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Liberace, Mr. Showmanship
The keys to success

The keys to success

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Although Facebook can be an irritation, there are certainly some worthwhile finds. For example, the Hollywood Page of Death. There’s something whimsical about “Hollywood Page of Death” popping up daily in my feed. The content is close to what you’d find on Wikipedia (in fact, it may be an edited version of their content). It’s a nice (if slightly macabre) way to learn about – or remember – stories about members of the entertainment biz. This morning’s reminder that entertainer-extraordinaire…

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Jim and Paula, on tour in Florida
The namesake

The namesake

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I write this with a tear in my eye, as it’s the anniversary of the death of an incredible person. Jim Gosling was a college pal. We were in the Singing Hoosiers (think Glee for undergrads) together and laughed ourselves silly for three years. Our birthdays were two days apart (plus one year). My second year in Singing Hoosiers, Jim arrived, along with Vince and Mark. All so talented, full of promise; all from Elkhart. You’ve heard the term “triple…

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Louder Than Life concert
Louder Than Life

Louder Than Life

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It comes as no surprise that James was bound and determined to catch this year’s Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville. In spite of 2018’s exciting last-minute change of headliner to Alice in Chains, last year’s fest was nothing but a stick in the mud. Literally. Completely opposite of this fall, last September brought nearly non-stop rain. The festival was canceled, with the realization that slogging about in ankle-deep mud would destroy the beautiful outdoor venue. Poor James; his hopes…

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John and Aubrie are engaged
John’s forever love

John’s forever love

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Such wonderful news – John is engaged! Aubrie is delightful. She’s brimming over with kindness, brains, and a sense of humor. Plus … she tells great stories. “How was your day?” I asked her last Friday when we got together to celebrate Gary’s birthday and the engaged couple’s happy news. “Well, no one threw poop at me today, so it was a good day.” Aubrie is an Occupational Therapist. She helps people, even those who don’t want to be helped….

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James in Detroit on 9/16/17
When pirates dance

When pirates dance

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I miss the brudders every day. They’re all where they need to be – and want to be – at this point in their lives, and that’s how it should be. But there are more than a few sighs around here as Gary and I reminisce. One of my happiest ongoing memories is of driving each one of our three sons to school in the morning. They were born so far apart in years (in 1984, 1991, and 1999), that…

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Johnny, Christmas 1992
Merry mondegreen

Merry mondegreen

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What in the world is a mondegreen? It’s when you mis-hear words, phrases, lyrics. Here’s an example: Creedence Clearwater Revival’s There’s a bad moon on the rise is heard by some as There’s a bathroom on the right. With this nod to the 25th of the month, here’s an August Christmas story. John has always been a singer. Even as a little kid, our middle child would belt out songs at the top of his lungs. Even when he didn’t…

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James 2017 - a few years before In the Basement
A teen no more

A teen no more

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Happy Birthday to James – as you turn 20, that means Dad and I no longer have any teenagers. (Yes, it’s all about us.) Tom became a teen in 1997, so that means we’ve have teen(s) in the house for 22 years. Other parents don’t particularly like to hear this, but our three “brudders” were never a bother. No real “terrible twos” or teen-angst years to grit our teeth through. Just three extremely likable, reasonable, hard-working, kind, creative, and amusing…

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Alice in Chains
The Wiggle Pit

The Wiggle Pit

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Since he was a wee lad, James’s musical preference was clear. He’s a metal head. Even before James could sit up unsupported, oldest brother Thomas would sit with him or prop him up in a bean bag chair and crank up Metallica. From the very start, the baby’s tiny head would bob to the beat. No doubt about it, he was a head-banger. As he got a bit older, James would crawl up onto the rocking chair and point at…

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