Have a happy Saturday. Yesterday we celebrated 70 years since V-E Day; a day of which I actually have a few snippets of memory. But, over my coffee (and without a cigar) here are a few quotes of a resolute leader, one who most likely changed the outcome of WWII. He also happens to be one of my favorite historical figures; maybe in part since I graduated from Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute (my highschool):

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last.”
“We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
“When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber.”
“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”
“If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law.”
Lady Astor: “Winston, if I were your wife I’d put poison in your coffee.” –Winston Churchill: “Nancy, if I were your husband I’d drink it.”

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965)

Wow, what a resolute leader, such insight, and that humor – love that guy.

A long week – The getting the old homestead ready for market is at an apex. “Apex” is that moment when you’re whipped and the light in the tunnel must still be a few turns away – you just don’t know how many. That was the moment when Marcia wrote a ‘venting’ note to her brother. Luckily he answered back with his own list and that acted beautifully as the relief valve she needed.

With renewed energy we’re back at it. Sure it did require me ‘firing’ one of the paint crew – but that seems to have done the job. Then we thought we hit a wall getting replacement vinyl for the kitchen floor. Monday we have someone new make a stop. And so it goes.

What I know for certain is that from the street the place is quickly becoming a showcase. Maybe it’s a slight exaggeration when I say that the neighbors are forming a line to gain access and interview the painters. Although, having said that, I am ready to tell one neighbor to get lost; just a little tired of the interruptions.

The photo of the upstairs office casement windows shows the effort and workmanship our crew is putting in as you see that the one remaining window is totally sanded and glazed prior to getting its new coat of paint.

Jazz – Last evening was fabulous. Northern Kentucky University hosted the area’s first inductee ceremony into the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame. This inaugural class included notables such as saxophonist Ira Brisker, singer Rosemary Clooney, guitarist Cal Collins, drummer ‘Baron’ John von Ohlen.

Then there was Oscar Treadwell who I remember well as for years I listened to him head up the on-air staff at little old AM station, WNOP, with studios inside an old Buoy, bobbing on the Ohio river across from downtown Cincinnati. Treadwell was a genius on anything Jazz, to the point where a number of pieces were written referencing him; Charlie Parker’s “An Oscar for Treadwell”, Wardell Grey’s Treadin with Treadwell”, and the great Thelonius Monk’s “Oska T”.

But, what brought the house down was a complete set, on solo piano, by Fred Hersch. Aside from having been brought up in my neighborhood and attending the same highschool, Walnut Hills, as Jason, Adrianne, Cathy, and now, Marin, Hersch is an eight-time Grammy nominee. As was written by Vanity; “…the most arrestingly innovative pianist in Jazz over the last decade or so.”

His playing flowed with such an amazingly lyrical level of musicality that it became mesmerizing. I think Marcia and I pinched each other having experienced such an evening.

Walnut Hills – is a nearby College preparatory highschool (U.S. News ranked #77 nationally and #1 in the state). I mentioned our kids who went through the school as did Fred Hersch. But, did you know that with a North Avondale childhood there are any number of notables with similar credentials. James Levine (conductor at the Met) also graduated from the place and grew up in North Avondale. Then I found out that the current President of Northern Kentucky University likewise had North Avondale and Walnut Hills in his background (as an aside, he was the prosecutor for the Oklahoma Federal Building bombing). It’s quite the school – and now, Marin should be proud having been accepted.

Fini – Vince, Vince, after taxing his body to its limits by completing the 2014 Ironman Texas – 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike-ride, and 26.2 mile run – covered WITHOUT A BREAK is about to do it again next weekend!

I am certain he’ll get us/me the link to allow tracking him. Go Vince, success. Remember the mantra – “under 14 hours”.

Now best get ready to meet the painters at the house. But first, grab my pick-up stick and do litter patrol around the condo.

Stay safe and be well, make it a great week.

Cheers.

Dirk