Ravioli & Passing Stars
I’m fascinated by the way humans adapt. Headline from nypost.com: “All aboard: Retired couple spent almost 500 days at sea after booking 51 straight cruises because it’s cheaper than retirement home.” Kudos.
How ‘bout this? Scientists call it the Ravioli Moon, which orbits Saturn. Photo from Google Images:
RIP Michael Gambon, 82, superlative actor at home on stage or the big or small screen. Born in Dublin, theater was his first love. His screen career spanned 1965–2019. There are 177 titles under his name at IMDb. I first encountered him in The Singing Detective six-part miniseries, which blew me away. Later, he stole the show as the lout in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, Her Lover (1989). Other notable roles: Dostoevsky in The Gambler (1997), The Insider (1999), Gosford Park (2001), Open Range (2003), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Judy (2019) and five installments of the Harry Potter series. He won four BAFTA awards for his work in TV, and received two Emmy nominations. Married from 1962 until his death, he was a father of one. Here’s a quote attributed to him: “I am a theatre actor, but the last ten years I’ve taken parts in movies because it keeps me in money.” Awesome, Sir. Thank you. Photo from GI:
RIP Red Sox fan favorite Tim Wakefield, 57, who succumbed to brain cancer. Born in Florida, he was a first-baseman at Florida Tech, bashing 40 homers, the school retiring his number. He was drafted by the Pirates and soon told he would never make the majors as a position player, so he learned to throw a knuckleball. In 1992 he got the call in the second half of the season and had a spectacular run, going 8–1 and winning two complete games in the playoffs against the Braves, who won the series in seven. He was named NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News. He then lost control of the strike zone, and was released and picked up by the Sox, for whom he played from ‘95–2011. He was an All-Star in ’09, and a member of the World Series champions of ’04 and ’11. He is a member of the Sox Hall of Fame. His MLB record is 200–180, ERA 4.41, 2156 strikeouts, 22 saves. All that despite his pitches never breaking 75 MPH on the radar gun. He was known throughout MLB as one of its most charitable players. He was nominated eight times for the Roberto Clemente Award, presented to the player who best reflects the spirit of giving back to the community, and won the award in 2010. After his career ended, he did some broadcasting and pursued business interests. Married in 2002, he was a father of two. Awesome, Sir. Gone way too soon. Photo from GI:
I had to stand in the sun for most of today’s session of the floating book shop. Fortunately, it was just short of hot. My thanks to the gentleman who took home ten books in Russian, and to the young man who bought a water colors art pictorial in that language and a kids’ book for his little guy; and to the woman who purchased a CD of Jewish music, and Grow Cook Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening, Including 50 Recipes, Plus Harvesting and Storage Tips by Willi Galloway and Jim Henkens, and Dragon Breath #2: Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon.
