Endings & Beginnings

Happy Saturday Morning – Last Sunday I wished several of my new friends, a great Autumn, a great Winter, and a super Spring. Then that we’d all catch up at the start of the 2027 Cincinnati Open. So, this morning with my morning Saturday coffee perking I’m plodding away on the Ramblings. We’re back on track.

In the meantime, it was a lovely sunset on this year’s Open.

With the 2026 Cincinnati Open the numbers are in; 330,000 people through the gates. These came from all 50 States and from 50 countries.

It was such a privilege to be involved in the Club level area of the Tournament. Hence, as I walked out the door for the final time of the 2026 Cincinnati Open and we said our goodbyes I was asked one question, “you’ll be back next year, won’t you?”

As my Appalachian neighbors are wont to say when I describe my week’s activities, I was “busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest”. Even so, will I return next year? “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise”, YES!

Next? – Isn’t it amazing how quickly it’s possible to jump into something new. Tuesday it was driving Vai to her first day at the University of Cincinnati. Early in the drive I had some discussion on a style of music with her and mentioned how brilliant the virtu sound of the strings on the radio.

Vai, deep in thought about what she was about to face heard me only partially and instead misinterpreted my use of ‘virtu’ as me putting on my Dutch accent and came back with; “Opa, you do know we’re heading for the Blue Ash campus.”

A Foundation – The place at the Open where I volunteered was a suite which was primarily made available each day for a dedicated entity. One night it was for use by 5/3rd Bank. Another it was about 150 invitees from Merrill Lynch brokerage. However, my favorite was a smaller group; the Cincinnati Cancer Foundation Inc. That group is part of the continuum in the fight against Cancer, especially one of reducing the burden caused by cancer to individuals and their families.

One of the keys in their work is facilitating second opinions – providing platinum-level, highly comprehensive consultation at no charge whatsoever.

Talking with key members of this team I was given a copy of the Journal of Cancer Education. The item in the copy was our group’s keynote article:
“A New Approach to Cancer Second Opinions: Overcoming the Challenges of Conventional Oncology Practice by Providing Education to Patients and Physicians”

It was a huge honor to assist helping this group ensure that a grand time was had by all.

Fighting Ai? – Ai is on almost every tongue. What’s interesting is just how many young folk aside from plain concerns about loss of jobs are majorly opposed to this new technology, while the older generation is primarily accepting.

Without drawing lines pro or con, and there is plenty for both, I just want to showcase this YouTube from Musk’s Neuralink. Any of you who remember news bits with Stephen Hawkins, the late English theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author who came down with ALS (a neurodegenerative disease).

I remember just how uncomfortable it was to watch him try to communicate as he dealt with his disease. Now look at the video of this gentleman. The disease is just as debilitating and just as horrible, that hasn’t changed. But watch how Neuralink using Ai has given abilities not possible a handful of years ago.

Celebrating – The last week of August is full of Birthdays. Last evening we were seated in the private room at Sorrento’s Italian Joint – a mainstay food jewel in nearby Norwood since 1959 to celebrate this cadre of family birthdays. We even had the pianist and staff gather to sing Happy Birthday.

So, Happy Birthday to Adrianne, Vaioleti, Pete, Sandy, and George next week. Then cheers to my mother who would have turned 125 this coming Tuesday.

By the entryway to Sorrento’s sits an old Italian mini car; an Autobianchi-Bianchina, just thought you’d appreciate knowing what it is.

Quotation – “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” ? Dolly Parton

This week’s Interlude – This week as the flags of the nation have announced we as a nation lost a star; Dolly Parton. The ‘Interlude’ this week is a duet where she casually strolled on stage. As a hint, it was performed in Portland Memorial Coliseum April 1985 – a time without over-the-top staging, no auto tune, and straight-on musical magic.

Question, who was the other singer forming this duet with Dolly? And this surprise performance had her come out where they sang what song? Again, name the singer and the song title.

If you want to see and listen to this wonderful number, copy the answer below and place it onto the YouTube search bar. Remember, no cheating on the answer.

This coming week we’re advised that the heat index will approach 100. I am ready

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Thursday morning the so-called “Treasure of Villena” was stolen from a museum in Villena Spain. Four minutes is all it took, starting at 5:20 in the morning, to heist their whole $3-million Bronze Age collection.

To occupy the local gendarmes the robbers did what? While reading the possibilities you’re not allowed to envision a scene with Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau of the Pink Panther fame.

1. “started a family ruckus at a house”
2. “Rolled a loud Gypsy horse drawn wagon into town”
3. “got all the traffic lights in town to stick on red”
4. “blocked a creek to cause flooding”
5. “hired ‘ladies of the night’ to walk about town ‘en masse’”
6. ”lured police to a nearby Sports Center”

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 4
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton duet: “We Got Tonight – 1985”