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I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or celebrate it on a different day than the fourth Thursday of November

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, some of the Caribbean islands, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and Brazil, and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well. (Source: Wikipedia)

However, I following day I picked up 415 lbs. off of some tall blocks; so I’m not feeling too decrepit.

The Little Red Book of Running

By Scott Douglas

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I just saw this film and I thought it was very entertaining.

Murder Mystery

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Every year around this time I make this the song of the week. I just get a kick out of it.

Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)

By The Ramones

ART OF THE WEEK

How one decorates their home says a lot about a person. This was my decorating style back in 1988.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Dick Clark

Richard Wagstaff Clark(November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting American Bandstand from 1957 to 1988. He also hosted the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which transmitted Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

As host of American Bandstand, Clark introduced rock & roll to many Americans. Many of the leading rock groups had their first exposure to nationwide audiences. A few of the many artists introduced were Ike and Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Simon and Garfunkel, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Bobby Fuller, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and Chubby Checker.

Episodes he hosted were among the first in which blacks and whites performed on the same stage, and likewise among the first in which the live studio audience sat without racial segregation. Singer Paul Anka claimed that Bandstand was responsible for creating a “youth culture”. Due to his perennially youthful appearance and his largely teenaged audience of American Bandstand, Clark was often referred to as “America’s oldest teenager”. (Source: Wikipedia)

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When you retire, you may think your work days are over. Well, you are mistaken. Your new full-time job is to take care of your health. Treat it like a job, you may not feel like exercising, you may not want to watch what you eat; but, like work it is better than the alternative. If you don’t work, you will be depended upon others, if you don’t work out, you will be dependent upon others.

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Fezziwig: A Life

By Danny Kuhn

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I just finished watching all ten episodes of The Crown, which just came out on Netflix and thought it was well worth watching.

The Crown

Season three covers the time period between 1964 and 1977, beginning with Harold Wilson’s election as prime minister and ending with the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

Events depicted include the unmasking of the Queen’s art adviser Sir Anthony Blunt as a Soviet spy, Wilson’s time as prime minister, the Aberfan disaster, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the 1969 Investiture of Prince Charles, the decolonisation of Africa and the Caribbean, the death and state funeral of Winston Churchill, and Princess Margaret’s eight-year affair with baronet and gardening expert Roddy Llewellyn that leads to the Princess’s divorce from Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1978. (Source: Wikipedia)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Something more in tune with Thanksgiving is this film. It is old and I have seen it before, but it is still one of the most laugh out loud films I have ever seen.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles The film stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a high-strung marketing executive, and John Candy as Del Griffith, a goodhearted but annoying shower curtain ring salesman. They share a three-day odyssey of misadventures trying to get Neal home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving with his family.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I once saw George Thorogood at the House of Blues in Chicago.

Rock and Roll Christmas

By George Thorogood & The Destroyers

ART OF THE WEEK

Floral Arrangements are nice Christmas Decorations or Gifts

The above flora arrangements were created by my friend Cindy Russo

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Captain Jack Sparrow

Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the nine pirate lords in the Brethren Court, the Pirate Lords of the Seven Seas. He can be treacherous and survives mostly by using wit and negotiation rather than by force, opting to flee most dangerous situations and to fight only when necessary.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

I would strongly suggest before you even contact a contractor about a job, you look them up on the Better Business Bureau site and certainly before you sign any agreements.

I put a lot more weight on the negative comments, looking for a pattern. Plus remember these negative comments are just the tip of the iceberg. Most people never bother to complain, they just never do business with the contractor again.

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A Goomba’s Guide to Life

By Steven R. Schirripa

Attention would-be paesans: Can’t distinguish “gabagool” from “pasta fazool”? Not sure how to properly accessorize your track suit with gold chains? Does the phrase “go to the mattresses” make you sleepy? Now Steven R. Schirripa, The Sopranos’ own Bobby Bacala, exposes the inner mysteries of this unique Italian-American hybrid in A Goomba’s Guide to Life so that anyone can walk, talk, and live like a guy “from the neighborhood.” (Source: goodreads)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

A nice way to start the Christmas Season is by seeing the play, “A Christmas Carol“.  I’ve been doing this for a very long time. But if for one reason or another you can’t, then perhaps you will want to watch one of the various “A Christmas Carol” films.  My favorite is the one starring George C. Scott. Or perhaps, you might like a more current version, such as Bill Murray’s “Scrooged”.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I remember listening to this a lot while I was in Vietnam, back in 1966-67

Nashville Cats

By Lovin’ Spoonfull

ART OF THE WEEK

They had some pretty cool designs back in 1946. 

The Spacelander

This bicycle, designed by Benjamin Bowden, was included in the “Britain Can Make It Better” exhibition of 1946. Known simply as the Classic (and later the Spacelander), Bowden’s initial design for the bicycle included a motor that gave riders a little extra oomph while traveling uphill. (Source: themindcircle)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I remember this being reported in the news. I think it was a bit of a shock to most of us here in the USA. But without the Russians, the USA would not have been inspired to to what it did regarding landing people on the moon. Your competition isn’t always your enemy; often, they are your inspiration. 

In powerlifting, they have been my inspiration

Yuri Gagarin

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin  (9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968) was a Soviet Air Forces pilot and cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space, achieving a major milestone in the Space Race; his capsule Vostok 1 completed one orbit of Earth on 12 April 1961. Gagarin became an international celebrity and was awarded many medals and titles, including Hero of the Soviet Union, his nation’s highest honor. (Source: Wikipedia)

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Why You So Crazy?

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Franklin of Philadelphia

By Esmond Wright

The most original and most delightful of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin was publisher and printer, essayist and author, businessman and “general,” scientist and philologist, politician and diplomat, moralist and sage―and a thoroughly rational patriot who was a major force in winning his country’s independence and securing its life in the Constitution.

Born poor in Cotton Mather’s Boston, he was soon at ease in Quaker Philadelphia, and later in royal London, and in elegant Paris. Born with no advantages, he died wealthy and esteemed. He was the quintessential American, almost totally free of the limits of his environment, ready to accept any challenge, to speculate, experiment, and question. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I’ve been watching old Twilight episodes and came across this one, that I saw back when it was first aired. It really has something to say.

A Game of Pool 

Twilight Zone (Oct. 13, 1961)

A game of life or death. Fats Brown (Jonathan Winters) attempts to teach young pool shark Jesse Cardiff (Jack Klugman) about the price of being the best.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Last week’s poll indicated that two-thirds of us often feel we are in too much of a hurry and need to slow down. I hope this song helps.

I’m in a Hurry

By Alabama

ART OF THE WEEK

I was in Scotland back in 2014 to run a half-marathon in Edinburg. Afterwards, I visited a few other areas of Scotland, but so disappointed I miss seeing this. I will have to return to Scotland. 

The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland

The Kelpies are 30-metre-high (almost 30 yards) horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits).

The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The sculptures form a gateway at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal, and the new canal extension built as part of The Helix land transformation project. The Kelpies are a monument to horse-powered heritage across Scotland.

The sculptures were opened to the public in October 2013 . As part of the project, they will have their own visitor centre, and sit beside a newly developed canal turning pool and extension. This canal extension reconnects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the River Forth. (Source: Wikipedia)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I actually saw him in person, once when I was rather young. 

Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower

Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American army general and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, he was a five-star general in the Army and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was responsible for planning and supervising the invasion of North Africa in Operation Torch in 1942–43 and the successful Invasion of Normandy in 1944–45 from the Western Front.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

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I had to replace my initial video of the cat, with this one (11/11/19 @ 9:00 a.m.)

Will The Cowboys Sign This Cat

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Running & Being

By Dr. George Sheehan

Tells of the author’s midlife return to the world of exercise, play and competition, in which he found “a world beyond sweat” that proved to be a source of great revelation and personal growth. This title provides an outline for a lifetime program of fitness and joy, showing how the body helps determine our mental and spiritual energies. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OR PLAY OF THE WEEK

I believe the horror films have given us a mistaken view of this very moving story.  I was fortunate to have some front row seats for this play two Sundays ago. You may not be able to find the play near you, especially now that we are in November, but the actual story by Mary Shelly is well worth reading.

Frankenstein (A play)

Playwright A. S. Peterson

Baldwin Theater Cast 2019

Brilliant scientist Victor Frankenstein unlocks the mysteries of life itself and creates a monster that he cannot control. A mesmerizing gothic tale of horror and humanity, this exciting new adaptation was written in honor of the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s classic novel and holds true to the author’s original vision. One of the most enduring monster stories of all time, Frankenstein explores what it means to be human, what it means to belong, and how we are shaped by our scars.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Kung Fu Panda Music Video

I thought you might find the above Kung Fu Panda Music Video more entertaining to look at; but in all fairness, I wanted to present Carl Douglas performing his song.

Kung Fu Fighting

By Carl Douglas

ART OF THE WEEK

Decorating one’s home for holidays is an art from. Here is our house decorated last year for Halloween.

Due to porch construction, our Halloween decorating had deteriorated, but we still managed to give out treats during the cold and rainy weather.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

It is wonderful to see women pushing the boundaries of what is possible. 

Laura Smith

I was there at the AWPC World Competition in Orlando, Florida this August and saw Laura receive her recognition as Outstanding Lifter.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

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I do not share anything that I have not tried to verify. I found that a generic version of Sovaldi sells in India for $4.00. I also heard that there is no generic version of Sovaldi. Regardless, if it is generic or actual Sovaldi, the going price in India is $4.00. I confirmed to the best of my ability that the price of Sovaldi in the USA is $1,000.

I don’t think it is any secret that drug companies price their products on ability to pay. The is a cliché saying politicians and white shirts are both best when new. The establishment doesn’t like term limits because they value the experience of long-time legislators. I guess they feel the USA has the best politicians money can buy.

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BOOK OF THE WEEK

Here is another graphic novel appropriate for Halloween. 

Robert Louis Steven’s 

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

& The Body Snatcher

Graphic novels are a good way to get young people interested in reading. Here is a page out of the above book.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Since this is the week of Halloween, I feel obligated to mention what I think is a very scary movie.

Night of the Living Dead (1990)

I was once in a zombie movie. That’s me on the cover 14 years ago.

The Dead Walk The Earth

Yet They Live And They Kill (2005)

But if all these zombie movies are two much for you, here is a nice uplifting movie made back in 2000.

The Kid (2000)

An unhappy and disliked image consultant gets a second shot at life when he is mysteriously confronted by an eight-year-old version of himself. (Source: IMDB)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Monster Mash

By Bobby Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

I thought you might find it interesting to see Bobby Pickett perform the song on American Bandstand.

ART OF THE WEEK

For the sixth straight year, the Troy Historical Society is hosting an annual scarecrow row along Livernois road in Troy, MI. Local businesses sponsor each scarecrow and the scarecrows will be left there for the entire month of October. The Oakland Press reports, “This eye-catching Scarecrow Row is viewed by 10,000 cars traveling by the Troy Historic Village each day. That’s 300,000 views in one month.”

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Who else, given this is the week of Halloween

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

Cassandra Peterson

Cassandra Peterson, May 2011

Cassandra Peterson (born September 17, 1951) is an American actress best known for her portrayal of the horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV wearing a revealing, black, gothic, cleavage-enhancing gown as host of Elvira’s Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation. Her wickedly vampish appearance is offset by her comical character, quirky and quick-witted personality, and Valley girl-type speech.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

If you have followed my posts for any length of time, you know I am against any unnecessary surgeries and actually I’m not that thrilled with necessary ones either. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

I wish more people in management understood this.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Just a reminder that we turn back our clocks this coming Sunday

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Halloween Support Group

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Frankenstein

By Mary Shelley

Illustrated by Pete Katz

As I mentioned last week, I think graphic novels are a terrific way to introduce young people to some classic literature.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Here is another one of these scary old black and white films that are so worth watching at this time of the year.

Frankenstein (1931)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This is month is Halloween, so here is another song with a bit of a Halloween theme.

Dead Man’s Party

By Oingo Boingo

ART OF THE WEEK

Ever think of decorating your van for Halloween?

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Vincent Price

Vincent Leonard Price Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993) was an American actor best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres, including film noir, drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy.

He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television. He was born and raised near St. Louis, Missouri and has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

He was an art collector and arts consultant with a degree in art history, and he lectured and wrote books on the subject. The Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College is named in his honor. He was also a noted gourmet cook.(Source: Wikipedia)

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