Monday, April 24, 2017

MY DAY(S)

Here's where it began.


A very young Catalyst with his mom.

And here's what it has led to.


A somewhat stunned Catalyst last night upon finishing a re-reading of George Orwell's apocalyptic opus "1984".

And today, Gentle Readers, your scribe became 77 years old.

The picture of Mom and I was taken in 1940.

I find it amazing to realize that I have lived in two centuries.

(Not through two centuries, you smart alecks!)

Incidentally, some of you younger readers may not be familiar with that term.

I was looking it up and found that Wiktionary says it may have derived from the name of Aleck Hoag, a 19th Century con man and thief.

But to get back to the present, I am feeling fine for my advanced years and fully expect to be around for a few more.

Oh, and the stunned look in the second picture above is due to what I perceive as the "message" of the novel as related to the current state of the world.

Y'all might want to read it.

Read it and weep, so they say.

As for today being my 77th birthday, that should mean it's a lucky day.

So I guess I'll go buy a lottery ticket.

Wish me luck!

23 comments:

Jimmy said...

The very best of luck to you, and a very Happy Birthday.

Thérèse said...

First let me wish you a happy birthday!
I learnt something with "alecks"! This first picture is a treasure: love is the only true thing in life, let's show it. And for "1984": freedom will be one day shocking.

Anonymous said...

Bruce, Happy Birthday and many more.

Steve

Should Fish More said...

Happy Birthday, eldest. Like you, I can say I was born in the first half of the last century...

Lowandslow said...

Happy Birthday, and good luck with that lottery thing. ;)

William Kendall said...

Happy Birthday to you!

Tom Cochrun said...

Cheers my dear friend. Here's to more good years of friendship!
And yes, Orwell's work is chilling, given 2017 being what it is.

Lowell said...

Good luck! Oh and happy birthday. Life does take a toll. Can't figure out why Grumbles would make you think of Key West. I've been there many times. You'd probably like the place. Lots of fun people. And funky people. And ... well, you get my point. :)

Jager said...

Happy, happy. A life well lived and some wear and tear is to be expected.

LL said...

Happy Birthday! How do you have time to read?

RedPat said...

Happy Birthday to You!

Val said...

Happy Birthday!

I need to re-read 1984. It's been a long time. Best of luck on that lottery ticket!

Red said...

Happy birthday Catalyst. I hope you have a great day. I'm also 77! It ain't bad!

Catalyst said...

My wife works.

stephen Hayes said...

Many happy returns on your special day. I think you look terrific for your age.

Kate said...

Great photo of a happy babe and a proud mother!

Kate said...

PS. Happy Birthday!!

Zhoen said...

You've really racked up the years, there!

Your mother looks like a fun person.

Charlestonjoan said...

I hope you are having a wonderful birthday!

The Bug said...

Happy birthday!! I've never read that book, and now I'm afraid to! (It was on the book list one year at school, but I read Ivanhoe instead)

Tom said...

Happy Birthday, and may there be many more.

Steve Reed said...

Good luck and happy birthday! I'm not sure I could stand to read 1984 again, given how close we're edging to that authoritarian future!

Sharon said...

Well happy birthday a day late. I hope that lottery ticket works out. I keep hoping I'll win, but I never buy the da****d tickets. It's hard to win with a ticket, even harder without one. Just the thought of reading 1984 again is distressing to me. You know the saying...those who never learn from the past are doomed to relive it. The signs are everywhere and still we march on.