Roots and wings

To Renny...love, Ally

my dad's bday...

Will you still need me?  Will you still feed me...when I'm 64?  :-)

Thank you, Papa, for 35 years of your unconditional love, respect and support.
Magoo and I are very lucky to have parents like you and Mama.  You've exposed us to
many things that other kids (even adults) don't get a chance to see and do.  You've
encouraged us to do what we love and to love what we do.  You've always reminded us
how proud you are of us.  And you came up with some of the most creative ways to
sucker your kids into doing chores every weekend!

We love that no matter where we live, you will always visit.  We love that you've
spent your life thinking of fun ways to suprise us, and show up to everything.  Your
family has always been first and the most important thing to you.  I can only hope
to follow in your footsteps when I become a parent (and no, that's not an
announcement!).  :-)  Thank you and happy birthday.  I love you.

Amy Lisbeth Renshaw Kyle

Amy, 1955, 1 year old.

Amy Renshaw Kyle was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on September 17, 1954.  In the first few months, she may have been totally ignored by her brothers since Elvis Presley had released his first single two months earlier.  His second single, "Good Rockin' Tonight", with "I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine" on the B-side, was released on September 25, 1954. 

Tia, Amy and Julie, September 17, 1955

Amy learned multi tasking at an early age.  In this photo, she is blowing out the candle, talking to Julie and hammering a peg board.  How does she do it?

The youngest of 6 children - "the bottom of the totem pole", as Downer would say - Amy may not have had much of a chance to get a word in.  It's only fitting, then, that as an adult, she has made a career of expressing herself through her art.  She has developed a unique style of art that - ironically - is a little reflective of our lives growing up - mixed media.  Well, actually it may have been more like "mixed-up" media.

  Visit Amy's web site.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birthday of an artist than to showcase her work.  So for Amy's birthday post, I made an album of some of her current art work.  (Or follow the link "Amy's Portfolio" on the right)

But just to finish the fun....

Amy and Amy, Sausalito, 1967.

Adam and Amy-deer, 2002.

As some of you may know, Amy hasn't really liked flying in the last few years.  She has found the perfect solution to the problem.  She's a reindeer.

Amy, Lake Tahoe, July 2004 (50th b'day)

Happy birthday, Amy.

 

Claude Downer Renshaw, Jr. (September 6, 1942)

  Downer and Renny, September 1942.  Renny's baptism.

Claude Downer Renshaw, Jr (aka Renny) was born in New York on September 8, 1942.  He probably will not be happy to be reminded that just one month later the St Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Yankees (4-1) in the 1942 World Series.

   

The Claude A Renshaw family play with Renny, Easter, 1943

   

Renny then (c 1947) and now (2006)

According to Charlotte:

His absolute favorite favorite thing to do for his birthday is to get together with his daughters(and sons-in-law as applicable) for a long weekend in some fun place (often works out well that his birthday is close to labor day!)  For example, on his 60th birthday we all went to Toronto for four days -- saw a few ball games, restaurants, museums, CN tower, etc.

Three years ago we met up in south Bend for labor Day weekend and had a "Lobsterfest" birthday dinner out on the deck followed by all manner of desserts and board games.  Two years ago Craig and i met my folks in Chicago for dinner and a birthday celebration.

He like getting presents, of course (especially those having to do with the New York Yankees), but he gets the biggest kick out of hanging out with his fam.

We've all helped him celebrate every once in a while.

Renny et al celebrate his 50th birthday, 1992.

Renny et al celebrate his 60th birthday, 2002.

In all of this birthday fun, it's also important to recognize that Renny has also had a very successful life and career.  BTW, he get more hits on google than any of us.

Read a little about him.

• Deduct it!  An irreverent look at taxes.
• College professor wins CPA teaching award
• His column in the South Bend Tribune:  "Tax Talk"

As the oldest child, Renny did everything first.  Which was fine until now.  Now he's only one year away from being eligible to collect Social Security.  That means it's not too far behind for the rest of us.

Maybe Renny should buy us all breakfast at JBs to celebrate his 65th birthday next year.  With his first Social Security check, of course.

Happy birthday, Ren.