20 Comments

This is quite interesting Ramona.Keep up this great stuff !!! .I also write about weird history at substack on thehiddenhistory.substack.com. Please do check sometime.

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Hi Ravi, I read a couple of your pieces and learned a lot! Nicely done. I'll be sure to include one of yours soon.

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I LOVE this idea, Ramona -- so clever and such a nice way to highlight all the other awesome people writing interesting 'stacks.

I wrote an issue last year on children's books for loss, death, and grief that is, unfortunately, never *not* relevant. I try to share it widely (it's public and will always remain so, because I want to help people navigate a tough situation if I can). If it fits into your boosts somewhere, great, and if not, no big deal: https://canweread.substack.com/p/spotlight-on-loss-death-and-grief

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Thanks so much for sharing your essay and your page here, Sarah. I've added your piece on loss and death to the next 'Boost', which will be published on Friday, February 11. A great resource for anyone having to grapple with explaining death to children, but more than that, you've personalized it with your own story, turning it into a fascinating read.

Great newsletter for parents and grandparents and Children's Book lovers!

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Oh, thank you for including me, Ramona, and for your kind words.

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Thank you for including "moviewise: Life Lessons From Movies" 🤗

“Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.” —Isaac Bashevis Singer

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My pleasure. It's a great movie resource and you provide some thought-provoking asides. Great idea for a blog!

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Thank you once again! What a great way to start my day!! 🤗

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Ramona, thanks so much for the shout out; I appreciate you. I love both of your newsletters and save them until the weekend to read when I have more time. I subscribe to a few of these that you have highlighted, but there are a couple more that I've never heard of, but look interesting. Thanks for sharing these newsletters.

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Thanks so much for your support, Gayla. I love that you're here!

So Novelicious never fails to give me something new to think about, new books to read, and words to intrigue me. I'm in awe of the number of books you find to read and share!

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Golly, thanks, Ramona, for including one of my articles! For those who like the more sublime corner of the "music room" (a true 180 from the Sex Pistols!) folks might enjoy my article featuring Dorothea Joyce, a fascinating gal in her 70s (and still quite active!) who wrote the #19 hit in 1971 for the 5th Dimension, "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes."

It's pretty much the only song she ever wrote, and even after landing it with Diana Ross BEFORE 5D's hit version, Ms. Joyce only had minor involvement in the music biz thereafter. But, she's made the most of the last 5 decades, and along with hearing a lot of music in the article, readers can discover what she's up to now!

Plus, I think readers will be interested in Julie Budd's story! After opening for Frank Sinatra in the late '60s at Caesar's Palace in Vegas (when she was in her teens!), Julie was saddled with a look and incredible voice many thought was too "Streisand-esque"! But, while she never quite gained the worldwide notoriety of La Babs, she, too has made the most of the last several decades, and has the respect of her fellow entertainers and industry folk!

Thanks again, Ramona!---Brad

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So much good stuff, Brad! But I totally missed your piece on Julie Budd. Damn! She was amazing, but sadly she had to be compared to Streisand and never seemed to overcome it. I think I actually saw her debut on Merv Griffin. Whenever the first time was, I was completely blown away, and thought she'd be an instant star. What an incredible talent. I'm glad she had the career she had, though some won't even know her name.

And you reminded me of Virginia Graham's 'Girl Talk'. What a hoot! Insanely wild and so funny! Your entire piece is such a trip down Memory Lane. Thank you! (Love her 'Roses and Rainbows'. And of course, everything else she does.)

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Sweet words, Ramona....thanks! Because you've been so terrific, you (and only YOU!) get a personal Virginia Graham story (shhh, don't tell anyone): Picture it: Beverly Hills, early 80s. I'm driving with a friend, west on upper Sunset Blvd when a bitchin' collectible, older car (forget exactly what) drives up beside me at a light. 'Twas Ms. Graham! Recognizing her, of course, I yelled out the window (it's what we did in LA in the day!), "Wow, Miss Graham, great car!" Without missing a beat, she replied, "Yeah, well, it's a classic, but I like jazz! I'm on my way to lunch at Joanie Rivers' house!" Why I didn't invite myself along is beyond me!

So much of what and why I write, as I'm sure you're noticing, Ramona, is shining a light on music that HASN'T gotten the press and public ears on it that I think it should've! Glad you're discovering...and, thanks again!

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Great story about La Graham. Was her hair poufy and pink, like spun sugar? That's the way I always picture her. You missed your big chance! If you had been audacious enough I'll bet she would have brought you along, just to get a rise out of 'Joanie'. It would have been insane!

I'll be reading and sharing more of your pieces. You have a fan!

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I don't recall her hair being pink, but it was certainly up, and kind of the salt'n'pepper/silvery, with the little flip she was known for. I'm now wondering if I had been alone in the car if I might've had any more gumption to ask if I could follow. Times weren't quite so paranoid back then.

Oops, another story comes to mind, and it's on my 'Stack! In '78, I actually managed to get an internationally-known recording artist into my car to take him he knew not where! Look for the Tom Robinson article from early August!

Also, coming soon is my article on spending an hour with a post-Partridge David Cassidy in his Houston penthouse in 1975! As we used to say in radio, "And the hits just keep on comin'!"

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LOL. Can't wait. I'm sufficiently dazzled!

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Thanks so much for your link, Carmi. I like this quote: 'Let's not underestimate people and their importance, but realize that only together can we succeed individually.'

So true!

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Love this! The refusal letters are my new precious possession. 😌

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I just saw this, Ramona--my apologies. Thank you so very much.

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