39 and Holding Club: birthstones

Friday, April 19, 2019

Happy UN-Birthday 39ers APRIL 2019

Late is a State of Mind

And the state of my mind is absolute chaos … obviously, as I try to play catch-up, with the blur of past two weeks-plus …

39er Fitness and Fun

For your physical and mental health to remain young … know when it’s time to take a break. I meant to write a quick “Be back soon with April’s article …” before taking my break, because I’d simply run out of time. But time is an elusive creature. So here we are on the 19^th of the month. No excuses … but …

As life will often do … while the past week’s glow from a fantastic five-day hiatus at San Diego’s harbor area began to fade into daily routine, I was struck with another time-sucking event. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t as much fun.

Details unnecessary, suffice it to say, back at home while simply parked at the curb basking in the Spring sun, my cute little PT Cruiser was struck by a big ol’ mean SUV. It is now facing a “totaled” insurance designation and a salvage title. Sigh.

An integral part of the 39 and Holding Club is ATT-i-tude. In all the emotional events of life, attitude is so important. Am I angry? Frustrated? Sad? Of course. But channeling anger and emotion into my work while I deal with mundane issues of the accident’s aftermath, is crucial to dealing with it in a positive way. I credit my parents for the ability to do so, and believe that remaining positive helps anyone stay “39 and Holding” … with a smile. (Ok, it might be a forced smile, but I’m working on it!)

Because this intro is rather long and will have such a short life span (less than two weeks), I shall be brief with the rest, while offering an apology to all the April 39ers. Let’s party on …

39 Years Ago this Month ~ APRIL 1980

You or your parents may recall that a new home in 1980 averaged $69,000, while a gallon of gas was a blessedly $1.19. And remember the totally tubular sling chair? They’re making a comeback. Ahhhh, the good ol’ days. APRIL 1980 back at ya …

April 14^th: “Kramer vs. Kramer” a now-beloved movie starring box office icons of the era, Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, took the 52^nd Academy Awards Best Movie honors. The critically acclaimed film gave us an intimate look at divorce … albeit with a funny edge.

April 14^th: Heavy Metal fan? Here come the headbangers! The genre came on strong with the U.K. release of Iron Maiden’s self-titled album. ♪ Hit the Gas and Here I Go | I'm Running Free Yeah, I'm Running Free ♪

For 39ers who Follow the Stars …

After regaling us with their spirited, energetic, often flighty personality Aries (March 21^st – April 19^th) turns the month over to reality-based and earth-bound Taurus (April 20^th – May 20^th) as we celebrate Earth Day (22^nd). The pragmatic sign guides us firmly into the rites of Spring.

Have you ever noticed that both Sun Signs feature horns? Hmmmm … says a lot about free-thinking Aries the Ram, and stubborn … I mean, practical and steadfast … Taurus the Bull.

Shopping for birthday gifts? Red flows dominantly through the Aries psyche, whether they know it or not; and of course, Earth green with tinges of golden brown falls into Taurus’s healthy spectrum. But it’s the clarity of the lustrous diamond that will capture the attention of both, as April’s glittering gemstone.

Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. ~ Educator, W.M. Lewis.

Don’t wait, start now! Happy UN-Birthday APRIL 39ers: This one’s for you, kids – John M., Les C., and Elvin C.!

Club 39 Nifty Gifts

Join the 39 & Holding Club!

Chat on Twitter: @39HoldingClub

<><><><><><><><>

Are you a 39er this month? 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!

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

<><><>END<><><>

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Happy UN-Birthday 39ers July 2018

39ers Live and Learn!

At 39 years old, you’ve seen a bit of the world and learned a thing or two (hopefully). You’ve honed your right-or-wrong values and sharpened your skills to spot B.S. in most situations. However, when you’re 39 and Holding for a bunch more years, your perspectives continue to evolve, and you know there is so much more to learn …

39 Years Ago this Month ~ JULY 1979

July 14^th: The best read you’ll have all month—then-President Jimmy Carter voiced his concerns about Americans’ lack of faith in the nation’s administration. “President Carter speaks to Americans about the "crisis of confidence" in American government, values, and way of life, as the public expresses doubt in a better future for their own children. Carter challenges citizens to unite and address the problems in America by first addressing the energy shortage.

My takeaway from his speech? Mr. Carter said, “But after listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America. … The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our Nation.” What have we learned in 39 years? Nothing.

While you read through it, compare what Mr. Carter says, to today’s issues. Replace energy shortage with terrorism or rising rates on everything, or any number of other crises. Little has changed. They are much the same, just more acute. Although I don’t agree in the way Mr. Trump conducts his public persona, I do believe he is trying to affect much- needed changes. They were needed then. They are needed even more, now.

One difference between then and now? We didn’t vilify the president for inadequacies. We worked with what we had, and we voted to make changes. But we still need to unify. “Whenever you have a chance, say something good about our country,” Mr. Carter said. Take heed, “United States of America”!

For 39ers who Follow the Stars …

According to Wiki, until the 15^th century, July’s birthstone was a turquoise/onyx duo. The royal red ruby didn’t come into favor until the 20^th century. Which do you prefer? Whatever floats your boat.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) 39ers should enjoy the majestic qualities of whatever adorns them. Perhaps the ruby better fits their nature. Gleaming with hard brilliance on the outside, but you’ll find so much more, if you peer into its soft-hued interior. Get on a Cancerian’s good side, and you’ll never enjoy a more loyal friend.

If you rule life by the Zodiac though, the birthstone changes for the second half of the month. Leo’s (July 23-Aug 22) majesty rules with the mysterious and dramatic onyx. The powerful stone is the perfect pairing for Leo’s benevolent supremacy. Leos can love as big as the summer sun; sometimes with an ego to match. That’s the lion for you!

Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude

Aging is letting go of who you were yesterday, coming to terms with who you are today, and planning how you will live better tomorrow.

~ L. Rochelle (Writer, editor, armchair philosopher, and your humble 39er hostess.)

Great cheese and wine need aging, but for 39ers Age is just a number … LIFE is ATT-i-tude!^TM

Happy UN-Birthday JULY 39ers,

(This one’s for you, kids – 39AHC UN-Birthday 39ers: John 75!, Yvonne, Ed, Marilyn, Pat, Joyce, and Susan!)