Well, were you as shocked as I was to hear yesterday’s news about the untimely death of Prince? He was definitely my generation’s bad-dude of hot pop/rock/funk. There was a girl in my sorority who dropped out of school to follow Prince around to all of his concerts one semester. Although we all loved Prince, we still thought she had lost her mind.
I saw Prince in concert once, and was seated close enough to the catwalk that extended from the side of the stage, so as he strutted down, singing his heart out, he looked into the crowd and locked eyes with . . . ME!!! He even gave me a little point of his finger as if to say, “you, girl.” It was magical. There we were, Prince and the Princess (me – just in case you didn’t catch that), adrift in a moment that he would revisit time after time, I’m quite sure.
He looked at me like this . . .
shivers.
“Oh Mom!” said the skeptical child in my house. “He had lights in his eyes and couldn’t see you.”
“Oh, ye of little faith. I know when a hot looking rock star gives me the eye, and this was it. Now, go clean your room and let middle-aged mama sip some wine and watch more Prince news on the Fox Channel.”
And of course, when I wasn’t blasting Prince songs, I was busy all day — as were all of you, I’m sure — celebrating dear Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday. What a beautiful life she’s lived and a wonderful example of public servant, family matriarch and most importantly, wearer of the jewels!
Don’t you adore this recent photo of the Queen with her great-grandchildren? Look at the little one holding her granny’s pocketbook! And I could just pinch the cheeks off of that adorable little George! He’s almost as cute as my boys were — are — were.
Their outfits are precious. I don’t think they shop at Target.
And finally, some sad news in our local area. Artist Fred Marchman passed away earlier this week. He taught art at Faulkner State Community College and everyone would agree he was an all-around character.
Fred was the kind of person who made Fairhope so exceptionally unique. His personality was original and he saw the world differently than most, but we all adored him and loved him because of — and in spite of — his quirks. He didn’t believe in using microwave ovens, or computers and always gave me a goodnatured hard time about using my cell phone. I saw Fred just a few weeks ago and he excitedly showed me a mock-up of the book he’d been working on. Fred was one of my most loyal and kind readers of my newspaper columns and always listened when I was on WABF radio. Fairhope will be a blander sort of town without Fred and I will miss him.
Here’s a story by Thomas Harrison from 2011 about Fred Marchman. (HERE)
Fred Marchman was my best friend in Fairhope. We met though back in 1986 at the unity of Mobile Church.
I was involved and later married my then boy friend so after hearing I had a boy friend, Fred let our friend ship go until I moved to Fairhope back in 2004 . We remained platonic friends until the end of course we took breaks from talking which I’ll always regret. Fred was the Best he was like a dear friend sort of uncle who I could tell anything to.
I think of him every day and in a way he’s become my guardian angel
Recently on a long road trip through Texas my son Josh and I were traveling alone , to make a long story short . We were traveling through a desolate part of north TX ,
When all the sudden I teared up and I thought of Fred Marchman
Suddenly I saw a rather large rest area coming up so I followed my intuition and pulled over . When I got out I notice the engine was smoking and when my son popped the hood there it was, a busted radiatior hose . Had I not stopped at that exact place lords knows where we would have gotten stuck at.
This wasn’t the first time my old friend had saved me . But that’s another post, this has already gotten too long . I’ll leave you with this … If you did not know Fred Marchman you missed out on a true gentleman and artist . So long Dr Jo-mo . Roll with the tumbling tumble weeds Roll !
Roll indeed! What a great story!
So glad you mentioned Fred. He started coming to Wed. night fellowship many yrs ago. At first I couldn’t tell if he enjoyed it or not, but one night he came to me and in his own way expressed his gratitude for fixing his dinner every Wed. for him. (Just for him). He had to miss for a time due to class schedule. I noticed he was not coming and one day I told him I missed him. He said really and I said yes I know when your not here. He said your the only one. After that he made a point of always complimenting me for the meal. I would try to fix him a take-out one early so he could get to class and he showed gratitude in Fred sort of way. I will miss him.
Such a nice story. I’m sure he loved the special attention from you!
The royal photograph is precious. I’ve been busy, not keeping up with news! and didn’t know it was Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, so thank you for this post. As for Prince, that was apparently a huge shock, although I know nothing of his music or him, only his name. And I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
Thanks Rachel.
Now you’ll have to rush a card off to the Queen right away and beg her forgiveness for the belated birthday wishes. She’ll forgive you.
Hi Little Bitty Pretty One! Oh, course Prince hooked eyes with you! You’re a beaut! He was a handsome guy wasn’t he and so talented. Love the snap of the Queen with all of the babies! I wonderful how affectionate she really is with them? I keep thinking “Downton Abbey”! 🙂 Sorry to hear about your friend passing. Seeing the artwork, I watched ‘Steel Magnolias’ this afternoon and just cried my eyes out! Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I can watch Steel Magnolias a million times and never tire of the interaction between the characters. Such a beautiful story!
And I think the Queen must romp around the castle with her little grands. Sliding down banisters and skidding across polished floors!
It’s kind of ironic that Prince and the Queen made headlines the same day!
Yes, I thought about going down that road, but it was too much for my tiny brain!
Fred was very loyal to his friends and had a huge propensity for love. He was a talented artist and published author. He was entrusted with the library from the local chapter of the Theosophical Society from which he taught ancient wisdom classes. I used to love hearing the stories about his amazing life as a young man. He truly had a full life filled with great people and experiences. I am a better person for knowing him.
Amy
Amy, thank you for adding these kind words about Fred. There was so much more to him that I’ll never know.
I just love the photo of the Quenn with her precious great grands! I’m headed to London in May for the Chelsea Flower show and have secret hopes for a royal sighting!
How thrilling! Tell her we all said hello!
I was never much of a Prince fan but it was certainly shocking to see someone so young pass away. So many rockers have left us way too young!!
Yes, and alas . . . my son thinks he was old.
The only song by Prince that I knew was “Purple Rain” and I found it soothing! Enjoying reading all of the tributes pouring in-especially the one by Aretha Franklin who said that he had “It” which is not easy to describe I guess as you’re either a star or not.
Good news is that he seems to have vast amounts of unpublished material in his vaults and that will be exciting!
On a another note, can you recommend a really good hair salon in Fairhope for cuts and color. It’s so hard to find a good hairdresser when you move to a new place!
New Prince songs? Exciting news that doesn’t surprise me after hearing how prolific he was. I’ll send you a private email for hair suggestions since I float around to different ones! (But you can’t beat Bee-Bee’s Curl-up-and Dye!
I don’t know what this says about me, other than I was not in-the-know, but I don’t think I ever listened to a song by Prince. I know. I know. I’m still trying to figure out what I was doing in that era. LOL
That photo of the queen takes my breath away … those adorable children.
Well, Tipper Gore was not pleased with some of his naughty lyrics, so that speaks volumes for your integrity. Not all of his songs were questionable, though, and those are the ones I liked. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it!
Leslie Anne, I was never a Prince fan, a little too old, I guess! But of course, sad to hear of his passing! I am amazed at how lovely the Queen is at 90. But I was thinking it probably makes a difference that she never had to do really hard work like ironing, washing dishes, and shucking corn! Just a thought! Happy weekend!
Blessings,
Pam @ Everyday Living
Hey . . . my mom told me ironing and washing dishes would make me look beautiful!!! I need to talk to her about that!
Happy weekend to you too Pam!
We are right now rolling through Louisiana almost to TExas! Very shocking about Prince. I was a bit of a fan-girl myself. Yesterday we stopped off in B&N, and I had to restrain myself from buying all those commemorative magazines about the Queen. She reminds me so much of my mother, because she was my mother’s fashion icon. Funny!
Your mother must have also loved Hyacinth Bucket!
Safe travels!
Hey girls, just thought I’d put my two cents worth in. Of course I know who Prince is and terribly saddened how he lost his life. No doubt he was very talented but I was never a big fan, although I do love the Purple Rain song. I love this photo of the royals, just adorable how the little girl has the handbag. Hmm, I wonder if that was a child’s impulse to pick it up or if it was staged. The little prince I would love to nab for sweet kisses! Little Charlotte looks a little unhappy at the entire shoot. Now Leslie, I along with that older generation love Hyacinth (Bouquet) Bucket 🙂
Happy weekend………
I read that the toddler picked up the pocketbook all on her own and just stood there. Not scripted at all! I guess it runs in the family!
I think those unfamiliar with Prince will find themselves getting a crash course over the next few days! He’s everywhere now!
You’re the BEST! I never got to see Prince in concert, but I loved him so much… What a great artist!! I believe you… He LOCKED EYES WITH YOU!
I’m sorry you never got to see him in concert. Even though I don’t go crazy over most concerts, I really did have a great time seeing Prince.