in memory of Gail Efroymson
March 7, 1964 - January 12, 2023
daughter • sister • aunt • friend
We had a salon in New York. For years and years. Once a month, clockwork, a gaggle of us — writers, artists, actors, musicians, and who let that mime in? — gathered and shared. Food, drink. Story, poetry, novel in progress, play, canvas, song.
The salon was a celebration of creativity, a recharge from the sapping city, ballast for the schooner. We welcomed all. How good and pleasant it was for brothers and sisters to sit together.
The core group expanded and contracted. Life happened, and people moved, and the salon ended. We stayed in touch, sometimes more, sometimes less.
Now this pandemic — this thing — comes to disrupt. We’re putting the salon back together. Hugging one another with word and image and sound. A way to share and vent and connect. Virtually, now, with The SOcial DistAncing BRIDGE. Awkward acronym, yeah. We’ll put it on the fix-it list.
At least until this thing abates, and it will, have a stroll across our bridge. Take a trip and never leave the farm.
Guys, guys. I know some of you are freaking out, but let’s make the best of this time.
Remember, Shakespeare wrote his sonnets when theaters were shut down during the plague.
Lyn-Manuel Miranda wrote Hamilton when he was on hold with his cable provider.
Madame Curie discovered x-rays while she was waiting for her CVS receipt to finish printing out.
Aaron Copland and Martha Graham composed and choreographed “Appalachian Spring” on a Saturday night in a Taco Bell drive-thru.
Phillip Glass composed the score for Einstein on the Beach when the guy in front of him at Home Depot paid with a check.
Virginia Woolf wrote Mrs. Dalloway while her husband re-packed the car for their vacation for the third time.
John Ford shot The Searchers during a rain delay at a Brooklyn Dodgers game.
Georgia O’Keeffe did all her flower paintings in the time after her teeth had been cleaned and before the dentist came in for the exam.
The Rolling Stones recorded Exile on Main Street while they were waiting to get their ears pierced at Claire’s.
Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird while her dog did that circling thing dogs do before they poop.
Jonathan Franzen wrote The Corrections in 7th grade gym class as he was waiting to get picked for a kickball team.
William Faulkner wrote The Sound and The Fury when his Pilates instructor was running late.
⏤ Brad Schnurr
