I am taking the literary license to change the topic of the blog that I had originally written for today. As you can tell by my most recent skeleton picture, my first topic involved the Rodeo. That’s always big news here in Houston this time of year. I guess I can call this picture “Rodeo Barbie”. You might notice that I have placed a clip on her shoulder which is securing her to the chair. Either she was getting up at night and partying with the other skeletons, ghosts and otherworldly beings or the wind blew her out of her chair and cowgirl hat three times. I hope the truth is that she was partying and having fun.
Then, when I finished reporting on Skeleton Barbie’s escapades, I had a whole discourse ready to go about Leap Year, Leap Day, and Daylight Savings Time. All of us, unless you live in Arizona, have to Spring Forward on March 10th. Why do we still do this? How arbitrary is time? People long ago developed things like the calendar and clocks. Then for some reason, we all agreed to go along with these arbitrary markers. I prefer the Lunar Calendar, but what do I know.
What did shift my life a few degrees this morning was waking up to the news that Richard Lewis died this week. In case, you are not familiar with him, he was a most talented comedian and actor. I used to love to go to a place called The Laff Stop located on West Grey in a part of Houston that is still considered River Oaks. For these memories I am having to go back as far as the late 1970s and 1980s. I probably first saw him perform on the Tonight Show back in the days of Johnny Carson. Seeing him perform in person was a true delight! I loved that he could make neurosis look so funny. Hysterical neurosis was definitely something I could relate to, as any number of my friends will gladly attest. Then I watched him on television shows and movies. As soon as I heard that Richard was part of a production, I put it down on my calendar to watch. Most recently he had been on HBO with Larry David in the show Curb Your Enthusiasm.
I wish I had a picture of Richard to share, but just watch the news this evening or google his name. I will find a picture somewhere that I can print out and place with my pictures of other comedians that have helped shape my life and my personality. (Robin Williams, George Carlin and Joan Rivers are included in that group.) They taught me that life may be a very serious endeavor, but if we do not approach it with humor and some lightness, life will be very dull indeed. Maybe I’ll spend this weekend binging on Richard Lewis. I can re-watch all of Curb Your Enthusiasm or I will go to YouTube to re-watch some of his stand-up work.
I am sad about the passing of Richard Lewis. His memory will always remain a blessing in my heart and life.
Until next time.….