Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, having just had my evening snack – taquitos – very good. I’ll take pill three in a little while. I can’t say much about last evening because I don’t remember it – I dozed off for an hour, could not get interested in watching anything, including YouTube videos. And, in fact, I can’t tell you much about the day because I spent too much time with Wayfair trying to get them to do their damn job and if I haven’t gotten an e-mail by three tomorrow regarding Saturday’s supposed assembly of my bar stools, they’ll be VERY sorry as I will then not get off the phone until it escalated it straight up the ladder as high as I can go. They’re not going to crap out twice, that much I can tell you. I just Googled about Wayfair’s assembly issues and this is apparently typical for them – multiple missed scheduled appointments. I don’t even think I’ll wait until three, I’ll just escalate when I get up. If I don’t get satisfaction, they can do a complete refund and come pick up the package. I wasted way too much time on that. I got seven hours of sleep, got up, answered a lot of e-mails, had some biscotti and took pill one, then worked on the manuscript a bit. It’s so tedious and try as I might, if I see errors I just stop and correct them instead of just getting to the end of the document, formatting-wise. And on one page alone there can be fifty mistakes. I thought I’d finish, but no, forty more pages to go. I had mac and cheese for food and took pill two. I mean, that was pretty much it. Oh, I did get two more wonderful reviews for the book – one hasn’t shown up yet on Amazon but the gent who wrote it posted it on my Facebook page, so it should be up soon. Here’s that one.
***** HIGHEST RATING!!
A Supercalifragilistic Tribute to a Once-in-a-Lifetime Friendship!
Richard and Me: A Supercalifragilistic Friendship by Bruce Kimmel is more than a memoir—it’s a tribute to friendship, music, and an indomitable spirit that defies both time and age. Artfully and insightfully, Kimmel unveils the exceptional relationship he had with the legendary Richard M. Sherman, half of the iconic Sherman Brothers who gave wings to dreams of generations.
The ebullient 200-page work establishes the foundational truth that we can make our dearest friends in golden chapters, rather than youth: Kimmel was 51 years old when he met Sherman, who was 72 years old at the time. The meeting occurred by chance while Kimmel was at his desk at the music label Varese Sarabande, where he received an unexpected call from Sherman. For nearly a quarter of a century, they grew and evolved from that point into something unique and resplendent. Since then, Kimmel—a record producer, author, and the driving force behind Kritzerland—has consistently utilized his label to honor Sherman’s timeless songs. Sherman, ever affable and radiant, sat in on virtually all of their sessions, ate dinner with Kimmel (and Sherman’s wife, Elizabeth), and gamely partook in their collective adventure.
The book includes a wealth of intimate, jubilant, and touching images to accompany the text—stills that showcase private moments between Kimmel and Sherman, as well as moments with Sherman’s wife, Elizabeth. The pictures serve as a frame and filler for this special bond across the pages. That classic Walt Disney title font is also a lovely homage to Sherman and his years at the iconic studio. There is a seal of approval from Disney publicity executive Howard Green, found on the back cover, which provides a further touch of enchantment.
The most emotional ramble here is rightly from Sherman’s daughter, Victoria, who makes it deeply personal and tells a poignant tale of the strength in this lasting friendship.
Most people spend their entire lives without experiencing this kind of soul connection. Undoubtedly, Kimmel and Sherman’s discovery—as well as our own—was a fortunate event.
This book is not solely intended for fans of Disney or the Sherman Brothers, but for anyone who firmly believes that friendship can be the most precious gift in life. Kimmel’s writing is tender, lyrical, and touchingly human. It sings thanks, dances remembrance, and is the dessert to the intense burn in your chest.
A must-read. A must-feel. It is a magnificent celebration filled with love, laughter, and melodies.
And this one from Adryan Russ. Don’t worry – it’s lots shorter.
5.0 out of 5 stars A World Without Him
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2025
Bruce Kimmel’s book, relating the personal and loving relationship he had with the brilliant songwriter Richard M. Sherman of the legendary Sherman Brothers, is fascinating, great fun and deeply moving. Himself a multi-talented writer/performer, Bruce says, everyone thought he was going to live forever, “because a world without him was simply unimaginable.” This is a love story of enormous proportions. Read this book to learn how an unexpected, magical friendship can blossom and grow, and do your best to find one of your own that can come close.
Actually, the first one here just showed up on Amazon, so they’re all there now – I do think there may still be one that hasn’t shown up.
Also, I was looking through some photos on the computer and found two of my favorites. The first is Kasey Rogers from Bewitched. I met her at one of the Ray Courts Hollywood shows and had no idea who she was until I saw this photo. I could not believe it. It was the woman who played Mrs. Guy Haines in Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, which she did under the name of Laura Elliot. I happily assured her that Guy was alive and well and that I was VERY intimate with him. She was delighted and signed this photo for him. We ended up becoming friends – she came to several Christmas Eve Dos and I went to several parties she had. A lovely, lovely lady.
The other photo was when Jane A. Johnston came to rehearse a Billy Barnes song at my house. At some point, her husband came in. I took one look at him and said, “Holy moley on rye, Commando Cody!” Yes, it was actor George Wallace, who played Commando Cody in the Republic serial, Radar Men from the Moon. Anyone who’s read Benjamin Kritzer knows how obsessed I was with the Commando Cody Rocket Jacket. He was so delighted that I knew who he was he went out to his car and came back with this photo and signed it to me.
Aren’t those fun? I’ll find more to post over the next few days.
Today, I’ll deal with Wayfair and either get another refund and hire a handyman myself or just send the stuff back to them. Otherwise, I’ll finish up the manuscript, then take a quick pass through it for typos, grammar, punctuation, and whatever else I can find, but I won’t spend more than a couple of hours doing so. I may go to the mail place to pick up a package, I’ll eat something, and then I will damn well find something to damn well watch.
Tomorrow is supposedly assembly day but obviously if I haven’t been e-mailed it won’t be happening and if that’s the case they will RUE the day, oh, yes, they will RUE the day. Sunday will be a ME day, and then next week will be busy with several items.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, deal with Wayfair, finish the manuscript formatting, do a pass for errors, go to the mail place, eat, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/Blu and Ray/streaming player? I’ll start – several Blu-rays to watch, just have to get motivated. CD, more John Williams. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy for two more lovely reviews.