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You are here: Home / Open Threads / It’s Somebody’s Birthday Today!

It’s Somebody’s Birthday Today!

by WaterGirl|  June 22, 20211:52 pm| 137 Comments

This post is in: Balloon Juice, Open Threads

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These are the photos I put together for John’s birthday last year.  They are still my favorites, so here they are again. They all love you, John and so do we!
Cole, Annie, Seth & Devon
  • Time for Bed
  • Dad Cole
  • Magnificent Steve
  • So Adorable
  • Keeping Dad Warm
  • Sleeping Dogs
  • Cole & Tammy
  • Rosie
  • Steve
  • Steve Bathtime!
  • Mom & Dad Cole
  • Steve, Shaved!
  • Thurston
  • Rosie
  • Bodybuilder Steve
  • Thurston
  • Thurston & Frat Brother
  • Thurston & Lovey
  • Tiny Baby Thurston
  • Baby Thurston
  • Devon & Daddy
  • Steve & Shawn
  • Godson Cole
  • Rosie
  • Steve
  • Rosie
  • Cole & Lily
  • Lily
  • Tunch
  • Tunch
  • Daddy’s Girl

Wish John a happy 90th Birthday!

P.S. This video of Dad Cole never gets old. :-)

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Previous Post: « Tuesday Respite: A Story Just Begging For A Story
Next Post: Take Your Inspiration Where You Can Get It »

Reader Interactions

137Comments

  1. 1.

    Baud

    June 22, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    Happy birthday, big man.

  2. 2.

    Ken

    June 22, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    Happy 90th birthday, John!

    (I wish to note that the post said “90th” when I saw it, in case it is edited later.)

  3. 3.

    Baud

    June 22, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    I’m pretty sure neither of the dogs in that video is John’s dad.

  4. 4.

    Joy in FL

    June 22, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    Happy Birthday, John!

    The photos are great : )

  5. 5.

    Brendan in NC

    June 22, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    Happy Birthday, John!!!

  6. 6.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    @Baud: Dad Cole is the voiceover:  “Oh. My. God!”

    I will love Dad Cole forever for just that one memory.

  7. 7.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    @Ken: It does say 90th!

    That’s what John posted for my birthday last year (he missed it this year, that bastard!).

    I used “90th” last year in return.  So I am just keeping up with tradition.  Maybe the correct thing would be to say 91st, but that just doesn’t feel right.

  8. 8.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    @Joy in FL: I peeked at last year’s post to get some ideas, and when I did I thought “I can’t really improve on that!”

    So I didn’t even try.

  9. 9.

    Mike in NC

    June 22, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Happy birthday. Mine is tomorrow and the plan is to go to the local fish market, because I have a frequent shopper card that will entitle me to buy one lobster and get another for free.

  10. 10.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Happy birthday, John!

    I love that bottom photo of Lily – please do something special with Lily for your birthday.

  11. 11.

    Old School

    June 22, 2021 at 2:04 pm

    Happy Birthday!

  12. 12.

    prostratedragon

    June 22, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Haaaapy Birthday!

    Thanks for sharing the great pictures,  and ditto to WG for assembling them. And what in the world is going on in that video? Oh my God indeed!?

  13. 13.

    RobertDSC-Work

    June 22, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Wishing you a very happy birthday!

  14. 14.

    CaseyL

    June 22, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    The photos and video are a lovely trip down memory lane.

    Wishing our BlogLord a very happy (mumble mumble)th Birthday, with many more to come!

  15. 15.

    wvng

    June 22, 2021 at 2:07 pm

    Happy birthday John. You are a good man!

  16. 16.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    @prostratedragon: I dug all those photos out of the WordPress media library last year.  So glad I did, it makes me happy to see all those faces, furry and otherwise, and see all the love in our Blogfather’s life.

  17. 17.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 22, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    Happy birthday, JGC.

  18. 18.

    Baud

    June 22, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    when I did I thought “I can’t really improve on that!”

    So I didn’t even try.

    The Baud philosophy!

  19. 19.

    James E Powell

    June 22, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    Happy Birthday, John G Cole. Take a day to celebrate yourself.

  20. 20.

    Steeplejack

    June 22, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    A great selection of photos! Happy birthday, Cole! (Also Juice Box and Jay C.)

  21. 21.

    Mary G

    June 22, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    Happy Birthday  again, JC.

  22. 22.

    Chat Noir

    June 22, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    Happy birthday, John! Love the pictures in the post. Hope you have a great day.

  23. 23.

    germy

    June 22, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    Happy birthday to the BlogFather.

    I can’t help but mention how expressive Steve’s face is.  His expression in the “getting a bath” photo… those eyes!  He’s saying “WTF?!” with those eyes.

    He’s a magnificent cat, and good for him for standing up for his rights.

  24. 24.

    JCJ

    June 22, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!

  25. 25.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    June 22, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    Only missing underwear mopping and mustard for a proper birthday montage….

  26. 26.

    MomSense

    June 22, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    Happy birthday!

  27. 27.

    oldster

    June 22, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Happy birthday.
    You don’t look a day over 89.

  28. 28.

    Baud

    June 22, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    @Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes:

    I would have like to see an action shot of the cat ass shaving.

  29. 29.

    mali muso

    June 22, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing this corner of the interwebs with us jackals.

  30. 30.

    Josie

    June 22, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    Happy Birthday, John, and wishes for many more.

  31. 31.

    geg6

    June 22, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    Happy birthday, Cole!

    Look at Baby Thurston and Baby Lovey! OMG, they were so cute then. Thurston hasn’t changed much but Lovey is a fat sausage on little skinny legs. It hurts my heart every time Cole disses Thurston. He knew which one was the defective one and made sure I got her. JK!!!!! She is assertive, smart, comical and expensive (diabetes will do that, I guess). At least the vet isn’t concerned about her weight. It’s on the high end, but she’s not gaining and is good about her shots. She’s a lot smarter than MAGATs are about injections that will make your life better.

  32. 32.

    Soprano2

    June 22, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Happy birthday John, I hope you have a great day of fun (and avoid any accidents!). Thanks for this place, it’s helped me stay sane these past few years.

    It’s weird, because my husband’s name is John too.

  33. 33.

    laura

    June 22, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    Happy Birthday Blogfather ??

    Every single pictures is a delight and it’s so nice to see Thurston my secret pup crush. Maybe this year add a picture of Cole in his overhauls with baby birbs a nesting in his beard.

  34. 34.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    June 22, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    @Soprano2:

    avoid any accidents!

    Just because it’s Cole’s b-day, it’s still a day ending in ‘y’.

  35. 35.

    Bruce K in ATH-GR

    June 22, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Many happy returns of the day to our gracious host!

    (Or grouchy returns, as the case may be. The important part is “many” and “returns”.)

  36. 36.

    raven

    June 22, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    You do know that mom is a Dawg?

  37. 37.

    eclare

    June 22, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    I love that video!

    Happy Birthday!

  38. 38.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 22, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    @Baud:

    I would have like to see an action shot of the cat ass shaving.

    Blood everywhere.

  39. 39.

    Barbara

    June 22, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    Happy Birthday! — One great thing about dogs, they treat you as if every day is your birthday. Love, love, love that last pic of Lily.​

  40. 40.

    Brachiator

    June 22, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    Wish John a happy 90th Birthday!

    Ha!

    Happy 90th. You don’t look a day over 89.

  41. 41.

    Mai Naem mobile

    June 22, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    Happy Birthday John! Have an awesome year!

  42. 42.

    stinger

    June 22, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Happy Birthday, John G. Cole! Love the pics and especially the OhMyGod video! And thank you for Balloon Juice.

  43. 43.

    stinger

    June 22, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    @Baud: Pics were taken, but blood covered the lens so they aren’t much to look at.

    ETA: Drat you, mrmoshpotato!

  44. 44.

    SWMBO

    June 22, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    Happy Birthday, Blogfather!

  45. 45.

    Fair Economist

    June 22, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    Happy Birthday, Mr. Cole!

  46. 46.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 2:52 pm

    Happy Birthday to You

    Happy Birthday to You

    You can’t find the mustard

    And you mop naked too…

     

    …and then the murders began.

  47. 47.

    HeleninEire

    June 22, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLE!!

  48. 48.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    @Baud: I like it!

  49. 49.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    @Soprano2: Soprano2 is married to John Cole.  Pass it on!

  50. 50.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 22, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    @stinger: ?

  51. 51.

    SWMBO

    June 22, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    @Baud: ​
     Then it would be Shitmas!

  52. 52.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    @laura:

    Maybe this year add a picture of Cole in his overhauls with baby birbs a nesting in his beard.

    Will someone photoshop the birds into the beard?  I don’t have that skillset.  And I think John may have just shaved his beard.

  53. 53.

    eclare

    June 22, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    @Tony Jay:  Very nice!

  54. 54.

    zhena gogolia

    June 22, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    Happy Birthday, John! Thanks for the blog.

  55. 55.

    leeleeFL

    June 22, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    Happiest of Happy Birthdays, BlogFather,  JG Cole.  We are blessed by this wonderful  refuge that you began, and for that I thank the FSM each and every day!

    Photos of pups and kitties make me so very happy!

  56. 56.

    SWMBO

    June 22, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    @WaterGirl: When have we ever let a little detail like that stop us?  This is also the Way of Baud.

  57. 57.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 3:01 pm

    I love that last photo of Lily so much.  Lying there like a queen, surveying her kingdom, looking at us straight on so we can see her beautiful eyes.

  58. 58.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    @SWMBO: Photoshop the beard back on, then add the birds.

    Got it!

  59. 59.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    June 22, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    @WaterGirl:

     And I think John may have just shaved his beard.

    Photoshop can fix that too.

  60. 60.

    Mary G

    June 22, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    It’s also Meryl Streep’s birthday, so JC is in good company. While putting off dealing with decisions about the next thing to spend gobs of money on in my house, I looked through the Twitter summary and found these:

    happy birthday to Cher’s girlfriend, Meryl Streep. pic.twitter.com/6A1evAotWo
    — ågos ?? meryl’s bday (@vllanellxdnerys) June 22, 2021

    never forget. happy birthday, meryl streep! pic.twitter.com/wBNlomIlTl
    — anne ?‍♀️ (@loumillerswifey) June 21, 2021

    i just think that meryl streep and helen mirren pic.twitter.com/IFUC5Untc4
    — Mikee ? (@sapphiclouise) June 18, 2021

  61. 61.

    Mj_Oregon

    June 22, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    You share a birthday with Kris Kristofferson and Meryl Streep!  Happy Birthday!

  62. 62.

    Nora Lenderbee

    June 22, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    Hippo birdy two ewes! I hope you get a winning lottery ticket.

  63. 63.

    skerry

    June 22, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Happy birthday, John

  64. 64.

    Percysowner

    June 22, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day with the animals.

    Apparently your Senator, Joe Manchin decided to give you a small birthday present. Manchin Will Vote Yes On S.1 Debate, Giving Dems Unanimity In Face Of GOP Blockade

    I mean he’s not voting to end the filibuster, but it’s a nice gesture.

  65. 65.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Ha!  We wrote our comments at the same time

    edit: jackals in array! :-)

  66. 66.

    Rob

    June 22, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Happy birthday, John, from a lurker-ish

  67. 67.

    trollhattan

    June 22, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    @WaterGirl: 
    It’s just too perfect. The utterly cleaned and arranged living room basically demolished by two JRTs in 15 seconds, background music by Vacuum and Pops Cole providing the chaser.

    Happy birthday, big guy!

  68. 68.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    @eclare:

    Once a year we gather, young and old, even older and really old, there to sit under the too close willow and hear tales of Mountain Man Cole, his cabin full of hounds and the Cat that rules them all.

  69. 69.

    trollhattan

    June 22, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    @Tony Jay:

    Just needs overalls and dancing raccoons.

  70. 70.

    raven

    June 22, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    @Tony Jay: Are you here or there?

  71. 71.

    Mary G

    June 22, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    @Percysowner: Even better:

    Holy shit, Sinama just voted Yes to advance the voting rights Bill ?— Just Joe / Atheist by choice??⚾??‍☠️ (@gojoe_joe) June 22, 2021

    I love a unified party when it isn’t Republican. Schumer got the job done. On to make these yahoos put their names on their shit for once.

    ETA: I personally am convinced that nothing will get done before 2022, and the more we can do to expose these Rs for what they are, the better. All the defeatists saying the president’s party always loses seats in the midterms make me tired. We can’t afford that, we have to win or lose our democracy. We never had a president as bad as TFG either.

  72. 72.

    eclare

    June 22, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    @Tony Jay:  Watching England v Czech

  73. 73.

    eclare

    June 22, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    @Mary G:  Good news!

  74. 74.

    Gregory

    June 22, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Happy birthday, John, and many more!

  75. 75.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    @eclare:

    Already with Saka and Grealish playing we look sharper, more direct and far more dangerous. If the wingbacks would pass forward more often an ENGLAND’S HARRY KANE would wake up a bit we’d be even more threatening. Well worth our 1-0 lead.

    And Scotland are 1-0 down to Croatia. Like that they willnee.

  76. 76.

    Ruckus

    June 22, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    Hey Cole, you almost old fart, Happy B Day.

    I am an old fart, and even I’m not that old. I never really did think that I’d live to see retirement, even after I gave my boss 3 weeks notice of the actual date. Every year all of your history gets a bit older, the photos of you as a kid a bit more faded, the memories – good and bad, do as well. I stopped long ago eating cake, to help live long enough and so as to not have the house burn down from all the candles – and also the smoke alarm would go off before you got them all lit.

    John, you aren’t old, you almost old fart, it just seems like it.

  77. 77.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    @Ruckus: I think Cole is something like 51 years old, so he isn’t even close to being an old fart.  But wishing him a happy 90th is much more fun.

    The amazing thing for me is to think that Cole was just 31 years old when he started this blog.  I want to see a photo of Cole from January 2002 when this all began!

  78. 78.

    eclare

    June 22, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    @Tony Jay:  England is passing very well

  79. 79.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 3:36 pm

    @raven:

    Here in the flesh (so to speak) and there in spirit. Not a chance you get me in a stadium full of rosy-cheeked Ingerlund ‘fans’ until I’m double jabbed and the pro-virus minority have died off.

  80. 80.

    Ruckus

    June 22, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    @Mary G:

    We’ve never had a president as close to non human as SFB either, but we’ve had close. If I’m not mistaken, everyone of the 45 that was mostly or completely shit was a conservative. Makes you think. Also shudder, because while none of them seemed as bad as SFB, they were all more than bad enough.

  81. 81.

    Mingobat (f/k/a Karen in GA)

    June 22, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    Happy birthday!

  82. 82.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    @eclare:

    This is what happens when the manager’s preferred tactic of slow, lateral passing between the defence and the defensive midfielders until the opposition fall asleep gets buttholed by Covid bans,

    We’ve got a lot of classy, skilful players, they just don’t often get picked.

    ETA – Though I’d prefer a draw. We don’t really want to win this group since that means a meeting with one of France, Germany or Portugal. Much rather finish second.

    Oooh, Scotland back on even terms.

  83. 83.

    Ruckus

    June 22, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Oh I know. I’ve been here most of the last 20 yrs, I was the other day trying to figure out when I first checked out BJ and I think it was early 2006 or late 2005. John was still one of them and watching the transition was great.

  84. 84.

    Drunkenhausfrau

    June 22, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    Happy birthday! Thanks for making such a great clubhouse for us all!

  85. 85.

    eclare

    June 22, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    @Tony Jay:  Gotcha.  I was afraid the match would be dull, but it’s not.

  86. 86.

    Bluegirlfromwyo

    June 22, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    @Tony Jay: Well done! This may be your shortest comment yet.

    Happy birthday, John, and many more!

  87. 87.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 22, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Can only add my own wishes for a happy birthday, John, and another heartfelt thanks to you for Balloon Juice. (And great job with the Life of Cole photos, WG!)

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

  88. 88.

    Jackie

    June 22, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    @Tony Jay: ???

    Happy Birthday, John! May you live to 91!?

  89. 89.

    rikyrah

    June 22, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    This entire post rocks!

    Happy Birthday, Cole :) :)

    You are such good people.

  90. 90.

    zeecube

    June 22, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    HB, JC.

  91. 91.

    frosty

    June 22, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    @Tony Jay: Perfect!

  92. 92.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    @trollhattan: 

    Dancing raccoons in overalls. Old Man Cole prefers to frolic skyclad and breezedried under the West by God Virginian stars.

  93. 93.

    Sister Golden Bear

    June 22, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Happy Birthday Cole!

  94. 94.

    Danielx

    June 22, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Many happy returns, John.

  95. 95.

    schrodingers_cat

    June 22, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    Happy Birthday! Mustard sampler is in the mail!

  96. 96.

    Danielx

    June 22, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    @Tony Jay:

    well played,

  97. 97.

    AliceBlue

    June 22, 2021 at 3:57 pm

    Many happy returns Cole.  Enjoy your day!

    Love the photos of all the furry ones.

  98. 98.

    MagdaInBlack

    June 22, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    Happy Birthday, John =-)

  99. 99.

    J R in WV

    June 22, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    Happy Birfdaze Watergurl !!

    You too Cole, you scurrilous hillbilly ;~{)

    Fifty-0ne, that’s pretty young in my book… Many happy returns, young man~!!~

  100. 100.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    @raven:

    Do’h! Following you now. Nope, I’m not getting within an international dateline of Steve. I know that look, it says “You are Food!!!” and under WV state law he has every right to take an arm as long as it ain’t my shooting arm.

  101. 101.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    @Bluegirlfromwyo:

    I keep on saying, I can do pithy!

    And no, I don’t lisp. 8-)

  102. 102.

    cain

    June 22, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    Happy Birthday, Cole – and love to see the pics of Tunch :-) There should be a tunch day so that we can see more pics of him. I think there is in fact a photo of Tunch and his namesake, right?

  103. 103.

    cain

    June 22, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    @trollhattan: coons! they are called coons!!

  104. 104.

    raven

    June 22, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:  You are here!

     
    UGA professor uses Toni Morrison-inspired style to pen poems about violence in India

  105. 105.

    lurker

    June 22, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Happy b-day cole.  Though really, once you get to 90, you might as well just own up to the age… no need to do 90 again this year.

  106. 106.

    lurker

    June 22, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    @Tony Jay:

    one cat to rule them all

    one cat to defy them

    one cat to ignore them all

    and in the darkness bind them

    in the land of west by god virginia where the shadows lie

     

     

    ETA: ‘cuz really, what cat is gonna find them or bring them?

  107. 107.

    Tony Jay

    June 22, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    @lurker:

    Tips hat. Nice.

  108. 108.

    Nicole

    June 22, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    Happy birthday! Wishing you a most excellent year ahead.

  109. 109.

    lowtechcyclist

    June 22, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    Happy birthday to our favorite misanthrope!

  110. 110.

    Amir Khalid

    June 22, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    A happy birthday to the Blog Lord and Jackal Host. May there be many more.

  111. 111.

    lurker

    June 22, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    @Tony Jay:

    Thank you.

     

    Though it probably should have been “in west by god virginia where the birbs flie”

  112. 112.

    WaterGirl

    June 22, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    @lurker: That can be remedied, if you like.  :-)

  113. 113.

    TomatoQueen

    June 22, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Happy Birthday Mr. Cole.

  114. 114.

    rikyrah

    June 22, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Oh Cole ?????????

  115. 115.

    John Cole

    June 22, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Thank you all!

  116. 116.

    Tinare

    June 22, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    Happy birthday! You’re doing great for your age. ?

    ???

  117. 117.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 22, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    John, happy birthday, and thank YOU for being the curmudgeonly host of this diverse community.

  118. 118.

    Kayla Rudbek

    June 22, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    Happy birthday, Cole!

  119. 119.

    Madeleine

    June 22, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    Happy birthday! I hope it’s beautifully June for you today!

  120. 120.

    EmanG

    June 22, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    Happy Cake Day El Jefe! I’m so grateful for what you’ve done and continue to do. Thanks a million.

  121. 121.

    Tazj

    June 22, 2021 at 6:42 pm

    Happy Birthday! I’m glad you started Balloon Juice and I can complain about things and bore people here without driving my family crazy.

    You really get a good idea about how big Steve is when he is pictured on someone’s lap. He truly is a magnificent beast.

    I don’t remember seeing pictures of Thurston as a baby, so cute. Lily and Rosie are always their own adorable selves.

  122. 122.

    WereBear

    June 22, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    Happy Birthday! Love to see all that love.

  123. 123.

    joel hanes

    June 22, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Happy Birthday, Cole

    No matter how old you get, you’ll always be a bunch younger than me.  So there’s that.

  124. 124.

    OzarkHillbilly

    June 22, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    Wish John a happy 90th Birthday!

    Sucks to be you.

  125. 125.

    mvr

    June 22, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    Happy Birthday Cole!

  126. 126.

    Ellenr

    June 22, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Ditto to all camaraderie. Many happy returns for all.

  127. 127.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    June 22, 2021 at 8:37 pm

    As one of the slackers here, I send a late but warm Happy 90th Birthday message to the elder Cole! I hope your day was great and that you were able to drive John nuts at least once.

    ?

  128. 128.

    Argiope

    June 22, 2021 at 8:38 pm

    Happy birthday, John.  May your next trip around the sun be filled with fabulous fruit combinations, many beautiful birbs and their nests, tons of scritchies, the willow staying where it belongs, and only the kinds of accidents that are funny in retrospect.  Enjoy the near-full birthday moon tonight!

  129. 129.

    Another Scott

    June 22, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    HBD JC! I hope it was a good one.

    ObOpenThread?

    Thread:

    Hello from outside of JCPS central office!

    This is the first in-person protest against critical race theory in Kentucky’s largest school district. About two dozen folks here. pic.twitter.com/3LlH4CeuvF

    — Olivia Krauth (@oliviakrauth) June 22, 2021

    The man in white just “double-dog dared” anyone to debate someone in this group about critical race theory.

    OK there is now a child holding a three percenter sign.

    “We don’t see color of skin,” a woman says after saying she is not racist.

    Same woman just asked a Black reporter if he feels as if he deserves reparations. Completely unprompted.

    And so forth.

    :-/

    (via CharlesPPierce)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  130. 130.

    something fabulous

    June 22, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    Late as ever! But HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! ???????

    I have a now-friend who, when we discovered that we were the only people on our work team of the same (cough) a certain age amongst the youngsters, somehow landed on wishing each other a happy 73rd birthday. It has now been several years since we worked together, and some birthdays we still wish each other happy 73, others we move on in real time. Either way, joke still works!

  131. 131.

    Noskilz

    June 22, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    Happy Birthday!

  132. 132.

    CatHairEverywhere

    June 22, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    Happy Birthday! Hope you are having some delicious cake!

  133. 133.

    Regine Touchon

    June 22, 2021 at 11:06 pm

    Love the pics. Hope your day was fine Cole!

  134. 134.

    columbusqueen

    June 22, 2021 at 11:31 pm

    Happy birthday, & may Lily give you lots of doggie kisses.

  135. 135.

    chopper

    June 23, 2021 at 12:15 am

    i only looked through the post to see pics of tunch. goddamn i miss that cat.

  136. 136.

    buggrit

    June 23, 2021 at 12:51 am

    Belated but heartfelt happy birthday to you, and many happy returns of the day!

  137. 137.

    Miss Bianca

    June 23, 2021 at 10:04 am

    Late to the birthday party, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JC!

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