Nature Walk in Winter
Monday, April 28, 2008
Fun Monday - Walk This Way
Nature Walk in Winter
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Fun Monday - Five for Five
Reflections of a Summer Evening
Sending Forth Ripples of Hope
Off to See the World
Happy Day at the Beach
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sam the Sham in the Parking Lot
On a hot summer evening in 1966, I met Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in a K-Mart parking lot in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Okay, I did not actually meet the novelty tune recording artist. My fiance', now husband of 41 years, and I were making a quick stop at the shopping center when we spied a large white tent in the parking lot. Inside the tent, we were surprised to find the performer and musical sensation of the 1965 hit single, Wooly Bully. Even in those days, a free performance in front of a discount store seemed like a strange venue for popular musician. Yet there in the tent, Domingo Samudio, with the stage name Sam the Sham performed with a back-up group called the Pharoahs. The audience of no more than 20 was enthusiastic and grateful for the free concert.
Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro Matty told Hatty about a thing she saw. Had two
big horns and a wooly jaw. Wooly bully, wooly bully. Wooly bully, wooly bully,
wooly bully. Hatty told Matty, "Let's don't take no chance. Let's not be
L-seven, come and learn to dance." Wooly bully, wooly bully Wooly bully, wooly
bully, wooly bully. Matty told Hatty, "That's the thing to do. Get you someone
really to pull the wool with you." Wooly bully, wooly bully. Wooly bully, wooly
bully, wooly bully.
Wooly Bully is reportedly about just that a woolly bull or an American bison. The whimsical tune was featured in a number of movies including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Full Metal Jacket, Scrooged, Happy Gilmore, Splash, and The Chipmunk Adventure, in which it is performed by the Chipmunks . Lil' Red Riding Hood was another big hit for the group.
Today, Sam the Sham, writes poetry and music. Additionally, Sam the Sham, Domingo Samudio, makes occasional live performances and works as a motivational speaker. I am pleased to hear that Sam is still performing. If I ever meet Sam in person, I will thank him for the free summer evening concert so many years ago.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Fun Monday - First Crush
At these Saturday afternoon movies, I met my first celebrity hero. I am guessing that most or all of the Fun Monday participants will not recognize the object of my interest. In the 1950's, the movie-going population seemed to be infatuated with Westerns, movies featuring cowboys and occasional cowgirl. My hero was not one of the better known leads like Gene Autry or Roy Rogers. My silver screen love was the less-recognized Lash LaRue.
Lash, who's given name is Alfred, apparently had a number of obstacles breaking into the movie-business. According to one source, Lash's resemblance to Humphrey Bogart kept him from him winning the favor of casting directors. So when the opportunity to win a part in a film, Lash lied about an ability to use a bullwhip. Evidently, Lash did become proficient in using the whip, and the bullwhip became the trademark of my on screen lover. An interesting tidbit of movie trivia is that Lash LaRue taught Harrison Ford how to use a whip for his role as Indiana Jones.
In these B-westerns, Lash would do wondrous acts with his whip. He would use the whip to snap the six-gun out of the hand of the villainous opponent. I remember that Lash would even use his whip skills to catch the girl. In my mind even today, I can see Lash throw out the whip wrapping the tail ever so skillfully around some feisty heroine to pull her closer. Of course, as happened in all movies of that time, eventually the heroine succumbed to the advances and rewarded my Lash with a kiss.
The only recognition of Lash as the object of my affection was in my imagination. In my innocence even in my fantasy, I only remember Lash capturing me with his mighty whip. Well, that is my story, and I am sticking to it. If you would like to read about other celebrity crushes, visit Jo Beaufoix.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Round Robin: A Day in the Park
In addition to the mill, the park features wooded trails, maple syrup festivities, vintage baseball, and cross country skiing. My husband and I enjoy visiting the park any time of year, and any day in the park always turns out to be a fine day.