StoryCorps® this morn (NPR-ME) once again plucked the heartstrings, reminding us what we have to give thanks for. Danielle and Gabrielle Hall remember their mother Martha, who died of breast cancer in 2003. “I have pictures of our last Thanksgiving…” (2:08 mp3):
The latest Radio Diaries is featured on today’s NPR: Story of the Day podcast. It’s a multi-p.o.v. sound-portrait of twins separated at birth, “Identical Strangers” (13:10 mp3):
Slate’s Explainer has the skinny on the fashion ins and outs of buying a good one that reps your clan, creed or splinter group. See the video.
The only time I was able to ever wear one was while actually skiing…while it was below zero. I even had (briefly) a neoprene model that worked rather well at 30 below but felt slimy inside after a few runs. (The skis wouldn’t work well anyway since it was too cold to create the micro-thin layer of melt water that you actually glide on). So, in a way, I’ve gotta hand it to these wild ‘n’ crazy guys with their AK-47s and a desire for anonymity/clan identity/scary-looking-motherf’erness. That is badass when the average high for July and August is 91 F. (But the humidity is low, my friend).
This week’s HV cast is a Father’s Day ditty. Going in and out of cool, in syncopated time, a daughter and dad’s ever-changing relationship moves to the beat of a jazz standard. A story by Rebecca Flowers, “My Father’s Music” (mp3 6:30):
From Long Haul Productions for Father’s Day, a story of armed robberies, philosophical treatises, and a dad’s love debuts today on NPR Day to Day, “Walking With My Father” (8:59):
Duplex Planet is a ’zine in which: “For more than a quarter century David Greenberger has been talking with old people in nursing homes, mealsites and senior centers, collecting conversations and stories.”
It’s also a radio series and set of CDs. DG performs these people’s stories, backed by original music from the likes of Los Lobos, 3 Leg Torso, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic , Terry Adams (NRBQ), and here’s David Greenberger & The Shaking Ray Levis from their CD Mayor of the Tennessee River with “Blood n the Pulpit” (3:06 mp3):
THE DUPLEX PLANET issue #38, July, 1982:
GENE EDWARDS: I don’t like nothin’ about summer, it’s too hot. I know it’s better than winter, but that’s all I can say. I like spring and fall.
RODNEY BRAGG: I swim in cold water, I always go swimmin’ in cold water. I dive right in the water and go swimmin’ under the bridge. One time my sister fell in a mud hole out in the woods. I pulled her out of the mud hole, I had to get a rope and pull her out. Had to buy a rope at the store, it cost money. You can’t get nothin’ for nothin.’
BILL SEARS: In summer you go to beaches, go swimmin,’ go fishin,’ go to the amusement park. You go on the roller coaster and you go on the Dodge-’ems. You go on the Whip, you go for a boat ride. You go on a train, a train ride. You go on the Ferris Wheel. you go blueberry pickin.’ And, ah, you go ridin’ horses. You take a tramp in the woods. that’s about all.
WALTER KIERAN: I used to go from Salem Willows to Nantasket Beach in a passenger boat. It was about two hours and cost two dollars. you buy your food on the boat, that cost you a dollar or two. they had movin’ pictures on the boat, and a six piece orchestra would play. You could dance, there were girls there. you’d take a girl out to dinner on the boat and then you’d hire a room outside the boat and give her a little lovin.’ and after that you’d take her to the movin’ pictures. then after that you’d take her to Salem Willows and give her popcorn and kisses — candy kisses, homemade ones by the Woods Brothers of Salem, candymakers. Besides that work they were salesmen for the Kennedy Clothing Company. you could buy a suit of clothes from them for fifty dollars, no hundred dollars. they had a tailor, used to fix you up, Bill Hanson his name was. He left Clark & Friend Clothing Company and went to Kennedy & Company clothing Company. I worked at Clark & Friend’s as an errand boy. I got all my stuff for nothin’ from Clark & Friend’s, I didn’t have to pay for it. for workin’ for ’em, instead of just gettin’ money, I’d get clothes.
THE DUPLEX PLANET: The truth about coffee, money, dogs, sandwiches, vampires, television, toasters, haircuts, romance, dancing, faith, hope, trust, and the part of us each that moves forward into and through the final years of life.
You can hear more David Greenberger pieces and music reviews on NPR.
Went to visit my dad the other day at Massachusetts National Cemetery. Forgot to bring the Kaddish along to say over his grave, so I’ll say it here instead below. First, from This American Life, my radio “Kaddish” (3:27):
Mourner's Kaddish Yisgadal v'yiskadash sh'mei rabbaw (Cong. Amein). May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified (Cong. Amen.) B'allmaw dee v'raw chir'usei in the world that He created as He willed. v'yamlich malchusei,b'chayeichon, uv'yomeichon, May He give reign to His kingship in your lifetimes and in your days, uv'chayei d'chol beis yisroel, and in the lifetimes of the entire Family of Israel, ba'agawlaw u'vizman kawriv, v'imru: Amein. swiftly and soon. Now respond: Amen. (Cong: Amein. Y'hei sh'mei rabbaw m'vawrach l'allam u'l'allmei allmayaw) (Cong Amen. May His great Name be blessed forever and ever.) Y'hei sh'mei rabbaw m'vawrach l'allam u'l'allmei allmayaw. May His great Name be blessed forever and ever. Yis'bawrach, v'yishtabach, v'yispaw'ar, v'yisromam, v'yis'nasei, Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, v'yis'hadar, v'yis'aleh, v'yis'halawl sh'mei d'kudshaw b'rich hu mighty, upraised, and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, Blessed is He (Cong. b'rich hu). (Cong. Blessed is He) L'aylaw min kol birchawsaw v'shirawsaw, beyond any blessing and song, tush'b'chawsaw v'nechemawsaw, da'ami'rawn b'all'maw, v'imru: Amein praise and consolation that are uttered in the world. Now respond: Amen. (Cong. Amein). (Cong. Amen). Y'hei shlawmaw rabbaw min sh'mayaw,v'chayim May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life awleinu v'al kol yisroel, v'imru: Amein upon us and upon all Israel. Now respond: Amen. (Cong. Amein). (Cong. Amen). Oseh shawlom bim'ro'mawv, hu ya'aseh shawlom, He Who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace, awleinu v'al kol yisroel v'imru: Amein upon us and upon all Israel. Now respond: Amen. (Cong. Amein).
This week’s HV cast is for Mother’s Day. These days, taking mom out for a day-trip doesn’t involve going as far in distance, as it does back in time. Tybee Island, Georgia, now and in the 1920’s, as seen by Mrs. Massett. A story by Larry Massett, “Travels with Mom” (mp3 12:25):