elvis

If there is anything that brings me back to my youth, it is Elvis. We learned to dance, jitterbug to his rock and roll, slow dance to his "slow" songs.. My boyfriend even had blue suede shoes.
When Ed Sullivan had Elvis on his Sunday night show, they wouldn’t show him from the waist down. My, how times have changed!
In fact my dad ranted that he would not allow him to be seen on our TV. My sister and I could not watch the program. He ended up relenting. We sat on the floor, glued close to the black and white screen. I remember the feeling. Happy.
The month of August Tvland is honoring Elvis. It has been thirty years since his death. They are showing his movies, having specials about his life, and showing some of his concerts.
My son called and said how he remembered when they were kids, all of us watching him on TV. And the only records I played while working around the house, were Elvis’.
If you are an Elvis fan, you know what I mean. If you are not, I am sorry. You missed some good times. We ended up with four generations that were Elvis fans to some degree or other.
.
I regret that I never got to see him in concert. There was one time at the last minute we were offered free tickets to his New Year’s Eve concert in Detroit. I was so mad at my husband (him of the blue suede shoes). He wouldn’t go. All we had to do was rent a plane, fly to Detroit, rent a car or take a cab, and be there on time. I still don’t know why he said no.
We didn’t get to see him in concert, but when Ted lived in New Orleans, Deb and I drove down and we toured Graceland. That would be a whole other column.
We always felt some connection because his mom was Lithuanian. Which of course, made him Lithuanian, too.
Wisconsin also has a connection.. Several weeks before his death, he performed in Madison. He was not at his best, heavy and sicker than anyone knew. But he still had that voice and emotion. ,
It is sad that he died the way he did. Sadder yet, that his money, fame, and the love of his family and fans could not make him happy.
Happy like watching Ed Sullivan on an old black and white TV. Happy like watching TVland fifty years later.

The food that he liked was hearty. His mom fed him well with Southern cooking. And ethnic; lots of potatoes, bacon and bread.
Several years ago my daughter, Kelly, gave me a cookbook, Are You Hungry Tonight? Elvis’ favorite recipes.
I had forgotten what a treasure that book is. Lots of good recipes, pictures, and stories. I gave this one several years ago. This August, I have to give it again.
Elvis’ Favorite Sandwich
for each sandwich you will need:
2 slices white bread
2 T smooth peanut butter
1 small banana, mashed
butter or margarine
3-4 slices crispy fried bacon, (optional)
Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread
spread mashed banana on the other
Grill sandwich until golden brown
add bacon after grilling (bacon is what makes it so good)
Sit back with a glass of real milk, don’t count fat or calories
Listen to the music. And enjoy..