Author Archives: sheila

I have watched this 20 times

Posted on August 25, 2026 by sheila

Tripped over this thrilling performance on Instagram the other day and sought it out on YouTube. This is the RB Dance Company. Song: “Human”, by Rag’n’Bone Man.

Posted in Theatre | Tagged | Leave a comment

“You can understand a lot about yourself by working out which fairytale you use to present your world to yourself in.” — A.S. Byatt

Posted on August 24, 2026 by sheila

I didn’t mark the passing of A.S. Byatt last year when it happened. I was overwhelmed with work at the time. But I did take a moment … a very still and silent moment … to reflect on her, on … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, On This Day, writers | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“I like to sing to women with meat on their bones and that long green stuff in their pocketbook.” — Wynonie Harris

Posted on August 24, 2026 by sheila

It’s the birthday today of the influential blues shouter Wynonie Harris. I’ll hand the microphone over to Nick Tosches, because why would I bother to try to add to it? Tosches devoted a chapter in his book Unsung Heroes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , | 2 Comments

“I try to lie as much as I can when I’m interviewed. It’s reverse psychology. I figure if you lie, they’ll print the truth.” — River Phoenix

Posted on August 23, 2026 by sheila

It’s his birthday today. Just as I will never get over Kurt Cobain’s death, and will never stop missing him and wondering what he would be doing now, I will never get over River Phoenix’s death. Losing the two of … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged | 6 Comments

“Good friends, let’s to the fields.” — Edgar Lee Masters’ epitaph

Posted on August 23, 2026 by sheila

Edgar Lee Masters (born on this day) was a lawyer (one of his law partners was Clarence Darrow!) and a poet. He published a couple of books and biographies (one of Walt Whitman, a poet he admired). He was no … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, On This Day, writers | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“A ‘smartcracker’ they called me, and that makes me sick and unhappy.” — Dorothy Parker

Posted on August 22, 2026 by sheila

“Oh, good Lord, what’s the matter with women, anyway?” “Please don’t call me ‘women,’” she said. “I’m sorry, darling,” he said. “I didn’t mean to use bad words.” — Dorothy Parker, “Dusk Before Fireworks” It’s her birthday today. I cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, On This Day, writers | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

“The thing I really wanna say is—and really, really mean is that real things last. Any way you look at it. Real things last.” — Dale Hawkins

Posted on August 22, 2026 by sheila

Dale Hawkins, 1957, playing on the Louisiana Hayride radio show (just a year after Elvis completed his world-shaking run on the program) It’s his birthday today. Time moved really fast in the mid-50s rock-rockabilly world. Elvis exploded and made everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , | 8 Comments

“If you’re creating anything at all, it’s really dangerous to care about what people think.” — Kristen Wiig

Posted on August 22, 2026 by sheila

Today is the birthday of one of the greatest actors working today. I can’t seem to stop mentioning Kristen Wiig in my writing. I mention her even if she isn’t the main subject. She’s my favorite. I am in awe … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day, Television | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

“I never bought a Ricky Nelson record. I bought a James Burton record.” — Keith Richards

Posted on August 21, 2026 by sheila

James Burton (born on this day) is still alive. He turns 85 today. He’s in every music Hall of Fame there is (just a couple months ago he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame). His style is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“I’m a tough little rebel.” — Linda Manz

Posted on August 20, 2026 by sheila

Days of Heaven (1978) It’s her birthday today. Manz died on August 14, 2020. She was HUGE to me growing up, and I have written about it on occasion. She didn’t work all that much, but her performances meant so … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day, Television | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments