Some of you may wonder how an 84-year-old man can crow about the end of a year in his life. Well, life does not need to dribble away if one stays into things and 2006 proved that point to me.  Let's see what big things happened in 2006:

 

-- I rediscovered a very important branch of my family and am much the better for it.  My late brother's family is mostly in Southern California, so when my grand niece, a student at Oberlin College of Music starred in an opera at the school, we had a giant family reunion there. I got acquainted  with my grand nephews I had never met.  I got reacquainted with my grand nieces.  And I got back together with my sister in law and my niece and her husband. It hs been an emotional and rewarding time.

 

-- My business connection with Marcos Menendez at Loop Consulting Group in Miami has flourished and we have had a great time making what is turning out to be great success for his company.

 

-- I became a designated grandfather for Kat, a talented writer who I discovered through her blog. (see link at right). She had never had one and asked if I would become a proxy grandpa for her and her sister.  But, most important, I got Kat into the Loop Consulting Group action and she has done some wonderful writing for Loop clients (enewsletter) and proven to be a peerless editor and proof reader.

 

-- Both Penny and I were featured in front page stories in our local newspaper, the Pantagraph. The paper was interested in my claim to be the oldest blogger and then they discovered Penny, the blind massage therapist.

 

-- I lined up two of my long time friends (a former client for my ad agency consulting business and a former fellow employee at an ad agency in Miami) to become regional managers for Loop Consulting.

 

Through it all I have been fortunate that this old body keeps working.

 

So, my friends, how can I not celebrate the Year That Was?

Well, son Jim and Bearly go back home to Miami tomorrow, so that marks the end of the Christmas events. It has been a week that was - with three parties, shopping, eating out, etc. The huge family gathering down at Ruthies and Gary's was a mob scene.  Thirty four people in attendance, everyone talking at the same time, kids running around, women cooking and serving. Golleeee!

 

I think that next year we will have a quiet Christmas with Penny's side of the family - down in Florida. Even with driving down there, it will be less stress.

 

Yeah we had fun.  We ate out a few times and Bearly always was with us.  We have the restaurant provide him with a booster chair.  And he does get attention from people in the restaurant.  They love him!

 

I have been avoiding the mall as much as I can.  That means no mall walking.  It's too cold to walk outside, so I am sure that, with the holiday eating and no exercise, the scales are going to give me bad news. But, we say that every year, don't we.

 

Penny and I hope you all have been having a great time.  And we wish you a happy and fulfilling new year.

My grandbear, Bearly Bear, is the most indulged member of the family.  Of course, when he reads this he will say "Yeah, but I deserve it!"

I just found some photos that were taken last Christmas when he was up here from Miami with Son Jim. The one below shows the loot (presents) he gets for Christmas.  It is really kind of embarassing, but we do love our Bearly.  I have also posted some additional pictures from last year of Bearly in his new uniforms and outfits. You will find that in the gallery of pix to the right, below the main gallery.

 

This is posted to show that we are getting into the Christmas mood - and none too soon.  I was foolish enough to go to the mall today, but couldn't even find a parking space.  So, I guess I will try again on Monday. In the meantime, season's greetings to all of you.

My friend, Gene Hameroff, sent me a clipping of a column by George F. Will that contains some nostalgic recollections. Do you remember when:

 

-- Downtown department stores had elevators with white-gloved operators.

 

-- Pneumatic tubes in these stores carried money and receipts  to and from cashiers.

 

-- Folks did not eat foreign foods except "French toast".

 

-- The bread we ate was  white and at least 65% air.

 

-- We were not into spices other than salt, pepper and maple syrup.

 

-- The preferred cheese was a vivid, bright yellow and shiny enough to see your reflection in.

 

Consider what was not yet invented then:

 

-- ballpoint pens

 

-- contact lenses

 

-- credit cards

 

-- power steering

 

-- long-playing records

 

-- dishwashers

 

--  garbage disposals

 

And remember words no longer heard:

 

-- icebox

 

-- dime store

 

-- bobby socks

 

-- panty raid

 

-- canasta (card game)

 

And here is the capper:

 

In 1951, a Tennessee youth was arrested on suspicion of narcotics possession.  The brown powder he had was a new product - instant coffee.

 

Ah yes, those were the days!

Our friend Lorrie (she and Jerry are our date night buddies) sent us this exciting message:

 

Having just returned from the wine country, I thought this, from a fellow traveler, was very appropriate.

 

 

California vintners  in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produces Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pino Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic.  It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom during the night.

 

The new wine will be marketed as PINO MORE.

 

(I heard it through the grapevine).

 

I am like those people who love to open their wallet and show you pictures of their kids. So, here I go again with more pictures from the opera starring my grandniece, Alexis. If you don't know what this is about, look back a couple of postings and all will be clear. These are shots taken from the videocam of my niece Nan. I think they came out very well and capture some of the action of the opera.

Here is another one from Penny's friend Patsy Whitecotton Barggren.

 

THE FOUR STAGES OF CHRISTMAS

 

1. You believe in Santa Claus

 

2. You stop believing in Santa Claus

 

3. You are Santa

 

4. You look like Santa