SEAN NATHAN, PAUL O'KEEFE & THE 1970 INDY 500

It's almost Sean's 10th Birthday! He is our favorite Colorado Cub Scout, a passionate fan of Pokemon, all kinds of big and small animals, sea creatures and of space. He spends hours on the computer, loves to watch TV at 3 a.m. while waiting for his super hard-working dad to come home from the night shift, and he and his mom reallllllly like movies and reading! Sean isn't too hyped about math homework, but usually gets it done! Sean's early picky eater history is legendary, and there's no one better than Sean at calling me when he has of a great snowfall, a thanks for the box of goodies-from-Grannykate & Grandpa Bill or a progress report on that broken leg! He's a GREAT storyteller!

Sean's a super caregiver to 19 year old Civvy--a cat Jim rescued in Terre Haute and Jon & Sue took "West" on their great adventure. Sean also has taken some awesome photos and mini-films of Baxter, his own younger cat--a live version of the stuffed Black & White Kitty who's been Sean's travel companion since Sean was a toddler. Ten is fabulous, of course, because it marks the final wonder-years of free-spirited childhood before the zits and stress and revolutions of the teens. WAY TO GO SEAN!! NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT ONCE THAT CAST IS OFF--YOU WILL CONTINUE TO FLY WITH THE EAGLES

In additional blog blathering--we've been reminiscing all week with cousin Paul O'Keefe as he visits Charlotte with the Broadway touring company musicians for RENT. Erika & Kathy have been super hostesses and last night Bill & I joined them & Rosemary for another suppertime gathering. Monday over Ole Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, it was all about catching up with O'Keefe family news, of Jana 's recovery from the crashing and crushing encounter with a NYC cab. We heard stories and praise for amazing male caregivers, Team Bazzoni, and got news of Tom and Christina and Dana--and continue to be dazzled by the generation-connections of Tariq, Gigi, and Mellen's frequent and fun visits to Davidson.

Last night at Don Pablos, we easily drifted to 500 history. For the first time ever, I learned that Paul was the "runner" and witness to real Krider Family 500 History--glued to his spot along the fence at the 1970 Indy Race, "just where Uncle Bill told me to stand in wait" to be ready to run the film of the start back to the UP/AP. Paul admits "I had NOOOOO idea what to do" when the cars came around the turn and smashed into the stands. "I just stared;Didn't move; hadn't a clue what to do. So I just stood there--at least Uncle Bill knew where to find me!"

When Dad finished with the Chris Economaki interview, which Paul and most of us remember vividly, he said he eagerly asked what should he do next. "I think I'm about done for the day," Uncle Bill told Paul. And then, according to Rosemary, Dad went to process those photos he snapped as the bleacher crashed. The Schmids were in NJ at the time--we weren't at the Race so saw it on TV--did you? Dik, where were you? Bill? Who else was at the Race in 1970? Betsy?

Lots of laughs as Paul shared the NYorkers' perspectives of coming to Indiana--including trying to explain to folks what this would be like when they were "recruited" to play football. Kathy admitted to her teen-age crush on Peter; and all moaned during a minor digression into the dirge PENNSYLVANIA--oh and we are amazed and pleased that HE STILL HAS THE BLUE VAN!!! We talked Patty Duke show, (love her Social Security Promo), As the World Turns--and learned some insider details about how Ronald Reagan screwed up SAG residuals for many, many early TV actors. We're sure Paul should get a laptop and write a book while he's on tour.

Last, but not least, Betsy, he got us free tickets for the show tonight--the Super Bowl can be missed for free tickets! Go Steelers gets me in big trouble, but I really don't care who wins, just the scores/digits that will win me $$$$ on the Super Bowl Squares sheet.