I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES — an exhibition of the (lesser-known) artwork of the famed author entitled Stones to Stains: The Drawings of Victor Hugo will be at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California through December 30th.
Drawings by Victor Hugo in L.A.WITH THE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE on Brexit scheduled for December 11th, there is a split in Britain’s Conservative Party on how to proceed — willing to compromise slightly in order to avoid a no-deal debacle, or hardline it? — led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, whom The Economist once referred to as a “Neo-Victorian backbench novelty”, who took his family on vacation in New York this past summer while wearing a double-breasted suit on a warm day (with no appointments) and having his son wear a sweater.
CHEERS to the defending world chess champion Magnus Carlsen— as the Norwegian successfully defended his title, having to go to a series of tie-breakers after his deadlocked match against his US challenger Fabiano Caruana.
HAIL and FAREWELL to the TV star Ken Berry— who served in the U.S. Army special services under Sergeant Leonard Nimoy(!) entertaining the troops, and later went on to appear in “Mama’s Family” and “Mayberry R.F.D.”. But to me, he will always be Captain Parmenter on “F-Troop” ……..
Forrest Tucker: (as Sgt. O'Rourke): "F-Troop wouldn't be the same without the Old Man". Ken Berry (as Capt. Parmenter): "Who's the old man?" O'Rourke: "Why, you, sir". Parmenter: "That's right …..... I keep forgetting".
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Willow the Cat— who is accompanying an Australian man who quit his job to travel around his native land … and who is set to release a book about their ventures next month.
Willow the Cat and companionJEERS to ½ of the ruling coalition parties in Italy (the Five-Star Movement, or “M5S”) for threatening to expel one of its newest members in the Italian Senate, Gregorio De Falco— the coast-guard captain who delighted Italians by rebuking the reckless captain of the Costa Concordia cruise vessel that sank; telling Francesco Schettino to “get back on board” (with salty language) — as Senator De Falco voted against an MFS anti-immigrant proposal (albeit, more for some anti-environmental and deregulation aspects of the bill that he opposed).
CHEERS to a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend (and hope yours was, too). A chance to dine with some family members, then re-connect with old chums.
IN THE DISCUSSION about the death of Bush the Elder … like most of you, I have mixed feelings about his actions (albeit someone whose voice I didn’t have to mute on TV/radio; unlike his son and you-know-who). To me, his greatest achievement: persuading Margaret Thatcher and François Mitterand to agree to grant the newly-reunited Germany full sovereignty (after the Wall came down). Controversial, yet I believe the world is a better place because of that. And given the present-day abdication of Free World leader: Angela Merkel is better placed to take that role, as a result.
CHEERS to a wonderful tradition: the Canadian province of Nova Scotia annually sends a Christmas tree to the city of Boston, with the deputy premier on hand.
Lit on the Boston Common last nightThis is to commemorate Boston’s very quick response (financial, medical and supplies) to a 1917 ship collision in Halifax harbor (that detonated TNT) causing an explosion that killed 2,000 people. Over a century later, it is still remembered.
FRIDAY's CHILD is the late Saul the Cat— the kitteh at a Missoula, Montana retail store who was everyone’s friend, yet lost his battle with pneumonia at age eight.
Saul the CatBRAIN TEASER - try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC.
THE OTHER NIGHT yours truly hosted the Top Comments diary with a follow-up to some of my previous offerings: Henrietta Lacks, plus a former Afghan refugee elected to the NH Legislature ... and the back-story to a Buffalo, New York man freed from a wrongful murder conviction thanks (initially) to ... Golf Digest.
OLDER-YOUNGER SISTERS? — as many have previously noted: the Emmy & Tony Award winner Swoosie Kurtz and (alas), the winner of the Mississippi senatorial race Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Swoosie Kurtz (born 1944) Cindy Hyde-Smith (b. 1959)....... and for a song of the week ....................................... though she was born in Beaumont, Texas (and lives there today) the R&B career of Barbara Lynn came to fruition in New Orleans. As a child, she had two disparate influences: male blues guitarists (Guitar Slim, Jimmy Reed) and female singers (Brenda Lee, Connie Francis). So why not combine both? Add to that her left-handed guitar stylings and the fact that from 1962-72 she wrote much of her own material: and you had the likes of which had not been seen since Sister Rosetta Tharp.
Barbara Lynn Ozen was first inspired to become a performer after watching Elvis Presley on TV. After having to wait three months for delivery of a special order left-handed guitar she eventually formed her own all-female band Bobbie Lynn and the Idols and after playing at teen dances and talent shows risked being thrown out of high school by playing juke joints while underage.
She was recommended to music impresario Huey Meaux (known as the "Crazy Cajun") who wanted to record her at Cosimo's in New Orleans. Her parents agreed on the condition that if her recordings did not sell after awhile, that she would return and attend college (which was also unusual for a young woman of the day).
Yet she struck the Top Ten in 1962 and for the next ten years had a number of hits: performing at the Apollo Theatre and on American Bandstand. Those hits included "You're Gonna Need Me", "You Left The Water Running", "This is the Thanks I Get" and "Oh Baby (We Got a Good Thing Going)" which was recorded by the Rolling Stones in 1965. But after one final hit in 1972 "(Until Then) I'll Suffer", she grew tired of the grind and the lack of promotion she received - and left the music business to raise a family.
She returned in the late 1980's and has had a more low-key (yet steady) career since; having fans in Europe as well as Japan (where she recorded a live album). Her most recent albums date from 2000 and 2003 - and her music can also be found on various compilation albums over the years.
Barbara Lynn was awarded a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in 1999, along with some of her peers. At age 76, she does not tour extensively (and for years cared for her elderly mother) but still performs — including an upcoming February show in San Jose— and is as inspired by young performers such as Marcia Ball and Lauryn Hill as they are of her. If she plays in your town, you may be similarly inspired.
Barbara Lynn in the 1960’s .. …. and here in this decadeThat breakout song from 1962 (that she wrote as a 20 year-old) was You'll Lose a Good Thing— which hit #1 on the R&B charts and #10 on the pop charts ... and was recorded in 1964 by Aretha Franklin and became a #1 country hit for the late Freddy Fender in 1976.
And below you can watch Barbara Lynn perform it (on TV) - just imagine being able to see a young African-American woman on electric guitar in the early 1960's.
I'm giving you one more chance for you to do right If you'll only straighten up we'll have a good lifeThis is my last time not asking any more If you don't do right I'm gonna march out that door
And if you don't believe me just try it, baby And you'll lose a good thing You'll lose a good thing
x xYouTube Video