25th & 26th October, 2004
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McKuen appearance details!
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Rod 4/16/04 Photo by Billy Iz
A Thought for Today
How to cast your ballot next week?
Simple. Ask yourself if you are better off today than you were four
years ago and vote accordingly.
Dear Diary,
Lots of letters in the past weeks regarding the building of “The Barn” &
new homestead, including one from Susan with lots of questions and an
interesting note from Eric regarding Barns and Bluegrass. I had hoped to
answer more e-mail regarding Dos Vidas in this Flight Plan but the
weekend has been spent traveling and looking at a potential pied-a-terre
or two or three or more.
Having lived here happily for thirty-five years I haven’t yet decided
whether to put this much loved Holmby Hills property on the market but
if I do Edward and I will need somewhere to live during the eighteen
months or so it will take to build Dos Vidas. The temperature at the
mountain site dropped to 22 degrees for a couple of days last week so as
happy as we have been here it wouldn’t be all that bad to have a desert
hideaway for the winter months.
Dream on Rod, dream on.
.ASK
ROD
THE HARVEST
Hi Rod, "Dos Vidas" - what a fitting name for your
new place. And you painted such a beautiful word picture of it on the
FP. We're hoping you'll have some photos to show us when we see you in
“The Best is Yet to Come” on Nov. 6.
Speaking of Nov. 6 ....... as usual, I've been trying to guess what
songs you'll be singing. Don't exactly know why, guess it's just part of
our Luckman ritual - order tickets, reserve hotel rooms, try to find out
ahead of time what song(s) Rod will perform. Thanks to the clues you
gave on the FP I've come up with "Witchcraft" for the Frank Sinatra song
and either "Firefly" or "It Amazes Me" for the Tony Bennett song. I
know...it's supposed to be a secret but inquiring minds wanna know.
The tomato plants you sent are doing great. It's getting pretty cool at
night and they're not ripening as fast but I've had both Red Calabash
and Three Sisters. The heirlooms are so much better tasting than the
others. I think next year that's all I'm going to plant.
Looking forward to seeing you and Edward again on the 6th. Love, Ann
Dear Ann, Glad to hear your tomatoes are still coming along. This was
really a bust year for my own in terms of having a steady crop. For one
thing the weather refused to cooperate. Either too much heat or not
enough so alas The Big Red One season is over here. I too love the
heirlooms and notice that despite the fact that they are not as cosmetic
as those sold in supermarkets more and more specialty stores are
beginning to carry them. And why not, we all know they taste so much
better than engineered fruit.
I have been planting Daylily seeds in flats in the greenhouse like crazy
and have lots of sprouts. I want the road leading from the gates of Dos
Vidas to the house and barn to be lined on both sides by this beautiful,
versatile flower that captures a whole life in a single day. The seeds
are all from cross breeding I've done myself (mostly combining reds with
pinks and other pastels) so lord knows what the results will be. The
thing that really amazes me is that seeds I harvested 10 years ago are
coming up at the same rate as those I saved from this past summer's
blooms.
There isn't much to show of Dos Vidas so far because ground won't be
broken for the actual buildings until spring. This year has been a time
of clearing the land, staking it out and figuring out where to dig the
wells. I'm enclosing a photo or two just to give you an idea of the
possibilities. As for the name of the house it was no contest. We
actually swiped the title from a resort in Mexico we used to vacation at
(Tres Vidas.) Well, being April People Edward and I did consider "The
Bullpen." Hey, that's probably a great name for the barn. It will be
four stories high with a bedroom loft.
Some pictures soon.
Ah yes, November 6th. Your guesses as to what I'll perform are in the
ballpark but no homers. Both are beautiful ballads. Here's another hint;
I was the first artist ever to record one of the songs but didn't have a
hit on it. I promise that if you guess the titles I'll own up. Luv from
me and junior too. Rod
IT WAS A DARK & STORMY NIGHT
Dear Mr. McKuen, I have just recently discovered
that you enjoyed my winning entry of the Bulwer-Lytton 2003 contest for
children's literature. (The one about Prince Charming and the Altoid).
It delights me that my writing has entertained someone such as yourself,
a person with a distinguished writing career. I hope that my future
entries may do the same. Lynne Sella
Dear Lynne, It was a riot. Good satire is in short supply these days.
Where are the Benchley's and Dorothy Parker’s? Good luck with your
writing career and you'll have one if you want it badly enough.
Years ago, when I was appearing at Mr. Kelly's in Chicago I came across
a complete set of Lyton's work for the bargain price of fifty bucks and
I jumped at the chance to acquire it. It's boxed and waiting in storage
to join other treasures once The Barn is completed. All my best, Rod
RECENT CD’S
Hi I just picked up on your web-sight. This was
very interesting Information. I have 1 C.D. THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT:
25 th Anniversary Edition, it was a gift. Is the Platinum collection out
yet? Thank you L. G. Burks
Dear L.G., Alas The Platinum Collection CD Set is out of print but the
cassettes are still available. For more info and a complete list of
"stuff" contact Stanyanhouse.com.
Sincerely, Rod
THE TEXAS BOOK FAIR
Rod, You are my birthday present to myself! ...
and this will be my first chance to see you in person. So, I hope to get
to say hi. I stand in the long line of devoted followers. I found you in
a tiny high school library in Arkansas when I was 15 and have been in
love ever since. That was almost 30 years ago and you still touch my
heart daily.
I'm sure people feel that they know you personally, and of course I have
my own little part of you that I call my own, I hope you don't mind. You
give us love and life in ways no one else has or can...and we thank you.
I will be in Texas among the others soaking up every piece of you I
can...and wishing you well. Have a safe trip, Tracie Young
Dear Tracy, I’m looking forward to meeting you next week in Austin. As
those who have come to these events know, I stay until the last book is
signed and the final handshake. I really enjoy meeting old friends and
new fans and I apologies for the two of us not getting together all
those years ago in Arkansas. Warmest Regards and an early Happy
Birthday, Rod.
AND FINALLY
Busy week ahead. Off to Austin on the Thursday, home on Halloween,
busing Seasoned Citizens to the polls and back on the 3rd, rehearsals
and sound check on the 5th for the Best is Yet to Come on the 6th. Whew!
Sleep warm and don’t forget to join Ken Wednesday for This One Does it
For Me.
RM 10/25/2004 2:47 AM PDST
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