In need of a good place to recover from a nasty cold, I’ve been holed up here in a room overlooking Chautauqua Lake, not far from the old stomping grounds in Western New York.
Just as I was leaving...packing the car...this rocker looking fellow of certain age appeared out of nowhere. He looked a little like Albert Lee with dyed black hair and a beanie. He had seen the guitars and wanted to talk shop. Very nice fellow. Apparently he'd been there all along. What a strange scene.
This fevered ramble is priceless. I can't stop laughing. Thank you thank you thank you!
(Check out the Lucille Ball statue at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron, New York. My former coworker opined that she looks like Pink on meth.)
I am hoping it is like the flick "Rapture-Palooza", and all of us non-believers can just go on living decent, normal lives with NO concerns whatsoever about burning in the devout faithfuls' fire lake in the 'bad place' (once we all defeat 'The Beast', of course!). ;)
And for those of you who are asking how I’m feeling, I’m fine as of today. And last night at Caffe Lena I felt almost good enough to sing, or good enough to almost sing! Thanks for asking.
It was beyond awesome to see you perform last night. My 21-year old daughter (one of the younger ones in the room) commented on your brilliant guitar playing. We've missed you. Please come around to Westchester/NY vicinity sooner than later. Oh, and thank you for playing "There Goes Mavis."
Oh wow Richard - are you staying in... the Institution? I played a house concert at one of the cottages there and, well it's as odd as Lake Chautauqua is beautiful. Your story is hilarious! We'll send a search party if we don't hear from you again shortly.
I was not staying in the Institution, but a newish place in Celoron (love those old Upstate NY town names). Not to be confused with Celeron, an Intel processor. It was so weird I may have to go back for a writing retreat. And consider this response proof of life.
Hotel Lenhart, Bemus Point? The Athenaeum in Chautauqua? Webbs, Mayville? Lily Dale? Lakewood? I don’t think there’s a hotel there. Those took us around the lake.
Sorry to hear you were ill- likely some nasty virus (Covid?) after being in lots of playing spaces crowded with people. I am still vibrating after your visit to Pittsburgh last week. Your music and creativity does resonate... Keep up the sobriety journey- you won't regret it even if the journey takes sidesteps at times. Rooting for you and looking forward to your next live performance.
You can really paint a picture, Richard. (But we knew that.) Your description is both eerie and humorous! I guess that place makes its nut for the six warm months of the year, and then stays open with some highly personalized service for any itinerate seekers who dare to traverse its threshold.
The ague. Perhaps that’s what it is. I’ve just endured Day 3 of some sort of upper respiratory malaise — consecutive tests on Day 1 and Day 2 declared COVID not the culprit — and am considering throwing myself upon the mercy of a local urgent care facility tomorrow if I feel no better.
It’s rare for me to be sick for more than two days, so whatever this particular stripe of ague is, it’s potent.
A weird, largely abandoned hotel sounds like a rather more suitable place to endure such a malady than the discomfort of home. I’m glad the timing worked out for your ague to fall between gigs.
Glad to learn from the comments thread that you're better.
I've been appreciating the trip down memory lane that hearing about "[the] grippe" triggered -- I've been thinking about valises, going marketing, being stout, and other words and phrases my grandmother used to use.
Sounds a bit like The Overlook in The Shining. Watch out for those creepy twins by the elevator ! REDRUM !! Stay safe and hope you're well soon.
Thanks. I feel fine now.
Just as I was leaving...packing the car...this rocker looking fellow of certain age appeared out of nowhere. He looked a little like Albert Lee with dyed black hair and a beanie. He had seen the guitars and wanted to talk shop. Very nice fellow. Apparently he'd been there all along. What a strange scene.
haha. Such a strange place.....I may have to check it out, take a night to visit~~ I'm not far away, in Connecticut.
You sure that it was NOT Albert Lee?? (LOL)
Could've requested a few bars from one of Emmylou's songs on the Twangcaster!! ;)
National Comedy Center?!
This fevered ramble is priceless. I can't stop laughing. Thank you thank you thank you!
(Check out the Lucille Ball statue at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron, New York. My former coworker opined that she looks like Pink on meth.)
She does look like Pink on meth!
and here's a link about those statues. There have been two versions. Make sure you scroll down for the a pic of the one they call "scary Lucy": https://deadline.com/2016/08/lucy-statue-lucille-ball-scary-lucy-carolyn-palmer-1201799668/
Lovely piece of writing. But is there any post Rapture? I just assumed we'd all be burning in hell with no access to the wine list?
I don’t know. I did very little fact checking for this one.
Your training for the priesthood was no assistance, then?
Nope. But it seems to me a good priest would stick around to tend to those left behind. Amirite?
You're not wrong.....
According to Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins, there's at least 13 books worth after.
Oh good.
I had no idea these people existed and now I find myself going down another rabbit hole...
Oh yes, the whole Left Behind series: one for adults, one for kids, et c.
I am hoping it is like the flick "Rapture-Palooza", and all of us non-believers can just go on living decent, normal lives with NO concerns whatsoever about burning in the devout faithfuls' fire lake in the 'bad place' (once we all defeat 'The Beast', of course!). ;)
I love your music and you’re writing. Do you ever come to Los Angeles? Hope you feel better soon.
No plans to go to LA, or anywhere! My schedule is a tabula rasa.
And for those of you who are asking how I’m feeling, I’m fine as of today. And last night at Caffe Lena I felt almost good enough to sing, or good enough to almost sing! Thanks for asking.
It was beyond awesome to see you perform last night. My 21-year old daughter (one of the younger ones in the room) commented on your brilliant guitar playing. We've missed you. Please come around to Westchester/NY vicinity sooner than later. Oh, and thank you for playing "There Goes Mavis."
Thanks Lisanne. My voice was on the edge of catastrophe all night. I had to make up for it with fancy strummin;.
No worries...i am certain your devoted fans were also so glad to see you back out there again!
Oh wow Richard - are you staying in... the Institution? I played a house concert at one of the cottages there and, well it's as odd as Lake Chautauqua is beautiful. Your story is hilarious! We'll send a search party if we don't hear from you again shortly.
I was not staying in the Institution, but a newish place in Celoron (love those old Upstate NY town names). Not to be confused with Celeron, an Intel processor. It was so weird I may have to go back for a writing retreat. And consider this response proof of life.
Forgot about the new hotel there. Chautauqua Harbor. I grew up near Celoron. You mentioned “old stomping grounds.” School?
Almost sounds like a brand name for a particle accelerator (must be my current Princeton locale making me think this way??).
Hotel Lenhart, Bemus Point? The Athenaeum in Chautauqua? Webbs, Mayville? Lily Dale? Lakewood? I don’t think there’s a hotel there. Those took us around the lake.
Richard, it sounds like you have plenty of material from your hotel stay for future songs. Get well soon.
Sorry to hear you were ill- likely some nasty virus (Covid?) after being in lots of playing spaces crowded with people. I am still vibrating after your visit to Pittsburgh last week. Your music and creativity does resonate... Keep up the sobriety journey- you won't regret it even if the journey takes sidesteps at times. Rooting for you and looking forward to your next live performance.
Thank you Jane. I remember speaking with you, too briefly! Keep up the good work.
You can really paint a picture, Richard. (But we knew that.) Your description is both eerie and humorous! I guess that place makes its nut for the six warm months of the year, and then stays open with some highly personalized service for any itinerate seekers who dare to traverse its threshold.
Thanks Michael. Threshold is the right word. But I will cross it again!
The ague. Perhaps that’s what it is. I’ve just endured Day 3 of some sort of upper respiratory malaise — consecutive tests on Day 1 and Day 2 declared COVID not the culprit — and am considering throwing myself upon the mercy of a local urgent care facility tomorrow if I feel no better.
It’s rare for me to be sick for more than two days, so whatever this particular stripe of ague is, it’s potent.
A weird, largely abandoned hotel sounds like a rather more suitable place to endure such a malady than the discomfort of home. I’m glad the timing worked out for your ague to fall between gigs.
The timing and geography were PERFECT! Get well.
Glad to learn from the comments thread that you're better.
I've been appreciating the trip down memory lane that hearing about "[the] grippe" triggered -- I've been thinking about valises, going marketing, being stout, and other words and phrases my grandmother used to use.
Luncheon meats.
I think to my grandmother, that was delicatessen, but yes.
Get well soon, Richard.🙂
REDRUM!
Newman!
You should tell Lucy (Kaplansky) about that place.
She'd most likely get a kick out of it given how her parents were devout fans of "I Love Lucy", hence her getting that name. ;)
Glad to hear you're feeling better 🙂