71st TRIP AROUND THE SUN

71^st TRIP AROUND THE SUN  -  July 16, 2013

When I was a child, before television, I listened to a radio program called “No School Today” that used a song called “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” as a theme song. This was a special birthday.  I was serenaded by the “kidlets” with “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”.  Earlier in the year I recalled the song and looked it up and found several renditions sending the cutest to the McDermotts.  They remembered and rehearsed it as a surprise What fun!

The past year has been very interesting; The McDermott’s returned from Okinawa in March; Kelly was born July 11; and on the same day Mark found a job in Washington D.C. Shannon celebrated her 11^th birthday while at our home this year in St. Pete.  I asked her if it was the best birthday ever and her reply was that this year was the second best.  Her 10^th birthday was the best ever since that was the day her father learned about his new position and their move to Washington D.C.

The special treat this year was the arrival of the “kidlets” for a month long visit and their participation in the sailing program at the SPYC.  In between sailing lessons they learned to spin fiber to their great delight.

The McDermotts have lived in their new home for almost a year.  I haven’t visited, but don’t feel the need to be there as I know every inch from seeing pictures when they were considering buying and seeing pictures since they moved in.  I don’t do stairs as easily as before and the only full bath is upstairs.  However, I am so happy for them.

My best accomplishment this year was introducing the “kidlets” to Wagner in particular “The Ring Cycle”.  I was fortunate to find a book written for children detailing the complete story.  I read it to Shannon, Brigid and Molly and they loved it.  I also showed them a bit of the Met’s most recent production.  They were simply enchanted with the story.  As they mature this will be a treasure that will only get deeper and more significant.

My second best accomplishment was getting a large portion of the coral reef project to a permanent home at Great Explorations.

I have a gnawing sadness for our country.  So much could be accomplished if it were not for the stubborn Republican Party that is determined to thwart the President no matter what the cost.  We continue in two ill thought out wars that drain our treasury.  We barely escaped a financial meltdown and nothing is being done about global warming.  I regret the mess we are leaving for our kidlets to clean up.  The possibilities for the future could be so bright with our wonderful technology if only we could get past our age old hostilities.  And, don’t even get me started on religion.  The Bible is a bunch of Fairy Tales written by ignorant old men. The Jews invented guilt and Catholics perfected it.  I am tired of living. Perhaps this will be my last trip around the sun.