Wednesday
Jan. 19, 2000
Annabel Lee
Poem: "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.
It's the birthday of blues belter Janis Joplin, born in Port Arthur, Texas (1943). She died at 27 of a heroin overdose. Her hits include "Ball and Chain," "Piece of My Heart," "Get It While You Can," and "Me and Bobby McGee," which hit #1 six months after her death.
It's the birthday of gothic crime writer Patricia Highsmith (Mary Patricia Plangman), born in Fort Worth (1921). Her first book, Strangers on a Train (1950), became an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Several of her thrillers feature Tom Ripley, a likeable murderer and the inspiration for the current Hollywood movie The Talented Mister Ripley.
It's the birthday of painter Paul Cézanne, born in Aix-en-Provence [ex-ahn-proh- VAWHNSS], France (1839)who would be revered by Picasso and Braque. A 'Post-Impressionist,' he said, "Nature must be treated through the cylinder, the sphere, the cone."
It's the birthday of poet and horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, born in Boston (1809). His actor parents were performing in Boston when he was born; three years later he was orphaned, then adopted; he was raised partly in England. He joined the American army at 18 and was later appointed to West Point. He invented the modern detective story and was one of the first persons to try to earn a living as a freelance writer.
It's the birthday of military genius and educator Robert E(dward) Lee, born in Stratford, Westmoreland County, Virginia (1807). He believed neither in slavery nor secession, and was dubious about war's ability to resolve political conflict. Still, when Virginia seceded in 1861, he resigned from the army he had served for 36 years and offered himself for the defense of his home state.
Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.®