For those who have read “A Cup of Tea on the Commode,” here is some bonus material, just in case you’re curious. For those who haven’t read it, these extras may spark your interest. Click on the links to see or read more.
A Few Poems of Our Family Reunions +
Seven Days at Lake Winnepesaukee (Our trip to New Hampshire)
Just Six Miles Down the Road (Our trip to the Finger Lakes)
Our Trip to Holland (Our trip to Holland, Michigan)
Thanks for the Memories (Goodbye to 247 Emmett Place)
A Few of My Memory Books
Genevieve’s Newspaper (filled with typos just for my proofreader mom)
My Aunt Claire’s
My Aunt Flo’s
My Sister Laurel’s
My Niece Rachel’s
My Niece Emily’s
Opening Note to “A Cup of Tea on the Commode“
Dear Mom,
When I first moved out west to chase a dream, I wrote you a check for one million dollars along with a note: “This will be good one day.” It never was. Though I experienced a few glimmers in Tinseltown, I never reached Hollywood’s Holy Grail.
I hope what I gave you in your final years was more valuable than any amount I scribbled on that check. To me, it was priceless.
Love Always + then Some,
Mark. Yes, Mark with a k. Your favorite son . . . to forget.
I recently cleared out my storage unit and found the original check I sent Mom on Mother’s Day, not after moving to Hollywood. I hadn’t seen it in forty years, so please forgive me for the error.
Early in Her Journey
Genevieve Mary Brennan at eighteen months old. I believe one of my sisters still has Mom’s doll.
Genevieve Developed Her Sassy Side Early On
This girl would be a challenge to contend with at any age. Lucky for me, I had a bit of her sassiness in me as well.
Genevieve in a rowboat with her mother at the helm, most likely around 1934. This image may have sparked my recurring dream of me and Mom as told in the chapter “A Recurring Dream.”
Our Journey Begins
After “The Call,” Mom remained in a semi-comatose state for weeks.
Then after a rebel hospice nurse ignored the directive and mentioned food, Mom woke up and asked for some pumpkin pie.
After polishing off two pumpkin pies, she moved on to sherbet… and only sherbet… eight bowls a day.
Then she moved onto oatmeal… and only oatmeal… eight bowls a day to maintain her constant sugar high. You’ll find this story in the chapter “Be Patient.”
The Porro Family House
247 Emmett Place in 1950. On a cul-de-sac, second house from the end on the right. It featured one of the rare Birch trees in Ridgewood. We enjoyed that tree for decades before a disease got to it in the 1980s.
247 in 2015. This stone-front colonial was our home for sixty-five years, and where most of this story takes place. This photo was taken after I completed my renovations. It features the now famous bright green door. By the way, the house sold the first weekend on the market. And I think we can all agree, it was because of that bright green door.
Mom’s Early Days as a Hand Model
Genevieve Mary Brennan had movie star looks, but her long, natural nails became legendary.
Speaking of modeling, here’s a shot from my first photo session with that famous New York photographer mentioned in “Our Champion of the Arts.” The “Star Quality” is as obvious as that tree. I included this photo as a joke to my handsome nephew in his memory book.
Sometimes You Just Can’t Hide the Joy
We woke up early to pose for this 20th Wedding Anniversary surprise gift for our parents and not one of us seems too happy about it. But our parents were. So, there’s that!
Mom’s Dollhouse Makes a Comeback
A year before Mom’s uncle William died, he built her a replica of her childhood home as told in the chapter “Mum’s the Word.” Mom was overjoyed when Carl spruced it up some sixty years later.
Day of Beauty
Mom smiles after a “Day of Beauty.” More details are in the chapter of the same name.
A New Wardrobe? Why Not?
Mom was so happy with her new wardrobe, she modeled it all at once.
Better than Anything on TV, Except Perhaps the Animal Planet
Before breakfast Mom always liked to stop in the vestibule to check on the weather and the happenings on Emmett Place. This was the photo I sent to David’s High School sweetheart in “A Surprise Letter from a Friend.” I included the caption “Better hurry, she’s waiting.” Her response? “You’re killing me.”
Grandpa Po’s Originals, the Original Half-Popped Popcorn Snack
As first mentioned in the chapter “Better than Food,” Dad invented his slightly-addicting popcorn snack back in 1963, and decades later many copycats followed. Although none matched the quality and crunchy goodness of his originals.
Grandpa Po’s production in progress and a typical Hell Week batch as described in the chapter “When Ya Comin’ Home?”
Grandpa Po’s Originals were the “Snack of the Day” on the Rachael Ray Show, and the start of us going nation wide. Sadly, they are no longer available. But our Facebook page still is. Click here to check it out.
Mom Loved Her Hot Tea… Whenever… Wherever
In between her several-bowls-of-sherbet-day-diet I tried to squeeze in some fresh fruit. Here, she’s thinking about it before giving it a try.
Ciao Celle Revisited
First mentioned in the chapter “Planting the Seed,” then in more detail in “Natale the Mayor.” Here’s my documentary of our Italian Odyssey in 1995. A journey of discovery to the birthplace of my dad’s dad (Celle San Vito, Italy) in celebration of my dad’s 80th birthday, and the 100 year anniversary of my grandfather’s arrival in America. In 1996, I added clips of my father’s commentary.
A bird eye’s view a Celle San Vito, Italy. The entire village was about one hundred yards long. Today it has less than one hundred inhabitants, down from four hundred when my grandfather lived there.
Mom Shows off Her Goofy Side
This rock ‘n roll viking entertained guests at granddaughter Rachel’s wedding.
“You even think about touching my tissue and I’ll poke your eye out with this breadstick.” You don’t mess with my Mafia Mom.
Dad Called them, “Marcarves”
Pictured above are the original carvings I presented to my siblings and brothers-in-law on Christmas as described in “Planting the Seed.”
Here are some more cherrywood carvings from my High School days. As you can see, my skills matured a bit over time. In honor of my Ridgewood High School wood shop teacher, Mr. Thomas, I called this the “Cheech Collection.”
Now for Something Completely Different
Here’s my award-winning short comedy filmed in 2006. Enjoy!
“Crimes perpetrated inside sport utility vehicles are especially heinous…” Twenty nine actors, a cinematographer, a sound man, the director, and some hedge trimmers gather inside an SUV for this parody of the long running, beloved television series. Shot almost entirely inside an SUV.
You’re Gonna Need Gonna Need a Bigger Fireplace
Christmas stockings crowded our fireplace at 247 Emmett Place even before Deecy and Big Mike’s five children were born. We definitely needed a bigger fireplace. You can listen to the audiobook chapter here.
Just the Two of Us
It wasn’t difficult to get into the holiday spirit with what Mother Nature delivered that Christmas. You can enjoy to the audiobook chapter of “Just the Two of Us” here. (Side note: How lovely is that bright green door? Even in the snow. I mean, really.)
Mom’s First Bubble Bath in Years
Which was almost her last. Great, I tried to do a good thing and kill my mom. At least she smelled good. More of this in “If You Rebuild It, They Will Return.”
Fellowship of the Diaper Brigade
Mom greets great-granddaughter Stella. She bonded with anyone in diapers.
Mom meets another member of the diaper brigade, great-grandson Gus.
Mom Loved the Jersey Shore.. and who doesn’t?
And while at the shore, Caryl treated her to a spa day that gave my “Day of Beauty” a run for its money.
247 Emmett Place Goes Up in Flames
As described in “Not Another Fire, Please,” this is the only photo we have of the July 1969 fire in that destroyed most of our second floor. The firemen (seen on the roof) did a great job in saving the rest of our house.
She Likes It. She Really Likes It
It was not easy to tantalize Mom’s long-retired taste buds, but my version of her lasagne recipe did the trick. Or was it the wine? You’ll find more in the “Genevieve’s Personal Chef” chapter.
Mom’s original lasagne recipe.
Breakfast in Bed? Why Not?
Mom enjoys my famous Sunday Morning French Toast in French Style on this Mother’s Day.
Superstorm Sandy Strikes
Hurricane Sandy uprooted our Linden tree. I had mixed feelings about that tree as it was the one I got stuck in as a kid, much to the amusement of the entire neighborhood. I wasn’t sad that it fell, but where it fell… on top of my strategically-parked Prius. I had to wait until morning to assess the damage, but after chopping through the jungle now occupying our driveway, I found my car intact and with only a few scratches. Strategically-parked indeed.
I Tried to Keep Mom Active
She loved playing “Concentration,” though when her concentration was not so good, she concentrated on cheating even with me sitting across the table watching her even shady move.
And a Gallivanting We Go
A breath of fresh air was good for both of us. So we took road trips. You’ll find more of this in “Give Me a Break.”
Mom Stops by to Say Hello to Dad
When she whispered “I miss ya,” I was once again reduced to tears. Big shoutout to David for keeping the family gravesite neat and tidy.
My Dance Career Started with a Bang
The three of us, David (left), Caryl, and yours truly, dressed to kill in my debut at Lincoln Center NYC with The Royal Danish Ballet as told in the “Our Champion of the Arts” chapter. Now those are some pretty cool costumes. Listen to an excerpt from the audiobook below.
Baryshnikov, Eat Your Heart Out
Oh, what could have been. My dance career was short and not so sweet, except for my parting gift.
My Last Los Angeles Stage Appearance
In 2012, I joined the cast of “Cannibals,” written by R.J. Colleary and directed by Kathleen Rubin. This play paid about the same as my debut in New York City forty-seven years earlier. But not a bad final gig to be surrounded by all these lovely ladies: Caryn Richman, Amy K. Murray, Robin Riker, Dale Dickey, Brittany Ross, Jackie Debatin.
If you look close, you’ll see Grandpa Po’s Originals on the back shelf. One of the bonuses in casting me in film, television or the theatre was I came with this crunchy, tasty, and slightly addicting organic snack to share with my cast and crew.
Marina and Martini
My “Savior from El Salvador” indeed. Martini appeared to be camera-shy that day. You’ll find more about them in “Third Time, No Charm” and “Martini Anyone?”
Before and After
Genevieve Mary Porro’s signature was fine art. This was hers after her stroke in 1993. Still pretty good. Below are her attempts to end my Jamaican nightmare in “The Parade of Aids.” Unfortunately, in this case practice didn’t make perfect.
Nobodys®, My Trademarked Greeting Card Character
They had no bodies, but they still had ways to express our feelings. First mentioned in “Planting the Seed,” my father called my carvings “Marcarves” and my greeting cards “Marcards.” So, in honor of him I named the company, Marcard Greeting Cards. Unfortunately, this was the first of my unintentional non-profit business adventures.
Genevieve was the Belle of the Ball
After a bit of sprucing up, Mom almost stole the show at grandson Josh’s wedding as described in “It’s Like Déjà Vu All Over Again.”
Mom Working Out in the New Man Cave
I thought she was happy to be back on her feet and exercising, but the extended finger on her left hand said otherwise.
Getting Close to Heaven
This photo was taken in July, one month before she left us.
A Message from Beyond?
This is a closeup of the pencil box Deecy found after Mom’s funeral as described in “Our Journey Comes to an End.” Michael ended his eulogy to Mom with a joke involving this country. No one had seen or touched this pencil box in decades. I never knew it existed, but I believe Mom did.
The Porro Kids Say Goodbye to 247 Emmett Place
In 2015, we gathered for a last photo before saying goodbye to where we called home for sixty-four years, on a cul-de-sac, in the second house from the end on the right. I know it’s difficult but try to focus on the Porros and not that famous bright green door. Front row: Mark, David, and Deecy. Back row: Michael, Laurel, and Caryl.
And Last but not Least
Even at five months old, I had an inkling of what was in store for me at the hands of my brother David. And he couldn’t wait to get started. You can find more of that story in “The Lone Wolf.”