Mad About Mad Men

The swell AMC series, Mad Men, has me hooked. This recent Itunes download has me addicted to the drama set on Madison Ave. in early 1960s Manhattan. It was a time before women’s lib, civil rights and political correctness in the the work place…or anywhere for that matter. But I’m in love with the fedora-wearing, womanizing, scotch-drinking, Lucky-Strike-smoking advertising execs of Mad Men. Hot, clean-shaven and kinda mean…these guys are great. Lead man Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm  is suave, mysterious and strong. Ambitious junior account exec,  Pete Campbell played by Vincent Kartheiser is a fabulously bratty, entitled, sexual harasser.

As for the women of the show…they are glamorous sex kittens who love red lipstick, fur coats and their men. I love watching the show just to see what they are wearing. Secretary Joan Holloway played by Christina Hendricks drips with 60s style in short, tight dresses. Meanwhile, Don’s wife Betty lounges at home in great night gowns and gets dolled up in shimmering cocktail dresses for dinner out on the town with her man.

Catch Mad Men and all its greatness on Sundays at 9 pm Central on AMC.

If you love the show or just love to read and soak up behind-the-scenes type stuff then check out this great article and slide show on the New York Times. The article is fairly long but in it you find out that the actors are safely puffing away on non-tobacco Herbal Ecstacy cigarettes and that the creator of the show chose advertising as a subject because, “it’s a great way to talk about the image we have of ourselves, versus who we really are. And admen were the rock stars of that era, creative, cocky, anti-authority. They made a lot of money, and they lived hard.”

 

G-town Surprises, 3-legged cats, Drive-Ins and More…My Summer Stay-cation

I thought I would catch everyone up on my recent travels. Ok, it’s no European vacation and there were no fancy hotels involved this time. Instead it’s a little thing that has become increasingly popular….a stay-cation. With gas prices skyrocketing…people are reigning in their summer travel plans. This summer the hubby and I have take two quick trips to see our folks on either end of the state of Texas……so here you go my summer stay-cation in all of its weird, quirky glory.

So Galveston, Texas is not always on every tourist’s top places to visit…but I often find myself there (in laws) and my husband and I actually lived there for a spell. Every time I go there are a few places that I love and for just a moment … I think, “wow, I wouldn’t mind living here again.” But eventually the charm of the cute Victorian houses and muddy Gulf of Mexico water wears off and I’m ready to cross back over the Causeway and return home to the normal world.

But if you ever find yourself in Galveston and you don’t feel like taking your chances swimming in the Gulf or you get sick of fried shrimp and snow cones try these places out.

The Mosquito Cafe is truly one of my favorite places to eat…anywhere. The cute cafe serves up some of the best food breakfast, lunch and diner. So we made it to Mosquito for breakfast and noshed on some crustless quiche and Eggs Benedict…Galveston style covered with Portabello Mushrooms, Sautéed Shrimp, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Artichoke hearts, Fresh Asparagus and Serrano Hollandaise Sauce…yum!

Hendley Market on The Strand also is one of my favorite places to shop and browse. They have lots of fun toys and knick knacks, cute imports and antiques. It’s the only place where you can find a plastic toy pig that squeaks, pirate eye patches, vintage ribbon by the yard and imported nativity scenes.

Another cool place to check out is Nautical Antiques and Decor. This funky shop is filled with ship wheels, nautical flags, mermaid figureheads and brass compasses. This place is no means like the cutesy shops down on The Strand….it’s kinda cluttered and not even air conditioned…but it’s really fun to look around at all the ship stuff.

 

Ok, on to West Texas! You see, that’s where I grew up and where my parents still live. It’s a pretty remote, flat, dry and dusty place. But when we go and visit we try to make the most out of it.

The latest attraction at my parent’s farm is Peanut the wondrous 3-legged cat. She’s my folk’s beloved old house kitty who is about 12 years old. I named her Peanut back in high school because I thought she was the color of peanut butter (ok, not so creative, but hey, it stuck). Well, good ‘ol Peanut is having a few health problems in her old age and she recently had a huge tumor on her foot. The small town vet said the only way to help her and prevent the cancer from spreading was to amputate kitty’s entire front leg! So now Peanut hops around the house on three legs. She seems somewhat happy…she even played with me a little with her favorite toy….a string. Her new nickname is Threenut. 

 

Another way to pass the time out in rural West Texas is a trip to the Sky-Vue Drive In, which is located in the town of my birth, Lamesa, Texas! I spent many a night there as a teenager and hadn’t been back in several years. It was rather refreshing to see that the place hadn’t changed (Oh, and we got to see the new Batman movie).

 

Sky-Vue was actually built back in the 50s and little has changed even since then. There is still the original, questionably safe playground equipment up front (see photo of me on the slide).

And the snack bar which serves their legendary Chihuahuas. The greasy goodness is a sort of sandwich made with taco meat, shredded cabbage and pimiento cheese all smashed together between two tostada shells. It was a great night. The hubby and I tossed a Frisbee around before the show started and got to watch The Dark Knight beneath the Milky Way sky in West Texas….awesome.