Dallas Conference

Leaving tomorrow morning for a 3-day conference in Dallas, Texas. Plan on having some R&R there on Friday and Saturday. In previous trips I usually hooked up with Jean Hill, known as “The Lady in Red”, who was standing next to Mary Muchmore in that very famous President Kennedy assassination photograph. I wrote to Jean in 1976 when I was doing some serious research on the case and met her in person 3 years later when I went to Dallas to interview a few police officers who were still on the Dallas Police Department. Jean and I stayed in touch and exchanged Christmas cards each year. We posed for this picture at the 1993 JFK Assassination Symposium. She died about 7 years ago. Jean was a lovely lady and was often maligned about that “little white dog” in the back of the car JFK rode in….but thankfully she was vindicated before she died.

 

Neeley St. Apartment

I also plan to go by the Neeley Street apartment and see if it’s still standing. I had this picture taken in the same year standing in the spot Lee Harvey Oswald stood posing with the Manlicker Carcano (sp) rifle in one hand (which he used to shoot President Kennedy), and a communist publication in the other. I used to imagine Marina lumbering down those stairs with a load of wash to hang on the line, pregnant with her second child. It’s been a while since I’ve been back to Dallas so I’m looking forward to seeing that skyline and visiting the West End again – one of my favorite areas of the city. Since this event is similar to that held recently at Raytheon in Massachusetts, maybe some of the same people I met interested in Lizzie will be there.

I began studying the JFK assassination in the early 1970’s and still have my own complete 26 volumes of the Warren Commission Report. Tedious reading those volumes. No indexed paragraphs whatsoever; the pages just spill over one after another in block form, and all the photographs are exhibited all in the last volume. The amazing thing that struck me over three decades ago was how much information was gathered by the FBI in such a short period….and with 1960’s technology.

Marina Oswald

The Picket Fence

And yes, I believe LHO acted alone. And that O.J. acted alone. As did Lizzie.

Lizzie Borden Signature on eBay

 FURTHER UPDATE OCT 26TH:  SEE COMMENTS IN COMMENT BLOCKS BELOW.

UPDATE: After notifying the Seller I doubted this was a Lizzie Borden signature, she ended the auction without any bids and sent me this reply:

“Dear ____________ (I hope),

I thank you again for your input in reference to the Lizzie Borden signature I offered on eBay. Since you have now, and perhaps rightly, raised doubt upon this item, I have removed the listing until I can double-check its authenticity. Do you recommend the Fall River Historical Society as the best place to approach? I do not want to jeopardize my seller’s status at eBay by offering something in doubt. I thank you for writing and for bringing this to my attention – it’s just a bit bothersome to think that mum was wrong all these years.”

- baroquebaroque

 

There’s a current auction on eBay purported to be Lizzie Borden’s signature. You can check it out here.

The starting price is $60 with an unknown Reserve, and as of noon this posted date, there were no bids. An inquiry as to the provenance of this item with the Seller yielded the following reply:

“Dear ________:Thank you for your question. My mum who, sadly, is not with us anymore would have been able to answer it in more detail than I, but here goes…my mum was an avid Bordenphile (is that the word?) and we were chock-ablock with Borden books and memorabilia (I was even dragged to fall River in ‘92 for the centenary and had to photograph my mum at Lizzie’s grave). My mother purchased the signature from a dealer in Boston, who had in his possession a bunch of material on the Borden’s including old bank statements, church records and invoices (most of which my mum bought and has since been sold). I am sorry to say that I do not know the dealer’s name since this was many, many years ago. Lizzie’s signature was in an old prayer book, “The Book of Solomon” or “The Psalms of Solomon”. The signature was one of my mum’s treasures! When framed, it hung on the staircase wall in our house for decades, until I inherited it. I don’t know what happened to the book itself, I’m afraid. I wish I could be of more help, but, if it is any reassurance, as stated in the listing, the signature comes with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity. Thank you again for your question.”

- baroquebaroque”

Seems pretty slim to me. I would think the Seller’s “mum” would have kept the Boston seller’s receipt or notation of date of purchase, have kept track of the book itself, and so on if these were such coveted “treasures” from her mother passed on down to her.I have a hand carved wooden sewing box which belonged to my great-great grandmother who came to Hawaii from Portugal (yes, I’m part Portuguese). The box was originally made by my great-great grandfather in Lisboa, given to his bride as a wedding present. Thus, my maternal great-great grandparents took this sewing box with them when they sailed to Honolulu, Hawaii to work in the pineapple fields. It still has items from her day in it such as needles, thimbles, threaders, cloth swatches, small scissors, and threads used by her and my great grandmother, grandmother, and mother as well. I’ve included an index card with their names, dates of birth, dates of death, when they were given the sewing box and when they passed it on to whom and where. They coveted this beautiful sewing box and so do I. It is because of my experience with this item that I tend to doubt the Seller’s reply as given.There are many known and authenticated signatures of Lizzie Borden, aka “Lizbeth A. Borden” as published in any number of books, journals and periodicals. Just Google “Lizzie Borden signature” and any number of them will come up, the first being this one.It had an eBay “Buy it Now” price of nearly $4,500, but I believe this one is real. Apparently, it wasn’t worth that much. At least not to any eBay bidder because it didn’t sell.I’d write more about this but I need to baste a tape on a garment. Excuse me while I reach for my sewing box…..

Frank and The Texas Chili Cook-off

What follows is one of the funniest things I have ever read, sent to me in an email last year from a friend in Boston. A warning to those with delicate sensibilities and who are easily offended – STOP READING RIGHT NOW. Otherwise, take 2-3 minutes and give this your full attention. If laughter is the best medicine, you should be glowingly healthy for the rest of the week.

A TEXAS CHILI COOK-OFF

“My name is Frank, and recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Texas chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking directions to the Budweiser truck when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting so I accepted.” Here are the scorecards from the event:

Chili # 1 Mike’s Maniac Mobster Monster Chili:

Judge # 1 — A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 — Nice, smooth, tomato flavor. Very mild

Judge # 3 (Frank) — Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that’s the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2 Arthur’s Afterburner Chili

Judge # 1 — Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 — Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 — Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Fred’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

Judge # 1 — Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.

Judge # 2 — A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers

Judge # 3 — Call the EPA. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting shit-faced from all of the beer.

Chili # 4 Bubba’s Black Magic

Judge # 1 — Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge # 2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. bitch is starting to look HOT-just like this nuclear waste I’m eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Linda’s Legal Lip Remover

Judge # 1 — Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 — Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Vera’s Very Vegetarian Variety

Judge # 1 — Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge # 2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.

Judge # 3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shit myself when I farted and I’m worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. She must be kinkier than I thought. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 Susan’s screaming Sensation Chili

Judge # 1 — A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 — Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing because it’s too painful. Screw it; I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili #8 Tommy’s Toe-Nail Curling Chili

Judge # 1 — The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 — This final entry is a good, balance chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor dude, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot chili. Must not be from Texas.

-The End.

Fall River Visit – Sept 27-Oct 1st

On September 27th, arriving for my 4th visit this year to the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River, MA, I let myself in the side door and hollared out: “Anybody home?”. The owners, Lee-ann Wilber and Donald Woods, hollared back from the parlor, “Hey, Faye, come here and look at this new painting.” My very first impression was that she looked more Hindu than Congregationalist and felt the artist’s representation lacked something….”Aha!”, I said aloud. “She needs a velcro dot in the middle of her forehead.” Perhaps it really wasn’t meant to be Lizzie but the second child of Andrew and his first wife, Sarah, the daughter Alice, who died March 10, 1858 of hydrocephalus. But what if Alice didn’t really die? What if she had been diagnosed as “weak minded” and sent away….only to grow up and live in Nepal, and later having this painting made? But nahhh, couldn’t be. Because the painting shows “Lizzie” sitting on the sofa in the sitting room.

The colors in the painting are beautiful and that’s what I loved the most about this controversial painting. And her earring is lovely. However, the configuration of the right hand is not technically correct, unless the subject was having a carpal spasm from the long period of posing. And just try to put your left arm like that with your right arm placed as shown. Physically impossible. Well, artistic license considered, its a very nice painting and looks very nice in the parlor. I still am anxious to see Michael Lukowiak’s interpretation of Lizzie. I met Mike at the GhostHunter’s Unversity meeting that Saturday night. He is an exceptional artist. To see his work, go to www.luckyillustrator.com.

I mentioned in an earlier blog of visiting the William A. Dolan family plot at St. Patrick’s cemetery. Dolan was the medical examiner in the Borden case. There were 25 plots purchased originally, and 2 empty spaces remain. When visiting, be sure to ask the friendly ladies in the office for the free printout pages detailing all buried there. Here’s some images:

During that weekend the Heritage Harvest Festival was held down at the waterfront at Heritage State Park. Nice family event. I especially liked the Fall River Fire Department’s photo display of all the major fires in Fall River’s history. Sadly, far too many of them. As to the “history” display at Heritage State Park, two words: Sadly pitiful. Here’s some pics:

Also on the wall is this picture of Gifford’s Jewelry Store where Lizzie shoplifted, which is a documented fact by Mrs. Gifford, former curator of the Fall River Historical Society.

And lastly, here’s a pic of Lee-ann – your incomparable Innkeeper cooking up those johnny cakes!

I’ll be posting more on this particular visit once I get the additional permissions to use certain images.

Cotati, Sabastopol, Vineyards and Jack London

Visited my son last Thursday thru Sunday in Cotati in Sonoma County, a small township where the beautiful campus of Sonoma State University is right next door at Rohnert Park, California. (Read about their amazing high tech library named after cartoonist Charles Shultz.) This is a rich community like so many in Marin and Sonoma Counties where mommy and daddy’s ability to pay whatever drives the housing and rental rates sky high.

The campus is built around parklands with trees 150 years old. The Adlai Stevenson building is one of the newer structures, but a $36 million construction project is underway for a new music center. A la-dee-dah fundraiser was held the second night and we attended and made some very valuable contacts ( i.e., for our return Italy trip in February we will be able to stay at a small villa in the outskirts of Florence and the same couple will be staying at my house when they come to visit the Grand Canyon), so that was good.

Sebastopol is another unique community. I characterize it as a place where the hippies of the ’60’s went to live their lives without compromise from the ideals of their youth and stayed to raise their next generation the same way. As a result, one can really feel the vibes of these kind souls who are respectful of all living, breathing things, health conscious, artistic, peaceful, friendly and well read.

Patrick Amiot and Bridgette Laurent, urban folk artists in Sabastopol, put a unique sculpture on their front lawn one day and what evolved became an entire street permanently decorated with their work. A drive down Florence Avenue is like a holiday treat, but its there every single day for all to enjoy.

Napa and Sonoma Counties are where the great California wineries can be ingested visually and gastronomically. We visited three: the huge Benziger Family Winery (restaurant chains such as “Olive Garden” carry their wines); the medium sized Matanzas Creek Winery with its outrageously beautiful hilltop wine tasting room and flowing pastures of fragrant lavender; and the small husband and wife owned Eric Ross Winery. The latter property is in Glen Ellen, and has the house where Joan London (Jack’s daughter) moved into after being beaten up in Oakland at the age of 88. In fact, Jack London is a main figure of the town’s history as he bought and maintained a 1,000-acre ranch and died there in 1916. The Jack London Historical Park sits between an old hotel and an old saloon dating back to 1905 filled with pictures of this still controversial writer. With the locals, he is either scorned as a plagiarizing Socialist or revered as a talent akin to Hemingway. I’d call it 60-40.

In short, my “Sideways” style 4 days in California Wine country was a memorable one and I look forward to my return there later this year.

Next travel agenda has me in Dallas for an electronics trade show and since I’ll be at the Hyatt in the West End, I’ll re-visit the “Sixth Floor Depository” Building and see what’s been added at the JFK Museum. There’s a new theory afloat that asserts JFK was really killed by a crushing blow to the head with a fine cabernet wielded by some distraught maiden named Lizzie. But it’s just a theory.

“In All The World…..”

Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2003	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
2004	0	0	0	432	1138	832	595	710	676	611	1145	1280
2005	1110	1148	1615	1978	1457	1769	1228	1051	1328	1145	1059	1019
2006	1144	1223	1172	1402	561	1831	1350	1961	1688	1549	1512	1595
2007	1707	1328	1264	1397	908	915	1038	1430	908	0	0	0

It’s been said you can prove anything statistically.

So I’ve been toying with analytical assessments of stats on two things I can’t quite figure out:

1) Why there has been a steady, consistent decline in total number of posts by month on a Lizzie Borden forum that has some of the most enthusiastic and informed people on the case, and

2) Just what is it in the house at 92 Second Street that causes the unexplained events and paranormal activity that so many BONA FIDE people have seen, felt and heard.

With regards to #2, I’ll be writing more.

The business portion of my Fall River trip went extremely well and we await the next phase of development.

The pleasure part of the trip was amongst one of the best I have ever had….not only with guests and events at The House, but also in Jamestown, Rhode Island (established in 1684 I think?), the people in the Highlands, and the pitiful structure on Green Street in Fairhaven…which I’ll also have more to post on. But this visit goes down as one of the Top 5 Visits Ever! I never met a group of such well educated, articulate, fun, and interesting people as I did Saturday night at the Bed & Breakfast. A most remarkable experience! And to look out a charming window at the head of my bed in Portsmouth, RI, across an expansive green lawn to the Sakonnet River shimmering in the glow from a magnificient full moon. And across from the foot of the bed, a wall length painting of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Magical, truly.

From the Northeast to the Southwest, I’ve yet to re-assimilate.

BTW, those drivers in Massachusetts are nuts. 90 is the new 60 and 60 is the new 30 and 30 is what they do when parallel parking.