David Goodis, James Cain, Jim Thompson...they're the only guys in your league when you write this stuff, Lucian. I can feel those old Village snowstorms and Hudson River winds in my face, larceny in my imaginary heart. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Oh, the funky, jaded degraded days. I worked at an ice cream parlour “The Flick”, on the Upper East Side during the college winter break - 1968.
The uniform was red, webbed spandex tights with plastic, white cuffs and collar and leotards.
The clientele were well-mannered, prep school boys with cash. I made $100 in tips that week and $15 from the owner. By the end of the gig l was the senior waitress. Everyone else left for greener pastures.
Great stuff, Lucian, like a darker side of a Guys and Dolls story: Here is a few moments from the other side of the world in the early 30's, I just posted on Facebook, "There's a lot of funny little things going around that indicate you are old if you ever used a dial telephone etc., but I remember when the women washed clothes in a wooden tub and put them through a wringer which has two rollers you turn with a handle to squeeze most of the water out and the hang them on a clothesline outside to dry. Then later iron them with an iron made of solid iron they'd have to heat up manually. No frozen foods of course in those days, No TV just radio. Milk was delivered by a milkman. But my earliest memory when we lived with my grandmother on a small island off the West coast of Scotland was going with a bucket to the farm next door to get fresh milk from the cows.for our morning porridge (oatmeal) Our cottage had no electricity, just paraffin lamps. (Water from a well in the front yard) . A one room schoolhouse. Punishment was a choice between 5 or 10 lashes across the palm of your each hand with either a thin cane or a thick one (your choice) both hurt like hell. The teacher also had a five pronged leather strap she'd whack you with on occasion.
Speaking of old we did a funny College Humor video a few years back "If You're Only Twenty Something Stop Saying You're Old"
I remember the clothesline, the two-party telephone lines, the two-roller wringer, and catching fireflies in Ball jars, and that was in the 50’s! Had a Jewish mother from Germany who could knock a live trout out with a wooden hammer and filet it in no time flat! She had lived in the Lower East Side of NYC in the late 30’s before moving to rural NC after meeting and marrying my dad. Could shuffle a deck of cards like nobody’s business. I have her washboard she brought after escaping the Nazis; a simple wooden base surrounding opaque glass that has ripples in it, all held together with tongue-in-groove. Thanks, Robert for spurring memories. Happy Holidays to ya’!
Ah, wonderful memories, Marlene, I'd have loved to have known your mother. I'm not Jewish but when I came to this country in 1961 I rented a room in a house in Yonkers owned by an older Jewish couple. I loved them dearly and missed them terribly when I moved to California. We kept in touch for years. I didn't know until recently there is a sizable Jewish community in Scotland. And believe it or not there is a book called "When Scotland Was Jewish" Following is from another book on Jewish humor by Harry Golden: "Only in America" It is funny but grains of truth I think: "By Harry Golden from his book Only in America The World Publishing Company 1958.
ACCORDING to a number of Midrashic sources, ten of the twelve tribes of Israel whom Moses had blessed in the wilderness were carried away by the Assyrians after the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C. Since there were numerous prophecies that they would return, there was a lively expectation that they might be found by diligent search. Many Christian scholars have been deeply concerned with this problem.
There was even a legend that Prester John would one day appear leading the ten tribes bearing the banners of Christendom. Cotton Mather and Thomas Thorowgood were convinced that the American Indians were the Ten Lost Tribes. The strange thing about it is that through all these centuries the Gentile world has been more concerned about what happened to the Ten Lost Tribes than the Jews themselves. The Jewish position, however, is most logical. Things haven’t been going exactly plushly for the Jews these past two thousand years, so why should we go out and find ten more tribes for them? Look at all the additional “restricted” juice boxes and “exclusive” slot machines they’d have to make. The Ten Lost Tribes would have been the worst kind of fools if they had revealed themselves all these years. As a matter of fact, I really believe they have been lying low waiting for the time when the coast is clear.
Which brings me to my own theory. I have a strong suspicion that the Ten Lost Tribes are really the inhabitants and the ancestors of the inhabitants of Scotland. I have several reasons for my theory. First of all, we Jews have a sort of natural affection for the Scots. There must be a reason for this. I have heard epithets thrown around at every race and nationality on earth, but I have yet to hear a Jew say an unkind thing about a Scotsman. Secondly, let us consider the Presbyterian religion which at its very inception was in effect a return to basic Orthodox Judaism—sort of an Anglicized Judaism with all its laws and most of its rituals. Both Calvin and Knox emphasized a belief in the One God, Jehovah, and for the first three hundred years of Presbyterianism, all the emphasis was on the Torah, specifically on the Five Books of Moses. The struggles within Calvinism were identical with the various reform movements within Judaism. I have come across records in my study of Calvinism of congregations forbidding the use of as much as a vase of flowers anywhere in the church, and on one occasion a few angry covenanters in this country smashed an organ or, as they called it, “the unholy whustles.” In the home country, in the early days of Presbyterianism, they did not even allow a portrait of the ruling monarch in their house of worship—identical with Judaistic tradition. It is well to remember, too, that Britain achieved her greatest hour of empire during that generation when a Scotsman and a Jew directed her destinies (Gladstone and Disraeli). And do you think it was a coincidence that Lord Balfour, the man who gave Palestine to the Jews, was a Scot? Of course, it was no coincidence. Lord Balfour may have been aware of the connection between Scotland and the Ten Lost Tribes.
In addition, my thesis is strengthened by the phenomenon that of all the civilized countries of the world Scotland is the only one without a history of anti-Semitism, and this on top of the fact that these wonderful Scots have had plenty of provocation. No
one has given the Presbyterians more trouble than the Jews—on account of the Psalms of David. When we gave them the Psalms we caused many a Scotsman to lose his sense of humor, It was family against family, and friend against friend. The Psalms of David have caused more schisms among the Presbyterians than all the other theologies combined. Some said that the Psalms should be sung, but others said they should be recited. Then for another hundred years there were four or five more reform movements—all about our King David’s magnificent poetry. Some Scots said the Psalms should be sung kneeling, others were against kneeling and remained seated, while in every church there was always one wonderful individualist of the Clan Cameron who said the Psalms should be sung—standing. And through all of this four hundred years of discussion, philosophy, and schism on these Psalms of our King David, they have kept their sense of honor and decency, and have remained among our best and most loyal friends.
What a dull world this would be without Scotland—and without Jew
Fascinating post! I have been a guest at a number of Jewish weddings and bar or bat mitzvahs and asked to play Hava Nagila on the bagpipes, and always been met with warm hospitality and appreciation from all (and esp. some delighted rabbis who had been to universities in Scotland). I've also been amused to be hired to play some tunes at Reformation Day services in some Presbyterian churches, given that the old-time Scottish Calvinists attacked the bagpipe as "the black sticks of the devil!" Times they did a-change!
I am proud of Scotland's record as one of the historically friendliest nations for the Jews, unlike so many other European countries with their frequent pograms and expulsions and penal laws.
That is wonderful Kozmo, we could have such a beautiful world if only not so many ignorant people choose to hate so vehemently an entire segment of society; people they know nothing about and would no doubt be good friends if they did know them personally.
Balfour "gave" Israel to the Jews for one reason only. He was a rabid antisemite and white supremacist who wanted to get rid of the Jews and thought putting them as far away as possible was a good idea to make the UK "Judenrein" part of Hitler's "cleansed of Jews" solution. A loathesome Scot, nevertheless among many good ones.
Yes, not all Scots, or for that matter any nation on earth were all good. But as you say, the good outweighed the bad, except for that period of time when no country would accept the Jews seeking asylum from Hitler. Then there was the Pope's silence and worse.
I just read it Adam, I'm sending it to a friend. It is almost incomprehensible, the sheer lack of compassion around the world, even for little children as in this excerpt where restrictive immigration laws could have been changed but were not. "February 9, 1939
Limited refugee bill proposed in US Congress
The Wagner-Rogers refugee aid bill is introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Robert F. Wagner (D-New York). This bill calls for the admission to the United States of 20,000 German refugee children under the age of 14 over the next two years, in addition to immigration normally permitted. The bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Edith Nourse Rogers (R-Massachusetts) five days later. Charity organizations across the country publicize the plight of German refugee children in an attempt to gain support for the bill. However, organizations favoring restrictive immigration strongly oppose the bill and claim that the refugee children would deprive American children of aid. After several months of debate, the bill is defeated in committee. The bill would have provided refuge for thousands of German Jewish children."
Haha, very cute, daien (was difny :) By the way, I'd like to repeat the "Like" button no longer works when I click on it, Maybe something to do with my old computer/browser. It used to happen occasionally, but now permanently. Just t know I like all the comments because Lucian's newsletter attract the best jn our society. Good people that abhor all the negative people in the political spectrum that spew hate and see normal justice attempts for violations of law as political persecution, The same people taht believed the election was stolen when Trump lost - that there was some kind of giant conspiracy. So if the Democrats were that clever why did they not do it again? Of course they ignore this logic.
Substack's user interface is in constant motion.The android cellphone browser was seriously broken a couple of weeks ago, was re-redesigned and is ok now except red keyboard hearts have turned black. Substack's app is required to do Messages. If you choose not to use the app, substack notifies you if you have a Message but won't let the sender know you can't reply.
Hmm, all a bit technical for me. I have an Android phone, but my eyesight being poor I never use it except for texts and phone calls. I prefer my Wins dos 7 computer for all Internet access. The Like button on Facebook comments work fine but no more here.
becauset i was a professional musician who played the harp, christmas was always a big work period for me. a lot of christmases i would be playing a sunrise service after playing the midnight mass the night before. now that i am retired and not in such high demand i have tried doing christmas with people. i realized, i know how to be a professional part of the celebrations but really have no idea about the family traditions and stuff. instead of basking in the warmth and appreciation of the family, and they do bring that to me bless their hearts, i am trying to figure out what is going on. a few years ago i just got tired of driving three hours to go someplace for two hours and then driving back for three. my last several christmas holidays have been spent at home, feeding the hummingbirds and watching nba games on tv. the family that is close enough always drives out to visit during the season to bring the kids so they can feed hummingbirds by hand. one of my nieces was six years old the first time a hummingbird ate from her hand. she told her mom "it changed my life." here is a clip of them from a family visit. at the 2:09 mark young emma has a hummingbird eat from her hand. the look on her face is why i do this. happy holidays what ever you celebrate. although if you are celebrating the election of a racist, rapist, conman, then i suggest that you don't sing the carol with the line "no crib for a bed" because they are all dreaming about building new camps furnished with puppy cages to stick brown little babies just like the one you're singing about in. leave me out of that stuff. i'll be here feeding hummingbirds. hanukah also starts on the 25th this year so happy honukah too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bti8soe9Iw&t=476s
Also, for anyone so inclined: Columbia University's FM station's annual Bachfest, wall-to-wall since midnight today, Christmas eve, till midnight New Year's eve. 89.9 if you're in Empire State Bldg range, else https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/
Maybe I'm just missing it, your thought is that the ending is like Sopranos, a fade to black and we all pretty much know what will happen? I may be taking it too literally but I'm counting on a second season to resolve what happens.
Commenter Adam has it: Lucian, this is vintage Breslin-esque, and that's a huge (HUGE) compliment. I dunno about John McPhee -- a little uptown, dontcha think? Leaving NYC for Chitown? (Joe Williams singing "Going to Chicago" with Basie!) Since you're there, in addition to Studs, if you can lay your hands on Ben Hecht's 1922 "A Thousand and One Afternoons in Chicago" you will be amply rewarded, especially if you find the original 1922 edition, with Herman Rosse's remarkable period illustrations. (Disclaimer: I'm no checkbook collector, or Marlowe, pretending to be a rare book snob at Geiger's Rare Book Store in "The Big Sleep." The L.A. Public Library loaned me, and would you, a copy of that 1922 edition. Wow.)
I once made the error of parking my 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Grand Prix in The Chin's spot in front of his social club. It was a Tue-Fri spot, a good one. I was reminded of my mistake when I came to move the car on Friday. I never made that mistake again.
Did you ever go in, Vic? My brother and his wife lived around the corner on Houston (next block east of Lucian's loft) and used to eat ice cream at those tables. Then one week they opened Life magazine and there were photos of all their fellow patrons, rounded up in a massive mob sweep.
The FBI bugged that place. They never got Chin on tape planning or ordering a crime because he walked around the Village in his bathrobe to have his "meets" and talk business. But they did get him talking coherently, which they used to prove he wasn't crazy when he put up an insanity defense.
At the mention of his name, the image of him traipsing around the neighborhood in his robe and cigar is as vivid as it was 50+ years ago! Thanks for the reminder.
The chats the Chin and his brother, highly respected Bronx community leader—always welcome at City Hall, Fr Louis Gigante, would share on their frequent walks will never be known. Must have been fascinating. Fr Gigante always publicly supported Chin's fiction.
I know all those joints. I lived in West Village the same years you did. My apartment was over Chumley's . I was in the Roadhouse one night when it was robbed at gunpoint. I could share stories with you from those days. I bet we walked past each other numerous times in the Village and Gramercy Park.
Then we were close neighbors, jefferson siebert. My first apartment was on Barrow next to Chumley's courtyard entrance. The Buffalo Roadhouse still was named the Shortstop. Only the now-rear structure existed—must have been one of several gas stations along that stretch.The 55 had been a speakeasy. The Shortstop was a more likely place to plan a robbery than the 55—looked like a place for bag drops, while Hymie always ran a classy if shopworn joint. You could drink in the 55, you wouldn't enter the Shortstop. Lee Chumley's widow still sat next to the fireplace under framed covers of customers' books that were a model for the Lion's Head covers.The building owner who caused the Chumley structure's collapse should have been jailed for life.
David Goodis, James Cain, Jim Thompson...they're the only guys in your league when you write this stuff, Lucian. I can feel those old Village snowstorms and Hudson River winds in my face, larceny in my imaginary heart. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jimmy Breslin would buy you a drink, Truscott, for this one. Maybe even two. And so would Studs Terkel. And
John McPhee might treat you to a pretzel. Bravo, lad, bravo!
More Nelson Algren than Studs Terkel.
True. Studs was more ... polite. But he had just as keen an eye.
Oh, the funky, jaded degraded days. I worked at an ice cream parlour “The Flick”, on the Upper East Side during the college winter break - 1968.
The uniform was red, webbed spandex tights with plastic, white cuffs and collar and leotards.
The clientele were well-mannered, prep school boys with cash. I made $100 in tips that week and $15 from the owner. By the end of the gig l was the senior waitress. Everyone else left for greener pastures.
Don't keep us in suspense? Got to be some unexpected, weird outcome to this story!
How about a Christmas present and give up the the next few pages ? You got me hooked on this !
Great stuff, Lucian, like a darker side of a Guys and Dolls story: Here is a few moments from the other side of the world in the early 30's, I just posted on Facebook, "There's a lot of funny little things going around that indicate you are old if you ever used a dial telephone etc., but I remember when the women washed clothes in a wooden tub and put them through a wringer which has two rollers you turn with a handle to squeeze most of the water out and the hang them on a clothesline outside to dry. Then later iron them with an iron made of solid iron they'd have to heat up manually. No frozen foods of course in those days, No TV just radio. Milk was delivered by a milkman. But my earliest memory when we lived with my grandmother on a small island off the West coast of Scotland was going with a bucket to the farm next door to get fresh milk from the cows.for our morning porridge (oatmeal) Our cottage had no electricity, just paraffin lamps. (Water from a well in the front yard) . A one room schoolhouse. Punishment was a choice between 5 or 10 lashes across the palm of your each hand with either a thin cane or a thick one (your choice) both hurt like hell. The teacher also had a five pronged leather strap she'd whack you with on occasion.
Speaking of old we did a funny College Humor video a few years back "If You're Only Twenty Something Stop Saying You're Old"
I remember the clothesline, the two-party telephone lines, the two-roller wringer, and catching fireflies in Ball jars, and that was in the 50’s! Had a Jewish mother from Germany who could knock a live trout out with a wooden hammer and filet it in no time flat! She had lived in the Lower East Side of NYC in the late 30’s before moving to rural NC after meeting and marrying my dad. Could shuffle a deck of cards like nobody’s business. I have her washboard she brought after escaping the Nazis; a simple wooden base surrounding opaque glass that has ripples in it, all held together with tongue-in-groove. Thanks, Robert for spurring memories. Happy Holidays to ya’!
Ah, wonderful memories, Marlene, I'd have loved to have known your mother. I'm not Jewish but when I came to this country in 1961 I rented a room in a house in Yonkers owned by an older Jewish couple. I loved them dearly and missed them terribly when I moved to California. We kept in touch for years. I didn't know until recently there is a sizable Jewish community in Scotland. And believe it or not there is a book called "When Scotland Was Jewish" Following is from another book on Jewish humor by Harry Golden: "Only in America" It is funny but grains of truth I think: "By Harry Golden from his book Only in America The World Publishing Company 1958.
ACCORDING to a number of Midrashic sources, ten of the twelve tribes of Israel whom Moses had blessed in the wilderness were carried away by the Assyrians after the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C. Since there were numerous prophecies that they would return, there was a lively expectation that they might be found by diligent search. Many Christian scholars have been deeply concerned with this problem.
There was even a legend that Prester John would one day appear leading the ten tribes bearing the banners of Christendom. Cotton Mather and Thomas Thorowgood were convinced that the American Indians were the Ten Lost Tribes. The strange thing about it is that through all these centuries the Gentile world has been more concerned about what happened to the Ten Lost Tribes than the Jews themselves. The Jewish position, however, is most logical. Things haven’t been going exactly plushly for the Jews these past two thousand years, so why should we go out and find ten more tribes for them? Look at all the additional “restricted” juice boxes and “exclusive” slot machines they’d have to make. The Ten Lost Tribes would have been the worst kind of fools if they had revealed themselves all these years. As a matter of fact, I really believe they have been lying low waiting for the time when the coast is clear.
Which brings me to my own theory. I have a strong suspicion that the Ten Lost Tribes are really the inhabitants and the ancestors of the inhabitants of Scotland. I have several reasons for my theory. First of all, we Jews have a sort of natural affection for the Scots. There must be a reason for this. I have heard epithets thrown around at every race and nationality on earth, but I have yet to hear a Jew say an unkind thing about a Scotsman. Secondly, let us consider the Presbyterian religion which at its very inception was in effect a return to basic Orthodox Judaism—sort of an Anglicized Judaism with all its laws and most of its rituals. Both Calvin and Knox emphasized a belief in the One God, Jehovah, and for the first three hundred years of Presbyterianism, all the emphasis was on the Torah, specifically on the Five Books of Moses. The struggles within Calvinism were identical with the various reform movements within Judaism. I have come across records in my study of Calvinism of congregations forbidding the use of as much as a vase of flowers anywhere in the church, and on one occasion a few angry covenanters in this country smashed an organ or, as they called it, “the unholy whustles.” In the home country, in the early days of Presbyterianism, they did not even allow a portrait of the ruling monarch in their house of worship—identical with Judaistic tradition. It is well to remember, too, that Britain achieved her greatest hour of empire during that generation when a Scotsman and a Jew directed her destinies (Gladstone and Disraeli). And do you think it was a coincidence that Lord Balfour, the man who gave Palestine to the Jews, was a Scot? Of course, it was no coincidence. Lord Balfour may have been aware of the connection between Scotland and the Ten Lost Tribes.
In addition, my thesis is strengthened by the phenomenon that of all the civilized countries of the world Scotland is the only one without a history of anti-Semitism, and this on top of the fact that these wonderful Scots have had plenty of provocation. No
one has given the Presbyterians more trouble than the Jews—on account of the Psalms of David. When we gave them the Psalms we caused many a Scotsman to lose his sense of humor, It was family against family, and friend against friend. The Psalms of David have caused more schisms among the Presbyterians than all the other theologies combined. Some said that the Psalms should be sung, but others said they should be recited. Then for another hundred years there were four or five more reform movements—all about our King David’s magnificent poetry. Some Scots said the Psalms should be sung kneeling, others were against kneeling and remained seated, while in every church there was always one wonderful individualist of the Clan Cameron who said the Psalms should be sung—standing. And through all of this four hundred years of discussion, philosophy, and schism on these Psalms of our King David, they have kept their sense of honor and decency, and have remained among our best and most loyal friends.
What a dull world this would be without Scotland—and without Jew
Fascinating post! I have been a guest at a number of Jewish weddings and bar or bat mitzvahs and asked to play Hava Nagila on the bagpipes, and always been met with warm hospitality and appreciation from all (and esp. some delighted rabbis who had been to universities in Scotland). I've also been amused to be hired to play some tunes at Reformation Day services in some Presbyterian churches, given that the old-time Scottish Calvinists attacked the bagpipe as "the black sticks of the devil!" Times they did a-change!
I am proud of Scotland's record as one of the historically friendliest nations for the Jews, unlike so many other European countries with their frequent pograms and expulsions and penal laws.
That is wonderful Kozmo, we could have such a beautiful world if only not so many ignorant people choose to hate so vehemently an entire segment of society; people they know nothing about and would no doubt be good friends if they did know them personally.
Agreed. Merry Yule and happy Hanukkah and Hogmanay, l'chaim and slainte mhath!
Love it :)
Balfour "gave" Israel to the Jews for one reason only. He was a rabid antisemite and white supremacist who wanted to get rid of the Jews and thought putting them as far away as possible was a good idea to make the UK "Judenrein" part of Hitler's "cleansed of Jews" solution. A loathesome Scot, nevertheless among many good ones.
Yes, not all Scots, or for that matter any nation on earth were all good. But as you say, the good outweighed the bad, except for that period of time when no country would accept the Jews seeking asylum from Hitler. Then there was the Pope's silence and worse.
The 1938 Evian ( yes, the place the water comes form...) conference encapsulates the abject ambient cowardice of all civilized nation at the time. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-evian-conference
I just read it Adam, I'm sending it to a friend. It is almost incomprehensible, the sheer lack of compassion around the world, even for little children as in this excerpt where restrictive immigration laws could have been changed but were not. "February 9, 1939
Limited refugee bill proposed in US Congress
The Wagner-Rogers refugee aid bill is introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Robert F. Wagner (D-New York). This bill calls for the admission to the United States of 20,000 German refugee children under the age of 14 over the next two years, in addition to immigration normally permitted. The bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Edith Nourse Rogers (R-Massachusetts) five days later. Charity organizations across the country publicize the plight of German refugee children in an attempt to gain support for the bill. However, organizations favoring restrictive immigration strongly oppose the bill and claim that the refugee children would deprive American children of aid. After several months of debate, the bill is defeated in committee. The bill would have provided refuge for thousands of German Jewish children."
May 1939 .
So very interesting and fascinating, Robert!
My grandma ironed our underwear.
Cal at 84
Well of course, what if you were in an accident? :)
😂
An NYPC club old-timer once tested me by asking if I remembered WWII ration stamps. Ain't tellin'. …
Haha, very cute, daien (was difny :) By the way, I'd like to repeat the "Like" button no longer works when I click on it, Maybe something to do with my old computer/browser. It used to happen occasionally, but now permanently. Just t know I like all the comments because Lucian's newsletter attract the best jn our society. Good people that abhor all the negative people in the political spectrum that spew hate and see normal justice attempts for violations of law as political persecution, The same people taht believed the election was stolen when Trump lost - that there was some kind of giant conspiracy. So if the Democrats were that clever why did they not do it again? Of course they ignore this logic.
Substack's user interface is in constant motion.The android cellphone browser was seriously broken a couple of weeks ago, was re-redesigned and is ok now except red keyboard hearts have turned black. Substack's app is required to do Messages. If you choose not to use the app, substack notifies you if you have a Message but won't let the sender know you can't reply.
Hmm, all a bit technical for me. I have an Android phone, but my eyesight being poor I never use it except for texts and phone calls. I prefer my Wins dos 7 computer for all Internet access. The Like button on Facebook comments work fine but no more here.
Basically, I was just saying the best hope substack gives you is to hope for the best. It usually works out—eventually
:)
becauset i was a professional musician who played the harp, christmas was always a big work period for me. a lot of christmases i would be playing a sunrise service after playing the midnight mass the night before. now that i am retired and not in such high demand i have tried doing christmas with people. i realized, i know how to be a professional part of the celebrations but really have no idea about the family traditions and stuff. instead of basking in the warmth and appreciation of the family, and they do bring that to me bless their hearts, i am trying to figure out what is going on. a few years ago i just got tired of driving three hours to go someplace for two hours and then driving back for three. my last several christmas holidays have been spent at home, feeding the hummingbirds and watching nba games on tv. the family that is close enough always drives out to visit during the season to bring the kids so they can feed hummingbirds by hand. one of my nieces was six years old the first time a hummingbird ate from her hand. she told her mom "it changed my life." here is a clip of them from a family visit. at the 2:09 mark young emma has a hummingbird eat from her hand. the look on her face is why i do this. happy holidays what ever you celebrate. although if you are celebrating the election of a racist, rapist, conman, then i suggest that you don't sing the carol with the line "no crib for a bed" because they are all dreaming about building new camps furnished with puppy cages to stick brown little babies just like the one you're singing about in. leave me out of that stuff. i'll be here feeding hummingbirds. hanukah also starts on the 25th this year so happy honukah too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bti8soe9Iw&t=476s
Lovely—comment and clip.
Also, for anyone so inclined: Columbia University's FM station's annual Bachfest, wall-to-wall since midnight today, Christmas eve, till midnight New Year's eve. 89.9 if you're in Empire State Bldg range, else https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/
Thank you!
So glad that connected, Christina. I look forward to it all year every year. Last night, solo Casals all night. There will be more.
Am I alone? Loved the surprise literary finish. Perfect touch, I thought, Luc.
Thank you. That's it. But I can see people's point. I might do another. New Years eve, anyone?
The story told itself. No more was needed.
Great idea!
Maybe I'm just missing it, your thought is that the ending is like Sopranos, a fade to black and we all pretty much know what will happen? I may be taking it too literally but I'm counting on a second season to resolve what happens.
Commenter Adam has it: Lucian, this is vintage Breslin-esque, and that's a huge (HUGE) compliment. I dunno about John McPhee -- a little uptown, dontcha think? Leaving NYC for Chitown? (Joe Williams singing "Going to Chicago" with Basie!) Since you're there, in addition to Studs, if you can lay your hands on Ben Hecht's 1922 "A Thousand and One Afternoons in Chicago" you will be amply rewarded, especially if you find the original 1922 edition, with Herman Rosse's remarkable period illustrations. (Disclaimer: I'm no checkbook collector, or Marlowe, pretending to be a rare book snob at Geiger's Rare Book Store in "The Big Sleep." The L.A. Public Library loaned me, and would you, a copy of that 1922 edition. Wow.)
I'm transported. From the high desert to NY. Merry Christmas Lucian.
Beautiful Lucian. The photo is so evocative! Thank you for your enormous contributions in 2024. A joyous Christmas to you and your family.
Thanks Sally.
Hold it. Is there an endings that I missed? I read everything on Salon.
I was also left dangling, wondering what the topper was going to be!
And?
Nothing's more alive than the past for guys like us. Loved this. Merry Christmas. Vince
Thanks Vincent. High praise coming from Gowanus.
1968 I lived at 201 Sullivan St., across the "Chin's" social club.
I once made the error of parking my 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Grand Prix in The Chin's spot in front of his social club. It was a Tue-Fri spot, a good one. I was reminded of my mistake when I came to move the car on Friday. I never made that mistake again.
Oops!😁
Did you ever go in, Vic? My brother and his wife lived around the corner on Houston (next block east of Lucian's loft) and used to eat ice cream at those tables. Then one week they opened Life magazine and there were photos of all their fellow patrons, rounded up in a massive mob sweep.
The FBI bugged that place. They never got Chin on tape planning or ordering a crime because he walked around the Village in his bathrobe to have his "meets" and talk business. But they did get him talking coherently, which they used to prove he wasn't crazy when he put up an insanity defense.
At the mention of his name, the image of him traipsing around the neighborhood in his robe and cigar is as vivid as it was 50+ years ago! Thanks for the reminder.
The chats the Chin and his brother, highly respected Bronx community leader—always welcome at City Hall, Fr Louis Gigante, would share on their frequent walks will never be known. Must have been fascinating. Fr Gigante always publicly supported Chin's fiction.
How about sending Matt Gaetz back in time to hang out with these dudes? A marriage, or at least a ménage, made in . . . wherever.
I know all those joints. I lived in West Village the same years you did. My apartment was over Chumley's . I was in the Roadhouse one night when it was robbed at gunpoint. I could share stories with you from those days. I bet we walked past each other numerous times in the Village and Gramercy Park.
Then we were close neighbors, jefferson siebert. My first apartment was on Barrow next to Chumley's courtyard entrance. The Buffalo Roadhouse still was named the Shortstop. Only the now-rear structure existed—must have been one of several gas stations along that stretch.The 55 had been a speakeasy. The Shortstop was a more likely place to plan a robbery than the 55—looked like a place for bag drops, while Hymie always ran a classy if shopworn joint. You could drink in the 55, you wouldn't enter the Shortstop. Lee Chumley's widow still sat next to the fireplace under framed covers of customers' books that were a model for the Lion's Head covers.The building owner who caused the Chumley structure's collapse should have been jailed for life.