PENCHANTS OF YEARS GONE BY ….
In the good old days (before Bobby, bridge blogging and LV Blackjack came into my life) much of my leisure time (besides playing bridge and raising my children) was spent designing invitations and planning and throwing soirees to commemorate special occasions for family and friends (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) and keeping me out of trouble (forgetting the expenses involved as the economy then was quite tolerable ). Being a pack-rat, I never discarded anything and unfortunately still suffer the addiction. You should see my storage room. I have literally boxes and boxes of albums, poems, invitations, letters, decorations, signs, news clippings, etc. – but my favorite pastime was appealing in advance to various celebrities of stage, screen and government and humbly requesting a brief note of congratulations addressed to the subject celebrant of an event I was planning to present – and display the replies in an album on a decorated table near the entrance. I just came across one almost twenty-five years young – recognizing my late husband, Norman Kay’s, 60th birthday in August of 1987.
Messages sent from hoards of gracious responders were the following …… “Red” Auerbach (legendary coach of the Boston Celtics); Donald T. Regan (Norman’s Philadelphia Merrill Lynch Manager) and later Secretary of Treasury and President Reagan’s Chief of Staff; Nancy and Ronald Reagan (who need no introduction); Pennsylvania Governor Robert B. Casey; then Vice President George Bush; New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean; Pennsylvania U. S. Senator John Heinz; Steve and Edyie (as in Lawrence and Gorme); good friend and bridge playing admirer, Phillies Catcher Tim McCarver and presently TV commentator; TV celebrity Barbara Walters; New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley; Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy; Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter; New York Mayor Edward I. Koch; Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode; former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo; popular Phillies sports figure Larry Bowa (who by that time had moved and was coaching the Padres); and another favorite — Phillies bridge lover, Richie Ashburn.
Dozens of personalized notes from celebrity bridge players were also sent – but the two best (IMHO), I felt compelled to relay:
OH! CANADA?
Surprise, surprise, I got a card – well in advance, not en retard
Like those I get from many a friend – who hope and pray I won’t attend
But this was for old Norman Kay – to join him on his natal day
I thought, well, for this special guy – I’ll give it the old college try
And if I can but save the dough – it’s off to Narberth I shall go
I’ll start by saving every penny – by August 8th I’ll have so many
But only if I start to-day – Ah, best laid plans aft aglay
The return card just caught my eye – on which my tears flowed low and high
For there affixed amid the damp – a gawdam U. S. postage stamp!
P.S. I know it said gifts were taboo, but here’s the stamp – it’s all for you
/signed/ E. RUTHERFORD (MURRAY) et ux.
…… and my other favorite ….
Sixty years of going good – Would that I had Norman’s mood!
When you come to Omar’s tent – Tempers usually get bent.
Forty years of playing well – Forty minutes is my spell.
So Vale Norman, roll along – Happy Birthday ends my song
Just herd the gnus!
/s/ Omar Sharif
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Quite enterprising. Sounds like you have quite a collection of famous autographs — not to be parted with — but treasured.
It wasn’t so much receiving the autographs as the fun the recipient had when they were shocked. surprised and delighted by the responses.
To each his own — whatever floats your boat!!. Never attempted or professed to be a great bridge player. Just played for fun. To put one’s best foot forward takes a lot out of you — and I think people gravitate to what they do best and I have always enjoyed party life. Probably my biggest successes (as witnessed by our first year here) was a Super Bowl Party (with money propositions from $5, $10 and $25 plus an overall prize in the hundreds to be shared by first, second and third). Everybody likes action and although Norman and I held them in Philly about six times (with a waiting list), it was just too exhausting and time-consuming to continue.
As I grow older (which seems to be happening rapidly), I tend to be slowing down. The only project which doesn’t take too much out of me is blogging and that is why I enjoy it so much.
Bridgeblogging.com is simple and one does not have to exert himself or herself to either blog or comment. Thanks to Linda and Ray for the opportunity.