Join us at the Basement Bar & Grill in Sagamore Hills on Thursday, April 26th for our Annual NFL Draft Party.

We will settle in at 5 pm and hope you will join us for the evening when AFTER FURTHER REVIEW (https://newclevelandradio.net/follow-after-further-review-do-not-miss-a-show/)  and TRIPLE THREAT CLE (https://newclevelandradio.net/follow-triple-threat-cle/) will guide you through the NFL Draft.  We welcome you to not only join us but to participate in our live broadcast.

Special guests will be listed soon for your additional entertainment at this fun-filled night,

Today would have been my mother’s 98th birthday.   I am feeling sad today as it became a tradition that I would be celebrating my birthday with my mom and sharing a cake.  However, for the second year in a row, I am not traveling to Detroit or sharing cake and ice cream with my MOM DVasha.  Instead, I am thinking of her as I do every day.  98 years young she is celebrating with J Harmon Moss today!

Mom and Me at the Fat Ladies Club
(before Weight Watchers)

Things happen for a reason, and this morning on GMA, Dolly Parton sang her song, “Coat of Many Colors.”  Although I am not a huge fan of Dolly Parton, I was drawn to listening to the interview this morning, and I am glad that I did because this song (mentioned above) honestly made me think of my beautiful mother and her exceptional talents.
A Kiki Doll
(one of many from her doll creation)

My mother loved to sew and create.  Her talents are not just limited to her sewing but her baking as well.  Growing up as much as I appreciated my mother’s sewing creations, there were many times in my younger days that I wished I could just go to the store like my friends and buy new clothes.  Instead, my wardrobe grew when my mom sewed for me.  As beautiful and unique as her garments were too often they were selected in colors, patterns or fabrics of her choice, not mine.  One very vivid memory I have is when all my friends were wearing navy blue box pleat skirts.  My mother did sew me a beautiful box pleat skirt but, in turquoise, blue shade.  Although I wore the skirt, I hated it at the time because it was not navy blue.  TODAY I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING IF MY MOTHER COULD SEW ME A NEW SKIRT IN ANY DESIGN OR COLOR.

An early design from the KIKI Fashions collection
(Mom loved sewing pinafores)

This morning when I listened to Dolly sing “Coat of Many Colors,” I realized that I was a fortunate girl, having such a talented mother who was devoted to making me some beautiful clothes, that I often did not appreciate at the time.  What I did understand was all the love my mother put on my wedding dress.  As with so many other outfits she made me, she made it to her liking, but this one dress I was willing to have it be as much her dream as mine.  That’s when I started to mature.
Mom loved us all unconditionally –
I did not realize this most of my life!

Here are the lyrics to a “Coat of Many Colors.”  Although my garments were not made from rags, they often designed using remnants, leftover fabric from someone else’s outfit, or reconstructing pre-made clothing.  These words just resonant how much I truly appreciate all the love my mother shared with me.

Back through the years
I go wonderin’ once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn’t have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin’ every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn’t wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss