My Seventy Seventh

February 28, 1935. A young woman anxiously awaits the birth of her first child at the New Britain General Hospital in New Britain, Connecticut. It’s around 8:30 on a Thursday evening. No big bang on the TV tonight only the upcoming big occasion of the baby’s birth. The unborn is enjoying this winter evening, nice and warm in its liquid paradise. Little did I know then that 30 minutes later I’ll be pushed out into a strange new world, and it’s been a strange one ever since. Even the seventy seventh time this date came around it proves to be strange.

How do you spend your 77th birthday? Let’s see, first we wait for the car dealer to come and start your dead car in the garage. Fifth time he’s had to come. Some strange night time creature in my cursed vehicle has once again drained my battery. Googled the problem as suggested by my smart brother and found, lo and behold that I am not the only one suffering this pain-in-the-ass problem. Keying in 2008 Buick battery failures filled the screen with many others who, along with their dealers, have no idea why the phantom creature in their Buick is stealing the juice form their battery overnight. Thank God the car’s death occurred in the safety of my garage every time

Well enough of that, let’s go to the exciting part of my birthday celebration. I got a phone from a nice fellow member of the local AARP. I’m a member why? Well Marge knows a great number of women and enjoys going to functions where she can see many of them. So what does that have to do with me? I’ll tell you, I’m a real nice guy and am her driver, escort and sandwich maker when it’s our turn to contribute to the food table laid out after each monthly meeting. So anyway, at most meetings of a hundred or so ancient people only about five or six are men, who look in far worse shape than me. There’s work to be done prior to meetings, tables and chairs to be moved to set up the hall. Anyway this nice old gentleman, 89 to be exact calls me on my birthday and asks if I would help him set up. How the hell do I say no to an 89 year old man stuck with the job? So the birthday celebration began huffing and puffing away hauling heavy metal tables out fro under the stage and setting them up for a stimulating meeting followed by an exciting “Tea Cup Auction”. I did, however get there in style. My dealer, who is actually great, must have felt guilty this time because they left me with a brand new Buick with only 24 miles on it.

In spite of everything the day still ended up nicely. Had a nice dinner with Brother Peter, his girl friend Kathy and two very good friends. I nice bottle Malbec didn’t hurt the cause either.

Where's the Snow?

Nearly every winter Marge and I talk about joining the so called "Snow Birds" to head South for while to get away from our New England winter weather. Of course it's all talk for us and we never end up going, but last year's miserable record snows took us from all talk into action. We booked a twelve day cruise out of Bayonne, New Jersey to the sunny Carribean islands. We're not new to cruising having been on four others, but this was our first winter one. Arriving in Port Liberty I was surprised to see the size of this ship, Celebrity's Silhouette. Seven hundred fifty million dollars worth of luxury. Over 1,000 feet long. 122,000 tons and carrying 2,886 passengers and 1,500 crew.......how does it float? And this is still far from the biggest.

These things have everything, bars, Casino, pools, hot tubs, huge main dining room,restaurans,theater (marvelous shows every night), wine cellars, a library and even lawns on the top deck with real grass. I could go on and on, mind boggling. Five nights coming and going at sea and six ports, Haiti, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Antigua, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. Not a lot for me to do on the Islands, mostly shopping and beaches. Long ago I had decided that there was no way I was putting this marvelous body on public display. We let the wives shop, while John and I sat on benches and drank cheap Island beer (only $.99 a can). Forgot to mention we were traveling with a great couple from Enfield that we met on our trip last September. Temperatures around eighty every day.
We checked the New England weather every day in the hope for verification of our travel decision. I was actually praying you would have at least a little snow, but what happens, it waits for us to come home. Can't believe it's February and still nothing on the ground, flowers popping up and guys still out there playing golf.

Good trip, ate too much, afraid to get on a scale. Oh well, I guess that's what cruises are all about.

By the way, we've booked our next cruise. Here's the ship we're going on.