I just have little to write about.  Do not want to complain, yet that seems about the only thing I can do these days.  Perhaps describing how my strength fails, my balance evaporates, my eyesight goes bye-bye, etc., etc., etc. could be couched as a "description of aging", but that would be a lie.  Overall, for someone almost 85, my health is good.  My diabetes seems decently controlled, I'm still limber, though I use a walker I still know my name, where I live and who is President. (USA).  Could use money, am no longer even vaguely "middle class" even though we (Suzy and I) are quite "boughie".  I do wish I could afford to move back to NY  --  but, that seems out of the question.  See, As I said, All I can do these days is complain.  Hopefully, there will be more posts to come.    Please stop by and take a peek.  See you all soon. 

 It's been a while since I've posted.  First  --  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Now, what is with all the anti-semitism around these days?  Has it suddenly become O.K. to hate JEWS?  Is it right to throw out everything we have been taught about tolerance?  Is it just fine to blame fellow Americans for the supposed actions of folks from another country?  Do you really believe the statements from people who have been taught to HATE Jews from birth?    Next, why do both the right and left wings seem to lust for a "strong man" (I.E - a DICTATOR ) to rep0lace our Democratic Republic?  I know democracy is messy.  I realize it requires compromise  --  but, over the long haul our movement has been toward greater freedom,   Why are so many folks only interested in THEIR freedom?  Why are there movements hell-bent on dehumanizing vulnerable minorities?  Have Trump and has minions actually convinced people it's O.K. to dicriminate against other CITIZENS, other people, just because they "feel like it"?  Why are so many Christians so damn un-Christian?  Once again, I must say I'm happy to be almost 85.  My days are damn near done.  Some of the youngsters will have to read some history, will have to revisit "The Melting Pot", see how immigrants become "american" - even if it takes some time.  By the way, the 1950's were no "golden age".  People were/are still people  --  good and bad.  Till my next post.  

 I keep on putting off posting .  It's really that I have very little to say.  Perhaps the fact it seems that so many folks in the USA have gone NUTS!!  People voting directly against their self interest, people believing wild outlandish crap simply because it feeds their hateful prejudice.  People killing masses of f other people for no real reason, people armed to the teeth looking for some supposed "crime", or "immoral behavior", etc., etc., etc.  What in hell can I add?  I'm old now.  Age does not make you "wise", but it does give you perspective.  You see the results of actions taken 30, 40, 50 , even 60 years ago.  "Oh gee, we meant well" is not an answer when the human race faces extinction  --  is it?  Think about it when the temp goes up to 111 degrees F, or a flood washes away your home.

 "Trump linked to ___________ scandal..  Fill in the blank with the juicy scandal of your choice.  Fun, fun, fun.

 The bank meltdown that some appeared to hope for has not materialized.  Inflation is falling, jobs seem to be holding steady (at the very least), and yet, the cries of "Sleepy Joe Biden" seem to go on without respite.  "Sleepy Joe" seems to have a very solid concept of what the USA holds dear, and should be.  Quite admirable in my eyes   ---   but, then again I'm just an old fart who remembers an America that was always (mostly)moving forward.  But (there it is again), our Civil War is still being fought, over and over.  No one seems willing to put an end to all the foolishness.  People still killing people.  Race still the ONLY problem.  No one, NO ONE is willing to talk about CLASS.  After all, that might allow folks to see poor whites and poor blacks have common issues.  They might BAND TOGETHER (HORRORS!!).  Also, few talk about ACTUAL EQUALITY.  Numerous industries would have to shutter if ACTUAL EQUALITY became a fact.  Both left and right might have to change their focus or go out of business.  Of course our decades long anti-union propaganda would have to be overcome.  Our myth of "individualism" might have to be modified   ---   AND, we would have to recognize the "others" humanity.  Enough for today.

 "You're never too old to have a happy childhood".  For many of us who had a pretty bad childhood, esp. from that one parent you longed to get some sliver of approval from, the "re-boot" was far better.  Allowing yourself to be who you actually are, although fraught with difficulty, was just plain wonderful.  One of the worst things about trying to fit your square peg into that round hole is that you end up hurting innocent people that love you.   I never meant to do that.    --  but in hindsight, coupled with years of "seasoning", that is exactly what I did.  Mea culpa, mea culpa.  The following years have been MUCH better.

 Opening day!  Yankees won, Judge homered, Glyber homered (suspect all the talented rookies waiting made him take things seriously - ye think?), team looked good.

I've been having eye trouble lately.  First macular edema (diabetes caused), now eye infections, or something.  All sorts of eye drops along with blurred vision.  Using the computer is a bit difficult.  But, I'm now 40 years sober, mand will be 84 in less than a month.  Life is good.

 I really do not understand why there is still so much Trump "news".  Between Trump, the Republican anti-trans fervor, all the anti-gun excitement, the anti-"woke" stuff  --  in other words, all the "Culture War" issues, we NEVER look at any of the real issues, esp. those affecting poor and lower middle class folks.  WHOOPS!  Did I say CLASS?  Oh dear, that's not an issue in the USA  ---  after all it's all about RACE. right?  It seems like anything that keeps folks apart, keeps everyone thinking the "OTHER" is immoral, crazy, anti-American, lazy, dangerous, etc., etc., etc. we will be separate and our would be masters will stay in charge.  As long as we fall for this stuff (notice how I keep it clean) nothing to help us folks will get done. 

March 18th 2023.  Trying to get an acceptable meal out of our slow cooker.  Every time I try all I get is a mess.  Perhaps I'm doing something wrong.  Perhaps the results I get are the correct ones.  Maybe we are just too fussy, too "bougie" (quite possible).  Then again, all I seem to do is some sort of soup like stuff.  Anyway, I am now cleaning the stove top, since I do not (yet) need it (slow cooker - remember?).  It is like a dig at some ancient ruin, with memories of long past meals.  Wish me luck.  (Back to work)

 It has been a long time since I posted anything.  right now I sincerely hope we do not have a redo of the circumstances that led to my starting this blog  --  bank failures.  In any case, let me wish everyone a HAPPY St. PATRICKS DAY!!!  No music.  It's become ever more difficult to grab stuff from You Tube, and I'm not on any other platforms.  Will try to make regular posts again, if only to bring some discipline into MY life.  Talk to you soon.

The Wolftones - The Men Behind the Wire

I have been without s computer for a while.  Now back - will begin posting again tomorrow

Otis Williams and The Charms - Hearts Of Stone

Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin') - The Charms

Ira Sullivan and Red Rodney - Wee Dot

Red Rodney (t) Ira Sullivan (t,as) Quintet with Joey Baron (d) Garry Dial (p) Jay Anderson (b)

You Turned The Tables On Me

Released on: 1957-01-01 Producer: Norman Granz Associated Performer, Vocals: Anita O'Day Associated Performer, Piano: Oscar Peterson Associated Performer, Double Bass: Ray Brown Associated Performer, Guitar: Herb Ellis Associated Performer, Drums: John Poole

The Dave Pell Octet - Mountain Greenery

The Dave Pell Octet - Have You Met Miss Jones ?

Eddie Jefferson-'Benny's From Heaven'

'Benny' From Heaven' by Eddie Jefferson from 'The Main Man(1977) Eddie Jefferson(v} Charles Sullivan(t) Richie Cole(alto s) Junior Cook(tenor s) Hamiet Bluiett(bari s) Slide Hampton(trom) Harold Mabern(p) George Duvivier(b) Billy Hart(d) Azzendin Weston(perc) Harold White(perc) Janet Lawson(vocals)

Bopmatism (Alternate Version)

Red Top by King Pleasure and Betty Carter

Red Top (Remastered 2004/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Associated Performer, Organ: Jimmy Smith Associated Performer, Tenor Saxophone: Stanley Turrentine Associated Performer, Guitar: Quentin Warren Associated Performer, Drums: Donald Bailey

Stan Kenton - 23 North 82 West

Intermission Riff - Stan Kenton

Stan Kenton - "Artistry In Rhythm" - ORIGINAL version

Cab Calloway And His Orchestra - Hard Times (Topsy Turvy)

Roy Clark And Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown - Take the A Train

Red Norvo - Red Norvo´s Fabulous Jam Session (1951) (Full Album)

Alto Saxophone – Charlie Parker Bass – Slam Stewart Drums – J.C. Heard, Specs Powell Piano – Teddy Wilson Tenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie Vibraphone – Red Norvo

 A1 Hallelujah 0:00 A2 Get Happy 3:56 A3 Slam Slam Blues 7:41 A4 Congo Blues 12:08 B1 Hallelujah 16:02 B2 Get Happy 20:11 B3 Slam Slam Blues 24:13 B4 Congo Blues 29:17

Carmen McRae - All The Best

01- Because You're Mine 00:11 02- Blame It on My Youth 02:43 03- Cloudy Morning 06:13 04- Something I Dreamed Last Night 09:12 05- The Music That Makes Me Dance 13:21 06- Georgia Rose 17:05 07- Give Me the Simple Life 20:18 08- He was too good to me 22:36 09- I'll Remember April 25:20 10- Just One of Those Things 27:57 11- Keep me in Mind 30:37 12- Love is Here to Stay 33:42 13- Midnight Sun 36:21 14- Perdido 40:39 15- Skyliner 43:32 16- Sometimes i'm Happy 45:51 17- Star Eyes 48:23 18- Suppertime 51:37 19- The Christmas Song 54:36 20- Yardbird Suite 58:21

Nina Simone: Pirate Jenny (1969)