Best wishes for an excellent summer. You've certainly given us a good kick-off with this post.
Thank you for this great post. Good work.
Another nice one...
Do I read correctly that you grew up in Roanoke? I lived there from 58 to 64, and I don't think I've ever encountered another Roanoke ex-pat (Annie Dillard doesn't really count).
I especially liked the Hopper you chose. That one is new to me. I've yet to see a Hopper I don't like.
Marilyn reads Ulysses is a nice photo. Most of us can use a little inspiration to upgrade the quality of our summer reading. I've read several places that she had a serious and hungry mind, contrary to her public image.
Anyway, thanks again.
Muddy--
I lived in Salem (is it part of Roanoke or its own town? i forget) and then about an hour away in Botetourt County from about '75 to '86--most of my childhood. I've been back a few times since; it's a nice place to live.
Salem is its own town, but that's mostly an administrative technicality. What I remember about Salem is Lakeside. I prefer homegrown amusement parks over the slick corporate attractions e.g. Disney, 6 Flags, etc.
That might make a good theme... you could use
Jonathon Richman - rollercoaster by the sea
Rogers and H(art?) - carousel waltz
Dire Straits - tunnel of love
and so on.
I've been a devotee of this blog for some time now, and this may just be the best post ever. What great musical selections! What inspiring literary nuggets! What gorgeous visuals! What astute musical commentary!
This is my 27th summer in New York, and the people who have to flee to Long Island or Vermont can have it. Madison Square Park at the turn of afternoon to evening is all the respite I need. That and your great contributions to my listening time.
I've always thought August in NYC is underrated--it's usually not as humid as the earlier summer months, and no one's around, so you can get a good table anywhere, go see movies in relative silence, etc.
Another nice summer-quote: “Favorite summertime activities: Sitting in adark room and watching Sale of the century on TV ("You can physically feel you IQ take a dive as you watch it"). Inner tubing. Studying prehistoric artifacts at the Texas Memorial Museum (2400 Trinity St.). Camping at Enchanted Rock State Park. Watching the bats take off from the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk ("They leave in masses. It looks like big clouds of smoke"). Going to gun shows and fantasizing about a massive firefight breaking out ("You realize, 'Wow, there's a lot of sickos here with guns.' Like a car wreck, I'm drawn to it").“
King Coffey (Butthole Surfers), Rolling Stone june 1995
Has anyone ever approached you with a book deal?
Your writing is too good to stay on the Web!
I've been watching the decline of Hollywood for years and totaly agree.
Great stuff!
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