A Wrong Being Righted

The more I read, the older I get, the more I know, the more I regret voting for Richard Nixon in the first Presidential election for which I was eligible. Hit the title above to see what was done to a fine officer by Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger. Forty years later his reputation is being restored - but the man is dust in his grave and whatever consolation it gives to his widow and his children he died knowing he did right but was abandoned by his country.

The Ugliest Dog in Bastrop County

Well, she got him when she first moved to Texas, 13 years ago. He was in a litter by the side of the road, as so many puppies are. She brought him home unannounced and proclaimed that she could finally have a dog and he was going to be with her forever. And he was cute as puppies are – all black and fuzzy and nobody had a clue what breed. But that didn’t matter anyway. She named him BJ for “junior” after a dog she’d never known and she taught him to grab and tug the bottom of her jeans and run along beside her on her horse. But after a few months we started to notice that “cute” was turning into “strange looking” and finally after he’d gotten his full growth BJ was just plain ugly. People would stop by the house to visit and tactfully let you know that this was the strangest looking dog they’d ever seen. Now, not like the “ugly dog contest” or such, but just … well – ugly. He had black hair and red hair and stringy hair and fuzzy hair and textured red and black all mixed together all grown over his eyes. But he grew up and she grew up, turning into a young woman and moving away, and then moving closer. Apartment living would have killed BJ – he like to run through the cockleburs and roll in the horse stalls and he would not ever sit still for a bath. She pulled out the burrs and the smell finally wore off. He was a country dog. And in the last few months he either couldn’t see or hear, or he just ignored anybody he didn’t want to see. But every time she would come in he’d grab the bottom of her jeans and pull for all he had in him. And they’d roll around on the ground and play like the little kids they were when she first found him.

This morning I walked out and found BJ lying in the driveway, cold and still. And she came out behind me, took one look and knew the time had come. Tears and memories. She took his collar and I took care of the rest.

BJ is buried under the cockleburs he loved not far from a rabbit hole he haunted. I think he had a good life. He was loved and he’ll be missed. And I think that’s a pretty good epitaph for the Ugliest Dog in Bastrop County.

Miss Dixie

I read this morning that Miss Dixie had passed.

I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and driving Miss Carter a little over a year ago. She was in town for the Austin Film Festival to attend her latest, and as it turned out, her last film, starring with her husband Mr. Holbrook.

I met her at the bottom of the escalator with a discrete sign saying “DC”. I saw her immediately and she waved; a small woman in slightly baggy clothes – her traveling clothes she told me later – and said she hoped the sign was for her. I told her that of course I recognized her, and I did. She was 69 and still beautiful. We got in the car and headed into town and she told me she didn’t feel well. Too much traveling and she hated to fly, but she loved to sing so she had to travel. She asked about me and I told her some and we talked politics and show business and how they all tied together and how she really did get her head stuck in that staircase scene. (The set carpenter had to cut her out) She had opinions about our new young President and it was no secret that she was a conservative. But I’ll leave that to others. She told stories and I listened and laughed. She asked for my number and I gave her my card; she called Mr. Holbrook and told him to look for me when he arrived the next morning. And he did. But this story is about Dixie.

The next evening they went to the movie and the following morning I picked her up at her hotel. But this time I took the black stretch limo. When she came out of the hotel, the transformation was complete – dressed to the nines she looked years younger and when she saw the stretch she said, “For me????” I took her bag and said “Hey, all the big stars get the limo.” She laughed and thanked me and got in. But then she moved up to the front of that long car, right behind me so we could continue to talk. And talk we did all the way to the airport. It was a good day.

I wish the best to Mr. Holbrook and her family. She will be missed.

Roger Ebert - A Despicable Human Being

Is it his illness? Or has Roger Ebert always been this despicable. I point to a news story from the UK Guardian relating that a North Korean factory worker has been executed by firing squad for "passing on news" The link, if you'd like to read it is here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/04/north-korea-human-rights-execution

Roger Ebert, on twitter reacts with this gem: And we complain about our mobile phones. http://j.mp/bU3YXI

Humor? Comedy? I don't see it. I see something cold, callous, and inhumane beyond being just a jerk. Ebert has passed from curmudgeon to offensive ass.

Heroes

I just saw a great post on David Bellavia's website about winners of the Medal of Honor. It brought back some memories of my brush with a couple of heroes. One of whom was Captain Harold Fritz. I posted this comment on David's website.

When I was a young PFC in 1975 and driving a jeep for the 11th Cav S4, Captain Harold Fritz climbed in the back seat and rode with us for the trip from Fulda to Graf. The weather was cold and damp and Captain Fritz limped a little. I asked him about it and he said he had a sore ankle for a few years. He never said anything else about it, and we passed the time, two captains and a PFC – I said “Yes, sir” a lot and still remember just how nice a guy I thought this Captain was. A couple of months later I happened to be there when LTG Starry came visiting the Regiment. And I saw the damndest thing. A three-star general saluting a captain. What the hell? And somebody told me that Captain Fritz had the medal. And I went to the library and found his citation. Damn. I had spent days on end with a true hero and didn’t have a clue. I knew Captain Fritz for about two years until we both rotated our separate ways and I’ve never seen him since. But he has stayed in my mind for these 30 some years. His story is readily available on line – look him up.

A Belated Birthday

Well - yeah, I wrote this on February 1 and it sat on the hard drive. So here it is, only a month late.

Wow - 35 years. I remember exactly where I was - the delivery room at the Krankenhaus in Fulda, Germany. My first-born. Who was born three years before Elvis died but has now grown up to be an Elvis nut. Who would have thought? The funny times, the good times - your mother wondering if, since you were born in Germany we would have to teach you how to speak English instead of German. I don't think she was serious. I really don't think so. Maybe. Back to the states, growing up - playing with Peanut (you DO remember Peanut) and then growing into a beautiful young woman who still wanted to "put on a show" at Grandma's. Then the two biggest "shows" of all. I still think I'm too young for grandsons but with one 16 and other one following right behind him, I'm obviously wrong about that. And tonight after talking to you all the good times and good things just keep flooding back in my memory.

Good night - and Happy Birthday.

Catching Up

OK, for anybody watching, it's true I've had nothing to say for awhile. And I've been busy working and traveling. But no excuses. I've got a couple of things to say, so I'm back for a couple of posts tonight while I'm sitting at the airport. Long story in itself but not for here.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

For all my readers (however many there may be) on the East Coast and other places up north, it's 10 PM this evening and we have the windows open enjoying 70 degree weather. Just sayin'.....