39 and Holding Club

Friday, February 2, 2018

Happy 39 And Holding February 2018

Times, They Are a-Changin’!

Change is in the air everywhere, not just in our chaotic climate. From politics on every level, to attitudes, social mores, and personal introspection … For the times, they are a-changin’.*

Having a difficult time trying to come to terms with who you are today? Join the crowd. Or rather, don’t … rearrange yourself, along with your kitchen shelves; or re-color your fashion style and your hair! It’s time to march to your own drumbeat.

UN-Birthdays are the perfect time for the 39ers’ Creed: Reflect ~ Rejoice ~ Rejuvenate!

In truth, all we have is today … right now … this second. Yesterday is past. We can’t change it but we can Reflect on its merits and moments.

Today is your opportunity to Rejoice in your existence to this point and for this day.

With what you learned from Yesterday and your gratefulness for Today, you can look forward to Tomorrow and Rejuvenate your spirit with hope for all your Tomorrows to be. Happy UN-Birthday!

39 Years Ago this Month ~ February 1979

Since January ended and February began with a planetary phenomenon, we’ll keep it going with:

February 7^th: Beleaguered planet Pluto normally flies around in the sky a tad further from the sun than Neptune. But a little wobbly on its axis, from this day in 1979 through February 11, 1999, ol’ Pluto scooched its orbit closer to the sun than Neptune. Weird, huh?

February 10^th: Fun music fact—“Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” (Rod Stewart) topped radio charts from WLS/Chicago to KFRC/San Francisco, for the rest of the Valentine month. Hubba, Hubba.

February 11^th: More entertainment titillation—randy Kurt Russell wowed television audiences in forty-three million homes (mostly women), with his dynamic portrayal of Elvis! on ABC. Apparently, he figured that was his crowning TV achievement and made it his last small screen role. Speaking of stars …

February 18: Speaking above of changes—how ‘bout that Climate Change? Does it exist? It did back on this day 39 Years Ago! It SNOWED in the Sahara Desert for half an hour! And … the white stuff showed up again in December 2016. Not surprisingly, the Sahara is considered a “hot” potential for solar energy production. Question: what are “they” waiting for?!

For 39ers who Follow the Stars …

If you’re a February 39er, the color gods paint you (and your hair) in a kaleidoscope of hues—early Feb Aquarian Water-bearers (Jan 20-Feb 18), can re-style the palette of your moods, with turquoise green, bright blue, or purple. Or not so radically, a “normal” color to freshen your wardrobe and/or hair style for the New Year.

Walking through the sands of time with Pisces Fish (Feb 19-Mar 20), all shades of green keep you cool. Which goes spectacularly with blondes and redheads.

Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude

Aging is letting go of who you were yesterday, and coming to terms with who you are today.

~ LinDee Rochelle; author/editor, and your 39er hostess.

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

Happy UN-Birthday FEBRUARY 39ers,

(This one’s for you, kids – 39AHC UN-Birthday 39ers: Erin, Kris, Jodie & Joel!)

Club 39 Nifty Gifts

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* Seems we haven’t learned much since Bob Dylan’s 1964 enduring, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”

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Friday, January 5, 2018

Happy UN-Birthday January 2018 39ers

New Year ~ Look Back but don’t GO Back

Often at the beginning of a New Year, we look back, before we step forward. Not just to contemplate the exiting year, but reflecting on bygone decades and applaud how far we’ve evolved. Like, oh, say, since 1979 …

39 is the magic number here at 39AHC. 1979 proved a banner year 39 Years Ago This Month, with the average cost of a new home roughly $72,000, and the annual income to purchase it at $17,500.

Hmmm, many wages don’t even make that mark now. There are still states where minimum wages are less than $10 per hour ($19,200/year)!

To put it in perspective, home buying averages have increased FIVE times 1979 costs (2016 average $374,650), while wages have essentially stagnated. And we’re not even throwing in groceries and other COL expenses.

Looking backward is one thing … going backward is quite unacceptable.(Well, unless you're time traveling.)

So 39ers, if no others, let’s make one resolution this New Year. No going back. Make everything you do about moving forward to improve your life. Believe in yourself and trust your instincts.

In the meantime, we will continue making fun of our music and styles of 1979—even if “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”! (Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond hit #7 on L.A.’s KHJ chart, January 9, 1979.)

39 Years Ago this Month ~ January 1979

Remember when Disco Duck was wearing thin and we couldn’t wait to move on? A New York musical group put the brakes on our move away from Disco when they forgot Halloween wasn’t ‘til October.

The Village People strutted the stage and gave sports stadium organists a new song for boisterous crowds to scream at the top of their lungs.

January 6^th: “Y.M.C.A.”—like many novelty songs, blasted its way to the top of charts, and lasted way beyond its prime. “Y.M.C.A.” beat out the Streisand/Diamond song, hitting #3 on KHJ’s Top Thirty chart.

January 13^th: It didn’t make everyone joyful, though. “The” YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) was not amused. At least not at first. The organization filed a libel suit against The Village People’s song, but eventually saw the benefits of its association, and life goes on.

January 26^th: Television was not immune to cute and corny. Into our lives roared General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger, with The Dukes of Hazzard in tow. The CBS show that countrified short-shorts left the guys drooling over Daisy, while women swooned over the sculpted bods of Bo and Luke. Talk about high octane! "Yeeeee-Haaa"!

For 39ers who Follow the Stars …

Happy UN-Birthday January 39ers! Let’s get back to earth with comfortable Capricorns leading us into the New Year ( Dec 22-Jan 19; like 39AHC birthday gal, Erin, right). Determined and focused, they point us in the right direction after we’ve picked up the party plates.

Capricorns make great friends to discuss your future with—they’ll support you, while playing Devil’s Advocate to help you avoid pitfalls you’re trying to ignore.

Airy Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) is there to brighten our horizons when we threaten to slide into mid-month, post-Holiday doldrums. Intellectually stimulating with a flair for fun, Aquarius adds sunshine to our dark, stormy winter days. Don’t forget the hot buttered rum … yum!

Aging with ATT-i-tude Platitude

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions.

~ Arnold Glasow (1905–1998; US businessman, author, Glasow's Gloombusters, published at the age of 92.

Great cheese and wine need aging, but to 39ers … Age is a number …

LIFE is ATT-i-tude!^TM

Happy UN-Birthday JANUARY 39ers,