Stuff Wes said (and sometimes still says)

 

Photo is of James O'Connell Morgan and Wesley A Morgan (me) around 2011. Dad passed away at age 95 in 2013. Nothing beat seeing my dad laugh. He wasn't always amused by stuff I said in jest but maybe my favorite was at a gathering of Morgans after mom died in 2011. I was play acting about bragging about my my father's time in the Army when he was a camouflage expert. I postured as a proud son bragging that "My dad was so good at camouflage that there are military installations in California they still can't find. He was that good." (I still smile when I recall his sincere laughter at that wise crack.)

My college pal and long time friend, David Drimer, reminded me on a phone call recently that one of his favorite Wes Morgan quotes is my profound declaration: "Some people say I don't have priorities. I disagree, I have priorities - they're just not in the right order."

I credit this quote to him. It's sort of the same vintage. "I learn from my mistakes. Given the opportunity, I could repeat them exactly." Dave reminded me of another gem I used to say a lot. "It isn't easy being anybody. But no-one is better at being you." The point is to remind people that in spite of whatever struggles they face, they can approach life with their own unique style/brand. Dave forwarded this cartoon with a chuckle as a Morgan theory "corollary".

My Siblings have heard me say a bit of wisdom that I attribute to observing my mother in action. "The truth belongs to the teller". Mom was a talented actress and director of community theater with a Masters in Dramatic Arts from Case Western Reserve University. (She earned that Masters degree after having 6 kids.) Clearly she understood the art of storytelling. She often repeated her version of of reality. 

• Greg was christened the "navigator" on family road trips. He also "Fixed the vacuum cleaner when he was 4 years old."
• Dan was always "so sensitive."
• Sundance (formerly known as Jimmy) was not responsible and lost every wrist watch he ever owned when he was growing up.
• Mom and Dad agreed that Rob "is the best." That declaration went with the prize of having his aging parents moving close to him in their senior years.

On the occasion of my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I couldn't wait to offer my toast. My punch line was a matter of fact statement: 

"You know I lived with these people 18 years. I don't know how they managed to live with each other for 50."

On more than one wedding occasion I offered this bit of tongue-in-check: "You know Marriage isn't a WORD. It's a SENTENCE." 

I started calling my sister "Zsa Zsa" as a sort of celebration of her surviving 3 marriages. (If you are scoring at home: 6 Morgan Siblings - 11 marriages.)

I love it when my kids quote me is some amusing ways. My son, for example, gives me credit for saying "80% of life is showing up."

Similarly, my daughter remembers that I avoid left turns so enthusiastically that I would prefer to make three right turns to avoid the traffic dilemmas that can come in spite of turn signals and traffic laws.

80% is showing up. 

It's not easy being anybody. (But no-one is better at being you.)

I have priorities...

The Truth belongs to the Teller.

"Having kids takes two things: Money and Energy. If you wait for one you might not have the other." (I used to day that a lot when I was a dad in my 20s and early 30s with Lindsey born in 1982 and Ben born in 1986)

"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

― Bruce Lee

 

 

Parker at Hawthorn 4-8-25

 

Parker Millsap, opening for Larkin Poe at The Hawthorn in Saint Louis. I recruited Dave Shogren and his wife Linda and Tom (Scooter Man). The four of us riding with Tom (as our driver in his new car) met at Dave and Linda's place on Gayola in Maplewood. We did a bit of "Front Porchin' " before grabbing a bite to eat at Hi Pointe (on Dave). 

The venue is spacious, The crowd shuffled in as doors opened at 7pm. There was just enough time for us to visit the bar, where Tom bought a round of 16 oz Modelo Beers. The stage is dramatic and Parker Millsap is a crowd pleaser. 

• Your Water
• Front Porchin'
• Very Last Day
• Heaven Sent
• Real Thing
• Dammit
• Hades Pleads

Parker promises to be available for the sale of merch (T Shirts, CDs, LPs, and mini watercolor masterpieces). I was able to update my CD collection with the latest available. Parker was welcoming and with a big smile he said "And I have something for you..." That "something was a Morgan crest pin that explains the Welsh Irish origin of the name and the motto FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD. 

It's always fun to catch Parker Millsap in Saint Louis. I've seen him at the Pageant (twice), Delmar Hall, Off Broadway (three times), The Rock House. 

Planning a road trip to see Parker in Memphis on May 30, 2025. (I will visit with Dr and Mrs. Thomas Farrar and Ryan on that trip.)