Monthly Archives: December 2023

Sunday, December 31st, 2023… it’s the last day we can claim for this year. Some might say, due to Bailey’s passing on December 27th, that it was a bad year. Not necessarily. It was just a year, like any other … Continue reading →

The trailer for THE COLOR PURPLE is a piss poor representation of the actual movie. I went in to this movie with terribly low expectations and left the movie with hopes of seeing it again. It’s a beautiful script, a … Continue reading →

It’s Saturday afternoon and we’ve only two days remaining of 2023. 2024 will usher in my 60th birthday. It will also be a year without Bailey. I have a pot of cabbage and vegetable soup on the stove. It will … Continue reading →

On this date in history… (2014) German-born actress Luise Rainer, the first person to receive two Academy Awards for acting, died at age 104. (2006) Saddam Hussein, former president of Iraq, was executed after being convicted of crimes against humanity. (1986) The British government announced … Continue reading →

On this date in history… (2020) French designer Pierre Cardin, a pioneer in the design of high fashion for men, died at age 98. (1998) Leaders of the Khmer Rouge, the radical communist movement that controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, publicly apologized for the estimated … Continue reading →

On this date in history… (2016) American actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died, a day after the sudden and unexpected death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, who was a noted actress and writer. (1973) U.S. President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act, which obligates federal … Continue reading →

Wednesday? Or, is it Tuesday? The calendar says it is Wednesday, December 27, 2023, however, my body and mind believe it to be Tuesday. Yesterday, I made a good deal of headway on one project and feel positive about the … Continue reading →

On this date in history… (2015) American painter, sculptor, and printmaker Ellsworth Kelly—who was a leading exponent of the hard-edge style, in which abstract contours are sharply and precisely defined—died in Spencertown, New York. (1932) The internal passport system, previously denounced … Continue reading →

It was such a lovely day. The clock showed 7 AM. Surely, not. One hour past my routine of waking up. The dogs allowed me to sleep in additional hour! Merry Christmas, Dad! I fed the dogs, ate my omelette, … Continue reading →

In England, it is Boxing Day. As Wikipedia describes, ” Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide. Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to people in need, today … Continue reading →

On this date in history… Boxing Day is celebrated as a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about English culture and custom.] (2006) American politician Gerald R. Ford—who was the 38th president of … Continue reading →

Not too many years ago, my friend, Jeff Carter, introduced me to this beautiful, powerful piece that has since become a favorite of mine that I play each Christmas morning. Merry Christmas…. This Christmastide (Jessye’s Carol) Green and silver, red … Continue reading →

On this date in history… Though the precise origin of the date is unclear, Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated on this day, having been first identified as the date of Jesus’ birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221. (2006) American … Continue reading →

In October 2011, as my cat, Logan, prepared for her journey to Rainbow Bridge, I adopted what would become a personal tradition. I took off her collar when I sensed she was near her end. I did the same with … Continue reading →

On this date in history… (2008) English playwright Harold Pinter, who achieved international renown—and was awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature—as one of the most complex and challenging post-World War II dramatists, died at age 78. (1997) Japanese actor Mifune Toshirō, known internationally … Continue reading →

On this date in history… (2013) Russian weapons designer Mikhail Kalashnikov—who invented the AK-47 (automatic Kalashnikov Model 1947), an assault rifle that became one of the most successful and ubiquitous firearms of the modern era—died in Izhevsk, Russia. (1995) Aleksander … Continue reading →

After feeding the dogs and taking a nap, I quickly decided to hop on No. 17 at 4:43 PM. I needed a few things from Walmart and decided I might as well stop at one of my favorite places to … Continue reading →

Thursday passed with little to note. Before 5:30 PM, I was stepping onto No. 17 for the main bus terminal downtown to grab No. 12 for the short trip to the Chinese buffet. The food seemed unsatisfactory to me and … Continue reading →

Today is the 10th anniversary of Navi’s being hit by a van on Shroyer Road and a few hours later, her being released from life. Navi was Chief’s sister and littermate. Within five months, I lost both Flyer and Navi … Continue reading →

For some reason, I was expecting a ferocious winter storm to take over the Miami Valley. I heard continued chatter throughout Monday about exceptionally strong winds and snow, but it was basically a pipedream for those who love and/or predict … Continue reading →

Tuesday night’s Air Force Band of Flight concert was outstanding, and it meant even more attending it with friends Alex, Felicia, Kellen, and Micah. It was a good mix of personalities and I enjoyed the company as much as the … Continue reading →

We’ve been warned about strong winds and possible snow. It is chillier this morning than it has been for several weeks, but it doesn’t feel hateful. I woke at 4 AM for a bathroom break but failed to switch back … Continue reading →

This Saturday, I shall find myself at Schuster Center from Noon until 11 PM for a dual performance of Tchaikosvky’s THE NUTCRACKER. Friday began with feeding the pooches and letting them out while I ate my breakfast. Then, I returned … Continue reading →

My body is still reeling from the long double shifts for THE NUTCRACKER but I cannot deny I had a fantastic time. The Patrons, who seemed to come from all directions, were superb. One couple with whom I got to … Continue reading →