35 Years without Lynard Skynard

  On a flight on October 20,1977 after a concert in Greenville, South Carolina the great Southern rock band Lynard Skynard, became a legend. For this is when their chartered Convair CV-300 ran out of fuel and despite the valiant efforts of the pilots to make an emergency landing on a small airstrip, the plane went down in Gilsburg, Mississippi in Amite ( pronounced A-mitt) County, 10 minutes from the next  Lynard Skynard tour stop,Baton Rouge,Louisiana. Just three days after the release of the band's fifth studio album Street Survivors and five days into their most successful headlining tour. Lead singer, Ronnie Van Zant was killed on impact when a piece luggage flew out of the above head compartment and struck him snapping his neck. Also killed in the crash was guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister backup singer Cassie Gaines as was assistant road manager Dean Kirkpatrick, pilot William McCreary and co-pilot William Gray; the other band members Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell,Artimus,Pyle and background singer Leslie Hawkins and road crew suffered serious injuries.

Following the crash and the immediate press, Street Survivors became the band's last album to have original members of Lynard Skynard, Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins on it and is also the only studio recording to have Steve Gaines on it. It is also the second platinum album for the band reaching number5 on the U.S. album charts. With the single "What's Your Name" reaching number 13 on the singles charts in January of 1978. The original cover of Street Survivors had flames in the background but because of the death of band members and pilots the flames were discontinued and a black background was put in its place behind the band.

What's Your Name 

Well, it's 8 o'clock in Boise, Idaho

I'll find my limo driver 

Mister, take us to the show

I done made some plans for later on tonight;

 I'll find a little queen

And I know I can treat her right.

What's your name, little girl?

What's your name?

Shootin' you straight, little girl?

Won't you do the same?

Back at the hotel, Lord, we got such a mess

It seems that one of the crew had ago with one of the guest, oh yes.

Well the police said we can't drink in the bar

What a shame

Won't you come upstairs girl

and have a drink of champagne

What's your name, little girl?

What's your name? 

Shootin' you straight, little girl?

For there ain't no shame

What's your name, little girl?

What's your name?

Shootin' you straight, little girl?

Won't you do the same?

What's your name, little girl?

What;s your name?

Shootin' you straight, little girl? 

Won't you do the same?

9 o'clock the next day

And I'm ready to go

I got six hundred miles to ride

To do one more show, oh no

Can I get you a taxi home

It sure was grand

When I come back here next year

I wanna see you again

What's your name, little girl?

What's your name?

Shootin' you straight, little girl?

Well, there ain't no shame

What's your name, litle girl?

What's your name?

 Shootin' you straight, little girl?

Won't you do the same?

Lynard Skynard disbanded after the crash, reuniting just once in January of 1979 to perform an instrumental version of "Free Bird" at Charlie Daniels' Volunteer Jam V. Collins, Rossington, Pyle and Powell performed the song with Charlie Daniels and members of his band. Even though he was still undergoing physical therapy for his left arm, Leon Wilkeson was at the performance as was Ronnie Van Zant's widow, Judy; Chris Gaines' widow, Teresa; JoJo Billingsley, backing vocalist for the band and Leslie Hawkins.

Even though the end of the original band is tragic as were some times for the survivors after it Lynard Skynard has survived the years of break-ups, replacements, deaths to finally getting it right with again with Ronnie's kid brother, Johnny Van Zant. 

On May 2, 2012 Lynard Skynard the upcoming release of a studio album entitled Last of a Dyin' Breed along with a North American and European concert tours. On August 21,2012 Last of a Dyin' Breed was released. To celebrate the album's release, the band had four autograph signing tour throughout the southeast.

On September 9, 2012 while on the Piers Morgan show on CNN the band stated that it had discontinued the use of the Confederate flag in their concerts because they did not want to be associated with racist who had adopted the flag. After fans protested they revised the decision, noting that it is part of Southern heritage and states rights.

 MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

Fashion Friday Photo: Givenchy Hat,1957

  This Fashion Friday photo is a travel back in time with a Givenchy hat worn for the former French magazine Jardin des Modes in 1957 and the picture was taken by renowned photographer, Frank Horvat.

Fashion Friday Photo - Vera Wang Spring 2013

  I love Vera Wang wedding gowns/bridal dresses and this dress is no exception...but the model. Oh my gosh the model has her hair in a double ponytail and looks very depressed. Like she doesn't really like the groom as much as she thought, but that she has to marry him because she's pregnant and her father has a shotgun. Hence the term "Shotgun Wedding".

Now if the hair was maybe piled on her head with maybe some soft tendrils around her face and maybe a hint of a smile and some life in her eyes, maybe the dress would have more attention instead of a depressed model.

Follies by Carl Sandburg

Follies  

by

Carl Sandburg

Shaken,

The blossom of lilac,

And shattered,

The atoms of purple.

Green dip the leaves,

Darker the bark,

Longer the shadows.

Sheer lines of poplar

Shimmer with masses of silver

And down in a garden  old with years

And broken walls of ruin and story,

Roses rise with red rain - memories.

May!

In the open world

The sun comes and finds your face,

Remembering all.

2012 Emmy's

The predictable wins and Jimmy Kimmel's help made the 2012 Emmy's a bore fest.Okay 'Homeland' is new but there's something about it's wins that makes it feel old. Of course I was rooting for the Brits. Granted Damian Lewis did win an Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama, but it was for 'Homeland' so it doesn't really count. Of course, I was rooting for 'Downton Abbey' and Brendan Coyle and company but that only worked out for Dame Maggie Smith. Which is great because at least 'Downton' didn't end up like 'Mad Men' with 17 nominations and 0, zilch, a big ol' goose egg of wins. That, dear folks, made Emmy history. And John Hamm is the Susan Lucci of the Emmys, the regular Emmys not the Daytime Emmys that is.

 Some of the fashions made the stars look blah like Zoe Deschanel and Heidi Klum but, I will hopefully have further comments somewhere else in this posts. So with that being said here are some of the fashions :

The "Yellow Dress Brigade" also known as "Pukesville". Claire Danes, Julianne Moore and Julie Bowen are absolutely hideous in this color which is actually more chartreuse than yellow, especially Julie Bowen's dress. Looks like they all like the color of baby puke. ICK!

Eric Stonestreet, Best Actor in a Comedy winner for 'Modern Family'

Nicole Kidman in a lovely white with blue detailed embellishment by Antonio Berardi

Love! Love! Love! This Louis Vuitton dress on Michelle Dockery.Okay. Yes, it's mainly the color. The top I like but this dress should not have pockets because it makes the bottom part look all wrinkled. And is she wearing a bustle? More than likely not but it just looks like it through her left arm.

Michelle Dockery,Lady Mary of Downton Abbey,wearing a cobalt blue Louis Vuitton

Dame Maggie Smith,winner of Best Actress in a Drama for 'Downton Abbey'. She may not have been physically present but she was there in spirit.

Not to certain about this shade of...red?...orange? Not a good shade, of whatever color Giniffer Goodwin's dress is, on Ginnifer.

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuillier

Kiernan Shipka looks very lady like and age appropriate for a 14 year old and not like a hootchie-mamma wannabe.

Kiernan Shipka ofMad Men

Giuliana Rancic cutting her maternity leave short to host the Emmy's Red Carpet on E!

Add caption

Tina Fey in a stunning strapless eggplant with gold embroidered embellishment number from Vivienne Westwood.

Is this Amy Pohler's "eat your heart out soon-to-be ex" dress? To me it is. She has a Judith Lieber clutch but not in these photos. I think it's absolutely adorable that she wore a $2 ring from one of her sons toy box. I guess he was mommy's date in spirit.

Gown by Stella McCartney, earrings are by Penny Preville

'Mad Men' January Jones in Zac Posen

Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi. Ellen looks good. Portia... WHAT THE HELL?

As promised Zoe Deschanel in a custom-made Reem Acra gown. Kind of fairyish and maybe a bit Alice in Wonderland, but with dark hair. The color is a pale blue and is just boring to me.

Hello Va-va-Voom! Yes it's Heid Klum in her " eat your  heart out soon - to - be - ex" Seal .In a seafoam goddess dress with a slit clear up to THERE. Love where she was going with the idea but it seemed more appropriate for dinner on the beach or a yacht, not the Emmys.

'Modern Family's Ariel Winter looking cute ( yes I know a 14 year old doe not want to hear "cute") this Katherine Kidd floral print dress and racer back. Another age appropriate dress for a 14 year old. I just hope she or no one else tripped over her train.

The men of Downton Abbey: Hugh Bonneville (Earl of  Gratham), Jim Carter ( Mr. Carson) and Brendan Coyle ( Mr. Bates)

 'Modern Family' Sofia Vegara wore a teal Zuhair Murad hand-beaded gown. For the most part I love Zuhair Murad but last night I just wasn't feeling Sofia's gown and I could NOT, for the life of me, figure out why until now... she looks like a mermaid. Hear me out. The color of the dress is the color of the ocean in some parts of the world, the bottom part has the illusion of a giant fin( of course she has her knee stuck out a bit so that's probably the cause of it and the top of her dress reminds me of sea shells mermaids are supposed to wear. And it also V's just below the waist and to me that adds to the illusion of being a fishtail. 

And let's not forget Sofia's wardrobe malfunction 20 minutes before 'Modern Family'  won Best Comedy.

Fashion Friday Photo: Valentino Outfits the New York City Ballet

  In a one time event fashion designing legend, Valentino designed costumes for the 2012  New York City Ballet Fall Gala was held at Lincoln Center Thursday, September 20. The costumes for the evenings exclusive performance was designed by Valentino, who was also honored by the New York City Ballet Company. This collaboration was first put forth by actress and board member of the NYCB, Sarah Jessica Parker (who hope that the fashion component would entice younger ballet patrons) and by Peter Martin,company director.

New York City Ballet's principal dancer, Wendy Whelanwearing a Valentino costume

   This pairing of fashion and performing art was done as a way to avoid the decline of many of the American arts organizations is seen as clever and is seen in keeping with the prestige that is the New York City Ballet.

Valentino outfits the NYCB

Sarah Jessica Parker and Valentino

Anne Hathaway  at New York City Ballet Gala. This would look better on Florence Welch, of Florence +the Machine, with her red hair instead of Anne with her brown hair, because she just blends into the dress.

Valentino costume for the NYCB

Maria Kowroski and Charles Askegard in "Sophisticated Lady"at the New York City ballet Fall Gala

Valentino and principal dancer, Ana Sophia Scheller

Behind the scenes

 

  The dynamics of my family changed again today. When my Mom died 10 years ago was the first time it changed and today my 18 year old cat, Sweetie, died. Now some may find this absolutely ridiculous but you need to understand Sweetie had been around for almost half of my lifetime. He was just always there and now that he is gone, the family vibe feels weird.


  About two weeks ago I had found a big mass on Sweetie just in front of his left hip. No I did not take him to the vet because it was more than likely cancer ( he lost two of his sisters to cancer ) and at his age and the fact that he had lost a lot of weight over the past year I was worried he wouldn't survive the anesthesia. So it became a case of letting him have a good quality of life for as long as possible and he did until late Friday afternoon. It was then decided that Monday ( today ) that he would be taken to the vet and be taken care of, but that didn't happen. At sometime after 4 o'clock this morning I got up to check on Sweetie and found him under an end table with his head in an empty wicker wastebasket. I couldn't rouse him and I didn't feel his chest going up and down so, of course, I'm going he's dead. Scratch that thought. Wasn't yet time to pull the shroud over him, but it wasn't far off. So, I sat with him and tried to make him as comfortable as I could : held his head in my hand to elevate it for him when the breathing got to be difficult at times and when that had eased I put his head on a folded towel to use as a pillow. I would check Sweetie's breathing with my hand on his chest every so often; one of the times I didn't feel his breath but I could feel his heart still beating and maybe a couple of minutes later I checked again and that was it...no heartbeat. So that was a little after 6 o'clock and this time I did pull the shroud over him by wrapping him in a towel and putting him in a box on top of my drier until daylight came so he could be buried.

Sweetie in happier times a two springs ago.

  That was his death, now let me tall you a little bit about his life. He was born in May of 1994 after midnight and I was there for the hand-off of Sweetie and his siblings. They all had to be bottle fed every two hours because their mother didn't have enough milk. We started with milk then moved onto baby rice and milk and then baby food meat and milk then plates of baby food meat and to finally cat food. Yes, it was work but it was out of love but it was done out of love so it only makes sense.

  As Sweetie and his brother that looked like him, except for the crooked tail, C.C. grew they were the ones that tore up the wallpaper behind my toilet tank. When Sweetie would go outside after it had rained and he would find a mud puddle and go play in it and he would have muddy water from his paws to his chest . Trust me getting a white cat unmuddied is not an easy task. He loved people tuna, especially the albacore and would get some of what was at the bottom of the can and he taught the other cats that have gone before him and those still here to enjoy it, but now it is plain tuna in water.

What else? Oh, he LOVED to be brushed. Actually he got in my lap last night and let me brush him and I'm happy for that time.

  So that is how my day started and the emptiness that is now here will never be filled by any of my other cats. Yes I do lve them, but they're not Sweetie. He was a VERY special cat and I love and will always miss him.