My baby brother, Joseph George John Pluciennik, died on July 20, 2023, in Philadelphia, a week before his 76th birthday. Made the mistake of saying he wanted to become a priest on a local kids TV show (heard a lot of ribbing about that for years, no doubt part of the reason he went full atheist). He was an early computer adopter who finally went semi-Luddite. A great reader even with having a touch of dyslexia. He wrote poetry and stories. He was fascinated by Eastern European and central Asian history and music. Our dad asked him to keep the Armenian women's choir, Russian army choir, and especially the throat singing albums at a reasonable level so the world wouldn't know we were odd. He met his wife when he joined a folk dance group in the 1970s. He was the reason why we had dictionaries at the house not just of Latin, French, Spanish and German language but also Russian, conversational Arabic and Greek
We agreed on politics and Trump. Once we had modern phones, we called each other 1, 2 or 3 times a week just so I could yell at him eventually and remind him of Ma.
2023 was a tough year at Chez Caepan. I lost three of my five fur babbies this year; two within a week of each other (they were tightly bonded "sisters" from a previous owner who passed away herself two years ago). At times I started to wonder if I really know how to raise kitties - even though I've had them all my life.
At least I still have two that do their best to make sure I rise from my bed every day to feed them. And that is still the best reason for me to get out of bed. Even with flannel sheets.
I was telling someone whom you know that my hubby's childhood best friend received a donor kidney that gave him an entirely new lease on life. It is humbling in a way that can't be described. I am devastated for all who knew Kenny, but grateful for the way his legacy lives on.
Our miniature Chihuahua, Poseidon, whose name was longer than he was, is a loss that has me crying suddenly, at weird times, like now... Thank you so much, Sara, for allowing your loyal readers the chance to share their burden of loss. It really does help lighten the load. A little bit; like my 'Seidy Weidy', small but fierce... 🙏🏾
I'm a long-time fan of Oscar Wilde. His full name was "Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde." His writing was brilliant. Another of his quotes is "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." He would fit right in nowadays and have lots of fun with the WingNuts.
His father was a preeminent doctor reputed to have the dirtiest fingernails in Ireland.
Yesterday I raised a glass for all our absent friends and loved ones.
Today I am missing my cat Maggie, who had her last Pretty Good Day on Jan 1, 2023. She went out in the yard, sniffed all the things, and dozed in the sunshine. Then she howled to wake the dead but got better after I gave her fluids. We had a communicator call on Jan 3 and she informed me she was dying. We negotiated some things and had a cozy day together on the 4th (we were expecting a lot of rain) and it dried up long enough on the 5th for her to eat some more grass and for us to walk around the house as we often did. (I had to carry her because she was so weak.) She passed peacefully in my arms and has been spotted around the yard occasionally ;-).
My uncle also died last spring after a long illness. He wasn't a "cat person" but I hope Maggie and my other girls are amusing him.
Robert Solow, liberal progressive economist. Said of Milton Friedman: Everything reminds Milton of money supply. Well, everything reminds me of sex. But I try to keep it out of my papers
Here’s a death that might have slipped under the radar: Keith Reid, who wrote most of the lyrics for Procul Harum. Yes, he whose eyes were open, but they might as well been closed. Credit to Procul for making the lyricist a formal member of the band.
Absolutely! I’ve heard the Beeb is filming the last book and has Rylance back as Cromwell; so that’s something to look forward to (unless you’re Cromwell).
What really awed me was the way Rylance could play this shrewd and deferential character who was always the smartest person in the room but never tipped his hand. Unbelievably tricky acting, and he made it look entirely natural and easy.
Rylance is just an amazingly brilliant but subtle actor. He does the exact opposite of “scenery-chewing,” but is utterly mesmerizing to watch. The perfect choice to play Cromwell.
My baby brother, Joseph George John Pluciennik, died on July 20, 2023, in Philadelphia, a week before his 76th birthday. Made the mistake of saying he wanted to become a priest on a local kids TV show (heard a lot of ribbing about that for years, no doubt part of the reason he went full atheist). He was an early computer adopter who finally went semi-Luddite. A great reader even with having a touch of dyslexia. He wrote poetry and stories. He was fascinated by Eastern European and central Asian history and music. Our dad asked him to keep the Armenian women's choir, Russian army choir, and especially the throat singing albums at a reasonable level so the world wouldn't know we were odd. He met his wife when he joined a folk dance group in the 1970s. He was the reason why we had dictionaries at the house not just of Latin, French, Spanish and German language but also Russian, conversational Arabic and Greek
We agreed on politics and Trump. Once we had modern phones, we called each other 1, 2 or 3 times a week just so I could yell at him eventually and remind him of Ma.
2023 was a tough year at Chez Caepan. I lost three of my five fur babbies this year; two within a week of each other (they were tightly bonded "sisters" from a previous owner who passed away herself two years ago). At times I started to wonder if I really know how to raise kitties - even though I've had them all my life.
At least I still have two that do their best to make sure I rise from my bed every day to feed them. And that is still the best reason for me to get out of bed. Even with flannel sheets.
I was telling someone whom you know that my hubby's childhood best friend received a donor kidney that gave him an entirely new lease on life. It is humbling in a way that can't be described. I am devastated for all who knew Kenny, but grateful for the way his legacy lives on.
Thank you for mentioning Elizabeth. <3
Our miniature Chihuahua, Poseidon, whose name was longer than he was, is a loss that has me crying suddenly, at weird times, like now... Thank you so much, Sara, for allowing your loyal readers the chance to share their burden of loss. It really does help lighten the load. A little bit; like my 'Seidy Weidy', small but fierce... 🙏🏾
I will miss my friend Lesley Phillips (https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/lesley-phillips-obituary?id=53076907) and my friend John Braithwaite (https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-braithwaite-obituary?id=52698261). Two very political people playing for opposite sides of the spectrum and yet both good people at their core.
Thank you, Sara, for starting my '24 with Kenny Deforest. New to me. I shall seek him out.
We can also celebrate the bad people who passed away. We just need to celebrate the passing and not the person.
Oscar Wilde said there were people who lit up a room by their presence. Some by their arrival, others by their departure.
I'm a long-time fan of Oscar Wilde. His full name was "Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde." His writing was brilliant. Another of his quotes is "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." He would fit right in nowadays and have lots of fun with the WingNuts.
His father was a preeminent doctor reputed to have the dirtiest fingernails in Ireland.
"Why are Dr. Wilde's nails black?" asked Dublin wags. "Because he scratches himself." https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,776908,00.html
If you like Wilde, you might enjoy checking out Ambrose Bierce (especially the Devil's Dictionary).
Yesterday I raised a glass for all our absent friends and loved ones.
Today I am missing my cat Maggie, who had her last Pretty Good Day on Jan 1, 2023. She went out in the yard, sniffed all the things, and dozed in the sunshine. Then she howled to wake the dead but got better after I gave her fluids. We had a communicator call on Jan 3 and she informed me she was dying. We negotiated some things and had a cozy day together on the 4th (we were expecting a lot of rain) and it dried up long enough on the 5th for her to eat some more grass and for us to walk around the house as we often did. (I had to carry her because she was so weak.) She passed peacefully in my arms and has been spotted around the yard occasionally ;-).
My uncle also died last spring after a long illness. He wasn't a "cat person" but I hope Maggie and my other girls are amusing him.
My father (1953-2023). I was having the best day of the best weekend of my life when my mom called. His spirit was with us that magical day, no doubt.
The last lines of "i thank You God for most this amazing" by e.e. cummings, because I have questions after I die:
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
The wonderful musician and wonderful human Ryuichi Sakamoto died this year.
Robert Solow, liberal progressive economist. Said of Milton Friedman: Everything reminds Milton of money supply. Well, everything reminds me of sex. But I try to keep it out of my papers
Here’s a death that might have slipped under the radar: Keith Reid, who wrote most of the lyrics for Procul Harum. Yes, he whose eyes were open, but they might as well been closed. Credit to Procul for making the lyricist a formal member of the band.
How far can sailors fly, Keith?
___________
Upon the seventh seasick day
We made our port of call
A sand so white, and sea so blue
No mortal place at all
We fired the guns, and burned the mast
And rowed from ship to shore
The captain cried, we sailors wept
Our tears were tears of joy
Jaxson, a mostly lab, and the goodest boy. Fuck cancer. Miss you buddy.
But we are certain he played a part in our getting Lilith, who is a very good girl. Love you, buddy.
I'm sure he's looking out for you, and especially over her.
Ady Barkan who seized opportunity.
Cormac McCarthy, Martin Amis, Milan Kundera, Hilary Mantel, Louise Gluck. I love to read.
Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon.
Tony Bennett. Lots of celebrities went to Washington in 1963. Tony went to Selma in 1965.
Hilary Mantel. *sigh* Lord, what a writer.
I LOVED the “Wolf Hall” trilogy. The PBS production of the first book, starring Mark Rylance, is pretty amazing, also too.
Absolutely! I’ve heard the Beeb is filming the last book and has Rylance back as Cromwell; so that’s something to look forward to (unless you’re Cromwell).
What really awed me was the way Rylance could play this shrewd and deferential character who was always the smartest person in the room but never tipped his hand. Unbelievably tricky acting, and he made it look entirely natural and easy.
Oh, YaY! Thanks for sharing this information.
Rylance is just an amazingly brilliant but subtle actor. He does the exact opposite of “scenery-chewing,” but is utterly mesmerizing to watch. The perfect choice to play Cromwell.
Rylance can say more with his eyebrows than most actors can say in a monologue.