This is a month full of birthdays and anniversaries of family and friends, plus a couple of famous people too. Another birthday for me and a BIG anniversary for Russ and I.
For many years our running joke has been if either of us win the lotto then it’s 50/50 and out the door. Well, we are both still here. I think we have given up on the possibility of having great wealth, and who wants millions to manage anyway.
Russ and I spend our spare time working on the house (yes, still) and loving our granddaughter. Although I am absolutely exhausted after spending an entire day with a 3-year-old, there isn’t anything else I would rather do.
Truly there is no greater love than a grandparents love for their grandchildren. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that she adores her Honey and Poppa, as she affectionately calls us.
Last week along with some friends and family I celebrated the birthday of the man I thought I was going to marry. At the age of 7 I had it all figured out. I would marry Elvis Presley and live happily ever after. I didn’t see any obstacles until that Priscilla person came into the picture and messed with my “happily ever after.”
My introduction to Elvis and his charm began when his movie “Blue Hawaii” premiered. It was 1961 and I was a kindergartner. He was my first crush and I thought he was beautiful. From that moment on I would watched every movie he made. Most weeknights during the 1960’s an Elvis movie would be featured as a “movie of the week.” The only problem was they began at 9 and ended at 11 which was one hour past my bedtime, and my older brother made sure I didn’t stay up one minute past 10.
My only hope was if I could catch an older Elvis movie on a weekend, or maybe a marathon and never have leave our 19-inch black-and white. During those early years a new movie premiered regularly so I was content for some time.
But the happiness came to a halt at the age of twelve when I found out the Priscilla woman was now going to have a baby.
During the following couple of years is when I realized the man I thought I was going to marry must be serious with this Priscilla woman because he did seem happy in all the pictures of various magazines and covers of TV Guide.
As silly as it looks today, those childhood memories are happy ones and I still enjoy an old Elvis movie occasionally. So during the month of January I get my Elvis “fix” on Friday nights at Azteca Mexican Restaurant and Crooners Lounge on Garden Groves historic Main street. We know the king still lives as soon as we enter.
Outside during the car show on Friday nights, special performers give their best Elvis impressions with the outfits, hair, and a little hip action during their rendition of “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” or “Love Me Tender.”
On what would be Elvis’ 75th birthday my once a- hunk-a-hunk-a burning love may be gone but certainly not forgotten for me and the large crowd that surrounds the stage in front of Azteca.
Although his premature death at the age of 42 left many distraught, The King Lives! even if it’s just a few evenings each year. That’s alright with me.
