Open House at Nora and Dan's Restaurant

Tonight was a late night for me. Jack and I went to the open house from 8-10 pm at the new restaurant. It was a tremendous difference from a few weeks ago. Everything was painted and shiny. Joe's pictures were on the wall. Four of my children were there and my grandson Dan. I was only missing my daughter Elsie in Florida.

Nora was dressed up in a suit. Dan was dressed to tend bar.

Nora and Dan invited friends and family for food and drink on their opening night. They picked Monday as many of their friends are also in the restaurant business and that is a day off for many of them. There was plenty of food, drinks, music, and people. I was very glad to part of such a happy occasion.

Charlie's House and Barn

Yesterday, Kit and I went to see Charlie's house. I was a little tired, so I didn't get out of the car. Charlie drove up to the barn the Amish built this summer. That is me talking to Charlie just inside the barn. Kit took a picture of the men building a fence for the horses. It was a beautiful September day. After we saw the changes, we had a delicious meal at a local Irish restaurant.

Nora and Dan's Restaurant

My family has been very busy these days. Nora and my grandson Dan have been working on a new restaurant which will open very soon. Kit and I went out there to see the progress. They have been working all kinds of hours to get the place open. I have missed Nora's Wednesday visits, but I understand she needs to work on the restaurant right now.

Here is a picture of us standing by the podium which Dan designed.

Fifty Years Apart

My Florida's Daughter's Visit - 8-9-08

All 3 of my daughters were with me on Saturday.

We had a grand time watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics on the TV. Nora had taped it.

Today was the 13th anniversary of Joe's death. Kit had pulled out some eye glasses, chains, watches and the like from boxes. Elsie was most pleased to take some home with her.

We ate all kinds of ice cream. I think I had 5 different kinds. On our way back, Kit and I stopped for a pizza . For lunch we had KFC. It was a day of calories. It is a good thing I have fruit and soup for lunch every day.

My Favorite Restaurant

There is a special restaurant in my neighborhood where they serve very good steaks, leg of lamb, baked potato, salad bar, and bread. It is called The Golden Flame.

For my 91st birthday, the waiters surprised me with a dessert and the happy birthday song.

My 91st Birthday - July 27th

I am now 91 years old.

We celebrated the day at Nora's house with my family and my brother Jesse's family.

Three of my out-of-town granddaughters, Melissa from North Carolina, Kate from Manhattan, and Lila from Florida were all able to make it.

I had a few grandchildren who were out of the country - Kevin was in Spain and Kelly was in New Zealand.

My great grand son Austen is right next to me.

It was a tremendous day. There were so many people to talk to. We always celebrate my niece Angela's birthday as her birthday is the same month as mine.

John Eugenio's First Birthday

J.M.J.


7/14/08

To: John Eugenio, My Great Grand Son

From: Great Grand Dad Johnny Mann

I wanted a bright Red Fire Engine for John that you could sit on it and drive to all the big fires in your area, so you could press on the loud horn, ring the bells, sound the big horn, and most important is that you are the Chief, John Eugenio, the Captain, and it is very important you take charge of all the fires in the big City. You can tell your entire crew of Firemen, "Don't give up". Our big job today is "To stop this great big fire from burning all the City." So I say "Keep up your great efforts to stop all fires"

In closing, go to your home and get a good rest because I need all you great Fire Fighters to say "we will stop all fires, to make our citizens safe and not lose their homes.

Well John Eugenio, "keep up your good work".

My best to you and your firemen.

Great Grand Father, Johnny Mann

A Family Dinner - May 31, 2008

Yesterday I was delighted to have dinner with two of my grandchildren - Kate and Mike.

They met me at the apartment where I showed them all the pictures on the wall of the children, grand children and great grandchildren. I had been busy most of the day writing letters and was pleased to give them their letters.

We then drove to the restaurant in Silver Spring. While sitting at the table, it was another surprise to see my grandson John walk into the restaurant with his wife Carolina and their son John Eugenio. It was what you would call a family reunion.

John Eugenio stole the show. He was the ambassador, as he had his arms out for everyone, with a big smile on his face. I don't think I have ever seen him cry.

It was a great day.



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Spring Achievements

It has been a busy Spring.

My grandson Mike graduated from University of Southern California.

My grandson Charlie will graduate from high school next Sunday.

My granddaughter Melissa's family moved into their new home in North Carolina.

My son Charlie's house continues to be built.

My daughter Nora and my grandson Dan are working on purchasing another restaurant.

My son Jack has been working on plans for his retirement home which will break ground in the fall.

My granddaughter Lila continues to recover from her fall from the skateboard.

My grandson Kevin,the film producer, will have several film openings this year.

And I have been busy writing letters to everyone congratulating them on their achievements.

Charlie Mann Court

This has been a dream come true. I went to Charlie Mann Land and got my picture taken in front of "Charlie Mann Court".















It was a beautiful day, so Kit was able to drive right up to the front of the house.

Charlie showed me all the rooms. It had all the latest styles from a special home magazine. The closets and bathrooms are the size of bedrooms.

Because my legs were so tired from the tour, Charlie put me in a lift to bring me to the ground. He lowered a forklift to the front stoop. Kit and I sat down on it. Then Charlie got in the truck and lifted us up and away from the porch and then down to the ground. That way I avoided the steps.

On our way back to Silver Spring, Kit and I ate delicious crab cake sandwiches.

All in all, it was a tremendous day.

Jack's Toy Car

When Jack was a young boy, he loved the small racing cars. He had a red one the other children remember. On his Tuesday visit, I am going to surprise him with a letter and a similar racing car that holds paper clips in the driver's seat.

Visiting John Eugenio

This morning Jack picked me up for a blood test. On our way back from breakfast, I mentioned something about John Eugenio.

Next thing I knew, we were driving to the house. When we got there, Carolina came running out the house with John Eugenio. She put him in the car with me and took pictures. It was awful quick. He was a little sick as he was having trouble cutting his teeth, which is very painful. I think several teeth were coming through. However, John Eugenio never cried about it.

As Jack dropped me off at my retirement home, I said "Jack it is great to have you." To which Jack replied "Dad, it is great to have you." You can’t beat that.

Charlie Mann Court

I get the biggest kick out of Charlie building his house. At first he made a sign for his street, so the fellas who were working on his house could find it.

Now he has a real sign, which will go up on a pole. Here he is with my daughter-in-law Celie. I never thought I would have a son who could name a street after himself. I am very proud of Charlie and all his accomplishments.

My TV

I enjoy watching the Catholic Channel. I keep it on that station all day. One day my TV went on the blink. Nora called Charlie and asked him to replace it. He came right over away with a bigger TV, but it stopped working the next day. Nora called the cable people. They came over two times. Charlie came over a few more times.

When I told Charlie the TV only worked for one day after it was fixed each time, he wrote instructions on the clicker in pencil. Everything was fine for a day and half. Unfortunately, I pushed the wrong button and the TV didn't work again. When Kit dropped me off from Easter dinner, she called Charlie for instructions and followed them to get the TV to turn on again. Kit wrote the instructions on a piece of paper and taped it to the clicker.

I now have the TV back and I haven't hit the wrong button. It is a great life.

Easter Dinner at Nora and David's house - 03-23-08

I had a tremendous time at my daughter and son-in-law's house. Their whole family was there. Their daughter Melissa, her husband Stephen, and son Austen came up from North Carolina. And their son Dan and his new friend Rachel were there.

We had ham, cabbage, and potatoes with rye bread, and two bunny cakes.

It was a wonderful day in the Virginia countryside.

Birthday Dinner

We celebrated three birthdays yesterday - Celie, young Charlie, and Kit. It was very simple and delicious. We ate steak dinners in the dining room from The Outback Steakhouse.

Charlie's House

Yesterday, after I had dinner at Charlie's house, we stopped by to see the progress of the house he is building . It was wonderful to see it. There is a roof and walls. Now, they will work on the plumbing, electricity, and windows.

U Street - Revisited

Kit and I visited U street today. I spent many years here in the 1930s enjoying the music of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, and many others.

I also worked in different parts of U Street. We drove up and down the street so I could show Kit the places where I worked, where I listened to music, and where I went to school.

All in all, it was a good day.

Valentines Day

I wore a suit and a red tie to escort two of my daughters to a Valentines dinner at my retirement home. The staff decorated the room where I take my daily exercise class. It was very special candlelight dinner with a live band. There were strawberries dipped in chocolate for the dessert. I was very pleased with the way things turned out.

After dinner, Nora gave a speech to thank the staff for the help they have given me over the years. She also had red pens for the residents and the staff, in honor of my sweetheart Kitty. Kitty would have liked this dinner very much.

Earlier in the day, I told my daughter Elsie in Florida that I wanted her to come up on the next plane. She knows I like to kid with her, so she told me I had more than my quota of Valentines.

My granddaughter Kate in New York called to wish me a Happy Valentines Day. She also sent me a Big Valentines Day card by federal express. I know that cost her a pretty penny.

All in all it was a great day.

The Grandchildren's Shelf

Kit installed a shelf for me today. She wasn't too pleased with the job. She said it came out crooked. I told her not to worry about it, as the whole apartment was crooked. There wasn't a straight line anywhere.

I now have a shelf for my grandchildren. Here is picture of me sitting by the new shelf.

Charlie's House

I have been wanting to see the house Charlie is building for some time. Today, Kit and I drove out to see it. It is going to be a tremendous house. Including Charlie, there were 5 fellas working there. Here is a picture of me holding the building plan, with Charlie next to me.

This is the second house he has built for his family. I don't know how he can run a company and be a general contractor at the same time. He is always thinking.

Irish Caps are Popular Again

I have always liked these hats. I wore them as a young man. My daughter-in-law Ellen found them for me several years ago and I was very happy to wear them again. My brother Jesse wears them. And now many of my grandsons wear them. Here is a picture of me with my grandson Dan in our caps.

To Nora the Hula Dancer

Hula Dancing was very popular in the early 60s and Nora couldn't get enough of it. She was so good, the teacher put her in front so the other students could follow her.

Here is a picture of a calendar I gave to Nora in honor of her days as a dancer.

A Farewell Party to Melissa's Family - 1-19-08

We had a tremendous get-together at Nora's house to say goodbye to Melissa's family. Melissa's husband Stephen, my grandson-in-law is a computer engineer. He got a very good job offer in North Carolina. They will have a great life in their new state. We will miss them being close by.

It will be a 5-hour drive from here. However, it won't be as far as when Kit lived in California.

It was an interesting drive to Nora's house with Kit in the driver's seat. While driving, she spoke to my two sons Jack and Charlie on her cell phone, while they were also in their cars. They told each other the distance they were from Nora's house, who was in their car, and what they had brought. These things didn't happen in my day. You had to get out of your car and find a pay phone to make a call. Things are much easier now.

The party was wonderful. There were 13 of us around the table. I gave the grace and told my family heaven can wait, as I am having a wonderful time enjoying my life with them.

I wrote Melissa's family a letter. There is a picture of Melissa and Stephen reading it with me looking on. My family enjoys my letters very much.

It was a great day. As with all great days, I went out like a light.