Things just changed

November 22, 1963.

From 1946 to 1963 America had a certain attitude.
Baby Boomers were popping out everywhere and
there was a certain feeling

INVINCIBLE might be the single best word description

And then in Dallas, Texas a moment in time took hold and things just changed and invincibility was replaced by

REALITY

CLEAR CRISP SOLID
REALITY

NO ONE WAS INVINCIBLE

but at the same time new MUSIC had arrived from England and reality suddenly had a fresh sound to go along with the hard hard edge.

And some of us started dancing and getting freaky and others went along with the hard edge flow and went to war while still others found that there was nothing better than being in school.

Looking back I'm pretty sure those who stayed in school, started dancing and getting freaky probably have the best memories even though they aren't sharing those memories with their children.......

Whatever anyone wants to say about Presidents and their achievements there is one certain fact about JFK and this fact dominates our American mentality

HE WAS BY FAR AND AWAY
THE
BEST LOOKING PRESIDENT
AMERICA HAS EVER HAD

(RR was way too old for this award)

BEST HAIR
BEST TEETH
BEST SMILE ( reagan and jfk tied)
BEST SENSE OF HUMOR
BEST GOLFER
BEST SPEAKER
BEST LOOKING WIFE
BEST BROTHER

When political historians start analysing his Presidency they really don't ever talk about the things that really matter.  Those 8 items above really really mattered to the American people.

IN FACT ALL EIGHT OF THOSE ITEMS.....STILL MATTER TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

And on November 22, 1963 a beautiful man had his head blown off and life has never been the same on Elm St. USA.

We always have a touch of caution hanging over our heads and I think that tiny cloud started in Dallas, Texas in 1963.

THE BIG CLOUD THAT FORMED FROM DEC 7 1941 WAS FIXED
THE BIG CLOUD THAT FORMED IN GERMANY IN 1938 WAS FIXED

the little cloud formed on 11/22/63
will never
be
fixed

It just sits there
and
waits
for another
storm
to
hit
our
hearts


Michael Timothy McAlevey

He's back and it was a Grandparent dealio

I actually never looked into the reason that Doonesbury was on vacation for 3 1/2 months but his new "spots" indicate that he was busy being a new Grandpa....and as far as excuses go, that's one of the better ones.

Grand Parenting appears to be a special gift that either can be graciously accepted and enjoyed or denied and rejected.  We all know Grandmothers who reject the concept for quite awhile when it first materializes.

Sometimes it comes much too early and sometimes very unexpectedly but when it comes to those who have organized their family structure in such a manner that allows time and space for being able to help out around the age of 60.....then it becomes a joyful experience.

My guess is that it's a 50/50 chance that it's a joyful experience.  

Baby Boomer Grand Parents will perhaps move that 50/50 to 60/40 just because of the numbers.

When I think of Grandparents I think of Norman Rockwell interpretations because those visual images simply make more sense than reality......

Or at least my reality.......and for sure the reality of anyone who never had children.

I suppose their are families that slide through life and simply experience the normal cycle of birth, youth, middle age, old age and death without any uncalled for abnormalities which interrupt that cherished cycle.....I suppose.

I guess I might even know a few of those families.

We have 300 million people in the US and if 10 million families live a two generation life cycle without tragedy I'd be surprised.  People dying at an older age is not a tragedy....just part of the cycle.

As I write this piece I realize that I'm just not the person to explain what it's like to live a tragedy free life cycle even though I have those Rockwell images deeply embedded in my Psyche.

What one wants doesn't grant what one has and I have no excuse for why I'm even bringing up tragedy except for the fact that 3 1/2 months of Doonesbury reruns has left me slightly depressed.

His social commentary in the morning newspaper is how I start my day......after a short walk to the store to purchase the product that allows me to hold the item which in turn allows me to see the "strip.".......it's called a NEWSPAPER for those of you who have gone completely electronic.

It's actually made of paper and is filled with fresh ink.......two things I value quite highly.

I also value Grand Parenting when it's done correctly.

Mr. Doonesbury is now a GP and I'm sure he's loving every minute of it. 

Doonesbury is REALLY PISSING ME OFF but WISDOM IS ON THE WAY

I'VE BEEN SIMPATICO WITH MR. DOONESBURY FOR TWO MONTHS.....TWO MONTHS AND 14 DAYS TO BE EXACT.....AND I'M LOSING PATIENCE.

The fact is he still works on Sunday and with his success....one day a week is probably acceptable......but what that means is that he's going to have to work really hard on that one day......

SEVEN COLUMNS IN ONE DAY

I could actually write seven blogs in one day....but the demand doesn't seem to be there.

Now I FULLY understand how much more work goes into a Doonesbury column but if you keep in mind what kind of idiot I really am....than you will see that it takes equal effort to make seven Doonesbury "columns" and seven Mind Jazz "columns."

This Saturday night at Robert Berman Gallery in Bergamont Station, Santa Monica
NORTON WISDOM

"IT'S ABOUT FU*KING TIME"
part one
6-9  NOV 16

almost better than DOONESBURY.....

I REALLY WISH I COULD BE THERE!

but I'm really busy trying to write seven blogs in one day...and I picked Saturday to do the work.

It will be crowded so get there early!

Michael Timothy McAlevey