Today’s birthday marks my achievement of becoming the oldest male in my family since my Civil War ancestor, great-grandfather Henry Clay Thomas (the one who celebrated his 16th birthday on Little Round Top the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg) came to an unfortunate end at age 90 when the Minie ball he collected under his left kneecap at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse was jiggled in its position as he started climbing down the ladder into his root cellar to inspect the two jugs of 20-year old “corn squeezin’s” his son-in-law (my grandfather) and his grandson (my father) had found as they helped him clear things out in the fall of 1937; the knee locked up, his foot missed the next rung, he pitched down the ladder head-first and broke his neck on impact, expiring eight minutes later according to my father’s account.
yes, it's one of the good ones. Sir Paul has always had quite a gift for melody that's almost Mozartian to the extent that, hearing them, it feels like they were just lying around somewhere, waiting to be picked up.
Fern, beautiful.! Made more beautiful to me as this is the first song I heard my then " husband to be" sing when he fronted his group, Murphy's Kitchen in Boston. But I love this rendition for it's simple acoustics and the way he opens up and plays around in the song. A process not unlike the Cleaver approach. Fitting.
Thank you, Carol. I have listened to that Black Bird often in the last few days. You have a husband who sang it, and I have a friend listening to two black birds singing to each other very close to his window.
Happy Birthday. Now I know why I enjoy your views and your writing so much. We are of the same generation. I turned 81 in March of this year. We’ve had very different life experiences, but, hey, we’re here and enjoying life. You are exactly right about the DNA. I have cousins still living alone who are older than me by about ten years. It’s going to be fun to see what happens in the next decade. Again, Happy Birthday.
It's always a good thing when the segments of your life that you have the most control over manage to go well and are fulfilling in many ways. And, again, Happy Birthday, and I agree about the DNA thing.
Happy birthday Tom. It's wonderful that you're able to do what you want and earn a living at doing things which you enjoy and make you happy. Far too many struggle through decades of wage slavery or unhappy "careers" only to drop dead early from the accumulated stress of it all. Good for you.
The possibility of that happening to me (Flight Medical Examiner in 1980: "I don't know what you do for a living, sir, but if you keep on, you're going to have an ulcer in two years and a heart attack in five." THAT woke me up!) was what put me on my path.
Old age can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on the person. If you can make a comfortable living off your passions and interests, that’s a double blessing. Happy birthday and a wish for many more for you and your kitties.
Congratulations on your achievement and may you have many--at least eight or so--more happy returns. A good few more than eight would be better! Happy Birthday, TC!!!
Happy birthday to you! Enjoy your next spin around the sun, and keep educating us on all things related to airplanes and politics. Mine is tomorrow, Bastille Day!
Happy Birthday, T.C. You're a bit ahead of me on those, but I know what you mean about being old enough to be certain of knowing what you know. And as the old saying goes, if I'd known I was going to live even this long I'd have certainly taken better care of myself. :-D!
Thank you for a true and dear story about the fine Thomas McKelvey Cleaver on his seventy-ninth birthday.
✈️
Fern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kruKQCY77bc&pp=ygUKYmxhY2sgYmlyZA%3D%3D
Thanks for the very nice present of that song, Fern.
yes, it's one of the good ones. Sir Paul has always had quite a gift for melody that's almost Mozartian to the extent that, hearing them, it feels like they were just lying around somewhere, waiting to be picked up.
did that make any sense?
Fern, beautiful.! Made more beautiful to me as this is the first song I heard my then " husband to be" sing when he fronted his group, Murphy's Kitchen in Boston. But I love this rendition for it's simple acoustics and the way he opens up and plays around in the song. A process not unlike the Cleaver approach. Fitting.
Thank you, Carol. I have listened to that Black Bird often in the last few days. You have a husband who sang it, and I have a friend listening to two black birds singing to each other very close to his window.
Beautiful song Fern. One of my favorite Beatle songs.
So glad you like it, Karen RN. Brad Mehldau is a brilliant pianist. He covers the Beatles, along with Bach. I hope you hear more of his performances.
I’m listening to him now. It’s beautiful and just what. I need right now. Thank you
mine too.
So glad you were born. I hope you continue to enlighten and brighten our lives
Beautifully written memoir, TC. I hope I'm around until you're at least 90 so I can continue to enjoy one of my fave Substack sites.
Flattery will get you everywhere, Stewart. :-)
ditto.
Happy Birthday. Now I know why I enjoy your views and your writing so much. We are of the same generation. I turned 81 in March of this year. We’ve had very different life experiences, but, hey, we’re here and enjoying life. You are exactly right about the DNA. I have cousins still living alone who are older than me by about ten years. It’s going to be fun to see what happens in the next decade. Again, Happy Birthday.
It's always a good thing when the segments of your life that you have the most control over manage to go well and are fulfilling in many ways. And, again, Happy Birthday, and I agree about the DNA thing.
Happy Birthday Tom. I am exceedingly glad I have come to know you here.
Happy birthday Tom. It's wonderful that you're able to do what you want and earn a living at doing things which you enjoy and make you happy. Far too many struggle through decades of wage slavery or unhappy "careers" only to drop dead early from the accumulated stress of it all. Good for you.
The possibility of that happening to me (Flight Medical Examiner in 1980: "I don't know what you do for a living, sir, but if you keep on, you're going to have an ulcer in two years and a heart attack in five." THAT woke me up!) was what put me on my path.
Old age can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on the person. If you can make a comfortable living off your passions and interests, that’s a double blessing. Happy birthday and a wish for many more for you and your kitties.
Congratulations on your achievement and may you have many--at least eight or so--more happy returns. A good few more than eight would be better! Happy Birthday, TC!!!
Happy birthday to you! Enjoy your next spin around the sun, and keep educating us on all things related to airplanes and politics. Mine is tomorrow, Bastille Day!
Happy birthday, Nancy Ellen!
My mom is still thriving at age 93. Like you, I hope I'm swimming in the right gene pool!
Happy Birthday to you also!
Happy Birthday, T.C. You're a bit ahead of me on those, but I know what you mean about being old enough to be certain of knowing what you know. And as the old saying goes, if I'd known I was going to live even this long I'd have certainly taken better care of myself. :-D!
Yes indeed, sir. :-)
Happy Birthday! Keep writing.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday Tom. Treat yourself and celebrate. Your posts are always so great. I look forward to many more.
Happy birthday, and here's to as many more as you desire.
Happy birthday! You were born the last time we were trying to root out fascism. This time, it's within our borders, known as the republican party.
https://youtu.be/H46yXW4qR_M
Happy Birthday, you sizzlin’ man. I always love what you have on the writing griddle.
Enjoy one of my fave renditions of Blackbird. Jon Batiste at the piano.
Cheers, TC!
🗽💜
Thanks - that is good.