Paul Newman

More than anything, I thought he was a great director-both of his films starring his soul and creative partner Joanne Woodward-Rachel, Rachel (1969)and The Effect of Gamma Rays (1972)(which also starred their daughter Nell, who was brilliant) in that role. He was a good man would be my second evaluation of Newman-his charity food enterprise which he ran with Nell was characteristic of his decency, as was his marriage, a true partnership, so rare especially in Hollywood. Some of his roles as an actor were phenomenal- Cool Hand Luke, The Verdict were my two favorites. A life well lived.

Thomas Doerflein

The zookeeper who gained fame for hand-rearing the beloved polar bear Knut was found dead in his Berlin apartment Monday. A spokeswoman for Berlin police said Thomas Doerflein was dead when authorities arrived at the apartment and that they had no information on the cause of death. Doerflein was 44 years old. He gained fame in Germany and beyond as the ever-present caretaker for Knut, a polar bear cub abandoned by his mother in late 2006. Knut became a worldwide sensation when the Berlin Zoo decided to raise him by hand, and Doerflein was there for every stage of the bear's progress. With his burly build, beard and ponytail, Doerflein was a distinctive figure at the side of the growing bear. He nursed young Knut in his arms behind closed doors and wrestled with him after the bear grew old enough to play.

This year's fashions

There are times when I feel, as a nation, we are run by those who exploit our primitive fears-if we let them. Sarah Palin clearly has fascist impulses if one looks at her attempt to ban books when she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska and fire the brave librarian who stood up to her. Palin is no more than a female Bush- someone, who puts the pleasant face of Christian virtues over dark impulses and personal failings. I am for neither party-I don't think millionaires have any idea or caring for how the rest of the country lives, but there are no mavericks in the Republican party, just fascists in sheep's clothing.

"Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings."
-- Heinrich Heine

"I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions."
-- Lillian Hellman, subpoenaed to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee, 1952

The two photos attached are a pic of Nazi's burning books and a Beatles record burning- fashions of the moment.

elongated shadows

a shot of Audrey's and my shadow at Plum Island in Newburyport, Mass.

My father died of a sudden heart attack on Friday, Sept. 5th, just 5 weeks after my mother's death and a little over a year since my brother died in May of last year. Just Nita and I now and we are both in a bit of a shock and yet, talking yesterday, we seemed released from something and now able to live our own lives fully. I miss my mom very much. I spent yesterday with Audrey at the Plum Island off Newburyport, which i had last visited with mom last year after Bruce's death. We watched the sun set and quietly were grateful of all the good things in life.

Man on Wire documentary

I went to see man on Wire today-the documentary on Phillippe Petit's graceful and unbelievable high wire across the Twin Towers in 1974....it is really worth watching for the STORY, a fairly poorly made documentary however- I hate having obvious questions unanswered(why did his most vital friendship (his male friend was in tears about it even after all these years) and romantic relationship end after the walk or watching phony moments of reenactments, but the real footage is amazing and his his belief and pursuit of this seemingly impossible dream is breathtaking and inspirational.