"The Old Curiosity Shop" was on PBS Tonight

This is Charles Dickens...

This is a fist in the face...

Any Questions?

Out of Bed!

My Norfolk Island Pine isn't looking at all well. It was full and healthy until last Christmas, but I don't know what happened to change that. Because I'm feeling well today (and sensing a bit of cabin fever after four days in bed), I'm going out in a little bit to get some new potting soil. I'm taking the tree outside, removing it from its pot, shaking out its roots and repotting it. From what I've read, these trees like to be repotted every three to four years. Don't we all...

Anyway, both Nettl and I are back from the flu. Fortunately, hers lasted only one day. I'm a little weak; over the past four days I've only had a little rice pudding, four pieces of toast (not at one sitting), a cup of beef broth, a cup of peaches (oof... that was a mistake), and a boiled egg. I still have no appetite, but that'll come. Thanks to all of you for your well-wishes and thoughts, and especially to Nettl for taking such good care of me.

Our landlord replaced our fridge yesterday (it died at last). We finally have an ice maker that works!

Seeing the Other Side

John Olson is most famous for his visceral images of conflict in Vietnam, but in 1971, having joined Life magazine as its youngest ever photographer, he was commissioned to shoot a series of portraits of rock stars and their parents. It was, he said, "a hell of a lot more difficult and unrewarding than war photography". Whatever, I think they show a human side of rock stars' lives. Click to enlargify:

Eric Clapton with his gran, Rose, in the
house he bought her in Surrey, England.

Frank Zappa with his parents, Francis
and Rosemary, in California.


Grace Slick with her mom, Virginia Wing, in her
mom’s home in Palo Alto, California.


Joe Cocker sits with his mum, Marjorie, in
her home in Sheffield, England.

Ritchie Havens with his parents, Richard and Mildred,
hanging out in their home in Brooklyn, NY.

Donovan and his parents in England. Also, the

Jackson Five with their parents in Encino, California.

Elton John with his mum, Shelia, and stepdad,
Fred in their London apartment.

David Crosby with his father, Floyd, in

father’s house in Ojai, California.