We have another National Coloring Book Day for the artistically inclined. The coloring book has evolved from a book of simple dark outlined low resolution sketches to some with very sophisticated illustrations — some of which can boggle the mind.

The act of coloring is supposedly beneficial according to researchers and art therapy practitioners. I recall my best ole ex-friend Irene would maintain books and crayons then have persons she encountered color a page from time to time. I was never into it. I always wondered what kind of psychological ramifications were indicated by my resistence to it all ... but now I'll never really know.

I remember how much I used to love coloring to be so far removed from it here in the autumn of my life. It's amazing how the things you once loved can become simply concepts for discussion.

National Coloring Book Day is a day to wax sentimental for those childhood days gone by. However, coloring is no longer purely a childhood pursuit. I used to supply the local VA hospital with supplies of adult coloring books, crayons, markers, and colored pencils as a way to wile away the hours on a nursing ward. I thought it was a good thing to do for the patients ... and the nurses.

So if you color, good. If you like it ... even better. Your artistic nature speaks volumes for the person you are and relates a desire to participate.

Happy National Coloring Book Day !

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National Coloring Book Day 2022
 

When I was a kid I watched The Addams Family on the television set at Lavender Lane in Aragona Village, a suburb of Virginia Beach, Virginia. I was just a chap and it was early in my education and I was enamoured with the characters from Morticia and Gomez through Cousin It and Lurch.

Sadly many of the actors portraying those original series characters have passed the earth and in particular I recall Ted Cassidy who played the towering Lurch — butler to the Addams Family and his always understated slow cadence monster voice.

His portrayal was so characature and comic book in it's presentation that I couldn't help but find it endearing over the years I watched from the beginning through syndication much later.

Theodore Crawford Cassidy was born July 31, 1932 and died January 16, 1979. He was an actor who did a lot of character work outside The Addams Family and some of these were sinister villians. His formidable 6 foot 9 inch frame and deep voice simply added to the effect he had on those roles he played.

I loved the many unusual characters he took on over the years.

He had surgery for what should have been a routine benign tumor removal from his heart. However complications arose and he was readmitted and passed at age 46, thus ending the possibility for more roles of the likes of Lurch.

Ted Cassidy was cremated and his cremains were scattered.

Happy birthday in Heaven and rest in peace.
 

I have seen and heard bagpipes on various occasions. Tartan Day in South Carolina. The funeral of my beloved Aunt Glenda Jolly. A couple of parades. and scant other venues which found me in attendance.

They have a characteristic sound and are indigenous to the Scots in late history as far as I know.

They remain a part of the Scottish tradition.

I personally feel they are an acquired musical taste, as I began not liking the music but grew to appreciate it over time.

Today is Bagpipe Appreciation Day.

It is a July 27 annual event celebrating the ancient musical instrument.

It is said that bagpipes did not originate in Scotland, but have roots in Mesopotamia where they were played by shepherds for entertainment.

They have seen use during royal ceremonies, funerals, battles, parades, weddings, and pretty much ceremonial fetes far and wide.

So if you play or listen periodically good for you. I view the bagpipe as part of my maternal history and as such will always respect their presence in my life.

Happy Bagpipe Appreciation Day.

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