Romeo Lunch 2-18-15

The Romeo Gang met for lunch last Wednesday, 2/18/15 ,12 noon at the Outback Steakhouse

 

located at 300 Andover Street (Route 114) in Peabody just pass the Danvers/Peabody line.  There is plenty of parking.  Go to www.outback.com for more information.

There were six Romeos present including Steve Winter, Paul Girard, Jim Terlizzi, Joe Pignatiello, Ed DeSchuytner and Mark Ryan.  You can see some photos at the Picasa Web Site. Just click the link below …. https://picasaweb.google.com/108806068200291783388/RomeoLunch21815

The waiter sat us at a long table at the back. I sat facing the window and the glaring sun made it difficult to see the others on the other side of the table. The noise level was also loud for me and hard hearing everyone.

Drinks were ordered and came quickly which included beers and coke as we pondered the menu. There was a variety of offerings and some 3 course specials. Most ordered the specials which included a 9 0z. Sirloin, soup or salad and choice of two sides for $12.95, $16.95 or $20.95 depending on the size steak you picked.

The meal came quickly and we enjoyed the various selections and sides. Some had salads and others French onion soup. The steak was a little tough. Later, we had coffee (no cappuccino) and carrot cake.

As we ate the conversation bounced around the table and included the usual fare of sports, weather, politics, and news and of course the unending snow.

Everyone had a snow story. Ed said he cleaned his roof off with a roof snow rake. It was hard to get between the dormers. He was going to crawl out on the roof but his wife reminded him of poor Mike Zapantis.

There was so much snow on my roof that accumulated in 6 foot drifts, that I had the roof snow removed twice. The guy is a local roofing contractor and charged me only $300 each time. I scanned the internet and prices ranged from a few hundred to several thousand for roof snow removal. I used to do that myself when younger but it’s better to leave it to the professionals. I was worried about the predicted rain adding to the weight.

If you have been listening to the news there have been more than 100 roof collapses due to the weight of the snow. Luckily we didn’t get much rain this past weekend to add to the weight.

I have been listening attentively to the weather alerts of late since the snow has caused so many delays and closings. You can get an APP for you smart phone or computer to advise you about weather emergencies. Massachusetts has a new APP called Mass Alerts. Click the link below …… http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/massachusetts-alerts.html

Joe P. says the streets in Somerville are narrow and snow covered. Some cars are still buried in snow until the spring. I read in newspaper that city residents are trying to save spots they shovelled out with house items like chairs and barrels. Some have gotten the cars damaged or tires slashed for taking another’s spot.  Ed says his son who lives in the city on Beacon Hill hires a Zip Car to get around the city on business.

Jim said he would buy a snow blower but has nowhere to put it at his house. His garage is filled with two big cars. Ed said he had the snow plowed on the side of his house and now the oil delivery pipe is blocked. I have made a path for my oil delivery man on the side of my house and the last time I had a delivery the oil man wrote me a thank you note on the bill. By the way, I have had two deliveries in 20 days. The last was for 57 gal at $2.99 per gal. Sorry to say the prices for oil and gas are going back up. I keep my thermostat at about 65 which was the same for Paul and Steve.

Joe P. Said he would like to go skiing more often but has only gone 6 times this winter. Jim is another avid skier and has gone more often.

Ed still teaching courses online at NECC. He said he has two sections with about 25 students. Some are taking only one course while others are taking five. This is a heavy load for those having full time jobs.  I asked Ed if Obama’s plan to make Community College free will become reality. He said the full time colleges will probably fight it since they will lose two years of tuition.

Joe Lapiana couldn’t make the lunch since he was scheduled for a colonoscopy. Paul said that the recommendation is after 80 you don’t need one. If we live that long. I told a story about my last Colonoscopy where I watched the procedure on the monitor and the doctor put tiny alligator clips on a polyp and left it there. I asked why and he said it would come out by itself later in the wash.???????

I then said I got a summons for Jury Duty. You can registered online and decline when over age 70. Jim said he is still active with Salem State and the WISE program (Women In Science and Engineering). They have over 400 JHS girls signed up for the program on March 17^th and 24 speakers. Danielle Niles is the Key Note.

The time past quickly and we picked a date and place for next time. Jim will send you all an email but tentatively it will be 3-25-15 at Hailey’s Pub in Middleton. 

Comments always welcome …  markryan82@comcast.net