No better music to start off the year than with Oldies and Doowop! And now, you can have a ready-made singalong party concert better-than-karaoke program, courtesy of Oldies Country. The idea came about since there aren’t alot of doowop afficionados on the west coast, thus ‘the Wrong Coast Doowop Spectacular’ so for those of you scattered far away from the New England concentration of doo-wop concerts and fans, here you go…

DIY ‘2025 New Years Eve Wrong Coast Doowop Spectacular‘ On Demand singalong and even playalong (CHORDS and lyrics INCLUDED) >

http://oldiescountry.blogspot.com/2024/12/new-year-wrong-coast-doowop-singalong.html?m=1 – CAN CAST TO YOUR TV OR PROJECTOR AS WE DID 12-28

DOO WOP represents a subcategory of vocal group harmony that includes the following musical qualities: group harmony, a wide range of vocal parts, nonsense syllables, a simple beat, light instrumentation, and simple music and lyrics. Above all, the focus is on ensemble singing first popularized in the 1950s, spawned by the upbeat romantic innocense of the post-war era…a new years eve tradition with songs  such as…

http://oldiescountry.blogspot.com/2024/12/new-year-wrong-coast-doowop-singalong.html?m=1

CLICK HERE fort an hours worth of instant non-stop doowop hits but be sure to also go to the above link for a specially-selected play list with links you may select (all or as you like)

Happy New Year from our HAPPY backyard furry friends

New Year Resolutions Anyone?

Sanjay Gupta   Keep Sharp: Build a better brain at any age

It’s a 12-week program on diet and exercise. Extending your life and your social life is pretty good. It’s already structured and it’s something you can do with friends or family

.Twyla Tharp Keep it moving – Tharp interviews mostly older folks who overcame major obstacles, mostly health, by doing the ‘right’ thing >

https://amzn.to/4gS18jX

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Coupon Country’s ‘A LIST’

New Years Eve of 2025

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GRIEF and December – the deadliest month

Just in December, alone, we’ve lost The Amazing Kreskin (mentalist often on Johnny Carson), basketball’s Dick Van Arsdale, baseball’s all time stolen base and best leadoff hitter Ricky Henderson (only 65), famed record producer Richard Perry , famed sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel (78), actress Olivia Hussy (73), President Jimmy Carter, actress Linda Levin, baseball’s golden era Cleveland Indians great Rocky Colavito – and that’s only the big headline ones. There have been 41 notable passages in total the month of December, 2024

With that in mind, A New York Rabbi gave a captivating sermon on the subject during the Jewish High Holidays we happened across that may be of interest to help especially those who have been affected recently- who have had difficulty with loss and grieving in their lives, as we have… whether it be personal loss or grieving the tragedies in Israel and beyond-and in tribute to those who have lost their lives and/or family members, or figurative loss.

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I’m thankful for you (reading this)!

I may have fewer friends today than I did when I was younger, having lost many over the years, especially my dear brother and sister in their forties. And, with that in mind, today I’m all the more appreciative of what I do have. I no longer am obligated to go to large family gatherings that I could take or leave but now I can choose to go to those like this Thanksgiving dinner with good that I really want to attend . so thank you very much. I am grateful for you

And I am grateful to be alive and in generally good health while so many of my dear family and friends are no longer so fortunate. I miss them all so much and they are with me in my daily thoughts . I try to live my life with them in mind and for them too.

I will continue living each day as if it’s the last because we are not guaranteed anything and trying to make each day count. Now a senior, I started my first diary ever making sure to accomplish at least one thing of note everyday, whether volunteering, donating, etc. or just doing a good deed(s).

I wasn’t planning on doing anything for Thanksgiving because there really wasn’t anything I wanted to do including drive a distance to my remaining extended family but a good friend asked me at last minute to come for dinner. I grabbed the opportunity to be with like-minded folks for good food and conversation while giving thanks.

So thank you very much and hope this is just one of many more good times we ‘get together’ and savor our time on Earth

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BE PREPARED FOR BOLD AGE (NOT OLD AGE)

Heed these words Bold friend👍💕

You know the time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of  the passing years. It seems like yesterday that I was young and  embarking on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I  wonder where all those years went.

I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.  But, here it is… the winter of my life, and it catches me by  surprise… How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those “older people” were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is…my friends are retired and getting grey… they move slower and I see an older person in myself now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me… but, I see the great change… Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant…but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore… it’s mandatory! Cause if  I don’t on my own free will… I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so… now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last…  this I know, that when it’s over on this earth… it’s over. A new  adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done… things I should have done, but indeed, there are also many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

So, whatever you would like to accomplish in  your life, please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life  goes by quickly. So, do what you can TODAY, as you can never be sure  whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life… so, LIVE FOR TODAY and say all the things that you want ro your loved ones to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

“Life” is a GIFT to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

Remember: “It is Health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

NOW for some fun...

~Your kids are becoming you……but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.. coming home is even better!

~You forget names… but it’s OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

~You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything…. especially golf.

~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep.”

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch.

~You tend to use more 4 letter words … “what?”…” when?”…???

~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere.

~You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless?!”

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet…. 2 of which you will never wear.

~But “Old” is good in some things:

Old Songs, Old movies …

and best of all, our dear …OLD FRIENDS!! No, BOLD FRIEND!

Stay well, “BOLD FRIEND!”

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Willie Nelson in his 20s (1950s) and now, 91 in 2024

WILLIE NELSON – CURRENTLY THE OLDEST MUSICIAN STILL TOURING – TALKS ABOUT MORTALITY AND STILL ‘ROCKING’ AT 91

(US Weekly , Nov 2024)

He may be 91, but Willie Nelson says he isn’t concerned about his mortality.

The country singer shared his thoughts about dying in an interview with AP News on Friday, November 1.

“Well, I’m 91 plus, so, you know, I’m not worried about it,” he told the outlet. “I don’t feel bad. I don’t hurt anywhere. I don’t have any reason to worry about dying . But I don’t know anybody who’s lived forever.”

He added, “I take pretty good care of myself. And I feel like I’m in pretty good shape physically.” before joking, “Mentally? That’s another story.”

Willie Nelson Receives Standing Ovation in 1st Performance Since Latest Health Scare

Nelson, who released his 153rd album, Last Leaf on the Tree, on Friday, November 1, also touched on what he hoped his legacy would be after his eventual passing.

“I had a good time. And I did what I came here to do: make music,” he said.

It’s not the first time Nelson has reflected on the concept of aging. He’s previously shared that he believes the secret to his longevity is a positive attitude.

“I appreciate everything I get and I’ve been lucky,” he told Forbes in April 2023. “I’m a little bit amazed that I’m first of all still here, [And] I’m having a good time. I’m enjoying the singing, I think it’s good for me. People come up, right away, pay some money to come hear me or somebody sing, and it’s a great energy exchange out there and I look forward to it every time.”

The musician further divulged what he does day-to-day to contribute to a long life, during an interview with Parade in April 2023.

“You have to do something every day to pay for the day,” Nelson told the outlet. “You need to run, walk, swim, sing; whatever it is that’s important to you, you have to do it and then see how long you can keep doing it.”

Meanwhile, he told Slate in December 2020 that he was surprised he was still alive past his 20s as he reflected on his youth.

“Well, when I was young, I was pretty dumb. And now that I’m older, I’m pretty f—ing dumb. I don’t know everything, and I think I do. So there’s the problem,” he said. “I didn’t ever think I’d get this old. I always thought I was lucky to make it past 21.”

And while the veteran star has no plans to retire, he told People in May 2023 that he is slowing down the pace he does things.

“There’s probably other things I will do and can do, but I’m not going to push myself too hard,” he said. “I know one day it all ends, but I’m not rushing it.”

NEVER TOO LATE…

Most Popular Gift – Never Too Late TO GIVE A VISA GIFT CARD

2024 Year in Review – Fox Meets CNN

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More New Years Resolution Thoughts

from a liberal pundit at News Nation

A very happy, healthy and MEANINGFUL New Year to YOU!

Celebrities

Sally Field Reveals Robin Williams Changed ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Filming Order So She Could Leave Set After Her Father Died: ‘He Was Very Sensitive and Intuitive’

reprinted courtesy Variety

By Zack Sharf, 20 hrs ago

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on this story, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.

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Sally Field recently told Vanity Fair that Robin Williams made arrangements for her to leave the “Mrs. Doubtfire” set when her father died during filming. Field had not planned to disrupt the production due to the personal matter, but Williams could tell something was off about his co-star and made director Chris Columbus change the order of filming so that the production could shoot around Field for a day.

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Teen Star Says Robin Williams Spoke ‘Super Honestly About Mental Health’ and Made Her Feel Like ‘I’m Not a Freak. I Don’t Have to Hide This About Myself’

“I never shared this story before,” Field said. “I was in the camper outside of the courtroom where we were shooting the divorce scene. My father had a stroke a couple of years before, and was in a nursing facility. I got a phone call from the doctor saying my father had passed — a massive stroke. He asked if I wanted them to put him on the resuscitator. I said, ‘No, he did not want that. Just let him go. And please lean down and say, “Sally says goodbye.”‘”

“I was of course beside myself,” Field continued. “I came on the set trying with all my might to act. I wasn’t crying. Robin came over, pulled me out of the set, and asked, ‘Are you okay?’”

When Field eventually told Williams that her father had died, she remembered Williams responding: “Oh my God, we need to get you out here right now.”

“And he made it happen — they shot around me the rest of the day,” Field said. “I could go back to my house, call my brother and make arrangements. It’s a side of Robin that people rarely knew: He was very sensitive and intuitive.”

Williams impacted the lives of many of his co-stars during the making of “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Lisa Jakub, who was a teenager when she played the eldest daughter of Williams’ character in the film, told Fox News Digital earlier this year that Williams was the first person to speak openly to her about mental health struggles when they worked together on “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Actor Got ‘Thrown Out of High School’ Due to Starring in the Film, So Robin Williams Wrote a Letter Urging the Principal to ‘Rethink This Decision’

“He would talk to me about his struggles and the things that he went through,” Jakub said. “And it was the first time that I felt like, ‘Oh, I’m not a freak. I don’t have to hide this about myself. This is just something that some of us have to deal with.’”

“Mrs. Doubtfire” starred Williams as a father who decides to dress up as a female housekeeper so he can work for his estranged wife and see his children. The movie was the second highest-grossing film of 1993 with $441 million worldwide.

During a May interview on the “Brotherly Love” podcast, Jakub also shared how Williams tried to help her when she was kicked out of high school for taking time off to shoot “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

“The amazing thing was Robin saw that I was upset — he asked me what was going on,” Jakub said. “He wrote a letter to my principal saying that he wanted them to rethink this decision and that I was just trying to pursue my education and career at the same time, and could they please support me in this. The principal got the letter, framed the letter, put it up in the office, and didn’t ask me to come back. Amazing.”

Head over to Vanity Fair’s website to read more from Field.

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Kids Reunite 31 Years After the Robin Williams Classic and Say ‘We Still Feel Like Siblings’: ‘It’s Always a Joy to See’ Each Other

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Two Good News Stories in One : Good Timing

1 )

Ragan Henry (1934-2008)- Black radio pioneer and art promoter helped blacks and others in radio and art but might never have happened if Henry were born a year earlier.

1952 was the first year Harvard took in Black -then Known as Negros- students. Ragan Henry was one of 13 admitted, accordimg to my reliable uncle, Richard Marchick. No affirmative action HERE; he was admitted purely on scohlarship.

2)

Dr Richard Marchick , here celebrating 60 years with wife Gloria. None of it would have probably happened if he were born only a year earlier.

My uncle, Dr. Richard Marchick  , who just celebrated his 90th, remembers Harvard classmate Ragan as a hardworking student ,who also had a second obstacle-to battle his own Dad to make Harvard really happen because the family needed Ragan to work to bring in money. Ragan agreed to take on a job at night just to honor his dad’s wishes and still get Into Harvard.

With his Harvard education behind him, Ragan A. Henry initially amassed 26 radio stations on the East Coast, starting in the 1970s when it wasn’t easy for black people to own any at all. Later 26 stations became 60, nationwide. But with smarts, wits and a dream, he was one of the few.. It wasn’t easy, born the son of share croppers making $10 a week in Kentucky, 1934

Art of black artist Moe Brooker from the Ragun Henry collection

Henry was the first African American to own a network-affiliated TV station and helped paved the way for media moguls who are household names today. He also massage a collection of black reduced art helping to promote black artists of the day, among ofhers. But very few people know or remember his name, for his rise as a broadcast entrepreneur came before the internet and Facebook and Twitter. You wont even find a listing on wikipedia. (From https://myauctionfinds.com/2018/11/12/ragan-a-henry-radio-pioneer-art-connoisseur/#:~:text=Ragan%20A.%20Henry%20amassed%20a%20bevy%20of%20radio,a%20dream%2C%20he%20was%20one%20of%20the%20few.)

Andrew Turner, four figures, oil on canvas.

2 ) Speaking of my Uncle Richard Marchick,

At lunch over a reuben sandwich at Orinda Europa hofbrau the other day , he told me ‘the rest of the story’ as Paul Harvey might say. My Uncle relates that he only got into Harvar d,  himself , because it was the first year Harvard started accepting Jews. He had been turned down by Stanford while  non-Jewish friends with lower scores were accepted.

But then, like with Henry having a second obstacle, Marchick during a routine physical exam, despite having no symptoms was diagnosed with a detached retina that made Harvard reverse its decision to accept him. There were only three retinal specialists at the time and the one on the East coast told Marchick he would go blind as there was yet no reliable  treatment for reattaching the retina . Lazer was still a half century away and even cryo was not yet available. Only Electric cauterization and

Photo coagulation were possibilities and only recently available.  Luckily, the retina specialist on the west coast told Marchick he could do the surgery but Marchick would have to be layed up for months, the first two weeks with sandbags , and wear pinhole glasses.

Marchick gratefully accepted his only real chance to avoid blindness. After a successful surgery, the doctor wrote Harvard a letter assuring it that Marxhick would not go blind- and he still got into  Harvard that year.

Had Marchick been born only a year earlier he would have likey gone blind AND not been accepted to Harvard or become the reknown California physician and Henry would not have beem atmitted to Harvard NOR LIKELY GONE ON TO PURCHASE AND OPERATE 60 BLACK BROADCAST CHANNELS!. That’s called GOOD TIMING and GOOD NEWS!

On a personal note I well remember ‘Uncle Dick’ as a fledgling salesman for Merk(?) , living with our family in Oakland after Harvard,and. driving a cool 57 Chevy while wearing pinhole glasses – a temporary aftermath of his eye surgery (and not in that order). We hung out at the 19c hamburger place and listened to Harry Belafonte tunes together. NOT BAD MEMORIES for a kid! …and what a great thing to still be able to hang out together some 60 years later.😃

It would be hard to find a person who was unfamiliar with Clint Eastwood. In addition to being an actor, he has produced and directed films for many years.

In San Francisco, California, on May 31, 1930, Eastwood was born.His charm and his ability to play in the spaghetti Westerns for which he was well-known soon gained him notoriety.

He switched to becoming a director by the 1970s, and he was starting to gain recognition for his outstanding films. It all began in 1971 when he directed Play Misty for Me.He has directed numerous movies over the years, such as Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, and Unforgiven.

Oscars were won for those films, and he seemed to be capable of anything.In addition to his career as an actor, director, and filmmaker, he entered the political sphere. He served as the mayor of Carmel by the Sea, California, and throughout the years, he has maintained his conservative position.Eastwood chose to share his story with the public at the age of 89. Even though we had known him for years, we had never had a behind-the-scenes look until then.Being born during the Great Depression and growing up in a mobile home with his family presented some difficulties for Eastwood. In spite of those challenges, he overcame the years to establish himself as a powerful figure.

He was drafted into the US Army in 1950, and at the age of 21, he had to swim several miles to safety after his plane crashed in the Pacific. This gave him the opportunity to reflect on how fleeting life was.Despite being ninety-three years old, Clint Eastwood is still a well-known figure in both the on and off screen worlds. We eagerly anticipate what he has in store for us down the road

Matthew McConaughey says coronavirus has been ‘hijacked’ by ‘partisan politics,’ calls for unity

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Rasha Ali   | USA TODAY 8:32 a.m. PDT May 13, 2020

5 Key Takeaways for Grads :

1) Act today so you will be proud tomorrow, e.g. those comments you leave online will outlive you.

2) Inspire yourself and others. Laugh and have as much fun as you can when you can

3) Life’s hard, even without a damn pandemic. Realize that now and youll enjoy your life a whole lot more.

4) Dont be afraid to fail. Take risks and learn who you are and persist to be that person and get what you want.

5) Let your reach exceed your grasp and what you end up getting will be better that you would have grasped

6) Its o.k. to screw up (much like 4.)

7) Take care of your family, friends and loved ones. Make a plan, stick with it and own it

Matthew McConaughey is calling for unity during the coronavirus pandemic which he feels has been politicized.

The Academy Award-winning actor appeared on Tuesday’s “Special Report with Bret Baier” to discuss his new PSA, aimed at uniting Americans during the pandemic, and remind people that COVID-19 “is not about politics.”

“I could feel that this united purpose we all have as Americans to beat this enemy and this virus, that purpose got hijacked a bit by partisan politics,” McConaughey said. “The narrative became if you want to go to work, you’re on the far right. If you don’t go to work, you want to stay home, you’re on the far left. And now even the mask wearing is getting politicized, where if you want to wear a mask, you wear a mask, you’re a liberal and if you don’t, you’re conservative and that’s just not true.”

The “Dallas Buyers Club” actor said this divide has caused people to fight two wars: one against the virus and one against each other.

“This is not about politics, it’s about us. The U.S.A. We got to take care of each other right now, we have a collective purpose,” the 50-year-old actor said. “How many times are we unanimously convicted of an enemy that we all want to beat? Look at how great Americans are when purpose comes to us in a crisis.”

He continued: “This is a tug of war with the virus, we need all hands on the rope if we’re going to beat it.”

McConaughey said although he doesn’t see a solution to the pandemic right now, he encourages people to think of ways they can help.

“We are waiting for science to catch up with us in this predicament. So what can each of us do independently, individually in our families, in our households, in our communities, in our neighborhoods, in our cities?” the actor said. “This is uncharted waters, there’s not a playbook. I understand that. These are band-aids and things we need to do to hold this off until we have enough science to understand (it’s safe to re-engage).”

The “Gentlemen” actor also encouraged people to wear masks if they go outside. 

“I hope we wear masks as a badge of honor and something we feel like somebody told us we had to wear and it takes away our identity. I think wearing a mask is not propaganda,” McConaughey said. “I don’t think it’s partisanship or politics. I think a mask is all about our purpose right now.

FREE Weekly Updates —Latest, Greateat Deals, Tips and unbiased news

New High of 90% of Americans Satisfied With Personal Life says Gallup mainstream poll

Now, other doggies will benefit from this new cancer breakthrough, too!

Good News Breakthru!
Guardians of Hershey thought you might be interested in this breakthrough story on sarcoma, though I must say, Hershey was right there, in the end, surviving almost a year despite the 1% sarcoma prognosis… as we remember our last wonderful, unexpected bonus year with our Hershey

https://news.wisc.edu/lucky-dog-scout-and-uw-school-of-veterinary-medicine-star-in-weathertech-super-bowl-commercial/

According the story, the 12-month survival rate with hemangiosarcoma is only 1%! Hershey made it 11 months!



I’m making a small donation.
Hershey relaxing at home

https://news.wisc.edu/lucky-dog-scout-and-uw-school-of-veterinary-m