When Thatch stretches out, he’s like six feet long … Uncle Tom doesn’t need an alarm or doorbell with Thatch around. A bomb could go off next to him, and he wouldn’t bat an eye. He sleeps like a rock throughout the fireworks, but if a butterfly flits by a couple of blocks away, he’s all ears.
Category: English
Don Steffano – Confessions Of A Romanian Chatterbox
Dana Point (2020)
My Baloo was absolutely stoked with the grassy yard, thick and green, with shade and folks to bark at and let them know that Baloo Of Arizona had arrived … surrounded by a high fence where we’d hang out in the evening and let the dogs play until they fully exhausted themselves …
The Twenty-Ninth Anniversary
As the Americans would put it, it was all about beach hopping! This meant cruising from one beach to another, from city to city, non-stop, for three whole days, just the way My Lady loves it. We set off at the crack of dawn and rolled in at night, making every minute count.
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Hulubești
My Family’s Resting Place I left the post about Hulubești for last because it was the hardest one for me to write. The most important reason I came to Romania was to bring the temporary cross number one to Hulubești, which was on Cosmin’s grave here in Arizona. I was a man on a mission.…… Continue reading The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Hulubești
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Bucharest
I was coming from Cișmigiu Gardens and taking the bus to Obor. …I was very tired. I spent my high school years exploring the Gardens’ alleys and riding the boats. Now, I was aimlessly roaming the same alleys, trying to find some of the old times’ charm. I had left through the back of the park, through Sărindar Street, passing by Capșa Restaurant, The Army Performing Arts Center, and the University of Bucharest. … at Michael’s Tail, I managed to get on the bus.
Sheep’s Ass Cheese
We were getting ready to leave for our Danube Delta adventure and I volunteered to do some shopping at the Obor Market. I was feeling super guilty that two whole days had passed (since I landed in Romania) and I still hadn’t checked out the Market. “Yo, Fane,” says Mișu, “buy vegetables and some sheep’s…… Continue reading Sheep’s Ass Cheese
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Brașov
Why the trip to Brașov? I had some personal stuff to do: you don’t do tourism for half a day. Florentina, my friend, who happens to be a girl, took time off from work to come with me, to be sure that I don’t do too many stupid things, as I was on my second…… Continue reading The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Brașov
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Germany
Aachen The trip to Germany was all about family. I hadn’t seen my loved ones in ages, so it was about time! It’s crazy how, even if we don’t see each other for years, it’s like we just picked up where we left off, like we said goodbye yesterday. No judgement, just good vibes. With…… Continue reading The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Germany
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Danube Delta
Two Men in a Boat During the War Back in 2017, I was basically dragged to Misu’s place, but in 2023, it was totally different. It was like a partnership. We planned everything together in advance, we bought things together, and we prepared the boat together (actually, Misu did the prep while I mostly admired his expertise).…… Continue reading The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Danube Delta
Fourth of July Trip – West Point
I explained to my little guy how the fish don’t bite right away, you have to be patient and try several times. After a few minutes, I heard him next to me saying, “Hey, fishy-fishy; hey, fishy-fishy-fishy!”
Two Men In A Boat (The Sponge and The Mechanic)
August 2017 – September 2023 Preliminaries Short time after I finished with my Father’s memorial services, and I was settling into my new life as an orphan, Mr. Mișu (a Danube Delta aficionado) called me and threw me a curve, inviting me in a Once In A Lifetime Trip, and offered to pick me up…… Continue reading Two Men In A Boat (The Sponge and The Mechanic)
Covid – Episode 3
This post will be updated daily, until I either get well, or I end up in the hospital.And, as the musical titan Roger Waters once said:”Goodbye, cruel world, I’m leaving you today / Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.”So… better not. August 11, 2023 I’ve got Covid. Third time.The first was in January 2021.The second was so mild…… Continue reading Covid – Episode 3
The naked truth about long-forgotten times
Note: Versiunea in Romaneste este aiciDisclaimer: kind of NSFW IntroductionThe Nude BeachesVama VecheThe New Vama VecheThe Last Day of FreedomAcross the Pond – Atlantic City Introduction I hadn’t even finished my masterpiece on clotheslines, ropes, and strings when I realized that I had forgotten many places I had been to when I was a young…… Continue reading The naked truth about long-forgotten times
The Clothesline
Initially, I wanted to get my doctorate in clothesline studies – something like “Clothesline – an integral part of Romanian history”. … I realized that line-drying has been done since ancient times, in the countryside and in the city, in all cultures, all countries, by people from all walks of life.
The Long Hair Diet (LHD)
Some of the greatest inventions of the last century were born either in a garage or scribbled on a napkin in a restaurant. Sometime during the month of July 2023, I watched a good friend of mine eating a huge sandwich at a restaurant. The lady is very fit even though she is eating five…… Continue reading The Long Hair Diet (LHD)
Me, The Veteran
A while ago I spoke with a friend of mine about senior discounts at grocery stores. The same discount is also available for veterans, at least at one of the stores I frequently go to. Every Tuesday, seniors and veterans get a 10% discount. I was doing my shopping this past Tuesday and, while checking…… Continue reading Me, The Veteran
Baloo’s Wild Morning
This morning the Aussie part of my giant dog started acting up as soon as I let him out at 5:30 am. Usually the Pyr and the Newf are the dominant breeds, but once in a while he gets the zoomies. Like today. He started running like crazy from one side of the backyard to…… Continue reading Baloo’s Wild Morning
THE Monument
UPDATE : at the end of this post are the pictures of the monument, installed. …. After Irina’s at least three-month of relentless research, emails from New Zealand to Canada, via Italy and Los Angeles, three nervous breakdowns, two days off from work (me), and a river of tears, we finally decided on the design,…… Continue reading THE Monument
Three Generations Go To Spain – in 2009
Stefan’s Dilemma Where should we go on vacation this year? In Romania, obviously, to see Mon Pere, but for how long can you stay in Romania without getting bored out of your mind? How much can you and your friends drink without damaging one’s liver? (Well, we still research this one). After traveling ten thousand…… Continue reading Three Generations Go To Spain – in 2009
May 21st, 2023
Because FOMO is a real thing, Popescus’ lady of the house quickly jumped into the spinners bandwagon and, for 2 weeks she researched wind spinners. We almost got one from Amazon (sold out in the nick of time), then another one also from Amazon (too big), before deciding in 2 identical from Hobby Lobby, small and delicate, just like him.
Nea Fane - Un Biet Român Pripășit în America / A Hapless Romanian Stuck in The US 