Paul's current theme is "I've Had This Since I Was A Kid".  I gave his theme some thought and realized that the two things we all have had since we were kids, babies in fact, are our minds and our bodies. What we do with our minds and bodies and how we treat them will have much to do with how long we have them and how long they function properly. Our minds and bodies are the true treasures that we possess. We may lose all of our tangible "treasures" in a hurricane, a tornado, a fire, a flood or some other natural or un-natural disaster, but as long as we have our bodies and minds in tact, we will have our memories. I have seen families sobbing outside their burned homes while holding in their hands the remnants of a scorched photo album or child's toy. And they ask, "Why?" I have seen families crying while looking at their homes which are now standing in the middle of a flooded river realizing that all or most of their treasures are lost or terribly water damaged. And they ask, "Why?" I have seen a fire on Fathers Day that took the life of two children that were unable to escape, leaving behind a grieving family. And they asked, "Why?" Each of these families, in their own way, must try to forget the pain of loss. They must endeavor to replace it and fill their minds with fond memories and happiness of better times.

And alas, there are others. Those in nursing homes with no memories at all. Once vibrant persons now reduced to sleeping and eating, sleeping and eating. Persons no longer aware of anything that goes on around them. Persons not recognizing loved ones that visit. Persons asking the same questions over and over again. This saddens me, and I ask, "Why?"

Bodies and minds...may we have them for our entire lives.

There once was a little boy, a first grader to be exact, that had to have surgery to repair a hernia that he had had since birth. This was in the days, way back in the last century, when ether was still used as an anesthetic. The boy's right lung collapsed and the doctors said he had ether pneumonia. He struggled, trying to stay alive, for quite a few days while in that four bed hospital, but ultimately, he did survive. While he was there, friends and relatives brought him many things that a little boy would enjoy. For example comic books like the ones Austinspace showed us a few days ago. But the treasure that he still has today is a little plastic  donkey. It's a special donkey and very smart. You can ask the donkey any question on earth and he can answer it as long as the answer is "Yes". You see, with a little help, he will nod his head up and down, up and down. So it's always best to ask a "Yes" question so he gets the answer right. Wasn't this a nice gift for a little boy?

As the boy grew he loved to read. This helped him develop his mind. He was particular about the books he read, and mainly chose intellectual books like these which he still has.

When the boy was six years old, he started taking guitar lessons. This helped to develop the musical portion of his mind. When the boy was in high school, 45 rpm records were in vogue. How many of these treasured labels do you recognize? BTW..."My True Love" by Jack Scott was "our" song.

You have probably guessed by now that I was that boy.

When my dad was a lad, in the early 1900s, he took coronet lessons. The way he told it was that after a few lessons, his teacher ran off with a man and got married, so the lessons stopped. This, in any event is his coronet.

Now I must explain the "Today's the Day" part of the title above. Some years back, on my birthday, a good friend gave me a case of Yukon Jack. Every few years on my birthday, we have each consumed one bottle of Yukon Jack. I know what you're thinking, but they're only miniature bottles like you get on an airplane. When there were two bottles remaining in the case, my friend decided that we should drink them on my 65th birthday. TODAY'S THE DAY.

Now, if you have stuck around while learning a little about my mind and my treasures,
and if you still want to see my body,
I salute you!

Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoy!