I've wanted to post for a couple of days ... but then thought 'why be a bummer, man.' But you guys always have a kind word and are willing to listen ...
Just a few very sad things have happened and it's not even the middle of the month! On the not-so-personal note, but still a teenage memory, did anyone in 1973 watch a documentary on PBS called something like "The Louds: An American Family"? A camera crew followed the members of the Loud family of Santa Barbara around with their cameras just observing. I don't remember how many weeks it ran, but it was fascinating to me, let's see, then a high school junior. The whole family was so interesting, but one member of the family, a son named Lance, was a riot, gay as could be, calling everyone "Honey," and just the life of the party. I read in People Magazine that he died recently at age 50 of Hepatitis C (I don't remember how you contract that). I just had a good memory of him, and I was sad to learn this. Kind of like one of those images of your teens shattered kind of thing. Then I learn that my brother-in-law's uncle (who is Admiral Chester Nimitz's son; my brother-in-law is his grandson) at 86 years of age killed himself and his wife because of their declining health. They were members of the Hemlock Society (an organization dedicated to having the right to choose how you die, basically) and had talked about it for several years. Apparently they had a nice family party on New Year's Day and died the following day. The family had come to accept the notion, but I would still think it was quite a shock to lose both parents in one day. Today I get a note from an old family friend that my mother's closest friend died last May (I sent them a Christmas card, not knowing). My mom died a few years ago and it was hard to see this lady at the memorial service who had known Mom longer than all us kids. This lady and my mom traveled all around Europe together in the 40's, were college pals, and kept up their friendship throughout their life. We have pictures of them in their beautiful hand-made wool suits looking so smart in Paris. End of an era. One good note: I have tickets to see Jonatha Brooke on January 31st at the Belly Up Tavern, a great and fairly small venue. Hope no one around me minds me singing along to everything as I do in the car ... just kidding. I hate when people do that! Please excuse the feeling sorry for myself ... I hope I haven't dragged anyone down too much. Just waiting for that good thing to happen to turn this around ... hey, don't bad things come in threes? Maybe that's it! Lindsay Moon
