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David Mitchell

It was a little over a year ago that Jim, or Mike, or somebody, posted the question about important music of our generation. I answered with an early clip of Elvis in a musical comedy skit with Steve Allen, Andy Griffin, and Imogen Coca. I think it ws before any of his "first" apperances as the iconic image we grew to know.

So it was obviously Elvis who had perhaps the greatest impact on our early lives.

But the group below launched a new era in American popular music that I (and many of us) really latched onto and enjoyed. It was around 5th grade when my oldest sister came home for Christmas after her first semester at St. Mary's College at Notre Dame (remember before N.D. was co-ed). She had this album with these three guys wearing matching striped shirts and a sound that I hadn't heard before. It wasn't Rock, or Country, or R&B, or any mix thereof. It was just different - and I loved it!  

Michael McLeod

I wouldn't have mentioned Elvis.

Guess this makes me an outlier but I have never been impressed by him, either then or now.

I wondered then why everybody was so hepped up about him. I wonder now what all the fuss was about. 

David Mitchell

Mike,

I don't entirely disagree with you. I think I enjoyed his personna as much a his voice. He surely did NOT have a great voice, but he could "sell" the words. Seeing him shake his hips on that first appearance on the Dorsey Brothers (or was it Milton Berle, or Ed Sullivan?) was pretty exciting. After his first few hits like "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", and "Shake Rattle and Roll", I kind'a lost interest. But I still think he left a huge mark on our generation. 

Michael McLeod

The Beatles were originals. They broke new ground lyrically, technically, conceptually and intellectually. Elvis was just the first white guy to sing with his body. There were others then and since but he was better looking than the rest of them, was in the right place at the right time, and had a cutthroat manager.

John Maxwell

David Barbour

Michael McLeod

we had an old combination radio record player in our basement with a stash of the records our parents had grown up listening to. As kids we would play them and make fun of them but some of the good stuff is still imprinted in me.

Now my grown children still listen to and appreciate the 60s/70s stuff, which makes me happy.

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

That moment when you drive your Chevy to the levy and the levy isn’t dry. This is what happens when you drink whiskey and rye.

David Mitchell

Tomorow will be a special day for most Americans. But it wil be an even more memorable day for many folks in a small part of Georgia. In a country being overrun with rage and hatred (and Georgia has certainly it's fare share of that), there was a bright flicker of Justice and Hope today in Brunswick.  

I was driving when I heard the news and immdiately pulled over to text this message to Rev. Dr. Jon Black, my new friend, and pastor of our local all-black "Campbell A.M.E. Church" - "Praise God!" 

He texted right back. "To God be the Glory!"  

He and I had been texting, emailing, and praying together about this day for the past few weeks.

p.s.  he is one of the most interesting and likable guys I have ever met. Five degrees - plus a Navy Lt. Commander - plus a great sense of humor. Our world could use a whole bunch of Rev. Jon Blacks.

p.p.s. A.M.E. stands for African Methodist Episccopal, but Jon says it means "Always Meeting and Eating".

Joseph D. McCarthy

To one and all.   HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!

Michael McLeod

We need to get you drunk at the reunion and have you sing that song, mm.

John Maxwell

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Jack......,someone else shared the picture with the revised American Pie lyrics on FB I only posted it here because it made me smile.  I never for a second thought thought to give it some hidden poltical meaning. 

Mark Schweickart

Dave – Well at least young Emmitt Till may be spared another rolling-in-his-grave response as our shabby race relations slowly evolve. "Imagine that," he would be thinking, "white men receiving a guilty verict?"

Jack – thanks for the vocabulary lesson. I had never heard the term "pareidolia" before. Good to know.

MM -- If there ever was a song to associate with Jack's hidden visual messages, what better one than "American  Pie," the most mystery-laden allegorical pop song ever.

That being said, I hope you all have a bit of regular old Ameican pie with dinner today. Happy Thanksgiving!

David Barbour

Joseph D. McCarthy

Dave B.

The locaal paper, yes Mike I subscribe to the local newspaper, had a full page article concerning Plinny.  It will be available at both of their Sonoma County locations this year.  If the weather is good , less than four inches predicted on the first day, you can expect to wait up to only sixteen ( 16 ) hours in line for a shot (pun intended) for your Plinny's, and a chance to purchase two ( 2 ) bottles to go of what is listed as one of the top ten ( 10 ) beers in the world.  Yes they come from all over the world to purchase a taste each year of Plinny, a February event.  

I will gladly RENT out my spare bedroom for up to ten people, who want to get VERY close, for only $1,500 per night, per person.

James Hamilton, M. D.

Hey, Mike McL.,  

We are in Albuquerque, NM for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend where we always enjoy the Hispanic and Native American cultures and food (my sister and her family has lived here for decades). As we drive around this city we see so many streets whose names reflect those and the Catholic heritage that comprise this area of the Southwest. San Pedro, San Francisco, Osuna, San Mateo, Paseo del Norte and hundreds of others. You can imagine my confusion as we passed the intersection of San Mateo and Mc Leod street.

So, Mike, how did your clan rate such an honor in The Land of Enchantment?

Jim

Joseph D. McCarthy

Donna I want to be the first to remind you that Sunday is "torrija" National Day.  For the rest of us, Sunday is National French Toast Day.  And the story is that "French Toast" can be traced back to the Roman Empire "aliter dulcia."   In Germany it is known as "Arnie Ritter" (poor knight). the French call it "tostees dorees" or today as "pain perdu", and the portuguese call it "raabanadas."

The term Fench Toast came about when Chef Joseph FRENCH came up with his own version and forgot the apostrophe ( Mike pay attention) when he named it "French Toast" instead of "French's Toast."

Happy National French Toast day Sunday.

Michael McLeod

Jim: You got me there. But I'm sure just to be reminded of me made your trip that much more enjoyable.

My kin, from what I can tell, settled in appalachia then from there to the midwest.

David Mitchell

Shhhh.    The silence is deafening.  

  (must be that "Ann Arbor Hangover")

John Maxwell

Michael McLeod

Jack:

Your age is showing. And I mean that as a compliment.

Years ago I would have just been angry and frustrated and bitter over the kind of loss we had to sit and take last saturday.

But after moping around a bit after the game I had an impulse to drive down the street and knock on the door of a Michigan fan I've been teasing for years.

I congratulated him. I told him I knew exactly how he felt, which was exactly how I felt years ago when OSU broke out of a long losing streak and beat Michigan. I was happy for him. And I sincerely, sincerely was. Swear to God. It's a Christmas miracle. I never could have risen above my own frustrations, in years past, long enough to let go the way I had to let go to have a moment like that. I enjoyed it. He enjoyed it. The guy had tears in his eyes as he shook my hand, and I had to do a little blinking myself. 

I'm still surprised that I did something like that - not just that I did it but that it came to me so effortlessly. Then I realized it reflected changes in me that I hadn't registered until that moment. 

Anyway that's what your post reminded me of. It made me suspect you and I - and lord knows how many of our classmates - have gone through similiar transformations.

The more we pay attention over the years the more we open up a different perspective on things, one that will, on occasion, take us by surprise.

Joseph Gentilini

I have some good news.  While some of my doctors were sure I had pancreatic cancer, all the scans and the latest biopsies are negative for cancer.  They now think I have an auto-immune pancreatitis problem and are going to treat it with steroids.  This will really mess up my diabetes, but it can be managed.  The liver enzymes are coming back in the right direction.  They will take more blood work next week and another scan of my body in two months or so to make sure this is the correct diagnosis.  They tell me that this type of pancreatitis mimics pancreatic cancer and is difficult to diagnosis.  One doctor told me that I was a miracle child and dodged a bullet.  I very much appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts for me - more than you will ever know.  Please pray that the treatment works and I will finally start getting better.  Joe

James Hamilton, M. D.

Joe G., 

Really good news as that is a very treatable condition. Hope any further testing confirms it and the treatment will end this nightmare!

Jim

David Mitchell

Joe,

Keep your hopes up.

And we'll do some of the praying for you.