Month: April 2009

I may have spelled the man’s lover’s name wrong but it’s a song to be sung LOUD and it is filled with everything the singer has inside her/him.

(Don’t you hate that? The slashes? I come from the 1960s….that’s why I bring those slashes with me.)

I am waking you up, the way I woke Burt up. Wake up! Wake up!

Great song, by the way: Bernadette– Motown.

My life partner passed away last week. We were together for a quarter century, 25 years. A long time for a couple to stay together. People described us as having a romance out of the 1920s or 1930s. Movie love. I’m not sure what that means but I love romance and in the 1920s love and doing loving things for others had a different meaning. 

And a different flavor. Not vanilla. Not chocolate –although Burt loved dark chocolate in a candy bar or an ice cream cone.

Some of you may remember the adorable comic  Gracie Allen. Well sometimes folks (actually, it was just Burt who compared me to Gracie as her very calm cigar smoking great comedian husband George Burns shut  Gracie up by saying to the audience, always read for a good honest laugh: “Good Night Gracie.”

In her silliness Gracie made a lot of sense but George just didn’t want to deal with it, so “Good Night, Gracie.” Sometimes, maybe more than sometimes, I was Gracie Allen. (I hear her voice in my head right now–mine is much softer and soothing…)

Okay, I am misleading you a bit. I am not and was not Gracie Allen; that was a joke. But I retain a curiosity about life. Burt never ever called me Gracie. Well, once he did but he was being funny. We had something special.

Poor Burt. I loved to sing Broadway hits, and there are many things I cannot do well, among them sing and dance. . At all. And I love to sing and dance. My mom sang in a church choir and she could never understand why I could not sing. What is wrong with you? she’d ask..

But I loved to sing, especially as loud as I could–like the three words to the song (I think) by the same name:  “Good Morning Sunshine.” which, in the early morning, I blasted out at the top of my lungs. I thought I sounded terrific. I was happy.I felt myself on the Broaday stage and I wanted the whole world to hear me. Well, not the whole world, just the Broadway in my mind—unfortunately Burt was in the house, too.

Poor Burt. Sometimes he laughed; and the laugh he performed for me was special. I never heard him laugh like that for anybody else. It was a laugh filled with love and curiosity. A sweet and real laugh; I loved hearing it. I knew he loved me so much when he laughed that laugh.

. Why is this woman singing so darn loud; it’s 7 o’clock in the morning? he’d think. He either pressed his hands against his ears  to block out the obnoxious sounds and/or begged me to stop. He had to beg a few times before I’d actually stop mid-note. But I didn’t really want to stop; I am sure I was once a singer who lost her voice.

Burt loved Cole Porter; he introduced me to his fabulous lyrics. Real words with meaning, that lifted the spirit. Think of Cole Porters “You’re the top, you’re the Eiffel Tower…..

I am a “baby boomer,” as they call us and Burt was Model ’29. Yes, many years and generations and experiences separated us but it worked. I’m sure people looked at us and wondered……but, truly, our love was big.

Burt loved our garden, a garden that the artist Leon Kunke (and me, with a small “m”) labored over for years and years until it is now nearly perfect. In the sense that it flows, that it doesn’t interrupt the mind, that it says “I am beautiful. Enjoy me.”

I don’t mean to brag but the garden brings happiness, the ultimate thing you can want for any human in this day and age. It is a respite, a joy; I don’t have the words, I am struggling to find them.  

Burt’s tastes were simple. He could live in a telephone booth, he often told me, when they still were making telephone booths. I loved art and artists.

(And, as an aside, I wish the flower growers could flower-up the Coastside. We are a separate entity and will need each other, possibly, in the near future if things go stale.. Remember, the Coastside can exist on its own if only people would wake up and realize that we have all the resources here. If things get bad.)

So I picked out things I liked and covered the walls with art. I am not a collector so don’t get the idea that there are Rembrandts or Picasso’s around here. Just what I liked and hoped Burt would, too. He now lived in a house that was so different from a telephone booth but every year or so he noticed something new that had been there for, you know, “months or years.”

Of course, when Burt’s cancer began to take hold [he was at the stage where he said: “Hey, I can live with this.” He didn’t realize that it was going to get much, much worse.] But, as those of you who have had loved ones with cancer know, the patient goes into “the grass is greener stage.” That was when he “really” discovered the beautiful garden. That gave me great happiness because Burt was the ultimate business in that his main interest was his clients. One of his “jokes” was to say: “We’ll even wash your car.” And, I assure you, in the end, he would have washed your car to get your business.

He recognized and spoke of the beauty in the garden.He stood in his robe, when he could still walk and stand  for a good long time at the windows. What he really saw I will never know but he pointed at plants and commented on them.

I will write more soon but I want you to know who I am. I am June; I am the one who cared for Burt 24/7 for weeks and weeks that turned into months. I am the one who tended to his wounds (we also had Hospice, and they are wonderful; San Mateo County may have one of the BEST hospice groups in the country,  but I was the one on the front lines; I was the one sitting beside the hospital bed (he hated that bed—-he wanted to be on his feet, walking and talking and making comments about current events).

The hospital bed stood in our living room. He needed me and other things constantly so I was the one running to get blankets when he was cold. I was the one who tried to pick him up off the floor  when he tried to go wandering in the middle of the night. (I had to make sure he didn’t break anything first and then wait until early morning before calling for neighborly help: Peter Logan, Alan Deese, Jerry Larsen, they all came to my aid. I could not lift Burt up off the floor myself because it was “dead weight.”

I helped Burt drink liquids when he couldn’t hold containers anymore. We also had straws. All I thought of was Burt. I didn’t care if I was black and blue from knocking into this or that. In the end my body looked beat up. My mind was at once relieved and in a pain I had never felt before.

Of course. I was having a brand new experience. I had never taken a loved one to what is called “the other side.” 

I am June. And I am not afraid of much of anything anymore. I took Burt to the other side. I held his ice cold hands; I kissed him from head to toe; I told him how much I loved him. I told him he could let go. I focussed on him 100 per cent; he was the only thing on my mind.

Dying at home is very hard. Not everyone has the strength to do it. Mission Hospice helped me get through it..

Story by Ken Robertson

Hello June. I know it has been quite a while, but I ran into something quite interesting today: archeologists. As I was doing my route up in McNee Ranch, I noticed someone “camping” in the picknic spot (which explains the gate being unlocked when I came in). I figured they must have had special permision to have gotten the combo to the lock and sure enough one of the residents passed me, I mentioned the encampment and she said they were archeologists who came in the day before and would be staying another day.
 
I kicked myself as I left McNee that I did not drive up to the encampment and talk to them, but as it turns out, there would have been no one there. As you can see from my photos, the “dig” is on the north side of the Outrigger parkinglot. I asked if they were the state parks archiologists and they said yes and I was introduced to the head guy. I repeated my story about the headstone and he was shocked that in twenty years of working that site he had neither seen nor heard of it and was excited about finding out exactly what it was. I discribed the cement rebar construction and theorised that it looked WWII and he said he thought it might predate WWII (well he’s the expert). I also mentioned your side and he was also excite to find out about it and said it could be an invaluable resource for him. I left him my e-mail address and if he finds anything out he promised to send me a note (which I will most certainly forward and once I have his address, I will forward your URL to him).
 
This is the most promising lead yet as an archeologist has access to data that others wouldn’t and he has an indepth knowledge of the area. Hopefully I will be sending more news soon.

 

Hi Sandy this is Gray,I’ts been a long time.I’m landlocked in Missouri right now,but still travel a lot,and do get to the Coast every couple  of years.Joe Doscher and Anne Marie are in Sacramento,Joe is still doing Light Opera  and Commercials,and Anne Marie is Pacticing Law.The last time I saw Steve was up the N. Fork of thr Feather River cooking (With a Crew Cut?)-Bob is in Tuscon.with Friends.We were all lucky to experience that little bit of “The Tail End Of Cannery Row” that was around Us those few years.And just like the “Blue Lady” its still there if you let it be.I’t’s not that hard to blank –out the Tourist Culture for a while.Its good to see Your name show up-With best of memories-Your  friend-gray

 

 

OE Sales and Engineering Manager

Taylor Cable Products, Inc.

301 Highgrove Road

Grandview, MO  64030

816-765-5011 ext 127

816-761-4023 fax

[email protected]

 

Story by Sandy Wallace

Email Sandy: [email protected]

 I was one of the fortunates to have had experienced Moss Beach and Miramar Beach in the 70’s.  I came upon some of your articles while curiously looking to see who was still around.  I was brought to tears by two deaths.  One of George Moore and the other of Richard English.  They were dear to my heart and represents a loss of a very romantic period of my life.  I noticed the article was written by Sam Varela. He owned the Moss Beach Distillery and Torres.  He also was a love in my life.  I was wondering if Sam is still alive.  I do not want to get in touch, just to know he is safe and sound.  Your articles brought back many memories an gave me some good laughs and some tears.
[email protected]

Here’s what Congressman Ron Paul said:

Statement of Congressman Ron Paul before the United States House of Representatives.

  Madame Speaker, Burton Samuel Blumert passed away on Monday March
  30, following a long battle with cancer. Burt was a true hero of the
  freedom movement and my close friend, advisor, and business partner.

  As the founder and manager of Camino Coins in Burlingame, CA, Burt
  was one of the nation’s leading dealers in gold and silver coins. A
  student of Ludwig von Mises and the Austrian school of economics,
  Burt understood the important role precious metals played in
  protecting ordinary citizens from the damage wrought by fiat money
  and inflation. Thus, he regarded his work as a coin dealer not just
  as a business, but as an opportunity to help people by providing
  with some protection from the Federal Reserve’s inflation tax.

  After I stepped down from Congress in 1984, I partnered with Burt in
  the coin business, a partnership which lasted until I returned to
  Congress in 1996. Our partnership was based on nothing more than our
  words. As anyone who ever dealt with Burt could testify, that was
  all that was needed, because Burt’s word was truly his bond. I am
  unaware of anyone who dealt with Burt who questioned his integrity
  or his commitment to his customers.

  As well-known and respected as he was for his leadership in the coin
  business, Burt was best known as a promoter of libertarian ideas.
  Burt was a long time friend and patron of Murray Rothbard, one of
  Mises’ top American students and a pioneer in economics, political
  theory, history, and much else. Burt helped Murray establish the
  Center for Libertarian Studies, and served as its president from
  1975 until his death.

  Burt also played a key role in the flourishing of the Ludwig von
  Mises Institute, which, as its name suggests, is the leading center
  for the promotion and development of Austrian economics and
  libertarian political theory in the nation. Burt served as a
  founding board member of the Institute and the chaired the
  Institute’s board after the original chair, Mrs. Margit von Mises,
  passed away in 1993. He also published The Rothbard-Rockwell Report,
  a well-read libertarian newsletter written by Murray Rothbard and
  Mises Institute President Lew Rockwell.

  Burt played a major role in making the ideas of liberty a force on
  the internet by serving as the publisher of Lewrockwell.com, as well
  supporting the development of Mises.org. Burt also played an
  instrumental role in the development of Antiwar.com. Burt also
  served as chairman of my first run for the presidency, and important
  counselor in the second.

  In addition to his work with these organizations, Burt was a friend,
  mentor, and patron to numerous libertarian scholars and activists.
  He was incredibly generous with both his time and his resources.
  Talking to Burt was always a treat, because he had one of the best
  senses of humor I have ever known, and it seemed like he was always
  in a good mood. Events that would send his friends into fits of
  depression, rage, or both would be used by Burt as fodder for a
  series of jokes and wisecracks. Even in the last days of his battle
  with cancer he remained upbeat. One of Burt’s friends called him
  shortly after learning about Burt’s cancer, but instead of consoling
  Burt, this friend ending up having his sprits lifted by Burt’s humor.

  It is somewhat of a comfort to myself, and I am sure to Burt’s other
  friends, to know that he lived long enough to see so many of his
  efforts bear fruit. Today, the Mises Institute teaches sound
  economies and the principles of liberty to thousands of students
  every year while Mises.org is one of the leading economics websites
  in the world. Lewrockwell.com is one of the top providers of
  political, economic, and cultural commentary on the web, while
  Antiwar.com is the leading source of information for scholars,
  journalists, and activists looking for material to combat the
  propaganda of the war party.

  As I travel across the country, I m astounded at the number of young
  people I met who are interested in the cause of individual liberty,
  peace, and sound money. Many of them got their introduction to these
  ideas through one of the many organizations nurtured by Burt Blumert.

  Madame Speaker, perhaps the highest compliment one can pay to a
  departed friend is to say that they left the world better than they
  found it. That is certainly true in the case of Burt Blumert. While
  I am saddened that I will never again benefit from Burt’s good humor
  and wise counsel, I am comforted by knowing that I was blessed by
  his friendship and the thought that the vibrant and growing freedom
  movement will serve as a living monument to Burt for years to come.
  I therefore join friends of liberty around the world in mourning
  Burt’s passing, and saluting all he accomplished during his lifetime.

 

 

Creaturemag News - Spring 09





Call for Creative friends - 9th Edition - Friendship



For the next wonderful edition of Creaturemag we will be opening up  our pages to some very lucky people. Creature 9 is themed around  friendship and will be released in three parts over the next three  months, that’s one for April one for May and one in June, three hits of  Creaturemag released in quick succession to keep your creative taste  buds tingling.

Each of the three releases will consist of one long page and be  dedicated to showing the work of a different creative person or  persons, group of friends or creative collective.

The theme: Friendship

Creature is interested in friendship from an artistic point of view, inspirational and passionate relationships.

On a broad scale it’s about being inspired by the people around us,  to narrow that thought down it’s about the intricacies and intimacies  of the relationships we maintain and the sprouts of creativity that  protrude from these involvements, whether positive or negative, happy  or sad.

As always there is an emphasis on collaboration, we encourage you to  collaborate with a friend or friends in the creation of your page.

If you would like to fill a page with your interpretation of the  theme, please first consider the guidelines outlined here: http://www.creaturemag.com

For further info or to put forward you expression of interest please contact: [email protected]
      We look forward to hearing from you.

      Regards

Creature x


Urgent - Art on Beermats - Tempoary art space



Our Friends at Temporary Art Space are looking for art on beer mats... if you are looking for an easy way to have your work exhibited then this is for you...

art/writing/set-lists/owt-you-want-really-as-long-as-it's-on-a-beermat  

Send us beer mats! Everyone knows that all the best ideas for  anything, ever, have been jotted down on beer mats first. Take a beer  mat, make into a work of brewing art. All submitted beer mats will  become part of an exhibition.

Post your beer mats to by the 24th April to:

      Temporary Art Space
      Units 34-35
      Piece Hall
      Halifax
      HX1 1RE

 


Get invovlved



We are always on the lookout for collaborators and new friends. If you would like to get involved, swap links or help to spread the Creature word then please get in touch:

[email protected] 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

Creature x

 


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Regards

Creature

Terry Baldwin: I wasn’t comparing you to Matt Taibbi < I was comparing Matt to Hunter. I wouldn’t compare you to Hunter S. Thompson either, Your style is very straight forward and direct, whereas mine is confusing and open to misinterpretation.

June to Terry:When I find the letter that says I AM HUNTER THOMPSON, I will print it.  So there!

I’m watching the “First Ladies Detective Agency” on HBO. The new series is based on the popular books by Alexander McCall Smith. The show takes place in Africa and the characters are refreshing.

I loved the first show, the palette of bright colors, the fantastic EARRINGS worn by the main character, the adorable Precious, played by Jill Scott and Grace,  her  overly proper and wide-eyed secretary who could never get a job anywhere else. 

The accents are enchanting. In my title: “Not the Deddy,” the Precious, the inventive detective is talking with a client who believes a man who is not her father has moved into her home, living off her earnings. She tells Precious she doesn’t think the man is really her father and Precious responds with the unforgettable: “Not the Deddy?” 

The “First Ladies Detective Agency” is unlike anything I’ve seen on the HBO and the Showtimes, etc. The star, Jill Scott, is pleasantly plump and wears the most marvelous ethnic outfits, with lots of abstracty designs and the EARRINGS. 

I think some viewers will tune in just to see what the characters are wearing because the clothing is so different from the uniform jeans and tees we Americans like to don.

Sesame is a friend and artist living in San Francisco