Blue Comet Mandolin

JWise Photo of the Day

A 1930's Blue Comet Mandolin bought and played by my uncle Woody's father many years ago is in the shop for repairs.

This 1930’s era Blue Comet mandolin was originally owned by my uncle Woody’s father, Isaac. According to my uncle, his father was a musically inclined gentleman with a lot of talent. The mandolin has been sitting in my uncle’s den gathering dust before moving into the garage. The strings are long gone, the bridges have had their glue dry up but fortunately were not lost, a gear needs replacing and the mandolin itself could use a thorough cleaning. After having been in our possession the past few months we have finally taken it in for a workover and hope to return this fine old antique in perfect working order to my uncle next week.

The Burns in Buffalo

JWise Photo of the Day

A Google Earth map detail of Buffalo, New York

This Google Earth map detail from Buffalo, New York is of the area where my uncle Woody grew up. Next week I will travel to Santa Barbara to visit my aunt and uncle on their 60th anniversary. I’ll bring my computer to show them the view from space as we zoom down onto the locations where they were married, where my uncle was hit by a train as a little boy, where they lived. I’ll show them Omaha Beach where my uncle landed during World War II before marching off to fight in the Battle of the Bulge making his way to and across the Siegfried Line. As my uncle has never seen this technology at work; I think he will be mighty surprised at what we are doing these days with computers.

Jay Patel and Aditya

JWise Photo of the Day

Aditya on his birthday and Jay Patel in Bombay, India

This is 1-year-old Aditya on his first birthday visiting with his uncle Jay Patel in Bombay, India. Jay’s own birthday just happened yesterday, he turned 28. You might remember our good friend Jay from old postings on my website, many years ago. For the love of pani puri, Jay left America and followed some crazy dream that someday he would fly airplanes. Well, as a matter of fact, he’s going to do just that. Jay has taken a copilot position with Jet Airways. After a long delay looking for the perfect job – now he has it. So, marriage must be just around the corner, right? Look, ladies, he is sooooo good with babies, I think he needs five or six.

You are missed by many people over here Jay, all of who wish you well. Happy birthday wishes to you, and a BIG Happy Birthday to you too, Aditya!!!

With Friends Like These

JWise Photo of the Day

Mike Devarennes in the hospital

Our friend Mike Devarennes is in the hospital with a blood clot in his lower left leg. He is wearing one of those gowns with the open backside, exposing his butt, and next to him is his pee bottle. So what’s a friend to do? Take photos of the guy looking stupid, that’s what. You can believe me that I tried getting a photo of that backside but he wasn’t budging. Maybe I can sneak another photo when he gets his surprise colonoscopy.