."

      "Most viewers make comments to the effect - that Harris does not answer the questions - instead - she offers an insincere, phony talk about 'her family' as if anybody gives a 'rat's pajamas.' Many people who view her being interviewed on TV - comment - that she comes off as 'phony and insincere'".

     "The TV camera picks up - many details - which the subject may attempt to cover up. In Kamala's - case it's her awful, 'cackle style', ugly laughter which many people find - annoying - to say the least - and - being generous toward her."

                        *      *     *

                      Chapter 143

       Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

         "Hey, Maggie - I just watched your station's, local political commentator's "strange" interview with Kamala Harris taped - locally - on Sept. 30 - 2024,"

       "Devory Darkins - a new 'rising star' of YouTube just posted a video on Oct. 04 - 2024 - about that strange interview - titled: 'Kamala Spirals During Weird CBS Interview' which quickly generated close to 200 thousand viewers' clicks. Darkins - 'blisters' that middle aged, established, local political commentator/interviewer - for not looking at the camera - with almost all the viewers' comments - strongly concurring with Darkins".

      "I know - I watched this video several times. That middle aged, well established locally - political commentator interviewing Harris - almost never shows his face to the camera - as if he was some ugly Quasimodo looking character - with Marty Feldman's style - crossed eyes - to boot."

       "A few other - big YouTube websites - also ridiculed that interview posted widely on Mon. Sept. 30 - 2024."

      "Devory Darkins - one of the "rising star" YouTubers - cleverly - 'knocks down' all Harris's - political points - she issued during the same interview - which - b.t.w. - she always repeats on every network - without giving the impression that she - really - knows what she is talking about - with no script or teleprompter by her.

      Many viewers commented - under the same, "weird" interview - that she doesn't answer any questions in this interview - or in any other interviews - evidently - trying to hide her Marxist goals for the U.S. - however - tons of major networks' - talking heads - of the Leftist veering - mainstream media - do a lot of talking for her - as if the U.S. voters - don't clearly - see it."

                        *      *     *

      "Maggie - did you catch the funny, satirical, 1-hour long show 'Smack Down' back on the air - hosted by Pastor Derrell Scott and Rev. James Davis - two handsome black guys who are funny as hell - as they poke fun at Kamala Harris and her husband's - various salacious 'peccadillos' - of many sorts - which Pastor Scott and Reverend Davis - cleverly 'lampoon' in their newest show,"

      "We loved to see them back on the air - after some absence. We all missed them," my bestie Millie from Chicago's beautiful suburb - Skokie - and I - discuss the current political happenings - almost every morning with our respective morning coffees accompanied by tasty pastries.

      "They - usually - repeat their show on Sundays after the first showing on Saturday nights. Last night - they had to shorten it a bit - due to ex-pres. Trump's - triumphant return to Butler, Pa.'s - with the extended coverage of the huge political rally - transmitted by many television stations; the rally was successful - the enhanced security details helped a lot - this time around - in addition - the speeches of many global celebrities - were awesome."

      "At any rate - Derrell Scott and James Davis - were poking fun at the numerous sordid affairs of most salacious nature - coming to light - now - before the elections - which concern Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff."

     "Not to change the subject - but that anti-Semitic, Israel hating -  part- time radio host - was unleashing his hatred during his radio shift which attracts the same sorts of anti-Semitic Jew haters."

     "I know - Steve and Jeannie were listening with us - as well. We have the transcripts. Steve said that if any of his 13 permanent radio hosts would 'spew' on the airwaves - this sort of 'despicable', anti-Israel, one sided, hostile and false - propaganda - Steve would take the company lawyer and fire that hater - immediately."

     "That Israel hating, anti-Semitic radio host - said a while ago - on the air - that he doesn't care if he got fired from this station since 'he got fired from much better places than this radio station - in his career'."

     "We have the transcripts - of his last year's radio show coinciding with the bestial, murderous attack by Hamas - onto Israeli people - on Oct. 07 - 2023 - thus - this virulent Israel hater/radio host - immediately got his favorite caller - an Israel hater like himself - to call the station - first - so they could spit - together - their - customary - hateful 'venom' - against Israel.  Moreover - he got onto the air during same - aforementioned broadcast - some phony, Hamas friendly - 'lecturer' - to repeatedly - justify the bloody attack of Hamas - against Israel."

     "Evidently - the management hesitates with reprimanding him - since he always plays 'the victim' - when facing fair criticism; - whereas if he was a normal, white male - (not a 'protected group') - spewing this sort of hatred - 'masquerading' as a free speech - they would not only fire him - but the legal complaints - would ensue - for sure." 

     "Jeannie and Steve - were asking what this Israel hater looks like,"

     "We told them that he looks like an albino alligator with 'bug out' eyes,"

     "Steve and Jeannie said that he reminds them of 'their' Israel hater - which the board fired - a while ago".

      "He - evidently - counted on the listeners 'in uproar' over his firing - while what happens is that the listeners - quickly - start calling the new replacement - and nobody misses the 'fired individual'."

                        *       *      *

      "Hi - Maggie - I just looked at the schedule of the radio hosts at the smaller radio market - and that 'schmaltzy, hocky and cheesy' - but of decent character - radio host - who kisses up to all the callers - didn't get his customary Thursday's - radio shift," my Skokie - Chicagoland's - bestie - Millie was talking to me during our morning coffee's - talks.

      "I know - they gave that shift to their Israel/hater, Jew/hater and general hater - guy - instead - as if they don't need - badly - to shorten his boring and repetitious weekends' - shifts - during which he and most of his callers - repeat - the same - mostly - anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish, anti-Israel - stuff - ad nauseum."

      "They must be afraid to do any changes to his 'boring and repetitious - repertoire' - since he plays the 'victim card' - all the time."

                     *       *      *

      "Millie - did you see Tim Walz interviewed this morning by Shannon Breen on 'Fox'?"

      "I sure did. He looks like an idiot clown - always smiling a stupid smile - (while it - subsequently - came out that he is gay and molested teenage boys) - and not even mentioning his - constantly - flushed face (indicating drunkenness - according to many such comments by the U.S. voters - posting them on various media platforms) plus his puffy, lower eyelids - which are also the sign of the excessive - imbibing of alcohol."

      "His teenage son Gus behaves like a retarded idiot - as well - especially during Walz's - acceptance speech at Democratic National Convention 2024. At least - this one has an excuse - he has a mental 'challenge' - called 'Non-verbal Learning Disorder' - NVLD'".

      "Maya Rudolph does a great impersonation of Harris - lately - on Saturday Night Live - last several weekends - as well as all over the internet - who - b.t.w. - shows that Harris - also drinks tons of vine - which would explain Harris's - constant, ugly cackle."

      "For sure - that's why she cackles her revolting, homely cackle - a lot - since alcohol - evidently - gives people - giggles - but all of it - is coming out to surface - in a hurry."

      "Many political commentaries on various media platforms state that Harris's political campaign 2024 - 'is coming off the rails - as its imploding - in a hurry'. Not that the Leftist Mainstream Media wants to 'eat it' - but eventually - sooner than later - the truth shall prevail about Harris's presidential campaign 2024 - collapsing - big time."

     "Ex-pres. Obama was here this week - to promote Harris's political campaign - by shaming the young Black guys into voting for her. Fat chance in reaching them - since most of them were ten years old when Obama was important - whereas - now - according to many such social media posts - 'he is an irrelevant old fart, [a has been] - with 75 million dollars'".

      "Before you hang up - I wanted to tell you really quick - that I just heard your smaller talk radio station's - 'superstar' host (who - b.t.w.- at times - can be like the finest French perfumes - with a 'little bit of it - going a very, very long way') - efficiently 'smoking out' - on the airwaves - that steady caller Israel/hater - who must know that she makes a lot of listeners' - skin crawl",

      "To his credit - though - he knows how to handle various, 'garden variety' haters who constantly call him and other hosts - with their - ad nauseum - obsessive hate of Israel and the Jews. He is great at getting rid of them quickly and efficiently - each time they 'rear their ugly, anti-Semitic - heads."

                        *      *     *

                     Chapter 144

          Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

      "Millie - pick up the phone. I have something important to tell you," I was whispering to my phone - but my Skokie - Chicagoland's - "bestie" - delayed a bit with answering the phone during that morning since we had our chats almost daily during our respective - morning coffees.

    "I was getting ready to call you - momentarily," my best friend Millie finally - picked up her phone.

    "According to many viewers' comments under the YouTube video which was supposed to 'bolster' Kamala Harris - Bill Clinton - the star of that video clip - garnered a lot of comments to the effect that 'he looked a cadaver starting to rot' - which is not the most diplomatic way to express themselves."   

    "At any rate - Clinton was supposed to give Harris a big -'high five' - in this YouTube video - but instead - he 'threw her under the bus' - with his comments about the needless, recent killing of Linken Reilly - a young American nurse - by that illegal killer who was let into the U.S. - by using the Biden/Harris's - open borders' policies".

    "I saw various comments on many social media platforms - suggesting that Bill Clinton representing the Centrist part of the Democratic party - strongly opposes Harris's - candidacy - since she and her people - are considered -radical Leftists - just pretending to be Moderate - only until they get elected. Moreover - they resent Harris's people's - power grab in getting rid of President Biden."

     "That's true - but the viewers' comments under the YouTube video showing Bill Clinton - ostensibly - giving Harris's candidacy a phony 'high five' - with his derogatory Linken Reilly's comments - at the end - also suggest that Bill Clinton looks like a 'corpse' due to his overuse of Viagra and indulging in various other unhealthy habits of many sorts. That has to have a lot of realistic overtones - since tons of women who had to deal with him when he was at the pinnacle of his gubernatorial and presidential power - describe him as ..... - let's not quote swear words - but read some of their narratives."

                        *      *     *

      "Hey - Maggie - I got to tell you something about the programming at the smaller talk radio market," my Skokie "bestie" and her Chicagoland talk radio market's - friends - like to listen to the local talk radio - outlet.

       "That newer part-time weekend woman they - evidently - like to promote - for some unknown reasons - still constantly laughs - way too much - like a 'hyena in heat' and offers only Leftist/Socialist talk radio programming - 'fare' which is boring, stale and amateurish."

       "I know - they do the same with their 'news readers' - they let go of some - who sounded good and professional - but they hang on the that Leftist slanted 'news reader' who sounds like a 'second grader little voice' - reading the news which can get on many listeners' - nerves - galore."

                        *      *      *

      "Listen here - Maggie Osborne - Steve, Jeanne and I - missed you like crazy at the special event at Club International Ballroom (for the members only - a gorgeous ballroom) of the fabulous 'Drake Hotel' - a pride of Chicago - a couple of days ago,

      "I didn't have enough time to get there - since it was an 'impromptu' affair,"

      "Yeah - next time - for sure - we will know well ahead of time - so you can come, and you will love it since the guest of honor - the newer, widely syndicated radio talk host - reads your story - at least - once per week,"

     "I know - his aide told me that a while ago. It's not as if my publisher cares, but still - he is a celebrity - so it never hurts - now tell me what you ate and drank there at 'the Drake'. Did they have some memorable entertainment?"

     "They had a middle-aged vocalist with a trio of musicians - they were all very good - it's Chicago. Nobody listened to them - though - but they didn't care. As far as the food goes - 'the Drake's' signature - little sandwiches are always fantastic - they also served some other fabulous trays of finger foods - then sweets - equally exquisite - it's Chicago. Alice lives a block away - from 'the Drake' - she used to go for their 'tea with sandwiches' for several years - then she got something else to do. Coming back to the drinks - they served good champagne by the service people coming up to the guests with trays - just like they served the food stuff."

      "Nobody was 'making a pig' - of themselves - I hope,"

      "No - Steven was not drinking since he was driving, and I noticed that quite a few people were doing the same," 

      "Hey - Maggie - now I come to the most important part of that fantastic evening (Emma came home from college to put some special make-up on me and to pick my attire - she also instructed me to 'walk around like Maggie'),"

       "How do I walk?"

       "You know well - that you walk around as if the 'world is yours' - you mother said that you walked around like this - 'ever since you were a little fart'. Anyway - towards the end of the evening they played some good stuff for people to dance, and someone requested a Tango. Steven's wife - Jeannie - suggested that he dance with me - 'go dance - I have him all the time' - she said. I said that after a half of the dance - he comes back to the table and dances with his wife - the second half of the dance. Then - the guest of honor - that promising, handsome, new Chicago talk radio 'talker' came up to our table. He has a tremendous respect for Steve who has 'reputation good as gold' in Chicagoland talk radio sphere."

      "It's so exciting - what happened next?"

      "He asked me to dance the Tango with him and I wished you were there to show some classy Tango moves. He led some easy steps which I could follow well - I told him that he needs a really good partner like my 'bestie' - 'Maggie Osborne - the Tango Queen'".

      "He said - 'next time - for sure'". 

                         *     *     *

                       Chapter 145

      Work of fiction. Any similarities to real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

        "Maggie - Thanksgiving is coming up in less than a month. We have to get together - like we used to."

       "You and Maurice need to drive down here. You - guys - take turns and in 8 hours - you are here. Any other mode of transportation will mean - 'sardines in a can' - style travel during the holidays."

       "I will have to 'start working on Maurice' - he and Max will watch some sports together - right?"

       "I will work on Max - to make sure of that. I was thinking of making 'my famous pumpkin pie' which you - guys - like so well - then we can go out to eat since many nice restaurants will serve a good Thanksgiving dinner - the way they do every year."

      "It sounds like a plan - but I can't wait to eat your scrumptious pumpkin pie - again. It reminds me of many Thanksgivings we were together. Even Emma liked your pie - as well - ever since she started to eat 'big people's food'".

       "She wanted to do what the adults did. A big part of that pie - invariably - ended up on her face and her clothes."

       "That's why I always had a wet washcloth - ready when she was little."

       "Let's pray that the right party will be elected - so we can celebrate the elections 2024 - as well - since anybody who lived under real Socialism - not the Scandinavian countries' style - Socialism - gets to know it and despise it."

                       *       *      *

       "Listen - Maggie - I just hate that steady caller's - to the smaller talk radio - voice - which sounds like an old door - badly needing grease,

       "He is the one who 'crowed' to no end that Kamala Harris will 'have a huge victory/landslide/avalanche' - now - however - it looks as if she will - barely - 'eke out' a puny trickle - if that much,"

        "That caller is very hateful and biased - so two 'normal' radio hosts - told him - not to call the station with his propagandistic, divisive, hateful rhetoric,"

        "Guess what? The Leftist, part-time radio host - simply loves that caller - so the aforementioned caller can spew his hostile, venom-like, skewed political 'slogans'",

        "The best thing Steve and the board did around here - a while ago - was to fire their Jew hater/Israel hater and a few others - engaging in their biased propaganda - using the station's airwaves - to piss off the advertisers and most listeners; they were told to 'start their own radio station' - nobody misses them."

                      *      *     *

        "Maggie - listen - there is this another Leftist/Socialist maniac caller to the smaller market talk station - who calls each time that part-time Leftist host has a shift,"

        "He is the same obsessed West Coast Socialist/Leftist who calls the Chicagoland talk radio - as well. As a matter of fact - he recently called the newer Chicago's syndicated - 'talker' - for whom we had that event recently at 'the Drake'. You should hear how that newer syndicated Chicago 'talker' - put him in his place - on the air."

       "I can just hear how that smart Chicagoland 'talker' - exposed that Socialist's - hateful, cockamamie conspiracy theories which he digs up - copiously - as if his life depended on them. Most of them are of the Jew/hating and Israel/hating - sort."

                          *      *     *

       "Hey - Maggie - Steve just called me that he heard that West Coast Socialist/Leftist, 'serial' caller/maniac to various talk radio stations - being put in his place - on the air - by the smaller talk radio market's - host.

        "I know - I heard it. It was a class act. Evidently that obsessed Marxist/Leftist from the West Coast - wants every city in the U.S. turn into San Francisco - once a beautiful town - but currently - awash in drug addicts injecting themselves in front of the policemen and their poop - 'a new landmark' of San Francisco."

       "At any rate - the political radio ads are getting on everybody's nerves - galore - while the TV political ads are even worse. On the bright side - the fall weather is gloriously - glorious - as every year."

        "I know - I want to stop time - on one hand - but I also want to speed it up since the Thanksgiving has always been one of my most favorite holidays of the year."

                          *      *     *

        "Listen - here - Maggie - in a few weeks we shall be together for Thanksgiving."

        "I know - those few weeks will drag like 'molasses in January'".

        "It will be OK - think positive. I was thinking this morning - of the winters when we were kids and kept sliding down on the sleighs - from the hills by your house - for hours - no end."

        "We would come back to your house - hungry, thirsty, tired. Your mother always said the same thing that we should have taken a break in sleighing to stop at your house to grab a bite to eat and drink some hot chocolate."

       "I know she did - but we were always worried that it will start snowing and the 'packing snow' will be ruined. They always played the hit song of that winter 'Putting it on the Ritz".

       "Your mother made the best farmer's cheese sandwiches spread with a thick layer of yellow butter - onto the delicious slices of tasty - farmers' style - bread; her sugar cookies were absolutely - delectable - then - I remember she always gave us that special hot cocoa which came from an import store - thus it was extra creamy with more good chocolate taste - than other brands."

       "God - you have some memory for details from that winter. I - on the other hand - remember the summer vacation during which our summer rentals were a few doors from each other. It was a beautiful mountain resort and every night the good orchestra played the hits of the day in a gorgeous park full of flowers - where all the summer tourists came to spend several hours - all dressed up."

                          *       *      *

        "Hey - Maggie - did you catch the other day - a boring and tedious interview with the Leftist senator in which the interviewer - from the smaller talk radio market - kept 'kissing up' to no end to that Leftist senator - as if his life depended on it."

       "I know - I heard it. No wonder - the interview came off as - forced and phony; it also sounded - boring - I concur. At the beginning of it - the senator sounded as if he had a deep lisp. A group of us - listening to the transcripts - came to the conclusion - that the senator's - dentures - became loose. However - someone from Chicagoland talk radio - suggested that the lisp might be a sign to gay people. If that's the case - that Leftist senator - can't even start comparing himself to a political 'star' - Rick Grennell."

       Anyway - the whole interview sounded boring and propagandistic - so if anybody had any problems sleeping - later that night - all they had to do - is listen to the aforementioned interview - with that Leftist senator."

      "There were hardly any comments about it - later in that broadcast - worth mentioning."

      "I think that it's very true about the TV camera as well as the radio microphone - picking up all the 'phony and forced' stuff - being put onto the airwaves."

                         *      *     *

       "Hey - Maggie - did you catch that promising, rising star 'YouTuber' - Devory Darkin's - entry a week ago or so - about Beyonce - appearing with Kamala Harris in a Houston rally - for a few minutes - only - to deliver a few quick, perfunctory platitudes - on the stage - in lieu of the concert - which was promised - to the rally participants in Houston. Beyonce's quick exit off the stage was followed by the rally folks - 'booing and hooting' like crazy for a long time - and not allowing Kamala Harris - to speak."

       "Devory Darkins is an astute commentator - quickly coming up to more than half a million YouTube's subscribers - thus - he explained - that the only reason for the rally participants' being at that rally - was to listen to Beyonce's concert. That's why they - subsequently - 'hooted and booed like crazy', not letting Kamala Harris to speak - following Beyonce's quick exit from the stage. Moreover - he further - postulated - there was absolutely no reason for Kamala Harris to be in Texas."

       "That's right - Texas is a firmly Red state - so the Democrats in Texas voting for her - would do her absolutely - no good - thus her advisers' - strategy - backfired - big time." 

       "Still - it's a close election 2024 - coming up very soon - let's pray like crazy and get everybody - as much as humanly possible - to polling places - to vote."

                        *      *     *

        "Maggie - I just heard Marco Rubio giving a short - but passionate speech in Spanish - at a Trump rally,"

        "I agree - his speech was passionate thus effective in getting Latinos to vote for Trump - but even though he has a fluent command of Spanish - it's a 'folksy' kind, with a heavy Porto Rican/Cuban accent. It's not like a command of the Spanish language - the diplomats possess in Mexico City or Madrid, Spain."

       "I am sure that with your command of Spanish - you can easily discern all those 'nuances' when anybody uses Spanish. What did you think of Megyn Kelly and Joe Rogan - who has a huge following of mostly - young men (close to seven million of subscribers) - both of them - endorsing ex-pres. Trump - during his last, huge rally. Megyn Kelly with her - close to three million - subscribers on several big platforms - also - has to be - of significant influence. Don't you think?"

      "The thing with Megyn Kelly - is that she has been trying hard - to no avail - during the last month or so - to get the Main Strem Media - to focus some attention on the documented incidences of Kamala Harris's husband Doug Emhoff's various semi-criminal - 'escapades' - involving women - who provided Kelly with all the necessary documentation. According to Kelly - who is an accredited, accomplished litigator - those women are credible and need to be heard."

     "You may be sure that the press would never be that generous - if the Republicans were involved in those sorts of 'dirty peccadillos' - they would be more than happy to be - 'blowing those - out of proportions' - big time."

                       *     *     *

      "Listen here - Maggie - that nasty caller to the station with no less attractive voice - 'ate a big crow' - very recently - since he was repeatedly assuring everybody within the 'earshot' - before the presidential elections of 2024 - that Harris will quickly get 'more than 300 electoral votes' - in 'no time'".

      "I guess that 'landslide/avalanche' victory - for her - turned into a 'puny drip' - since even the friendly towards her - TV commentators - had to admit that she never got more votes than Joe Biden got - in any of the counties - of the U.S."

      "Anyway - Steve - who is an expert on 'the callers to talk radio' - made a comment - recently - about another steady caller to the smaller talk radio market - that they have 'a psychotic fixation on hating on Israel's policies and her leaders' - no matter what topic is discussed by the radio hosts".

     "I know - a lot of the listeners made comments about that caller - on the air - to the effect that - that caller 'makes their skin crawl' - with that caller - knowing about it - since they listen to that talk radio station - in an 'obsessive fashion' - according to what they say to the radio hosts - which is more than anybody needs - to hear - since they don't give a 'hoot' - about their 'personal lives'".

                       Chapter 146

      Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

       "Hello, Millie - I just saw - on-line - the beautiful decorations put up by the famous Old Orchard/Westfield Mall/Park - close to your townhouse - for winter 2024/25 - Holliday Season."

     "I know - I love to look at them when I have my coffee with their phenomenal - muffins - there - almost every morning - just like we did - all last summer. You also have some winter holiday décor in the mall/park near 'your' Squirrel Hill - right?"

      "Without a doubt - they put up some glorious seasonal decorations which give your 'Old Orchard/Westfield' - 'big run for their money' - as the folk saying - goes."

      "At any rate - I heard the caller to the smaller talk radio market - call the station very recently and they said that 'they hated Kamala Harris's - recent concession speech to 2024 presidential race - which sounded like a 'vampire will come back'",

      "I know - we - also - heard many similar calls to other talk radio stations - then another distinct call came - not too subtle or nuanced - which stated that 'all one has to do - to get rid - permanently - of the vampire - is to drive the sharpened wooden spike through the vampire's chest - thus - the vampire will not be coming back - for sure.'"

                          *      *     *

      "Maggie - as you look through the ads of the restaurants open for Thanksgiving 2024 - maybe - the ones offering a buffet style - would be the best. You think?"

      "I was ready to suggest that to you and Maurice. Remember when I lived in Chicago - Alice - the one who has a sumptuous penthouse by 'the Drake' - Chicago's finest venue - she hosted many gorgeous Thanksgivings - at her house - by having her caterer - setting up a fantastic buffet?"

      "That's a great idea for many reasons - one of the important ones - being that if you are seated by a 'cranky' person (holiday blues?) - in the table's - traditional style, you are stuck with their 'story' - whereas - with the buffet set up - you can - 'tactfully' - avoid them - should that happened."

     "Alice used to pick out some good movies to watch at the end of the evening - however - that one year - we were disappointed in the Oscar winner 'Out of Africa' with Redford and Streep. The movie dragged forever as if it never 'intended' to end - notwithstanding - some good cinematography of the African country - Kenya's - locations."

     "The story by Isaak Dineson - was highly regarded by other writers - who considered - Dineson - 'a writers' - writer' - was well written - however - the movie script didn't give it justice. Isaak Dineson - is her pen name - her real name is Danish Baroness - Karen Blixen."

     "I was reading about it - maybe it's ironic that she died in 1962 - after an illustrious career as a writer - but quite a few years - before - 'Out of Africa' - disappointed many critics as well as many in the viewing public - notwithstanding its - best picture's - Oscar prize."

                        *      *     *

      "Listen - here - Maggie - I wish that you were with me, Steve and Jeanne - last weekend."

      "Let me guess - some 'impromptu' event happened again?"

      "No - but the three of us went out to have an early dinner in the Chicago area - hot and popular as always - where you had your bakery."

      "The businesses there are constantly changing managements and changing the venues' ambiances - as well."

      "That's true - but if you remember the Argentinian eatery - almost next door to your ex-bakery - it has been there forever and a day."

      "I know - I used to go in there - quite a bit. They always played the Tangos - hence their name."

       "At any rate - Steve, Jeanne and I - like their chicken dishes - a few 'little orphans' among the avalanche of various steak and beef entrees on their menu. Moreover - they only have one -'lonely' fish entree (which is good - b.t.w.) among their vast steaks' - menu items."

      "Anyway - after we ate - we stopped to look at your ex-bakery. The big movie theatre/live cabarets' performances complex - on the other side of your ex-venue - annexed it and remodeled it."

       "They might start to serve some food there - since Jack and I spent a lot of funds - in order to put a 'hood' on the roof - to vent - a big, brand new, great working - convection oven which we purchased. It worked super efficiently - we called it 'A Big Daddy'".

                          *      *     *

       "Hey - Maggie - we have been listening to the smaller talk radio market and for the first part of the weekend - and they broadcasted - sports, which is a vast improvement over the Leftist, boring, propagandistic fare - they - normally - offer in the 3 hour - block - during the earlier afternoon."

      "I know - it's a refreshing change - they said that they will do the same thing - next weekend - the first part of it - that is."

     "Sports alternative is much better than some of their, newer hosts - when they have - not really good days. This one - mostly - a substitute host - can be extremely uneven in his radio shifts. Emma looked at him - one time - and described him as 'the guy with a big head and skinny legs' - that was in the summer - when he wore shorts".

      "Not to change the subject - but the Tango YT video you suggested to watch is a real dynamite. Lorena Tarantino - a world-famous Tango master - dances with her new partner - not any one of her steady partners. He - is a 'new kid' - who not only - 'rises to the occasion' but shows his considerable Tango skills. Thus - not only he leads her - a big star - with confidence, but he also manages to make some - individual - high skill - moves - to show his - advanced steps. Even his 'unconventional' Tango dancer's attire - can easily be overlooked."

     "I know - I love that YT clip - 'Lorena Tarantino Y Rodrigo Fonti - Krakus Tango Festival - May 25 - 2024'; the vocals - however - sound fantastic by a young Tango Nuevo group - Sexteto Cristal - with the video - not crediting the super good vocalist who sings in his - Buenos Aires, Argentina - accent - their favorite one - according to the majority of the 'Tango Maniacs'".

                        *      *     *

       "Emma, after you put away the fresh whipped cream you just made - into the big, middle fridge - then - come over here and help me to put the rolls which Jack made earlier - into the "Big Daddy" oven - to bake for our Thanksgiving,"

      "Maggie, your bakery always smells great when we have our Thanksgiving at the back of it," Emma dipped the slices of the pumpkin pie she ate - into the fresh, sweet, whipped cream - she just made - after we put two trays of golden looking rolls into the big convection over.

      "Your products not only taste great - but they look super glowing," she added.

      "It's because - we grind the flour for our products, so the crust of this pie is made of the freshly ground flour - while the pumpkin filling is made of cooked down pumpkin. Hey - let's keep the front rooms' - lights off - so the customers don't attempt to come in. Jack will be ringing three short rings into the back, delivery doors."

      "Does mom know to do the same when she comes in?"

      "Sure thing - and the few people - we invited - also know."

      "I like that atmosphere when the bakery is only for us. Even the music you play sounds - different."

      "It's always soft jazz. You - guys don't listen to this sort of music in your boarding school - right?"

      "I listen to all kinds of music - but speaking of the boarding school - I will be glad to be finishing there soon and starting college - before long." 

      "God - the turkey smells fantastic," she added. "I know that it will be tender - out of that oven - like last year. My favorite is your dressing - though - with your bakery's fantastic recipe - using the freshly ground flour. That oven does a great job - with any stuff you put in there."

      "Let's start setting up the big worktable. We are expecting a few guests to show up. No sipping of any wine - for you - I saw you last Thanksgiving."

                            *     *     *

                         Chapter 147

      Work of fiction. Any similarities to the real people or circumstances - are purely coincidental.

         "Maggie, did you catch some talk 'stuff' last evening - broadcasted by the smaller talk radio market?"

       "I heard some of it - while I also listened to Fox's - syndicated guy - transmitting to over more than 300 talk radio markets."

       "Those nationally syndicated hosts - don't let any callers/listeners - ramble on and on for - way - too long. They make sure that the callers/listeners - make their - on air - statements - sound snappy - 'short and sweet'".

       "I know - the local hosts need to take some lessons from the syndicated hosts. Last night - the - normally - competent host - in the smaller talk radio market - went on and on and on - again - way - way too long - with the 'compulsive' caller who wants the whole world - to know their personal business - as if the listeners - really - give 'rats' pajamas' about their boring personal stories."

       "Speaking of boring hosts - they got this newer Leftist host whom the management seems to like - for now - until it changes - that is. Anyway - the aforementioned, boring Leftist host - does not take any listeners' calls - almost none. However - to their puny credit - their Leftist and predictable - invited guests - keep their - on air - tedious, Leftist propaganda 'presentations' - relatively brief - as much as possible."

                            *       *      *

       Millie and I waited for our third "bestie" Alice - to have lunch - in a nice Italian restaurant in Skokie's Old Orchard Mall/Park - and since it was a nice, late fall day - we set on the terrace - outside. Alice was taking a train to Skokie - from her penthouse in Chicago's Magnificent Mile area - Lake Shore Drive and North Michigan Avenue - neighborhood - while both Millie and I lived within a walking distance from the Old Orchard/Westfield Mall's - Skokie location.

      "You always look and smell great," said Millie upon seeing Alice approach our table. Her designers' clothes looked good on her since she was tall and had a good figure.

       "So did you say your rosary this morning - like every morning?" I asked Alice after we ordered some Greek salads without onions and a glass of white wine - for each of us - because nobody needed to drive for the rest of the day. 

        "I always start my day from the rosary and the walk along the Lake Michigan beach - before I eat my breakfast. The prayers are good - for the rest of the day. If they don't help some rough days - they never hurt - that's for sure."

        "Hey - listen - not to change the subject - but I am getting ready to go - back East - until the next summer - like I do every year. I am going to miss you - guys - like crazy,"

        "We will miss you too - you know that. Hopefully - next summer you will be buying this rental condo,"

        "If the owner doesn't change his mind and his offer - it's a possibility. He said that he would be leaving his nice, modern line, light furniture - in the condo since he might be relocating - overseas."

        "We will be praying. That never hurts - if everything else - falls in place."

        "We are like the Three Musketeers - one for all and all for one." 

                         *      *     *

        "Hi, Maggie - how was your train trip back East?"

        "It was really good. I will give you more details another time."

        "Hey - Maggie - I have been listening - very recently to the smaller talk radio outlet. You know that famous story about how Huckleberry Finn went to his own funeral - by Mark Twain?"

        "I sure do. He went to his own funeral to hear how all the people who couldn't stand him while he was 'alive' - were delivering phony eulogies - all over the place - the eulogies which were 'dripping' with phony compassion."

       "That reminds me of something - Steve and Jeanne were telling me last night about their D.E.I. hire - that talk host - who is indulging - on a regular bases - in complaining - on the air - during his radio shifts - about the alleged 'unjust' treatment he is receiving from the management - however - he is always playing his 'victim' card while he - frequently - vents his alleged 'grievances' - in a nasty and hateful fashion - over the airwaves. In the meantime - only the white men - get fired quickly for various, minor reasons - determined by the management. Anyway - his co-workers as well as his bosses - and also - many listeners - especially the ones on whom he likes to 'hate on' - don't like him very much - which is obvious in many - subtle - ways."

      "He is the one who 'hates' on groups of people with whom he disagrees - on the air - which strongly encourages many other listeners/haters to call his shift - moreover - many new 'closet/haters' - are emboldened to 'come out' during his radio shifts - so they can vent their 'hatreds'."

      "No wonder that many listeners don't like him while the management is not 'crazy about him' - either. As a matter of fact - when he had a recent bout with a flu - nobody gave 'a hoot' - especially the listeners on whom he likes 'to hate' a lot - on the air."

                          *     *     *

      "Mollie - did you see on FB - some photos from the smaller talk radio's market's - recent award ceremony?"

      "I sure did - that non-Jewish radio host who always defends Israel's policies - looks handsome and glowing - whereas - I noticed that the severe, harsh critics of Israel (the Jew haters) - usually - look ugly and goofy and sick - as if they are ready to meet their 'promised 60 virgins in paradise' - any time - very soon."

      "At any rate - how was your trip back on the train?"

      "Each time I take that train - I like it more. It's worth the extra money to get a sleeping suite - instead of a tiny sleeping roomette - when leaving the Chicagoland. The sleeping suite has its own bathroom and is equipped just like a small hotel room. It's especially good - on the way back - from Chicago - back East - whereas a tiny roomette for sleeping - is OK when going the other way."

      "You mentioned that there are less of the disturbing noises - so small roomette for sleeping is OK - when starting the journey at the very late hour - when going the other way - towards Chicagoland."

       "I always like to sleep on the train - it seems to be a soothing and restful sleep with the noises of the moving train - making the sleep easy. The last time it was also - raining as well, but it was a light rain which is OK - whereas a strong storm while travelling on the train - can be unsettling. 

                           *     *     *

      "Hello, Maggie - Maurice and I stopped for a short time - just to take a 'leak' and grab some food in this nice rest stop with its 'fancy/schmantzy' eating places inside."

      "It's always good to leave earlier than everybody leaves - to 'beat' the traffic on the road - coming back."

      "So far - it's been decent - let's keep it that way."

      "This glorious buffet eatery with its top-notch Thanksgiving entrees and desserts would cost - easily - twice as much in Chicago area."

      "It was great to see you - guys - especially you - Millie. Now - the time will go faster until the early summer."

      "We have been watching - twice - Macy's - Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 and those young talents from the newest Broadway's season's musical productions are enormously talented - so are the older Broadway performers of every kind from Broadway's 2024/25 season."

      "I know - Maurice and I catch some of it through our 'thingy' in the car."

      "Against all that sparkling new talent - Jennifer Hudson - comes off - as a bit 'stale' - especially since the tune she sang - was not very good - at all".

                         *     *     *

      "Hi - Millie - I was just thinking about our first winter season's holidays - when we moved to Chicagoland - after Jack and me - finished our respective university degrees in California - which we couldn't wait to leave. We missed winters - snow fall - and the change of seasons."

      "I remember vividly how you described your drive over the Lake Shore Drive - with the night view of Chicago - all lit up with Italian lights which shone like small diamonds against the velvety dark night."

      "How did the time go? I found out that Emma just got another tooth on the bottom while she stood up by herself and her doctor said that she will walk very soon - earlier than other toddlers her age."

      "Even at that time - Jack and I - didn't like San Francisco - where we went to the university - notwithstanding its obvious physical beauty. Moreover - when we stopped at Los Angeles that winter - on our way back East - to visit with the close friends - the temps reached 80 F - it felt freaky - in the middle of winter."

                         *      *      *

                       Chapter 148

       Work of fiction. Any similarities to the real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

         It was a warm New Year's Eve night that year - but Alice and I decided that I will be spending the night in her penthouse's big study's - large sofa - since the traffic around Chicago after midnight during the New Year's Eve - was always - extremely crazy.

       Our first year in Chicago after coming back from California - was good in every way. Jack loved his job as a television news photographer for a big television station while I was working out the plans to open up my business. In the meantime - Alice and I quickly became close friends and confidants. 

       At the end of that year - however - a week before the New Year's Eve - Jack and the crew from his television station became trapped in the hotel in the foreign country - while the local rebels surrounded the aforementioned hotel and were shelling it. I was not more nervous than expected - since he called me - at least - twice a day - while they waited to be evacuated. He has assured me that 'he and the crew - his bodies - are having a great time during this adventurous assignment'".

      "Is Jack calling you here soon?" asked Alice while we were dressed up and ready to watch spectacular New Year's Eve display of the fireworks - visible from the big windows of Alice's - penthouse. Her caterer prepared most fabulous drinks and tasty traditional New Year's Eve - dishes - mostly - easy finger type - foods.

      When she told me to take the incoming phone call in a study and close the doors - I was scared of some bad news - however - after I spoke to some unknown male voice for a few minutes - my mood - changed.

      "Who was it?" asked Alice - also scared - however - after I told her that it was the president of the company to inform me that the state department got a plane to evacuate the many international news crews - out of that hotel - furthermore - the plane was already airborne towards the United States' - Chicago's - O'Hare International Airport - so Jack should be home soon - our mood improved - we were ready to celebrate.

                        *      *     *

       After Jack and me arrived at my brother Max's - well maintained - three unit - rental - mini mansion in the hot, trendy and in-demand - area of the hilly city where he and his family has lived for many years - we quickly - snacked on some easy, energy goodies - and the three of us were on the way to a near-by, mountain resort - for the weekend.

      Max was deftly negotiating the winding and hilly roads leading to the closely located ski resort - his Ford truck easily stayed on the road since it was a moderately cold January day with no snow.  

      The resort was not crowded since the height of their winter holidays' traffic - just ended. After we parked - we went to the large ski lodge's - well stocked - buffet style eatery. We were hungry but ready to use the ski resort and while Jack and my brother intended to rent the skis - to "take" some slopes - I wanted to find me some temporary companion to sit in the lodge's - nicely decorated, spacious coffee shop.

     Upon visiting that nice area - before - I learned that some women whose companions - were "taking" - slopes - were not skiing - but sitting in the cozy coffee and sipping wine while they looked outside on the gorgeous mountains.

     The events were happening - as if "ordered" - since while we were standing in our buffet's line - I overheard a middle aged, nicely dressed woman - telling her two companions who were attired in the skiing fashion - who appeared to be her husband and son - that she would have to find a "friend" - to sleight around the easier hills - while they were skiing down the higher slopes.

     After I told her that I am in search of the same sort of individual - she happily informed me that "she was looking for exactly - this kind of situation". 

     While 'our guys' were skiing - she and I took a half hour long ride on the big sleighs - pulled by two big horses. Afterwards - we sat in the lodge's - cozy dining area and traded stories - while we sipped a bit of red wine and snacked on some light foods. The day - easily changed into the evening - so the guys were finished with the skiing, and we had a good dinner together which ended late. We did the same thing the next day.

                        *     *     *

      "Hello, Millie - I got tons of new stuff to tell you. You have a minute?"

      "Of course - Maggie. I was waiting for you to call. How was your trip to the resort? Was Max on his best behavior?"

      "It was a nice trip. I wish you were there. Remember how we were going during some summers or winters to the pretty Lake Geneva resort in Wisconsin - fairly close to Chicago?"

      "Sure - I do. Emma loved to zoom down the slopes in the winter - on her tube - but going uphill was a bit hard."

      "We were doing the same stuff when we were kids. Going uphill - was no fun at all - but it was tons of fun to go down."

      "Listen here - this friend of mine from Washington, D.C. told me recently that the winter resort - Bryson winter resort in Virginia - by the D.C. - has a conveyor belt - to pull the kids uphill. Evidently those 'lawmakers' kids' - don't want to overwork themselves - excessively."

      "Hey - I got to tell you something really quick - what Steven and Jeannie told me - very recently - as they stopped for a holiday season's - eggnog - spiked a bit - since nobody's driving,"

      "In any case - you know that the board wants to fire their DEI hire - since they did quite a few nasty and obnoxious things - to just about anybody - at the station - so almost everybody - there - wants them gone,"

      "You mentioned that before - if they were normal, white people doing that - their name would be off the schedule. Short and sweet."

      "However - since they are DEI - the management - evidently - wants to 'thread the waters' carefully - without a big 'splash'".

      "In comes this newer - substitute host - allegedly - smart and perceptive - who 'throws the monkey wrench' - into the management plans. If I would venture a small prediction - both of them will be - probably - gone - before long." 

                        *      *      *

      "Hey - Maggie - my other 'bestie/next door neighbor' - Jeannie just left. We chatted quite a bit about hers and Steve's - business acumen - in the talk radio trends. She always brings me a super lovely, winter season's - card this time of the year,"

       "I am glad that she is not overloading the post office during this season. Come to think of it - we do the same thing with my nearby - neighbors - here. It's only a commonsense gesture."

       "For sure. I mentioned to you that Steve loves to listen to older transcripts of various talk show host's - big gaffes."

       "Let me guess - Steve likes to 'rub' those sorts of obvious - big 'no-no's - into the noses of the talk hosts - who are 'screwing up' - on the job,"

       "Exactly right."

       "He has quite a collection of various, goofy acting and talking - on the air - talk radio hosts' - shifts."

       "When you get a chance - you can tell him that if he needs more of those - our friends - here - will be happy to get him some more of those sorts of 'awfully biased - talk radio hosts' - transcripts."

                          Chapter 149

        Work of fiction. Any similarity to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.

        "Hey, Maggie - yesterday - I was listening to the smaller talk radio outlet and they were talking about the new city executive - who hired their 'cronies - political hacks' - while paying them - exorbitant salaries and benefits - complements (of course) - of hard working - taxpayers - however - they (the new executives) have the same answer to the taxpayers - who are on the 'hook' to pay - thus they - lamely - try to explain to the taxpayers who - naturally - have to pay 'through the nose' - for the aforementioned, new - in this area - executive's - 'extravaganza' - of the unnecessary number of the political hacks - surrounding that executive; they claim that the city needs to pay 'competitive' - enumerations - to get 'good' - people."

      "God - those people 'read the same political waste's - book' - when they tried to do it here - in our subdivision - though - they were told to pay 'through the nose' - from their own salaries - for their 'political hacks/sycophants' - whom they need for their own political goals. Thus - they shouldn't be attempting to make the taxpayers - to foot the bill."

       "I want to finish telling you - really quick - that Steve and Jeannie related to me - that the board wants to fire a newer talk host who has been screwing up in many ways."

       "Let me guess - they are looking for the right opportunity to drop them - which would make sense to everybody involved. They will find it - in the interim - that party must know that they are 'on the way out.'"

       "If they were smart - they would not be 'digging in their heels' and waiting to get dropped - instead - they should find some other place to work - thus they might be 'thumping their noses' at the management - while they quit - of course - they would be 'thumping their noses' - in many subtle ways."

       "It's obvious that the bosses want to dump them - since the other hire who came aboard about the same time - has been getting a lot more extra radio hosting shifts and more substitute shifts - when the regulars need to take off - while the aforementioned newer hire - should take the hint and 'hit the road' - especially - since their radio shifts are getting on many listeners - nerves - a lot - due to the fact that - they refuse to take the listeners' calls - while working for a prominent - talk radio station - which has an important feature of allowing the listeners to call the station - in order to voice their opinions."   

                         *       *      *

      "Listen - here - Maggie - I just caught - this weekend - 'The Smack Down' - a super funny satirical show aired over the weekends on Real America Voice - network - from where "Smack Down" - was away for a while,"

      "I know - I was glad that I only missed a few, beginning minutes which I will get back - since they do the 'encore' show over the weekends,"

      "First of all - both of them - pastor Darrell Scott and Reverend Jim Davis - are both attractive, middle aged Black guys - but - in addition to that - they are funny, funny, funny,"

       "They were making fun of chief Christopher Wray - quitting the FBI - by paraphrasing an old John Donne's poem - 'For Whom the Bell Tolls?' which - b.t.w. - is also a title of Hemingway's - first famous novel - loved to no end - by the critics. The movie - however - was boring - mainly due to - according to many critics - a 'phony' performance by Jennifer Jones. Back to pastor Scott and Reverend Davis - as they quoted the poem's question - then they answered it - 'the bell tolls for Wray - to - quickly - get out'".

       "That's not the end of their comparisons - as pastor Scott continues the following - during the same broadcast: 'Another washed up bum - the ex-chief of FBI - John Brennan - was - recently - asked by CNN - to weigh in on Wray's quitting - as if anybody cares what he has to say.'"

                         *        *      *

      "Hi, Maggie - the holidays are - kind of fun but it's also nice when after New Year's - everybody is noticing the days getting longer. In any case - last time I talked to you - I forgot to mention about some sensational comments made about the recent big, political games - by Carl Jackson - a sharp, Black commentator - recently - often substituting for a legendary Dennis Prager who is recovering from a bad accident."

     "I caught that part when he is accusing Kamala Harris of 'stabbing' Joe Biden in the back - then Harris refusing to suggest a more moderate Democrat - on the order of Klobuchar or Whittmer."

     "Yesterday - I heard another political commentator during the talk radio shift at the smaller talk radio market - saying that the Democratic party is - currently - 'shrinking' - galore.

     "No doubt that Harris's - unquestionable electoral defeat/debacle - during the last presidential elections of 2024 - contributes to that 'phenomenon'".

      "In any case - did you hear the local doctor's weekly radio broadcast - very recently - in which he interviewed - Arizona's semi-retired - M.D, PhD. - doctor - with an Italian accent -about the product for digestion - he designed and developed?"

      "I heard him - his command of English is amazing - but M.D, PHD - would - of course - know English well - however - what I find - totally captivating is his Italian accent. One could listen to it forever - without stopping."

      "I know - I was going to call you to listen, but I figured that you were - already - listening.  Towards the end of the broadcast - the local doctor who has that weekly show - but spends a lot of time in Arizona - as well - informed the Arizona doctor that our area - currently - has a windy, 21 F - weather conditions - to which the Arizona physician replied in this Italian accent - 'to die for' - (no exaggeration or anything like that) - that 'we don't have that sort of trash - around here; we - currently - have a sunny 71 F - with a slight breeze."

                     *      *     *

       "Hallo - Millie - did you see all over the internet - recently - a barrage of criticisms levelled at George Stephanopoulos's - recent debacle over the ABC Network - settling out of court - president elect's - Trump's - defamation lawsuit?"

       "I know - they call him 'Slopanopoulus' - in a derisive fashion - all over the internet. He has been considered 'big star of the ABC News Department' - now - however - his 'glow' - undoubtedly - got dimmed - considerably."

       "In the meantime - according to some anonymous ABC insiders - George just signed a contract for only a year - instead of multi years deals - the way he did - before."

       "Moreover - according to 'Variety' a business publication - knowledgeable about big celebrities' renumerations - thus 'Variety' informs the public that his new contract is for 'only' - 14 million dollars per year - and only for a year - as opposed to 19 million he got in 2014 which increased to 21 million per year - in subsequent years - that included some minor additions to his major contractual obligations."

      "In addition - Stephanopoulos - very recently - had to delete his Twitter/X account because of the avalanche of 'blowback' messages - with which - it was inundated - which the Leftist leaning press - is reluctant to mention,"

       "That March 24 - 2024 - weekend news broadcast - clearly - showed his 'awful' style of interviewing of the rape victim - Nancy Mace - a - current - U.S. congressional representative from S. Carolina's - 1st congressional district. Stephanopoulos repeated - at least - ten times - falsely - that pres. elect Trump - was already 'convicted' of rape." 

                         *      *     *

       "They sound phony and forced during their radio shifts - with their constant parade of invitees and topics - of the 'who gives the hoot' about them - kind,"

        Emma was having fun commenting on the newer radio host - delivering their weekly, weekends' - radio hosting - shift.

      "I can't stand their 'hyena style', artificial laughter - that voice sounds like scratching the 'nails down the blackboard'".

      Emma's mom - my "bestie" Millie - was laughing and said that Emma exaggerates - to which I replied that Emma is not overly critical or anything like that - since she likes a lot of the radio hosts at the smaller talk radio market.

                          *       *      *

                        Chapter 150

      Work of fiction. Any similarities to real people or circumstances - are purely - coincidental.           

      "Hey - Maggie - do you remember the lovely Christmas/New Year's - holidays a few years ago when that great movie about Cole Porter's life came out and we - binge-watched it several times?" 

      "That was a super good movie - especially since the new version - was a lot more realistic than the old version with Cary Grant." 

      "That was a memorable scene when his wife was dying, and he played for her - on their grand piano - the hit song from one of his last, successful musicals - 'Kiss me Kate'. That glorious song 'So in Love' - he wrote for Linda who was barely able to hear it - before she died." 

      "He said to her that he can't sing it to her - as well as the lead singer of 'Kiss me Kate'. Cole Porter's lyrics and songs - were awesome - rarely surpassed in greatness - even till today."

       "No doubt about it - however - following her death - at 71 - after suffering from emphysema - his lavish lifestyle and enormous creativity - started to unravel," 

      "Some biographers speculate about his 'creative burn out' - and the movie hints about it - as well; after all - he was at the height of fame and success - for many, many years - during which he indulged (according to many biographers) in - numerous - extravagant and risky to his fame - 'peccadillos' - of various kinds.

                     *       *      *

      "Hey - Maggie - I forgot to ask you something when - the other day - Emma said that the newer host's voice at the smaller talk radio station - 'makes her skin crawl' - speaking of which - is that steady caller to the smaller radio station - that Jew hater and Israel hater - is still - constantly - calling the station - ad nauseum?"

      "They call - all the time - with the details from their personal life about which hardly anybody who listens - gives a 'rat's pajama'",

      "I thought that the radio hosts there - don't take their - mostly - anti-Semitic - calls,"

      "Most of them don't - but some of them who profess to be 'the friends of the Jews' - on the air - not only take their calls but they - 'kiss up to them' - as well."

                      *      *      *

      "Hi - Millie - remember when I lived in Chicago - actually - recently - the mayor ('hizhonor') - surrounded himself with highly paid - 'publicity experts' - costly to the taxpayers?"

      "Sure, I do - they always produced - the same - 'pukey' - short, promotional feature about how Chicago is absolutely - the best of the best - for businesses of all kinds - which was played at all the city functions - way too much."

      "For sure - until the famous Chicago columnist started a series of exposes - urging the mayor to 'trim down or shake down the expensive leaches - attached to the poor taxpayers'",

      "Subsequent - to that series of articles - some 'fat got trimmed' - not nearly enough - though."

     "They have a similar situation - around here - with a new executive - attempting the same 'political hacks' - producing - maneuvers."

     "They need some brave columnists - to start the campaign - which would 'drain the local swamp' - which needs done - badly - now - but more like 'yesterday'".

                            *       *      *

       "Millie - listen - as I mentioned to you before - around here - the local Wokes/Progressives - recently - barely - elected a new female politician - who - currently - gets on many of her constituents' - nerves - for a lot of well deserved - reasons,"

      "I remember - they made such a big 'hoopla' - in the press - about the first female elected to this position - but - subsequently - shortly after she was elected - according to most of her constituents - she is proving to be a lousy legislator."

      "Moreover - as you know from the press - she is not respected by most of her constituents - thus - most likely - she will not be re-elected."

      "A while ago - the rumors 'floated' around on Twitter/X that she and another Woke/Progressive local rep from the locally assigned - congressional district (who is equally not popular with most of her constituencies) - were Lesbian lovers."

      "Even if they were that kind of a 'duo item' - they could still be effective legislators - but - clearly - according to many such political comments on many social media platforms - they are lousy legislators."

                           *      *     *

      "Hi - Maggie - listen here - my next-door neighbor - Jeanne just stopped by and told me that her husband Steve - likes to listen to some 'outrageous' and 'disgusting' - scripts of various radio hosts - so he can 'educate' his radio hosts."

      "You don't say - that was he listening to the radio host who 'hated' on the white people - in general - but onto the Jews and Israelis - in particular?"

      "Exactly - that host sounded angry with everybody. Did he apologize or retracted some of his hateful and vicious rhetorics/half-truths?"

     "Are you kidding? He is always playing his gigantic 'victim card' - but his political 'brand' as well as his radio shifts - are disliked by many, many listeners. Surely - he must be well aware of that."

     "I wouldn't venture to say that he 'makes their skin crawl' - however - they dislike his radio shifts a lot - which attract many 'closet haters' - so they can freely vent - their - purportedly - 'justified' - massive resentments - of various sorts - but mainly those of the anti-Jewish and anti-Israel - the anti-Semitic - kinds."

                            *      *     *

      "Hey - Millie - I was just checking online and with some other friends about the new - re-habbed, expanded - bookstore in Old Orchard Mall - not having a coffee shop - in their newly remodeled place."

      "We all miss having a coffee and cake there - as you remember - but - 'allegedly' - other mall venues which sell coffee and bakeries - objected to the prospective 'walk ins' - staying too long in the bookstore after they have filled up on the bookstore's - coffee."

       "All that sounds like a 'horse manure' - argument - reason - not to have a coffee shop in a large bookstore - and - b.t.w. - the coffee shop - inside the bookstore in the smaller mall - sort of Old Orchard looking - here - in our smaller, hilly city - is doing tremendous business - in terms of money and goodwill."

      "The bookstore - the one newly remodeled and expanded - the one in the Old Orchard Mall - is - probably - happy that the prospective buyers will not meander - too long on the premises. They want them to make the purchase, look around a bit and go on their happy way." 

                        *       *      *

      "Hey - Maggie - I was listening to the talk radio in the smaller talk radio outlet and the radio host - who - usually - hates on Israel - said that they will have several extra-long radio shifts coming up very shortly,"

      "I heard it too - every year - around the 1st of January - for the last several years - the aforementioned host - during his radio shifts -hates on - just about everything he can - but normally - he hates on Israel - his favorite anti-Semitic target - which includes - the Jews. They have the transcripts - they can listen."

      "In any case - his radio shifts - usually - attract all sorts of haters - crawling out of their 'holes' - to spew their 'anti-Semitic venom' - half truths - of - always - the same sort - but the haters also vent other resentments - galore - during his radio shifts,"

      "That just makes one's - skin crawl - no doubt."

      "It's a good thing that they don't encourage those sorts of things - around here."

      "Hey - Maggie - really quick - they have been making a huge 'hoopla' about the recently deceased - at the age of 100 - ex-president Carter's - legacy - being a big, great 'Alpha and Omega' of perfection - but - in the meantime - 'The New Republic' magazine just published the incisive summation of his presidency and post-presidency - as a 'big compilation of his anti-Semitic activities - in addition - to making many moves and directives pointing to his ignorance of important domestic and foreign - problems - thus his obvious failure of solving those while he had his - a semi-failed, single term - presidential term in the U.S.' - according to the aforementioned - article."

      "For sure but - listen - that 'hyena laughter' - Leftist veering host - continues with their boring, propagandistic radio shifts which get on many listeners nerves - galore,"

     "I know - their radio shifts are - 'never ending' - boring - but Jeanne was telling me that when their part-time Leftist host - was sick - nobody - missed him at the station as well as many listeners - didn't miss him at all."

     "I know - you are talking about the one hating on the air on various factions of listeners - who - subsequently - got fired by the board?"

     "The same one - however - while he was sick and then - fired - several of his 'adherents' - who liked for him to 'hate on the airways' - were trying to 'hoodwink' the smart 'crowd' to say negative things about the hater - but the clever ones know how to assume a 'poker face' and say something totally - non-committal - like 'It's a shame he got sick then fired - after that'".

      For the next segment of this exciting story - please - click here - every Monday - Wednesday and Friday of each week!