Scotty is now one month old.  I haven’t seen him in person yet because he lives in Tom’s River, which is about two hours from here, but I get a lot of pictures of him, courtesy of his father, my grandson, John. I am including two recent ones with this column. One is in his Halloween costume, although I don’t think he went trick or treating.  

In the other one, he looks very comfortable wrapped up in one of his blankets. When I saw the one of him in costume, I asked his parents why he had french fries coming out of his pocket.  It was explained to me that they weren’t french fries, but straw, as he was supposed to be a Scare Crow. He looks a little alarmed in that one as if he is thinking “What are they doing to me now?” Almost scaring himself.  

John has switched his hours to nights so he can be home during the day to help out. Scotty’s half brothers also help by feeding him a bottle or giving him a pacifier or just holding him. I will be seeing him soon as my son,  Michael has promised to take me there as soon as they are ready for company.  

I look forward to holding him and maybe burping him. He is so cute.  

Another important event is coming up in February when I will be 90.  We are planning a big party at the ‘76 House in Tappan, N.Y. There will be about 50 people coming for a buffet meal plus hearing a singer, Judi Marie Cantarino who despite being over 80, wears her hair in pigtails because she is a bit of a comedian. She and her late husband had a place in Manhattan called The Half Note. Charlie Parker, Zoot Sims, Tony Bennet, and Billie Holiday were regulars there. I believe I will make it to 90 and maybe even 100, although I won’t be confident enough to plan a party for that one.