Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ronnieisms

The other day I was sitting at the computer and I wrote about an incident that had occured during my childhood when my folks had a grocery store on Division St. (so well described in my sister's book THE DIVISION STREET PRINCESS by Elaine Soloway) . See below! One Memorable Morning It was about 5am, I was ten years old and as I did almost every Morning, I slowly crawled from my bed rubbing my still sleepy eyes. I tried to be as quiet as I could but I knew that my Mom would already be awake and in the kitchen. It was my daily routine to go downstairs to our grocery store on the street level below our one bedroom apartment and let in the milk man and the bread man who normally arrived about the same time every weekday morning around 5:30. After they made their deliveries I would go back upstairs, have breakfast and get ready for school. This morning, something was wrong, I didn’t know what it was but as I looked around the store looked like something or someone had did some damage. Merchandise was all over the floor, our cash register drawer was laying on the counter, cigarette packs were scattered, and everything was a mess. I became scared immediately because I thought whoever had done this might still be there. I ran out the door yelling hoping that my Dad would hear me but he was in the tub and didn’t hear me until I ran into the apartment. “Dad, come quick, someone broke into the store.” He threw some clothes on, and his apron, which it seems he always wore, and we ran back down to the store. By that time both of the delivery drivers were in the store and hollering, “Irv, you’ve been robbed.” My Dad ran to the phone to call the police and report the burglary. While waiting for them to arrive we continued checking the damage and tried to see what damage had been done and what was taken. We got to the back room that was also a kitchen and saw that the back door was ripped from it’s hinges. My Dad’s cast iron 500 pound safe was gone and as he looked through the back door he also noticed his Buick Roadmaster was also gone. A few minutes later my Mom and sister came in shaking their head not believing the scene in front of them. The police soon arrived with sirens blaring and I’m sure waking everbody in the building and neighborhood. Two uniformed cops that we knew quite well came rushing in asking if everyone was OK. Some of our awakened neighbors also started into the store but were immediately stopped and asked to please stay outside. A couple more plain clothes detectives soon arrived and started asking questions and looking around. Since I was the first one in the store that morning, most of the questions were answered by me. Mom and Dad were walking around the store trying to find what ever else might have been taken. My Mom always left a one dollar bill in the register and even that was taken. The checks that were underneath the cash drawer were still there evidently useless to the thieves. I asked Mom many times why she always left that dollar bill in the register. Her patent answer was always the same, “If someone robs us they shouldn’t leave empty handed. Luckily the cash was always taken upstairs every night when they closed the store. About fifteen minutes later another officer comes running into the store shouting “we found the car down the alley and the safe is still in the back seat, unopened.” How they got that safe into the back seat of the Buick remained an unanswered mystery. It seemed the old Buick never made it to the end of the alley. I don’t know why, except maybe, just maybe, it didn’t like the person who was driving. When the car was towed to our backyard after the police had checked for fingerprints we had to hire some people to remove the safe from the backseat, I should say, where the back seat was supposed to be. I guess they needed the extra room for the safe. Since there was no cash taken except for the dollar bill and possibly a few cartons of smokes the only claim to the insurance company was for the damage done in the kitchen and the cost of cleanup. My dad said later that day that he should have claimed a larger loss and as usual my Mom said “Sure, that’s all we need, they would find out you’re lying and throw You in jail.”

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Ronnieisms

Well # 103 went out yester-day. Just finished a webinar with my publisher that was very informative and will be put into practice sooner than later. My wife and I are very lucky. We have a group of old friends that we hang with. We go to movies, dinner together at least once a week and sometimes more. We take vacations together, enjoy Chiefs Football together and have something going on all the time. Our group started about 20 years ago with 2 couples and has grown to more than 10 couples and a few singles who have lost their spouses. Our kids are always asking us, "Don't you ever stay home?" It's getting harder for some of our friends but they keep on trucking, just like the bunny. As you get older you appreciate your friends even more because you can always count on them to be there when they're needed. I wish that more people would enjoy their friends as we do. The glasses are for a 3d commercial during super bowl. Don't we look great?

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Ronnieisms

Well we did it. Sold my 101st book yesterday. Not too bad for a 1st time try at writing. I've got three more speaking (hopefully selling) engagements set up in the next few months, looking for more. Four of my grandkids spent the night with us helping (not so much) Grandma make Kreplach for the holidays. One of them asked after looking at the book's cover, "who is that?" "That's your Grandpa 30 years ago." In concert, they all said, "Oh!" , nothing more, what can you expect from kids.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Ronnieisms

Today at a luncheon I ran into one of the ladies mentioned in the book. She had not read it as yet so she purchased a signed copy and I asked her to write and let me know what she thought about how she was mentioned. Two others at the luncheon, both women, came up to me and said "You sure lead an interesting life." Maybe not in those exact words but to that effect. I asked them what they thought of it and without batting an eye they both said they enjoyed it. They were not together and both seemed to be telling the truth. I asked them both to tell others so they might also purchase a copy. As I was leaving a young man from one of my breakfast clubs told me that he had purchased one from Border's Books. I'm still looking for places to talk about the book, so if any of my bloggers can suggest a place, I'd appreciate it.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Ronnieisms

I had a very funny, I thought, and head swelling experience this week during a nuclear stress test. After being wired up, I stepped onto the treadmill and when it started the nurse yelled "Stop, I have the wrong person. I'm supposed to be testing a 74 year old man." "What's your name", she asked, "Shapiro" I replied. "You're kidding" she says. "You don't look anywhere near 74." I told her that she had made my day.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ronnieisms

Contacted old friend that has been listening to my story for many years and kept telling me to get it done. When I showed him the finished book he had that great smile of being part of helping me in getting Making Happy published. I hope he enjoys reading it even tho he's heard some of the story before. Enjoy Bob!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Ronnieisms

Just received another positive on Amazon. Also received a virus on Facebook that I hope was caught by all of your anti virus programs. Do not open an attachment from David Shapiro's Facebook. Three more books were mailed out yesterday, slowly approaching my immediate goal of 100.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Ronnieisms

Got 5 positive reviews on Amazon, hope they contiue. I've been told that if you have never purchased from Amazon that you cannot leave a review, bummer. I appreciate your kind thoughts from all who have sent personal e-mails. I now have to get a larger hat size.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Ronnieisms

It was nice going to the mail box today and finding checks for my book. Everyone I mailed has been paid. It seems that the word of mouth is starting to pay off. Got two e-mail orders from complete strangers. It would be nice if a major publisher would pick it up, I could then start my second novel.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Ronnieisms

The total is now 6. That's the number of people in the book that have contacted me with positive remarks on the way they were portrayed without revealing their true identity. I've heard from L.A., Chicago and 3 from KC. No, they're not all women. One of the ladies said that she actually cried while reading and recalling the great time we had together and revealed her true feelings about me which will remain between us.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Ronnieisms

Well, the feedback is male positive and female negative. I can understand the female response but after face to face, those few that I spoke to admit that they really liked it but didn't want to admit it to friends. I've decided that I'll only talk to those that purchased, even if they didn't care for content. I've heard from most of the females that are in the book, under different names naturally, and they all LOVE IT and like the way they were portrayed. As long as people laugh, I'll be happy.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Ronnieisma

Mail out sales are increasing I think because of word of mouth. I have two more scheduled signings coming up, at a book club and a Rotary Club. I had an inquiry from a church group but I suggested that one of their congregants read it before I accept their invitation. I had a working girls group want to know why I hadn't mailed in my membership dues.