If it ain’t got the lick, it ain’t slick ~ Miles Davis

More on Miles in a bit; but first, a happy and fine Saturday morning to everyone. Here in these parts it’s actually a bit too warm for the last of November. We’re finally back to enjoying Tim Hortons coffee in the morning. The Italian stuff we were drinking is so far back in the ‘rear mirror’ that it’s almost forgotten. So, let’s get started, a little late this morning, but I’ll see if I can play ‘catch-up’.

Thanksgiving – has to be my favorite holiday. It has the best of everything minus the ‘formality’ of the others. Everyone in our ‘Nati clan was ‘on deck’ and Kirstin in Austin joined in a live stream.

She was even able to be part of our after-dinner session of “watch the music videos of the Eighties”. These were the very first music videos made and hence, much hilarity ensued. Meanwhile Marin and Vili were immersed in games of Chess (later that changed to Marin & dad Jason).

Tevita, once again, proved himself the master of the kitchen and the bird. Adrianne and Vai were not to be outdone and as desert produced stunning pies made from scratch; Pumpkin and Apple.

We also paid homage to the Pacific Islands and their ritual of having a cup of Kava as Tevita provided a bowl of the stuff. Marin described it best; “it feels like your mouth does hours after leaving the dentist when the Novocain fades;” meanwhile he proceeded quaffing the stuff like there was no tomorrow.

I hope yours was as good a day as ours.

a Nonet – Last Sunday I went to the little First Unitarian Church to listen to, see, and hobnob with nine world class jazz musicians. They played portions of a ‘break-through’ long play recording which, when released in 1957, became an international hit; Miles Davis’ “The Birth of the Cool” (pieces were being composed by Davis when he was just 22 years old).

When I say hobnob I mean hobnob, especially at intermission when the church puts out a nice spread of cheeses and wine (the cheap stuff of course) and all form little groups to learn and share a bit more.

When I say “world class’ that is very true. Four of the musicians are PhD professors of music at differing Universities. The Trombone player, Marc Fields, was trombonist with Ray Charles – yes the Ray Charles. It really was a very special afternoon.

15-years – it’s the end – For fifteen years Marcia and I annually made the short trek to the North Avondale Montessori school for the yearly Grandparents Day event. For fifteen years we dutifully listened to a few speeches, were honored to some music, and then the highlight – a visit to the classroom(s).

For fifteen years, without interruption, we’ve been privileged to be with a room full of excited young kids show off their accomplishments. Always it’s been both a hub-bub of activity and a stridency of happy voices whether guiding us to a specific classroom or pointing out accomplishments.

As a sixth grader this is Vili’s final year. And, he is the final one of our crew to graduate from North Avondale Montessori. Not certain, but in a real sense I think I’ll miss this annual ritual.

Two important quotations – These have greater import observing the national and international goings on. Both quotations were originally uttered a hundred or more years ago. Reflect on them for a moment:

”Truth always rests with the minority….because the minority is generally formed by those who really have an opinion, while the strength of a majority is illusory, formed by the gangs who have no opinion.” ~ Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (Danish theologian, philosopher, poet, social critic – 1813 – 1855)

”There will be, in the next generation or so, a pharmacological method of making people love their servitude, and producing dictatorship without tears, so to speak, producing a kind of painless concentration camp for entire societies, so that people will in fact have their liberties taken away from them, but will rather enjoy it, because they will be distracted from any desire to rebel by propaganda or brainwashing, or brainwashing enhanced by pharmacological methods. And this seems to be the final revolution.” ~ Aldous Huxley (English writer and philosopher. He wrote nearly 50 books. 1894 – 1963)

Fini –

• I spotted this photo taken around the same time I was growing up. Look at dad sitting on the stoop, were this to occur today I would not be surprised if he wouldn’t be reported to a Child Protective Services agency. We were much more available for an occasional broken bone, and this served us well preparing us for our adulthood and the ‘knocks’ life tosses at all of us.

• Climate scientists predicted, twenty years ago, that snowfalls would be a thing of the past. This week at 66-inches Orchard Park shattered New York’s statewide 24-hour snowfall record. Follow that science.

• Reading the above, you should note that more snow is proof of climate change and less snow is also proof of climate change.

• Finally at the end of climate ‘stuff’, this was the cover of Time – April 8, 1977

• Photo of the ancient library of Tibet – only 5% has been translated.

• Just in case you’ll be traveling across the country and want to look ‘in’, here’s a guide to wearing the correct color of Jeans by state.

• Assuming the numbers are correct it would cost $100-trillion to produce enough batteries to power Europe for a winter. It would take industry using today’s technology 400 years to build them. It would destroy Europe.

• Numbers compiled in 1632 in London showing cause of death in the city. Pretty eye opening!

• Marcia and I had dinner at our favorite pub, Gordo’s. I spotted this happy couple enjoying an ‘intimate’ evening dinner (circa 2022). I tried, but couldn’t capture the guy with his mobile in hand. For my casual, i.e. quick, reader; yes I am being sarcastic!

• On a recent walk I detoured slightly to go by the old abandoned King Records studio. It’s beginning to look like some work in the creation of making it a ‘destination’ place is slowly starting.

*I’m old enough to remember these. How about you?

•Here’s wishing Sandy a quick return to full health. We all have your back!

Ciao. Stay strong, keep learning, and be happy – stay active!

Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk