RIP

Umberto Eco, writer, semiotician

I first encountered his writing when I attempted to read The Name of the Rose. After reading about ten pages, I got up and retrieved my compact copy of the Oxford English Dictionary and a magnifying glass. I have a very good vocabulary but his level of both thought and expression was above me. What an exhilarating challenge it was. And a fascinating story, too. I liked knowing he was in the world, and now he's not. Sad.

RIP

Harper Lee has finally left us, at age 89. I think she wrote a most powerful book that deserved all the accolades it got, but I never wanted to re-read it. I liked her early stories and essays, and enjoyed reading about her young adventurous self.

RIP

Antonin Scalia has died. ding dong the witch is dead / calloo callay frabjous day

Respect for the office, certainly, but not for the man (you'll notice I didn't use his title). Maybe now we can get someone more in tune with progressive politics/religion/etc.

RIPs & Misc

RIP for Glen Frey of the Eagles; Signe Halvorsen of the Jefferson Airplane; and Abe Vigoda, actor, in my memory on the series "Barney Miller."

Tomorrow I'm having a temporary ceiling installed between the lofts to help with heat retention. I'll be using foam insulation boards (4x8) and will use eye hooks and wire to make a web for them to lie on. They're so light that it'll be easy to move one if I want to get up in a loft, or move them all when summer comes and I want the heat to go out the ridge vent.

Both Mateo's and Amy's cars are in the shop (hers just tomorrow, we think) so there's lots of juggling with my car. I may take Mateo to work tomorrow so I can have the car to do errands. I was going to use Amy's car but now that's not possible. Sigh.

My brother and his crew are wending their way down the Mexican coast and will be provisioning at Acapulco to set off on a 34-day crossing to the Marquesas Islands in the mid-Pacific. Certainly wishing them all the best.

RIP

Alan Rickman, actor

Alan Rickman! He of the fabulous voice, the inimitable sneer, the wit, the enunciation, the range. No more.

First Bowie, now Rickman. Superstition says there'll be three, and odds are there will, just because. And the older I get, the more dying of my favorites there will be.

I'm getting too old for this. (I think that's a joke.)

RIP

David Bowie
I was shocked to open the news and see his death at age 69. He certainly seemed immortal. His gifts were expansive and legendary. I loved his characters and his music and his videos and his movies. He will be greatly missed.

RIPs etc

I know, I know. Sluggish activity here. No new pictures. It is on my mind, however, and one day you'll get a nice surprise. Just don't hold your breath.

RIP Florence King, writer.
One day a while back, I was in the Atlanta airport on layover, browsing the books. I found "Southern Ladies and Gentlemen" by Miss King, of whom I had never heard. I began reading it on the plane back to LA and was soon laughing hysterically. The entire plane turned around to look at me, but I couldn't stop. Ever so often, I'd put the book down to allow me and the rest of the plane time to recover. I've read most of her books and, while I don't agree with everything she says, she makes me laugh anyhow. She was 80.

RIP Meadowlark Lemon, athlete
He was the clown prince in the classic Harlem Globetrotters. I got to see him live once when the team was on tour and he manifested such joy in his play, both basketball and pranks. He was from Wilmington NC, my hometown.

My brother has sailed as far as Puerto Vallarto Mexico and is planning to sail on from there soon. In 30 days, he'll make the long passage to the Marquesa Islands. Wishing him and his crew well.

Happy New Year to all.