Curling

I confess to a penchant for watching curling in recent Olympics. I wouldn't watch curling normally or even if there was an annual Super Bowl of Curling, but I build up an urge over a much longer period of time that needs to be sated. Like golf, participants wear costumes and some are amusingly zany. Like golf, it looks like drinking would make the sport lots more interesting.


So the question is, would it be fun to go curling. It's probably not a bucket list item, but I'd be more inclined if I could pick my costume and for sure if I could be assured of appropriate beverages to quench the thirst from sweeping or the agony of throwing heavy stones. But only once every four years and maybe afterwards we could go ice fishing.

The Beatles Debut

I was one of the 73 million Americans who saw the Beatles American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show ("a really big sheewww") 50 years ago today. I was not a happy camper about it though. Ed Sullivan overlapped with the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color which was a favorite of mine. Given the limited amount of TV we watched in those days (read "were permitted to watch") it was important to cram in every minute. A Google search revels that I was watching the imminently forgettable "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, Part 1" which could explain the channel switch.

My brothers, Dad, and I watched the world premiere. First comment from Dad..."Look at that long hair. They look like girls." The comment buoyed me because I was determined to hate the Beatles even though I had only heard them a few times on the radio at that point. Their first song was "All My Loving" which became a favorite of mine. Try as I wanted to I couldn't hate them, though I could resent my brother for talking my Dad into watching in the first place.

The Browne Couch

There is a Browne couch that is brown. It has been well loved for nearly 30 years and has travelled with us to five different houses. It currently resides in the river house, our getaway, and is finally getting to that age when its time to find a replacement. At one point in its early days there would have been a fight over who inherited the brown couch. Now its just a beloved relic of a time past.

The cushions were once firm and when you sat on one there was a little spring that helped you escape its embrace. Not that you wanted to leave...ever. But now they are mushy and getting out of the couch takes some effort and planning. Still, it is a pleasant place to sit and stare at the wood stove when there's a roaring fire in it or the screen when watching a movie.

The brown couch is a great place to read a book or to sit back and contemplate life. Like here only more comfy.

When I Turned Old

I can pinpoint to the day when I officially turned "old". January 20th 2014. Like anyone, there are plenty of clues after you turn 50...wrinkles, a slow increase in the number of pills to keep track of on a daily basis, the realization that your teen years were no longer "current events" but are now a historical era, and the gradual decline in hearing (which I hope is due more to loud music than old age). But not many people can pinpoint a date when they hit "old".

It started innocently enough. I was in the Nairobi suburb of Karen getting US dollars converted to Kenya shillings at a currency store. There was a bit of wait and customers had taken the available seats so I moved to the side to wait my turn. So far just like the other five decades of my life. But as I leaned up against the wall a young man leapt up and gestured to me to sit down. I nicely declined, indicating that I didn't need a seat, but inside I was thinking "HEY...I'M NOT OLD." The Kenyan guard who was watching the interaction helpfully said "It's because you're old". I started to protest, but realized that the way he said it, it came across as a sign of respect and not a commentary on how decrepid I was. So I said "thank you" and sat down to wait my turn.

I talked with Sr. Julie (Nyumbani Home volunteer coordinator) after I'd changed my currency about the Kenyan attitude on age and she confirmed there isn't the Western judgement attached to age. It is a description that helps identify the person and their stature in life. So I got used to being described as "old" and "fat" for that matter.

A watershed day...but still, just a day.

Christmas Eve

For only the second time, we celebrated Christmas Eve away from home. The first time was in 2005 when the family went to Kenya. 2013 finds us in the Bahamas with additional family members, Margaret, and, Andy Lau. To avoid taking and bringing back lots of presents, we went the "Secret Santa" approach and everyone got one person they got gifts for not to exceed $100. Lots of thought went into the presents and it was amazing how far a c-note can go with care. I received a tripod (definitely filling a void) that I can use with bigger lens and this blog site for those random musings on life. I sit here after a short Christmas Eve gift unwrapping and realize how important my family is to me. No earth shattering discussions, just conversations and comments spread though the room, embracing in their warmth. How empty it would seem without them. I am a lucky guy.

Hello World!

Merry Christmas, Jeff Browne!  You're now officially a blogger (if you'd like to be)!  I thought this would be a great way to share all the things you've been up to, jot down thoughts, and display some of the awesome photographs you take.  You really do have a lot of things worth sharing.  This is all still a work in progress, but I thought I'd at least get you started.  

The title of the blog came by very organically.  It's also a good reminder that some of the best things in life are a little lumpy.  I'm sure there's a metaphor in there somewhere...

Anyways, hope you've enjoyed your trip so far!  Here's to a happy and healthy 2014 and beyond, filled with adventure!

--Your Secret Santa