Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Lucy Vodden - Ispiration for "Lucy in the Sky"

When Lucy Vodden was four years old. she befriended Julian Lennon, the son of the Beatle's John Lennon. One day he drew a picture of her, brought it home and showed it to his father. Julian called it "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds".

John Lennon seized the thought and gave it the titlt to one of the signature songs of the 1967 iconic album "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band." The song was controversial with it's eye opening lyrics and references to the drug LSD.

Ms Vodden, 46, died on September 28, 2009 in a London hospital where she was being treated for lupus.

In recent times, she reconnected with Julian Lennon after losing touch with him for many years. Lennon tried to comfort her with her illness by sending her flowers and text messages.

Although she was identified with the song, Ms Vodden did not like being associated with the drug references behind it.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Don Yarborough - Path Crossed With JFK

In 1963, Don Yarborough was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Texas running against the incumbent John Connally. Although both were members of the same party, Yarborough was associated with the liberal wing and had come within 27,000 votes of defeating Connally in the 1962 election.

Vice President Lyndon Johnson was concerned that a win by Yarborough would encourage conservative Democrats to switch to the Republican party and jeopardize President John F Kennedy's chances at winning a second term in 1964.

LBJ convinced President Kennedy to visit Texas on November 22, 1963. On that fateful Friday, Connally was riding in the same limousine when Kennedy was assassinated. Connally was also wounded, but recovered and easily defeated Yarborough in the 1964 election.

Mr Yarborough died on September 22, 2009 at the age of 83 in Houston from complications from Parkinson's Disease. Yarborough would make a third run for governor in 1968 before quitting politics.

He served as a lobbyist in Washington from 1968-1981 before returning to Houston and resuming his law practice.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Gertrude Bains - World's Oldest person

Gertrude Baines, the world's oldest person at 115, died on September 11, 2009 at the Western Convalescent Hospital in Los Angeles. Born in Shellman, Georgia, Ms Baines was the daughter of a former slave. Her only child died when she was 18. She also outlived all of her relatives. Last year, she was in the news for voting for Barack Obama in the presidential election.

On Jan 2nd, she became the world's oldest person after the passing of 115 year old Maria de Jesus of Portugal.

She had been at the hospital since breaking her hip at 107. She enjoyed doing interviews and watched television, including the Jerry Springer show.

During her adult life she lived in Ohio, working as a maid at Ohio State University. She later moved to Los Angeles where she lived by herself, with the help of a caretaker, until she turned 107.

With her passing, the oldest person living is Kama Chinen, a 114 year old Japanese woman.