Today is my son Arlo's birthday. He wasn't named after Guthrie

[EFerrari]

but after Arlecchino, a trickster figure in Commedia del Arte. (This was the guy who got into trouble all the time, got all the women, had all the fun and got off the hook every single time.



Arlo was a Watergate baby. The summer of '74 I mostly spent in my great, late mother in law's recliner because it had a heater and a vibrating thingy that helped with my back pain. (Also because I had to stop shopping because I was freaking out the floor sales people with my exploding belly. "Why are you OUT?")

I sat there and felt better and took in the hearings like a sponge. I was almost 19.



I took time out of my professional "track" to have this kiddo and caught hell from my family -- until he was born. Especially my mom was on my case and that was hard, because I could have used some back up. Whatever. As soon as Arlo was born, she fell in love with him and that was that.

I adore this kid. We had our problems like most families. Divorce, addiction, the whole nine yards.

Arlo sang before he spoke. One day, I was going to pick up his dad and Arlo was in the back seat and he broke out into Joan Baez's "Dida" song (Joni Mitchell did the harmony on the original track.) It had no words, just syllables.


Today, he's a successful a business man and he's a hot keyboard and bass player.



http://www.myspace.com/thejuniorpanthers

What a sweet soul you are, Arlo. I'm so lucky to be your mom. lol

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I'D DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT. You're the best thing I ever tried to do right.

[tool_of_the_people]

1. Happy Birthday, Arlo !

I wondered who Arlo Guthrie was named after, so I just looked it up.

"Arlo Davy Guthrie was named after a character in a series of publications called "Arlo Books" and Davy Crockett."

Link: http://www.mmone.org/content.php?nav=band&bid=34

[EFerrari]

20. I didn't know that!

Thanks!

[mopinko]

2. happy birthday arlo.

glad you have something to celebrate, beth.
if only we could see the ending at the beginning, how much more/less would we worry? being a mom is the craziest of experiences.

[EFerrari]

3. The thing is, we have these kids and then, they go out and live

their very own lives.

Bastids!

lol

:rofl:

[mopinko]

4. or so we hope.

like so many things- wishing for something we do not understand AT ALL.

[EFerrari]

5. Agree. I have another kid that is still out there.

I'm not sure I understand his situation AT ALL.

But, here's to celebrating small and unexpected and maybe unearned victories, Mo.

lol

:toast:

[mopinko]

17. aka luck

seems like most of what the world is made of, good luck or bad.

[EFerrari]

25. I can't quite agree but I'm sure you're not wrong.

:silly:

:hug:

[merh]

6. Happy Birthday, Arlo!

Happy birth day, mother of Arlo. :hug:

If he is anything like his mother, he is a special man, full of love and laughter and music and ideas and life.

I hope you both have a great day. :grouphug:

:loveya:

[EFerrari]

7. He really helped me out this year, and that isn't his job.

What a guy. I didn't know kids could do that. lol

:loveya:

:hug: to you, merh

[EFerrari]

8. The boy:

Nick on the left, Arlo on the right.



Happy birthday, Arlo. I'm so lucky to have you in my life. lol

[merh]

10. What a fine looking birthday fellow. Happy B-Day Arlo, for sure

they are both handsome men.

Not surprising, and if they have your humor and heart, what a great time you all must have at family gathers. :silly:

:loveya:

[merh]

9. I am so glad he has been there to help you out this year.

And he ain't a kid no more, it's good he stepped up to help out.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

15. He ISN'T a kid! How the HELL did that happen?

:rofl:

[merh]

38. It never ceases to amaze me

how little people grow up.

I mean, I haven't changed but they always do. :silly:

I hope Arlo had a great b-day and I hope mom did too. :hug:

:loveya:

[lizziegrace]

11. What a wonderful tribute

to both of you. My daughter is my greatest accomplishment. I know how you feel. :hug:

Happy Birthday to you both~

:)

[bigwillq]

12. Happy B-Day Arlo!

:bounce: :toast:

[EFerrari]

14. Thank you! It could have been worse!

I could have dropped him on his head or somethin. :silly:

[ceile]

13. Happy BDay, Arlo!

And I LOVE Swervedriver! Talk about a blast from the past!

[EFerrari]

16. Lol! Thanks, ceile.

:)

[saltpoint]

18. I wish Arlo the happiest of birthdays and would just suggest to him

that he has the classiest of moms.

Good wishes and congratulations all around!

"Dida" is top-draw stuff, too.

[EFerrari]

19. I think you're the only person I know who knows what that song

sounds like. Thanks, Old Crusoe. :)

[saltpoint]

21. And what a great gift to give to a young person -- music that not only

sounds wondrous but positively lifts and soars over the common earth.

It's great stuff.

I repeat the association between wondrous music and inspired, visionary parenting.

And I thank you for enrichening a new generation of voters and musicians, too.

[EFerrari]

23. (What kind of visionary gets pregnant at 19. lol)

But, you know, it's a double birthday today.

My mom struggled with alcoholism for over a decade. We nearly lost her about 50 times. The day Arlo was born, she found the strength to get clear of booze. Isn't that amazing?

(Happy birthday, Mom. )

[saltpoint]

24. There's good mothers at 19 and 39. It ain't the arithmetic, it's the

love.

It sounds as if you folks have paid your dues, and you're right -- there's more than one birthday going on.

And I hope a very good future with all good steps.

Put on that DIAMONDS AND RUST album later around midnight and bring August in like it was meant to be brung in!

[EFerrari]

26. Excellent idea!

:toast:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

22. Happy Birthday, Arlo! You're a lucky guy to have such a great mom

[EFerrari]

28. Lol! I can't tell you how much it's the other way around.

He raised me right! :)

[Ptah]

27. Happy Birthday to your son.

[EFerrari]

29. That's so beautiful! And, I want that hat.

lol

:hi:

[Ptah]

33. you mother

those were the days, my friend.

:hi:

[EFerrari]

36. Lookit! LOL!

:hi:

[saltpoint]

30. Whoa, Ptah. That photograph of Mrs. Johnson is a show-stopper.

Good find.

[Ptah]

34. She was a show-stopper.

:hi:

[Breeze54]

31. Happy B-Day, Arlo!! How old are you now?

[EFerrari]

32. I think he turned 33 today. And I can't believe it!

Just yesterday I was yelling at him to do his homework. Cr@P! I guess this means that my days of being 39 are very limited. :rofl:

[Breeze54]

35. 33??? WTF??

:rofl: I thought you were talking about a little kid but I feel the same...
...still, about my kids. *sigh* :hug:

It feels like yesterday, I was chasing them down the street, after they,
again, tore off their bathing suits and took off... bare assed naked!! :P

Little fuckers!! Little streakers!! :P


:rofl: :rofl:

[EFerrari]

37. That should be wallpaper!

:rofl:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

39. Happy Birthday, Arlo!

:toast: