Lean On Me singer Bill Withers
dies at 81
Thanks Bill … You done good!
Kenny Rogers … The Gambler
25 Mar“I had holes in my jeans well before it was fashionable.”
– Kenny Rogers
He went from Folk, to Psychedelic, to Rock, to Country…
to become the greatest Ballad singer I’ve heard.
Kenny Rogers has passed at age 81.
Kenny was one of the Greatest Entertainment Star of our time
with an immensely successful career in Country and Popular music.
Legendary Status.
Along the way he also made a 1980 TV Western called The Gambler that was spearheaded by an iconic Hit Song also called The Gambler which all led to a series of 5 TV Westerns with Kenny Starring as Brady Hawkes, a fictional old-west gambler. Most of these Movies were … well not so good. They rode completely on Kenny’s Star Power and his Song.
(Originally sung by Bobby Bare, Johnny Cash, among others) But only Kenny’s version clicked.
Grammy award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1980.
It’s one of those songs that sticks in your head.
A winner.
The TV Movies
Kenny’s first movie, The Gambler (1980) was OK …
Worth a couple of watches – despite Bruce Boxleitner.
“6.4” That’s about right.
It’s popularity led to 4 sequels.
Most of ’em pretty bad.
Awards and Honors:
Islands in the Stream with Dolly Parton
Written by Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb
2017 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee
2013 Country Music Association Awards Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
2013 Country Music Hall of Fame Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
2010 American Eagle Award American Eagle Award[62]
2009 ACM Honors Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award (w/ Jerry Reed, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr.)
2007 ASCAP Golden Note Award ASCAP Golden Note Award
2007 CMT Music Awards Album of the Year—Water & Bridges
2005 CMT Music Awards Favorite All Time Country Duet—”Islands In the Stream” (w/Dolly Parton)
2004 CMT’s 100 Greatest Cheating Songs “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town”—No. 6
2003 International Entertainment Buyers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
2003 CMT’s 100 Greatest Country Songs “The Gambler”—No. 26
2002 CMT’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music Ranking—No. 19
2000 TNN Music Awards Career Achievement Award
1999 BBC’s Greatest Country Singer Ranking—No. 2
1988 Grammy Awards Best Duo Country Vocal Performance—”Make No Mistake She’s Mine” (w/ Ronnie Milsap)
1986 USA Today Favorite Singer of All Time
1985 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album—Eyes That See in the Dark
1985 American Music Awards Favorite Male Country Artist
1983 Academy of Country Music Awards Single of the Year—”Islands In the Stream” (w/ Dolly Parton)
1983 Academy of Country Music Awards Top Vocal Duet (w/ Dolly Parton)
1983 American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Country Artist
1983 American Music Awards Favorite Country Single—”Love Will Turn You Around”
1983 ASAP Awards Favorite Single—”Islands In the Stream” (w/Dolly Parton)
1982 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album—Greatest Hits
1981 American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist
1981 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album—The Gambler
1981 American Music Awards Favorite Country Single—”Coward of the County”
1980 American Music Awards Favorite Male Country Artist
1980 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album—The Gambler
1980 Music City News Country Single of the Year
1979 American Music Awards Favorite Male Country Artist
1979 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album—10 Years of Gold
1979 Country Music Association Awards Male Vocalist of the Year
1979 Country Music Association Awards Vocal Duo of the Year (w/ Dottie West)
1979 Country Music Association Awards Album of the Year—The Gambler
1979 Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year
1979 Music City News Country Single of the Year—”The Gambler”
1979 Grammy Awards Best Male Country Vocal Performance—”The Gambler”
1978 American Music Awards Favorite Single—”Lucille”
1978 Country Music Association Awards Vocal Duo of the Year (w/Dottie West)
1978 Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year
1978 Academy of Country Music Awards Top Male Vocalist
1977 Country Music Association Awards Single of the Year—”Lucille”
1977 Academy of Country Music Awards Top Male Vocalist
1977 Academy of Country Music Awards Single of the Year—”Lucille”
1977 Academy of Country Music Awards Song of the Year—”Lucille”
1977 Grammy Awards Best Male Country Vocal Performance—”Lucille”
Goodbye Kenny Rogers
Charities & foundations supported 7
Kenny Rogers has supported the following charities:
The Call of the Wild / 2020
16 Mar
Get Up Dogs / Buddy Tabor
MFW Review:
I couldn’t get past the fact that I could see that this wasn’t a real dog.
This kinda ruined my enjoyment / immersion.
And that they also took liberties with the story – the book.
4 out of 10.
Locations:
Yukon, Canada (Klondike Gold Rush)
British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Santa Clarita, California, USA
More Box Office Blunders:
Wikipedia says: “As of March 15, 2020, The Call of the Wild has grossed $62.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $45.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $107.3 million. Due to its high production and marketing costs, the film will need to gross $250–275 million in order to break-even; various publications estimate it will lose the studio between $50–100 million.”
MFW: This isn’t the first time that Disney has made this identical marketing blunder. Solo: a Star Wars Movie also took a huge loss of millions of dollars from over marketing. (Ironically, Harrison Ford was the original Han Solo.)
The Call of the Wild – Dog of the Yukon / 1997
10 Mar
The Call of the Wild – Dog of the Yukon Soundtrack / 1997
“He was mastered by the sheer surging of life, the tidal wave of being, the perfect joy of each separate muscle, joint, and sinew in that it was everything that was not death, that it was aglow and rampant,
expressing itself in movement, flying exultantly under the stars.”
― Jack London, The Call of the Wild
Locations: Quebec (exterior) and Montreal, Quebec.
Reviews: generally favorable.
MFW: For me this film is the best of The Call of the Wild films.
The narration by Richard Dreyfuss makes the difference.
Taken from the book it lets us see and experience the story through Buck’s eyes.
The way it’s supposed to be.
Nicely done.
The Call of the Wild / 1972
2 Mar
The Call of the Wild (1972) / Soundtrack / Carlo Rustichelli
“There is an ecstasy that marks the summit of life, and beyond which life cannot rise. And such is the paradox of living, this ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a complete forgetfulness that one is alive.”
― Jack London, The Call of the Wild
Wikipedia says: “Charlton Heston in his autobiography In the Arena: An Autobiography made it very clear how unhappy he was with this film and asked people to not watch it. Although it was poorly received upon release, and was not released in the United States until 1975, today the film is seen in a better light. Contemporary British and Irish Film Directors: A Wallflower Critical Guide described it as a “swinging back to action-adventure”, starring “Charlton Heston at his best”, another in the “long line of Annakin’s panoramic films featuring a myriad of beautiful locations”.”
“46%” by users. That’s not too good.
Locations: Finland.
Buck is described by London in his book as a powerful mix – the son of Elmo,
a huge St. Bernard, and mom Shep, a Scotch Shepherd.
Most film versions of The Call of the Wild depict Buck as a German Shepard or a Husky.
They came close in the 1935 version though.
Clark Gable and Buck – a Saint Bernard.
Yet, to me, NONE of the film adaptations of The Call of the Wild do the book justice.
Which doesn’t mean they’re all bad movies – just that the book is so great.
Yet their main failure (IMO) is that none of them see through Buck’s eyes
– which is how the Book is written.
Did they not realize that this perspective was perhaps the main appeal of the Book?
I guess not.
And I can understand it would difficult to find the correct breed of dog and train him.
In 1972 it looks like they employed more than one trained Shepherd to portray Buck.
If you look closely these dogs do appear to be different.
???
Can’t say whether I recommend this movie or not?
Chuck is good and the movie has its moments – but the production is uneven.
Available to watch on YouTube or Netflix should you wish.
Next: The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon / 1997
starring Rutger Hauer and narrated by Richard Dreyfuss
The Call of the Wild / 1935
27 Feb
The Call of the Wild Soundtrack / Fyrosand 2020
“And when, on the still cold nights, he pointed his nose at a star and howled long and wolflike, it was his ancestors, dead and dust, pointing nose at star and howling down through the centuries and through him. And his cadences were their cadences, the cadences which voiced their woe and what to them was the meaning of the stiffness, and the cold, and dark. “
― Jack London, The Call of the Wild
The 1935 version starring Clark Gable and Loretta Young
expanded John Thornton’s role and was the first “talkie” to feature the story.
The film is directed by William A. Wellman, and stars Clark Gable, Loretta Young and Jack Oakie.
The screenplay by Gene Fowler and Leonard Praskins omits all but one of the book’s storylines.
Originally released at 95 minutes; later cut to 81 minutes for a re-issue. For many years only the cut re-issue version was available for television showings, and it is also the version released on DVD in 2006 as part of the Clark Gable Collection. The original length version remained unseen until it was released on blu-ray in 2013.
Locations: Washington State; California; Nevada.
“54”!?? It ranks above that on Star Power alone.
Worth a watch.
It gets cold up here…
“I’ll just sit under the table … “
The Call of the Wild / 1923
26 Feb
The Call of the Wild · John Powell / 2020
“But especially he loved to run in the dim twilight of the
summer midnights, listening to the subdued and sleepy
murmurs of the forest, reading signs and sounds as a man
may read a book, and seeking for the mysterious something
that called — called, waking or sleeping, at all times,
for him to come.”
― Jack London, The Call of the Wild
There are 5 film adaptations of Jack London’s book.
“The Call of the Wilderness” is a Western starring Sandow the Dog, Lewis Sargent, Edna Marion, Al Smith, Max Asher, Sydney D. Grey and others.
A man tries to defend his lucrative piece of land from another claimant.”
Silent Film Video on YouTube – courtesy of Silent Gems Collection / Silent Hall of Fame
Jasper Journey / Maligne Canyon
25 Feb
Where the Long RIver Flows / Gordon Lightfoot
Maligne Canyon is really a deep gorge with water running through.
In some places you can barely see the bottom.
We come in peace …
20 Feb
I’m the Urban Spaceman / Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band
Did most of this digital stuff many years ago.
Mount Edith Cavell: At the Tarn 2
12 Feb
till the end of time / earl grant
Mount Edith Cavell
I had a very difficult time with this post. Worked on it for nearly 2 weeks.
I had too many good photos – nearly 80 – or more.
Which ones to pick? Post?
I finally selected these.
Hope you enjoy them.
‘The Legend of Ben Hall’ ‘Director’s Cut’
10 FebHey Folks,
I just got this message from Matthew Holmes, Director of The Legend of Ben Hall:
Hello!!! I’m the director of ‘The Legend of Ben Hall’, and I wanted to let you know that I’ve launched a campaign to make a ‘Director’s Cut’ that will restore over 60 minutes of delete scenes back into the film. You can check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/legendofbenhall/the-legend-of-ben-hall-extended-directors-cut
Kindest regards,
Matthew Holmes
Two Tone Pictures
I gotta tell ya, I liked this Aussie Western a lot. I felt it was WAY underrated and unappreciated.
Still viewable on Prime Video: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0IZIRW4XB02AVY1QC6FOVJM2L6/ref=atv_dl_rdr?tag=imdbtag_tt_wbr_pvs_piv_ca-20.
I don’t normally promote like this. But I feel this is a worthy project.
Looking forward to the “Cut” Matthew.
Kirk Douglas – A Great Western Star passes
6 Feb
What a career. What a Man. What a legacy.
Thanks Kirk … for so many, many memories.
Mount Edith Cavell: At the Tarn 1
29 Jan
only time / enya
Mount Edith Cavell
I confess it wasn’t an easy hike for me.
Had to rest periodically due to pain in my legs.
But it was wonderful to eventually get up here and see this.
We took MANY photos up here. Can only show a few.
The Tarn with Angel Glacier above
Angel spreads her wings
Coming: Mount Edith Cavell: At the Tarn 2
THE WILD BUNCH REMAKE
27 Jan
La Golondrina / Soundtrack The Wild Bunch / Jerry Fielding
“Hmmmm …”
The big talk in Western Film these days is the News about the ‘Remake of The Wild Bunch’.
(I’m a bit slow on the draw so I just herd about this recently)
It’s a shocker to be sure.
Here’s one Newsbit:
‘The Wild Bunch’ Remake Hoping to Recruit Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, Peter Dinklage for Director Mel Gibson
Posted on Monday, May 20th, 2019 by Chris Evangelista
https://www.slashfilm.com/wild-bunch-remake-cast/#disqus_thread
Proving that there are indeed second, third, and even forth acts in Hollywood, Mel Gibson is being given the keys to a major motion picture yet again. The controversial actor and filmmaker is set to helm a remake of The Wild Bunch, and some heavy-hitting talent is already lining-up to work with him. Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, and Peter Dinklage are all in talks to join the Wild Bunch remake cast, indicating that Warner Bros. wants to put together an impressive cast for this contemporary remake of the violent Sam Peckinpah Western.
Mel Gibson can often be an excellent actor and a strong filmmaker. But he’s also a highly controversial figure known for misogynist, racist remarks and actions that many feel should disqualify him from being attached to major projects. Gibson was a bit of a pariah for a short period of time, but it’s clear that time has ended. Warner Bros. has booked him to direct their Wild Bunch remake, which features a script by Gibson and Bryan Bagby.
And now, Deadline says Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, and Peter Dinklage are all in talks to join the cast of the film. Nothing is officially in place yet, but word has it the movie will begin production this fall. This Wild Bunch is a contemporary remake of Sam Peckinpah’s classic 1969 Western, which was set in 1913. Here’s the original synopsis:
In this gritty Western classic, aging outlaw Pike Bishop prepares to retire after one final robbery. Joined by his gang, which includes Dutch Engstrom and brothers Lyle and Tector Gorch, Bishop discovers the heist is a setup orchestrated in part by his old partner, Deke Thornton. As the remaining gang takes refuge in Mexican territory, Thornton trails them, resulting in fierce gunfights with plenty of casualties.
Hollywood has been hoping to mount a Wild Bunch remake for a few years now. Tony Scott was originally set to helm a version, but his 2012 suicide ended up putting the project on hold. Since then, a remake with Will Smith possibly set to produce and star popped up, along with one directed by Hands of Stone filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz. Neither incarnation came to pass.
While Gibson, a filmmaker who doesn’t shy away from movie violence, seems like a good fit to remake this violent Western, I can’t help but feel this is a film we really don’t need, no matter who ends up being cast in the project.
Mel sure knows how to kick up some dust. I can’t see this project as a mere Western yarn – and it’s pretty obvious by the casting that this is not going to be a carbon copy of the original. The inclusion of Dinklage and Fox certainly tells us it’s to be pretty different right away – and Gibson has said it will be a different angle from a Social/Political viewpoint. There’s plenty of scepticism, of course, and it does seem like a daunting task. We’ll just have to wait and see.
All the Major players in the original production have passed.
Including Sam himself.
April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981
January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012
July 5, 1928 – April 3, 1982
June 13, 1918 – April 8, 1996
November 11, 1909 – July 11, 1973
Meet the New ‘Bunch’
This whole thing is riding on Mel.
Here’s hoping.
Chuck’s Ghost
21 Jan
Ghost Riders in the Sky by Cash Grass
See this guy!?
Charles Bronson right?
But Charles Bronson died in 2003. Didn’t he?
‘Fraid so.
This guy is Robert “Bronzi”.
Who just happens to look exactly like Charles Bronson! (below).
And they’ve been exploiting this likeness for a while now.
Most recently in this Western:
Here’s the Trailer/Preview:
Ratings weren’t favorable.
“2.7” outta 10!
Bang! Yor ‘one shot’ dead.
Even Chuck’s ghost couldn’t save this thing.
But Bronzi isn’t just some ‘one trick cowpoke’
trying to ride Bronson’s pony.
Internet Movie Database Mini Bio
Hungarian born performer Robert Bronzi is world traveled actor and professional horseman with a love for the wild west and classic American film. Bronzi has worked as a Carpenter, Horsetrainer, Musician and former Military Service Member. Professionally Trained Actor at Maria Mezey Theatre School (Budapest) as well as stuntman, acrobat and Judo Player. Robert speaks multiple languages including English, Spanish and Hungarian. With a film resume building, Bronzi has honed his craft in Live Performances and Wild West Theme Shows, including ” Fort Bravo ” Almeria, Spain ” Port Aventura ” – Costa Dorada, Spain, ” Rancho Texas Park ” – Canary Islands. and Feature Films, The Seven Gallant, Death Kiss, Escape From Death Block 13 and most recent has signed to to play ” The Dago ” in Knighted Entertainments upcoming comedy feature Mat Rats.
– IMDb Mini Biography By: Katrina Gellet
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8459909/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Obviously and interesting guy who has some chops and paid some dues.
Ride on Bronzi!
Let’s just hope this doesn’t start a trend of ‘look alike’ Actors mimicing other Cowboys.
The Call of the Wild / Jack London
20 Jan
“A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog,
when you are just as hungry as the dog.”
– Jack London
Wikipedia: John Griffith London (born John Griffith Chaney; born in San Francisco on January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916 was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. A pioneer in the world of commercial magazine fiction, he was one of the first writers to become a worldwide celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing. He was also an innovator in the genre that would later become known as science fiction.
His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories “To Build a Fire”, “An Odyssey of the North”, and “Love of Life”. He also wrote about the South Pacific in stories such as “The Pearls of Parlay”, and “The Heathen”.
London was part of the radical literary group “The Crowd” in San Francisco and a passionate advocate of unionization, workers’ rights, socialism, and eugenics. He wrote several works dealing with these topics, such as his dystopian novel The Iron Heel, his non-fiction exposé The People of the Abyss, The War of the Classes, and Before Adam.
Buck was a St. Bernard/Scotch shepherd mix breed.
Klondike Gold Rush / The Legendary Chilkoot Pass between British Columbia and Alaska
The Call of the Wild (2020)
19 Jan
Well … it looks like it’s been Disneyized for sure.
But it is a Classic.
Mount Edith Cavell: Signs of the times – Part 1
15 Jan
Big Yellow Taxi / Joni Mitchell
I rant. Therefore I am.
– Dennis Miller
Mount Edith Cavell: Signs of the times.
Canadians love Socialism. We can’t wait to hand over all our personal responsibilities (Freedoms) to the Government and be taxed to the eyebrows. 3 of the 5 political parties that ran in our last Federal Election were outright Socialist in philosophy: The incompetent and forever stupid Liberals; the insane and laughable NDP; and the complete lunatic Lefties: the Green Party. Absolutely terrifying that this bunch overwhelms any sane Political ideals here.
The damage of Socialism is long, pervasive and impossible to get rid of.
Example: Bilingualism – as Law in Canada. Most signage, packaging, anything! has to be done in both English and French. This has cost us – and continues to do so – untold Millions (zillions?) of Dollars. This single titanic feat of political stupidity alone has cost Canadians an unfathomable fortune in wasted money. Yet almost NOBODY outside of Ontario and Quebec speak French – or need to do so. In my job as a Greeter at Home Depot I believe I’ve only encountered about 2 people in the last 6 years that needed assistance because they only spoke French. (We couldn’t find any interpreters). But this Law persists – to appease the unappeasable Province of Quebec. This was inflicted upon us by that great French Canadian Socialist Pierre Trudeau – who like his son Justin (who now rules Canada) has professed an admiration for Communism. Yeah.
In a country where democracy is corrupted by the reality that 2 Provinces – Ontario and Quebec (out of 10) – can swing any Federal Election vote, we find the need to speak French by any Politician who isn’t bilingual (like from Western Canada) immediately handcuffs him.
Thinking about coming here?
WHY am this bringing this up?
Because the signs at Mount Edith Cavell reflects this mentality.
Apart from the fact that all signage has to be bilingual – in English and French –
there’s a question of whether these signs are need to exist at all?
But apparently, in 2012, there was an “icefall” from the Angel Glacier into
the Tarn (glacier pond) which resulted in some flooding here.
No one was hurt and it was pretty well a freak event,
but now we have signs everywhere.
Signs … signs … everywhere a sign.
Fortunately … nobody was paying attention.
Play videos in HD – controls at bottom.
Next
Mount Edith Cavell: Signs of the times – Part 2
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
8 Jan
Songbird / Eva Cassidy
Marilyn, over at Serendipity (https://teepee12.com/) frequently posts wonderful photos
of the birds and squirrels that visit her bird feeder at her place on the US East Coast.
So, out of blue, my partner Rose suggested we take a walk down to
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary here in Calgary.
Off we went – cameras in hand.
Hmmmm …
When I was a kid I figured that the day I understood Bird Watching
would be the day that proved I was old …
AHA ! 
I’m getting pretty old.
Some kind of Woodpecker …
Maybe a Flicker?
(I carve a notch on my camera)
Rose got a better pic/peck though.
See him?
Ducks.
In the olden days they used to migrate.
Rose figures she can get a Chickadee to land on her hand.
She’s right!
Let’s try for something bigger …
A Bald Eagle !!
Not bad!
Holy crap !! A Condor !
What next !!!
A Pterodactyl !!!!
This Birdwatching is really something !
Time to go home …
Canadian Hockey Juniors Prevail
6 Jan
We are the Champions!
Crazy 3rd Period sees Russia unravel
as Canada scores 3 goals.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/382957435
From mayhem to bedlam !
An inspiring Victory.
Party on lads!
Counting my Blessings ….
24 DecMost people in this world don’t have what I have.
Some are lucky to get even one meal a day.
Yet I live in opulence. A Wonderful home. A Wonderful companion.
Many Blessings. Too many to count.
But I try.
So I truly do give thanks.
And like to express Good Will to All.
And I Thank you all for coming around this year.
I hope that I’ve offered something
that adds something to You and your day.
My pleasure. My honor.
And may we all pass our good fortune on to others.
Blessings of the Season to You .
Christmas music
20 DecThere’s just a ton of inspired Christmas music on YouTube.
Emer Barry Soprano, Mary McCague Violin and Aisling Ennis Harp.
I could post stuff every day …
Burt Lancaster – Western Film Great
11 Dec
Theme from The Gunfight at OK Corral
John WHO?
Two blogs I follow (and I don’t follow that many) recently spotlighted Burt Lancaster. Cindy Bruchman over at ‘Cindy Bruchman‘ has Winter Project: Burt Lancaster. While over at Cinematiccoffee posted Sweet Smell of Success. Two Classics!
I was saying to Cindy that I consider Burt Lancaster to be among the Top Western Movie Stars of all time – appearing in so many Classics that I’d place right up there with John Wayne.
Permit me to prove that.
The film received three nominations at the 1967 Academy Awards. Writer and director Richard Brooks, for Best Director and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and cinematographer Conrad Hall, for Best Cinematography.
The film won two Motion Picture Magazine Laurel Awards in 1967, for Best Action Drama and Best Action Performance for Lee Marvin. In Germany, it was one of only four movies to receive a Golden Screen Award (the others were Doctor Zhivago, Marvelous Angelique
and You Only Live Twice) in 1967.
Burt Lancaster Western Filmography
1951 Vengeance Valley
1954 Apache / 1954 Vera Cruz
1955 The Kentuckian / 1956 The Rainmaker
1957 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral / 1960 The Unforgiven
1965 The Hallelujah Trail / 1966 The Professionals
1968 The Scalphunters / 1971 Lawman
1971 Valdez Is Coming / 1972 Ulzana’s Raid
1976 Buffalo Bill and the Indians / 1981 Cattle Annie and Little Britches
Not all gems – but the red ones are definite Classics.
Others are notable.
A very impressive Western Film legacy.
You want good Writing?
How about great Writing.
And great Actors to deliver it.
And if you’ve never seen The Rainmaker …
Shame on you.
“That old soft spot.” – Vera Cruz
Art from the 70’s / December 2019
7 Dec
Good Vibrations / The Beach Boys / 1966
Good Vibrations: How brilliant was that?
Jasper Journey – Part 2: Mount Edith Cavell
3 Dec
The Adventures of Superman
Mount Edith Cavell
I used to leap tall mountains in a single bound.
Now there’s a little too much snow on my peak.
The truth is that the pain in my legs is sometimes unbearable
when I try to go hiking.
Diabetes 2.
So my hiking days may soon come to an end.
But I ain’t quite done yet.
Beautiful up here!
A pure mountain stream!
But …
A flood? On a mountain?
Seems there’s a mountain pond up ahead – formed by a glacier. A tarn.
And falling rocks and ice could create a flash flood
and drown you.
And I was worried about bears.
We fearlessly head up the trail.
I’ll be right along.
If I rest periodically I can make it.
It’s just a matter of time.
There does seem to be something blue up ahead … ?
Well … I’ll be tarned!
There is indeed a large pond.
Time for a drink.
Next: Jasper Journey – Mount Edith Cavell: Part 3
Star Wars … Fallen Jedi
25 Nov
Star Wars Theme – A tribute. / Samuel Kim
“Luminous beings are we – not this crude matter.”
– Yoda
Not your average Star Wars game …
Star Trek: Picard Premieres January 23, 2020
24 NovPat
Picard Intro Star Trek Generations
Star Trek: Picard is scheduled to premiere on January 23, 2020,
and its first season will consist of ten episodes.
and its first season will consist of ten episodes.
Star Trek, pat
Engage !
Donald Sutherland, William Shatner, receive Order of Canada
24 Nov
“I have never planned anything. I have been doing this job for over 50 years. I have been paid to work with some wonderful people and it has been a huge gift, to me.”
– Donald Sutherland
“We’re all embers from the same fire. Our ember winks out, we’re ashes, we go back to the fire. I like that image. There has to be a unifying theory. I think there is a continuity of some kind, that my love for my wife will go on past the death of my body. Nature is perfect.”
– William Shatner
It’s a been a hell of ride guys.
Thank You.
Thank you very much.
Jasper Journey – Mount Edith Cavell … Part 1
22 Nov
Jules Massenet “Thaïs” Meditation / Michael Rabin
Mount Edith Cavell
We head out for some hiking at Mount Edith Cavell.
There she is.
Majestic!
A lot of people have the same idea.
Who was Edith Cavell?
“But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God and eternity,
I realize that patriotism is not enough.
I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any one.”
– Edith Cavell
Edith Louisa Cavell (/ˈkævəl/; 4 December 1865 – 12 October 1915) was a British nurse. She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and in helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the First World War, for which she was arrested. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage.
The night before her execution, she said, “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” These words were later inscribed on a memorial to her near Trafalgar Square. Her strong Anglican beliefs propelled her to help all those who needed it, both German and Allied soldiers. She was quoted as saying, “I can’t stop while there are lives to be saved.” The Church of England commemorates her in its Calendar of Saints on 12 October.
Cavell, who was 49 at the time of her execution, was already notable as a pioneer of modern nursing in Belgium.
My Mother was also an British nurse – during World War II – and also a devout Anglican – who later became the President of the Red Cross in New Brunswick for several years. Interesting parallels.
Next: Jasper Journey – Mount Edith Cavell … Part 2
Sourtoe Cocktail founder dies …
17 Nov
The Spell of the Yukon / Robert Service / Hank Snow
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
– Jack London
THE CANADIAN PRESS/DARRYL DYCK
DAWSON CITY, Yukon — The founder of the legendary Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City, Yukon, has poured his final glass of the well-known whisky and pickled human toe drink.
Dick Stevenson, the former bartender known by his nickname Captain Dick, has died. He was 89.
Stephen Lancaster, manager of the Dawson Hotel, where the Sourtoe Cocktail tradition continues, said Saturday patrons at the Sourdough Saloon and members of the community are deeply saddened by Stevenson’s passing Thursday in Whitehorse.
“When I walked into the bar last night, it was quite a sad feeling knowing that we lost somebody who was really important to the history of the place,” he said. “We are quite sad about it and want to honour him somehow, and we’re trying to figure out some way of doing that.”
Lancaster said the saloon has records of more than 93,000 brave customers who are members of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club started by Stevenson.
“You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe,” says the club membership motto, which involves drinking a shot of whisky from a glass that also contains a pickled human big toe. Lancaster said he expects the club to reach 100,000 members this summer.
Stevenson fit the image of a Yukon gold prospector, with his beard, cap and friendly and spirited demeanour, said Lancaster.
“He’s exactly like he looks,” he said. “He’s a fun, friendly guy you just want to talk to and hear his stories. We almost want to have a moment of silence to honour what he’s done here.”
Stevenson came up with the drink idea in 1973 after finding a frost-bitten human toe preserved in a jar in a cabin he purchased.
Lancaster said the Sourtoe Cocktail tradition will continue with Stevenson in the mix — his will asks his two big toes be preserved for future drinks.
So long Pardner
Jasper Journey – Heading Back Down …
13 Nov
wolf / first aid kit
Columbia Icefield
Saw one of these on the way back.
Don’t know what they’re called, but it’s a hole
in the glacier where water goes down.
Google Maps image
A few people have gone missing up here over the years.
They just found a body of a guy that had missing for 20 years.
But if you ever fell in one of these holes
I doubt they would ever find you.
Inuksuk
The word inuksuk means “that which acts in the capacity of a human.
A manmade stone landmark or cairn built for use by the Inuit, Iñupiat, Kalaallit, Yupik, and other peoples of the Arctic region of North America.
These structures are found in northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska (United States).
The inuksuk may historically have been used for navigation, as a point of reference, a marker for travel routes, fishing places, camps, hunting grounds, places of veneration,
drift fences used in hunting, or to mark a food cache.
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