IT WAS FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY!

Bridget called last night. Mary Anne & family are supposed to arrive sometime today for the big weekend. My father & Uncle Frankie went to yet another football game again last night. At least the night was much nicer than most games. Usually it rains when they try to go. I went back to Wilkes_Barre again yesterday for the St. Therese novena. I just found out that tomorrow is the Bloomsburg Fair. I used to think Bloomsburg was an entire county but it's just a town somewhere south of here. Today is Henry's birthday. He & I used to work together at the mail room in S.U.N.Y. Farmingdale in 1980. We also worked together at Melville's post office in 2004. Tomorrow will be Mike's birthday. He & I were in the same class in high school. Monday is Eddie's birthday. He's cousin Larry's son. Exactly forty years ago on this very day, the Beatles released their classic, legendary "Abbey Road" album.

TWO BIRTHDAYS

The weather turned out very nice yesterday. So far it's a bit cold but nice today. My father spoke to Leonard & the Michigan kin yesterday. They say Alan has been doing reasonably well so far since his big operation. I made sure I went to the St. Therese novena on Loomis St. yesterday. The faces were very familiar even though I only get to see those people once a year. I shall be going back later today too. There was lots of very slow moving traffic congestion on the way there yesterday. Uncle Frankie came over for a while yesterday. It was just a typical visit. Today we have to wish a very happy birthday to both my father & Mary. She lives in the State of Washington. Mary Anne & family are supposed to come in tomorrow for a big party. My big fortieth party, at Katie Daly's in Massapequa, was exactly a decade ago today. Bob called last night. It was just a typical call with no new twists about anything.

ST. THERESE NOVENA

Uncle Frankie showed up for a while yesterday, but I wasn't around at the time. The weather this morning, when I first left, was more than a smidge on the depressing side. After a little while, though, it seemed to have gotten much better. The annual St. Therese novena, at the Maronite church in Wilkes_Barre, started yesterday. Unfortunately I missed the first day. I found out about it while watching TV. I'll be showing up for most of the remaining days though. I try to go each year. Mary Anne & her family will be showing up on Saturday for the big birthday party. It promises to be a really nice time. I'm still reading those Carmelite books & practicing my guitar. One of these days I shall have to get an oil change for my car. It runs well but I don't want to take any big chances with it.

OLD AGE

Uncle Frankie came over for a while yesterday. He said, a couple of days ago, that we have coyotes in the area. To my chagrin I've never noticed one. Maybe I just haven't recognized any. My parents went shopping yet again. It was quite a dreary day yesterday & has been so far today too. There's not been much rain to show for it but it's annoying. I've heard that it's warm outside now. My cousin Alan is in the hospital. We've all been praying that things work out really well for him. Lately I've been noticing that many of my old friends from my younger days are now grandparents, including Madeline. According to Jo Anne, Madeline has been living in Italy for a while by now. Lately I've been adding lots of people from my high school class to my Facebook friends list. I've yet to get a haircut. Maybe I shall be able to hold out for quite a while. My guitar playing consistently progresses.

LA DI DA DE LA DI DA TIS AUTUMN

Uncle Frankie showed up for a while yesterday. He & my parents went shopping for a while. He ate with us too. They must have gone to one of those Sam's Club type of places. Anne, from New York, called my mother yesterday. This morning, on my way home from Pittston, I made sure I stopped at Turkey Hill in Exeter for a tank of gas. The prices have been going down a little lately. A little at a time, I've been eating some of the candy Vinnie gave me for a present. It's very nice. My guitar playing has been coming along fairly well lately. Because of my limited resources I still stick to things like scales & sixties oldies. The weather's been very nice lately but I have to wear slightly heavier clothes each day. At least there's been no rain or anything like that.

WELCOME AUTUMN

Fran & Lisa showed up yesterday with some birthday presents & pumpkin cake for me. Unfortunately I wasn't there at the time so I got everything only after they left. I was at the Latin Mass in Pittston when they showed up. They have a new priest there, recently ordained. They (Fran & Lisa) got me a Beatles' coffee mug & matching alarm clock. Each one had an image from the "Anthology" series on it. Alas the summer of 2009, like my youth, is now but a mere memory. Today officially marks the very first day of fall. The weather's a bit cool for my taste but it's been especially nice lately. I'm still reading those Carmelite books. I've just started one about Bl. Titus Brandsma. He was murdered by the Nazis at Dachau in the Holocaust in 1942. I've still been having all those extremely seriously weird dreams lately, like the ones I had a few weeks ago. Of course, old faithful Cheryl called on Saturday. I ended up getting stuck having to lector for her again at 5:00 Mass. What else is new?