"The Land of Counterpane" by Robert Louis Stevenson

Whenever I have a nasty cold, or flu, like now, and I am forced to take to bed, I think of this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is no coincidence that he is also one of my favorite childhood authors, having given me such memorable playmates as Long John Silver in "Treasure Island", and David Balfour in "Kidnapped." So, as I've said, it is not unusual for me to pick up that old poetry book my Mom gave me in 1962, "The Golden Book of Poetry", and flip to page 59 to read "The Land of Counterpane." It doesn't have any medicinal value at all, it's more like "Chicken Soup for The Soul."

The gift of a book to a child can be a wonderful thing. Think of it - this book, which was given to me so many years ago, has provided me with solace and comfort so often, that it would be impossible to put a price upon it.

"The Land of Counterpane"

When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay,
To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.

I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.

Robert Louis Stevenson

William Zantzinger - Rural Aristocrat

This is a photo of William Zantzinger, in handcuffs, being led from The Emerson Hotel in Baltimore, after having bludgeoned Hattie Carroll into a coma, and subsequently her death, for not moving fast enough when serving him. The date was February 8th, 1963.

I was listening to some old Bob Dylan today when I was reminded of his song, "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll", which became a rallying cry in the cause of Civil Rights. This is a link to Bob Dylan performing the song sometime in 1964.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTRUe33hC1U&feature=related

The story behind the song is interesting in 2 ways. Let's start on the bus coming back from Washington DC after the "I Have A Dream Speech" on August 28th, 1963. The assault of Ms. Carroll had taken place in February of that year, but was confined mostly to the local papers. Mr. Dylan, riding the bus back to NY, read about the trial and wrote the song in NY at his apartment, later finishing it at Joan Baez' home in Nyack. He recorded it in October and and began to sing it around the country at protest marches. Although never a monster hit, the song is an important one, in that is is based entirely on fact, although Dylan cleverly omits the "t" in Zantzinger, which was helpful when Mr. Zantzinger tried to sue him for slander.

I was totally unfamilar with this story until I moved to Baltimore in 1981.When I first lived there the Emerson Hotel was in it's last days. The place was enormous and had a fine restaurant on the ground floor. A friend of mine worked there as a waitress until she was fired for being underage. But she was the one who first introduced me to the story behind the song. At the time of the actual event, I was only 10 years old and living in Brooklyn. I have no recollection of the story at the time, and never would have dreamt that I would one day not only be a regular visitor to the hotel, but that I would meet one of the kitchen staff who had been on duty the night Hattie Carroll was beaten by William Zantzinger. These are the agreed upon events and the order in which they unfolded;

Mr. Zantzinger, along with his wife, began to drink early on the afternoon of Friday February 8th, 1963, and continued on into the night. He was a nasty drunk, at times verbally and physically abusive, even to his wife. During his druken spree he struck one of the bellhops with his cane and shouted at a waitress, "Hey, niger, bring me a drink." He was so drunk that at one point he collapsed on top of his wife while they were dancing. He then returned to the bar, demanding another drink from Hattie Carroll, the 51 year old black barmaid. She had a family of 11 children and also had heart problems. Addressing him politely she said, "Just a minute, sir." This enraged the drunken Zantzinger. Blacks did not act that way in his native Charles County, and he was not used to waiting for anything.

He began to verbally abuse Ms. Carroll, while at the same time striking her about the head with his cane. She immediately served him the bourbon that he had demanded and then stepped away from the bar, remarking to her co-workers that "that man has done got me ill."

An ambulance was called but it was already too late. Hattie Carroll would die the next day as the result of a stroke brought on by the indignity of being struck by Mr. Zantzinger.

Zantzinger was a "rural aristocrat", meaning that he was the son of an influential local planter, and as such, was treated with kid gloves during both his trial and sentencing. He was even freed after the sentencing so that he could finish harvesting his crops, which were substantial in value when compared to the life of a mother of 11. He subsequently did six months in jail, where he was treated as a celebrity, and additionally was fined $625.

After his sentence he returned to his home, had 3 kids, divorced, married again and moved to another county where he sold real estate until his death sometime in the 1990's. He died never having expressed remorse for his crime.

"The Apostle" with Robert Duvall, Miranda Richardson, Billy Bob Thornton and Farah Fawcett

A very unusual film, this is the second time I have watched it. It took me twice to get the message. Robert Duvall plays the Apostle, a self proclaimed, and somewhat flawed man, married to the long suffering Farah Fawcett. When she leaves him, his rage boils over and he kills her boyfriend. He then sets out on his journey as The Apostle, set on spreading the word of Jesus and settling wherever his journey may take him

He arrives in a a small town somewhere in Texas, quickly befriending a legendary local pastor who has left the calling. Rallying the local people isn't too hard, as there is nothing else for them in this small back water place but God and faith, both of whom have been absent for a while. They quickly cling to Robert Duvall and through their assistance he manages to set up a local church that serves to revitlize the spirits of the congregants. He is happy with his accomplishments,, while still dreaming of a reconciliation with his wife. But there is a warrant out on him for murder, which does catch up, posing the question as to whether or not the good we do ever really vindicates the evil we have left behind.

With excellent performances by all, I was especially surprised by the apperance of June Carter Cash, and the depth and authenticity of her performance. The movie was filled with beautiful string, and even zydeco music. Billy Bob Thorton is wonderful in his brief appearance as a man who wants to do right, but it does take a moment of truth before he finally makes the right decision.

Another surprise performance was by Walton Goggins, of "The Shield", since which he has has become somewhat typecast as a thug, in a role that really lets you see the depth of his acting abilities. Lets' hope he can get back to roles such as this one, where he really shines as a simple man of faith, lost, and looking for answers wherever he can find them. He represents the truly faithful. And while the law does finally catch up with The Apostle, the changes he has brought to the community remain. Perhaps that is the point. But the question still remains, do we ever escape our own judgements? The ending of the film addresses that, and you will see how if you watch the film. I'm no spoiler...

At a little over 2 hours, this 2003 film is a bit long, and perhaps that is what put me off the first time I watched. But stick with it, if only for the outstanding performances of the entire cast, as well as the lush scenery of Southern Texas and Louisiana. This is a very nuanced and slowly paced film, with a lot to offer, if you take the time to really watch it.

"The Lion of Liberty" by Harlow Giles Unger

Patrick Henry was a complex man. We all remember him as the patriot who thundered the immortal words, "Give me Liberty, or give me Death." In school that's about all they tell you about him. But he was so much more. And Mr. Unger does his level best to make sure that we see this extraordinary man from all angles.

One of the most overlooked of our "Founding Fathers", Patrick Henry came from a family of lawyers. Several generations, in fact. His faher was the presiding judge in the Virginia County in which they lived.

At that time in Virginia, farmers of tobacco were obligated to cede a portion of their crop to the Anglican Church. The Church then sold this crop for a profit as a means to survive. But what happened when a bad season ruined the crops through drought, or even flood? When the weather didn't co-operate and the farmers bought in no crop, the Parsons wanted their money anyway, even at the cost of bankrupting the farmers. The Colonial Governor authorized the "Two Penny Act", which guaranteed the Parsons 2 cents per pound of tobacco, even in bad years.

The Parsons complained to the King, after all, with tobacco scarce the price had gone up and they wanted more than their usual share of the profits. The King agreed and nullified the act of his own Governor. The Parsons then filed suit for the monies owed them, but at the higher rate, which would bankrupt most of the planters. The planters, in turn, called upon Patrick Henry, who had never tried a case in court before, for their Defense. The fate of nearly every farmer in Virginia was resting on this young and untested attorney. This case became known as "The Parson's Cause."

With the keen eye of a surgeon he took the position that there was a contract between the Crown and the People. The people worked and a portion of that work went to the Crown for protection in times of war, stable governance and economic well being. When the King nullified the Two Penny Act, which had been drafted by his own Governor, in Mr. Henry's opinion, the Crown broke that contract, freeing the people to do as they would.

When Mr. Henry won the case the King came up with the Stamp Act. The British hoped that by requiring the affixing of tax stamps to all legal documents, and newspapers, enough money would be generated to pay for the British soldiers who provided protection against Indians in the Western Colonies. The King's aim may have been legitimate, but his timing couldn't have been worse. The whole episode caused the colonists to convene the "Stamp Act Congress." The Revolution was underway.

This is a very well written, and somewhat complex look, at a man who was well ahead of his time in almost every facet of his life. He was a proponent of Abolition, yet, like most of the Founding Fathers, held slaves. He was a devout family man, and as gregarious a character as his compatriot Thomas Jefferson. An avid fiddler, he often frequented the local pub to play his fiddle after a victory in court. Shortly after his brilliant victory in the Parson's Cause case, he became the most sought after attorney in the colony of Virginia.

The book follows Mr. Henry through the years of the Revolution, showing the part he played in making it happen. Thomas Jefferson once said of him, that "Mr. Henry gave the first impulse to the ball of the Revolution." High praise, coming as it did from Mr. Jefferson!

Mr. Unger has done a wonderful job of pulling together the many pieces of history that comprise the story of the American Revolution. He follows the path of Patrick Henry throughout the War, as the colonists struggle to attain their Independence from the Crown. The author follows the Colonial Army as it barely survives the winter at valley Forge, and Mr. Henry rides throughout the colonies, in an effort to keep the troops supplied with clothing, food and ammunition.

This is an insightful read into the causes, and eventual triumph, of the American Revolution, as well as an exciting chronicle of the life of one it's principal players. Set, as it is, against the backdrop of a changing Europe and the War between France and England, the book also explores some of the petty, and not so petty, differences that were dividing our own leaders at the time. The debate on whether to revolt or not, during which Patrick Henry unleashed his famous quote, is but a small part of a large and grandiose story that would come to affect the whole world.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I mean it. This has been a rough year for so many people as the economy continues to shrink, wars rage and the conflicts of the world continue to divide us all. And that's not counting all the victims of the earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, floods and famines.

I hope that whoever you are, and wherever you may be today, that you will truly take a moment to reflect on the things in our lives that really count. Being thankful for your family, friends and the blessings of a safe and warm place to sleep, with something to eat when you wake up, would be a good place to begin...

"Before the Deluge" by Jackson Browne

This is the closing song to Jackson Browne's 1974 album "Late For the Sky." It seems so applicable to current events, then, as well as now. This video link is from a 1976 TV appearance;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH4nyQqmqU4&feature=related

"Before the Deluge"

Some of them were dreamers
And some of them were fools
Who were making plans and thinking of the future
With the energy of the innocent
They were gathering the tools
They would need to make their journey back to nature
While the sand slipped through the opening
And their hands reached for the golden ring
With their hearts they turned to each other's heart for refuge
In the troubled years that came before the deluge

Some of them knew pleasure
And some of them knew pain
And for some of them it was only the moment that mattered
And on the brave and crazy wings of youth
They went flying around in the rain
And their feathers, once so fine, grew torn and tattered
And in the end they traded their tired wings
For the resignation that living brings
And exchanged love's bright and fragile glow
For the glitter and the rouge
And in the moment they were swept before the deluge

Now let the music keep our spirits high
And let the buildings keep our children dry
Let creation reveal it's secrets by and by
By and by...
When the light that's lost within us reaches the sky

Some of them were angry
At the way the earth was abused
By the men who learned how to forge her beauty into power
And they struggled to protect her from them
Only to be confused
By the magnitude of her fury in the final hour
And when the sand was gone and the time arrived
In the naked dawn only a few survived
And in attempts to understand a thing so simple and so huge
Believed that they were meant to live after the deluge

Now let the music keep our spirits high
And let the buildings keep our children dry
Let creation reveal it's secrets by and by
By and by...
When the light that's lost within us reaches the sky

"Paper Heart" with Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera

Charlyne Yi and her friend, director Nicholas Jasenovec, set off across America to find the true meaning of love. Charlyne maintains that it does not exist. They start by asking people at malls and in parking lots just what is love? They then go on to Universities and consult with Professors of Chemistry and Psychology in order to find the answer.

This is a documentary. With a twist. It becomes a love story. Why? Because, as we all know, love often finds you when you least expect it, and not always when it is convenient.

Nicholas and Charlyne interview married couples of 50 years to find the secret of their success. They interview young children in a playground in order to obtain a more innocent impression of just what makes up this thing we call love.

But when Charlyne meets a young man named Michael at a party, while being filmed, you can see it happening. And it keeps on happening as the filming progresses. This film will make you laugh out loud, and when it's done, you'll be grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. Just like being in love. A wonderful, offbeat and unusual film.