Somewhere Outside of Paris, Texas

We are staying tonight in a town outside of Paris, Texas, in a Super 8 at $49.00/night (!). The town is proud of its history. We're visiting their museum tomorrow morning. We had dinner at their cafe a couple of hours ago and it was superb. I had catfish, collard greens, and a scoop of broccoli/rice/cheese casserole. This was my first meal with collard greens and they were delicious. The waitress was semi-horrified that I asked about having a beer. She said that no one asks for that at dinner, that she is not especially opposed to it, it's just that, well, no one has ever asked before. I asked in Stillwater if they offered wine with dinner and they said "no". I will find that in Austin, certainly.

I love Tulsa. It's such a pretty city, with interesting architecture, not much of that modern stuff that is so uninspiring. The Arkansas River runs through the town. We had a great room, a suite actually, with lots of space. This morning we went to Cain's Ballroom, where Marc and Josh held the Red Dirt concert and awards a couple of years ago. The family that is running it removed the drop ceiling, exposing these terrific rafters. Kathy and I bought t-shirts. But the best news is that one of the guys who runs Cain's remembered Marc and Josh. The place is lined with pictures of those who have played Cains and I was surprised to find that I recognized many of the names. Bob Dylan played there. Dweezil Zappa, Frank's son, plays there in August. I saw Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention with my brother Bill in 1970. We met Frank Zappa backstage and Bill said something that made Frank Zappa laugh.

About Paris, Texas. There's a movie that took place there, circa 1971, I believe. I think Sam Sheppard was either in it or wrote the screenplay and I think Cybil Shepperd may have been in it. I started watching the movie a couple of months ago, then stopped. It seems to me it's one of those 1970's bleak movies where filmdom was experimenting with heavier themes. It never went away. The first bleak theme movie I saw was Midnight Cowboy where I had to argue to get into the theatre, at age 17. I watched it a few months ago and think it was a good film for its time, although there was some confusion around a couple of themes (reviewers had those same confusions). But that film dealt with alienation, leaving home, fringe jackets, and other things that must happen but are hard when you're faced with them. I have never had a fringe jacket, but I did have a leather fringe purse in 1969. But don't get me started.

Tomorrow, after we visit the museum, we'll head to Austin. I have a morning yoga class on Friday. This part of the trip, where we traced Marc's steps, has been a true success, with everything falling into place. We couldn't have asked for more.

If, this weekend, it is cold in Seattle and you are looking for a great movie, rent the dvd "Notes on a Scandal". It stars Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench in excellent performances. Judi Dench is the consummate narcissist, so that's lots of fun. Cate Blanchett is good in everything she does. The movie is only around 90 minutes, thank heavens.

I've had 5 days away from writing my book and have solved a couple of major problems with it by simply reflecting, mile after mile, as we drive. My decisision is to write in a relationship between mother and daughter, something I've tried to avoid. But it's a missing piece, one that the protagonist comments on. It's a major step to add the relationship, and means not only writing but re-arranging my book. I'm up for it, though.

That's it from here.