Note from Buck: this mini post has not been edited by Fitz! So all poor grammar, syntax, etc. are not his fault.
Today, when I woke up I realized I had completed 70 years of life. It was a serious realization but a happy one. And, as happy as I am to have survived 7 decades, I am even more thrilled that my children and grandchildren and son-in-law are arriving today to spend almost 2 weeks here on Bumblebee Farm in Little Compton, RI. This is our longest visit ever with them all and it comes after months of no contact. So, I am taking the next two weeks off. My intention is to ignore all the awful things happening in our country and to concentrate on doing fun things with my family.
Before I leave for the fortnight, I want to leave you with some good thoughts from the past week or so – some things for which to be thankful for the next few days.
- The reprieve granted the DACA kids by the Supreme Court. Though temporary, it is good news.
- The affirmation of LGBTQ+ civil rights by the Supreme Court.
- An initiative in San Francisco to establish an “Overpaid Executive Tax.” This tax would kick in if companies with operations in San Francisco paid their top execs more than 100X the average wage of their local employees. This may or may not pass, but it is good news that it is being discussed.
- The vaunted Tulsa Trump rally drew a crowd of around 6500. Trump and his team looked like fools.
- National polls are looking bad for Trump and seem to be getting worse.
- John Bolton, who is a warmongering ass, has written a book which is, at the very least, a huge embarrassment for Trump, and possibly, a real back breaker for his reelection chances.
- And, finally, the best good news – no major gaffes from our candidate!
So, I leave you with a bit of good news and urge you to take your own summer vacation!
Deacon Buck Close serves on the staff of the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Newport, RI. He was born in South Carolina, graduated from Tulane University in 1972 with a BA in Economics and Latin American Studies.
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Leroy,
Happy Birthday!! I stumbled across your blog after googling something like ‘Surviving members of the Charter Oak Hall of Fame’…there aren’t many of us left. Can you believe it’s been over half a century since Tulane cancelled finals during the Spring of 1970 and we went on a two-week bender? I’ve enjoyed your musings, but swear I thought, at least during our college years, you were a diehard William F. Buckley conservative. Blame it on the Bourbon. I suspect Charter Oak damaged more than just a couple of my brain cells. I recall Tony once declaring, in broken English over drinks at Poor Richards, ‘the extent of a man’s wisdom is measured from his eyebrows to his hairline’…I see in your elder state, you’ve become infinitely wise. Congratulations on still being here! Have a Happy Birthday and a good summer vacation. Oh, if you are looking for some levity during your sabbatical, google Sarah Cooperman and watch her series of TikTok Trump videos. May be the only time Trump’s words bring a smile to your face. See you in New Orleans after we’ve been vaccinated.
Mark
Happy Birthday, Buck!
This is perhaps, one of my favorite blogs – so uplifting. How wonderful your entire family will be at Bumble Bee! Enjoy! And, give your better half a big hug for me. She inspires me as well – and she doesn’t even know it!@
Love,
Kathy E.
Happy Birthday Buck!
Love your blog today. So uplifting – I’m defnitely going to pay heed.
So happy for you and Lucy that your entire family will together for 2 weeks. A real gift!
Kathy
If you’re 70 than I’ll be 75 next week. Long life to all of us. We have lots more to do !
Buck,
I didn’t realize our birthdays were right next to each other. I turned 74 yesterday, and am happy to still be around, making trouble and learning to appreciate things I seem to have been too silly, or busy or dumb to appreciate earlier in my years.
I don’t get to talk to Francie often enough, but when it happens it is one of the things I appreciate. I live in Asheville, where I write and bake and tend a very small garden. I have a ridiculous Jack Russell, good neighbors and three children who keep me on my toes. They have given me two grandchildren who are the icing on this particular cake. I enjoy this blog. Keep it up.