Dad's 95th birthday;a fond celebration before traveling

Ted was born on November 27,1916.  He's still going strong.
After Pearl Harbor was bombed, my father immediately enlisted. He felt he was treated poorly due to anti-Semitism 
and therefore enlisted in officer's training school.  When his superior found out that he was going to transfer he gave my father even more humiliating tasks and refused to let him leave.
My father jumped the fence in defiance and forged his way and opportunity.  


He has been trouncing obstacles ever since...........
and has lived his life on his own TERMS!

Diandra and "The Don" at the Pacific Regents where Dad lives

 

 

Paul (dad's nurse and fellow rabble rouser) picked out his outfit.  Dad looks like the Godfather of the PacRegents.
He looks GOOD!  (don't cross him)

I had arranged a party for him at the Marine Room , directly on the beach in La Jolla.  It did not disappoint.
We toasted Dad , his good health and life on his own terms!

He was surrounded by family and friends.

 

 

Paul and Leslie (she has adopted Dad and is always there to help in the kindest way)

Steve (my oldest and dearest friend from Smithtown) ,Paul and Bonnie (our cpa)

Diandra and Melanie (dad's "boss" at the JCC)

Drew and Margaret Dohn,  dear  neighbors from Rancho Santa Fe , Margaret always helped Zena with her art shows and Drew was her favorite kid

Joe Dohn- Dad's go-to guy

Mid century architecture, with beautifully appointed natural materials and soaring spaces.  The water Crashes into the plate (airplane) glass.  It is spectacular.  As is the FOOD.
And Champagne.
Dad did his part and blew out all the candles from a chocolate + raspberry torte smothered in ganache.  The cake read,
"95 Oy Vey"

Dad did finish the cake the next day in the early morning , stating ,"he didn't want it to go bad"

All of his credos (no matter how meshugah) have served him well.

We had a terrific time together,playing scrabble and reviewing the cassette (that Paul had made into a CD) that I had put together for his 80th birthday; Ted's life !

 

 

travelin' woman