Reviews of books that have held my interest. And things that happen along the way.
I have made it simpler to leave a comment. Just hit the comment selection and choose anonymous at the bottom- Or at my yahoo;
robertrswwilliams@yahoo.com
And let's not forget my friends at the Public Libraries!Most of my selections come from the Libraries listed on my sidebar. They are a great resource and a wonderful use of our tax dollars.
Have you hugged a Librarian today?
I used to live around the corner from the Washington Monument in Baltimore, Maryland and the
park which surrounds it. Sitting on a circular plot surrounded by the Peabody Conservatory
on one corner; and the old Methodist Church on another; across from the Walther’s
Art Gallery; this was the centerpiece of uptown Baltimore, which is less than a
mile inland; or north; of the Harborplace.
Living in this area was a pure delight. There are many fine
restaurants and stores, and housing is fairly reasonable. I used to have a
furnished room in an old boarding house on Cathedral Street, simply because I
had never lived that way before; with a toilet down the hall. It was different,
and I’m glad to have had the experience. It was kind of like living in the Old
West.
I must have lived in that neighborhood; on and off; for several years and never got to climb the monument. But a few years after I was married Sue and I returned to the neighborhood with our daughter Sarah, who was about 3 at the time, and decided to climb it. And I’m glad we did, as I could never make that climb again today!
I carried Sarah most of the way up while Sue took the great photo which appears as my masthead. It’s one of my favorite photos and hangs by my bed. These other photos were also taken by Sue at various stages on the way up. And she has her own version of this story, so I’ll let her tell you about it in her own words.
“Robert and I love to visit historical sites and this day we
were going to the climb the Washington Monument in Baltimore. Being young and
fit, I couldn't imagine that I would pay for this excursion physically for a
week. As I approached the inside, I saw a circular stairway going straight up
and we began the climb. I started holding Sarah and quickly handed her over to
Robert.
Within a few circles going up I could feel this was going to be a challenge.
I had to slow down my pace as I was feeling dizzy but that was going to be the
least of my worries. About a quarter of the way, the back of my legs were
starting to ache. I didn't understand as I am a walker and often took long
walks; holding children as I did so. My friend Betty and I would walk up the
hills of ‘Keswick’ during our lunch hour at work and I walked in the evening to
wind down from the day.
We lived in a house with stairs and I took the stairs
at work. Why were my legs aching? I continued the climb, each small circle going
higher and higher I had to push myself to make it to the top. I was no help
with Sarah, Robert had to carry her the whole way, I barley was carrying myself.
The view from the top was breathtaking, it was a beautiful day and I was able
to take some great pictures.
While we standing there together looking out, I told
Robert that I had to remember this view as I was sure I would never be able to
ever make this climb again. Down we went, same circular route, and the trip
down only added to make the ache into pain. At home with Motrin and rest, I was
sure this would pass.
No – a whole week of heating pads, ice, pain kills and I
could still barley walk. I managed to get to work but had to use the elevator and
hold on to the railings and walls to propel myself forward. I've seen a few circular stairways since this torturous
trip up the monument but I stay below and remember that I got some great photos
but at what price. : )”
Note: I write poetry and short verse on just about anything. Most of it gets trashed shortly after the writing. But this one survived. It was written in 2010 outside a fried chicken place in Cornelius, NC. At the time I wasn't sure if I was going to see 2011- never mind 2015! So, this was written for Sue. I have reworked the poem by removing two words and bringing the meter into line throughout. It's 10/9 all the way through now without the burdensome extra words. Hey, I wrote it on a bag of chicken. You should see the one called "Written on a Bag of Chicken at 60 MPH!" It's a quick one.
I first posted this
in 2012. It’s still a relevant question we never like to ask; for whom do we
mourn? Is it for the afflicted, or is it for ourselves?
It shook me up
to see you lying there.
The blood on the floor
made me scared.
Never felt so helpless
and didn't know what to do.
Was I thinking of me,
or thinking of you?
It's hard to say
what scares us the most.
The loss of your lover
or the love that you've lost.
Either way's a loser;
a turn of the cards.
While all the time you're thinking,
"God, why's life so hard?"
This was my reaction
to Sue’s accident in the garage back in 2012. She gashed her head and had 6
stitches. I was worried about her, and also thinking of me being left alone;
calling into question whether I am a good man, or a bad man.
This live version of "Sad and Blue" is one of my favorite Valentine's Day songs. It always evokes images in my head of dining along the banks of the Seine, with Notre Dame in the background and a bottle of wine on the table.
February 14th is a very special day at my house. Not only is it Valentine's Day, but it's also my daughter Sarah's 28th Birthday!
This is me holding Sarah about 2 days after she was born. She was a handful!
This is the monument from which the masthead photo for Rooftop Reviews was taken. If you're reading this I assume that you have noticed that photo before. My only problem with it is the size. It's too big and I have thought of replacing it, but the photo has a special place in my heart. Let me tell you about it...
I was living in Baltimore in 1983 when I met my wife, Sue. I lived 2 blocks from the Washington Monument- no, not the one in Washington, D.C., but the first one, built with public lottery funds. Beginning in 1799, $100,000 was collected, and in 1815 work was begun. In 1829 the 178 foot tall Doric column with Washington standing atop, opened to the public. They thronged to ascend the 228 steps to the top of the city's highest vantage point of the time.
It is still one of the most beautiful of the many monuments in Baltimore. Sue and I used to walk and talk there in the evenings when we were first seeing one another. After a while I tricked her into marrying me and we moved out to the County to raise our family.
Fast forward to about 1994. The Monument had been closed for some years due to interior structural problems. A Citizens Committee had resolved these issues and the Monument (located on Monument and Charles Streets) was now open again. You could, for a $1 contribution, climb to the top. And so, we did. Sue took several photos looking in all directions. My favorite is this one- looking North up Charles St.
In the foreground and to the right is the Methodist Church made with green stone from local quarries. The Church sits across from the unseen Peabody Institute of Music and the Walthers Art Gallery. Looking further to the rear and in the center is the 13 story Belvedere Hotel which was also home to the Engineers Society of Maryland at the time. The whole monument sits in an oasis of a park that bisects Charles Street.
The best part of the memory associated with this photo is the actual climb up a circular stairway reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty. The brick and mortar interior was eerie and a little damp- ideal in the summertime, cool- like a cave. With several openings at different levels there were some beautiful vistas of the harbor and surrounding areas. But I always liked the view from the top best of all.
I think it's because we made the climb with me carrying our daughter most of the way. And when we were done we were so exhausted, coming out into the heat of a summer’s day. But it's something that we did together and really enjoyed. The original of this photo hangs in our bedroom. It serves as a reminder to us of all the climbs we have made together through the years.
July 4th, 1986 came and the wedding was set for
4PM at the Church with a reception to follow at the Greenspring Valley Golf and
Hunt Club. We were set up in a big tent on the edge of the golf course with the
food catered and a large ice sculpture done by the Chef at the Club.
My best man, Seth Herman, and my friend Michael Held, were
both on hand at the church to handle any problems associated with Ben; who
lived around the corner; should he decide to make an appearance. I think the
plan was to put him in the trunk of a car until Sue and I were gone, but
nothing ever did happen.
4 PM came and Sue was late and I was worried and pissed
off. She arrived 10 minutes later and I took my place at the Altar as she began
the march down the aisle with Keith and Shane. I was overcome with the beauty
of her walking towards me to spend our lives together.
Arriving at the Altar she turned to face me and we held
hands. The Pastor blessed us and did the vows. I was crying the whole time.
Whether it was from release that the last 2 years were behind us or because I
would never know how our courtship would’ve gone without all the problems, I
can’t really say. But I was very happy when Sue said I do and the Pastor
pronounced us Man and Wife.
We went to the reception and it was really very nice. The
weather was just perfect- not hot and no rain. We had about 80 people in all,
including my Dad and his new wife Alice. My favorite Aunt Gloria and Uncle
Bobby were there also. And they had bought along Nana, my Grandmother on my
Dad's side. She was very happy and smiling. It was the last time I would ever
see her and I am happy to remember her like that.
Most of the reception is a blur. I remember leaving and
the boys were looking a bit apprehensive, wondering if we were ever going to
come back for them. They were staying with their Grandma Marlene and her
husband Grant. Sue and I were going to Mexico. Our plane didn’t leave until the
following morning so we stayed at the hotel by the airport.
We got in the room and Sue went to change clothes- coming
out of the bathroom ready to consummate our marriage. I was busy with the
envelopes we had received as presents. Sue told me to put them down, “Don’t you
want to see what’s under here?” she said, referring to the sexy outfit she had
on. I looked at her and said, “I know what’s under there- I want to see what’s
in the envelopes!”
Fixing me with a hard look in her eyes she said, “Put the
envelopes down and consummate our marriage.” I did- but then went back to the
envelopes…
The next morning we flew to Cancun, Mexico. At the time
Cancun was new, having just been created on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico as
an economic way out of the devastation wrought by a bad hurricane a couple of
years before that had virtually wasted their economy. Also the traditional tourist
areas of Tijuana, Mexico City and Acapulco were plagued with crime. Cancun
would be the new tourist destination. Surrounded by Inca ruins there was a lot
to see and do.
Our first night was a misadventure. The hotel had us on
the 7th floor with a beautiful view of the sea. But the room was sweaty- it was
actually humid and there was moisture on the walls! We called the front desk
and they said they would be right up. After an hour or so we called again. This
time they said there was no one available to fix anything until the morning. We
asked for a new room and were told there were none. We tried to stay in the
room but it was really uncomfortable. Usually I would be a screaming maniac in
order to get my due, but I didn’t want Sue thinking she had made a mistake in
marrying me so I had to be calm.
By midnight we had finally agreed on a course of action.
Taking our luggage we went down to the lobby and set up on the sofas. We even
brought pillows down with us. The manager asked what we were doing. We told him
we couldn’t move until the morning when our air conditioning was fixed. A room
was found immediately on the 3rd floor. This was actually an improvement
because we could seee the iquanas on the beach and began feeding them with the
chocolate covered almonds from the snack bar in our room. At $6 a pack the
iquanas were very appreciative and began hanging out beneath our windows.
The next day we began exploring, signing up for all the
tours to the ruins. Sue wanted to see the Pyramids. We took a bus and headed
off to see them. When we got there a little kid was selling ices and was really
aggressive at it. I told him no about 10 times before he went away. Sue and I
made the climb up and then back down. By this time we were sweating and
thirsty. Spying the boy with the ices I went to get some. When he recognized me
he said, “No ices for you Senor!” before huffily walking away. Kind of like the
Soup Nazi on Seinfeld!
One day we went snorkeling and after we were through were
resting at the edge of the lagoon. I saw a rowboat, abandoned and drifting
towards the mouth of the lagoon. Having some sense of respect for small boats I
dove in and did a power crawl type stroke to overtake the boat. I flopped into
it and rowed back to shore thinking I had impressed my bride with my aquatic
prowess. Sue went to use the ladies room and I went to the bar for a drink.
That’s when all the exertion I had put forth hit me. I never even got to order.
I passed out and slid to the floor! Sue attributes this to the ices I had eaten
in a small village we passed through on the way. They were really good, but in
retrospect they probably contributed to this whole ordeal.
Coming to after only a few seconds I tried to get some
help but no one would pay any attention to me! I started to crawl out of the
shack that was a bar on the edge of the jungle trail. I didn’t get very far
before I had to stop and just lay there, sweating and heaving. The Mexicans
that passed me pronounced me a “Gringo addicto,” a drug addict. The Americans
who passed me by took me for a drunk Mexican. But no one would help me!
Sue was with the tour bus which was about to leave. She
would not go without me and so they came back to find me. I think they were
afraid of getting into trouble if they lost an American. I was carried back to
the bus and the driver mixed Coca Cola with salt and made me drink it. Before
long I was back to myself but I think I scared the hell out of Sue! The rest of
our time was spent in the markets and shops buying souvenirs and gifts for the
kids.
The time passed too quickly and we were home again. But it was a beautiful trip and made me realize how empty all my previous travels had been without someone special by my side. Now we were home and it was time to find a real job.
Sue and I are still together as of this writing. But who knows, she could always change her mind...
This cartoon is for you
Aliyah and Trinity. Grandma Sue is visiting you guys and I thought since I can’t
be there myself, I’d post this for you. I also sent some Grandpa hugs which you
can collect from Grandma. I wonder if you will be able to tell the difference.
Love to both of you… XXOO Grandpa Robert
I’m one of those people who believe that everything has
feelings. Even inanimate objects can elicit feelings of sympathy from me. Take
a car as an example. We use it all day, and then leave it alone in the night,
subject to the cold of winter and the sweltering heat of summer. It may sound
crazy, but this has always made me feel kind of bad for whatever car I have
owned. They serve me so well, yet they get treated just like any other tool;
used for a purpose and then tossed aside until needed again.
That’s what really caught my emotions in this Walt Disney
cartoon from 1951. The title says 1952, but the copyright is 1951, so I’m going
with that date. The story begins with a man enamored of the automobile he sees
in the window at the dealership. It’s almost as if she is calling out to him to
take a drive, which he does.
From there the cartoon takes off, showcasing each aspect of
a car’s life as seen from an almost human perspective. I had never seen this
cartoon before, but it could’ve been lifted right from my imagination. Enjoy
the cartoon; I’m going to take my car out for a tank of Premium. If the
adventures of Little Susie are any indication of reality, then my car deserves
it!
Note: This cartoon
has gotten more "hits" than all of the Popeye cartoons combined.
Something about this cartoon hits a nerve with many people. They seem to
identify with either the car, or the driver.
We all love our cars. It's one of the only
times we really get to be alone. We listen to our music, think out loud, and
sing aloud, basically getting to be ourselves in the privacy of our
automobiles. Some of us even eat there, right behind the wheel!
This cartoon was
done by Bill Peet for Walt Disney Studios in 1951. The release date is 1952,
which explains the discrepancy in dates.
Today is Sue’s birthday. I wouldn't tell you how old she’s
not- but she is a couple of week’s older than me; and wiser, too. This photo; which is one of my favorites; was taken in New York about a year after we met in Baltimore, where I was sitting for my
Third Mates License and Sue was working for Social Security. We've been
together ever since, much to my good fortune and a lapse of judgment on her
part.
We met when both of us had just turned 29; and hopefully were
old enough to know who we really wanted to spend the rest of our lives with. Sue,
thanks for letting me be your husband. I was waiting for you to come along. I
just never understood what took you so long.
Happy Birthday Sue - you still light up my life...
I ran into an old sailing buddy of mine the other day in
Kannapolis, N.C. We were old friends and the years melted away as we
reminisced. But then I introduced him to my wife Sue…
That’s when he attempted to steal her away from me. At first
I could only look down in shame.
But then, remembering him to be the scoundrel which he
always was, I had an idea.
Sneaking up on his port quarter, I was able to gain the
advantage and soon attacked, with nothing but my wits and fists to obtain my
goal.
It was a short and heated battle, with your correspondent
maintaining the advantage throughout the engagement.
And that’s the story of how I fought and won a fight for my
wife’s love at the museum the other day. It worked out well.
We made a brand new friend, who has given up his barbarous
ways and now knows his proper place in the world. In the end, my wife’s beauty
tamed the beast.
Today is my wedding
anniversary. I usually post a loving tribute to my wife, Sue, and our ability
to make it through the minefield which all marriages are at some point or
another. It was 27 years ago today when Sue and I took the vows, and though it hasn't always been easy, we are still together, relying on one another more and
more with each passing year.
So, it was with great regret
that I asked her if it would be okay for me to skip doing a post about our
anniversary in order to address a more
pressing issue; our rights as citizens in our own land. Those rights include
the freedom to speak our minds; assemble peacefully without penalty; and to
enjoy the freedom from unwarranted intrusion into our personal lives. It is
with sorrow that I have to state these things are all under assault at the
present time.
I was a bit
uncomfortable with the NSA news; that they have been reading our e-mails and
listening to our phone calls; but since I have nothing really important to
hide, I was almost willing to chalk it up to “national security”; trusting that
our government “by the people and for the people” would be capable of making
the distinction between terrorists and ordinary individuals.
I was also comfortable
with the “leaks” generated by Messrs.’ Assange and Snowden; it gave me the feeling
that this kind of information should be available for the public. Just as the
government tells us that if we “have nothing to hide, then we have nothing to fear”,
I make the same claim against them.
What are they afraid
of? “Leaking” the truth? If I had “leaked” the truth to my Dad, rather than
answer his questions on the first shot, I got punished. It was a great lesson
to me, and one that reverberates this July 4th, on the heels of the
latest revelation about Obama’s 2 year old “secret” (until this week) program
dubbed the “Insider Threat Program.”
The IRS scandal, along with the NSA nonsense,
still don’t worry me as much as this latest infringement of the rights which we
all seem to take for granted, even as they are being slowly whittled away by
both political parties.
This “Insider Threat
Program” is the most disturbing to me because it goes against the very grain of
the Whistle Blower Protection program. Just the very name says it all; “Insider
Threat Program.” Think of what the term really means. It’s not a program designed
to stop national security “leaks” and keep us safe from foreign enemies; it’s a
program specifically designed for government employees to identify; and punish;
the people who work in government agencies and may see something wrong going
on.
All this brings us to
the vaunted document displayed above; the Declaration of Independence. It was
237 years ago today when the last of the signers affixed their signatures to
the document which gave birth to a nation founded upon the principles later codified
in the United States Constitution. I wonder how many of our politicians have
read; or even understand; the document. In light of all recent events, I would
venture that, even if they have read it, they think of it in terms of
antiquity; almost as if it were no longer relative. For those who share that
view I am printing the text of the Declaration below, in the hopes that you
will read it.
When you do,
substitute all of the recent scandals for the things which the Declaration
accuses King George the Third of. You may be surprised to discover that we have
as much to complain about now, as we did 237 years ago.
So, here is the text,
and after that a bit of music, which; although calling for change; does not
require anyone to kill anyone else in the endeavor. Happy 4th, and
don’t forget to make those phone calls to your Representatives and Senators in
Washington when the holiday is over. Let them know how angry you are at their
attempt to rob of your birthright.
And, whatever you do, wave that flag proudly
today – it belongs to us, the people. And that’s something we can never afford
to let them forget.
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States
of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with
another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal
station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent
respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to
alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation
on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are
more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to
reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future
security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is
now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of
Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of
repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the
establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let
Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and
necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden
his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless
suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so
suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation
of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of
Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable
to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places
unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public
Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for
opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions,
to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of
Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the
State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from
without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these
States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners;
refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the
conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing
his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the
tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent
hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies
without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and
superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a
jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws;
giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for
any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial
by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended
offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a
neighbouring Province, establishing therein an
Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as
to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same
absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most
valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring
themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of
his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign
Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already
begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on
the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of
their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian
Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all
ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned
for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act
which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British
brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their
legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded
them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have
appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by
the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been
deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore,
acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as
we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States
of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of
the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority
of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these
United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that
they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all
political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought
to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have
full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection
of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes
and our sacred Honor.
Happy Anniversary Sue.
I love you more than ever - as if that were even possible...
Today is Father’s day so I get presents, phone calls and a
day off. I’m sitting next to the banana tree Sue brought me, holding the
chocolates and Olive Soap and Black Tea which I love so much. The soap and tea
are from Sarah, the chocolates from Sue, and this picture was taken yesterday!
The best part, aside from eating at one of our favorite
restaurants, will be the phone calls from the boys and our granddaughters. Last
week, Aliyah, our oldest granddaughter; she’s nine; called us out of the blue
just to say hi. Man, it doesn't get better than that.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dad’s out there. We did well!
The binder of this volume of short narratives was the only
portion of the cover with any writing on it, hence the unusual, at least for
me, display of the book cover above. This is a perfect book for vacations, or
sitting around the airport waiting for a plane. Filled with 70 of the most
wonderful, and unforgettable characters, just as it says on the cover, this
book will inspire you as well as make you laugh out loud.
When I was a young boy I used to eagerly read the “My Most
Unforgettable Person” story in every Reader’s Digest I came across. And, in
those days, they were everywhere. I even remember reading them at my
Grandmother Nana’s house. Barbershops, shoeshine parlors; you name the place
and there was a Reader’s Digest in there somewhere. It might be an older issue-
but they still had my favorite feature in them.
This book is the same as those old issues were. There is
something; or should I say someone; in here for everybody. There are accounts
of the obscure, such as elevator operators; and also the recollections of
newspapermen, doctors, writers, and so much more between these plain looking
covers.
Without going into detail about all of the 70 people
represented here, I will give you a glimpse of my favorites. There is the
account by Jackie Robinson and his admiration for Branch Rickey when he
integrated major league baseball in the era of Jim Crow.
There is also the story of a delicatessen owner who becomes
friends with a Supreme Court Justice, to the betterment of both men. Journalist
H.L. Mencken is remembered by author H. Allen Smith; Cole Porter is fondly
recalled by a friend who tells of the debilitating pain which the composer
suffered for 35 years; all the while with a smile on his face and a song in his
heart. On the way to the hospital after the initial accident which caused his
lifelong pain, he finished the lyrics to “You’ll Never Know.”
Not only the famous are represented here; there are stories
of Preachers, Nuns, and even working men and women who have made a difference
in the lives of others. For instance, there is the story of Oddie Cox, an
educator of the so-called “Negro Schools” in North Carolina during the days of
Jim Crow. He had been the Principal of the Institution he ran, but only gets
his teaching certificate 20 years after first enrolling; not because he didn’t
attend; but because he took only courses which would benefit his students when
he passed that knowledge onto them. The College Board awarded him a degree
based on his accumulated knowledge, and the way in which he used that to better
the lives of others.
The stories of a woman Chimney Sweep; helicopter pioneer
Igor Sikorsky; and Pearl S. Buck’s account of an old Chinese Empress, all make
this a wonderfully fulfilling read. There is literally something in here to
satisfy anyone who might pick it up. Ma Pullen, of Pullen House fame in Alaska,
is a great example.
And, as always with this type of book, you can pick it up
and open to any chapter to begin, making it a perfect book for the beach, as
well as the aforementioned airports. If the book is not available at your local
library, then you can pick this one up on line for less than $5 bucks. Sue
picked this one up in a basket full of books she bought last weekend at an
auction. She bought the basket, but I’m reading the books.
Old cars; like people; wear out with age, necessitating our looking for a new car. Or, to be more accurate; a new used car to fit our budget. We picked up this incredibly clean and rec-conditioned Toyota Corolla, in large part because it felt so familiar to us from the moment we sat in it. We have owned Toyota's for many years, and even with the occasional problem, have found them to be reliable
Now, when road testing a new car; used or otherwise; it is important to learn the limitations of your machine. So, to that end, we drove to Chapel Hill; which is about 2 hours away; to see our daughter and ford a stream. It did seem a bit ironic to “ford” a stream in a Japanese car, but it was a pretty day with just a bit of snow left over on some of the grassy areas making the day seem a little more special.
The stream is located just near this gravesite, which is the resting place for the original Morgan and Mason families. I wasn’t really paying attention to the specifics of the place, so I don’t know who they were. The magnolias were fresh and crisp, as they always are in North Carolina at this time of year. They are such stately trees, and I couldn’t help but think about those who lie beneath the ground, and wonder if they had become part of those trees. That’s where I want to go when my time comes. To become part of a tree seems a fitting way to leave something positive and alive behind when you have passed on. In a way, it’s a form of immortality, standing with leafy arms outstretched, providing shade and fragrant blossoms for the living.
Meantime; back home; the cat waits, sitting in the flower pot on our neighbor’s porch, watching and waiting for our return home. He worries about us, he cares about us, he frets when we are late. He wants his tuna fish.
These are Sue’s figs. I don’t normally show photos of my wife’s
figs to total strangers, but I am exceptionally proud of her ability to coax food
from the ground, an ability that; as a native of Brooklyn; eludes me. She
started with a small bush last year, and we both watered it faithfully at noon
each day with about a gallon of water. We did this religiously, whether it had rained
or not. And he results are in. This is the most easily grown natural treat you will ever
find. Eaten right from the tree; which the bush has now become, as seen in the
photo below; the little golf ball sized fruits are a wonderful relief from the
sun. And served indoors, merely sliced on a cold plate, adds to the delight.
The bush was exceptionally inexpensive; it cost only about $7; and it bore fruit
within 6 months. But you gotta remember to water it! The more water it gets,
the juicier and sweeter the fruit.
There were a couple of days this summer when you could
actually watch it droop while waiting for the daily watering. But those were
the exceptionally hot days, when the temperature soared to over 100 degrees.
Up until now, my only experience with figs came in the
Middle East, where the fruit is grown abundantly. But, through the imagination
and hard work of Sue, my Garden of Eden out back now includes a fig tree. I can
actually lie outside now, and when I get thirsty just grab a fig. That’s what I
call being wealthy. Now I can’t wait to see how my cotton does. If all goes
well, I may have enough to make a small handkerchief.
Nick Lowe
has been a force in rock and roll for almost 4 decades now. His solo efforts are legendary,
and his all too short collaboration with Dave Edmunds in the early 1980’s supergroup “Rockpile” was
almost the apex of both of their respective careers. But time has a way with performers
like Nick Lowe; who used to be son in law to Johnny Cash, and even had the old
man record one of his darker hits, “The Beast In Me” for his Rick Rubin albums;
has matured like fine wine. He has a
certain elegance about him which draws you into the things, and people, about
whom he sings.
His aptly
named new album, “The Old Magic , released last September to much deserved
acclaim, is filled with the type of music we have come to expect of Nick
Lowe.Take “I’m a Sensitive Man” as an
example. He’s through playing games; and though he recognizes the value of his
“kinetic” relationship with his significant other; he clearly wants to know
what she really wants. It would be so much simpler that way. And he delivers the
message with self-deprecating humor, which only adds to the punch.
Some of the other
songs on the album, such as “Somebody Cares for Me”, are really upbeat
celebrations of where Mr. Lowe is in his life right now; centered on being
thankful for having made the journey intact, and with something to show for it.
The there is
the laid back, and introspective track, “Shame on the Rain”; which examines the
question of just who is to blame for Mr. Lowe’s melancholy; fixing the rain
with the blame of his further persecution. It is a wonderful song.
The reason I’m
telling you about this artist, whom I have followed for almost 35 years now, is
that Sue and I have tickets for his Charlotte show in October. It’s our birthday present to one another. Sue is new to Mr. Lowe as a performer, having
just recently heard him on NPR plugging the new album. And seeing him up close
in a small venue like Charlotte’s McGlohon Theater is an added plus. It is a
warm and intimate place for both the audience and the artist. We’re both
looking forward to a great show from this talented singer/songwriter.
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