Happy Birthday Norman

February 3 is the birth date of three notable people; my mother and 2 friends. Also, on the CBS Sunday Show, Charles Osgood reported that it is also the birth date of Norman Rockwell. I've always admired his works because of his incredible talent to paint like a writer. Each of his paintings tells a story unlike any other artist I can think of. The news triggered a memory of a virtual reality Rockwell party I attended years ago and ever since have had a desire to paint in Norman's style. That is, if I could, which I can't. So, since my artistic talent isn't remotely close to his, I'll write the story. It's about a birthday party so is fitting on this day of notable birthdays.

Bill Knapp and his longtime friend David Kruidenier shared the same summertime birthday. Every year they would alternate giving a party to celebrate. The years that Bill hosted were welcomed because he had air conditioning. The years David hosted were not unwelcome, but were usually hot times in the old town tonight because David and Liz's home, a magnificent classic contemporary, had no air conditioning.

This particular evening, The Kruideniers entertained about 20 for the casual but catered gathering. It was to be a lovely night, however, Mother Nature decided to turn the up the temperature that day. At 7 PM it was still 90 degrees in the shade.

Heat makes for thirst, so the cocktail hour got us well hydrated and by time we took our places in the dining room we were also really steamed up. I was seated next to a man who was an attorney and past president of the US Olympics committee so he was used to sweating profusely, however, that evening, he took perspiring to a whole new level. OMG, you could have rung out his shirt it was so wet. The rest of us were in various stages of glowing like nuclear power plants to looking like we'd just come up from the bottom of the pool. I'm telling you, it was unbearabley hot.

By then, the sole topic of conversation was, "David and Liz, just what is it about cooling a home you don't get?" Both had been extremely successful in publishing and law so it certainly wasn't an economic issue but they defended their liberal and environmental ideology. Different strokes for different folks, huh?

Here's where Norman comes into the story. Close your eyes for a minute and envision a Rockwell setting for a painting:

Somewhere between the salad and main course, a lovely 70 something lady and good friend of all decided to take the wet bull by the horns and make a statement. She quietly unbuttoned her blouse and calmly took it off. Another lady friend at her table did the same. Then the men followed suit and disrobed their upper attire. Soon, with the exception of our hosts and a few of us who had worn one piece dresses, the ladies sat in soggy Playtex's and the men with sweat laden bare chests while we all watched David and Liz sit speechless until they started laughing so hard it brought tears. The wait staff had peeked out to see what was going on and the next thing was they all made a grand entrance into the dining room serving the main course bare chested, wearing only pants and bow ties around their necks. It was one of the funniest scenes I've ever experienced. Had Norman been there, you can bet he would have asked for a 'to-go' bag and beat feet to his studio to capture the memory on canvas.

Possibly someday I'll pick up a paint brush and try creating that birthday visual of some 20 years ago. Or, more likely, it will simply remain a story on paper. I certainly couldn't do the canvas justice. Only Norm himself could pull that one off.

Happy birthday Norman and notable people. Upward and onward.