From the Vault

I dug into the photo vault for some treasures...

Since my Mom did such a good job with the early years, and Rob covered High School, I will focus on post-college days. The picture below must have been post-college, but Sam's T-shirt dates from senior year of high school: the official team shirt from Captain Crunch and the Crunch Island Crew. A come from behind dark horse team that strode to the finals, lasting far longer than they had any right to: the breakfast, lunch and dinner of champions! This is a true collector's item and has never before been seen on the internets. (Who's that guy on the left?)

The next poto draws from a great canoe camping trip to the Adirondacks shortly after graduating college. Sam and I took a weekend trip and were bitten by every type of insect known to man, and some that still remain nameless (actually, we had quite a few choice words for the mosquitoes, but this is a 'family' blog).

A few months later we were living in San Francisco with Greg Pulier. I had considered seeking my fame in Baltimore, but Sam convinced me that living was easy on the west coast. This picture represents that period with a collage of 'found objects' from our apartment on Cole St. near the panhandle. Onle one of us (Sam) had an actual 'job' requiring the wearing of shoes, and, occasionally, storing them with shoe trees. The burrito commemorates many, many trips to Zona Rosa and 'Burrito Hill' - the staff of life! Dylan, hiding in the background, was part of the soundtrack to our no-TV lifestyle. (There was a 'Kill Your Television' bumper sticker posted in the John right next to the transcript of Marion "B*tch set me up!" Barry).

This next picture has very little to do with Sam, but everything to do with fame. I had to travel hard and long to get this photo, but it was well worth it. I figured it was time to share the love. Enjoy the splendor!

Finally, I am sure Sam is as happy to be turning 40 as he was this day at Candlestick Park!

As Sam's oldest friend, it's an honor to be able to mark the 4th decade. Over the years I've enjoyed being able to connect and re-connect. Here's to another 4 decades!

Happy Birthday, Sam!

-Howard

(AKA The Decisionator)

Happy Birthday, Sam!

I know I could write a few chapters for this blog but will only tell you, quickly and succinctly that Sam and Howard and Nancy and I met in the park behind the Teaneck Public Library when we were all very young, slim and looking for friends. We became very good friends and so did the boys. There were other moms there, too. We had all come from a variety of places in the NY metropolitan area and were somewhat cut off from our roots. That park served as an entree to Teaneck in many ways. All of our husbands were at work all day and we were mostly non-working full time moms as was the norm in 1970 or '71. We all got together and formed play groups,and let the kids play. Sam and Howard became very good friends.

As you know, this alliance has lasted almost 40 years and is one of the joys of Howard's life...ours, too. Sam is now, and has always been, a spectacular boy and man. We're fortunate to have been privy to his life (mostly voyeuristically).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAM!!! Many more good and happy years to you and your family.

Love, Marge

Once in a Lifetime

And you may ask yourself,
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself,
This is not my beautiful house!

(Really, that's not Sam's house... it's the house across the street)