Just got back from my parent’s house where we had a joint party for me (my 43rd birthday is on the 22nd and Bill Ill’s is on the 23rd, so we just combined them all) and for the state of West Virginia, who had her sesquicentennial today. Here’s a picture of my father’s beautiful garden as I sat out back and enjoyed the pond:
I left it full size so you can click to embiggen to see how awesome his back yard and garden are.
Now for the main event- avideo of us all singing the West Virginia Hills, which actually is the state song, not Country Roads as many people think.
Demented and sad, but social.
Alexandra
Happy Birthday, John. :)
Baud
I think my state song is “I like big butts.”
cathyx
What! You don’t have the words memorized? Some citizens you are.
rda909
Whoa, a joint party?!? Now we’re talking. Did it start at 4:20?
RSR
Cheers, man! Happy birthday, as well. Hope to buy you a beverage some day soon,
Redshirt
Far out, man! Toke em up!
Baud
I’m a little disappointed that the state song of West Virginia isn’t Dueling Banjos.
The Fat Kate Middleton
That video is so sweet. Is that Grandma in the middle singing? Your father’s work is beautiful.This is all way too much like so many of our photos and videos … and I have lots of photos of our beautiful acreage, all landscaped and groomed by my talented and hardworking husband.
The Fat Kate Middleton
Oh … forgot: Happy birthday!
Cacti
Congrats to West Virginny on having the good sense to flip the bird to the traitorous slave-owners of Richmond.
Paddy
Future Happy JC, and the family is wonderful, no matter what they’re singing.
schrodinger's cat
Happy Birthday John! and I has a found a kitteh more ornery than Tunchito.
Redshirt
Another year, and Cole gets ever crustier.
YellowJournalism
Saving my birthday wishes for Saturday.
trollhattan
Zut alors, picture’s in focus. Inquiring minds…
HBDTYWV. Now send Rand and the Turtle down to dig coal for Don Blankenship, sans facemasks and canaries.
jake the snake
You know that West Virginia does not actually exist. It was unconstitutionally carved out of Virginia to reward Unionist traitors.
So says my favorite neo-Confederate wingnut.
Redshirt
@trollhattan: It is mysterious, yes? Apparently, Cole can take in focus photos from time to time. Which makes it even more curiouser when he does not.
John Cole
@trollhattan: I’ll be damned. I’m learning.
John Cole
@The Fat Kate Middleton: No, that is Mrs. Sykes, who I have known my whole life and is a family friend. She used to be the nurse for the college infirmary and spent the first twelve years of my life dealing with me when I injured myself riding my bike, skateboarding, hiking, playing war with my friends at the creek, walking, etc.
Genine
Happy Birthday in advance! I’ll give you well-wishes on Saturday, too! (Double good juju) And the pictures are lovely. :-)
karen
By the lyrics, even though they say “West Virginia” shouldn’t it just be Virginia since it mentions the Blue Ridge mountains and Shenandoah River?
Cacti
A happy birthday song for WV:
We will welcome to our numbers, the loyal, true and brave
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And although they may be poor, not a man shall be a slave
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
The Union forever
Hurrah boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitor, and up with the star!
While we rally round the flag boys, rally once again
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
RSR
And hey. cheers to all in West Virginia: Woo hoo, Mountaineers!
cokane
WAS IT A JOINT PARTY
boss bitch
What a beautiful,cool, real American family. Singing the state song voluntarily? I’m impressed. Seriously. You guys really love your state.
CaseyL
Happy Birthday, John! Long may you flourish.
I think it’s extra sweet that y’all celebrated W. VA’s birthday, too.
fuckwit
Breakfast Club reference! Perfect for a birthday party for a 43-year-old. Happy birthday!
JWL
West Virginia– still guilt tripping about having betrayed the sunny South during the War of Northern Aggression, and doing its best to make amends ever since.
That noted, Harpers Ferry remain one of the most gorgeous spots on the face of the earth that I’ve ever seen.
The Friendly Libertarian
@karen:
That song was about Jefferson County, WV, which does in fact have the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah. But that’s the only part of WV that does.
Redshirt
@The Friendly Libertarian: The Blue Ridge Mountains are obviously a false flag operation.
trollhattan
@John Cole:
Well done! I figure when Tunch is the subject, there are requisite shaky hands (“When smiteth he me?”) But, dad’s garden is an inspiration. Not even my weeds are that green!
muddy
After watching that video I clicked on this one where Tunch also had a joint party. Great musical choice, John!
Cacti
@Redshirt:
China must be very happy that the blue ridge mountains are a false flag operation.
specialed5000
My bf roommate, and other friends just left the Capitol grounds after an awesome fireworks show by Zambelli shot off the Capitol roof. Pre drinks at the Red Carpet Lounge. We’re having post fireworks drinks at the drag show at the Indian restaurant near the Capitol. Lol
Happy birthday WV!
JD Rhoades
:-) Happy Birthday, John. And love to your family. They seem like fine folks.
Linnaeus
Do you have a family punch recipe, John? An acquaintance of mine from West Virginia does; it’s simply referred to as “the recipe” and it is apparently a closely guarded secret.
And I can testify to the recipe’s potency.
gbear
Happy birthday John. My 59th is coming up on tuesday and I got into the spirit of being old by going to the doctor for knee xrays today.
Redshirt
Have you ever forgotten your own birthday?
I find the date grows less meaningful every passing year.
dance around in your bones
Happy Birthday to You!
When we were kids we always sang the “Oh Fair New Mexico” song – I must have sung it a bazillion times – in English and Spanish. ‘Under a sky of azure, where balmy breezes blow’….
Just sayin’, state songs can be pretty cool. And you have a nice family – Happy birthday once again ! ( My kid and her husband were both born this month/similar year as well – way to make me feel older than hell, JGC. though not yer fault).
dance around in your bones
OK, here is a version of Oh Fair New Mexico sung by a fourth grade choir.
And here is a version done by a guitar ensemble
I’m sure y’all are terribly interested.
Comrade Mary
Happy upcoming birthday, John.
Is there any chance of us seeing video from that pink iPhone soon?
Yatsuno
It’s ur birfday! It’s ur birfday! Time to party! It’s ur birfday!
Woodrowfan
That’s funny, I think we had a party in Virginia as well. :p
Woodrowfan
@JWL: WV is like Kentucky. They joined the Confederacy in 1865. (grin)
ET
What a totally appropriate Breakfast Club quote.
Paul in KY
Best wishes, John. Your father does have a beautiful garden.
ADS
Your birthday is June 22? So is mine (I’ll be 53). Wow. Happy birthday! Someday, I hope we can have a drink together and pet some 4-legged creatures. I have to arrange my birthday around feeding my colony kitties, who couldn’t care less about my day.
Ms. D. Ranged in AZ
Happy Birfday!
I could practically feel the humidity on my face and smell the soil when I looked at the full-sized garden picture. I miss the wind in the trees, the sound of crickets at night, the smell of freshly turned soil, the fuzz on a tomato plant leaf……../sigh
Karounie
Happy Birthday from a mostly lurker. When the camera tilts down at the end of the family song, are you looking to see if any pets are singing?