Welcome to yet another installment of Momday Motivations. I’m finally able to unveil a certain shop incident that currently sits under the chapter title of “Call Me By Your Name?”
But first, an update on our 95 year-old. Last week’s Momday Motivations shared Francine’s unfortunate sliding adventure that left her with two broken ribs and a weensy pneumothorax.
The ER doc warned us that the biggest concern was the potential for the onset of pneumonia and he suggested that she take several deep breaths throughout the day to ward it off. When Francine complained to her GP that this was just too painful, that doc suggested an imaginative alternative. Blowing bubbles in a glass of water through a straw for half an hour, several times a day.
I’m delighted to share that our bubble blower is better! She reported this morning that the pain is now sitting at an 8.5 out of 10 rather than the original 11 out of 10, an improvement she attributes to the straw efforts.
Hooray!
So, kids, it’s with great relief that I can finally roll on to the much promised teaser of that time a famous actor popped into Frankie Robinson Oriental Gallery, the Vancouver Asian antiques and collectibles shop run by my mother for 17 years.
Call Me By Your Name?
Thank god both of us were working that day. Smart phones with their discrete cameras wouldn’t exist for a good two decades and there was no way I could trot out our bulky Polaroid for a quiet photo.
It was a cold Spring afternoon and very few people had been in. I’d just suggested darting out for some caffeine hits to stem my abject boredom when an attractive couple stepped into the store. They’d never been in before but I recognized him immediately.
How could I not? He was famous. This American starred as the main character in a very popular sitcom that had been cancelled the previous year, right at the height of its popular eight season run. Now playing in reruns, both Francine and I were huge fans; the writing was witty and fresh and every cast member was brilliant.
As he and the well-dressed red-head worked their way around the shop, I took several restorative breaths and cautioned myself to adhere to the store policy regarding celebrities. The basic tenet was “treat every customer the same” with under currents of “we mustn’t fawn over anyone or stare unduly or God forbid, ask for an autograph.”
As they paused to get a closer look at a set of three, quirky, contemporary Thai brass penguins, Francine glided over with a welcoming smile.
“Hello! Aren’t they lovely? Simply throw on a round sheet of glass and you’ve got yourself a table base.”
“They really are fun! What else can you suggest as a creative base for a table? My wife and I are from out-of-town and doing the rounds of the shops on Granville Street.”
If Francine had any doubts, that sonorous voice sealed the deal. It was him. I sauntered over with my dusting rag to bathe in his golden glow.
Oh, Francine, Bless Her; She Was The True Picture Of Innocence.
“How lovely! Where are you from?”
“California. We love Vancouver and try to come up at least once every couple of months.”
“I don’t think you’ve been in before? No. Well, welcome. We’re a mother and daughter team and share your sense of fun, I think. You simply must see our ibex. Kelly, can you bring a pair out from the back?”
Those were wooden and weighed a ton but I didn’t care. Bring on the heavies. I’d do anything to keep him here.
Francine stepped back to allow the couple some privacy as they conferred over the goat-like heads with their magnificent horns. She returned my conspiratorial wink with a puzzled smile, which I thought was overdoing it a bit.
“You know, I think we like the penguins best. Do you ship?”
As Francine waxed on about the various shipping options, I started to fill out the invoice. My heart pounded once he joined me at the counter.
The chap was even better looking close up. When he spied his name already jotted down on the form, his eyes crinkled up in surprise and he smiled that famous grin. My heart purred. He knew we knew and was impressed by our professionalism.
Francine pounced as soon as they left.
“Kel, how do I know his name? It’s so darn familiar!”
I was glad it was closing time. Once briefed, my dear mother required a rather stiff gin and tonic.
Call me by your name, indeed.
So who was he? Any guesses? Better yet, which celebrities have had the good fortune to meet you? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
22 Responses
Agnes Morehead when I was in high school. I was star struck!!
I would have been, too! Very cool.
Bill Clement, who currently works for ESPN as a colour commentator fir Flyers hockey broadcasts….and who was one of the Broad Street Bullies when they were winning Stanley Cups in the 1970s…and who makes me go all weak in the knees…and who is THE most delightful, charming, patient and very kind man….I think I shall have a blog post about this! Anyway…who WERE your famous folks? TELL! Please…?
Yes, you should blog about this! That is really special to meet him. He sounds like an absolute gem. And … um … well, between you and me it was … Oh dang … you’ll have to wait a weensy bit longer to find out the identity of my … sorry!
Nobody. But As a teenager I was really up close and personal at Four Seasons concert. I’m dying to know the name of your celebrity
Well, that’s pretty cool, Valerie! I’d love to have seen them. And sorry … I wish I could tell you the name of my guy but … you’re going to have to wait a weensy bit longer …
So glad that the wonderful Frankie is on the mend ! You really have me guessing about your celebrity ! I worked in a pharmacy as a teenager, and John Wayne came in to our store in Victoria. I didn’t realize it was him right away, much to my Dad’s horror, as he was a huge fan !
What?!? JOHN WAYNE came into the store? Holy Hannah, now that’s quite the meet and greet, Jane. I’m not surprised your Dad was a tad upset. Too funny.
No idea who it was but very curious! I googled ‘sitcoms cancelled in 8th season’ but since I don’t know the year, it was too broad a search. We’ve bumped into Stephen King several times in past years here in Bangor. Went to the movies once and he and his family were there reading while waiting for the movie to start. Had a great conversation with him in a bookstore once, too. That’s about it for me and famous people!
You’re so funny, Molly. I grinned when I read that you’d googled ‘sitcoms cancelled in 8th season.” Steven King! Sounds as if he wasn’t spooky. I’d always pictured him as spooky.
I’m so happy to read that your Mom is feeling a bit better. Continued healing vibes for her. May she fully recover.
I remember going to Canada Day or some big celebration with my husband, at the time we were just dating. So many years ago. Thousands of people were lining the streets. Tiny Tim was in town and I really wanted to have an opportunity to see him. We stood front row waiting for his car to drive by. I still remember as he approached where we stood, he looked my way and gave me the biggest smile and wave. What a fun moment that was. 🙂
Thank you for your kind thoughts about Mom. Just off the phone with her and she’s feeling a tad better and thinking about cutting back on the pain meds a titch. Hope your mom is doing ok. As for meeting Tiny Tim, that is really cool. I remember him on the Johnny Carson show as a very gentle soul. Love that he noticed you and offered up not only a wave but one of his huge smiles. Wow.
I was going to guess Ted Danson from Cheers or Tom Selleck from Magnum PI but the latter is not a sitcom and Cheers ran 11 seasons (thank you, Google). So I’m stumped,
But good to know that blowing bubbles is so healthy! Yay Francine!
Oh, good guesses, Katy. I would have loved to have met both of them but sadly I haven’t. And yes, who knew blowing bubbles would be so grand? Just off the phone with her and she’s feeling better. I’m going to tuck away a straw or two …
If it had been Tom Selleck I would have fainted on the couch right now. Magnum wasn’t on for 8 years was it? But he is married to a redhead. If it was Tom Selleck. No. Not witty writing. Sitcom? No guesses.
I guess I did meet Phil Donahue at the Erma conference. And he was very dear. I rode an elevator at Disney when I was going with a Disney tour guide gushing about escorting Cary Grant around. (He was there to read the Christmas Story at there Christmas chorale). I did see him do that with the masses.
Oh yes, Tom Selleck would have been a gobsmacker, no? I mean really. Nope wasn’t Tom. Pity. And I love that you were there at Erma for Phil. Golly. I hear he was amazing and such a gem. It’s really nice to get that confirmed. Cary Grant! Oh man, Jamie, that’s very cool. Thank you for chiming in.
“I was young”
I understand. You must have been a tot.
When I was 12 I went to a Rick Springfield concert. I scaled a wall and got by some weak security to sneak my way back stage in the hopes of getting an autograph. I got it – wish I knew where it is now.
Seriously? WOW – that is very cool. Imagine trying to do that today. Now go and hunt up that autograph. You can show me at Erma …
Oh man, these stories are SO much fun to read and SUCH A TEASE! I’m dying to know who this man was! I have no clue…
I don’t believe I’ve ever met a famous person. So sad, right?
I need to go back and read more about what happened to Francine, but I’m SO relieved she’s doing okay!
Thanks, Chris! Francine thoughtfully left the lobby of the movie theatre where I had left her to go and get the car. She wheeled her wheelie outside and leaned against the wall. The wall was the door and it slid open to let someone else out. She slid with it and fell on her side, puncturing two ribs … I merrily returned to find her surrounded by kind well-wishers and we zoomed off to Emerge. Quite the eventful five minutes, I can tell you …