Very simply, and very enthusiastically, Happy Birthday Mom! You're finally 60 - I feel like I've been calling you 60 for the past 5 years. I really enjoy this blog and think we have a lot of fun keeping it light, and don't worry I will, but first I really just want to thank you for everything, let you know that I miss you like crazy and that I can't wait to see you again soon.
With all that gushy crap out of the way, I'm going to have to take a page from Chris's book (I never know if the name ends in an 's' do you put the apostrophe before the 's' or after the 's'?). So this is a calling to everyone who should happen to cross this blog, which seems like a strong 5-8 of us, to help us recollect some of our best, or worst, memories of Karen Chandre's first 60 years. I have no doubt there's a good 60 left in her, but let's recap the the first half.
Your memories should be stated in groups of 5. 5 interesting events, quirks, memories, moments - whatever may come, let us know. Now Mom, since we have yet to get this blog published by Penguin, I may be back to post every few hours...
1. American Pie, Don McLean. Mom, you listened to talk radio 98% of the time, but if you changed the channel on the radio it was because American Pie was on. This was typically associated with a trip to either the doctor or the dentist. Boooo on both accounts.
2. For a woman that so vehemently HATES any seafood, you eat more canned tuna then some small countries.
3. The roughly 9 month period between when Dad moved down to NC full time and I finished high school. I was rocking the blue cloud mini-van, which the chicks loved, and you were somehow putting up with me. That was a really fun period, thanks for not letting me drive you crazy.
4. Still, to this day, the only person I know that can actively and with full concentration watch something on television, read a book and listen to the greatest baseball announcer of all time, Bob Uecker, tell it like it is. All three without missing a beat to any of them. Listening to the 'Crew on that beat up transistor radio. I still prefer baseball on the radio because of that.
5. Drinking mint Juleps with me, Carloyn and Eric this past Derby Day (pic above). I don't think you were ever much of a Bourbon drinker, but you were putting them away with me that day for sure! That trip was great for a lot of reasons, but more than any other, I just wanted to kick it old school with my Mom - thanks Mom.
I pass the story stick on to all the rest to help us celebrate Karen's Birthday!
Dan
