The world just got a little less fun, a little less friendly, a little less pleasant, a little less lively, and a little less tolerant – we lost Janet’s mother, Jean today. She has lived a long and fruitful life and probably had far less problem leaving it than we will have missing her. As “mothers-in-law” go – she wasn’t – she was a fun person and a delight to be around. I regret that she was unable to attend Janet’s 50th birthday party and to meet Baxter (the wonder puppy). I know she would have had a fantastic time and would have enjoyed the food and fun. But I cherish all the time I have spent with her over the years – at camp and at Janet’s family functions. My heart goes out to all the people that were around her on a daily basis because I know their lives will be a little less fun and a profound void will be there for years. My heart goes out Brother Bobby and Carolyn as well as Linda and Jane – knowing how Jean lit up their lives. But alas, as they say, all good things must come to an end and we must deal with the loss.

If everyone were like Jean the words war and hatred would be unknown! Goodbye Jean.

Into The Fire!

Janet’s 50th Birthday Bash (AKA the party of the Half-Century) has come and gone. Many great memories were wrought on the anvil of fun. About a hundred plus people descended on the Shenango Fire Hall to celebrate the end of Janet’s 50th year, to eat, to dance, to compare notes and to roast her.

A multitude of foods were prepared by friends and family – this is the best way to cater because everyone always makes what they are good at and the quality is sublime! Jim Palmer provided the dance music from a list of songs hand selected by Janet and friends over a period of 7 months. Like the guests the music was an eclectic mix from New York New York to the Chicken Dance. However Jim stopped accepting additions to the play list if… 1) Janet was at a Bar or 2) Janet had had more than 2 beers. Picture this – Janet calling Jim’s cell phone from the Wind Haven at 12:30 –“JIM JIM JIM YOU GOTTA PUT (insert totally inane song here i.e., Bobby Goldsboro’s Honey) ON THE PLAY LIST!!! The next day Jim would call Janet and in a fatherly tone would say “Now Janet when you suggested “Honey” to be added to your party play list were you in a bar??? – Ok mmm hmmm. Janet you know the rules, do you really want it on the list? Ok you don’t even remember calling to add it, AH ok – no problem I won’t put it on then OK, no its OK Janet bye bye. Linda remind me to take the phone off the hook at 10:00 PM until Janet’s party!!!

In addition to a great deal of fun many of our friends complied with Janet’s expressed wishes and gave her cases of Labatt’s 50 for her birthday, other shall we say independent souls gave Labatt’s blue, Yuengling Lager, Labatt’s Ale, pictures, paintings and a multitude of hilarious cards. But I must say that one “gift” stood out. The Baxter /Poczik/Colombi Clan gave Janet a Tibetan terrier puppy for her Birthday! He is one of the most beautiful puppies on earth – nearly as cute as Rudy when he was a pup! I shit you not! Jim Baxter brought the Li’l devil into the hall in a Corona beer case and put it on the ground near Janet and said, “You need to open this.” Janet (not impressed with any swill made in Mexico) said “Put the case over there under the table.” Jim – “Noooo, I think you better open this one now.” Janet opens said “Corona Case” and extracts the bundle of furry Sportsmen’s camp royalty and is immediately treated to big sloppy puppy kisses. Tears ensue from Janet, me and about half the people there. Sigh of relief from me – I no longer have to keep this secret from Janet and no longer have to fend off Janet saying “Lets go look at puppies…”

His name is Baxter and he is a good Puppy – even as Tibetan terrors go! He has had no accidents (aside from hitting the off switch on the computer power strip forcing me to rewrite this entire diatribe! And looking so sweet when he did it! But knowing the nature of these dogs I don’t believe it was an accident!) and sleeps the whole night through as long as he is in bed with his Mommy.

Well master Baxter summons and I must attend so I will cut this epistle short. A million thanks to all who attended and helped on the party of the Half-Century and even if Janet hadn’t gotten any gifts (which was her intention) we realize that the greatest gift is to be loved by so many people. Well that is Janet. Happy Birthday.