Thoughts of the Grand Dame - The Herring

"The minor events of history are valuable, although not always showy and picturesque."

Mark Twain

Every day I look across the way to the Col. C.T. Herring Hotel. She is the 14 story, 600 room Grand Dame who sits on the corner watching people scuttle by and ignore her inevitable decay. She was born in an era when the Cattle Barons still ruled the plains and the oil tycoons purses were heavy with black gold.  Businessmen and bankers would discuss business in the hotel’s Old Tascosa Room. I wonder what secrets were told.

The lady stood through the Stock Market Crash of '29, WWII, Korea and 'Nam. She's watched as black and white children, once segregated, came together. Her structure never faltered as Kennedy, Malcom X, RFK and MLK were assassinated. As the wall in Berlin fell, hers stood firm and on September 11, 2001, I swear you could hear her mourn.
 
She's seen the the radio, television and movies transcend from silent films to iMax 3D. And communications improved from the telegraph to the switchboard to universal and satellite cellular service. What hasn't she seen? She's seen the best and the worst mankind has to offer and still she stands on the corner just watching people scuttle by and ignore her inevitable decay.

The Herring Hotel in her day

As she stands today - not the most attractive view. The view I have of her is actually between some trees and a much prettier shot.

This is a picture of the lobby that was taken in 2005. Its has fallen into disrepair and you can notice at some point in time, vagrants got into the building. (Shopping cart?)

The old hat check room remains as it was left. Nails in the wall to hold cowboy hats. The coffee shop still has brandings on the walls representing ranches in the area. After the death of Colonel Herring, his wife moved to one of the top floors where she eventually passed as well.

I write about the Grand Dame today because the city is changing - and in my opinion, not necessarily for the better. There is an effort to "revitalize" downtown and to make it something more than it is now. This cow-town could stand for some revitalization, but not what the city has in mind and not at the cost. I sincerely hope with all of the changes this town is about to thrust upon downtown, she can withstand them all - just as she has withstood all of the other events through her history.

*Pictures courtesy of the Amarillo Globe News*

Fruits of the Forbidden

"Your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden itself." 

Oscar Wilde

When something is forbidden it becomes more desirable, more delicious. It's a temptation we contain through self-control and that nagging feeling in our subconscious when we entertain the idea of taking a bite of the forbidden fruit. And I'm sure you know the fruit is metaphorical; however, even though it's late in the evening, I wouldn't mind wrapping my lips around a strawberry and feeling the sweet juice of spring explode in my mouth.  Yes... the diet continues. (Happy, Happy.... Joy, Joy...)

Anyhoo...
 I was watching "Smash" on NBC tonight. For whatever reason, I dig that show. And this show is in so many ways about the forbidden fruit and the attempt (though not so successful for so many of the characters) to deny themselves what they are so longing for. The show is a tangled mess of interrelationships during the creation of a Broadway musical, "Bombshell" centered around the life of Marilyn Monroe. Uma Thurman is cast as the "lead" on stage as Marilyn and I just have to say "Why????" I'm not sure of the casting choice exactly, but she plays the movie star come Broadway star wannabe well. However when I think of Marilyn, I don't think of a 41 year old woman and on the close up shots of Uma, I see too many fine lines, which I never saw with Norma Jean. Call me cynical, but really? Marilyn died at 36 and I don't think she looked it, but that's just me.

With two episodes left, I'm not going to sweat it too much, but I have to ask what I think is a pretty good question. What was Marilyn's forbidden fruit? She was the golden fleece for so many, but what was it that was forbidden to her and was it enough to push her over the edge?  I know I'll never have the answers to those questions, but it does put into perspective some of my own forbidden desires and makes it a little easier to acknowledge their existence and say, "Thanks, but no."

So I guess I'll just have to tune in next week for the next to the last of the Season 1 episode and see if Ivy has screwed up with Karen's boyfriend (pun intended) and hope that Julia doesn't lose what's left of her marbles when she runs into her old flame. And does Rebecca Duvall steal Derek's heart. Heck... does Derek even have a heart?  Forget those daytime soaps folks.... we have a "Smash" on our hands.

Celeste

The Fork in the Road

I'm introspective and contemplative -

stopped at the fork in the road.

To the left lay an unknown future

To the right lay the path foretold

I'm pondering and I'm reflecting 

on choices and where they've led

I've taken the highway and stumbled
I've taken the low road and bled

I can't.

Stop.

Now...

Determination and Concentration
Drive me toward the finish line
To where I will finally get my rest
and wipe the sweat from my forehead

I can't.

Stop.

Time.

By: Celeste High 4/30/2012