39ers Aging with ATTitude DECEMBER 2024

It’s the Holidays! I See Your Inner Child Jumping Up-‘n’-Down   

Happy UN-Birthday December 39ers! ♪ And many more… ♪ No matter your age, the Holidays makes everything sparkle and even the grumpiest of us will find something to smile about …. your Inner Child will see to it. Yes, even when they’re disgracefully late posting this article.

Happy Holidays! As we streak through Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I’m hoping this humble article will give you a good time, too, while we applaud Sagittarius and Capricorn 39ers, and join everyone in Holiday spirit to make the final month of 2024 a fun one! 

֎ Celebrating DECEMBER 39ers ~ And More!
What are you looking forward to most … Holiday parties, Christmas movies, festive, fun shopping, or a bright, shiny New Year? Whatever you do, make sure to find a few minutes for yourself—meditate, ruminate, and celebrate! 

For 39ers who Follow the Stars  
For nearly all signs, December is likely to be confusing or at least hold a bit of stop-start action until mid-month. And though the Full Moon is always the most dynamic day, look this month for a fun, double-new-moon! Check out the details below. But first …
       Don’t look so serious, Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)! At least not yet. From the very first day of December, make time to consider reinventing yourself for 2025. You can make the moves now, but implementing them will be infinitely easier in the latter part of the month, or even better in January. Although new opportunities may appear in business, the stars are hoping you’ll apply most of your innovations to yourself. A new year is nigh—give it a new you to enjoy!
       Catching a few winks at work, Capricorn (12/22-01/19/25)? You might want to wake up and reflect on the other end of our starry Zodiac spectrum. You, m’dear Capricorns, should turn your attention to your professional life and specifically, money management. Is there a need to review at home or at work? Could be a few adjustments need to be made and/or a compromise to consider.

♪ December Vintage Song of Note 
For our final Song of Note from a vintage 1974 Rock Radio survey, I considered two tunes from the Top Ten first—“When Will I See You Again” by The Three Degrees—totally fun for an iconic, synchronized girl group (#3/KPOI); and “Life is a Rock” by Reunion who uttered the only recognizable words, “… but the radio rolled me,” and moved up the chart to #10, despite its annoying “patter.” 
       Both admirable tunes, but I wandered further down the chart to find a rising Holiday star in Chicago’s “Wishing You Were Here.” Regardless the time of year, it’s a wonderful, wistful sentiment to a loved one. This song in particular, made longtime friends of Chicago band members and The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine, Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, who joined the band with harmonies in the original recording.
       That collaboration resulted in the “Beachago” tour the following year. Singer/songwriter, Peter Cetera said recently (2016), “I always wanted to be a Beach Boy.” Were you there? Then you were here … ♪ … Even though you're far away, you're on my mind | Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here … ♪ More tuneful tidbits to manifest your memories of 1974, and keep the Rock Rockin’ from 50 Years Ago this Month! 

֎ More DECEMBER Fun for Everyone  

*Sunday ~ December 1^st: Up first and foremost let’s celebrate year’s end New Moon! Your New Moon Musings will help you wind up 2024 and look to fresh opportunities for 2025! Okay, the 1^st New Moon has already passed by the time you read this, but there are always opportunities for New Beginnings with New Moon Musings, giving you a boost and fresh start every month—regardless of when in the month it appears—because this month, you get a chance!  If you missed the 1^st’s New Moon opportunity to meditate, no worries! There’s a rare, second December New Moon on the 30^th! Check it out with a quick scroll …  

Saturday ~ December 7^th: Is of course, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Although it passed before I could post this article and there is no sponsoring link, I found the official US Department of Defense link and will still pay homage to my Dad, who fought as a Navy seaman in WWII. He always told me that his ship arrived after the Pearl Harbor bombing, but I’ve recently learned that he was likely sparing me the horrendous details of his experiences, as his ship was nearer and played a larger part, than he led me to believe. It is, indeed, a day that has lived in infamy … [Image: Seamen aboard USS Meriwether, 1944.] 

Tuesday ~ December 10^th: Wait! Stop! Now—GO! Keep your eyes on the road, it’s International Traffic Light Day. That is, for the original, non-electric signal. Yep, they were initiated even before electricity could be installed on a wide basis. Our traffic lights actually have a very interesting history. Take a minute (not while you’re driving, silly) to peruse the sponsoring site. And show respect when you come to a street light.

Thursday ~ December 14^th: So, this is not only Gingerbread House Day but Gingerbread Decorating Day! Although neither special designation has a link, here we go … take your pick … house or cookies?! DIY Gingerbread Houses that are tasty and tasteful. Or, for on-the-go partiers, yummy and easy Gingerbread Cookies! Most recipes are interchangeable for houses and cookies, but it’s the mindset … what are you in the mood to bake while filling the house with the aromas of Christmas? Have fun and enjoy the yum. 

Sunday ~ December 15^th: Are you ready for the final Full Cold Moon Magic of 2024? Take a few minutes to look up tonight and welcome the moon’s shimmering glow as it ushers us into a bright New Year. Make your meditation especially meaningful to give it the umph we need for the dawn of 2025. It’s up to you to round up your thoughts, review the year, and determine the New Year’s profound influence on your life. The Full Cold Moon is perfect for a mini-hibernation, a warm blanket, and a philosophical day. Don’t forget the hot cocoa!

Saturday ~ December 21^st: After a rejuvenating Full Cold Moon, give the Winter Solstice (4:21am EST; 1:21am PST) its due! Technically, it only lasts for a moment, as the Earth continues to spin, but we can celebrate it for the whole day. If you’re not near one of the six ancient sites to view it, like Stonehenge, (Wiltshire, England), search webcams like the one at Newgrange, Ireland, to get the awe-inspiring effect. Of course, it is the shortest day of the year, so make the most of it, and though it will be dark earlier, we can look forward to brighter days from now on!

Tuesday ~ December 24^th: Why, it’s Christmas Eve of course! The final day before much-anticipated Christmas, often coming with a sneak preview, pre-Christmas gift or other festive custom. Though Christmas Eve religiously anticipates the birth of Jesus Christ, the festivities of this month truly pre-date even that revered time. Whatever your traditions, enjoy! 

Wednesday ~ December 25^th: I can hear your Inner Child clapping with glee! It’s finally Christmas Day! Whether you celebrate in the custom of ancient Christianity, or for the secular pleasures that bring simple joys, there is no denying the power of Christmas charm. Some folks combine both, the aura of Christ’s birth with the pure joy of fun, all in one day. Have fun at this site, if you’re looking for a new tradition to introduce to family and friends. It’s all good! 

*Monday ~ December 30^th: Another New Moon! Cool … did you miss the New Moon on December 1^st? Well, ya know how, now and again, we get a once-in-a-full Blue Moon? Well, THIS is a Black New Moon! Personally, I would have called it a Silver Moon, which is a simple way of scrambling “sliver” of a moon, but “Black” is likely more accurate, as we can’t really see it, anyway. It doesn’t occur often, so whatever you think of it, take this as a celestial boost to your ambitions for the New Year.   

Tuesday ~ December 31st: Hallelujah! It’s New Years Eve 2024! It’s party time! Are you ready for sparkles and confetti?! Even if I don’t have a party to get silly at, I am comfortable at home with my bottle of wine and sweet cakes to munch on, while I give final reflections on 2024 and plan my life for 2025. How about you? If your December was hectic, leaving no time for meditation, take a few moments before you raise your champagne glass, to reflect, rejoice and rejuvenate!

And from me to you … Thank you for reading my 39 and Holding Club articles this year and let’s look forward to 2025 with hope, love, and peace, in heart, mind, and soul. Most of all, 39ers, never lose touch with your Inner Child.

֎ Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude 
39ers can talk in vintage clichés, song titles, snippets of lyrics, and old TV dialogue quotes—and never have to utter another original thought. J ~ L. Rochelle 

Happy UN-Birthday 39ers ~ DECEMBER 2024 ~ Merry Christmas!
       This one’s for you, kids – Alexis, Linda, Ken and Kevin!  

Join the 39 & Holding Club
Celebrate 39 & Holding Day
Chat on Twitter: @39HoldingClub

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And dear readers, I just want you to know that I try my best to create an informative, aesthetically creative article for you each month. However, Blogger is not a professional hosting site—but they’re free through Google. So we’re stuck with their crummy platform that doesn’t work well to manipulate images with writing, if you aren’t a techie who knows HTML. Trust me, I’ve tried for years to write articles without gaps between paragraphs and even between sentences. Sigh. Maybe I’ll win the lottery and be able to afford a professional hosting site someday. Cheers!

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, available on Amazon: Book 1 (currently eBook only, until updated) – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 (eBook, print & color!) – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!

*Important Message: Any data, links, or opinions on this site are for your information only and does not constitute legal or medical expertise of any kind. My proficiency is writing and sensible reporting. Period. All links have been vetted, but as always, please use all data, links, or my skewed opinions at your own risk.

Are you a 39er this month? Welcome to the 39 and Holding Club! Feel free to share your UN-birthday comments below (click on Comments or if it says No Comments, click that to be the first) and tell us how you really feel about your age and aging. Keep the stories coming!

<><><><>39ers RULE<><><><>

 

39ers Aging with ATTitude January 2024

 U.S. 39ers: Aging with “Americans”   

Happy UN-Birthday January 39ers! Are you turning 39 and Holding this month? You’re in great company! Millions of people turn 40 every day … are you going to cry about it or embrace it!?

Whether it’s your first 39 and Holding birthday or your 20^th + UN-Birthday, you’re automatically an esteemed member of the club! 39ers’ creed: Life is more fun if you’re Aging with ATTitude!

If you’re a first-timer to this site, or if it’s been a while since you thought about what it means to be a 39er, you may wonder why you’re here. Because you need a place to escape from the daily grind, yes, but more than that, you may have lost touch with your inner child.

We remind you that it’s okay to play. Not just physically, but to let your mind wander, explore, and exclaim, with all the innocence of a child, touched with a twist of knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes in the course of life, we forget that we once liked to giggle or make a funny face, or simply discover with the natural inquisitiveness of a child.

Each month we celebrate your UN-Birthday with mini-horoscopes, offbeat revelries, and silly reasons to celebrate. Sprinkle a few skewed views of the day around (often understood only if you’re a 39er) and our "Aging with ATT-i-tude" axioms will offer a fresh perspective on 39er life.

So, is your auto-response to the nosey age query, always “39 and Holding”? Good for you! Do you know who coined the phrase? Hint: he turned his 1930s vaudeville popularity into entertainment for early radio listeners and transitioned to upstart television broadcasting as a bona fide funnyman. See if you’re right …  

In recent years, it’s being stressed in the medical field that stress is a #1 contributor to mental and physical decline as you age. Whether your UN-birthday is this month or you just need a little pick-me-up, we’ll share the inane side of life and encourage you to take a few minutes to release your inner child. Be silly. Be curious. And smile … laugh … or even snort! Let it all go and let’s have some fun!

֎ Celebrating JANUARY 39ers ~ And More!  
I recently watched the latest Ricky Gervais Netflix special. Talk about skewed news and views! LOL But tucked into his irreverent rhetoric was a jewel of truism: “You can’t control your thoughts.”

Of course, you shouldn’t act on all of your thoughts, and many shouldn’t even be spoken aloud; it reminds us, however, at one point as a child, we did just that. Sometimes, it was much to the chagrin of our parents. Being a 39er with a hint of wisdom and still in touch with your inner child, is the best of both worlds. Enjoy!

January Events & Notable Days 

With low January temps it’s no wonder we celebrate National Soup Month! Betcha can’t guess who sponsors it? If you yelled, Campbell’s, you’re definitely a 39er! The iconic brand has been around long before even we, were born—it celebrates 155 years in 2024 and by 1898 had designed its red-and-white label colors that we all know. It even inspired a fantastic Andy Warhol series of classic pop art. Of course, Campbell’s isn’t the only soup in town—you may even rival it with your own homemade variety! Feed your inner child with a warm blankie and a hot cuppa soup.

Are you a dancin’ fool? Do you know it’s National Polka Music Month? What better way to keep your youthful figure? (Or get it back again!) The energetic dance is often considered just a Polish culture pastime, but besides throughout Europe, it’s been an American dance-hall mainstay since pioneer days. Sponsored by the International Polka Assoc. based in Illinois, check out their list of Polka events around the Midwest and East Coast; or look for fun and festive Polka events in your local area. A-1-&-a-2 …   

January 3^rd & 4^th: Well, I wanted to tell you about The Quadrantids Meteor Shower for these days, but as luck would have it, we’re a tad late. Hope you were in an area that could see the vibrant show. Go here for more meteor showers throughout this year, with a magnificent Geminid Meteor Shower predicted, to wind up the year in December.

January 11^th: Celebrate January’s New Beginnings with New Moon Musings! Always a popular day in January, this New Moon boosts your life refresher course for the month and the year. A great day to meditate (and for three days after).  

January 23^rd: Do you flex your fingers after a full day of keyboarding? Take a break and exercise your fingers on National Handwriting Day! The self-serving sponsor is more for wholesalers than the public (writing instruments, of course), but it does remind us that in a world of keyboards and screens, we should make the effort to enjoy tech downtime and simply write … on a piece of paper … with a pen or pencil. Remember those? Do more than write your name. Maybe enjoy a new practice of handwriting even a few paragraphs daily, in a journal. You’ll find a new writing perspective.

January 25^th: Do you feel it? Full Moon Magic surrounds each of us to create an individually personal energy that works within and without us. If you’re in touch with your inner being, the Full Moon can guide you through the month and connect you with your immediate future. Always a good couple of days (one before, one after) to meditate—even ten minutes is better than nothing—or at least give yourself a half-hour of personal peace. I typically take a whole day to simply “do nothing” and recharge my inner batteries.

This month, the Full Wolf Moon (as known by Native Americans of New England and the Great Lakes), shines on the wolves howling in hunger. A fitting alternative name, the Full Center Moon, comes from the Assiniboine people, denoting the middle of the cold season when creature food stores may be dwindling.

January 26^th: For San Diegans (California) this is a good day to head out to the San Diego County Fairgrounds and enjoy a tribute concert to the Grateful Dead, by Dark Star Orchestra. They focus on offering full setlists from the sizable repertoire of the Dead’s massive list of concerts. Not in San Diego? Check out this site of fun festival listings across the country. 

January 28^th: Get out your wax paper and a plastic comb—it’s National Kazoo Day! Although the sponsoringsite suggests this day to celebrate, they also say, “… or anytime around there that suits you.” That’s the laid-back style of the simple musical instrument made popular in the Southern U.S. around the 1840s. It debuted at the Georgia State Fair in 1852 as the “Down South Submarine,” but wasn’t commercially produced until 1912. Think it’s only for “simple songs”? Think again … the Kazoo has made appearances in Rock greats’ musical tunes from Pink Floyd to Jimi Hendrix and the band Weezer. Start humming and enjoy!

֎ Monthly Song of Note ♪  
Finally, we come to the 39AHC vintage Song of Note for January 1974—and the inspiration for our article title. 39ers “of a certain age,” not only remember much of what the song’s lyrics speak, but the patriotism we once shared 50 Years Ago.

Byron MacGregor (born Gary Mack, a Canadian radio/TV news anchor and director), topped the charts with a heartfelt recording of “The Americans” as a reminder of our contributions to the world. At the time, MacGregor was a news director at the powerful CKLW radio station in Windsor, Ontario, with proceeds donated to The American Red Cross.

Now as then, America has suffered turmoil within and without … but even through all the chaos and mayhem in 1974, we were still collectively proud and doggedly strong. Perhaps this reminder of our history is again, in order for all of us. ♪ … And this Canadian thinks it's time | To speak up for the Americans | As the most generous and possibly | The least appreciated people | In all the Earth … ♪  Click this link for more tuneful tidbits to manifest your memories of 1974, and keep the Rock Rockin’ from 50 Years Ago this Month! 

֎ For 39ers who Follow the Stars  

2024 starpower begins as an election year, a Leap Year, anoints the first week of January with a Quadrantid meteor shower, and finishes up with a spectacular Geminid meteor shower in December. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun ride!

In the first quarter, we’re celebrating the Capricorn Goat (12/22/23 – 01/19) as we head into the New Year, urging you not to ignore your stringent goals, but ease up a bit to evolve with your heart’s desires. By the New Moon on January 11^th, you’ll be charged up and ready for action! Make sure you know what you want …

Our Aquarius Water-Bearers (01/20 – 02/18), however, need to stay the course on forging ahead with career, talents, and monetary gains, all year. This should prove to be a stellar year for you, right from the beginning. The 25^th’s Full Moon will trigger a change you’ve been considering … do it now, and move forward.

֎ Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude  
In the beginning of a New Year, it’s imperative that 39ers in all facets of life … personal, community, country, and world … review to improve.  ~ L. Rochelle 

Happy UN-Birthday 39ers ~ JANUARY 2024 ~ Happy New Year! 
       This one’s for you, kids – Renee, Erin, Chris, Jodie Joe!

Join the 39 & Holding Club!
Celebrate 39 & Holding Day! 
Chat on Twitter: @39HoldingClub

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And dear readers, I just want you to know that I try my best to create an informative, aesthetically creative article for you each month. However, Blogger is not a professional hosting site—but they’re free through Google. So we’re stuck with their crummy platform that doesn’t work well to manipulate images with writing, if you aren’t a techie who knows HTML. Trust me, I’ve tried for years to write articles without gaps between paragraphs and even between sentences. Sigh. Maybe I’ll win the lottery and be able to afford a professional hosting site someday. Cheers!

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, available on Amazon: Book 1 (currently eBook only, until updated) – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 (eBook, print & color!) – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!

*Important Message: Any data, links, or opinions on this site are for your information only and does not constitute legal or medical expertise of any kind. My proficiency is writing and sensible reporting. Period. All links have been vetted, but as always, please use data, links, or my skewed opinions at your own risk. And, if you're being tracked, my apology. It isn't me, it's Blogger. :-(

Are you a 39er this month? Welcome to the 39 and Holding Club! Feel free to share your UN-birthday comments below (click on Comments or if it says No Comments, click that to be the first) and tell us how you really feel about your age and aging. Keep the stories coming!

<><><><>39ers RULE<><><><>