Things I Saw Today

Jerry Lee Lewis

A decade ago I saw a terrific show on Broadway ("Million Dollar Quartet") about the true story of a 1956 jam-session at Sun Records by four musical giants: Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Last week I took Robin to see it again at a local theater in Northport. The productions were both magical.

Of these four musicians, do you know if any are still alive? You probably know Elvis died at 42 and Johnny moved on at age 71. You probably don't know that Carl died at 65. Did you know that Jerry Lee Lewis is still alive? He's 84 and still a character.

Jerry Lee led a wild life. After a meteoric rise, his career crashed when it was revealed he'd married his 13-year old first cousin Myra when he was 22 years old. Amazingly, she was his THIRD wife. He married twice earlier and neither divorce was settled before he moved on to the next one. Since then, Jerry Lee married four more times, for a total of seven wives.

My favorite Jerry Lee story is when he got busted in 1976. It was 3:00 in the morning, he was drunk and somebody lent him a gun. So what does he do? He drives over to Graceland, accidentally crashes through the gate and demands to talk to Elvis. Elvis refuses to see him and calls the cops. Probably a wise move since Jerry Lee had a history of violence and once came close to killing his bass player.

It's probably also not a surprise that Jerry Lee had IRS troubles. He owed the government over $2 Million and they seized all his assets (including five motorcycles). As I said, he is a character. I'm amazed he's still alive.

Playin' Around

I had some unexpected free time today so I pursued my favorite hobby -- playing with clothes. I had an outfit planned with a vintage orange jumpsuit but, sadly, that didn't work out. Buying clothes at thrift-stores without trying them on yields hit-and-miss. This morning it was a wild miss.

I salvaged the jumpsuit (which doesn't fit me above the waist) by using it as wide-legged pants. I pulled a top out of my closet that kinda sorta goes with it and added white heels and a scarf-belt. Surprisingly even though the outfit isn't impressive, creating it on the fly gave me real joy. I enjoy improvising.

It's obvious to all that I'm no influencer, just a simple gal trying to find happiness where I can. This is where I aim my efforts.

Winter Walks

My new hiking hat (Dorfman Pacific) and warm winter jacket (bought yesterday at REI) kept me toasty this morning in 20-degree temperatures.

It's fun to be outdoors in any weather!

Relaxing With Reggae

When I was in college and law school, I relaxed from intense academic effort by smoking dope and listening to music. Usually at the same time. Both calmed my anxiety and gave me sorely-needed rest. My favorite genre, popular at the time, was reggae music.

Everyone knows Bob Marley but my preferred reggae man is Max Romeo. Max sings beautifully and his lyrics address political and social issues like poverty. I admire his courageous sympathy for the disadvantaged. Plus his songs rock.

Remembering Max's best record ("War ina Babylon"), I realized I haven't heard it in four decades. So I searched for and found the album, now available on purple vinyl. Purple! And it sounds as grand as it did back in the late-1970s.

I'm happy to report that Max, 75 years old, is alive and well. His career soared in the beginning but later fizzled. At one point, Max was toiling at a NYC electronics store when a producer coaxed him to return to Jamaica and play again. He did and prospered. Now three of his four children are pursuing musical careers.

Have you ever heard reggae music? If not, start with Max's "War ina Babylon" (available at Amazon).

Gear Up!

What do you do in the doldrums of Winter? You gear up! The best way to generate enthusiasm for Spring is to prepare for adventure. The process lifts your spirits. You imagine having fun outdoors and preparation makes those excursions easier.

I'm a biker/hiker. I use two types of outdoor gear -- motorcycle stuff and hiking stuff. This Winter I surveyed my closets, identified what's missing and filled gaps. I just added two pieces which make me smile -- a handsome hiking hat and a black leather motorcycle vest. Both are attractive and useful.

First, the hat. I've never been a hat-person because hats require panache I lack. But I also never shirk from protecting myself.

Hiking in the sun, I wondered afterward why the top of my head hurt. Sunburn! In a spot where my hair is getting sparse. I never expected that and never thought to put sunscreen on the top of my head. I assumed (incorrectly) that my scalp was protected by a robust head of hair. Ahh... age. Our minds think our bodies haven't changed but look in the mirror, buddy. It's happenin'.

So a hat is necessary. To keep my head from getting sunburned. By the way, anyone who uses the phrase "bald patch" is dead to me, so be careful with your comments.  :-)

This Dorfman Pacific hiking hat is so stylish it's hard to believe it's intended for hiking. No reason you can't look good while conquering the outdoors!

My new "Street & Steel" motorcycle vest is also fun. It conveys the right kind of style that helps one fit in with a crowd of bikers, which is where I find myself. When in Rome...

What are you doing to prepare for Spring?

Spring Is Coming!

And it makes me feel like Welsh sheep...