Tuesday 7 April 2015
Tuesday, 07 April 2015
This is Peter (the TGB music columnist). There's been a coup here at TGB and I've taken over. I achieved that by waving ice cream at Ronni and distracting her that way.
I will be a benevolent leader, if you follow my orders that is. And my first order is that you help Ronni celebrate her birthday or no cake and ice cream for you.
So, happy birthday Ronni.
I've also gone to a great deal of expense and trouble and had all my minions prepare this humongous birthday cake for her. Make a wish. Ronni.
Before you blow out the candle, we'll sing some birthday songs for you.
I'll start with one of the best known in popular music by the best known group, THE BEATLES. Their song is simply called Birthday.
Well, today isn't Fats Domino's birthday but we'll allow a little artistic licence as it's such a good song. So, Happy Birthday Fats Domino sings BOBBY CHARLES, who was a good friend of the great man.
♫ Bobby Charles - Happy Birthday Fats Domino
The DUTCH SWING COLLEGE BAND play Birthday Blues. We'll have to take their word for it as there are no words to the tune.
♫ Dutch Swing College - Birthday Blues
I have no idea who the PIXIES THREE are; they turned up on a compilation album singing Birthday Party.
♫ Pixies Three - Birthday Party
Another tune you'll have to take on trust, as it also lacks words, is by the best bebop pianist ever, THELONIOUS MONK and it's Boo Boo's Birthday. I don't know who Boo Boo is (well, apart from Yogi's friend).
♫ Thelonious Monk - Boo Boo's Birthday
Here's some advice on what to wear today. JOHN HARTFORD suggests that I Shoulda Wore My Birthday Suit. I hope everyone will follow suit (sorry).
♫ John Hartford - I Shoulda Wore My Birthday Suit
Last but not least, THE TUNE WEAVERS sing Happy Happy Birthday Baby.
♫ The Tune Weavers - Happy Happy Birthday Baby
Okay, time to blow out the candle. Ready? Now puff.
At The Elder Storytelling Place today, Henry Lowenstern: Sing-Along
Happy Birthday Ronni!
Posted by: Linda Crim | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 05:32 AM
Happy Happy Day!
Posted by: Diane | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 05:34 AM
Thanks, Peter--great job!
Happy Birthday, Ronni.
Posted by: Pilgrim | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 05:44 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronni!
Best wishes for a fantastic day today, and for many healthy and happy birthdays ahead!
Posted by: Harold | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 05:51 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronni!
I hope there will be some form of chocolate!
Posted by: S C Jones | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 05:58 AM
What a great party! Happy Birthday, Ronni!
Posted by: Tabor | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:04 AM
Happy Birthday. Hope you have a day full of joy.
Genie
Posted by: Gene Dean | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:05 AM
Happy birthday indeed. Enjoy. Great tunes and post Peter.
Posted by: Celia | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:22 AM
Happy, Happy Birthday, Ronni. You certainly deserve a special day.
And thank you, Peter, for your great gift to her and to us!
Posted by: laura | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:29 AM
Some freaky thing happened to my comment.
Tried to post, but some other post morphed onto mine.
I tried preview and edit, but that didn't work either.
Ronni, I will try posting again. meanwhile, happy birthday from your Montreal fan.
Posted by: doctafill | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:35 AM
Hope you have a great birthday, Ronni!
And Peter, I don't know where you dug up that old photo of the Beatles but I sure enjoyed seeing that.
Posted by: Jean | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:38 AM
Happy Birthday Ronni!
Posted by: Rod K | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:42 AM
Peter, what a wonderful birthday day you are giving Ronni!
Ronni, have a very happy special day and lots of good times in the days to come.
Posted by: Millie Garfield | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:44 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Wally Blue | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:51 AM
May the next year be bountiful in all ways for your...and may you enjoy this day, a very special one for a very special person!
Posted by: Barb Rogers | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:51 AM
May your year be as fun and creative as Peter's column. Happy birthday!
Posted by: Wendl Kornfeld | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:02 AM
Happy Birthday Ronni!
Posted by: Donna | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:20 AM
Best wishes for many more happy years.
Posted by: Alabama Betty | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:31 AM
From me too, Ronni - Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Sylvia | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:50 AM
Have a joyous birthday! May it be filled with special moments.
Posted by: Becky | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:50 AM
A very happy splendid birthday, Ronni. Time to forget the calories and enjoy Peter's cake. Oh wait -
It looks like he took the calories out.
Enjoy the day.
Posted by: Darlene | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:55 AM
I'll have to echo all the good wishes before this. Have a grand day and decades more.
Posted by: judyg | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:02 AM
Hope you enjoy your Birthday as much as I enjoy reading your blog and listening to Peter's music. Cake looks delicious...going to share?
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Ronni and many more in your future.
Posted by: Dorothy | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:06 AM
Happy Birthday, my fellow Aries friend. May you find gratification in the year to come.
Posted by: Lynne Spreen | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:11 AM
Happy happy Birthday, Ronni - enjoy all the cake and music! Thank you for your presence here, and thanks Peter for the party!
Posted by: marja-leena | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:11 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronni, and many happy returns! Enjoy your day!
Posted by: PiedType | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:17 AM
Loved today's celebration! Peter, you are a great friend to Ronnie! Happy day, Ronnie--and many more!
Posted by: Jane | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:22 AM
happy birthday, Ronni. You share an April 7 birthday with one of my favorite singers [who didn't make Peter's great birthday "card" for you, but then again, I am not sure she sang about birthdays]: namely, Billie Holiday. Our classical music station interrupted its usual programming to play her gorgeous "I'll be seein' you..."
Anyway, I wish you much joy and fine health and all kinds of delights in the coming year.
Posted by: Ruth-Ellen B. Joeres | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:23 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronnie. Have a wonderful day and year celebrating your life.
Posted by: jane d | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:24 AM
Happy birthday Ronni! (And thanks for cluing us in, Peter!)
Posted by: Mary | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:27 AM
Happy Birthday to a dear person!
Posted by: Marcy B. | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:32 AM
With extra thanks to Peter for telling us of this special day, I'll add my wishes for a most happy birthday, Ronni.
I hope you and Ollie have a splendid day.
Posted by: sflichen | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:32 AM
Dear Ronni
Happy Birthday.
Here's to another stimulating, thought provking year full of good health and good cheer and why not - some fun!
Posted by: IRENE MORRIS | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:33 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronni...And many more to come.
Great music choices,Peter, and the cake was delicious. Thanks!
Posted by: Nancy Leitz | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:34 AM
Happy Birthday. I'm your neighbor to the north who turned 74 yesterday. Haven't we traveled through interesting times!!!
Posted by: Nancy Hutto | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:41 AM
You have many good friends, Ronni! I am thankful for your prolific blogs of thoughtfulness. Gezzzz that sorta reads like a dessert🎂
Posted by: Gail | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:45 AM
Happy birthday from another Aries!
Posted by: Charlotte Dahl | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:49 AM
A very Happy Birthday to you Ronni.
Enjoy your day, and, of course, the cake.
Posted by: clairejean | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:53 AM
Oh joy! I thought you were giving yourself an extra year in the last post. Happy Birthday friend and mentor!
Posted by: janinsanfran | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:54 AM
Happy Birthday! Cute column -
Posted by: Jackie | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 08:59 AM
Wonderful post! Best birthday wishes!
Posted by: Marjorie | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:01 AM
Have a wonderful day. Indulge! Enjoy! Celebrate!
Posted by: chlost | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:01 AM
Awesome, Peter!
Here's to the day you were born, Ronni - indulge and enjoy yourself!
Posted by: Simone | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:04 AM
Happy Birthday Ronni! May your day be memorable and may you always feel the mountains of appreciation your readers have for your efforts to enlighten and entertain us. Enjoy all your favorite treats today. They can't all stick, right?
Thanks to Peter, too!
Posted by: Norma Hall | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:09 AM
Happy Birthday Ronnie!🎈🎈🎈
Posted by: Ruth M. | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:09 AM
Happy Birthday Ronni!
Cheers! to many more!
Posted by: Lola | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:10 AM
Sorry for mis-spelling...Ronni!
Posted by: Ruth M. | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:11 AM
Happy Birthday! Your blog is truly a must-read every day.
Posted by: Cara | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:22 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronni.
Posted by: Claire Freeman | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:23 AM
Happy day, and healthy year ahead. Thank you for spending my mornings with me -- may we have many years together, ahead!
Posted by: Sarah Wrightson | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:26 AM
Happy Birthday Ronni, love your blog and wishing you a day and year that is as wonderful as you are, hip hip hooray for the birthday gal!
Posted by: mmmm | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:50 AM
Ronni, Happy Birthday! I hope it is all you could wish for...and more. Thank you, Peter , for helping us celebrate our great mutual friend.
Posted by: Fritzy | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:59 AM
I am one of many, I suspect, who are mostly silent but appreciative readers. This seems the perfect time to speak up and say "thank you" for what you do and Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Nancy Trowbridge | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:00 AM
Happy birthday, Ronni. May it be everything you want it to be.
Posted by: Cam | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:15 AM
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag und Gesundheit und Glück.
Posted by: Barbara | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:19 AM
Happy birthday Ronni, have a great day - and I'd take this opportunity to thank you for TGB and Peter for his music column each week. BTW Boo Boo was Monk's wife/partner.
Posted by: Mary | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:21 AM
Joining in with your other many fans to wish you a Happy Day!
May you be well.
May you continue to be interested and care to share what you find.
Catherine
Posted by: catherine | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:21 AM
What a nice birthday surprise Peter put together. And we all got to share in the fun!
Best wishes, Ronni, for a year full of good things -- peace, joy, good health, contentment and well-functioning technology!
Posted by: Cathy | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:32 AM
Thanks for inviting us to the party, Peter! Happy Birthday, Ronni. May you continue to inspire for many years to come <3
a/b
Posted by: Ashleigh Burroughs | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:33 AM
Happiest of birthdays, Ronni, and thanks, so many thanks for your blog. I trust you can put aside the computer troll, the agism troll, all the other trolls that aggravate Crabby Old Lady, and all the other Crabby Old Ladies who read you avidly and appreciate you!
Posted by: Anne | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:37 AM
Oops--and crabby old men.
Posted by: Anne | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:37 AM
"A birthday is not a measure of how old we've become, but a celebration of where we are in the magical circle of life." Best wishes, Ronni, for a Happy Birthday, a wonderful new year, and many more returns!
Posted by: Sandra Mosley | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 10:48 AM
A very happy birthday, Ronni!
An Aries! Of COURSE!!
Posted by: Kate Gilpin | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 11:20 AM
Happy Birthday, Ronni (and Crabby) you've made many friends with TGB, we all wish you the very best birthday today with a wonderful year ahead. And thanks to Peter for such an original and fun contribution to your day.
Posted by: Marge | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 12:02 PM
Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for always sticking to your guns.
Posted by: Lisa | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 12:20 PM
Happy Birthday! Read the blog everyday. Thank you for making me laugh, sometimes tear-up and continually expand my mind! Alice in Texas
Posted by: Alice Bryson | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 12:35 PM
Happy, happy birthday! And many more!
Posted by: Patty-in-New-York | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 12:49 PM
I think your horoscope says it all...
"Being an Aries born on April 7th, your personality is characterized by creativity, ambition and vigor. Your mind is one of your greatest assets, as you use it to display creativity and charm at any given moment. This quality has earned you many friends through life, but it is your ambition and vigor that most admire. If there is a goal you wish to achieve, you are more than willing to put in the work necessary to accomplish it. When paired with your creativity, your ambition makes success a real possibility in your future."
Happy birthday.
Posted by: Bruce Cooper | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 01:42 PM
Happy Birthday Ronni and may you have many more Happy Days!
Posted by: Judy | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 02:22 PM
I!m late to the party..Hope there's champaign and cake left. It's always good to celebrate another passing year of a good life. Party on! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Tarzana | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 02:38 PM
Heaps of blessings upon you, today and onward - You deserve it - You do good work!
Posted by: notdotdot | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 03:01 PM
How marvelous! Wishing you the happiest of happy birthdays ... with technology and shelves all on their best behavior.
Posted by: Erin Read | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 03:43 PM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: marc leavitt | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 03:43 PM
Enjoy your day -- Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Classof65 | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 03:48 PM
Ronni puts on her magic wings and flies to Montreal, where she is greeted by Salvatore, the limo driver.
Sal takes Ronni to meet doctafill and D's husband, Mr. GPS. We hug, get Into the limo, and Sal takes us to Old Montreal, the Port, the mountain.
We stop on St. Lawrence Boulevard for an Italian Poutine, then we take off for doctafill's house, where unbeknownst to Ronni, all her blog friends await.
Sal lets us out of the limo, we walk into the house and BOOM, the party is on.
Doctafil's husband commences BBQ ing on the deck. Snow is gone, music is pumping.
Ding! We open the door. It's Bruce. He says he arrived a week ago and has sampled all the best food in Montreal, and he's come to the conclusion he's moving to Montreal.
Bing! doorbell.
It's NYC Mayor de Blasio. he wants to see Ronni, only Ronni.
Ronni, still dancing. She comes to the door. Mayor de Blasio hands her a key.
"This is for any apartment in NYC. You choose. You have it for life."
Ronni accepts the key, thanks the mayor, turns and promises us all a spare room in her new digs whenever we feel like visiting her.
The five foot tall cake is rolled out into the room. It has many layers and colours, representing all the visitors to Ronni's blog.
The party lasts three days.
We start to say good bye. Phone numbers are exchanged. We had a blast.
Sal arrives, picks up Ronni and takes her home.
Ollie is staring out the window, watching. His sixth sense tells him something big is going to happen.
Sal helps Ronni out of the limo. They shake hands. Ronni walks into her now home and says..
"Ollie, pack your food bowl, we're going home."
"Meow!"
Posted by: doctafill | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 04:25 PM
Wrap yourself in cellophane. Tie a big red ribbon around yourself. Crawl into a cardboard box. Seal it. Address it to each one of us. Put on lots of postage stamps Have your mail carrier pick you up. And what each of your readers will receive, is 'Ronni'. Your present to all of us. The same as we receive every day. YOU are the present. To us. Happy Birthday, Ronni! Tim
Posted by: Tim Hay | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 04:35 PM
Happy Birthday, Ronni! Hope it was a lovely day. And thanks, Peter, for a great birthday mix-tape and for not playing that horrible "Happy Birthday to Yooouuu" song. That one makes my skin crawl. - Meg
Posted by: Emmajay | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 05:29 PM
Nice one Peter. Happy birthday Ronni. Hope it's a lovely one.
Posted by: Jen | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 06:32 PM
Happy Birthday Ronni, and thanks to Peter for the Birthday songs.
I hope you have a great day with friends and family.
Rich
Posted by: Richard Mims | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:17 PM
Wow Peter, you did better than good. I'll be singing that last song until bed time. Happy, happy birthday Ronni indeed.
Posted by: Mage Bailey | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:17 PM
Happy Birthday Ronni
Wonderful fantasy party in Montreal Doctafill
And thank you Peter and consider Tom Chapin's Happy Birthday song...our family has been singing it for over 30 years at every celebration!
Posted by: Leze | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:31 PM
Fabulous birthday salute! Warm wishes for a wonderful year and thank you for your insightful, informative blog.
Posted by: Camla | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:33 PM
Happy Birthday and Thank you for helping us age positively and with courage.
Posted by: Rosemarie | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:40 PM
Happy, happy birthday Ronni! I hope it's been a wonderful day as you so deserve.
Peter, thanks for the party and music. You throw a great bash.
Posted by: annie | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 07:41 PM
Happy Birthday. Hope you have had a great one!
Posted by: Annie Hall | Tuesday, 07 April 2015 at 09:15 PM
Peter, great job! Thanks for putting this together.
Ronni, Best Wishes on your Birthday! Today is your "un-Birthday" so I hope you continue to celebrate.
Mary S
Posted by: Mary Schaefer | Wednesday, 08 April 2015 at 04:29 AM
Celebrate YOU! We do! Wishing you many more healthy, satisfying years!
Posted by: Ali | Wednesday, 08 April 2015 at 11:23 AM
Happy Birthday Ronnie from an avid reader in Fort Worth,Texas. Rock on!
Terry
Posted by: Terry Buckner | Wednesday, 08 April 2015 at 02:46 PM
Happy Belated Birthday, Ronni...I hope you had a Great Day
Posted by: Lori | Friday, 10 April 2015 at 03:28 PM