Hank may be precocious, at nine he has excellent computer, reading, writing and math skills He loves sports and dedicates time to learning or improving his abilities. Hank may invest more time on the computer than the experts suggest. This week he told me he was certain that he was color blind. He had taken multiple eye tests on line. People with color blindness can develop chromatophobia. It is interesting that xanthophobia, an aversion to yellow light is also possible. Hank also let me know that he might have autophobia, the fear of being alone. He later informed me that he was not afraid of the dark when he was alone. I am not too concerned yet, he then rattled off several words he claims are the longest in the dictionary. After some research I countered with the word that is the subject today. The phobia described is the fear of long words. Making sure Hank and all of Idaho’s children can grow and learn in a great public education system in Idaho keeps me engaged. The children are our best hope!
The world of music lost one of the great composers this week, Burt Bacharach died at 94 years of age. I don’t think I ever purchased an album but I can remember most of his songs and even hum along. Out of respect for music and everyone else, I do not sing along. Easy listening pop was the term for much of his work written with Hal David and later with his spouse -Carol Bayer Sager. The first song that comes to mind is “Raindrops keep falling on my Head”, the theme song for Butch Cassidy. “Do you know the way to San Jose, Walk on By, I say a little prayer for you, What’s New Pussycat?” An Associated Press article reminds us “over the past 70 years, only Lennon-McCartney, Carole King and a handful of others rivaled his genius for instantly catchy songs…” His work stands the test of time. Bacharach believed “music softens the heart…” which is a much needed tonic in our contentious world today.
Karen Bailey Mooney celebrated a birthday this week. Wine at lunch, bingo at dinner with the grandkids, lemon chiffon pie, flowers and thoughtful gifts from her loving family. I am not mentioning an age but I offer these songs from the year she was born to give you a hint. Billboard #1, by Gordon Jenkins and the Weavers—“Goodnight Irene.” #2 that year, “Mona Lisa” by Nat King Cole At #11, “If I knew you were coming I’d Have Baked a Cake” by Eileen Barton, and who could forget #25, crooned by Perry Como, “Hoop-Dee-Doo- I hear a polka and my troubles are through! If life were only that simple. Happy Birthday Karen.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the earthquake victims and survivors in Turkey and Syria. It gives us a sobering perspective on our own trials and tribulations.
Take good care. Mike