Happy Birthday!

          There are a few things that I still miss about my 39 years of teaching.  One of those is celebrating my birthday on April 6.  On that day I would create mathematical clues to have my students discover my age.  Then I would celebrate by treating my students to good fresh doughnuts from Willow Valley.  But now the Willow Valley Bakery is no more and I am retired.  Life changes.

          So today you can be my student and solve the following.  My age is the product of five prime numbers, one of them used four times.  (Hint - I am not 112 although some days I feel that old,)  My age is a palindrome in bases 3, 6, 9, 15, 19 and 39.

          Now for you Bible students, I am the age that Moses was when he spoke to Pharaoh on behalf of his people.  The prophet Daniel was this old at the time of the banquet given by Belshazzar when he had to interpret the prophecy written on the wall of the royal palace.  This number is also used 16 times in the Bible.

          As far as what happened on the day I was born, with the exception of my birth, not much.  The invasion of Yugoslavia, also known as the April War or Operation 25, was a German-led attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers during World War II.   In the 8th US Masters Tournament at Augusta National Country Club - Craig Wood won his first major title, three strokes ahead of runner-up Byron Nelson.  And of course Gheorghe Zamfir, Romanian musician, and Hans W Geissendorfer, Augsburg Germany, director, were born the same day - whoever they were. 

          Now there were some "significant" things that happened on other April 6's. In 1722 Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, ended the tax on men with beards.  Maybe Trump should have brought that tax back to fund the wall.  In 1830 Joseph Smith and five others organized the Mormon church in Seneca Co, NY.  But they never found that one wife was enough.  In 1889 George Eastman began selling his Kodak flexible rolled film for the first time.  Do you remember what that was like?  In 1893 Andy Bowen and Jack Burke boxed 7 hrs 19 mins to no decision (111 rounds).  It's good they didn't have advertisements then to add hours more to that record.  In 1909 the North Pole was reached by Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson.  Fortunately they made it before climate change took over.  In 1930 Hostess Twinkies were invented by bakery executive James Dewar.  Now that was a tasteful event.   In 1973 Yankee Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in baseball and he walked.  And the American League was changed forever.  And in 1980 Post It Notes were introduced.  Now they are hanging everywhere.   So many interesting things happened on April 6, but I guess my birth didn't make the list.

          April 6 is a great day!  It's not really my birthday, it is the anniversary of my birth.  X number of years ago I was born in a hospital in Sunbury. My father was able to watch my appearance, something I never had the opportunity to do with the birth of my three sons. But sometime after my birth they tore down the hospital and moved it to another location (which is now also closed.).  I wonder if my birth had anything to do with that decision.  They never even asked me if they could do it.  But they did build a new junior high in that location so my wife could attend it more than a decade later.

          Now what are my plans for celebration this year?  Well two days before we'll celebrate Easter, isolated at home.  Because of Covid we can't be with our family or go out to eat.  This marks the second birthday that we are forced to celebrate this way.  The day before I will celebrate by getting my second covid shot, watching the NCAA basketball championship on television and watching the Phillies lose.   On my birthday I will take my wife for an appointment with her cardiologist.  And that will be my exciting birthday experiences for 2021.

           Now, have you solved my puzzles?  If not, this might help.  In Roman numerals I am LXXX.  Surely you remember Roman numerals from many years ago.   And in base two I am exactly 10100002 years old.  Now do you have it?  If so, then treat yourself to a doughnut.  I wish I could join you.

           Seriously I have so much to thank the Lord for over all of these years.  He has been my provider, my protector, my guide and my faithful friend.  And He is my Savior.  What more could I ask?

Some day life's journey will be o'er

And I shall reach that distant shore,

I'll sing while ent'ring Heaven's door

"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

If God should let me there review

The winding paths of earth I knew,

It would be proven clear and true

Jesus led me all the way.

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

And hitherto my Lord has led,

Today He guides each step I tread,

And soon in Heav'n it will be said

Jesus led me all the way.

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.