Read This!
Here are a half dozen books you might want to read this spring.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. Facebook didn’t want this book by an ex-employee to be published so now you have to read it.
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow. Chernow, whose other books include profiles of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, does a deep dive into the life and work of Samuel Clemens (who did indeed write for the Post).
Notorious by Maureen Dowd. This is a collection of the New York Times columnist’s profiles of famous people like Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, Mel Brooks, and Elon Musk.
Funny Because It’s True by Christine Wenc. A detailed history of the satire site The Onion.
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig. A horror novel about five high school friends who discover a mysterious staircase in the woods. One of them vanishes along with the stairs. Twenty years later the other four investigate when the stairs reappear.
When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi. The novel that answers the question, “What would happen if the moon actually did turn into cheese?”
The New Hip Fashion Trend?
These jeans are half-off, and I don’t mean the price.
Sure, the Coperni One-Leg Denim Trouser may only have, well, one leg, but they’re only $440!
Here’s the Story, of a Man Who Was Almost Mike Brady
You often can’t think of anyone else in a classic TV or movie role, and it’s usually not fair because another actor or actress could have done a perfectly good job in the role, and we wouldn’t have known the difference because the person who got the role wouldn’t even be in our minds.
Having said all that, I think Gene Hackman would have brought an entirely different vibe to The Brady Bunch.
The Gas Lamps of London
I wasn’t sure I was going to be interested in this CBS Sunday Morning report, but it’s actually quite fascinating.
RIP Alan Simpson, John Feinstein, Jesse Colin Young, Ron Nessen, Lenny Schultz, John Hemingway, and Gene Winfield
Alan Simpson was a Republican senator from Wyoming from 1979 until 1997. He died last week at the age of 93.
John Feinstein was an acclaimed sportswriter for the Washington Post and the author of such books as A Season on the Brink, Hard Courts, and A Good Walk Spoiled. He died last week at the age of 69.
Jesse Colin Young was the lead singer of the Youngbloods, known for the hit peace song “Get Together.” He died Sunday at the age of 83.
Ron Nessen was press secretary for President Ford. He died last week at the age of 90.
Lenny Schultz was a comedian who appeared on many variety and talk shows. He died Sunday at the age of 91.
John Hemingway was the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain. He died Monday at the age of 105.
Gene Winfield created custom vehicles for such TV shows as Star Trek, Batman, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as well as movies like Blade Runner and Sleeper. He died earlier this month at the age of 97.
This Week in History
William Jennings Bryan Born (March 19, 1860)
He was a lawyer and politician who, at age 36, was the youngest presidential candidate in history. He ran three times but never got the office, though he was secretary of state under Woodrow Wilson and served in the House of Representatives for four years.
Elvis Presley Inducted into the Army (March 24, 1958)
This year, The King would have turned 90.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Hardware Store at Springtime by Stevan Dohanos (March 16, 1946)
I don’t have the type of life where I have a need to go to a hardware store.
Sunday Is National Chip and Dip Day
The Pioneer Woman has recipes for a Bean Dip and a Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip.
Good Housekeeping has a Dill Dip and a Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.
Southern Living has a recipe for a French Onion Dip and a Classic Salsa.
And Spend with Pennies has the classic Rotel Dip, which I’ve made before and is quite good.
I won’t link to any recipes for chips because I assume you’ll just buy a bag.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Tolkien Reading Day (March 25)
Why is this day on March 25th? Because it’s the date of the defeat of Sauron, of course.
Live Long and Prosper Day (March 26)
Don’t just say hello to people today, have them talk to the hand.
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Comments
The gas lamps of London from this CBS news report really is quite fascinating. I had no idea there were 55,000 at one time, now down to only 1,100. Refurbishing existing ones or creating new ones in the same style that will simply blend in is a great idea,
For a city/country whose main source of income is tourism, it would behoove them to not only keep the number they have left, but to increase that number again even if by only several hundred.
The one-leg denim trouser is absurd, but for anyone who wants to buy them at over $480 (with tax) has the right to. They also have way too much money. But maybe not! I’m sure many will be bought on credit cards close to being maxed-out already on basic bills. That’s their choice.
Thanks for the ‘Get Together’ song link by Jesse Colin Young of The Youngbloods. His voice was wonderful and unique, just like the instrumental contained within. Gene Hackman as Mike Brady NEVER would have occurred to me–at all. I think things worked out the way they were supposed to there.
The Comfort TV link had the end year wrong for the series. It was 1969-’74, not ’75. And, ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ came out in 1967, not ’68. Is it really too much work to get info like that correctly on a site specializing on these topics? ‘The Partridge Family’ also ended at the same time as ‘The Brady Bunch’, but started one year later, in 1970.
Another great Stevan Dohanos cover this week. I’m sure that if you went inside this charming hardware store, you’d find a few things you’d want to buy. Maybe a pack or two of seeds for some indoor plants, Bob? I would.
Loved learning the little known fact that Gene Hackman almost got the Mike Brady role. I for one think that Hackman could have pulled it off but am quite content with the original outcome. I’m substitute teaching now and I can see the new style of jeans making it into the high school scene. Nothing would surprise me. We are ready for National Chip and Dip Day tomorrow. Just like you Bob we will be serving up the traditional Rotel cheese dip with the accompanying Fritos Scoop chips. Next task will be to find something good to watch on TV. Really enjoy your column and look forward to it every week.