For Christmas, Fiorella and Husband gave their children photocopies of the family histories his parents had complied in their later years--three inch-thick books of genealogy, anecdotes, photos, and research. Fio doesn't know if either son has even flipped through the pages, but Daughter has. She's sort of the family historian and even obtained copies for all of us of the interviews that her paternal grandfather conducted regarding his long association with LBJ.
Anyway, what Fio is getting at is that Daughter, who is musically talented, has discovered her grandmother's brother had his own band and a record contract. But what else do you expect of the great-uncle of a young woman who can not only trill coloratura, but also sing the soul out of karaoke?
Showing posts with label LBJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LBJ. Show all posts
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thursday, September 9, 2010
LBJ Revisited
Fiorella's father-in-law was a long-time LBJ crony, and thus Fiorella can feed you two tidbits you won't read anywhere else.
When Father-in-Law asked about the notorious Duval County election, Johnson told him that all he knew was that "Boss" Paar had promised he'd turn out the votes.
When Father-in-Law asked him about John Connelly turning Republican in mid-gubernatorial stream, Johnson admitted he'd lost control of the Texas political scene.
Maybe not earth-shaking, but interesting. And it's long enough ago that Fio doesn't feel like she's blabbing state secrets.
When Father-in-Law asked about the notorious Duval County election, Johnson told him that all he knew was that "Boss" Paar had promised he'd turn out the votes.
When Father-in-Law asked him about John Connelly turning Republican in mid-gubernatorial stream, Johnson admitted he'd lost control of the Texas political scene.
Maybe not earth-shaking, but interesting. And it's long enough ago that Fio doesn't feel like she's blabbing state secrets.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Momentary Encounters
1) LYNDON JOHNSON. Fio married into a family involved in Johnson's business and political enterprise so when the President showed up at a reception the Crystal ballroom, father-in-Law pushed Fio forward to meet him. Johnson's bodyguard pushed her back. FIL pushed Fio forward again and called Johnson by name. That turned the trick, Fio was introduced, and the show was over.
2) MADALYN MURRAY O'HAIR. It was Christmas and Fio had a temporary job peddling British Sterling, a men's cologne, in Scarbrough's Department store. She instantly recognized the infamous O'Hair when she walked up to the toiletries counter and asked for "Wolf Brothers." There was something challenging in her request, as if she expected Fio not to recognize what she wanted. Scanning the cologne displays, Fio, who had just passed a French reading exam, pulled Wolff Freres off the shelf and handed it over. Score one for Fio.
3)ANDREW YOUNG. Fio was sitting on a couch in the spacious lobby of the LBJ building at UT when she spotted the handsome politician. It was hard to miss him, with all the eager female students gathered around.
4)JOHNNIE COCHRAN. Fio was waiting in line at the Cleveland airport when she glanced at the line about ten feet over the spotted Cochran, OJ's most famous lawyer. She sidled up to the young woman accompanying him and affirmed his identity. The amazing thing was that he was talking on his cell phone the whole time--QUIETLY. Didn't know lawyers could do that.
5)LADY BIRD JOHNSON. When Father-in-Law died, Mrs. Johnson attended his funeral with a retinue of Secret Service bodyguards, then passed out halfway through and had to be carried out. At least she waited to faint until after Fio had introduced her kids. How polite can you get?
2) MADALYN MURRAY O'HAIR. It was Christmas and Fio had a temporary job peddling British Sterling, a men's cologne, in Scarbrough's Department store. She instantly recognized the infamous O'Hair when she walked up to the toiletries counter and asked for "Wolf Brothers." There was something challenging in her request, as if she expected Fio not to recognize what she wanted. Scanning the cologne displays, Fio, who had just passed a French reading exam, pulled Wolff Freres off the shelf and handed it over. Score one for Fio.
3)ANDREW YOUNG. Fio was sitting on a couch in the spacious lobby of the LBJ building at UT when she spotted the handsome politician. It was hard to miss him, with all the eager female students gathered around.
4)JOHNNIE COCHRAN. Fio was waiting in line at the Cleveland airport when she glanced at the line about ten feet over the spotted Cochran, OJ's most famous lawyer. She sidled up to the young woman accompanying him and affirmed his identity. The amazing thing was that he was talking on his cell phone the whole time--QUIETLY. Didn't know lawyers could do that.
5)LADY BIRD JOHNSON. When Father-in-Law died, Mrs. Johnson attended his funeral with a retinue of Secret Service bodyguards, then passed out halfway through and had to be carried out. At least she waited to faint until after Fio had introduced her kids. How polite can you get?
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