ASK ROD |
|
Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
It doesn't have to be a happy life, but it ought to be a
full one.
A VACATION, SORT
OF
This is the start of my last week of doing Flight plans for a while. Both Ken and I are
taking a month or so off to work on The Stanyan House web site, under construction this
very minute. Hope you won't feel neglected and just to make sure, Jay Hagan has chosen a
couple of poems, from a different book each day, to greet you when you log on. I've
compiled a thought for each day and Melinda Smith is busy alphabetizing the daily
birthdays. And who knows, I might stop in from time to time. . . sixteen months of doing
this has been a bit habit forming.
Ken and I are both excited about the new Stanyan House site and what we have planned for
it. It won't change what goes on at A Safe Place To Land in any way. Once we get Stanyan
House up and running things will return to normal here.
Anyway, Ken & I will both be around for this week so if you'd like to get in touch
with us about anything, write ken@mckuen.com or rod@mckuen.com and we'll do our best to get back to you.
On with the mail.
ASK ROD
I won't delude myself into thinking I'll be able to answer all the mail that's piled up,
but I'll do what I can. Nothing that comes in or has come in will be ignored, just put
aside for a bit. If I don't get to your letter this week, please be patient.
AND AUTUMN CAME
Hi Rod, I received my book "And Autumn Came" this week,
and I have already read it 5 times so far. It has become my favorite of all of your books.
You can feel the emotion that you were feeling in every line. It is beautiful! Thank you
for signing it for me. It is something I will cherish always. Your Friend, Mildred A.
Mogle
Dear Mildred, thanks for your thoughtful comments on ". . . And Autumn Came." It
was written about an autumn such as this 55 years ago, long before I would enter the
autumn of my own life. It doesn't feel remote me, but my writing has changed so much over
the years (or I like to think it has) that relating to something written in 1954 is like
looking through a backward telescope. I appreciate the fact that people still seem to like
it and identify with it. Affectionately, Rod
DOLORES
I am so afraid to say this and so afraid not to say it. I know you
have a lady fair and I have a man I have loved for many years but I must say how much I
love you and think of you all day, every day. I hope I will be forgiven but not to tell
you is torment. I realize you are most likely told each day by many lovely women, how much
they love you. I guess I join the multitude. I am too afraid to use my real name, really
should not. It's just that you say, "if you love someoe, tell them", well. I do.
You personify the best of the best. I would love to meet you but never will. To know that
you exist is all I need to know. That God has created you and you are here is all that I
need. Please know this is the only way I know to keep going-to tell you how I feel. . I
worry about you, think about you and hope the best for you every day. Tell your lady she
is fortunate to be loved by you. Please keep going we all need you. You are indeed a
Prince. Dolores Cooper
Dear Dolores, Lovely words, but nobody could live up to that hype, least of all me. Still
someday when I'm feeling really down, I can look at your words and say to myself,
"Dolores loves me, so I'm not completely alone. You'd be surprised how handy a letter
like yours is when my self-esteem is suffering an especially suspicious day. Thanks for
helping me try harder. Warmly, Rod
PETULA, ONE MORE TIME
Dear Mr. McKuen, I couldn't make the Petula Celebration in LA due to
having to find somewhere to live here in London! But I can't get over your very kind
words. Actually I can't believe I'm writing this to the person who wrote such beautiful,
heartbreaking lyrics which became 'Wind of Change'.
'Wind of Change' will always be part of the musical soundtrack to my life, and I'm so
grateful to both of you for giving it to me. I really wish you all the best and hope that
one day we'll have the pleasure of hearing 'Love in any Language'. Take care, Mourillio
Castro.
You missed a wonderful celebration indeed. Edward said to me as we were leaving, "You
know, Rod, you and Pet have another thing in common, you both really do care about your
fans and treat them like family. I wonder whose job it is to pull her away from her fans
when she's late for an appointment somewhere else." It was an amusing but perceptive
observation coming from a brother who among other functions performs that task for me.
Despite the fact that she had a show that night and was facing 4 more performances in the
next two days she stayed and took a personal photograph with everyone who came to the
event. I felt right at home because we were all fans.
"Love In Any Language" is proceeding apace; it's a true labor of love. I can't
imagine anyone else ever singing "The Wind of Change." It was written for Petula
and she made it her own from the moment I gave it to her.
I've sung many a song written by Petula too, including "On The Path of Glory,"
"Some," "The Song Went Wrong" and "Things Bright And
Beautiful." She is a wonder. A great woman and an even greater friend. Cheers, Rod
FEEDBACK: TELL HER IT'S SNOWING
Hello Rod, I do hope there are no new cracks in the ceiling after
the 7.1. In regards to Ian's question on the flight plan from Tuesday the 19th; perhaps
the song he is looking for is " Tell Her It's Snowing", by (Heiman, Mallow,
Marnay). It's a beautiful song and can be found on The Best of Tony Bennett on Curb
Records. Even if it isn't the song, it is really worth listening to, All the Best, John
Olsen, Long Island, N.Y.
Dear John, Don't know if "Tell Her It's Snowing" is the song Ian had in mind,
but you are so right, it is great. Although Curb calls it "Best of Tony
Bennett," don't expect hits. The title is a mere sales gimmick. This is an album
Bennett cut for Polygram during the brief time he was away from Columbia Records. It is
definitely an album worth having and contains songs by Paul McCartney, George Harrison,
and Bacharach/David, marking one of the few times he stepped away from Broadway composers.
Still he managed to include tunes by Porter, Rodgers & Hart and even Ellington. So he
didn't completely leave his roots. Thanks for the detective work, John
As to the 7.1 quake: A few new cracks and I lost a favorite painting that looks to be
irreparable. Otherwise no problem, but it was indeed a big and long shaker.
By the way, John the next note is from a mutual friend. Cheers, Rod
ANOTHER OLD FRIEND CHECKS IN
Remember me? Not a day goes by that I do not hear your voice. Thank
GOD I have so many records CDs books etc. to bring you to me. I am now retired and living
in Florida, with Jeanne and my son Bernie. Thank you for so many happy memories. I hope
you are well and doing what pleases you. Ed Lefkowitz
Of course I remember you Ed and it's always a pleasure to hear from you. (Ed & John
were part of a flight of fans that chartered a 747 and spent a week with me in London,
climaxed by a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. We all had a great time. This was back in
the seventies,)
Glad you've moved to a warmer climate Ed and that you're enjoying your retirement. Don't
get too complacent though. Stay on the move. I tried retirement and it didn't work for me.
I must have been crazy to have attempted it. Please keep me posted on what you're up to.
I'm well and happy, but there is too much to do with too few hours. Edward, from this end
sends his love to you and the family. Me too. Rod
"DROZAC"
Hi Rod, we're big fans of yours...but after visiting the unofficial
site, I must confess we are a little confused and disappointed -- Prozac is not a safe
place to land. Don't fall prey to those drug company scams, if you stay on that stuff long
enough you'll never be happy again...they'll rob you of your soul...you're better off
without--try some of 'the killer green'. Take Care, Sassy and Carlos
Dear Sassy and Carlos, Boy am I glad you are not my doctors. I am not taking Prozac at the
moment, but I certainly have and there is no doubt that it helped pull me out of a
clinical depression that nearly killed me. It helped me as it has many millions of others,
including Dick Cavett, Mike Wallace and William Styron.
I wish you could read some of the hundreds of letters I've gotten since I decided to be
open about my own condition.
I do not or have not recommended Prosac or any other anti-depressant to anyone. What I do
recommend is that you see a doctor you feel you can trust for advice on what, if any
medication, you might need If you have any kind of prolonged serious depression.
Clinical Depression is a very serious and much misunderstood condition. It kills. Modern
medicine can keep it in check. I choose to live a happy, healthy and productive life. I'm
not against grass, just against grass for me. Been there. Done that.
I wouldn't trade your paranoia for my peace of mind for anything. And if I thought I
needed Prozac or any other medication to keep my depression in check and my doctor agreed
I wouldn't hesitate to enter the regimen again. And, Hey, whatever works for you, go for
it. Cheers, Rod
GOD, ARE YOU LISTENING?
Good Morning Rod! Before I ask you my question, I would first like
to thank you for entering my life many, many years ago in high school English class. I
never liked poetry much but needed to recite a poem for class. Somehow I got my hands on
your works and did Listen to the Warm. Since then I fell hook, line
and sinker and was able to pass this on to my children. My son Patrick writes beautifully
and perhaps one day you'll read some of his work.
Anyway, my question is such: "If you could ask God one question to which he would
give you a straight simple reply, what would it be?"
Once again thanks for all you've given of yourself to all of us. Susan
Dear Susan, Here's the answer: "Hi, God, Thanks for everything, but I'm 66 years old
and why do I still have teen-age acne." I know that's pretty selfish Susan, but I'd
really like to know. Kindest Regards and give Patric my encouragement as well as your own
to continue writing poetry. The world needs poets and their words. Rod
NAVIGATING THE NET
Your books & music were such a big part of my life for so many
years, I have most of your albums & believe it or not, still listen to them on my old
player. I would like to have everything on CD & will get, as they become available.
Thanks for coming back.
How do I find your daily flight plan? I have just recently found this site & don't
know how to locate the most recent postings; also you refer to a message board. How do I
find that? Thanks for all the wonderful words you have shared with so many of us for so
many years. Nan,
Dear Nan, well if you've gotten this far you've found today's Flight Plan. To access
recent plans (or all of them for that matter) go to the bottom of the page and click on
Archives & you're there. Month by month, day by day. To access The McKuen Message
Board, The Stanyan By Mail Message Board or any number of McKuen related sites out here in
space click on Home. You'll see a list of words across the page, click on Links which will
take you to a list of destinations. Click on the title of the place you want to go &
in a minute or so you'll be there.
It probably seems confusing at first, but you'll soon be navigating like a veteran. And,
best of all you find that around the net nearly all of the sites work the same way. Have
fun and thanks, Rod
I'll be back again tomorrow with more questions and answers. Take care and sleep warm.
- RM 10/24/99 Previously unpublished |
