Well, we're halfway through the week. How's everyone doing?
I was all prepared to tell you a pickleball story about an altercation I had on the court that may or may not have required intervention, but that will have to wait until Friday.
I didn't think we could let the sad news of Dolly Parton's passing go by without comment. I can't think of another living person who was so beloved by everyone.
Many years ago, when I was in my twenties, I had the opportunity to meet her. I was in photography school and landed a job as a freelance assistant to a photojournalist. He took pictures for National Geographic, Time, The National Enquirer, and Star Magazine. You can imagine which one of those I was most excited about. When he told me we were going to Virginia to shoot Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, I had visions of us hiding in the bushes and shooting with telephoto lenses.
To be fair, we'd once attended crashed the wedding of a famous celebrity. Anyone remember the show Newhart? Hi, I'm Larry, and this is my brother Daryl, and this is my other brother, Daryl? Yeah, well, Daryl had the police escort us out of the venue.
Not this time. Not only did Dolly know we were coming, she invited us into her dressing room to take pictures of her getting ready. She even suggested that I pretend to be fixing her hair! When I hesitated, she said, “That's okay, Darlin'. Show business ain't for everyone.”
