May 2025

In a Galaxy Near You...

Almost 48 years ago
In Vancouver, Canada,
Peter enticed me
To take him to see
The original Star Wars movie.
We were both enthralled.
Of course.
This guy George Lucas
Had found a way to talk
To both of us…
In fact, to everyone
In our whole galaxy.

What we didn’t know
Was that the flick
Suffered something
Called “production difficulties.”
Seems the cast and crew
Believed the film
Would be a failure
PLUS
With tons of delays,
It was $3 million over budget.

Of course, we now know,
Via our ever-accurate
Hindsight,
This iconic first
Iteration of
The ever-expanding franchise
Ended up almost out-grossing
Top grosser Gone With the Wind.
And made household names
Of both its actors
And their characters.

Eventually Peter
Took his own sons
To see Star Wars
As well as subsequent
Titles as they
Were added.
Now we have
Multi-generational
Touchstones...
All from that 1977
Genesis.
...
Before the internet
We phoned each other
To say
Happy Luke Skywalker Day!
When email came along,
We continued digitally
And I’ve been
Adding my wishes
To you via my calendars
On and off for fifteen years.
This year is an ON-year.

I invite you to join us
In the throng.
In 2027 it’ll be 50 years!
Get ye ready!
...
If this isn't nice, what is?
              ~ Kurt Vonnegut, of course