At the Cohen breakfast table

Forty-two years ago today, good readers, my mother cast a vote for Lyndon B. Johnson and went into labor. I came into the world in Cambridge, Mass., a democrat ex nativate. The medievalist part came later.

When I was much younger I didn't think people could actually live this long. Now I discover my progeny suspect the same.

Kid #2: Happy birthday! You gonna have a pink cake and a hat. Aren't you daddy?

Kid #1: Just think, dad. You're so old, we'll be having your next party in a nursing home.

Me: Funny.

Kid #1: Need a shawl?