Music

Where minds fail, music speaks.

~Hans Christian Anderson~

Puff Daddy

I fell in love with Eddie Fisher's voice when I was thirteen.  Before I ever laid eyes on him.  He was singing Oh, My Pa Pa at Milwain's as we stared at the black screen, munching on popcorn and waiting for the movie to begin. 

After that, I fought the family to watch his TV show, Coke Time, each Wednesday night, and scanned Photoplay and Modern Screen magazines to find out all I could about the handsome singer. 

"He needs to marry Debbie," I said, "She'd be perfect for him."

"Hollywood's a big place," Pitty Pat said, "They might not even know each other."

Debbie Reynolds was my favorite movie star.  I had pin-ups of her all over one wall of the bedroom I shared with Pitty and Mary Ellen.  I even wrote her a fan letter.  She quickly responded, scribbling me a personal note and including an autographed photo:  "Fun Always, Debbie Reynolds."  (Wish I still had it!)

We were dumbstruck when Debbie and Eddie began dating.

"That's unbelievable!" Pitty said, "It's like you got them together!"

I followed their courtship closely and was thrilled when they tied the knot.  I was appalled, however, with their choice of names when their daughter was born.

"She's so cute," I said, "Debbie should've named her something besides Carrie Frances!"

A few years later, Eddie left Debbie for Elizabeth Taylor, who, strangely enough, was Pitty's favorite movie actress. (She had pin-ups of Liz on another wall of our bedroom).  But Eddie was history by then; Elvis had burst on the scene and rock & roll had arrived. 

Eddie lost Liz to Richard Burton, and he went on to marry Connie Stevens.  They divorced, and he married two more times.  Somewhere along the way he began taking drugs, and he admitted spending his twenty-million-plus fortune on drugs and gambling.  He wrote two books, mostly devoted to trashing Debbie and Liz.  Carrie was so upset that she threatened to change her name to Reynolds.

I'm glad she didn't.  I read today on her blog that she called him "Puff Daddy."

Eddie died a few days ago, at eighty-two.  And although he made many mistakes in his lifetime, it does not change the fact that he was once a handsome and successful young man with a melodious tenor voice.

Rest in peace, Puff Daddy.

Happy Birthday

to my lovely daughter, Suzanne

The Seasons in Life

Thanks, Pitty Pat, for forwarding The Seasons in Life.  I loved it, and I think my readers will, too.

Like It's the Last Goodbye

Kevin Skinner

(Photo:  Perry Jones)

I love Kevin Skinner's video, Like It's the Last Goodbye, from his CD, Long Ride (Cypress Tree Records, John Lloyd Miller, Director).  Although you will be forced to sit through a commercial before Kevin sings, it is well worth the wait.

Unique Life of a Hermit

When I was younger, I was on the go all the time, working full-time, getting together with friends, going to movies, shopping, running all over the place.  And when I wasn't going, I was thinking up places to go.

Since retiring, I find I love spending time at home with Bill (and Dudley), writing, thinking about writing, reading, reflecting on life, cooking, taking long walks, and just puttering around. I still enjoy visiting with family and friends, taking short vacations, dining out, and catching a movie every now and then.  But afterward, I can't wait to get home.

That is one of the reasons I enjoy Cara Swann's blog, Mad, Mad World.  She is a writer who is a widow and living alone in the Deep South.  Like me, she loves her solitude.  I suggest you check out her site; I think you will enjoy it.  A few days ago, she posted this video, Unique Life of a Hermit, and I found it very interesting.