WELL FED AND FRISKY?

November 25, 2016

Florence Henderson dies at 82.  

We mourn the dead, especially when they are so well loved. But, 82 is a good run.  She was active and pretty and for all we knew perky to the end. She will always be the mom from The Brady Bunch. 

In our society we mourn every death.  The death of institutions and the death of relationships.. and death of those whom we love.  But John Donne sums it up pretty well in his poem, Death Be Not Proud.. 

"... One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die!"

Myself? I'm not so sure, but the mystery is worth the contemplation and all that "passes understanding" shall so remain until some other time ...  or not? 

A favorite grand dame: Cloris Leachman, will be ninety-one next April.   Seeing her yesterday in the "It's a Good Life" episode of The Twilight Zone over fifty  years ago and then remembering her in her Oscar turn in "The Last Picture Show" are just wonderful memories.    We come on the scene and if actors are lucky, make a mark and sometimes the mark remains.  These women will certainly remain in memory, yes...

Today?  How fame shifts?  Burt Reynolds created a warm and cuddly sit com called Evening Shade.  A good friend was a camera operator on that show and an actor I used to know, Charlie Dell, played a sweet character on it.  He, along with Michael Jeter, were the spices that gave the show extra flavor.  I mention Charlie because he is currently in a commercial for ...  I think... a cell phone? Anyway, a handsome studly guy has excused himself to a fancy mens' restroom to check his iphone. Charlie is crisply attired as the Rest Room Attendant, standing quietly in the very background. He stands at relaxed attention.  As the spot fades, he completely steals the scene with a very subtle eye move.. just his eyes!  I wonder if it was his idea or if the director had him do it? His Evening Shade character, Nub, was embraced by the actual town of Evening Shade in Arkansas (population about 500!). Charlie was married there to his wife, Jennifer Williams! I attended a party at their home where Lois Nettleton impressed me big time! (She died at the age of 80!)  

Hollywood connections.  Life goes on.

November 25, 2016

michaelsheehan

Chayote 11/25/16