LB: Live! From Paradise – “Speaking of the Not-So-Good”

(The Intro above is from this column's previous web incarnation)

by Larry Brody

Last week’s column differed a bit from the original one written in 2010, in that I deliberately omitted the last couple of paragraphs.

I did that because in the course of transferring it over to WordPress I discovered that I just plain couldn’t face the words there, which were about the fact that because of my heart surgery and the need for special care, Gwen and I were reluctantly planning to leave Paradise and relocate closer to family in Washington State.

We were, of course, taking the dogs with us, but there would be no room for Huck the Spotless Appaloosa, so the end of the column was an inquiry for someone to come on over and take him home to continue the care and love we’d given him since he was a colt.

In my mind, I relived the events of that time and was overwhelmed by the feelings I’d had, and since those feelings were deep, deep sorrow I didn’t want to inflict on my writers as well as myself I just XXXXed them out of the column. Yep, I exercised my right as the writer of my life to make that whole part not happen.

Except, of course, it did.

My heart is fine these days, but I still have trouble with the emotions (Men!, right?), so although there are nine or ten columns to go to complete the original run I’m going to stop now, while my brain is more balanced than it would be if I continued. The day may come when I can face the good-byes we had to make, and if it does, I may be able to post the finale.

Or not. Who the hell knows?

Bottom Line: Today is the last post of Live! From Paradise! for at least awhile. I apologize to those I’ve let down and thank all of you who have followed Gwen the Beautiful and me and our menagerie through the Ozarkian (yes, I made that word up) period of our lives. It’s been a joy and a privilege to bring the daily wonders of our time at Cloud Creek Ranch to you.

And, as a TV producer I once worked with once said, I look forward to dancing if not this dance then another equally wonderful one with all of you again.

And now, on with the rest of the show! In other words, yes, Larry Brody’s Blog is continuing because I…

LOVEYOUMEANIT

LB

LB: The First Popeye Animated Cartoon

(via dailymotion.com) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmb6qt

What we’ve all been waiting for….

Okay, maybe not waiting, but hoping…?

Well, anyway, I’m excited to see this, Popeye’s onscreen debut back in 1933.

Most of the elements we’re all in familiar with are in place, and the gang’s all here, except for Wimpy (or did I just miss him?), and if you’re in the right (or maybe wrong?) frame of mind, Betty Boop’s a very sexy added attraction. Way to go, DailyMotion.Com.


LYMI,

LB

LB: Live! From Paradise #246 – “The Good from the Not-So-Good”

(The Intro above is from this column's previous web incarnation)

by Larry Brody

And now it’s time for a little self-aggrandizement.

I mean, if a 65 year old man who’s just had a heart attack and bypass surgery can’t show off a little of what’s helped him feel better and stronger every day, who can?

Here, then, is a brief sampling of the astounding number of emails, letters, and even postcards I’ve gotten since first revealing what happened:

From Aebeth, here in Paradise: “I for one hope you’re around to report on Paradise for a long time to come. I am truly sorry for what you have gone through; but I feel quite confident you will only allow the slow down to help you ponder life and share your thoughts with the wind, and the rest of your loyal listeners. Get strong Larry!! And get well SOON!!”

R.D., in Arkansas: “My prayers and best wishes for a quick, strong, high energy level to come to [Larry B]…very quickly. He still has some things to do that call for passion. So recover quickly, kind man.”

D.Q., in Australia: “I just wanted to say I am sorry to hear about your health and wish you a speedy and full recovery. I am sure all out there wish you the same and all understand that you need to heal. Having given so much of yourself to us, it is now time to give to yourself and grow stronger again. All the very best, mate, and positive vibes coming at you from down here.

J.T., in Wisconsin: “Take good care and glad you are still with us…Thank you for being you, giving back, and sharing your journey with the rest of us. Best to you…in the next stage of your many-faceted wanderings….”

C.C., somewhere on the web: “I was very saddened to hear of your recent heart attack. But I’m glad you’ll be surrounded by friends and family during your recovery. I’ll send a wish out to the universe for your continued and rapid recovery. (That’s as close as an on-the-fence agnostic like me can get to saying a prayer.)”

Loyal Reader D.C. Rowlett: “Dad was 59 years old when his heart attack came…It was late October 1966 and bypass surgery had not been thought of…so recovery was a very slow process. Dad spent the greater part of the upcoming winter in the house, pacing the floor and looking out the screen door across the Ashley farm just to the north of us.

“As soon as the grass began to turn green in the early spring his demeanor changed. ‘Gotta get my boat out and see if it still floats.’ ‘Gotta get my shotgun and rifle cleaned up. I ain’t sitting in this house anymore.’ He didn’t either. He stayed active till he was almost 80 years old. Hang in there Larry B. this is just a bump in the road.”

Of course, not all has been sweetness and light. A lawyer-reader had this interesting take: “Do you know whose dog went through your trash? A case could be made that its owner is responsible for your heart attack…and liable for considerable damages….”

I do know whose dog it was. But to me this hardly seems the time for mean-spiritedness. I doubt that the Universe has hit me with what another reader called “this wake-up call” for reasons other than to urge me to be more generous than I’ve been. More open. More giving.

After all, what does the planet need me around for if I can’t help make it a better place?

Here’s hoping that my heart’s misadventures will open new doors for me and mine and all of you who have taken the time to read about Gwen’s and my days and weeks, months and years, here in Paradise.

Did I start this column talking about my own self-aggrandizement? How ridiculous. What I really want to do here and now is express my gratitude for all the good wishes I’ve received, not only now but during all the time Gwen and our menagerie have lived here. I’m truly overwhelmed.

Thank you. Thank you all.

##

LB: The More Things Change…

(Found in GoComics 21 fucking years ago!)

…The more they stay the same.

After 55 years of coming to H’wood, leaving H’wood, returning, leaving, ad infinitum, I’ve come to the conclusion that having a showbiz career is like being a boat owner. You know, the all too true cliche about the two happiest days of a boat owner’s life being the day they take delivery and the day they sell it to someone else.

>Sigh<


LYMI,

Laughing Eagle