Happy Birthday, Keystone Phil

[angus]

I totally found a 1957 100-lira coin on the ground today.  Weird.  I was just cruising home, sweating and pedaling, and saw it glinting on President avenue, just below Marietta.  It had obviously been run over many times.  Lots of marks on it, but it's a pretty coin.  Athena's head on one side (or Minerva, if you prefer Roman names), and Athena with a helmet on the reverse.  There's a huge statue of Minerva downtown, corner of King and Queen Streets.  At least I think it's Minerva, goddess of War and Wisdom.  She is flanked by a number of carved marble Union Soldiers, and names are carved into the stone of Lancastrians who paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve the union.  Poor bastards.  Anyway, all Lancastrians will know Athena's likeness because of that statue.  Don't know how long that 100-lira piece has been there, but it was pretty worn.  I couldn't even make out the words "REPVBLICA ITALIANA" till I got it home.  Then again, my eyes are 47 years old and I can't even make out the channel on my TV without my glasses.  Don't know what business I have riding my bicycle 48 minutes each way to and from work!  I guess I was just delighted that it's finally spring.  For real.  

Anyway, Phil, whether or not your gringo-florentine star makes the cut, enjoy the world cup.  And enjoy your special day!  Don't pick a fight and don't try to be smarter than everyone else in the room.  Even Minerva needs a day off.  Give her a rest.  Abbastanza!