The Ides of March.

A date most of us have learned. Thanks to a long-dead playwright. William Shakespeare. Who ensured the world would remember this day as the one when Julius Caesar, the imperial ruler of Rome, was assassinated.

Marc Anthony, Caesar’s successor, changed the course of Jewish history by placing Herod as the head of the throne in Jerusalem. (Herod replaced the Hashmonean kingdom, which was unfortunately the corrupt successor to the Maccabi, of Chanuka fame.) Herod attempted to buy the love of the Jews by expanding the Great Temple and failed.

But the 17th of March (tomorrow) is also an auspicious day. It is the birthday of two folks who have made a big difference in my life.

I met Sam 43 years ago. He was a young man then (and I was but a kid). Sam and I made great things together. And, I’m honored to have him as a friend.

But, it’s another special event, too. It’s the 9^th birthday of my grandson, Eli. A wonderful, smart, creative child. And, thankfully, curiosity only kills cats- so he is safe.

Unfortunately, both Sam and Eli live a few hours away. So, I don’t get to see them all the time (or my daughter and her husband, either). And, each time we spend time together, it’s just fantastic. I’m hoping to spend the day with Eli (sorry, Sam, my grandson takes precedence) to celebrate his special day. (I am also looking forward to next week, when he- and his mom and dad, as well as the rest of my kids- will be sharing the Pesach [Passover] Seder meals with me.)

I recall my grandfather, Sol, with great affection. I’ve written about him before. He was larger than life- as this picture with Black Jack Pershing and Teddy Roosevelt will hint. But, for me, personally, he kept me on my toes. Drilling me (lightning rounds, only) in addition when I was 3, multiplication at 5, division at 6…He had a wonderful car (one I wanted as my first car, but he died and grandmother did not drive at all, so the 1948 Nash Rambler was sold a few weeks too early) and took me everywhere- Coney Island (when Coney Island was cool), Rockaway Beach (ride those waves), libraries, and more.

That’s the way I want my grandson to remember me…With smiles and love and admiration.

Happy birthday, Sam. You have a special place in my heart.

Happy birthday, Eli. You know you own my heart.

 

By the way….

Many folks attacked me as spreading falsehoods when I told you that Aramco in Saudi Arabia was attacked this past summer (  ) . Now, it’s public news. Here’s today’s New York Times…. 

Or, that Russia (and North Korea) had ever attacked US power and water plants. Here’s but one example of my reporting on these facts. You guessed it…The US is finally publicly acknowledging these facts. 

I won’t steer you wrong. I really hate Fake News.