You never know where generosities are going to come from; they can be dear surprises. On my trip to Wisconsin in March, I was disappointed that I couldn’t get to Chicago to hear Kim Cusack, clarinet / vocal; Andy Schumm, piano, at the Honky Tonk BBQ.
But I received an email — with attachments — the other day:
Dear Michael,
It’s been a long time since we were graduate students, and we haven’t been in touch. I didn’t talk about it then — we were too worried about doctoral orals — but I was developing into a jazz fan, and I found you through your blog. I was passing through Chicago at the end of March on my way to visit family in California, and thought I would bring the video camera I use for the grandkids. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so here are a few videos of Kim Cusack and Andy Schumm. If you can use them on the blog, I’d be delighted.
Keep well,
Charles
The fog of decades lifted — I’d last seen Charles Schultz (who got annoyed if someone called him “Snoopy”) in 1981. But what a lovely gift! Not just for me, but for all of us. And he does first-rate work.
and
and
and, finally, with vocal refrain:
Charles and I have tentative plans to meet in New York in August. What a pleasure that will be, and neither of us will video the other.
May your happiness increase!
