Friday, May 20, 2016

Morley Safer Going Away

The length of time between his retirement and passing was brief enough to give pause to anyone who loves what they do, we reckon. Leaving behind an earth he described in stories facet by facet, wryly, deeply, starkly, at times, but always with humility and wit at the heart, he's already missed.

We recall a particular piece on Thomas Kinkaid Painter of Light ® that he did perhaps twenty years ago which could have been mean in any other hands, but was, instead, a cautionary tale about taste and joy and how folks are simple creatures who require more elaborate pacifiers with the passing of time.

Thinking back, we were presumptuous to believe we watched through his jaded eyeballs when they were only our own and that, despite loathing snobbery, that very thing was in our own heart, never Morley's.

Did we know him well enough to call him that instead of Mr. Safer? Not at all. We did meet once on the streets of Manhattan and we lit up like a schoolgirl as a chance encounter became an actual conversation. His kindness and interest in our own life and career, we knew, was a staple of his humanity, but we allowed it to feel quite personal just the same.

(Making Morley Safer laugh felt like getting a Girl Scout badge we never stayed long enough to earn.)

He was an interesting man precisely because he was an interested one. We guess that people like that are, far and away, the most wonderful ones, and we were all the lucky ones for having that many Morley reports crossing our small screens for so long.

We know he left a family and extend our condolences to them all for their great loss...

On the day we met, after maybe fifteen minutes chatting, we noticed his eyes light up as his wife approached. The memory of that lingers perhaps more than our chat. Get this: They were old and we were young, but taken aback by the freshness of their connection. The way her step quickened and he leaned in to meet her was enough to make us nearly blush. 'Smitten' seems like the right word. It was so obvious that we scampered away, lest our presence intrude.

So yes, thanks for the legacy of your multi-pronged journalism, Morley. And thanks as much for letting us see that a man in love for a long time is as heart stopping as a young one any day.

May heaven be as fascinating for you as you made things down here for us.

Messages

Because I'd like to honor the privacy of the Mom who took this photo, it'll remain anonymous, but I want to share the image, please....

Her son was adopted from China at two years-old with an unrepaired congenital heart disease that, optimally, would have been addressed before her was six months of age. Although they expedited his adoption after discovering his urgent need, he was only home for a few months before succumbing to the effects of the disease, despite surgical intervention at the nation's best children's heart hospital as soon as he was home...

This was two years ago. His Mom was photographing the same bedroom for their newest son who's home - and healthy - and this little orb appeared on the pillow for several photos taken hours apart.

I know lots of you believe in lens flares, light anomalies, etc, but I'm posting this for those of us who believe that messages can arrive in all sorts of ways from those we love - on both sides of the veil.

Her boy was four when he crossed over. Her new son will be that age this month.

I hope these little circles of light reach out to anyone who's feeling the distance of a departed loved one.

Keep an eye and an ear out for your own messages. They don't just happen to strangers. Or believers. : )


Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Waaaay Back

Going waaaay back in career archives for this. Houston Texas club Fitzgerald's where I actually got to work with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ezra Charles etc.

I'd been doing stand up less than a few months when I landed this gig. Funny what makes you proud in retrospect, isn't it?


Funky Magical Buildings

One of the many funky magical buildings in downtown Lockhart Texas square. We love moon and stars design. Never did find out what it signified. But since shots from the shoot were not allowed,, we tilted our lens upward. Seemed to bless the vision field.


Little Guy/Gal

This little guy/gal hopped down from a tree in downtown Austin to come visit me. I had no breadcrumbs or other bird fare, but he seemed content to chat with me. He let me come this close, too.

I'm a far cry from St. Francis but dug his line about animals being our brothers and sisters. I strive for that mindset. Until then, I'm very grateful for their reminders.


Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Comedy Show Tips

What it took most of us comedians decades of hard work and Jersey gigs to figure out completely.

Bravo, whoever you are, ya little genius.


Guy Clark

Guy Clark died and there are no words but his song lyrics on this sad day.

Rest in peace and thanks for the incredible music, you sho nuff troubadour, you.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Little Wonder Book

Links Contact