All Hallows Eve, '09

Hooray for the Black and Orange! My brother. He celebrates everything. Not only that, he and wife decorate for every little holiday and semi-holiday. They even make up a few of their own. Don't remember the last time I celebrated Halloween and don't believe I've costumed up for it since I was a kid. I have worn costumes from time to time as I am a closet ham actor. Dressing in costume frees one somehow, and one can let loose and get away with things one normally couldn't or wouldn't try. So, brother and wife want to know if we will go down to Bridgid's and hear one of their favorite music makers Uncle Shurley. Never heard of Aunt Shirley, and surely haven't heard of Uncle Shurley. "And don't call me Shirley." We say why not? We accept the invitation, and over they come to pick us up. Alas, wouldn't you know they are in costume, and brought partial costuming for us. Silly we be feeling, Barbara and I and grab a wig, and rumble through drawers to add to the pretense, and an illusion begins.

Halloween seems to have come by the Celtics, a superstitious people that lived in what is now Ireland, France, and Great Britain. The Celts had themselves a fire festival and feast that they called Samhain ("sow-en) or "All Hallows Eve" on the 31st of October. The colors black and orange are associated with the celebrations, perhaps because of the darkness of night and the color of fire, autumn leaves, and pumpkins.

Some good trivia. Did you know that the first official Halloween in the USA took place in Anoka, Minnesota in 1921? Eeek!

Cap'n Jackie the Sparrow. Showin' of 'er girl curls. Believe it or not this woman 'ave not one but two black cats, in addition to bats in 'er belfry with the butterfly chimes. Thank goodness she keeps her ladders 'anging not standing in the garage.
Cap'n William the Kidder. That be a frog in his pocket just in case he be needin' to mix up a potion of number nine, which he need from time to time.

I took my troubles down to Madame Rue

You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth

She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine

Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine

I told her that I was a flop with chicks

I've been this way since 1956

She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign

She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"

Princess Aurora, she drives a boreali-bus. A magnetic personality, she dances at night in oh so many colorful ways.
Big Sur Lance A. Lott. That's what he said anyway. After that he didn't talk. But kept this sly, michievous grin about him, like he knew something about Eskimo Girls that none of the rest of us knew or had any clue. Perhaps he be a temperate Templar. Hard to know for sure.
Glinda, the Good. A wholesome Witch indeed, not at all crafty and with just a touch of Frances Ethel Gumm. Her favorite course in school? Why spelling of course.
The Halloween Five, prepare to go bobbing for apples. Will it be trick or treat? In my book of spells? Tricks are treats.
Blood brothers form a pact. We shall search for wenches, while listening to Iron Maiden.

And if you're taking a walk through the garden of life

What do you think you'd expect you would see?

Just like a mirror reflecting the moves of your life

And in the river reflections of me

Just for a second a glimpse of my father I see

And in a movement he beckons to me

And in a moment the memories are all that remain

And all the wounds are reopening again

We're blood brothers, we're blood brothers

Cap'n's Jackie and Billy have pirating in common and soon dock up.
Aye, and chivalry be not dead after all as Lance shows a little teeth as he kisses the hand of Aurora. She seems pleased. How often can it be that a man genuflect afore ye? Me thinks often me thinks. He shall assure safe passage on her pilgrimage.
And partnerships prevail, with a blessing by Rev. Jack O'Lantern.
The double partnership travels by coach over to the land of Bixby to pick up a witchy woman.
Glinda, Jackie and Aurora pose for a photo. But there has to be trouble ahead, look at 'em.

I see the bad moon arising.

I see trouble on the way.

I see earthquakes and lightnin'.

I see bad times today.

Don't go around tonight,

Well, it's bound to take your life,

There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes ablowing.

I know the end is coming soon.

I fear rivers over flowing.

I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Hope you got your things together.

Hope you are quite prepared to die.

Looks like we're in for nasty weather.

One eye is taken for an eye.

John Fogerty

Poor Glinda, her mate Derrick the Plumber hath chosen to stay home with the goblins whilst she goes searching for cornstalks and pumpkins with the likes of pirates and princesses and knights, oh my.
Fiddle Annie flashes a smile after the flash of her camera shooting photos of all who come through her doors. She is costumed as a proprietor of a brew coven. An Irish lass, she has an alias, but I promised not to tell.
Pete the voyeur, or was it voyageur. I can't recall. But it doesn't look like he's been portaging now does it?
Janice "Static" Cling. She'll never get cold feet no matter the weather nor challenge.
I'm not sure who she is, but what an excellent companion for the Invisible Man. Some were thankful they wore their robes, but not all.
The Rev. Jim Jones, kool-aid pocketed, show up with 60's radical Angela Davis. Seems like an odd couple. Does it not?
Aye, soon we'll be teamin' up with Long John Silver and keel haulin' any land lubber who might be gettin' in our way, and be searchin' for Treasure's Island while proudly flyin' the Jolly Roger.

Fifteen men on a dead man's chest

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum

Drink and the devil had done for the rest

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

When I look out my window,

Many sights to see.

And when I look in my window,

So many different people to be

That it's strange, so strange.

You've got to pick up every stitch,

You've got to pick up every stitch,

You've got to pick up every stitch,

Mm, must be the season of the witch,

Must be the season of the witch, yeah,

Must be the season of the witch.

Donovan

Lookin' at the Princess, he looks more like Knight Temporal than a Knight Templar.
And the princess lookin' back, is amazed at how the Knight does not change the apparent permanent smirk upon his face. Hmmm, what is he thinking?

Arghhhhhhhhhh Matey! And shiver me timbers, seems to be missin' most of me lower teeth. Oh yes, and look at those gray roots.
Jackie Sparrow shows all a tiny black pearl she found on her last voyage with a skeleton crew.

How can a pirate captain tell if his crew is getting impatient?

The crew keeps asking "AAARrrgh we there yet?!"

Father Time and the Boys remind us all that time waits for no one. But it's all about relativity and a woman or two.

Passing the Time (Ginger Baker and Mike Taylor of Cream)

It is a cold winter, Away is the songbird.

And gone is her traveller, She waits at home.

The sun is on holiday, No leaves on the trees.

The animals sleep

While cold North wind blows.

The snowflakes are falling, The roof a white blanket.

There's ice on the window pane, She waits alone.

She sits by the fireside, The room is so warm.

Her children are sleeping, She waits in their home.

Passing the time.

Passing the time, everything fine.

Passing the time, having the wine.

Passing the time, drinking red wine.

Passing the time, drinking red wine.

Passing the time, wine and time rhyme.

Passing the time.

It is a long winter, Away is the summer.

She waits for her traveller, So far from home.

She sits by the fireside, The room is so warm.

There's ice on the window, She's lonely alone.

Peek-a-boo I see you

Hiding behind your hands

Peek-a-boo I see you

Hiding behind your hands.

First I see a little nose

Then two little eyes

Then I say “Oh my, it’s you!”

What a big surprise!

A Young New Elder: A Birthday 10/24/09

You say it's your birthday

It's my birthday too, yeah

They say it's your birthday

We're gonna have a good time

I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party (McCartney)

Wow. I made elder a couple months ago. Funny, hadn't thought of it as being that significant a birthday. Don't plan on retiring ever, like to slow down a bit I suppose, work for myself, not put up with any B.S. from bosses, do what I want to do when I want to. Well yeah, but then I've always kind of been that way, a bit of a bum really, which is why I always considered my estimated age of retirement at 79. Barbara is a bit younger, so that's another reason I hadn't thought about 65 much or retiring. People often guess me to be more like late 50's too, (much to my delight) and on occasion mistaking my younger brothers as being older than I, (much to their chagrin). I kind of always attribute the fact that I may look a bit younger, because I spent about seven years pretty drunk, and Providence has given me back those years. Not that I regret those years, because you can't suffer like that without learning something pretty deep. Plus, I just never decided to grow up, can't see much sense to it really, most grown-ups get on my nerves and I try to avoid them.

Another thing that bugs me about grown-ups, they refer to Elders as Senior Citizens. I don't know, seems empty to me in some way. Now Elder, that appeals to me more. More respectful. I mean, respect your elders right? Now American Indians, and other cultures, use the term Elder and it means something. A term of respect, reverence even. Someone to be consulted, to seek advice from. We must have learned something, got some experience, learned how to avoid grown-ups if nothing else. Yeah, I'm an elder. I'll never be a senior citizen any more than I'll be a Mike rather than a Michael. Mike, what's a mike? Something that helps amplify your voice? Me, I want to speak softly, no need to amplify,...and carry a big stick? Kinda like the archangel. 'Course I wouldn't mind smelling like cookies like Travolta's Michael.

So you know how the day you make 50 that you get a mailing from AARP right on your birthday? (Under 50? Count on it) Ain't no secrets out there, how do they know that? Darn grown-ups. Well, when you are getting close to 65, you get letters from the Feds. Yup, one from Social Security and another one from Medicare. Wake up call! What? I'm eligible for SS and medicare? Yeah, not only that but you have to go tell SS what your intentions are, when you wanna start drawing money. And medicare, you actually have to sign up for at least Part A...or you will suffer consequences down the road. Yes, you will be punished Lost Boy. So, you can't escape the reality. Definitely a drag for an escape artist like me.

So, one of my little brothers who moved here from Alaska just a year ago, and a year ago he and I were singing "Give me your answer, fill in a form Mine for evermore Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When I'm sixty-four?", decided to throw me a party with all my new friends. You see, little by little I been losing interest in my grown-up friends. So 12 guests, and only two were close friends two years ago, that being David and Kristine. They play grown-ups on TV, but they're not really. Things change, trying to surround myself with nicer people, and for some reason they're letting me in. Go figure. Maybe I'm nicer than I thought. Lucky me. So let me introduce to you, the guests you've know for all these months, Greg-a-Bear's Never Lonely Turtle Lake Gang. The date? October 24, 2009. The guests listed in order of their appearance. Brother Gregory and Sister-in-Law Lizette. Our great hosts, they love to have guests. They decorate for every little event during the entire year. Very festive folks, and my birthday? No exception. Well, natch they were the first to appear in this story, 'cause they own the place. They are new friends in a way, cause Gregory moved to AK a half a lifetime ago and we didn't see them that often, so don't know a lot of detail in their lives, but he ain't heavy he's my brother, unless he reflects on the 70's, whoa...then he's heavy man.
First to arrive is nephew Alex. His folks always employ him to help with the food. Got a talent in that area, and enjoys it to boot. He makes a pretty mean crab dip. Now if he could just get over being 19.
The guest of honor and spouse thought they should get there before the rest of the guests. I've known this guy for 65 years, and the gal for almost 28. Now really, doesn't he look like he's up to something? Now that he's an elder, he is looking for a hill to sit at the top of. All the young men and women will travel to see him. "What does it all mean?" they will ask as they look into his mischievous eyes? "It don't mean s... my child", says he with a roguish grin.
Derrick and Rachelle. What a great couple. I met Rachelle about a year ago last July when someone talked her into running for City Council. We couldn't help but meet, finally, because I have some experience in campaign organization and managing, and I'm convinced we need more women in public office. Turns out she wasn't all that manageable and I wasn't that good a strategist any more. We lost, and it was for the best. Oh well, we've become fast friends and she and her family have taught this young elder much. Derrick even recently counseled me sitting in a movie theater, waiting for people to appear in order of their appearance, of course. Easy going guy, need more people like that around me. Both are only children, so they made up for it and had four.
Tonya and Dustin. Barb and I knew Tonya when she was a little girl of about 7 or so, she was a bit older than our daughter and came to birthday parties and such. We knew her Mom really well. And then we went our separate ways. Barbara meets her again 25 years later, interestingly, both winding up working at the same place. Who would have thought, that this little girl, who sat at our kitchen table and Barbara would become fast and great friends. Dustin's great too, have to be to be chosen by Tonya.
Kristine and David. Now David and I have been great friends over a quarter century. We used to politic together, but we are both out and still great friends. Now these two guys don't look like grown-ups do they? That's on account of because they aren't. They are about as spontaneous as they come. He proposed to her by bidding on a wedding ceremony on a radio auction. Called her up on air, and asked if she wanted to split the cost. What a romantic, boy did she tame "Clint" and he claimed her. They do play grown-ups during the day though, you'd never recognize them in their daywear,
Mike. For some reason his very animated spouse Mary couldn't make it, shucks darn, what a kick. I liked her first time I met her, acted like she'd known me for years. Now Mike and I have known each other for 30 years or more. I met him when I was building my house. He helped me plan and taught me how to run my own electrical wiring in the house. Very patient with me and a great help. But over the last couple of years, we've become closer. He's a good man, loves music like me, and even has his own music recording studio. Does some good preachin' on the side too. Someday he'll make me that teenage idol I always wanted to be. Sing it Rick...

Some people call me a teenage idol

Some people say they envy me

I guess they got no way of knowing

How lonesome I can be

Barry and Linda. Barry is also a new friend of under two years. We got hooked up with our interests in things environmental. Barry and Linda are off the grid and electricity is provided by solar panels. Now they really live out in the woods and off the land. Barry is a fascinating man, he's so well read. Some think he's an acquired taste because he is two people. He is Great Gray Owl, and then he is Lone Wolf. He has a Wood Frog though, who whispers in his ear, and they never argue because the Wood Frog understands duality. This guy has a helluva memory and is an inspirational speaker. A true friend. No contest.
Greg-a-Bear's Never Lonely Turtle Lake Gang. Brave, courageous and bold. Long live their fame, and long live their story, and long may their story be told.
"Senior Moment in Progress". Notice it is written several times to help with senior moments. I've been having them since I was a senior in high school. Now I'm an Elder, so I do have Elder moments, but actually, they're kind of fun, 'cause lately I've felt like a senior. And I refuse to graduate. Just gonna stay in school and keep learning.
My brother's idea of humor. Is he carrying a scythe? Sigh.
Walt Disney's idea of humor. You know if Grumpy had gone in for a shot of T, why he'd not only not be a grumpy old man, but he'd have a few other side affects, and maybe Snow White wouldn't have been so snow white. Look it up.
Sittin' round the nook. What will the evening hold? Well, I see bread and wine. Perhaps it will be a religious experience.
A present is present on the table. What doth it hold, aye slippers, blue slippers so I don't go slippin' on the hardwood floors.

When one is a Scorpio, and it is your 65th birthday, well you just take advantage where you can. Need something to think about on lonely night writing a blog. Tell us about it Elvis.

Girls, big and brassy,

Girls, small and sassy,

Just give me one of each kind

I'm just a red blooded boy

And I can't stop thinkin' about

Girls! Girls! Girls! Girls!

It's so nice, it's worth doing twice. Tell me about 'em Brian.

The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright

And the Northern girls with the way they kiss

They keep their boyfriends warm at night

Unfortunately, I have to share the girls with these boys. And they are all younger and in better shape, so I step lightly. But hey, they understand, and all men are alike right? Some women actually believe that. Obviously not enough experience.
The "Thinkers". You know, if ya gotta share, well I couldn't think of a better bunch of guys.
Rachelle explains the complexity of baking a pot pie, much to the undivided attention, interest, and well...amazement of Kristine.
Kristine says "who was that woman? She actually told me she takes before and after baking photos of pot pies for her blog readers." Well, that's just one of the most humorous things Kristine's heard all day, and believe me, in her grown-up job? She hears some pretty weird stories. Don't it seem like, kicks just keep getting harder to find? Not with my friends.
Dustin ponders why no one else seems to be aware of the camera, or of him.
Don't they all seem to be just a little off balance? Well I don't know why I came here tonight,

I got the feeling that something ain't right, I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair, And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs.

Okay, time out. This all makes complete sense...if you don't really think about it. Confusion rains when confusion reigns. Okay, play ball and blow.
Okay, this guy is a little short of breath to begin with, and what do we have? Those darn trick candles. What do you suppose he wished for? Was he careful? Either way, will he get his wish? I think so, I have the advantage of hind sight, and what a sight it is.
"Better than sex cake". No, no one believed it, but the name got people to try it just to see. Why it's got chocolate, (something all women love) it's got crunchy heath chips, whipped cream, butterscotch permeating throughout. Really soft and moist. Sounds pretty sexy to me. It was tasty, didn't take a poll. My guess? Right up there, but not better.
Michael passes some "better than sex cake" to an unseen hand. Mike was the only guy we trusted with passing it around, as Mary was absent making it less dangerous for him. He got a shot of immunity before leaving home.
Yeah, okay better than sex eh? Guffaw. I don't think so, at least not the way I remember it...the cake I mean, after all it's been two months...without cake that is. Jeesh, I got to keep qualityfying myself.
Presented with presents. I open a box from my nephew, can't you tell how interested he is in the operation? And just what my feet needed, some fuzzy blue slippers. Barbara's attention is drawn, hoping it is something she can wear. So I bought her some fuzzy white ones for her birthday the end of December.
The closest I'll get to Harvard. the givers were surprised that I knew that latin on the logo, "Veritas". Truth. Former altar boys know latin. Verba volant, scripta manent, "words fly away, writings remain".
Now gather round cats and I'll tell ya a story about how to become an all American boy. Buy you a gui-tar and put in tune, you'll be a rockin' and a rollin' soon.
Normally, I don't like being the center of attention, unless it's under my own terms. Birthdays of course are not your own terms, but I didn't do too bad. Derrick is a student of psychology, and I'm just paranoid about what he's thinking here. Alex? Not so much.
A splendid time was guaranteed for all. Great friends, I love everyone of them. They make me happy. How lucky am I?
A different angle on the splendid time. And speaking of angle, what a catch, and Barb really helped.
Eating up the attention is me. Mike looks at me like that a lot. Probably thinking about me as inspiration for his next sermon.
Gregory always looking for excuses to shoot off fireworks. Barbara? One of his greatest fans and spurs him on. Pretty hair huh?
All come out to the deck overlooking the lake to watch the colorful works of fire. All were well behaved.
Ooooo, ahhhhhh
Ahhhh, ooooo
Derrick. Helloooooo. Oh well, in his work maybe this kind of stuff is old hat. But c'mon, yawning?
Aunt and nephew. Barbara explains to all present how she stole my chair. Has Alex moved yet?

Halloween, one week away to the day, tune into the next blog about witches hats and more. Anyway, a witches hat was floating around, and well...some just had to try it on for next week.

Woo hoo witchy woman

See how high she flies

Woo hoo witchy woman

She got the moon in her eye

Rachelle took it a step further a photo or two ago, here Tonya takes it a step further in retaliation. There must have been some magic in that old silk hat she found.

I put a spell on you

Because you're mine.

You better stop

The things that you're doin'.

I said "Watch out!

I ain't lyin', yeah!

Sisters-in-law. Starting to wind down. Four or five guests have left at this point. Yup, a birthday to remember, unless of course I have a senior moment. Naw, friends and love, one does not forget. It's the only thing that stays. I am blessed that way.
Gregory shows the plans for the home he and Lizette are building in the Carmel area to some youngsters who will have to wait for such things for a couple more decades. I expect brother and wife will get the heck out of here next year and escape this snow and cold. Perhaps in a couple of years, when we are semi-retired, we shall travel to Monterey and escape the cold for a month or so. We have another brother Kenneth, who lives in the area too, so we might be less likely to wear out our welcome. It is a really pretty place they have designed, although a little more expensive than northern Minnesota.
Family. Nephew packs up on chow before heading back to his basement apartment. Mom and Dad, well aren't they great? Funny about young adults, they want to be independent, but they come home to wash the clothes, watch the big screen TV, and pick up a bag of groceries. And life goes on.
The last dog just about hung, and things slowin' down.
And I get to take the balloons home. I can't think of anyone outside of first degree of kindred I would have rather spent this most enjoyable birthday with. I love them all, and what's great?They all seem to love me too. I'm older, but I'm still not a grown-up. Don't plan to. Also promise not to ever write a blog this long again, but you know it's not every day you have an exceptional gathering such as this. Roll the credits and take us out Roy and Dale.

Some trails are happy ones,

Others are blue.

It's the way you ride the trail that counts,

Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you,

Until we meet again.

Happy trails to you,

Keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we'ere together?

Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you,

Til we meet again.