Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer??

Most of us are familiar with these seemingly meaningless words. Internet research reveals a schlemiel is a clumsy person, while a schlimazel is an unlucky one.  Both terms are Yiddish. I'd like to think these nouns fit me to a T - lower case.  I fall occasionally, and hit my head more often than one should, if one should at all. Clumsy and unlucky, until last month. Not only did I get through 30 days without injury, I scored a card which has been a high want for a long while.

Though I've seen Laverne and Shirley in syndication, the program wasn't something we watched in my household when it originally aired. I always thought Laverne was a bit rough around the edges and Shirley,  a goody-two-shoes. After reading Penny Marshall's memoir, this thought may have held true to real life. I found a used 'like new' copy of her book in January. The introduction is hilarious; classic Penny Marshall.  She read her story to me - in my head of course. Her voice was on every page.

PENNY HAD A POTTY MOUTH

I don't recall where I first saw this 2013 Golden Age opportunity; quite possibly on PENNYsleeves' site. As a fan of catchers in gear, A League of Their Own and most things 70s, this card became a must have. The photo was taken during the filming of the movie directed by Marshall.  She is young, and appears to be healthy and happy. This card is happy.  Going prices at the time were around $35 but I just couldn't bring myself to pay the price.

The only copy on COMC is listed for $54

December 2018:  I'll be vo-dee-oh-doh-dohed!!!  Penny Marshall moved on to the field of freakin' dreams!  Just like that, she was gone. Prices soared with the Golden Age auto consistently selling for $65.  'Well, I won't own this card anytime soon', I said to myself.  'Soon' became nearly six months.  Searching ebay, I found one with a starting $35 bid, added to the old watchlist and waited. Fifteen minutes before it was to end, I decided to spend the money but thought to do one more search.

Holy moly, am I glad I did! Someone else wanted to sell their copy right then and there! $25 BIN or best offer, $3 shipping.  Nutty as Penny, I couldn't resist making an offer of $22 which was immediately accepted! I then realized it was the seller who was nuttier than both of us!

A few days later, this Penny from heaven arrived:

Wow! It's crazy how happy this card makes me.  It represents a part of my life that could have been - should have been - better. I can't bring back the 70s but travel back when I can.  Obvious to those who know me best, I'll never grow up completely. Immaturity suits me. There's some sadness here as well, time moving forward as it does. Those days are further behind with each sunset. Our icons don't wait for us to grow old too.

Ok, I'm back. It's 2019!  And lest I forget to mention, hasenpfeffer is a German rabbit stew. 

Google images says this photo may be copyrighted.
I agree. It belongs to the 70s.