Happy birthday, Bing!

Today would have been Bing Crosby's birthday.

Talk about Mr. Smooth. I love to listen to his radio shows (bring 'em back as quickly as you can, Sirius/XM!). He stars in several films I enjoy, including "Holiday Inn," "High Society" and the "Road" pictures with Bob Hope.

The only real bizarre thing I ever heard him attempt was a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now." It wasn't bad; it just wasn't meant for Bing.

Happy birthday, Bing! "Ba boo ba boo ba boo boo boo boo!"

Also, on a personal note, today would have been my late Grandfather Wayne Wyatt's 82nd birthday. He passed away in September.

I am thankful that he is no longer in pain and that he didn't live long enough for Alzheimer's  to ravage his mind to the point he didn't recognize us.

Thinkin' about ya today, Pap.

'Harbor Lights' on Saturday night

Survived a stop at the ER yesterday afternoon.

Whew. Surprising diagnosis, but everything is going to be fine.

Meanwhile, I am taking it easy. Also, remember my wifey, if you will. She is in some serious pain and is worried she may have to have surgery.

Tonight, I caught an old episode of "The Bing Crosby (radio) Show" on Sirius/XM. From 1950. Guest star Dick Powell. Bing was crooning "Harbor Lights."

Guaranteed to cure what ails ya!

Ba boo, ba boo, ba boo boo boo boo...

Tuning the dial to the mists of time...

I love old-time radio.

I know what you're thinking. "Here Mabe goes again. He's standing at the corner of Nostalgia and Anachronism."

I don't care. I love it.

(I still prefer listening to the news on the radio than on television, such as I can get it. CBS Radio News. NPR. BBC World Service.)

I like to listen at night, just before bedtime. It is relaxing. It is fun.

Sirius/XM has a great OTR channel, but I still like to listen to the shows a la carte. My favorite website is www.otr.net. My favorite show is Jack Benny's. He invented the modern sitcom as we know it. I've gotten to laughing at these things so much I can't get to sleep. That was entertainment, baby.

I also love "Gunsmoke." Entertaining. Inventive, especially with its sound effects. Trivia: Marshal Dillon was played by William Conrad. Chester was played by Parley Baer. Doc was played by Howard McNear. (The last two were part of "The Andy Griffith Show" cast.)

Radio shows aren't as passive as TV. You have to use your imagination. My pictures are still better than those on the boob tube, even on "Gunsmoke."

Plus, it's a lot of fun.