“Now is the high tide of the year”*

by chuckofish

Today is the birthday of American fashion designer Bill Blass (June 22, 1922 – June 12, 2002) who was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Did you know that during WWII he was assigned the 603rd Camouflage Battalion, whose mission was to deceive the German Army into believing the Allies were positioned in fake locations, for example, by using dummy tanks? He served in this unit at several major operations including the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine River crossing. For some reason, this knowledge made me happy.

Tomorrow is the birthday of dancer/choreographer Bob Fosse June 23, 1927 – September 23, 1987).

Since we just recently watched The Pajama Game (1957), it might be time to find Damn Yankees (1958) which Fosse also choreographed and danced in. (Side note: I saw Damn Yankees at the Muny Opera back in 1969. Ray Walston was in it, but I’m not sure about who played the other parts.) I haven’t seen the movie in a million years, if ever. Here is Bob in My Sister EIleen (1955).

Now I’m exhausted. Kids, don’t try this at home.

Well, the year is almost half over. I am almost retired. Life barrels on like that proverbial runaway train. But this is really great: “…and for heaven’s sake (not a joke) stop thinking about yourself all the time.” Indeed.

*James Russell Lowell, “June”