Sing, Sing, Sing

Who doesn't like mob singing?  From "Happy Birthday to You" to "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" there is something feel-good about joining others in a united, harmonious expression of shared goodfellowship pretending our off-key creation is akin to the magic of an angel choir.  My bad notes take cover in my neighbor's true pitch.

Few probably remember sitting in a movie theatre just before the main feature and following the bouncing ball as the words scroll across the screen.."sweeeet Car o line..."  Hey, it was more fun than watching commercials for the snack bar.

Churches offer opportunities for lovers of group vocalizing, but those writers of hymns who had been spiritually moved to please the Heavenly Host with the fervor of their lyrics never seemed to know when to still their quill and give the organist a break.  It's not irreligious to admit that going into the 14th verse of "Onward Christian Soldiers" causes the most devout members of the flock to clutch the pew in front of them for support.

One of life's small but intense pleasures is watching my Ducks play football in Autzen Stadium and no matter whether my favorite lads are ahead or behind as the third quarter ends,  I'm going to be jacked-up when Otis Day & the Knights appears on the Jumbo screen and crash into "SHOUT."  Listen to 40 or 50 thousand partially sober fans give Otis thundering backup.  Spine chilling. Sometimes the officials will delay the start of the fourth to let Otis and his gang finish.

Ever been to a Cubs game in the seventh inning?  "Take me out to the ball game, take me out in the crowd, buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks, I don't care if I never get back..."

OK, everybody,  grab your mouse and join me on three...one, two three:

"You are my Sunshine, my only Sunshine,(see the little ball bouncing) you make me happy when skies are grey, you'll never know dear, how much I love you, please don't take my Sunshine away."

A New Star In The Cosmos

 If you have access to the Hubble telescope tonight, check out a new shining star that will be bringing a special brilliance to our harmonious universe.  Its name is Lawrence Alden Aschenbrenner.

Larry departed his long run on this small planet yesterday morning and what a legacy he designed in those 90 years. When most of us confer with our better angels, how much inconvenience their counsel will create is alway figured into the resulting decision.  With Larry it was always, "We'll do the right thing."

He and his wife, Katie, brought together a family of Ted, Dan, Connie and John. His larger family of school classmates, professional colleagues, client admirers, and ordinary friends would fill his beloved University of Oregon football stadium.

In his childhood years Larry was the proverbial preacher's kid with seemingly endless escapades of harmless mischief but that Methodist environment of his home marinated Larry's moral core into a life-long mission of crusading for social justice for every citizen.  From his at risk adventures in Jackson, Mississippi (he called it the most racist city in America) giving legal assistance to African Americans at the height of the '60s and '70s Civil Rights movement, to his advocacy for Native Alaskans rights in Anchorage,  Larry Aschenbrenner fought the good fight.

Through all his serious career in righting what he saw as wrong, he had a rollicking fun-factor in his German heritage and would recite Casey At The Bat with or without a pint of beer to lubricate his delivery whatever the occasion.  He was just a great companion and his was a magnificent life.  Star light, star bright...