Happy Birthday Sister Jackie

Today, Monday, February 12, is my little sister, Jackie's, Happy Birthday.

I do not remember why Jackie was in a baseball uniform in this photo of Jackie holding a baseball mitt.

Was there some sort of Pee Wee T-Ball League way back then?

I think likely not.

I do not remember Jackie playing baseball. I do remember Jackie playing basketball in high school.

Jackie's little sister, Michele, I do remember playing baseball, of the type called softball.

I recollect going to a Washington State High School Softball Tournament in Wenatchee, Washington, watching Michele be, if I remember correctly, and likely I don't, the catcher.

Again, if I am remembering correctly, Michele was picked to be Most Valuable Player at that tournament.

What I clearly remember of that weekend in Wenatchee is going to a U-Pick cherry orchard, with mom and dad, Jackie, and Jackie's oldest, Christopher, where we all picked cherries, including Christopher, who at that point in time might have been three years old.

I remember Christopher having a great time climbing a ladder, picking cherries and putting them in the burlap bag provided.

And now, all these years later, Jackie is a Grandma. And Christopher is a Pa.

I do not think there are any cherry trees in the Phoenix, Arizona zone that Jackie and Christopher can take Baby Cade to in a couple years to do some cherry picking.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKIE!!!

Spencer Jack Bakes A Cake And Sings Happy Birthday To His Great-Grandma

Today is Spencer Jack's great-grandma's (and my mom's) birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Spencer Jack baked his great-grandma a chocolate birthday cake, then Spencer Jack's dad shot video of Spencer singing Happy Birthday to his great-grandma.

Then the photo of Spencer Jack and the cake he baked, and the video, were emailed from Mount Vernon to Spencer Jack's and his dad's favorite uncle in Texas.

The video was then made in to a YouTube video, added below, so Spencer Jack's great-grandma, in Arizona, can listen to Spencer singing her Happy Birthday.

I tell you, the miracles of modern electronic communication....

Shocking New Age Related Information Regarding Haltom City's Layla Caraway

I was perusing this week's Fort Worth Weekly when I came upon an advertisement which surprised me.

I knew that Miss Layla Caraway's birthday this year was a significant one.

But, for some reason I thought the number was going from 29 to 30.

Not 39 to 40.

On more than one occasion, when Miss Layla and I have been out in public, there have been incidents where someone makes a remark which indicates the person making the remark believes me to be Layla's dad, with the remark being directed at Layla being something along the line of  how nice of you to take your elderly dad out on the town.

I have found these incidents of being mistaken for being Layla's dad to be slightly unsettling, but I quickly get over it.

However, now I must re-assess, what with this Lordy Lordy Look Who's 40 information. I guess this means I look something like 70.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Layla. You don't  look a day over 29.....

Happy Birthday Today From Texas To My Dear Ol' Dad

That is my dad's high school graduation picture you are looking at.

My dad graduated from Nooksack High School a couple years after the end of World War II. Nooksack High School is in the town of Nooksack, near the town of Lynden, near the Canadian border, near where my mom lived at that point in time.

The Nooksack are a Pacific Northwest Indian tribe.

Today is my dad's birthday.

Had you told my dad on the day this picture was taken that in the year 2011 he would be living in Arizona and his son would be in Texas, sending his picture out to the world, with a happy birthday greeting, on a blog, using something called a computer and the Internet, likely none of that would have made any sense.

Nor would my dad have been, way back then, able to understand how his son would be able to call him, long distance, for free, to wish him a happy birthday. And to do so whilst driving.

I remember when I was a kid it was a long distance call to call from Burlington to Lynden. All calls had to be very short. You got charged by the second for long distance calls back in Ancient Times.

In July of 2002 I flew north for the biggest family reunion ever of my dad's side of my family relations. This reunion took place at the fairgrounds in Lynden. At that reunion people I did not know would come up to me and say they knew who I was, without needing to ask, because I looked just like my dad. At the time I thought that odd, but now I sort of see the resemblance, except my dad has a cooler haircut. At least back in his senior year in high school.

Pretty much all of my good traits, such as they are, I got from my dad. Like always being totally calm and unflappable while driving. I have never ever seen my dad even remotely lose his temper. Lord knows he has had plenty of reason to, but I've never seen it happen. My dad has always been a Mr. Fix-it. Years ago it was fixing TVs.  Among other things. The last time I was in Washington my sister had a multi-page to-do list for my dad to get done during mom and dad's one week stay. Everything from fixing doors, building shelves to digging up rhododendrons.

If my memory serves me correctly, my sister and dad dug deep around the rhododendrons and I came along later and wrenched them out of the ground.

I have no idea what my mom and dad are doing today for my dad's birthday. When I talked to my mom Saturday night they had been being busy traveling about with one of my aunts. That is likely continuing.

My Nephew David's Late 9/11 Happy Birthday Blogging

My Nephew David's 9/11 Birthday Party

That is my nephew, David, on Sunday, 9/11, swinging at a Pinata at his birthday party in his backyard in Tacoma.

Last week, before David's birthday, I mentioned it was upcoming the upcoming weekend, but that I did not know if his birthday was 9/10 or 9/11.

I now know, courtesy of David's poodle caretakers, Blue & Max, that David was born on the 7th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

One would think a good uncle would be able to remember such things without a blog having to remind him.

Today, 9/15, is the birthday of David's oldest aunt, my oldest sister. Also known, by many, as Miss Crankypants, and by others, simply as, "The Nag." I do not know, precisely, how old "The Nag" is today. I do know the number is significant and that "The Nag" is about to retire from her job of many, many years.

One of David's favorite aunts, my sister who lives in the Phoenix zone, was invited to and was able to attend David's 3rd 9/11 Birthday Party. I was unable to attend, but was not invited, so it really was not an issue.

I must hit the publish button on this blogging now and then go email "The Nag" a happy birthday greeting, which will likely make her cranky.

It Is A Happy 47th Birthday Today In Durango Jones World

I have been getting emails and Facebook messages this morning wishing me a Happy Birthday. I checked my biographical information to see if it is my birthday today. Apparently it is.

Today, using the patented Durango Age Calculating Formula I calculated I am 47 years old. The Durango Age Calculating Formula adds ones Chronological Age to How Old One Looks to How Old One Acts and then divides the total by 3.

As you can see in my high school senior photo I have always looked way younger than my chronological years. I believe I was 17 when my senior photo was taken.

I have always been told that as I got older I would come to appreciate my freakishly youthful appearance. I guess I do. But it does get tiresome, at times, the few times I purchase an adult beverage, to get asked to prove I am old enough to do so.

Last October my mountain bike was stolen. This was about a week after I had my last mountain bike wreck. It was not a bad wreck, but it wrenched my right foot, a pain which took a long time to go away. I took the bike wreck, followed by the bike theft, followed by the foot pain to be an omen that I was too old to be riding a bike.

In the picture you are looking at me on my first mountain bike, pedaling the streets of Eugene, Oregon, wearing a very stylish bike helmet.

Being at the ripe old age of 47 it is hard to remember all the people I have met over the years in the various places I have met people.

Sometimes memories are too painful to remember. Or to forget.

I don't remember the name of the girl in the picture. It seems like maybe the last name was Figenbaum. My mom would likely remember.

I have always liked being outdoors. This likely explains why at my now semi-advanced age of 47 my skin is leathery. Or is it just tanned?

My enjoying playing in the sun years began in Eugene. Summers are hot in Eugene. Not Texas HOT, but hot.

I think in the picture on the left I am working on my garden.

I have always liked to plant stuff and watch it grow. Not so much in Texas, though. Growing stuff in Texas is a daunting task. You might run low on water. Or get a plague of locusts.

Elsie Hotpepper emailed me a few minutes ago asking what my Happy Birthday plans are.

I have no Happy Birthday plans. Except to call my mom and wish her a Happy Birthday for birthing me.

Happy Birthday To The Goober Twins From Another HOT Sunday In Texas

As you can see, looking out my primary viewing portal on the outdoor world, I am up early this next to last Sunday of July.

July 24 is the Goober Twin's birthday. Big Ed and Wally are at least 39 years old today. Maybe older.

Yesterday I saw disturbing evidence that something unwanted is moving into my neighborhood. Later this morning I will go get some photographic evidence of the incoming intruder.

This morning we are already heated to 83.7, heading to a scheduled high of 103. I do not know how many days in a row over 100 we've been burned with, currently, here in North Texas. Or how close we are to breaking the record for number of 100 degree days in a row.

The sun has now completed its daily morning illumination task. Which means it is now time to go swimming.

My Dad's Happy 80th Birthday Is Today

That is my Mom and Dad at Fair Park in Dallas, between the Midway and the Cotton Bowl in January of 2009. It was a Thursday that eventually ended in Roanoke at Babe's Chicken. With a McDonald's in north Dallas in between.

The last I've seen Mom and Dad was a few days after this picture was taken. We'd gone to the Ol' South Pancake House for breakfast. After breakfast I led them back on to the I-30 freeway and waved them goodbye as they headed west towards Phoenix and their Phoenix suburb location of Sun Lake.

Today is my Dad's 80th birthday. That is a rather significant birthday. I remember like it was yesterday the surprise birthday party from my Grandma Vera's 80th, up in Lynden.

Lynden is about 5 miles south of the Canadian border for you non-Northwesterners reading this. My Mom and Dad grew up in the Lynden zone. It is a Dutch dominated town.

I remember Mom and me going up to Lynden to get Grandma's place ready for her surprise party while a cousin kept Grandma occupied. It was a rather large party.

I'd assumed I'd be getting informed that I needed to be in Phoenix for a birthday party for my Dad today. But, a few weeks ago my Mom told me they wanted no party. And, so no party will there be.

Or so Mom and Dad have been led to believe.

Today is the annual Christmas Party for the managers of several dozen McDonald's in the Phoenix area. My Mom and Dad have gone to the annual McDonald's Christmas Party previously, and they are doing so again today.

What Mom and Dad do not know is that their McDonald's family is also going to be throwing my Dad an 80th Birthday Party today. With a cake. And, I assume, an awful lot of candles.

Of my siblings only one will be at Dad's 80th Birthday Party. My sister Jackie. The others, including me, will be phoning in their Happy Birthday Dad messages.

My Mom's Happy Birthday In Eugene Oregon With My Texas Swimming Birthday Suit

You are looking at me and my mom and dad. In Yuma, Arizona, Christmas Day, a few years ago.

Today, 68 years ago, my mom had a happy birthday when her oldest baby was born, in Eugene, Oregon.

A few days ago a package arrived from my mom and dad. I had it on my to-do list to call my mom today, after I opened that package, but before I could do that mom called me, this morning.

I wished mom a happy birthday, told her I'd not opened the package yet. Said I would call later, after I had opened the package.

After I talked to my mom I got a comment to the earlier blogging about this being my Happy 68th Birthday. The comment was from Anonymous, claiming to be a relative of mine.

This is what Anonymous said...

Enjoy your 68th birthday, it just seems like you turned 56 a year ago, however....either way you are still one of my oldest (and for sure, wisest) living relatives.

To which I counter-commented....

Anonymous, you are a relative impostor. Your impostor-ness made obvious due to the fact that none of my living relatives think I'm wise. And, very kind of you to point out that I've aged 12 years since last year's calculation of my age.

To which Anonymous counter-counter-commented...

It takes a wise relative to recognize a wiser one!

When I got the Anonymous comment I saw the comment was made when someone who's IP address registers as Oak Harbor, Washington, was on the blog.

So, when I called my mom to thank her for the singing card, shirts, and other stuff, I asked what relative of ours lives in the Oak Harbor zone, or on Whidbey Island. The only names my mom came up with were very improbable perpetrators of the Anonymous comment. I asked my mom who among our relatives could possibly think me wise? My mom agreed that it seemed very far-fetched that such a relative existed.

Continuing with the birthday blogging theme. Today I've gotten some Happy Birthday messages delivered in electronic form other than a telephonic device.

The running theme seems to be me and my birthday suit. Tess S asked, "What about your birthday suit? Bev L asked, "What color is your birthday suit?" CVB suggested, "Now you can really take a swim in your birthday suit." Alice O asked, "Is it birthday suit all day? Covers eyes 'n giggles."

In addition to swimming in my birthday suit it's been suggested I get a massage to relieve my extreme tensions, go see a movie, veg out watching TV all day, while eating bon bons, go out for lunch, go out for dinner, I forget what else.

Thank y'all for the suggestions. As you can see I heeded the birthday suit swim suggestion. While snorkeling. In addition to the birthday suit swimming I went out for lunch. I have not had any bon bons, nor will I. I'm really not all that certain I know what a bon bon is.

I need to go back outside and brave the 106 degree Heat Index. I will not be able to wear my birthday suit on this particular outdoor operation as it involves going into a place of business that would frown upon someone being way too comfortable in the HEAT.

Having Myself A Happy 68th Birthday In Flat Texas

I am up early, again, on this, the second Wednesday of August. I know you are wondering if the picture is the view from my patio, this morning, as I sit outside, in the pre-dawn morning chill, of 81 degrees, drinking coffee.

I wish that was my patio view, but, sadly, no matter what direction I look from my current location I will see neither a mountain or a waterfall.

What you are looking at, in the picture, is Mount Rainier, with the top of Myrtle Falls in the foreground. Mount Rainier is a mountain in Washington. The tallest. It's the only iconic image on the Washington license plate, unlike the Texas plate which is cluttered with a lot of little images, some of which make sense to me.

In about 7 hours it will be exactly 2 years since I last saw Mount Rainier up close. I can remember this precisely because 2 years ago, today, on my birthday, I went to Mount Rainier. It does not seem like it can already be 2 years since I nearly fell to my death from a ladder on Mount Rainier, well, more accurately, from a ladder very near to Mount Rainier.

The latch I was holding on to broke loose, sending me, nearly, falling backwards.

So, today I turn 68. I really don't feel that old, I feel older. I do my age calculation by adding my chronological age to how old I feel to how old I look and then divide by 3 to arrive at today's age of 68.

The feeling old is coming from I'm being very sore, in a decrepit sort of way. Sore muscles, and my feet are aching. Like I'm thinking what the joints and bones in my feet and knees are aching like is what old people mean when they say their rheumatism is acting up.

Now that I'm a Senior Citizen I'm getting what old folks mean when they say getting old is not easy. And don't get me started on the trauma of my hair falling out. It's constantly annoying. At least it hasn't gone gray yet, so I suppose I should be grateful for that.

That's me and my Mount Rainier Happy Birthday date, Janet, on the left, in the picture, with Mount Rainier behind us. I've aged so much in 2 years I don't think I could convince a young lady, like Janet, to go up a mountain with me anymore.

But, there are plenty of old ladies out there who might be willing to go up a mountain with a 68 year old geezer. If only there were any mountains within a 300 mile range of my current forlorn location.

I have no idea what is ahead of me today, on my hopefully happy, 68th birthday.

Except, for being fairly certain, in a few minutes, I will be swimming. After that, who knows?

Happy Birthday August 11 Leos

Like Nancy Reagan and Gar the Texan I am a super strong believer in absolutely everything that has anything to do with Astrology, including Horoscopes.

I don't make a move in any direction at any time without consulting my Horoscope. Or Astrologist.

So, each year on my birthday, which is today, I very warily check Horoscopes focusing on this specific day.

It will take me awhile to process all the contradictory and good things that are apparently going to happen to me this year.

I don't know why I remain such a fervent Astrology Believer. Maybe it's my bad memory. But it seems like last year's birthday Horoscope prediction were very optimistic. Yet the year between last year's August 11 and this year's really was not the best of times. In some ways it was the best of times, though. I guess relying on Horoscopes to predict ones future is fraught with possible confusions.

Anyway, here is a sampling of my future from today's various Horoscopes....

IF AUG. 11 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You're a powerful Leo! You have a lot of energy and drive. You genuinely like people and are always involved with people at some level. You're an excellent researcher because you cannot resist seeking the truth of things. You're very comfortable with an audience; indeed, you like to perform. This year will focus on partnerships and close friendships.

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Today's birthday (Aug. 11): You'll be quite satisfied with what you get and give this year. You get into shape physically over the next 10 weeks. Someone wants to make you part of the family in September. Your career picture shapes up nicely through the fall. Virgo and Sagittarius are your fans. Lucky numbers: 30, 50, 11, 22 and 17.

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Your fiery energy makes almost everything a bit more exciting today, from driving to work to eating dinner. You may just mix up your routines, or you may decide to shake things up in a big way!

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Everything points to your taking the initiative this day. You will have more support than you thought possible. This is a lucky day and energies are in your favor for whatever you want to accomplish. Your career, practical vision and skills are of central importance to you. You are organized and deliberate in this area of life. Your reputation and image are a source of concern and you do everything you can to make them solid. Interestingly enough, if you look around, you will find your job security is more secure than ever. You may find that over the past few months you have gained a new group of friends. These are people that have similar goals to your own--you will help each other to reach goals. Your life seems to be moving in very positive ways.

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This is an excellent time to create a co-operative attitude with your co-workers, employers or employees depending on your status. You may have to play peacemaker or matchmaker at this time and bring people together. This will bring a sense of satisfaction as well as a relief from any tension that has precipitated your involvement.

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Cheerful cooperation the 11th may put you in a very good mood and IS your best day to 'ask for favors.' A long talk near the 13th to 15th may help you to see a 'selfish interest' forming in 'family dynamics' and thereby 'avoid' an upcoming clash/problem. Act upon it by or before the full moon this 16th. A 'big project' may feel like 'biting off more than you can chew,' near the 15th to 17th.

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The world you inhabit is merely a reflection of the thoughts in your head and once you come to terms with that fact you can start changing your life for the better. The more positive vibrations you send out this year, the more wonderful things you'll get back.

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Being famous isn't everything, but to you it means a lot. You like people to realize you're someone special from the moment they meet you.

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IF AUGUST 11 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: When you're hot, you're hot. For the next few months, your effervescent charm can be a valuable asset if you are seeking a new job, changing careers or diligently looking for that special someone. People will overlook your shortcomings and accentuate the positive, so it is easy reach your goals. Mid-October through mid-November is an especially good time to make major changes in your life or to hook up with influential and beneficial people. In January you may meet up with fascinating people, but don't rock the stable boat you have built by changing partners or jobs then.