39 and Holding Club

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<><><>

Friday, March 8, 2019

March 2019 Happy UN-Birthday 39ers

March 39ers March to a Different Drumbeat

What makes you … you? Do you ever wonder—or agonize over—how you became the person you are at this moment?

Some of us go through life without ever delving into their psyche. They just are. Others question every move they make. Why do we do that? No one truly knows. Life is full of mysteries, and by March when we’re beginning to get cabin fever from winter’s hibernation, our minds wander even if our bodies can’t.

We can ask all the questions we want, and even come up with answers … at least some type of justification … but there are no right and wrong suppositions to define the mysteries of life. SO—let’s skip the philosophical and get right into March 39ers’ party-hearty parties!

39er Fitness and Fun

Slowly march into your exercises this month (if you’ve been lax this winter), to softly stretch your muscles after the long winter’s nap. I’ve heard accolades of how Tai Chi is physically and mentally beneficial, plus gentle on your body, though I have not yet given it a try. How about you? Perhaps it’s time.

Tai Chi is not too strenuous and oddly calming, I understand. Even the venerable Mayo Clinic suggests, “Often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.” Time to limber up!

39 Years Ago this Month ~ MARCH 1980

Sotheby’s London auction house got into the Rock & Roll mood to offer up several items 39 Years Ago that would be worth considerably more today …

March 3^rd: a napkin signed by Elvis Presley from the Rivera Hotel in Las Vegas fetched around $656 (₤500). Wonder if it was “used”?

Not into Elvis? Then you must be a Beatles fan! Four U.S. dollar bills – one each signed by a Beatle, actually went for less (collectively) at approximately $288 (£220). Bet they’d be worth way more than Elvis today!

Mi Amigo 1974; sank 1980

And what do you think a collection of wonderfully personal letters once owned by the Rolling Stones sold for? They also brought an estimated $288 (£220). For me, worth would be in knowing whether they were TO or FROM the venerable Stones. Anyone can write to them …

March 20^th: Though England strived to control R&R Radio stations, despite such iconic British artists, England’s Rock fans reveled in pirate radio stations that broadcast offshore, anchored in the Atlantic’s deep seas. On this date in 1980, a ravaging storm sank Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline’s favorite ship, leaving only its mast above water. The DJs narrowly escaped a watery demise in a daring rescue. DJ Stevie Gordon’s parting words to listeners, “For the moment from all of us, goodbye and God bless.”

Enjoy Radio Caroline Flashbacks online, for your fave music of the 1960s and ‘70s!

For 39ers who Follow the Stars …

Pensive Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) and airy Aries 39ers (Mar 21-Apr 19) march grandly through the month, step-dancing to their own drumbeat.

Lighten up Pisces it’s your month to party! You feel everyone else’s pain; but there is only so

much you can do. Empathize or sympathize, whichever is your strength, then take care of yourself.

While we appreciate Pisces’ help, let’s applaud the valiant and audacious Aries—always ready to grab the bull by the horns. With success the likely outcome, we can forgive their extremes and enjoy their energy.

Whether you favor the Zodiac colors of light green for lively Pisces or passionate red for Aries, Kelly green will dominate Irish American Heritage Month—Slainte! (Cheers!)