The Timeless Legacy of A Christmas Carol

Charles Dicken’s Beloved Literary Masterpiece

December 19th

A Tuesday Newsday Classic with updates

It took the author only six weeks to complete this novella which was published on December 19, 1843. All 6,000 of the original copies sold out in less than six days and the book, arguably, is one of the most famous literary works in history.

A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas – the full title – is known better by the simpler name ‘A Christmas Carol.’

Charles Dickens was appalled by the conditions he saw at a school for the poor and was inspired to write the story. From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“Dickens had written three Christmas stories prior to the novella, and was inspired to write the story following a visit to the Field Lane Ragged school, one of several establishments for London’s half-starved, illiterate street children. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a self-interested man redeeming himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story. There is discussion among academics as to whether this was a fully secular story, or if it is a Christian allegory.”

*A sketch of Charles Dickens circa 1843*

The book had an additional 13 publication runs in 1844, obviously resonating with the reading public in Victorian England. Since its first edition, the book has never been out of print and has been translated into several languages and adapted for theatre, movies and TV.

The path to success for Dickens, however, was not an easy one. Despite being a successful author, by mid-1843 he encountered financial problems. In those days authors were paid a salary by publishers and the author’s writings didn’t truly belong to them. Dickens’ publishers, Chapman and Hall, were about to reduce his salary by 50 pounds as sales of his current book had fallen. Also from the Infallible Wikipedia:

“As the result of the disagreements with Chapman and Hall over the commercial failures of Martin Chuzzlewit Dickens arranged to pay for the publishing himself, in exchange for a percentage of the profits. Production of A Christmas Carol was not without problems. The first printing contained drab olive endpapers that Dickens felt were unacceptable, and the publisher quickly replaced them with yellow endpapers, but, once replaced, those clashed with the title page, which was then redone. The final product was bound in red cloth with gilt-edged pages, completed only two days before the publication date of 19 December 1843.”

*The Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge in the 1984 version featuring George C. Scott*

Perhaps my favorite part of this story is how Dickens, despite setbacks, prevailed as a self-published author. He also, apparently, understood how to promote and, in 1852, started a tradition of reading an abbreviated version of the story as a public performance every Christmas season until his death in 1870. In fact he read A Christmas Carol in this manner 127 times.

I’ve seen a number of different versions of “A Christmas Carol.” Although many critics laud the 1954 film with Alistair Cook as Scrooge as the best adaptation, I’m partial to the George C. Scott version from 1984. What’s your favorite version?

2023 Update:

Unbeknownst to me, a movie was released in November 2017 (just weeks before the original post) about the writing of “A Christmas Carol.” I only first saw the movie last week. Titled “The Man Who Invented Christmas” it tells the story of Dickens struggles as an author and how the concept of one of his most beloved works came to be.

What I most appreciate about the film is how it portrays the writer’s journey. In the six weeks it takes for Dickens to pen the manuscript he struggles with the characters, especially the character of Scrooge who Dickens originally felt was not redeemable.

To me, one of the joys of writing fiction is breathing life into those characters who take up residence in your head during the creative process. One of my favorite characters arrived in my kitchen one morning as I was doing dishes. I was about 18,000 words into the novel and I was stuck. I needed something to occur which disrupted the budding relationship between my male and female protagonists.

So there I was, hands in the soapy water and, although I would look out the window every so often, my brain was thinking about the story. I hear an unfamiliar male voice behind me and I immediately know who it is. But it’s not someone from my household. Oh no, it’s a character from an earlier novel who the last time we met he was a baby. And he says “Put me in the story.” I froze and I contemplated the suggestion. Then I dried my hands and headed up to my computer to see what that looked liked. He was absolutely right. Turns out he was definitely a bit of a scoundrel but quite lovable and you like him in spite of his flaws. (Well, at least I do)

These past few months I’ve been doing a complete rewrite of this particular novel prepping it to send to my editor. (Note to my editor – the rewrite has been more involved than I anticipated…) And I still love this character. It’s been fun to spend time with him once again.

However, I am putting “The Man Who Invented Christmas” on my list of movies to be sure to watch each holiday season. God Bless Us, Everyone!

A few links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Carol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Invented_Christmas_(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens

The “Other” Washington

Dec12

Confusion continues 170 years later

December 12, 2023

A Tuesday Newsday classic updated

*Historical postcard depicting Washington DC*

It’s been the source of much confusion and for those of us from the ‘state’, a source of consternation. When, on December 12, 1800, Congress carved out the ‘District of Columbia’ from Maryland and a bit of Virginia, I doubt they knew how it would all play out.

The trouble began in 1853 when, by an act of Congress, the territory of Washington was created from the larger Oregon territory.

From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“The territory was originally to be named ‘Columbia’, for the Columbia River and the Columbia District, but Kentucky Representative Richard H. Stanton found the name too similar to the District of Columbia (the national capital, itself containing the city of Washington) and proposed naming the new territory after President Washington. Washington is the only U.S. state named after a president.

*Historical Postcard from Washington State*

Confusion over the state of Washington and the city of Washington, D.C. led to renaming proposals during the statehood process for Washington in 1889, including David Dudley Field II’s suggestion to name the new state ‘Tacoma.’ These proposals failed to garner support. Washington, D.C.’s own statehood movement in the 21st century includes a proposal to use the name ‘State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth’, which would conflict with the current state of Washington.

To distinguish it from the national capital, Washington may be referred to as ‘Washington State’, or, in more formal contexts, as ‘the State of Washington’. Residents of Washington (known as ‘Washingtonians’) and the Pacific Northwest simply refer to the state as ‘Washington’, and the nation’s capital ‘Washington, D.C.’, ‘the other Washington’, or simply ‘D.C.’.”

The Columbia River at Vantage looking south. The river truly defines the state of Washington as 783 miles of its total 1243 mile length are located in the state or serves as the border with Oregon. The river traverses the entire state from north to south.

Ironically, had they named our state Columbia there would not be any confusion today over which ‘Columbia’ is being discussed since the entire world pretty much calls the nation’s capital ‘Washington.’

Bills continue to be introduced in Congress for precisely the purpose of granting statehood to the District of Columbia. I understand the push for that. But, (my opinion) in the category of stupid ideas it’s also been proposed to call the new entity the “State of Washington, DC.”

Can’t imagine that might be confusing…

2023 Update:

The push to make the ‘State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth’ the fifty first state continues. While how to do that is still fraught with challenges, I find it insulting that they cling to giving it a state name of ‘Washington’ as if my state doesn’t already exist.

Having finally had the opportunity to visit our nation’s capitol in August of this year I can see how that happens. The city is vibrant and dynamic. It hums with cars, busses, scooters, and trains. The mass of humanity overwhelms the brain with its unceasing activity. Everywhere we went it was a crush of people vying to see and visit all the same places. You get a sense that those who are there believe it to be the center of the universe.

And it certainly is not a kind place or a place inclined to introspection.

Two incidents summed up my visit to D.C. proper. The first involved the train system. Renting a car to get around D.C. makes zero sense, as the traffic is crazy and the parking expensive. Instead, the hubby and I decided to buy a five day Metro SmartPass. On that first day, we walked to the DuPont Circle station – about a half mile from our hotel – and descended the escalator into the depths of Hades. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that deep. Train tracks lined either side of the concrete platform and entry stiles and a security booth prevented access to the inner workings. The place smelled a bit like poop. We just wanted to get to the train but first riders must purchase their fare.

We stood at the automated purchase station – like an ATM – and worked through the process only to have our credit card rejected. Multiple times. Over to the booth we went to ask for assistance. Wrong. ‘Sorry, you can only buy the pass at the ATM. Can’t help you here.’ Can we pay cash? Nope. Have to use the machine.

Now frustrated, it was back up to street level we went, trying to figure out why our Credit Card didn’t work. The hubby, who experiences severe vertigo when confronted with edges and heights, was just about done in by the escalator.

Which meant that I won the lottery and my reward was to descend into the depths for round two and another attempt to purchase our passes. In the meantime, the hubby was fending off crazy street people and working the bank angle up at street level to figure out the problem.

*More than any other structure in D.C., the Washington Monument is almost always visible.* *No wonder they only consider it ‘Washington.’*

So I’m down in the dim bowels of the DC train system at the Metro ATMish machine and, suddenly, on the fourth or fifth attempt to purchase the hubby’s pass, the machine works. And then it works for mine too. Elated, I return to street level to discover that he’d been successful in getting the block on the card lifted and we can now continue on our adventures.

We discover a tucked away elevator which makes descending easier for the hubby but harder on the olfactory as IT smells like urine. Much worse than in the train area.

We find the right train which takes us within a couple blocks of the White House and we spend the afternoon walking about. Finally, we decide to hop on a bus to try and get to the Capitol Mall. Being that we are unfamiliar with the city and the system, we get on a bus we think is headed the direction we want to go. At each stop, a few people leave the bus until we are literally the only people still there save the driver – an older woman – and we are happily traveling along. (Me especially as my feet hurt at that point) The bus stops and she says something with words I am not able to understand. We cannot tell if she’s talking to us or on her radio.

So she says it louder and still we don’t understand what she’s saying or even that she’s talking to us. The next thing we experience is the bus driver literally coming up out of her seat and screaming at us to get off. I swear she would have physically grabbed us and tossed us into the street if we hadn’t moved. I was so undone by her unhinged yelling I jump up and run off the bus. It was only later that I realized I had left my sun hat (which I’d had for years) on the seat, not noticing it in my upset.

The takeaway, for me, was that in D.C. there’s no patience for anyone who can’t immediately figure it out. Things I take for granted in my daily life were visibly absent: regular people who will hold the door for you, say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ Accomodation for those who need a bit of help. Smiles.

*On the train to Reagan National Airport. Now old pros, we could actually figure out the map (behind the hubby)*

On the last morning there – now veterans in navigating the trains and busses – the hubby and I packed our suitcases and literally rolled them down the street for the half mile walk to DuPont Circle. Down the now familiar elevator we went, bought our fare (the passes had expired two days earlier), waited for the Red train and then rolled the cases on and rode to Metro Center, departed that train then descended the escalator and connected with the Blue train to Reagan National Airport. Easy Peasy.

I was glad we went and visited. But I think those who live and work in D.C. should come and visit the ‘other Washington’ before stealing our identity. Perhaps it might change their minds when they see our beautiful white capped peaks, blue waters and blue skies, rolling wheat fields, mighty rivers. Smaller towns where the people are friendly and smile at you. In my mind there’s no comparison as to which Washington is better.

To learn more about this whole mess be sure to check out these links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(state)

https://www.dctransitguide.com/m/MetroMap/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_statehood_movement

Top Of The World

Dec5

The Carpenters second #1 Hit

December 5, 2023

This song sat on top of the charts for two weeks in early December 1973. You could say the song sat at the “Top of the World.” It was the second number one song for pop superstars Karen and Richard Carpenter and the only song written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis to reach number one on the Billboard Top 40 singles charts.

A catchy tune, it captured the interest of country singer Lynn Anderson who recorded and turned it into a number one Country hit in the summer of 1973.

According to the Infallible Wikipedia Karen and Richard were a bit unhappy that they had not already released it as a single:

*John Bettis (left) and Richard Carpenter met in college and wrote many songs together. Pictured here in the late 1960’s performing at Disneyland.*

“Written by Richard Carpenter (music) and John Bettis (lyrics), ‘Top Of The World’ was originally recorded for and released on the duo’s 1972 studio album A Song for You. The song was initially intended to just remain an album cut, however, when Lynn Anderson’s version, released in mid-1973, was a success, the duo was upset that they hadn’t released their version as a single to begin with. The Carpenters’ version was later released as a single on September 17, 1973. Karen Carpenter re-recorded her lead vocal for the single release as she was not quite satisfied with the original. The new version appeared on the duo’s first compilation album, The Singles: 1969-1973.

Following its single release, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1973, becoming the duo’s second of three No. 1 singles, following ‘(They Long to Be) Close to You‘ and preceding ‘Please Mr. Postman.’”

For my generation you would have had to have lived under a rock to not at least recognize this song.

As my readers know, I loved, loved, loved the Carpenters and their music. Was this song my favorite of theirs? Not by a long shot. Ahead of this one were their more soulful songs (which, I think, took better advantage of Karen’s beautiful voice) such as “We’ve Only Just Begun”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, “Song For You”, and “Superstar.”

The beauty of this song, in spite of it’s decidedly country vibe, are the upbeat lyrics and the eminently memorable tune.

In the fall of 1973, as a junior in high school, we all knew and could easily sing this song. One of the most important parts of my high school experience was being a part of the nearly 100 member choir. Of course our musical selections were of a more traditional sort, having to sing songs written in Latin and other languages. But those were just part of the deal for the opportunity to participate in the annual musical. One of the rules was that you had to be a member of the Cadet Choir. The other was that in order to try out for a speaking or singing part in the musical you were required to ‘try out’ in front of the entire choir during class.

I finally screwed up the courage to do so during my senior year and I chose “Top of the World” as my song. For weeks prior to the audition I practiced and practiced at home, accompanying myself on the piano. Most of the mid range notes I was fine with since I was an alto.

Finally the big day arrived and I can still see how that room looked with nearly 100 pairs of eyes looking at me as I stood in front of them and gave “Top of the World” my best shot. No doubt my voice cracked a few times. I imagine I went off key a once or twice. My knees knocked together. My hands shook. But I made it through.

Mr. Durado, our teacher, did NOT cast me in a singing role. He did not cast me in an acting role. But he did make me the Director’s Assistant, a job which was definitely more in my wheelhouse. I was not destined to become a singing and acting star of the stage.

*The 1975 Cadet Choir. The author is the last one seated, on the ground, at the far right*

I have never sung solo in public ever again. And I’m good with that. And so is everyone else.

But when I think back on that time in my life, “Top of the World” was sort of anthem. I was 17 years old and life lay before me with unlimited possibilities. Mostly an optimist, I felt as if the lyrics of this song spoke to me and encapsulated how I felt that year:

I suppose that, musically, the song is undoubtedly seen as being a bit simplistic and saccharin. So be it. But I also think that maybe our current society could use a bit more optimism in the world and embrace a feel good song like “Top of the World.”

A couple of links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_of_the_World_(The_Carpenters_song)

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35343699/Carpenters/Top+of+the+World

I’ve written previous articles on the Carpenters Here:

Just like me, they long to be…

Goodbye To Love

And the musical I auditioned for:

Anything Goes

Grand Ole’ Opry

Nov28

Will The Circle Be Unbroken?

November 28, 2023

A Tuesday Newsday Classic Updated

*Son and daughter standing in ‘the circle’ at the Grand Ole Opry 2013*

It was called the Golden Age of Radio and one of the best known programs was first produced on November 28, 1925. In fact, that program is still heard every week as a live stream on the internet and is the longest running radio broadcast in US history.

WSM radio called the program a ‘barn dance.’ The name we all know it by: The Grand Ole Opry.

From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“The phrase ‘Grand Ole Opry’ was first uttered on the air on December 10, 1927. At the time, Barn Dance followed the NBC Red Network’s Music Appreciation Hour, a program of classical music and selections from grand opera presented by classical conductor Walter Damrosch. On that particular night, Damrosch had remarked that ‘there is no place in the classics for realism.’ In response, Opry presenter George Hay said:

‘Friends, the program which just came to a close was devoted to the classics. Doctor Damrosch told us that there is no place in the classics for realism. However, from here on out for the next three hours, we will present nothing but realism. It will be down to earth for the earthy.’

*The circle which was cut from the Ryman auditorium stage and moved to the new location in 1974*

Hay then introduced DeFord Bailey, the man he had dubbed the ‘Harmonica Wizard’, saying:

‘For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera. From now on, we will present the Grand Ole Opry.’

Bailey then stepped up to the mike to play ‘The Pan-American Blues,’ his song inspired by the Pan-American, a premier L&N Railroad passenger train.”

The Opry’s popularity soared and soon it outgrew its original locale. It moved a half dozen times over the next two decades – to larger and larger facilities – before finding a home in the 3,000 seat Ryman Auditorium in 1943.

*Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, giant guitar picks are used for dressing room numbers*

Then, in 1956, a new medium entered the equation and once a month, for the next few years, the Opry was broadcast on television. This exposure had the effect of even more people wanting to attend an in-person performance.

In the 1960’s it was determined that the Ryman – old and falling into disrepair – was no longer adequate. Additionally, Nashville’s central core suffered from urban decay and the show’s owners made the decision to build a new facility on farmland east of town. The 4,400 seat facility opened in June 1974 and, despite catastrophic flooding of the Cumberland River in May 2010, continues as the home of the Grand Ole Opry.

*Everything’s bigger in Nashville… One of two giant guitars greet visitors to the Opry.*

One interesting thing is that a circle was cut from the floor of the Ryman Theater and installed in the center of the new Opry stage. When our family visited Nashville in March 2013 we toured the facility and stood in the famous ‘circle.’ Later that evening we attended a show which featured Craig Morgan as that night’s main act. I was surprised, however, by the number of long time Opry acts which were still being performed including a ‘Minnie Pearl’ impersonator and also Little Jimmy Dickens who, until he died in 2015, was the oldest Opry member.

One thing I learned when visiting the Grand Ole’ Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame is that the Opry has a ‘theme’ song. One might assume it would be a twangy sort of tune from the 1930’s. Instead it is a gospel song which was adapted by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1972. The idea behind it was to honor those Country Singers of previous decades and to bridge the gap from these pioneers to a new generation. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” is now a staple of the Grand Ole Opry and sung following the induction of new members into the Opry ranks.

*Generations… September 1997 with Mom, daughter, and granddaughter*

November 28, 2023 – Over the years of writing this blog if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that certain topics seem to rise to the top and coincide with monumental life events. When I posted this on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, it was with the knowledge that my mother was not long for this earth. Two days later she passed, giving personal significance to this song and the concept of the unbroken circle of life.

A few links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Ole_Opry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Ole_Opry_members

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_the_Circle_be_Unbroken_(Nitty_Gritty_Dirt_Band_album)

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Nov21

Celebrating over two centuries of balloon flight

November 21, 2023

A Tuesday Newsday Classic Updated

If you want to see the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the world, mark your calendar for October 2024 and plan to visit the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the spectacle has grown to become the largest display of balloons in the world. Now, 51 years later, there are about 600 balloons and 700 pilots featured at the annual event.

*Just a few of the hundreds of balloons and thousands of people at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival 2018*

In the world of hot air balloons, November 21, is an important first. It was on this date in 1783 when two Frenchmen, Jean-François Pilâtre deRozier and the Marquis d’Arlandes, became the first humans to travel in a ship through the ‘air.’

From the moment people could harness their imaginations, there has been no greater desire than to be able to soar like birds, high above the ground.

*Artwork depicting De Rosier’s November 1783 flight*

DeRozier, who can credibly be dubbed the father of flight, made this happen after years of experimenting with gases and how they reacted and interacted; he parlayed his obsession to a career as a teacher and scientist and, as such, opened a museum for nobles to come and witness his experiments.

From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“After several tethered tests to gain some experience of controlling the balloon, DeRozier and d’Arlandes made their first un-tethered flight in a Montgolfier hot air balloon on 21 November 1783, taking off at around 2 p.m. from the garden of the Château de la Muette in the Bois de Boulogne, in the presence of the King. Their 25-minute flight travelled slowly about 5½ miles (some 9 km) to the southeast, attaining an altitude of 3,000 feet, before returning to the ground at the Butte-aux-Cailles, then on the outskirts of Paris.”

By all accounts, DeRozier was fearless and continued his experiments with what we know as ‘hot air balloons.’ Several successful balloon flights followed and, in June 1785, he took on his most ambitious journey which was to travel from France to England across the English Channel. Because of the distance involved, DeRozier determined that using just hot air (powered by stoves set up in the balloon basket!) would not be enough to make the journey. Instead he developed his own balloon – called the DeRozier Balloon – which was powered by use of hydrogen fuel to heat the air. By all accounts it should have worked. But a sudden change in wind direction pushed the balloon back, and caused it to rapidly deflate. It plummeted 1500 feet to the ground, killing DeRozier and the two others onboard.

The accident ended the adventurer’s life and research, but the “modern hybrid gas and hot air balloon is named the Rozière balloon after his pioneering design.”

*The author and her hubby at the 2018 Festival*

When we lived in Redmond, Washington, it was always fun to head to the Sammamish slough and watch the cluster of hot air balloons which would soar over the valley on summer evenings. Then, in 2018, the hubby and I had the opportunity to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival with a group from Washington Eastern Star. What an incredible experience! We left our hotel long before dawn and rode on a tour bus to the venue. The roads were jammed with festival goers. And out the windows of the bus we could see, one by one, the balloons in the distance glow to life in the dark skies, illuminated by the burning gases.

*A kaleidoscope of colorful balloons fill the sky*

Although it was after sunrise when our bus finally arrived on site, we feasted on the spectacle of hundreds of colorful balloons. It was fascinating to watch as each balloon grew large, eventually lifting into the sky. There were all shapes of animals; Balloons from cartoons and movies; geometric designs, patriotic themes, and holidays. There was even one balloon depicting Vincent Van Gogh. I never tired of the colorful variety or the ever changing kaleidoscope of balloons and hope to one day have a return trip to New Mexico’s Balloon Fiesta.

To read more about DeRozier and balloon flight:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Fran%C3%A7ois_Pil%C3%A2tre_de_Rozier

A general history of Balloon flight: http://bellestar.org/faq/default.html

A link to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: https://balloonfiesta.com/

Taylor Swift

Nov14

Shattering Records Year after Year

November 14, 2023

This week’s Tuesday Newsday is an update from the one I posted on November 14, 2017. At the time I could never have imagined that this artist who was, in 2017, the most successful female recording artist of all times, could soar even higher. Back to that in a minute.

It was on November 14, 2009 when six songs from her album, Fearless, were all in the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40.

That artist: Taylor Swift.

She has inspired TWO generations of young women, capturing the angst and emotion of the teenage years through her catchy country tunes, and has since grown up to become a bona-fide pop diva.

Amazing to think, that at the ripe old age of 20, the Fearless album spawned 12 songs which reached the top 40, the most ever for any album.

During her career, she has (thus far) had 52 singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100, the most of any female performer ever. According to the Infallible Wikipedia, she comes in fifth place as follows:

No doubt that number will increase this week as her latest album, Reputation, was released on November 10th and sold over 717,000 copies on the first day alone. It is expected that by the end of the first week it will have been purchased over one million times.

All of that information was from 2017. What she’s accomplished SINCE then has blown all of that out of the water. Perhaps the most impressive feat is something she achieved that no other recording artist has ever done:

“On the chart dated November 5, 2022, Taylor Swift became the first act to simultaneously occupy all of the top-10 positions, doing so with tracks from her tenth studio album Midnights. Male artists were absent from the top 10 for the first time ever; Swift and Lana Del Rey were the only artists present in the region. It also marked the least amount of artists present in the top 10 (two).^”

As I started working on the updates to this article I found myself exclaiming out loud at the accomplishments of this young woman who will turn 34 years old in December.

A few are: Eleven #1 singles and Nine #2 singles. She is second only to the recording artist Drake in the number of top 5 and top 10 singles. Drake has 41 and 76 while Swift has 31 and 49… more than the Beatles at 59 for Top 5 and Madonna with 38 for Top 10.

And just this week, she vaulted back to the top of the chart as follows:

“Taylor Swift’s ‘Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault]’ launches at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. The track is from Swift’s newest rerecorded album, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which blasts in atop the Billboard 200, becoming her 13th No. 1 set, extending her mark for the most among women.”

My daughter has been a huge fan of the artist since about age 12. During those years, as an advisor for the Rainbow Girls, my car was often filled with Taylor Swift’s music and the girls – along with their chaperone – always would sing along.

Taylor Swift mania reached its peak in our household, though, in 2013 when it was announced the artist would be coming to the Tacoma Dome at the end of August. My daughter sprang into action and sent out the all points bulletin to her network of friends and gathered a group who wanted to attend the concert with her. I bought the 6 tickets (all that were allowed any one purchaser) and then my daughter collected the funds from her friends. At some point prior to the concert, she was entered into a ‘drawing’ for the opportunity to purchase two additional tickets. But these were not just ANY tickets. These were tickets to the Pit, the coveted area at the base of the stage. She won! Now two additional lucky girls were added to the mix.

*The picture my daughter took on August 31, 2013 from her coveted ‘pit’ location*

The day of the concert, we held a going away party for my daughter, as she was literally leaving to move to Nashville the next day. I drove some of the girls to the Tacoma Dome and the rest rode with my daughter. No doubt that concert was a highlight for all of them.

The next day, on September 1, with the hubby and I in one car and our son and daughter in another, all made our way east on Interstate 90. It was just outside of George when the most amazing thing occurred. The hubby and I came up behind and subsequently passed truck after truck which all bore huge photos of Taylor Swift and were, no doubt, carrying the staging, lights, sound, and other equipment. It became a game to see how many Taylor Swift trucks were on the road. We saw the biggest number in Post Falls, Idaho, late in the afternoon as a six pack of them were parked in a trucker’s lot just to the north of the freeway.

*Near Ritzville, Washington September 1, 2013.*

We spent the night near Coeur d’Alene and the next day stopped at a rest area just east of the Continental Divide on I-90. There in the parking lot was an unmarked tour bus, its darkened windows a detriment to prying eyes. Was Taylor Swift on that bus? I like to think so. It is highly possible as the next stop on her tour was just five days away, September 6th, in Fargo, ND.

*No special tickets for the ‘pit’ at the July 2023 concert at Century Link Field in Seattle. I think they call this the ‘nosebleed’ section.*

The tour bus was the last thing we saw that might possibly be related to Taylor Swift before we dropped south to go to Lewis and Clark caverns and Yellowstone National Park. From there me and my daughter traveled on through Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky and, finally, arriving in Tennessee.

*July 22, 2023 –* *My daughter along with a couple of ‘Swifties’ as they call themselves: A co-worker on her left and her cousin on her right*.

It was a magical week and a memory worth keeping. In the two years our daughter lived in Nashville, however, not once did she ever see Taylor Swift.

My favorite Taylor Swift song… has to be Teardrops on My Guitar.

As always, a couple links for your further education:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Billboard_Hot_100_chart_achievements_and_milestones

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift

https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/taylor-swift-is-it-over-now-number-1-hot-100-debut-1235464462/

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Nov7

The rise and fall of Galloping Gertie

November 7, 2023

A Tuesday Newsday Classic

*Galloping Gertie just before the collapse on November 7, 1940*

Last week we explored the world of horseracing and author Dick Francis. This week we will be discussing galloping. But unlike how a horse gallops, this galloping took place on November 7, 1940 and has since become a text-book example of what NOT to do when building a bridge.

It was on this date when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed and sank. It was dubbed ‘Galloping Gertie’ as even the most gentle of breezes would cause the roadway to sway. I can only imagine the feeling of unease one had when driving over the structure.

For a local newsman it proved terrifying. From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“Leonard Coatsworth, a Tacoma News Tribune editor, was the last person to drive on the bridge:

‘Around me I could hear concrete cracking. I started back to the car to get the dog, but was thrown before I could reach it. The car itself began to slide from side to side on the roadway. I decided the bridge was breaking up and my only hope was to get back to shore.

‘On hands and knees most of the time, I crawled 500 yards or more to the towers… My breath was coming in gasps; my knees were raw and bleeding, my hands bruised and swollen from gripping the concrete curb… Toward the last, I risked rising to my feet and running a few yards at a time… Safely back at the toll plaza, I saw the bridge in its final collapse and saw my car plunge into the Narrows.’”

The bridge had opened only four months earlier! In reading about everything that went wrong the biggest mistake seemed to have been that in a desire to save money on what was perceived as a bridge which would be lightly used, the design was flawed from the beginning.

Ultimately they determined the bridge failure was due to ‘aeroelastic flutter’. Unless, of course, you are an engineer the term means little. The film of the event for us laypeople, however, reveals a structure bucking like an unbroken stallion during its first ride.

*The Hood Canal bridge after it sank in February 1979*

Although I was not around in 1940, I was attending college in Tacoma on February 13, 1979 when another bridge met the same fate as Galloping Gertie. It was on this day when I truly grasped the power of a Pacific Northwest windstorm. During the night prior to its sinking, sustained winds of 85 mph buffeted the Hood Canal floating bridge. They estimated gusts up to 120 mph (called a ‘hurricane’ most any place else as any sustained wind over 72 mph is classified as such) had occurred. The structure was swamped and at 7 a.m. that dark, windy and rainy morning, the bridge sank.

Fast forward to November of 1990 and yet a third Washington state bridge met a similar doom. We watched in fascinated horror live TV news on the morning of November 25^th as the floating bridge – being resurfaced to continue carrying traffic while a new span was constructed – which connected Mercer Island to Seattle was inundated. As my husband no doubt said at the time: “surf’s up!”

In the 30 plus years I’ve lived in Western Washington there are a couple rules you can count on me following. First, I will do anything I can to avoid driving in a windstorm. I’ll drive in rain, snow, sleet, and dark of night but the wind stops me. I’m not talking about a bit of wind but sustained winds over 40 mph.

*The I-90 bridge between Mercer Island and Seattle as it sank in November 1990*

Second, I will move to the northeast corner of any structure, especially one with nearby cedar trees. The worst PNW winds almost always blow from the southwest; if a tree is going to come down it will fall from that direction. Plus, cedar trees have very shallow roots and, unless there’s a cluster of them with an intertwined root system, tend to be the trees which come down during the storms. When we lived in Kirkland, my family knew that a heavy wind meant ‘going to the mattresses’ and sleeping on the floor of the living room as far from the trees as possible.

November is definitely the start of windstorm ‘season’ so remember to batten your hatches when the wind blows…and you just might want to avoid driving on bridges.

As always some interesting links PLUS a video from the Washington State History museum which tells the entire Galloping Gertie story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest_windstorm

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TNBhistory/Connections/connections3.htm

Dick Francis

Oct31

Prolific Mystery Writer

October 31, 2023

A Tuesday Newsday Classic Updated

Witches, goblins and small children in costumes begging for candy. Ah, it must be Halloween. It’s a ‘hard-to-miss’ day and all of us, no doubt, know of its history.

So, instead of a rehash, today’s topic involves one of my favorite authors. Born October 31, 1920, he wrote more than 40 novels in his lifetime. He did not begin his novel writing career until he was 40 years old. All of his books centered on the world of horseracing. That author: Dick Francis.

From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“In 1962, he published his first thriller, Dead Cert, set in the world of racing. Subsequently he regularly produced a novel a year for the next 38 years, missing only 1998 (during which he published a short-story collection). Although all his books were set against a background of horse racing, his male heroes held a variety of jobs including artist (In the Frame and To the Hilt), investigator for the Jockey Club (The Edge), pilot (Rat Race and Flying Finish), wine merchant (Proof) and many others. All the novels are narrated by the hero, who in the course of the story discovers himself to be more resourceful, brave, tricky, than he had thought, and usually finds a certain salvation for himself as well as bestowing it on others.”

My favorite book of his is titled “Straight” and tells the story of a man, Derek Franklin, who inherits his brother’s (Greville Franklin) life when the latter dies in a freak accident. Near the end of the book Derek muses about one of his antagonists, Thomas Rollway:

Dick Francis was one of my mother’s favorite authors also. So beloved, in fact, that she collected his books whenever she found used copies for sale from the library. I inherited the collection after both she and my father were gone. She died one month after this article was originally posted in 2017.

In 1995 I learned that Dick Francis was having a book signing at Tower Records and Books on Queen Anne Avenue in Seattle. So I took my two year old daughter and drove in to the city to purchase and get signed a copy of his most recent book to give to my mother for Christmas. There was a line when we arrived. I learned a couple things about Dick Francis that day. First, that he didn’t much like chit-chatting with his fans; and, second, that book signings required a glass of Merlot for him to get through the event. The store manager brought him one glassful while I was there.

*33 different titles make up my mother’s collection. There are two copies of Wild Horses (only one shown) as the autographed copy has never been read.*

Eventually my daughter and I make it to the front of the line and I hand him the book with the request that he sign it for my mother. He asks me why I wasn’t getting a second book for myself. Well! That would have required going and buying the second book then getting back in line once again while trying to keep a two year old entertained. I only bought the one book.

On the title page of Wild Horses he wrote “Hi Janet” and then signed his name.

And my mother’s collection? It’s an impressive mix of paperback and hardback books with publication dates from 1962 to 1999.

If you have not read any of his books they are, I think, a good example of how to mix narrative, dialogue and action. His research, the character development, and the details are always outstanding. So get one of Francis’ books the next time you want to curl up with a good one for the weekend! Well worth the time.

A couple of interesting links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Francis

His son, Felix, who co-wrote with Dick for ten years, carries on with writing novels in the same style. I’ve read a couple of his solo novels and I think he’s done a good job honoring his father’s legacy! http://www.felixfrancis.com/index.php

https://www.salon.com/2022/11/19/dick-francis-felix-mary-mystery-novels/

Jack & Diane

Oct24

October 24, 2017

Life Goes On…

A Tuesday Newsday Classic Updated

Perhaps the most powerful medium a person experiences is music. After all, I imagine each of us has at least one song we associate with a specific time, event and person. And then there are songs which, although they may not inspire a specific memory, become so much an ingrained part of our culture, they transcend place and time.

One such song spent four weeks at number one the month of October 1982 and, in 2012, made the Recording Industry of America’s list of top songs of the century.

The song starts with the words “A little diddy about Jack and Diane…”

And it continues on to tell the story of two American teenagers trying to figure out life. I think the song resonates because the experience is universal. It matters not if you were a teenager in 1962, 1982, 2012, or 2022, a part of you yearns to break free of that place where you grew up; and a part of you longs to be loved and find that one other person who you can share your life and your love.

Jack and Diane – by John “Cougar” Mellencamp – effectively captures the ambivalence of first love. From the song:

The song was almost never recorded. According to Mellencamp, he struggled with how to perform the song to achieve the sound he desired. From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“Jack & Diane was based on the 1962 Tennessee Williams film Sweet Bird of Youth. He said of recording the song: ‘Jack & Diane was a terrible record to make. When I play it on guitar by myself, it sounds great; but I could never get the band to play along with me. That’s why the arrangement’s so weird. Stopping and starting, it’s not very musical.’ Mellencamp has also stated that the clapping wasn’t supposed to be included in the finished song. It was recorded with the clapping in order to help keep tempo and then it was to be removed. However, he realized the song did not work without it.”

For me, the song does not inspire specific memories but, instead, evokes the emotion of the loss of one’s youth. At 16, 17, 18 years old, there’s nothing quite like that first more serious relationship. It’s a heady time in life when that connection takes control and you think it will always be like that. While there are those who spend their lives with their first love, for most the two individuals involved change and eventually grow apart.

Which is why the youthful memory of a warm summer’s night, a blustery fall day, a walk in the snow, or a soft spring evening, spent with that person evokes such an unexpected melancholy. “Jack and Diane” is like a snapshot into a moment in time which can never be regained. There are no ‘do over’s.’ Life’s experiences are transitory. It’s recognizing these truths which makes the song so enduring.

I know you would all be disappointed if there’s not a link to the Infallible Wikipedia, so here it is:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_%26_Diane

The Princess Bride

Oct17

As You Wish…

October 17, 2023

A Tuesday Newsday Classic Updated

It under-performed at the time of its release and was largely ignored by critics and the movie-going public. Now, thirty years after its theater debut, the Princess Bride has become a well loved classic. As Actor Mandy Pantinkin – who played revenge focused Inigo Montoya – summed it up in 2007 “It’s sort of become ‘The Wizard of Oz’ of my generation.”

It is one of my favorite movies of all time. Apparently I’m not alone. From the Infallible Wikipedia:

“The Princess Bride was not a major box-office success, but it became a cult classic after its release to the home video market. The film is widely regarded as eminently quotable. In 2000, readers of Total Film magazine voted The Princess Bride the 38th greatest comedy film of all time. In 2006, William Goldman’s screenplay was selected by the Writers Guild of America as the 84th best screenplay of all time; it earned the same ranking in the Guild’s 2013 update. The film was selected number 88 on The American Film Institute’s (AFI) “AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Passions” listing the 100 greatest film love stories of all time.”

My brother purchased the Videocassette for our family when my children were little. We’ve since upgraded to DVD. Although they enjoyed it, I loved the film from the moment I saw it and often quote from it. A few of my favorites:

*“Oh, no, is this a kissing book?” – Fred Savage as the Grandson*

“Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!”
“It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead.”
“You are the brute squad.”
“ Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday.”
“As you Wish.” And, perhaps, the most famous line of all:
“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

I never tire of the film and the final scene of the movie between Peter Falk and Fred Savage (The two are cast in the roles of a grandfather reading a book to his sick grandson) is guaranteed to bring a lump to my throat every time.

*“Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!”* *– Vizzini*

The day this post was published in 2017, the hubby and I headed to the Regal Cinemas near Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. We had reserved tickets to be certain we’d get to see the movie. We were not disappointed! Having never seen the movie in the theatre, we were in for a wonderful experience as the story really came to life on the big screen. We laughed, we cheered, and I still got that lump in my throat at the final scene.

Unless you have a Disney channel subscription, you will need to pay to see it on other platforms. Unless, of course, you happen to own the movie and still have your VHS or DVD player ready to fire up for a fun evening. You’ll know where to find me: snuggled up, a bowl of popcorn, and The Princess Bride on DVD.

*“It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead”- Miracle Max*

For those unfamiliar with the movie (Inconceivable!), an overview of the plot is found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Bride_%28film%29