It doesn’t take much for our soul to be satisfied and soothed. Days like you described so eloquently may seem unremarkable to an outsider, but to share, even create, those days with a soul mate make them special. God bless Bobby. A maverick that knew how to enjoy life. The Bobbys of this world are increasingly rare. The photographs that went along with this damn med fine piece of writing are gorgeous, but the one of Bobby cooking really captures the essence of the man. Everything under control here, just keep those cigarettes a coming!
Oh Kevin. Man do I appreciate your comment! That photo of Bobby at the grill prompted this piece last year. He was an awesome and a very good man. He was the first newspaper editor I worked for and he taught me so much. My favorite story about him about the days we worked together on the paper: I was working on a story and was a bit stomped on the best direction forward. I asked him, "Bob, what do you think? Where'd you like me to go with this?" He was quiet for a minute then looked at me and said, "Total creative freedom!" That was all I needed! And that encouragement has stuck with me from the moment he said it, about 40+ years ago!
He trusted you man. Which must have been a compliment and the nudge you needed all in one little answer. You were obviously on the right road anyway, or he might have steered you in another direction. He sounds like my kind of fella. There for ya, but letting you figure stuff out for yourself. May he rest in peace.
Richie! Thank you for giving me a glimpse into your dear pal. Recently a friend brokered an introduction for me, describing the guy I'd meet as "a real character." I thought long and hard about that phrase. What constitutes a 'character?' The definition still eludes me, but whatever it is, it's this Bobby cat.
More importantly, though, I missed YOUR birthday this week! I'm sorry about that and sorry you and your boy Bobby aren't headed out for a long Friday lunch at a great counter. Lotsa love!
Thanks so much for the very thoughtful note here, Alyssa! Oh, god yes, how badly I'd love to be going off for a drive and a chat and a simple lunch with Bobby today or any day. His passing left a massive hole in my heart. As for my birthday, given that it was the day of our new reality, I decided to extent it through the weekend to distance it from this calamity! So, you're right on time!
Ha! He wouldn't have been surprised! And, wow, what an old school brand to see pop up: Blaupunkt!!! The 'blue dot' company! They made/introduced the first car radio. And, they're still cranking away, making all kinds of consumer stuff, including e-bikes. Go figure. The price of all that stuff will go about at least 30% once you-know-whos tariffs kick in!!!
Oh, Rich. So very much to miss! And to add insult to injury, a b.day now memorialized as a pivotal day in world history? I had no idea what to toast to in coming lunch w/ my writing buds until reading your post. Will toast to poet Rich Moore's birthday! Best wishes, friend.
It doesn’t take much for our soul to be satisfied and soothed. Days like you described so eloquently may seem unremarkable to an outsider, but to share, even create, those days with a soul mate make them special. God bless Bobby. A maverick that knew how to enjoy life. The Bobbys of this world are increasingly rare. The photographs that went along with this damn med fine piece of writing are gorgeous, but the one of Bobby cooking really captures the essence of the man. Everything under control here, just keep those cigarettes a coming!
Thanks for sharing such an inspiring piece.
Oh Kevin. Man do I appreciate your comment! That photo of Bobby at the grill prompted this piece last year. He was an awesome and a very good man. He was the first newspaper editor I worked for and he taught me so much. My favorite story about him about the days we worked together on the paper: I was working on a story and was a bit stomped on the best direction forward. I asked him, "Bob, what do you think? Where'd you like me to go with this?" He was quiet for a minute then looked at me and said, "Total creative freedom!" That was all I needed! And that encouragement has stuck with me from the moment he said it, about 40+ years ago!
He trusted you man. Which must have been a compliment and the nudge you needed all in one little answer. You were obviously on the right road anyway, or he might have steered you in another direction. He sounds like my kind of fella. There for ya, but letting you figure stuff out for yourself. May he rest in peace.
Richie! Thank you for giving me a glimpse into your dear pal. Recently a friend brokered an introduction for me, describing the guy I'd meet as "a real character." I thought long and hard about that phrase. What constitutes a 'character?' The definition still eludes me, but whatever it is, it's this Bobby cat.
More importantly, though, I missed YOUR birthday this week! I'm sorry about that and sorry you and your boy Bobby aren't headed out for a long Friday lunch at a great counter. Lotsa love!
Thanks so much for the very thoughtful note here, Alyssa! Oh, god yes, how badly I'd love to be going off for a drive and a chat and a simple lunch with Bobby today or any day. His passing left a massive hole in my heart. As for my birthday, given that it was the day of our new reality, I decided to extent it through the weekend to distance it from this calamity! So, you're right on time!
Perfect for the weather today. Love that you reposted. He would be 74. He was a great guy. xo
74! Jesus, I always forget how young he was when he died. RIP Bobby!
Hi, Barb!
Hi Meg. Miss you on Oct. 19, but great to see Ruth. xo
It would have been great to see you and celebrate our dear friend.❤️
I’m not sure I ever mentioned to hm that my first car was a 1961 Volvo 544. And it had a Blauplunkt radio.
Another favorite, Rich Moore. Lovely.
Ha! He wouldn't have been surprised! And, wow, what an old school brand to see pop up: Blaupunkt!!! The 'blue dot' company! They made/introduced the first car radio. And, they're still cranking away, making all kinds of consumer stuff, including e-bikes. Go figure. The price of all that stuff will go about at least 30% once you-know-whos tariffs kick in!!!
Lovely
Perfect!
Oh, Rich. So very much to miss! And to add insult to injury, a b.day now memorialized as a pivotal day in world history? I had no idea what to toast to in coming lunch w/ my writing buds until reading your post. Will toast to poet Rich Moore's birthday! Best wishes, friend.