dual personalities

Today we toast Theodore Roosevelt on his birthday.

I think I will watch The Wind and the Lion (1975) in honor of our 26th president. This film, you will recall, is about an international incident being (almost) triggered when an Arab chieftain (Sean Connery) kidnaps an American widow and her children. President Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Keith) deals with it American style–He sends in the Marines.

It is also the anniversary of the day Rebel Without a Cause debuted in 1955, 65 years ago! James Dean had just died less than a month before in a car wreck at the age of 24. It is hard to imagine that this story of teenage angst and rebellion was viewed as being quite shocking back in the day, but it was. It seems quite innocent, even sweet, to our jaded eyes.

And, hello, how did I miss the fact that American golf legend Tiger Woods attended the grand opening of Payne’s Valley Golf Course at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri (near Branson) on Tuesday, September 22. Named after Ozarks native and fellow golf legend Payne Stewart, it is the first public-access golf course designed by Woods. The 19^th hole at Payne’s Valley, we are told, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about golf holes in the world (see below). “Nature golf” looks kind of like miniature golf for grown ups, but who am I to say.

Mid-MO makes the the Big Time.

Finally, here is a great version of the classic Townes Van Sant song “Pancho and Lefty” performed by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. (Also, I spy with my little eye a young Marty Stuart on mandolin.) Check it out.

Enjoy your Tuesday. Keep going.