On January 28, I be 56 YEARS OLD.

I am born, January 28, 1956. And now I BE 56. That is the same number. Hunh. I like that.

Now I not be 55 any more. But I like that, be 55. It is a good year. But I be 56, now that’s bether!

Now I going to be a old, old man. But I like it.

You know what? Alan Alda born on January 28. Plays on M.A.S.H. I like that show, and it is so funny.

Know who else born on January 28? Is Elijah Wood, plays that hobbit in Lord of the Rings. I not like that movie, it’s too scary for me.

This is my brother Tom. And me.

Now, I got a good one for my brother Tom, loves art. Know who else born on January 28? Is Jackson Pollock. And Jackson Pollock DIED in 1956. Not me, I be BORN in 1956. That’s bether. But my nathew Warren and my brother Tom did paint like Jackson Pollock and my sister put that up over Warren’s windows, hah looks nice. You like it. I like Warren’s room when Warren comes home from college. I get a big, big hug on my nathew.

And nother one born on January 28 is Claes Oldenburg, nother artist, makes big, big sculptures like clothespin and bowling pins. I take care of my mom’s laundry for her, foldem up for her. And I play bowling on that WII with my neighbor name is Richard.

AND, nother one born on January 28 is my friend from church, Dr. Boggan. He is my doctor. Dr. Boggan says I’m doing pretty good for a old, old man.

This is my family, clapping for me.

You born on January 28? No? Well, I am, and it is big, special day. Everybody is so nice to me. You be nice to me, I like that. I be nice to you on your birthday, I promise, you mind me. But on MY birthday, is on Saturday, you not forget  it, okay? And if you forget, you tell me on Sunday. I like it, my birthday last a long, long time.

I hope I get a big surprise on my birthday. But not a box of frogs.

Now I gotta big surprise for you. It is a recipe. My sister make that up for me special, I drink it I go to her house for dinner. My brother John like it, too. I hope you like it!

The January 28 Cocktail

Fill a glass with crushed ice.
Fill it one-third full with pomegranate juice.
Fill it to the top with plain seltzer.
Spritz with lime juice, and add a thin lime slice for garnish.

Try it! It’s good! An my sister says it’s got antioxidants, keep me in good shape! Cheers!

My famous January 28 Cocktail. Cheers!

Love,

Billy

Hi, everybody, happy Wednesday! Today I go to work, but first I like to tell you bout my trip. I did go to Charlotte with my sister, my brother -law, and my mom. Tom finished the labyrinth and had a big, big celebration.

My sister did order lots of cards, got beautiful pictures from my brother Tom on it. I did count out 12 envelopes, make a little stack. Count 12 more envelopes, put it on the stack, too. Now my sister put cards in boxes for me, all different ones. I hold out my hand. I count 1-2-3, then I go to the next box. I count 1-2-3, then I go to the next box. I count 1-2-3, then I go to the next box. I count 1-2-3, and then there’s no more boxes. I put the cards in the box. My sister opens up the little box, give that to my mom, and my mom takes the stack and puts it in the little box, and close it up. Now it looks all nice, and we take all the boxes to that labyrinth so people can buy them.

Billy and Jane count envelopes for the notecards decorated with Tom's labyrinth studies.

I like to help, and I’m good. I worked for a long, long time, then I try to watch All My Children, but I don’t know how to use Tom and Sheila’s TV, but that’s okay. I just had lunch, get me a little nap. After that, we have a nice dinner. My sister-law is a good, good cook, and she makes a little white thing with chocolate in it, and put a candle in it for me, cuz Tom and Sheila not make it to Kingsport on my birthday. I like that, got me another birthday again. And they did give me a present, too.

Tom brings Billy's birthday desserts to the table. Happy Birthday... again!

Saturday is so, so busy. Tom and my sister and my brother-law did go to the labyrinth early, got a lot of work to do, take all the little boxes. Sheila take me and my mom (but Olive is Sheila’s dog and she stays home) to the labyrinth. Whew, that’s a LOT of people!

We did get dressed up, and I got to sit next to my brother-law Jos. He let me wear his sunglasses cuz it’s so bright it hurts my eyes. My brother did talk and my mom did read little poem bout the labyrinth. My sister write that poem. My sister cord it all on that video. Miss Almetto was there and she loves me! She likes me and my family in my mom’s book Grown Man Now.  I talk to her and my mom long time, have me a Coke and a snack.

I’m proud of my brother. We had a great day. Then we drive back to Kingsport. And then me and my Mom are so tired. I like my vacation in Charlotte. I like that labyrinth.

You like to read bout it, it’s in the paper. Here’s the little link.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/11/2132089/her-gift-to-us-a-path-to-peace.html

Tom Schulz and Almetto Alexander, interviewed at the Dedication of the Labyrinth

Tom is my brother – Tom Schulz the Artist. He paints pictures and fixes things. He made me a media center and builds labyrinths. September 11 is his birthday. For his present, I want to ask all my friends to help him build a special labyrinth.

A lady named Almetto Alexander (that’s a hard one) asked Tom to build it. It will be built in Charlotte near a YMCA. It is different because it brings together lots of people. It will help them know each other and like each other. You can read about it in the link below.

I love birthdays. I ask Tom what he wanted for his birthday. He said he just wants to build Almetto’s labyrinth. Will you help me give him his present?

Thank you.

Love, Billy

Read about Mrs. Almetto Alexander’s labyrinth!

Click the blue button to donate. You can donate on facebook, too! Look for almetto and you find it!