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Davis Young

Nov 8, 2022

DY: In Just a Few Words (#108)

It really is a small world.

There are a number of famous squares in Florence, Italy - none more so than the Piazza di Santa Croce. Its centerpiece is the Basilica of Santa Croce, a large and historic Catholic house of worship.

Inside the Basilica are the final resting places of some of the most famous Italian scholars and thinkers of the Renaissance. Does the name Michelangelo ring a bell? Or how about Galileo? Maybe Machiavelli? In a single Basilica is probably the greatest assemblage of brain power to be found anywhere. Construction started in 1294 and was finished in 1442, when it was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV. Lots of history for sure.

Thus it was that on one of our visits to Florence that Karen and I found ourselves strolling through the Piazza di Santa Croce on a weekend morning when she announced I should keep my eye out for a ladies room for her. As we got closer to the Basilica, I had a thought. Why don’t you go inside and see if there is somebody you can ask??

What’s a Basilica without a gift shop, right? Behind the counter in a monk’s regalia was just the person we could ask. Speaking loudly, clearly and slowly Karen said, I’m looking for a restroom. I thought perhaps you might be able to direct me. Do you speak any English?

Gathering himself and proud of what he was about to say, came these words: Sure, I speak English. I’m from Buffalo. Pointing, he continued, Go to the back of the Basilica and you will find a hallway. About halfway down and on your right is a very dimly lit restroom. It isn’t used often, but it should do. If Karen had to guess, she would have thought perhaps 400 years ago was the last time anyone set foot in that bathroom. But, it still worked. Any port in a storm....

And, that’s the story of how a monk from Buffalo brightened the day for two tourists from Cleveland - thousands of miles from home for all of them. Were it not for that nice monk, Karen might still be searching for a ladies room.

If you see somebody looking lost in your city, they’re probably searching for a restroom. Point them in the right direction. They’ll thank you forever.

DY: In Just a Few Words is a blog that comes out when something needs to be said or every Tuesday - whichever comes first. Davis Young is a communications professional who adds 50+ years of experience and perspective to issues of the day. His emphasis in DY: In Just a Few Words will be humor (a touch of sarcasm here, a pinch of facetiousness there...). Once in a while, he will touch on something a bit more serious - but hopefully not too deep or depressing.

This blog is a product of DY Author & Speaker LLC. Feel free to quote content with attribution. Respond. Agree. Disagree. Share the content with your friends. Heck - even invite him as a speaker for your group! Enjoy!

Davis Young

Nov 1, 2022

DY: In Just a Few Words (#107)

Growing old ain't for sissies.

I was raised in a family where the single most treasured food item was salt.

My mother certainly didn’t hold back putting salt - a lot of salt - into whatever was cooking on the stove. One of her favorites was creamed chipped beef. (One of mine, too.) In preparing for this blog, I even found a recipe for creamed chipped beef that includes adding extra salt. And, why not? Whether it was creamed chipped beef or any other culinary delight, it was always better with more salt.

It didn’t matter how much salt was in it before a meal arrived on my plate; it did not have enough. So, I supplemented with more salt (mind you, not salt supplement). Before I would take a bite, I added salt to whatever it was. Why? Because there wasn't (and to this day likely isn’t) enough salt in anything.

Thus it is that I find myself in a state of deep depression since my medical team has recently told me to go on a low sodium diet or risk something like a big-time stroke. I think that qualifies as a warning. But, it’s a tough choice.

I am now Mr. Low Sodium. If you think the doctors are monitoring me, I am also followed 24/7 by The Sodium Police - AKA Karen and Tracy. (You may recognize them as the “Ruths” from an earlier blog, so you will understand when I tell you they have taken to this new role quite naturally.) Their voices are always in my ears as I carefully measure two tablespoons of salad dressing or even just drink a glass of water. Don’t drink too much water. Somebody may have put salt into it.

Yesterday, I spent a few minutes outdoors (when they weren’t looking) just soaking up the last of Indian Summer sunshine when one of the Salt Cops burst through the door and said, Are you crazy, you can’t sit in the sun. Didn’t you ever tackle a basic general science course in high school? The sun is loaded with sodium and it’s beaming it right at you. With my head hanging in shame, I came into the house to face my punishment. The Sodium Police forced me to drink a glass of vinegar and eat a fig bar to make sure I had learned my lesson. No more sun for me.

Let me tell you more about my tasteless, textureless diet these days. No more Teriyaki or BBQ Sauce. I am not allowed to smell it, much less taste even a drop of it. The cottage cheese I always thought was healthy food is now a sodium enemy. And, of all things, I have had to give up pork rinds, a lifetime favorite. That’s just not fair. Apparently nothing is sacred anymore.

I love fruit, so being nudged to eat more of that is not a hardship. But, also on my recommended list of approved foods are low sodium canned meats, dried beans and lemon juice. Yuck. Surprisingly, I’m advised to avoid low sodium tomato sauce. How can one be on a low sodium diet and told to steer clear of low sodium tomato sauce?

This coming Saturday night, if you’re not already booked, come on down to my house for dinner. You can see how I am being forced to live. (I use the word live quite literally as I am told this diet will help me do just that.) After dinner we’ll sneak downstairs to the TV room. When the Sodium Police aren't looking, we can snack on my secret stash of creamed chipped beef, pork rinds and full sodium tomato sauce. We just need to remember to have the ambulance on stand-by....

That’s all for now. I gotta go work out. I don’t want to work out, but you get the picture. When the Sodium Police say it’s work-out time, you better put a smile on your face and report for duty.

Davis Young

Oct 25, 2022

DY: In Just a Few Words (#106)

As we like to say in our house, Christmas is coming!

Southeastern Michigan has a lot of small towns. But, there is only one Frankenmuth.

I like to make an annual day trip to Frankenmuth to soak in the German tradition, eat some fried chicken (and fudge), and prepare for my very favorite holiday. Speaking of my favorite holiday…. today is October 25 - exactly two months from Christmas Day. If you’re in the market for Christmas gifts, there is no better place to find them than in Frankenmuth. Shop after shop have attractive choices.

However, one store stands above all others. Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is the (self-proclaimed) World’s Largest Christmas Store - and it is a sight to see. Spread over 27 acres, Bronner’s has 1,500 parking spots. (The store itself encompasses 2.2 acres or 1.7 football fields.) Close to 100,000 lights line a half mile leading up to the store. It’s said that Bronner’s daily electric bill exceeds $1,250.

Just think about it.... A single store that personalizes 400,000 ornaments a year. More than 300 fully decorated, themed trees, always on display. Upwards of 50,000+ different ornaments and gifts. Bronner’s is not only huge, it’s also a tourist attraction. In fact, visitors buy more than 2 million ornaments every year.

Bronners opened in 1945. It has always been a family enterprise. The family has provided leadership and management from day one - especially Wally Bronner and wife, Irene. Both have passed in recent times, but everything about Bronner's moves forward. Wally Bronner had a dream, and he made it come to life in a single store in a rural town - staffed with neighbors and friends. His family continues the tradition. What an economic engine for a small community.

Back in the day, Wally was all over the store in his red blazer. Everyone knew him. He was never too busy to talk with customers. In fact, that was both his job and his passion. I know, because I had a long conversation with him on one of my visits. He was truly a retailing genius.

We’ll be going to Frankenmuth very soon for our annual trip - three years late, thanks to COVID. Karen has strict instructions not to buy any more Christmas stuff. We’re trying to downsize our own overstocked Christmas inventory.

I can’t wait to see the must have items that will be coming back to Ohio this year. We don’t need a thing, but we’ll get it anyway.

Frankenmuth is an oasis. Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is the leader of the pack.

Merry early Christmas. See you in Frankenmuth.

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