Sunday, December 29, 2013

3 interesting connections



Hey Gang,

I was in Jefferson attending their Christmas parade.  I struck up a conversation with a gentleman in the crowd.  He told me of a new local restaurant that isn’t open yet but is having an open house with free coffee and hot chocolate.  So after the parade I went.  I spoke with the owner who is very involved with politic and gave him information on the Constitution Party.    A few days later a man calls wanting to know how to get involved with the Constitution Party.  I asked him where he was from and he said Jefferson.  I asked did you know the owner of the restaurant and did he give you my contact info?  He answered no I went online.  I said that’s perfect I want to meet with the owner of the restaurant in Jefferson so just meet me there.

I opened a booth in the Painesville Antique Co-Op.  Joe my partner and I were working.  He came up to me and said your neighbor is here and just bought something from you.  The weird connection is this - the co-op has over 100 dealers, the booths are unmarked and we are not allowed to stay in our booths, we have to walk around assisting customers.  My neighbor is not too fond of me and of all the booths in the antique store he picked out something from mine.

I called Jeff to tell him about a political rally being held on Feb. 1 in the town of Mt. Vernon, Ohio.  I live about 110 miles from Mt. Vernon and Jeff living in Delphos is about the same distance away from it.  I asked if he could meet me in Mt. Vernon that day.  He said sure, my stepson’s girlfriend lives there we can drive him to see her and then meet with you.  I said your stepson has a girlfriend who lives in Mt. Vernon?  Jeff said yes they met online a few months ago.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas parade links and another long awaited link finished

Hey Gang,
I went to three Christmas lighting ceremonies this year.  The first one was Berlin's Nativity Parade it had nothing to do with Santa or any make believe Christmas fantasy.  The next one was Cleveland Winterfest which had nothing to do with Christmas and the third was Jefferson's Christmas Parade which had Santa and little to do with Jesus's birth.  I had all the bases covered.

Enjoy the links of the parades and..... drum roll please.... another link was completed on the gogobus site.  Check out all three and let me know what you think.


Jefferson's Christmas Parade   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWqEN3HAzHQ

And the latest link  http://www.gogobus.cc/Souvenirs.html


Gotta GoGo,
Carey

Monday, December 2, 2013

Belated Thanksgiving Wishes

This is the Thanksgiving message I sent out to friends, just now found the time to post this on my blog.


Friends,
Life is about people, without family and friends life is lonely and unsure. Even if you do have friends if they are not like minded you can still feel that way.  So I am blessed and thankful that earlier in the year when doors were closing others were quickly opening which led me to my new family, the Constitution Party.

And to my old friends who are still in my life, I never take you for granted. 

I have many things to be thankful for this year but friends are at the top of the list. You are all special. I sincerely mean this.

  Happy Thanksgiving,
  Carey Masci

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Checking in with everyone

Hey Gang,
Checking in with everyone to tell you aliens and the pc police didn't get me, at least not yet.  Some of you are on both of my lists, political and personal so you know whats been happening, for those who are on just one list... 

I went back doing what I use to do, I opened a booth along with Joe at the http://www.craftandantique.com/, hoping to finally liquidate the stuff I have had in storage since the mid 90's when I ran an antique shop.  I need the space, could use a few extra bucks and tired of feeding the mice.  BOY OH BOY did they do damage.  Chewed old clothes, I had some from the 40's still with the tags on them, old mags, books, toys they did real damage..

The other thing I have been spending time on is my cleaning business, making a simple website and a flyer for it.  This is what I have so far.  http://janitorialservicescleveland.com/

And keeping busy being Chairman for Lake County of the Constitution Party of Ohio.  I was just interviewed on an internet radio station.  Its a challenge.

Of course did a few day trips and fun events.  Ruth, Paul and I went to Indian Point the last nice sunny fall day to see leaves, we went all the way out past Medina to hear a lecture on Saturn at some small country park in the middle of no where.  A few trips to Deerfield Circle Antique Mall where I have a shelf set up, Kinuza Dam in Pa. and a really fascinating experience at the historic St. Stephens Church in Cleveland to hear a talk on the stigmata.  It still has me thinking.  Soon I will try to organize an outing to see some of these gorgeous churches.  I better hurry as so many are closing down.

Finally, this Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, in case you couldn't figure it out.... I have a group outing planned to Amish country to see a live nativity parade in Berlin, Ohio and do some shopping.  Anyone care to go email back so I can give details.  Should be a swell time.





    Gotta GoGo!!
       Carey

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Potato Pickin'

  Hey Gang,

  Even though I have been using the internet and sending emails way over 10 years I still get tickled by it and never take it for granted.  I have met countless friends and acquaintances through this modern age boob tube, it’s amazing.  For instance there is Dawn Slike whom I never met in person but we have been going back and forth through emails and blogs since 2008.  We fight and have disagreements like close friends, we send prayer requests and support like family and sometimes we are on the same page politically and other times we slide off the page

  So I like to thank Dawn for the potato picking invite. I bet you didn’t think a potato picking invite could inspire such sentiment, but with me it’s possible.

  As I said I never met Dawn but I did get to meet her Mom all because of potato picking.  Ruth, Dov and I drove all the way out to E. Springfield, Pa. to pick potato’s, get back in the car and drive straight back home.  Was it worth it for 3 bushels of potato’s? Money wise probably not but now I can say I dug up potato’s , it looks good on my resume.  But being serious, the opportunity to drive out to a little town that I have never been to before, doing something different and being out in nature made it worthwhile.  


  How I met Dawns Mom - We were getting everything packed when we heard someone calling a cat.  Ruth thought it was a kid.  I saw that it was Dawns Mom so I said hello over there you don’t know me but I know Dawn can I come over to meet you?  How did I know it was Dawns Mom?   Because I was informed her house was directly across from the potato field, brilliant deduction.

  I had a nice conversation with her.  I asked how is the scrabble battle going are you beating Dawn yet?  I commented on how I loved the look of her house.  She told me it was built in 1850 and more than likely a water station for passengers aboard the train that would pass from Erie to Pittsburg.  She said there are still remnants of the old tracks and features in the house that gives clues that there was a well and a cement basin in the basement.

  From there she gave me directions on how to care for the fresh picked potatos and then we talked about canning and yes she also cans potato’s which I didn’t know you could.  She told me simple instructions on how to do it but don’t tell her, I forgot.

  Her cat Eight Ball finally came in so it was time to go but not before she told me why she named the cat that.  It’s because is all black with a little white spot.  

  That’s all it’s 2 am and my French fry’s are done.  Well you didn’t think I would pick three bushels and not make fry’s - did you?   

                                           Gotta GoGo!!

                                           Carey

Friday, September 13, 2013

flashback to 2006

Hey Gang,
I am almost finished going through ALL my old emails.  Some went back as far as 2004.  I deleted, printed, and some will be used in my book.  Going through them all was a neat flashback.

 We think this summer was wet and cool.  In the summer of 2006 here in Lake County we had 10 inches of rain in 24 hours and it flooded large sections of the area.  I was on my way to Johnson, Pa. home of the great flood while the flooding was taking place here at home.  I made the comment I now know why we call this Lake County.

 Read this other email from 2006.  Global warming, global wetting, nahh the earth goes through cycles.  I am worried more of the global agenda rather than the global climate. 


 
Date: Sunday, September 3, 2006, 3:18 PM
Hey Gang,   
 Its the last official weekend of the summer vacation season, another summer behind us, can you believe it? 
  For me it was one incredible - fun - busy summer, a few disappointments but mostly a lot of smiles and good memories.    I wanted the summer to start off right and boy did it with a trip to the Alleghenies with Allen, Jeff, and Lori and in between it was one adventure after another. 
 
   Mine and Jeff’s Birthday party in my back yard which the neighbors are still probably talking about, the beach outing, 4th of July party at Colby, the drive in event, Kentucky with Nancy & Lori, Jamestown, Pa trip, the Wisconsin trip, the Rock N the RNC at the Rock Hall, won’t mention all of them but these are just a few of the high lights.    
 
The plans for this weekend got off really slow because of the horrible weather, high 50’s and rain so still not sure what is going on or where we may take off to.  There is talk of Geneva on the Lake or maybe a quick run down to W.V. to say hi to Ed, really not sure.   
 
BUT the real reason for this email was to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day, hope your enjoying it and that your summer went equally as well as mine or even better!

Your Friend Always,
Carey
 Gotta Go Go!!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

save the drive in's

Hey Gang the irony here is that this is sponsored by Honda who is trying to save an American icon. 

 
Only 380 left in the U.S.
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey
 
 

Friday, August 30, 2013

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Summer 2013

Hey Gang,
My computer died so that’s why I have been away. The motherboard said goodbye. Gee the computer was only from 2004. I now have a good used one it’s from 2003.

Quickly have to add my book is coming along nicely. It is up to 21,500 words. Had a set back and quite angry with someone. I entrusted a friend with some of my writings. Well she told me she is no longer interested in the project and hopes that I have copies of what I sent her because she doesn’t have then any longer. I could use some colorful language but instead just gritted my teeth and moved on.  Some friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How the summer going for you? Here in NE Ohio it is chilly. I’m glad right before the big cool down I snuck off for a few hours with Ruth and Joe to Mentor Headlands Beach. That was the last day of real hot summer weather. Unfortunately the water had so much dirt floating around I didn’t go in. I am thinking it must have been from all the heavy rains we’ve been having.

Day trippin’! That’s what I have been doing all summer. Gone are the days where I could escape for my 2 to 4 day jaunts and visit people out of state. I miss it. I still haven’t found enough in my wallet to pay for gas. Now traveling no more than 100 to 125 miles from home. Just about every weekend and sometimes during the week Ruth and I have been out and about. My sister Cindi, niece Tiffany, Dov and the folks came along on a few. I am rediscovering places that I either went to as a child or haven’t been to in a few years.

This summer we went to Geneva on the Lake about 4 times, the drive in once, the Mesopotamia Ox Roast, a drive to Oil City, Pa., a trip to Canal Fulton for Canal days but the boat wasn’t running because of the flooding, Beaver Creak State Park, a few picnics at nearby metro, Pymatuning to feed the fish, Jeff’s wedding in Delphos and after that we visited Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Norwalk and Vermillion, 3 times to Newark for political meetings and each time on the return trip home we found interesting places and stores, and recently the Lake County Fair which was disappointing, I know there are probably more. 






We also had a few backyard gatherings, went to James and Margo’s house for a Sunday cookout and attended the Fest in Wickliffe that is a terrific event and one you should make plans for next year. I also went to many car cruise in’s. I put the GoGo Bus away for a few years so it was fun having people see it again, some for the first time. This past weekend we went to the African Safari in Port Clinton. Fun time. That’s the travelin’ report.

Now what about Dad? People ask me all the time, how’s Dad? An almost equal number ask me what happened to Jeff M., how’s he doing? Dad and Jeff are both miracles. Maybe I should also include my long lost friend Gwen from Missouri. She also had some serious health issues a few years ago.

Let’s start with Jeff. Jeff is doing fine and recently got married. The leukemia is in check. Excellent news. Gwen emailed a few months back and said she is fine and doing well. Now about Dad; if you remember in 2011 he was quite sick, so sick family and friends rushed to see him in the hospital. Dad started to recover, asked for spaghetti went home and has been home since. In fact he is constantly asking me to take him on more road trips. We definitely have seen some miracles here and that’s a good way to end this letter.

Enclosed are some photos, one is of Dad in 2011. Check out the difference in his face. Not bad for an 86 year old kid.


Gotta GoGo!!
Carey


Monday, July 15, 2013

flooded and wiped out



Hey Gang,
What a semi washed out two days I had.

Friday I had to drive out to Norwalk to deliver a dresser I sold on Craigs List.  The lady who bought it gave me additional money to bring it to her.

Ruth and my folks came along for the ride.  Dad’s been wanting to get out for sometime so he was anxious and ready to go.

After dropping off the dresser I looked at the map and realized I wasn’t to far from the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue.  Dad took the family to the shrine years ago on one of our many family vacations.  I still remember some of it vividly.  The grottos with all the candles were so impressive as were all the statues.  I also remember the outdoor chapel.

The parents were as excited to see it again as I was.  We arrive and they had yellow tape strung up keeping cars out.  I had to investigate why so parked the car and walked under the tape.  The storm that blew through the past week toppled and destroyed many of the old trees.  The place was a mess and impassable in spots.  The outdoor chapel was left untouched but the shrine itself will be sometime and who knows maybe years to get it back in shape.

We also drove through the city of Bellevue and some business and residences still had no power.  Tree lawns after tree lawn were filled with debris from the storm.  Trees down all over the place.

That was Friday. Saturday I took Ruth out to Canal Fulton for Canal Days.  I wanted to see the Civil War reenactment and also take Ruth on a canal boat ride.  Both of those along with all the amusement rides got cancelled. The reason – flooding.

 Heritage Park where those events were supposed to take place was underwater.  Even the boat ride had to be shut down.  The towpaths that the horses use to tow the boat were submerged. 

Last year draught and not enough water and this year too much – oh well.

Enjoy the links and the photos.









Thursday, July 11, 2013

My fourth went off with a BOOM Crash BANG! - late but its here now

Hey Gang,
How did everyone's 4th go?

I had a nice small gathering with the folks, Jeff and his Mom, Malinda and Dov.  Plenty of conversation and of course food.  Then we headed to Colby Park in Wickliffe. 


I tried to convince Malinda and Jeff to take my car only as its usually bedlam getting into and out of Colby.  But they insisted they drive so we took 3 cars.  Jeff found his own way and got a nice spot to see the fireworks.  Malinda followed me to the Baptist church near the park where I always park.  I was very surprised we found 2 spots left open to park.

Whats a bigger blessing than that?  They had police tape strung up to keep people back a safe distance from the fireworks.  All the good spots were filled, the park was mobbed.  We kept walking and I wish I would of taken a photo to show you.  There in the front row, right in front of where they blow off fireworks was a spot open with no one sitting there.  We threw down our sheet, Malinda set up her chair and we had thee BEST view.  We were blessed.

We were so close we felt the fireworks in our chest.  Amazing.





Pulling out it was madness.  So we kicked back until it thinned enough to ease out.  While waiting someone blew their horn and a bunch of cars joined in including me and Malinda.  It sounded like a rendition of Dueling Banjos car horn style.  What fun!

As we were exiting a couple of policeman zoomed out we thought it was for traffic control it wasn't.

We approached my street and there was the strangest site.  I saw a car parked crooked and facing the wrong way in the middle of my street.  I said jokingly to Dov hey that's your car.  He yelled IT IS!  I zipped into my driveway and we rushed out.  All of us were so confused.  Firetrucks, police cars, everyone out and there's Dovs car. We found out a drunk driver smashed into his car, ran across 4 lawns before wiping out a porch.

How did this man perform this feat is beyond us. How fast was he going and how did he spin Dovs car around?

A mystery for sure.

First 2 are of me n Ruth enjoying the fireworks.  Heres the link to the news story.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/22764392/driver-looses-control-of-car-stops-just-before-hitting-a-house



    Gotta GoGo!!
       Carey
www.gogobus.cc

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Carey’s Treasure Filled Weekend


Hey Gang,
What an interesting weekend of finding treasures.

  Saturday I went to the auction and arrived at my usual time of 10 pm.  This auction starts at 6 and has been known to go into the wee hours of the night.  One time it lasted till 4:30 am.  They stay until all items are gone or people stop buying.

Unfortunately this time I bought only one small box of junk for $1.00 before they said thanks for coming.  But there were a few things of merit in the small pile, scroll saw blades, an old lamp and a few other things.  I think I can make my buck back.

Before leaving I went to take a look at the unsold items and looked in a box of old car parts.  A gentleman came up to me and said I bought the box, took what I wanted and leaving it, you want it take it, the parts are for a 55 Ford.  I asked twice to make sure it was free.  I said I feel like I am steeling it.  He assured me I wasn’t so I loaded up the box.

On the way home I went to Annabelle’s Dinner to see who was left from the cruise in.  John and Tom were still hanging out so I told them about the free box of parts.  We went through it and found an old Ford Wonder Bar radio.  I was informed by Tom it was worth $200 or more.  I searched online and sure enough it’s worth that.

Then on Sunday I was going through box after box of OLD stuff I had pack ratted away from years of collecting and when I ran an antique shop back in the mid 90’s.  The mice did quite a job of chewing and I lost hundreds of dollars.  Old TV guides from the ‘50’s chewed, old books, clothes from the early 1900’s chewed.

In one box I pulled out a 1950’s box camera called the Rocket Camera.  I went to open it and noticed it had film.  I quickly closed it.  So today will be heading to the camera shop to see if they can develop what’s in there.  Anxious to find out.

OH the reason I am cleaning out the garage. 

This coming Thursday through Sunday? will be having a garage sale.  Mom is also clearing out some very nice old items.  It’s not your typical garage sale.  If you’re local come on out.

Pass on the word for me.  If I can will post some photos.

  Gotta GoGo!!
    Carey

Monday, May 20, 2013

Newark Ohio n More

Hey Gang,

As some of you may know I took off to Newark, Ohio for a meeting this past weekend. What kind of meeting? Can’t say much other than it has to do with an upcoming decision that will be announced shortly.

Newark is about a 140 miles from where I live so no way was I going just for a meeting. And let me tell you, it was a very pleasant escape. Ruth came along and kept remarking how beautiful everything was and how wide the land is. We saw so much it was fabulous.

Our meeting was hold at the Cherry Valley Lodge just outside of Newark. During our lunch break I headed to Granville. We had a decent breakfast at the Aladdin restaurant that has been there for years. The place looked it. Driving through we saw a church with a crowd of people out front. Some were dressed in period clothes of the 1800’s. We took a walk and found out they were having a reenactment of the abolitionist movement. The man playing the part of Fredrick Douglas looked eerily like him.





After the meeting we headed right back to Granville to finish our walking tour. The village is beautiful with many historic houses and churches. It is home to Denison College. I took numerous photos of the many churches. The one that really caught my attention was the United Church of Granville. Outside of the church was a man just sitting. I approached him and we had a nice conversation. His name was Ron and the janitor of the church. He said come on I’ll let you look inside. I would sum it up this way, gorgeous and wow. Thanks Ron.

It was time for supper so we bought groceries and headed to Infirmary Mound Park. Supposedly the park at one time was an old age home where the elderly were put and made to work on the farm. HUH? That’s what someone told us.

When supper was done I cruised through Newark looking for a cruise in to park the GoGo Bus, no luck. Then I drove around in circles looking for a donut shop. Are donut shops along with bakeries almost a thing of the past also? Have the big corporate chains even killed this? I did stop at a gas mart and a convenience store to satisfy my craving but at a buck a donut and one that wasn’t fresh just NO WAY! I ended up at Krogers and bought cereal.

I parked the Bus back at the Cherry Valley Lodge and slept in their lot over night. Our wake time was 10:45 and it was off to church. I wanted to go to the United Church of Granville the one Ron showed us around but when I read their brochure it scared me. It read more like a pamphlet for a social political party and one that was FAR LEFT leaning. It says they embrace the LGBT community. Their website even says historic church, progressive people. And my website says no way.

We still hurried up to Granville to find a more suitable church. I parked on the main street and I almost caused a traffic jam. Two cars stopped to look at the Bus right in the middle of the street. One lady even got out of her car to talk to me. Gwyneth was her name. She attends 3 churches, a Baptist, a Quaker and the First Presbyterian, all in the little village. She said the First Presbyterian Church is still holding service to go there. This was the church that held the reenactment of the slavery debate. It is a HUGE church not as ornate but still very historical looking. The observation I made was this…. These churches are very traditional looking, still use and organ, hymnbooks, a choir but they are progressive with one for homosexual rights and this one with two woman pastors.

I was invited to say for coffee and ice cream, which I did. Friendly people. We then took off following the same route we took to get here. It was night and wanted to see in the day what we missed.

Our first stop out side of Newark was a vintage car dealer, Phil Stalling Classic Cars. It looked like a used car dealer from years gone by. His lot and store is filled with vintage iron. Incredible.


Still on the same route we stopped at the Ye Olde Mill – Velvet Ice Cream. The mill is where Velvet Ice Cream is made. They have a pond, nice pavilions to hold picnics, some trails, and of course the ice cream shop and gift store. They even show you how they make ice cream.  Wonderful.




From there we entered the town of Utica. It still has a Ben Franklin.

 Of course I had to stop for memories sake. Nice older store with small town charm. Almost right next door is the Watts Restaurant that has been there for over a hundred years still with the original family. I loved the homey decor. And women down here still wear dresses. Even a few of the waitresses did. Though I do wish the owner wouldn't of talked so loudly about his surgery, it was gross listening to it while we ate.

I recommend the fried chicken, as their menu says fresh chicken slowly simmered, then battered with my grandmother's recipe and deep fried golden brown. Also try their homemade egg noodles made fresh each morning.

Our last two stops were at little Shreve Lake and from there it was onward home stopping briefly in Seville to show Ruth the grave marker of the Bates who were the GIANTS of Seville.

Gotta GoGo
Carey





Wednesday, May 15, 2013

memorial day, corn and pepper picking

Hey Gang,
YES Malinda and I will be holding a Memorial Day picnic.  Place will probably be in the metro parks.  Stay tuned.

Today I went shopping at Save A Lot.  It should be called Save A Little as even groceries in this store are starting to get expensive.  At one time the store in Euclid had a nice meat department.  Over time it has gotten smaller because of the cost of meats.  4 burger patties now a buck a piece at a cheap discount store.

But that's not what I wanted to write about.  I was checking out and the male cashier maybe early 20's mumbled something.  I thought he asked the price of the ears of corn I had.  So I told him 3 for a dollar.  He looked puzzled and then said in a manner a little more understandable what are dese?  Corn.  He still looked lost so he asked another cashier.  The other cashier said just type in 512 it should come up.  Is this what it has come to in America?  A person doesn't even know what corn looks like?

Friends who live close by and who are planning on planting a garden.  In about 10 days I will be going back to a farm right here in Kirkland.  I never noticed it before.  Gee its only been there for 55 years.  I was at other nursery's looking for vegetables to plant.  Most of the places look like their stock comes from some corporate farm and the prices reflect it, expensive.  Some tomato plants are now at $3.50 each.   Well when I stumbled upon this place I lit up and felt so good.  The man had an accent that reminded me of years ago.  Rural and almost sounding southern.  Its getting harder and harder to find the old time farmer up north.  This farm has quite a variety priced right.  I bought 9 tomato plants, 3 pepper plants and one flower for $8.50.

He asked if I liked hot peppers.  I replied yes that's why I got the hot banana peppers.  He replied them ain't hot.  He gave me a paper that listed his hot peppers.  The paper is titled Welcome to NE Ohio's Hottest Garden.  There are almost 200 kinds.  Names like Moruga Red, Scotch Bonnet, Scorpion Trinidad.

Anyone want to join me in about 10 days?  Heading back there to get the rest of my garden. 


Monday, May 13, 2013

Holden Arboretum

Hey Gang a few photos of last weekends outing to Holden Arboretum. Its an excellent place to bird watch and learn about many different plants and trees.  Trails are fairly easy.  Bring a lunch like we did and enjoy a leisurely day.

 
    Gotta GoGo!!
       Carey
 
 




 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

the GoGo Bus loves a parade

Hey Gang,
Just informed that the GoGo Bus took third place in the Maple Festival Parade.  Third time entering the parade and I took third.  How 'bout that.

First went to a '70 Pontiac Judge. Second to a '88 Olds not sure the year. 





Saturday was just PERFECTO WEATHER and we had a little bit of a reunion as Sabra, Margaret and Sharon showed up as the GoGo Girls passing out candy, shooting silly string and blowing bubbles. Sunday well now that was a different story as it was cool with rain.  But all in all both days were great fun.

I love a parade... even if the weather did rain on my parade. 

check out these links for more photos:
http://g-tv.smugmug.com/Events/13-Maple-Festival-Part-One/29188842_rjD49L#!i=2486770155&k=Q77sCJq


http://g-tv.smugmug.com/Events/13-Maple-Festival-Fun-Part-Two/29189787_h2gFz8#!i=2486853873&k=B8sh7tQ

 Gotta GoGo!!
       Carey