Happy New Year!

I’m starting the New Year with new blood, a new medication and a new outlook. I’m hoping for more energy and less self pity! Thoroughly enjoyed the holidays and spent my 64th birthday out for dinner with Gary and son Eric. Eric posed the three birthday questions:

1. What are you most proud of that you did in the last year?

I could say climbing the Notch Trail in the Badlands of South Dakota in August.

Or I could say standing for 4 hours outside the Good Morning America broadcast in Times Square to be acknowledged by Rob the weatherman on October 13 National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day with my other cancer buddies.

But, I think I’ll go with a more serious role. On October 13, the MBC Alliance released its year long report on “Changing the Landscape for Those Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer". Supported by over 30 organizations and led by a dynamic team, the Alliance is poised to make a difference and I’m so happy that I’m part of that effort.


2. What are you glad you never have to do again?

I’m not allowed to say Fantasy Football, even though I came in last in the Jersey Bowl league and had a frustrating year. I just want to win without having to learn too much about football-- is that asking too much?

So I am going with never having to go to another cave! I ended my speleology career with Wind Cave and Jewel Cave in South Dakota. Jewel Cave was pitifully bereft of ‘jewels’ as far as I could see and the fact that Gary’s great grandparents were part of the townspeople who clamored to protect the caves, just wasn’t enough of a thrill for me. I knew we were in trouble when the Park Ranger kept referencing other caves he had been to which were obviously more awesome to the point where I was ready to yell, “Well, we’re stuck in this stupid cave, so tell us something neat about it!”

I started as a kid going to Howe Caverns in upstate NY which even featured a spooky boat ride and it’s been hard to beat that formative experience. I’ve seen more than my share of caves- National Parks and private:

Luray Caverns (VA)--still remember the tour guide with the cute Southern accent comparing stalactites to Bugs Bunny’s carrots.

Oregon Caves (OR)–located south of Crater Lake.

Mammouth Cave (KY) – like entering a 3 story, rock hewn parking garage (no formations).

Great Basin (NV) -story of discoverer collapsing through to the cave while on his horse was the best part.

Wind Cave (SD)--discovered when unsuspecting hiker put down his hat and had it sucked into an opening of the cave—very strong draft.

Jewel Cave (SD) --no jewels.

So I’m hoping to pass on any trips to New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns. (Are you reading this, Gary?)


3. What are your goals for the upcoming year? 

It’s nice my birthday coincides with New Year's Day, so I only have to make resolutions once. It cuts in half the guilt of breaking resolutions, which according to reliable internet sources, occurs within the first month for 90% of the public. After much thought, I have resolved to:

· give up my Y membership (it’s become only a charitable deduction);

· refrain from joining any more book groups (although I love them and the 4th one is a facebook group, so does that really count?);

· and pay attention again to my sorely neglected blog.

Happy New Year to all!

Happy Birthday Gary!

Best wishes from a few of your friends:

relax and read a book today---Abe

have some rip roaring fun---the cowboys

wear your cowboy hat and get outside!- Ron

remember the buck stops here--Harry

watch out for the raven-- Ed

fight for freedom ---Fred

A little bit of country

Hey y'all:

Today is my brother Chuck's birthday, so I'm sending him a Country shout-out.  Born under the Aquarius sign, apparently he had Country in his heart right from the beginning and has morphed into a big fan, bringing some of us along for the ride. Yes, I attended the Brooks & Dunn farewell tour last summer and really enjoyed it-- a lot of crossover between rock and pop and country. Of course, the show wouldn't have been complete without the requisite patriotic song and marching Marines (or rent-a-marines)--way too hokey for a cynical child of the 60's like me. The best part of country is that they sure know how to tell a story and play the fiddle.

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Even Gary has gone a little country, playing a Hank Williams CD the other night, whiney guitar and all...Hey, good lookin', what'cha got cookin'...  It's all part of his fascination with early rock and roll and that trip to Memphis. Maybe Nashville, next time?

So, dear brother, not many cowboys up there in the Bronx, but this song's for you: (and to think you were born in a smoky, river town....)  Happy Birthday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzldLJcorbo

This day in history - January 19

I'm a sucker for This Day in History items. In fact, my first blog last year was exclusively on NJ history. (never went viral).  Today, January 19, is my younger brother Peter's birthday, so let's explore this happy day. 

Many famous birthdays are celebrated today, including Edgar Allen Poe (born in 1809). Baltimoreans are keeping watch for the famous Poe Toaster who for the last 60 years has marked the birthday with three roses and a half finished bottle of cognac left on Poe's grave. The toaster missed last year, perhaps finishing off the cognac instead, but let's hope he's there this time.

There are a number of musical giants born this day: Rocker Janis Joplin (1943) and Country Star Dolly Parton (1946) and two who died this day: Rockabilly Carl Perkins (1998) and the soulful Wilson Pickett (2006). That must explain my brother's late blooming musical talent with original songs like Kelly, Kelly (dedicated to their guinea pig and soon to be on You-Tube).

Paul Cezanne, the famous artist was born this day in 1839. My mother always promised Peter art lessons at the museum and who knows where he'd be today, if he'd had them....perhaps painting native women on the Fiji Islands.

Robert E. Lee was also born today, in 1807. Lincoln asked him to be commander in chief ot the Union Army, but, alas, poor Robert decided to be loyal to his native Virginia and ended up on the losing side. I can't find any significance in this event for my brother. He's not a loser, I don't care what you've heard. (Just kidding-- is that too Ricky Gervais?)

Jean Stapleton, of All in the Family fame, shares this birthday (born 1923) and any resemblance to my mother is just coincidental.

Among the daring exploits of this day (not counting when Pete and my father raked the snow off the roof of our house in 1970) is Howard Hughes transcontinental flight in 1937.

With the revised zodiac replacing the familiar one, which didn't  factor in the earth's wobble and the fact that the sidereal (star) positions are based on the sky 2000 years ago, my brother has now morphed from a Capricorn to a Sagittarius. (me, too)

We've gone from hard working,  focused, materialistic, humorous but reserved goat-loving people to crazy centaurs who are optimistic, fun loving, more philosophical and spiritual, honest and free wheeling. Sure, as Capricorns, we would occasionally be capricious, but now the lid is off and we're able to enjoy unlimited freedom, unusual ideas and being on the move all the time. I don't know about myself, but perhaps some truth in this for my brother who embraces yoga, guitar playing and song writing.  And for both of us, the children of Buffy's arch enemy, we've embraced a truly unusual idea--loving a dog.

Whatever our new planet Jupiter dictates for us, I toast my brother with cognac and wish him all good things for the coming year  (and hasten to warn him about the Sagittarian's weakness for  gambling, which inexplicably has affected the Aquarius and Aries members of our family).

Best Birthday Ever!

Still basking in the glow of my wonderful 60th birthday celebration on Saturday. Wow! So much to love about it, I don't know where to begin.  The play Million Dollar Quartet was rocking good fun, a nice complement to our Southern Swing trip and our new founded interest in Elvis and the pioneers of rock 'n roll.  The restaurant Saju Bistro had good food, a nice setting and great waiter. Thank you, Marshall. We weren't rushed and had time to enjoy the guests, the gifts, the speeches!  Kudos to Pete for his Word to His Sister on turning 60, but watch out, speechmakers, Gary is warming to the role and giving you all a run for your money.

I want to thank each of you for coming and making it a very special day for me. Here are the fabulous pictures:

This is what 60 looks like!

 

The Kids' table



the happy couple

Pete's Word to my sister on turning 60

Joe - back from LV just in time!

sing it, Chuck!

Love this lamp for my new computer corner

Saju Bistro