I assume you know the name: Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

If you’re guessed ex-President, you may continue.

He was a President, the 26th. But much more than that.

1. Historian
2. Governor of New York
3. Started the Bull Moose political party
4. Led the Rough Riders in the Spanish – American war
5. Nobel peace prize winner
6. The stuffed animal Teddy Bear was named for him
7. Championed conservation of natural resources
8. Big Game Hunter, promoted physical fitness
9. Ensured the completion of the Panama Canal
10. Survived assassination attempt

And… He and I have pretty much led similar lives!

He was born in 1858, I was born in 1956. Almost 100 years apart!
Different centuries, years, months and days. Yet, so many things in common!

He was in politics, I was in politics.
After being President as a republican, he started the Bull Moose Party (Progressive). 2 parties!
I was president of the local Young Democrats, went to college and then became President of the local Young Republicans!
2 parties! Uncanny!

Growing up, the more I read about TR (that’s how we refer to him) the more I wanted to be like him. He was the epitome of action! I even thought if I acted like TR I would grow up to be successful. I’d say “Bully” a lot too!

He led an adventurous life as a cowboy in the Wild West. A real hero.
I’ve ridden horses too.

In battle, he led the charge up San Juan Hill.
At my grade school, I led an “army” of 2nd graders against our enemies the 3rd graders!

I remember telling my dad about Teddy. I just knew that he would like him too. To my surprise, he said he didn’t. Of course if you knew my dad, he often took the opposite view to get a rise out you.

Why not like Teddy? Was it because my dad grew up in the depression and most people at that time worshiped TR’s cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt. No, he said. When he was younger he saw a movie, Arsenic and Old Lace, and a character in the film was an insane man who thought he was Teddy Roosevelt. My Dad said he thought in real life, TR must have been just as crazy, too.

TR is also known for negotiating a resolution to the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.
Got the Nobel prize for peace for that effort.

I once got a trophy, for golf – while negotiating 18 holes, I shot an 8 on hole #8 on August 8, 1988 (8/8/88)!
No easy feat, either!

I like to think that it was because of TR that led to my career negotiating contracts.
Or because of my “birth” order. I’m number 3 of five children. Middle child. Peace maker
Sometimes (always) I’d tell my siblings that I was the “bridge” bringing the older and younger ones together.

My kids still remember the “point to point” hikes we would take. Teddy did that too. We would go for hikes and would go through whatever got in our way; trees, fences, rivers.

Maybe not rivers.

“TR” “JT.” Cool initials.

I have a TR bobble head in my office. A gift from my sister and her husband. They own an “adult” toy store.

Let me rephrase that.
A “toy” store for adults.
I’ve told them if they would advertise the store the other way they’d probably sell more chess sets.

Although no one ever called him Teddy” that name was the inspiration for Teddy Bears!
Not sure if the name “John” refers to anything special, though.

A reporter once asked him about the antics of his daughter Alice, why he couldn’t control her.

Sir, TR replied, I can handle the country OR Alice, but I cannot handle them both!

I have 3 daughters and “handled” is not a word to describe my relationship with them either.
Fun loving, free spirited. They’re the cause of my “premature” silver hair!

He overcame asthma as a child to live a full active life.
I overcame bouts of sinus infections.
I’ve led an active live too.

While I’ve never hunted, I do enjoy physical activity. Once while boxing in the White House, TR was struck in one eye causing him to go blind in that eye.

I practice martial arts. Don’t think I’ve ever been hit in the ear, but pretty sure I’ve lost my hearing in at least one of them.

If you look hard enough, yes… Yes there are similarities between us! Amazing!

So celebrate Presidents Day and raise a glass to my favorite prez, TR!
Bully!
Wooly Bully!

JT
Enjoy the video below (which means click the link!)

Like me, I think he also loved all kinds of music too.
I’m pretty sure he wrote this song. Would have won a “Grammy” too, if the award was around back then.