My Great Grandmother’s Parrot

It’s rare to hear a story

That you haven’t heard before,

Especially when memories

Seem locked behind a door.

But yesterday I heard about

A parrot who could talk

And when my dad came home from school,

It would begin to squawk,

“Georgie’s home!” repeatedly.

My aunt, who told the tale,

Said that’s the only name it yelled,

Each school day, without fail.

I don’t recall my father

Ever mentioning this bird.

Perhaps it was a memory 

That somehow got deferred.

Yet as my aunt recalled this,

She laughed hard and so did we,

The image of a boyhood George

As clear as it could be.

Watching Groucho

The heat is overwhelming here,

So we’ve been trapped inside,

Except for walking to the car,

Where cool air does preside.

With time to kill, my husband found

Old movies on TV,

Some Groucho films without his sibs,

Not known to him or me.

We still found him hilarious,

A genius at his craft.

I’d be suspicious of a soul

Who watched and never laughed.

The film that followed had the other

Brothers, which just means 

More chances to crack up

In many other crazy scenes.

Though people go to Florida 

To loll around a beach,

I’m glad, when weather’s Venus-like,

These films are in our reach.

Ninety-Eight

Today my aunt turns 98

And for her age, she’s doing great,

So we came down to celebrate,

The least that we can do.

We schmoozed a little yesterday 

With snacks we picked up on the way 

And brought an ice cream treat today

(Since I had craved one, too).

Then on to mah jongg in a place

Where seniors gather, face to face,

To play a game they all embrace

(The rules of which I knew).

Two hours flew by and then back where

Three huge bouquets were waiting there,

Plus cards and phone calls, all to share

Her birthday, right on cue.

Tonight, there’ll be a dinner out;

That’s what a birthday’s all about,

And at that age, there is no doubt

Best wishes sure are due.

An Acrostic on a Plane

We’re strapped in seats and to our left,

A dad, a mom, 3 tots;

And how much noise did they produce?

You know the answer - lots!

Before we taxi, it’s announced

There’ll be a slight delay.

Mechanics have to come on board,

And so begins our day.

They check us out; we’re good to go,

But traffic in the air 

Means there will be some extra time 

To take off. Don’t despair!

The whole time this is going on,

With pencil in my hand,

I’m working on a Times acrostic,

Just as I had planned.

It really is a tough one;

I’m oblivious to time.

The minutes tick away until 

We’ve left the ground and I’m 

Just finishing the puzzle.

I’m a genius! But what’s best

Is by doing the acrostic,

I was shockingly unstressed.

Breakfast Out

I rarely eat my breakfast out

But, as a special treat,

We took our guests to Effy’s,*

Hoping that we’d get a seat.

 

It’s half a block from where we live

And breakfast gets a crowd.

We took a chance, though, and lucked out.

(Reserving’s not allowed.)

 

Surprisingly, the outdoor spots

Were filled, despite the heat,

But in the room inside, we found

A cool and calm retreat.

 

A varied menu let us choose

From middle eastern meals

To pancakes, wraps and sandwiches,

All with their own appeals.

 

We ate, we drank, we chatted

In a pleasant atmosphere,

The buzz of fellow diners

Adding to the Sunday cheer.

 

A break from a routine

Can often bring about a smile

And a state of satisfaction,

Even if once in a while.

 

*Effy’s Café on the upper east side of Manhattan

On a Birthday

It’s nice on a birthday

To hear from your friends

And celebrate where

A warm feeling transcends

 

All the stress you might feel

On an average day.

Just a few special people

Can make it that way.

 

A meal that you share

With a candle and cake

And a car ride with singing –

That joy you can’t fake.

 

The space to spread out,

Watch a movie, relax

In a place where the elements

Cease their attacks.

 

Though this birthday’s not mine,

So far I can thank heaven

It’s going so well –

And the reason? Six seven!

Snack Food

Whatever people eat for snacks, 

At home, when they can just relax,

Depends on what their diet lacks

Or what they love to taste.

The salty types, like nuts or chips,

Or pretzels, maybe paired with dips, 

Will often find their way to lips 

Which end up greasy-laced.

While candies, chocolatey and sweet

Or gummies, quite a different treat,

Might help a craving feel complete 

And will not go to waste.

Of course, some snacks are healthy kinds,

Like fruits with pits or citrus rinds,

Or veggies, to convince our minds

Good habits we have chased.

It’s personal what you prefer 

And, though my choices may concur

With what you have a craving fer,

My hopes might be misplaced.

For I would rather choke down soil 

Than eat the seaweed made with oil,

With sea salt so it will not spoil,

My grandkids have embraced.