Celebrations
John R York
October 27, 2026My Birthday
I turned 78 on October 4. I'd decided I wouldn’t celebrate any more birthdays until I turned 80 (assuming I made it that far). After further consideration, I decided that 78 was at least worth honorable mention. I have enjoyed good fortune throughout my life, from childhood through the present.
If you read my first book, Wolf’s Tale, you know what I’m talking about. Despite the consistently poor decisions of my younger years, I survived and thrived. Today, I am reasonably contented.
On my 78th birthday, my friends and family gave me lots of humorous cards and a couple of poignant, lump-in-my-throat cards. Paula made me a birthday cake, which I was obligated to eat. A few days after my birthday, I had my semi-annual doctor’s check-up. He said I would probably live another year if I didn’t do anything stupid. Seems a lot to ask, but good news, nevertheless.
My friend, Clarence, who was born a couple of weeks before me, believes one should celebrate birthdays for an entire month. I have determined that this is a reasonable philosophy, and plan to celebrate through November 4.
Clarence is the one on the right (Not the far-right. That's Bruce.)
Halloween
Paula and I love Halloween. This is definitely a holiday worth celebrating. We decorate the front yard every year. During the Hellanback Ranch days, we hosted a big Halloween party down in our woods. We called the event “The Haunted Hayride”. Scary things lined the hayride route, including a menagerie of goblin actors who jumped out from behind trees. Of course, food and beverages were served, and everybody was dressed in costumes. It was monumental.
The blog picture above is the current diorama at the front of our house. Getting ready for Halloween around here requires as much preparation as Christmas. Our friends, Abbey and Michael, will pick us up in their luxury golf cart on Halloween to visit a nearby community where just about every house “decorates to the nines.” Libations are involved. Now, that’s celebrating!
Political Ads
Fortunately, the official end of mid-term elections is almost here, and I will be celebrating the end of the political ads. The number and frequency of these ads are nothing short of inhumane. You can’t escape them. Most are negative because studies have shown they are the most effective. Really? If you believe these accusations are true, we must conclude that every politician is corrupt. Perhaps, but regardless of the veracity of these commercials, they relentlessly assault the senses.
Whatever the election outcome, the ads claim from both sides that the result will be the end of our nation as we know it. I am skeptical of this prophecy, but even if the worst-case scenario unfolds, we can still celebrate the end of those awful political ads.
Non-Political Ad
If you haven't read or listened to my novella, Billy Bean’s Ghost, it will be on sale between October 29 and 31 as a Halloween special. The Kindle version and the audiobook will cost only 99 cents during those three days! It’s a murder mystery, a ghost story, and a sweet love story. Only 3 days at this price. Celebrate Halloween with this very cool story. You can’t afford not to buy it! Here's the link Billy Bean's Ghost
