If I am not mistaken, today is the 42nd anniversary of the movie Deliverance.
Plinga pling pling pling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myhnAZFR1po&feature=player_embedded
On the same day, at Wimbledon Billie Jean King beat Evonne Goolagong.
In my own life, since that was the summer that Fisher met Spassky, I was highly attuned to the newspaper. For myself, in tournament play, I had at my little age earned a rating. In great anticipation I was set – in between running like an unshod brown animal or riding horses bare-back without bridle – to watch and play through these games with with my grandfather – himself a world level Bridge champion – with great attention. The summer was hot and free and great thunderheads would roll in with the evenings. I watched Julia Child and NASA missions. I met Dave McNally. I listened to short wave radio at night and distant trains whistles. As one did, I knew every kid and all their houses and yards. I ate snow cones from a cousin’s traveling cart, kicked through the banks of hail from summer storms, and blew up stuff with fireworks. I had a bright green Sting-Ray with a white seat.
My hair was on fire, my knees were scuffed, and I was never going to die.
Today is also the 7th anniversary of the release of the text of Summorum Pontificum!
I have fond memories of chillin’ the Veuve with a friend.
Future generations will speak their memories of Fr. Z, the great raconteur, as he enjoyed a scotch and cigar and shared stories and anecdotes that were “off the blog.”
There may be some nightmares about a guy in a kilt who brought the scotch….
We had many things to celebrate, such as the return of the TLM to the country parish hosting our party!
The innocence of our youth that none experience today. Thank you for making me remember my own sweet memories of my youth.
How I miss those views of – and posts from – the Sabine Farm!
I suppose I should watch the whole movie, but the only interesting part is the banjo tune. When it came out I wasn’t interested, as playing with my first baby was a lot more absorbing.
I have a table like that out in back; can I have the same companion?
Any childhood Summer that included the privilege of meeting the O’s Dave McNally should be treasured, indeed. Growing up in “Bawlmer,” I could always count on “Mac” to pitch well but, also, to hit an occasional grand slam. (Check his stats on this.) Ah, those halcyon days before the designated hitter and other assorted ills of modernity.
Ah, the gifts of summer!
Ronny Cox was (and is) an accomplished musician and actually played live the guitar part of “Dueling Banjos” in the film “Deliverance”. Billy Redden, who played the mountain boy in the movie, could not play the banjo, and so a local musician was disguised behind him – he reached around Redden and played the banjo!
1. May one ask the name of your grandfather, the bridge champion?
2. Do you play? (One struggles to imagine where you would find the time.)
I have a feeling I’m going to look back on 2007 with the same frustrated nostalgia felt by pants-suited, blue-haired women religious when they look back on 1970.
Good times. Remember EWTN’s broadcast of the Solemn High Mass for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross? Remember the Solemn High Pontifical Mass on the occasion of the anniversary of the election of Benedict XVI at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, wherein our own Fr. Z offered commentary? Remember Solemn Vespers with the Bishops from the Crypt Church of the same with His Holiness Himself presiding?
No? I didn’t think so. You youngsters today don’t know what it’s like!
Ah yes, “Deliverance” and the dueling banjos! I see a theme…. Summorum Pontificum, deliverance from banjo Masses!
I loved watching Julia Child as well. She was awesome!
42 years ago, I was in a process which would end up in moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I had had a terrific conversion experience of Christ and was growing in my faith. Deliverance, the movie, escaped me.
7 years ago, I started my blog in January of 2007, mostly political with an emphasis on saving Catholic culture and thinking like Catholics…some things change and some do not.
Thank you, God for both Fr. Z and the wonderful Pope Emeritus.
Pope B16 looked happy visiting you backyard Fr.
Chilling the Veuve, great summer pastime.
@Fr. Baer, interesting that the Designated Hitter and the Novus Ordo came about the same time (1973 and 1970 respectively). Must have been something in the water back then in the early 70’s.
Being a banjoist, I love “Dueling Banjos” (written by Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith). The movie, though very effective, left me scarred mentally. It is interesting to note that the banjo was played by Jewish, New York born-and- bred studio musician Eric Weissberg.
Row faster!!! I hear banjos!!!