Now where was I... That's right ... To mother's house we go...
Hello everyone. I’ve been on vacation for a week and yes, I have neglected my blog. I was visiting a good friend of mine in Sacramento who had to undergo neck surgery after falling off a horse. She was so lucky. She was wearing a helmet, and fell in such a way that her back and neck were damaged, but not to the point of no return. She has to have a year of physical therapy and wear a neck brace most of the time, but she will be okay. Thank God.
Now, when last I blogged, I was telling you about my trip to visit Mom, when I had to stop because of a pesky thing called a newscast. Let me pick up the tale.
So I get to my mother’s house in Northwest Washington. It’s a lovely little Tudor with a nice lawn, two dogwood trees and big azalea bushes lining the front. The nicest house we ever lived in, as my Dad starting making a bit more money. Lots of mature trees lining the street, close to a Safeway, post office, bank, cute coffee shop where you can buy éclairs and cupcakes, all the things you need to have within walking distance as you grow older. It’s a great neighborhood for my mom.
But some things have changed. The dogwood near the front door got hit by lightning one summer day years ago, and that’s gone. And there are big empty spaces along the once- glorious row of azaleas where thieves have ripped out and carted away entire bushes, so the azaleas now have a kind of gap- toothed look. And there’s a gigantic satellite dish on the front lawn. I mean gigantic. This is something new ever since Mom decided she wanted to watch only Chinese programs 24/7.
“I can’t get YOU on my set, so what’s the point?! I like my Chinese soap operas!”
So I manhandle that ridiculously heavy suitcase to the front door. (see previous blog). I knock and Mom answers. And says what she says EVERY time I visit. ” Oh, you come so late! You couldn’t get here earlier??!! Almost time for you to go back!”
“Ma, I took the earliest train and I’m staying for 3 days.”
Over the fireplace mantle are displayed two of my Emmys. One of which my mother found a good use for one dark and stormy night. My mother, who lives alone, hears something in her living room. She calls her neighbor Helen, a saint if there ever was one, to come over. It’s 4 in the morning, but Helen rushes over in her bathrobe. And did I mention that Helen is also in her ‘80’s?
“The front door’s open! “ my mom calls out when she hears Helen knock.
And this is what Helen sees, as she enters…a very large raccoon running around the house, being chased by my tiny mother in her pajamas, yelling and wielding ….what? an Emmy! The raccoon somehow fell down the chimney and tumbled into Ma Tong’s living room. Not good for the raccoon.
Now, let me assure you my mother was not trying to hit the poor animal, just trying to scare it out the front door. And between these two little old ladies, they manage to do just that. Oh, and of course, wake up half the neighborhood. I’m sure there was grumbling, but her neighbors are so used to the drama that is my mother’s life, that most of them just go….oh, it’s Mrs. Tong again, and once they find out it’s nothing serious, go back to sleep.
If I haven't put you to sleep yet, here's a Friday recipe!
CHICKEN IN A BRICK (another of my friend Burt Wolf's)
Take one chicken, cut it in half, remove the backbone and press down flat on a plate.
Rub both sides with a little garlic.
Squeeze the joice of half a lemon on the inside surface, plus a little salt and pepper.
Let the chicken marinate for one hour.
Put a little olive oil in a saute pan.
Add the chicken, skin side down, put something heavy on top to press it down flat. If you don't have a brick handy (and for goodness sakes, why don't you?!), then a plate and a heavy food can works.
Cook over a medium flame for about 30 minutes till crisp. Turn the chicken over mid way through!
Mangia, mangia!
Comments: 28
Great to have you back, Kaity!
Sorry to hear about your friends accident, but glad to know that she will recover fully.
Your Mom & her neighbor sound really feisty! That raccoon sounds like it doesn't stand a chance! That has to be the most original use of an Emmy Award, EVER! I'm guessing you had a fun visit!
,... Again, "WELCOME BACK!"
So happy to have you back--and glad your friend is going to be OK. Your Mother always provides a good story--you could write many a blog with Ma Tong :)
Welcome back,Kaity!
You're a good friend to fly over to
see your friend; that's lucky she
wasn't hurt permanently.
You were missed; glad to have you back.
Is there an Emmy for blogs?
You should get one!
Steve
First of all, I wish a speedy recovery for your friend. She's lucky to have such a caring friend like you to fly across the country to visit her.
Why would anyone steal a bush??
Your story of your mother is soooo funny. She is lucky to have a friend whom she can count on at 4a.m.
Somehow your story is so familiar - reminds me of my grandma. I guess we all have moments such as these, although we all don't have well deserved Emmys with which to chase raccoons.
Thanks for the new post Kaity. I find you very delightful. I especially liked your Italian ending! You are a breath of fresh air! Also I like those recipes. Keep them coming! lol
Just had to add this. My late mom was a real "character". She pulled many "stunts" during her life, but here's a good one. She was in Europe with my aunt and she bought a toy guy for her grandson, my nephew. She thought she would get thru customs with this. She got pulled off a line and almost missed her flight. Another thing she did on a radical basis was protect her parking spot in the street. No one would dare park in HER SPACE, as she called it, AND, if they did, there would be notes on everyone's car up and down the block. There are more incidents, too many to mention here, but it sounds like your mom and mine came out of the same mold!
for Lee,
boarding a plane with a "toy guy" for one's
grandson is a real first!
thanks for the story.
steve
I meant a toy gun, maybe you understood that. Thanks for responding.
Here's another funny one. When my mom was very ill and had tubes running everywhere on her body, my sister-in-law came to see her. My sister-in law says to my mother, "Ma, I am not a good housekeeper, I am not a good mother, but I am a good wife for your son. My mother starts thrashing around in her hospital bed and motions for paper. She proceeded to write slowly but the words came out - to my sister-in-law she writes - YOU ARE A SLOB. We all start cracking up, because she was so funny. She also insisted that my brother married this woman, because she and my mother had the same hands. What I say is true - you can't make this stuff up.
Dear Kaity,
Welcome Back Sweetheart! Now I can know what is going on in the world. You are the only newcaster that can be trusted the tell the whole story. Also,
very sexy dressing this week.
Glad you are back.
Hi Kaity,
I saw you on the news and you looked very nice in your outfits. Just wondering where you shop.
Also, do you have any good Chinese recipes? What kind of spices would you use? Any input would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Lee
Kaity, have you ever thought about writing a book? You have a knack for writing. Just reading your blogs (the ones with stories), you have the reader intrigued and wanting more.
Not sure if I like the new set design (it is new, isn't it? he asked sheepishly)but it is great having you back on it ;-D Great post, and Welcome back!
you look gorgeous tonight love your hair. best wishes
Hey! It is a new set! Thanks for just mentioning it right now -I can now safely cancel my hastily scheduled eye exam! :-D
It's not a new set, it's temporary until the new one is built.
Hi Katie:You had a news report about a teenager crying blood who did not know what the condition was. Please ak the parents to look into " Haemolacria. There is a case report on it if you google " bloody Tears"
Hi Katie:You had a news report about a teenager crying blood who did not know what the condition was. Please ak the parents to look into " Haemolacria. There is a case report on it if you google " bloody Tears"
Hi Katie:You had a news report about a teenager crying blood who did not know what the condition was. Please ak the parents to look into " Haemolacria. There is a case report on it if you google " bloody Tears"
"Oh, you come so late! You couldn’t get here earlier??!! Almost time for you to go back!”" Same thing my grandma would say when I used to visit her.
Welcome back Kaity,
I noticed last night (Sept 1) that you had your hair parted in the middle or close to it. Going back to your WABC days, I don't think I've ever seen you withour your left side part. I like the change up. Keep it fresh.
Welcome back Kaity,
I noticed last night (Sept 1) that you had your hair parted in the middle or close to it. Going back to your WABC days, I don't think I've ever seen you withour your left side part. I like the change up. Keep it fresh.
Kaity,
Your hair always looks so nice. How on earth do you get it to shine, without it becoming oily. I have oily hair, so I have to find products that will keep it dry and keep washing it and washing it.
Keep up the good work. I find you very professional. You are like a breath of fresh air on TV. You get the job done without any nonsense.
What do you think about Eliott Spitzer getting back into politics. You don't really want to hear what I have to say about this. Grrrrr
OMG, for the longest time I thought you were married to Maury Povich. I don't know why I got you and Connie Chung confused. Sorry.
they just showed a video of a lady in the bathroom then a cat jumped on her head what the HELLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! howis that news?
Ni hao. Why Ma Tong no give racoon karate chop? And why you no give round-eyed-devil Jim karate chop? Make Chairman Mao proud.
Hey Kaity,
What part of Northwest Washington? How long was the train ride? My mother lives in Washington State as well.
I love PIX News at 10 with you and Jim. You guys were a class topic and majority of us agree you guys are the best newscasters on delivery and professionalism.
Keep up the good work!