Jack Horkheimer Passes Away at 72

A week ago today one of my life's inspirations passed away.

I looked to Jack every week for years to have an idea of what gifts, surprises and awe (real awe) inspiring sights were in store each night.

Jack was smart, funny; a card.

He taught me a lot and did it with humor and excitement. He will be missed. In fact, those at the Miami Planetarium are still trying to figure out what to do without him.

He wrote his own epitaph: " 'Keep Looking Up' was my life's admonition; I can do little else in my present position."

mi nombre Yma Sumac or Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chavarri del Castillo, a usted.

I read a few nights ago that Yma Sumac died November 1, 2008 at the age of 86.

I love her sense of drama! Her voice! Her mystery! Ah! And that nose! An utterly unique Yma Sumac.

She had a 5 octave range at the height of her career, watching her sing it was hard to figure out how the hell those sounds came out of her.

One of her most famous albums was Voice of the Xtabay (can you say: shta-bye?).
But you gotta love a gal who, in the early ’70s, after a long hiatus (and about 20 years since recording a full album) came out with an LP of “rock” with Chuck (rockabilly hall of famer) Cowan’s guitar, the bass of his brother Roger, and Skip Switzer on drums.

I read somewhere that she sounded like a cross between Big Mama Thornton (the deep growls) and Kate Bush (the high wails). But I beg to differ. She was an original. (Then again, so are Willie Mae and Kate!)

Fire, Hawks and Slim

I am sitting in front of a gorgeous fire I just built. It has started to rain. The frying sound of the rain on my rooftop plus the metallic ticking of the wood stove are two of my favorite sounds. Slim*, my pussycat is curled up in her little plush winter bed in front of the fire. We both have full bellies and are feeling quite content.

Now, if only a million dollars would drip through one of my slightly open windows (I love fresh air through each season). Ok, if not a million how 'bout 250 grand? 50? Twenty bucks? A coupon for a dollar off Boca burgers?

*Slim: You know you don't have to act with me, Steve. You don't have to say anything, and you don't have to do anything. Not a thing. Oh, maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and... blow.

And here for your viewing pleasure is a photo of the “real” Slim:

Slim Hawks and Jimmy Stewart, ca. 1940



And the other “real” Slim:

Kate the Great

Catherine Bush was born in Bexleyheath, Kent, UK in 1958.

One of the best musicians/writers/composers of our time. No, make that of any time.

Happy 50th Birthday, Kate!

Singer Jo Stafford Dies, So Does Steve

I just found out from my friend Lee Hartsfeld’s blog that singer Jo Stafford died yesterday.

Billie Holiday said that Jo’s voice is like an instrument.

Click pic to read more about Jo. I don't feel much like writing.




I also found out today, but not from Lee, that my friend Steve died a few weeks ago. I got a small, thin, tight envelope in the mail today from my friend Sara, with a single newspaper clipping in it.

I was and am stunned.

“Stephen Frank [sic] Ells, 73, died peacefully Monday, June 30, 2008, from his illness at residence after a long devotion to his family and the environment.

Born in Boston in 1935, he grew up in Waltham on Trapelo Farm. He was a graduate of the Belmont Hill School, Harvard University and Harvard Law.

As a lieutenant commander in Naval Intelligence, he endured trying times with the East aboard the USS Midway.

During his career he was with Choate, Hall and Stuart Law Firm, the State Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Massachusetts Area Planning Council and was Governor Frank Sargeant’s chief legal council. He then worked tirelessly to clean up Boston Harbor and the rest of the region while at the Environmental Protection Agency until retirement in 1990.

During retirement he continued his dedication to his family, land preservation and a lifelong love of birds. The furthering of his mother’s genealogical work proved invaluable. His efforts for Estabrook Woods and Thoreau country in general spoke volumes. Even the bobolinks benefited from his time here.

He is survived by his fiancée, Susan McMurray; his three sons, David, Nathaniel and Jonathan; and their mother Laura. He is also survived by his three granddaughters.

...”

I missed the memorial service. And I have missed him; he decided several years ago our friendship somehow compromised his relationship with Susan. I will never understand that or ever fully recover from the amputation.

He was my friend. Few people have made me laugh or think as much as he.




Steve Ells
March 2, 1935–June 30, 2008

Apology

“Christianity will go,” he said. “It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first—rock ’n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.”
March 4, 1966

“I just said what I said and it was wrong. Or was taken wrong.”
August 11, 1966

I love that he got in that second part. He was pressured into the apology. It took him a few seconds in front of the press to find his balance but find it he did.

Sh*t

George Carlin died yesterday. He was only 71; had a history of heart disease. It finally got him. Shit.

Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, Tits!

If I do say so myself...

7 more words: Good bye, we will miss you George.