The World of Grandpa Don

The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune:  The Joys of Reaching A Certain Age. A book  by ... Willard Scott and Friends .

I have contributed some of my thoughts to the book and so am one of the "Friends" and ... one of the "Regular Folk".

My involvement in this publication:

In the spring of 2002 I was the recipient of an email from Tracy Quinn McLennan of Adler & Robin Books, Inc. They were going to publish "Great Things About Getting Older", a book that includes reflections on life by people in their 70's, 80's, 90's, and beyond.  The publisher is Hyperion, the Walt Disney Publishing Company. The author of the book is Willard Scott, the weatherman from NBC's "Today Show."

Tracy had visited Grandpa Don's World and extended an invitation to submit a paragraph or a couple pages for possible inclusion in the book. After consulting with my kids and doing some thinking I decided to give it a go.

The problem was in boiling down my thoughts to something that will fit their limitations. It was be an interesting venture on my part.

I submitted my piece in June of 2002. The book title was revised to "The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune: The Joys of Reaching A Certain Age."

I find myself included as one of the "regular folk" along with some very famous people. Most contributions are very short but I have about 3-2/3 pages (large print - small pages) between Yogi Berra and Monty Hall. I also found myself quoted in the "Afterword" of the book.

About the book

From the Publisher:
A humorous and touching look at the joys of getting older, introduced by one of the Today show's beloved weathermen.

Willard Scott is famous for celebrating the wit and wisdom of age. In The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune, he asks a wide range of people, "What's the greatest thing about getting older?" From expressions of delight in senior citizen discounts to sage advice on life's challenges, the answers are always surprising, often moving, and sometimes very funny.

The book's contributors include:

-Ed Asner - Dr. Joyce Brothers - Helen Gurley Brown - Art Buchwald - George Bush, Sr. - Bill Cosby - Tony Curtis - Jimmy Dean - Phyllis Diller - Mamie Van Doren - Hugh Downs - Dominick Dunne - Betty Friedan - Peter Graves - Monty Hall - Don Hewitt - Bob Hope - Sybil Jason - Bil Keane - Kenny Kingston - Ed Koch - C. Evertt Koop - Jack :aLanne - Norman Lear - Dick Locher - Eugene McCarthy - Jayne Medows - Anne Meara - Robert Novak - Martin Perl - Jane Powell - Ned Rorem - Vidal Sassoon - Pete Seeger - William F. Sharpe - Liz Smith - Jerry Stiller - Dick Thornburgh - Stanfield Turner - Leaon uris - Jack Valenti - Mort Walker - Andy Williams

Also included are pieces from regular folk, such as the former mayor of a small town in Pennsylvania and a retired English teacher from Texas.

"If you don't really want to do something, you don't have to. Unless your wife says it's real important." --Yogi Berra

"For me one of the joys of being over 65 is that people have stopped trying to sell me life insurance." --John Updike

"You admit that money may be the root of all evil but there is one great soothing recommendation -- it keeps your children in touch with you." --Art Linkletter

"Getting older means having shorter breath, but being long-winded." --Maya Angelou

Whether you're turning 40, 60, or 85 -- there is something unique to discover about getting older.

Willard Scott, the Today show's weatherman since 1980, is also the host of Willard Scott's Home and Garden Almanac on Home and Garden Television. He has distinguished himself with his public service efforts and was recognized by President Ronald Reagan with the Private Sector Award for Public Service in 1985. Born March 7, 1934, in Alexandria, Virginia, he is married to the former Mary Dwyer. They are parents of two daughters, Mary and Sally, and proud grandparents of John and Sally Marie. He lives in the Washington, D.C., area.

An email sent to me.
Via this web site's "Feedback Form" 5/22/03

"I am currently reading Willard Scott's book "The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune" and just finished your essay. My husband of 44 years passed away in Feb. 2003 and I too have thought about writing a history for our children (3 daughters) and grandchildren (4 grandsons). There are so many things about me and my husband that they don't know. Your example has given me the impetus to get started. I, like you, am content with my life and do not wish to be young again. It's nice to have reached this stage of life in good health, to be able to relax and enjoy each day and not have the cares and worries of young parents. My faith in God is important to me and sees me through the rough spots. I thank God each day for his blessings. Best wishes. R."