May 14, 2022·edited May 14, 2022Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
One of my Lion's Head companions was the late Geoffrey Stokes, who had the Press Clips column when the Reagans were on vacation and there was a breakdown in arms control talks with the USSR. A hasty press conference was called and, when the President was hesitant responding to a question, Nancy turned to him and said, in a stage whisper, something like "We're doing everything we can." Francis X. Clines, in the Sunday Times, wrote, "Problems with the Soviets dog Mr. Reagan at his mountainside retreat the way vows to read Proust dog other vacationing Americans this summer." Geoff quoted this in Press Clips with the note, "This may the only time in history the words 'Mr. Reagan' and 'read Proust' will appear in the same sentence." The writer Veronica Geng then quoted Clines and Geoff in the epigram to a short story, "Love Trouble is My Business," written in the noir style of Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, in which almost every sentence included the words "Mr. Reagan" and "read Proust." Example: "I glanced at the dame sleeping next to me, and all of a sudden I wanted some other dame, the way you see Mr. Reagan on TV and all of a sudden get a yen to read Proust."
I remember reading some pieces by John Leo that I enjoyed very much, and regret that I never met him. My condolences on the loss of your friend.
Thanks Lucian. Beautiful tribute to your friend. I used to clam that way as a kid in the flats(shallow water) of the south shore bays. As we age we first lose our mentors and then, sadly, our contemporaries.
May 13, 2022·edited May 13, 2022Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
“Leo and Tracy and I rented a pile of shingles and clapboard over on Shelter Island for the summer and decamped every weekend with our girlfriends . . .”
For just the barest flash of a moment, I was confused about which Tracy and had to look back to see that there is a “Phil Tracy” . . . 🤭
It was the Sag Harbor mention that had my mind going in the wrong direction
a very lovely tribute indeed. I remember his column well. and I love clams and always wanted to have a place on Shelter Island. but I'm too old to be envying other peoples' wonderful times; much better to simply bask in their splendid memories. "They are all gone into the world of light..."
I wish I'd thought of "Fore!" long ago when I was learning to sail a Sunfish. It's way better than "Jibe ho!," which means that the boom is about to come round and whack you in the butt -- and, if the wind is strong enough, maybe capsize the boat.
I’ve read this twice now and realized that you had your own version of the Algonquin Round Table on Shelter Island in the 70s. How magical it would have been to bask in that aura! Thank you for sharing... sending this off to future subscribers.
One of my Lion's Head companions was the late Geoffrey Stokes, who had the Press Clips column when the Reagans were on vacation and there was a breakdown in arms control talks with the USSR. A hasty press conference was called and, when the President was hesitant responding to a question, Nancy turned to him and said, in a stage whisper, something like "We're doing everything we can." Francis X. Clines, in the Sunday Times, wrote, "Problems with the Soviets dog Mr. Reagan at his mountainside retreat the way vows to read Proust dog other vacationing Americans this summer." Geoff quoted this in Press Clips with the note, "This may the only time in history the words 'Mr. Reagan' and 'read Proust' will appear in the same sentence." The writer Veronica Geng then quoted Clines and Geoff in the epigram to a short story, "Love Trouble is My Business," written in the noir style of Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, in which almost every sentence included the words "Mr. Reagan" and "read Proust." Example: "I glanced at the dame sleeping next to me, and all of a sudden I wanted some other dame, the way you see Mr. Reagan on TV and all of a sudden get a yen to read Proust."
I remember reading some pieces by John Leo that I enjoyed very much, and regret that I never met him. My condolences on the loss of your friend.
Thanks Lucian. Beautiful tribute to your friend. I used to clam that way as a kid in the flats(shallow water) of the south shore bays. As we age we first lose our mentors and then, sadly, our contemporaries.
What a wonderful tribute, Lucian! I am sorry for you loss. Thank you for sharing your memories.
“Leo and Tracy and I rented a pile of shingles and clapboard over on Shelter Island for the summer and decamped every weekend with our girlfriends . . .”
For just the barest flash of a moment, I was confused about which Tracy and had to look back to see that there is a “Phil Tracy” . . . 🤭
It was the Sag Harbor mention that had my mind going in the wrong direction
Reminds me of one of the best Norman mailer letters ("Selected Letters of Norman Mailer - J. Mike Lennon Ed.) A few montions of Daniel Wolf.
Wonderful tribute! I felt like I was there, alongside of the two of you.
Love this! May John Leo R.I.P.
Thanks! Love this! Have spent many days with friends seeking the same dinner!
"Starboard and port" -- it IS the other way round! haha! You Army guys crack me up! Call me "Polliwog"!
Lovely essay, just the same! (Don't get me wrong!)
a very lovely tribute indeed. I remember his column well. and I love clams and always wanted to have a place on Shelter Island. but I'm too old to be envying other peoples' wonderful times; much better to simply bask in their splendid memories. "They are all gone into the world of light..."
Marvelous. The man must have appreciated you as much as you did for him.
Excellent tribute. Perfect tone. He's alive in my memory now; so many of us learned to sail just so.
I missed this somehow yesterday. I consider it my Saturday afternoon "dessert." Thanks for the memories.
I wish I'd thought of "Fore!" long ago when I was learning to sail a Sunfish. It's way better than "Jibe ho!," which means that the boom is about to come round and whack you in the butt -- and, if the wind is strong enough, maybe capsize the boat.
I’ve read this twice now and realized that you had your own version of the Algonquin Round Table on Shelter Island in the 70s. How magical it would have been to bask in that aura! Thank you for sharing... sending this off to future subscribers.
Thank you.